Liverpool F.C - The Road to Europe

Beat Lille 3-1 in my first friendly with Gerrard scoring two goals and Raheem Sterling scoring the last, but Jordan Henderson had to go off injured - hope it's nothing serious.

Stewart Downing has completed his loan move back to Schalke, while Tom McMinigal has rejected yet another loan offer from Liverpool. Mario Balotelli has however, accepted a contract offer from Liverpool and is expected to be a Liverpool player within the next few days for a fee of 8 million.

Roberto Mancini has left Manchester City and taken charge at Barcelona.

Mario Balotelli

The Kopites went crazy once we announced the transfer of Mario Balotelli - some were happy, some were not, due to the player's disciplinary problems that led Man City to offer him on sale in the first place. However I am confident he can establish himself as one of the world's best here and hopefully not the next Nelson Oliveira.

OUT
Charlie Adam has joined his teammate Stewart Downing on loan at Schalke, while John Flanagan has headed down to West Ham on loan.

13/14 Squad:
1) Fernando Muslera
2) Glen Johnson
3) Jose Enrique
5) Daniel Agger
6) Jack Robinson
7) Luis Suarez
8) Steven Gerrard
9) Andy Carroll
10) Mario Balotelli
11) Carlos Fierro
14) Jordan Henderson
15) Seydou Keita
16) Sebastian Coates
17) Martin Montoya
19) Yaya Sanogo
21) Lucas Leiva
22) Danny Wilson
23) Jamie Carragher
24) Felipe Anderson
25) Pepe Reina
30) Suso
31) Raheem Sterling
32) Joe Osei
33) Jonjo Shelvey
34) Martin Kelly
35) Ben Howard
36) David Soley
40) Andre Wisdom
41) Philip Pritchard
42) Caglar Dogan

Conor Coady and Robbie Cotton have both penned four-year deals while Steven Gerrard has signed a two-year deal, not giving any impression that he'll be retiring anytime soon. Yes, Stevie, that should be the way. The Liverpool captain still trained like he was 23 not 33, and his last few matches for the club proved he still had what it took to make it at the top, top level.

Glen Johnson has been ruled out for 2-3 months after a friendly match against Leeds.

A decent pre-season and my standout signing so far is the Turkish striker Caglar Dogan, who scored three goals altogether in pre-season. However I will only use him in the first team occasionally as planned, because I only plan to use him in my U18s and Reserves.

I have money to burn and on the lookout for a new defensive midfielder. Javier Mascherano has rejected the opportunity to return to Liverpool and has instead joined Chelsea in a 20 million deal.

Things are going well for the club as I have just convinced the board to improve youth facilities and expand Anfield - all these should be completed by next season. Improvements for the senior team's training facilities are also being improved on and should be completed by December.

Lucas Leiva, the only defensive midfielder at Liverpool has signed a lucrative five-year contract amid interest from Real Madrid.

Andre Wisdom, Connor Coady, Raheem Sterling, Robbie Cotton, and Ben Howard have all moved on loan to Charlton, Swindon, Leeds, Birmingham, and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

Lastly, the Liverpool fans are very concerned that I am interested in a Bosman transfer for Chelsea's Ivorian winger Salomon Kalou, whose contract expires at the start of next season. Kalou will almost certainly not sign a new contract as he has expressed his frustration at the lack of first-team opportunities at the Blues and the fans have found out how I sent one of my scouts to compile a report on him and are starting to question why I would bring a player the fans disliked.

BREAKING: Reds boss Glenn Tham has declared his wish to bring Xabi Alonso back home
"We want to sign a defensive midfielder," Tham said, speaking to a few journalists at Melwood. "And Xabi Alonso is a defensive midfielder. I am an ardent fan of him and has seen him before when he was here at Liverpool - such class, such quality. He is 31 but still has the ability to play at a high level, you see what he does at Real Madrid. We want to take him home. This is home. This is Anfield."

Coincidentally, Tham has failed in his approach to bring a former Red back to Liverpool just a week ago, as Chelsea beat off competition from a number of clubs, including Milan, Manchester United and Tham's Liverpool, to sign Javier Mascherano from Barcelona.

Alonso's contract expires at the start of next season and although he has not stated any desire to, either sign a new contract or move away from Real, it does not mean he will definitely feature for Tham's Liverpool soon.

Mario Balotelli: The new Kop hero?
Mario Balotelli scored his first two league goals for his new club today as Liverpool triumphed in a 2-0 win against rivals Everton at Goodison Park. The Italian's brace helped Liverpool to victory and this will definitely change the opinions of a few fans who were skeptical with Balotelli's arrival.

Wearing his new No. 10 jersey for Liverpool, last worn by Portuguese striker Nelson Oliveira who moved to Sampdoria in July, he ended his goal drought of not having scored in a competitive league match for over 20 hours of competitive football.

Meanwhile, Joao Carlos has been released by Liverpool following an unsuccessful two-year stint in Liverpool's reserve team after being signed by Tham's predecessor Kenny Dalglish.

Xabi Alonso has responded after claims in the media linking him with a return to old club Liverpool: "I have no intention of going to Liverpool. I am enjoying my football here in Madrid."

Balotelli DOES have an attitude problem, but knows when to shut up. I asked if he would like to recommend me a talented young player as my Reserves needed a left-back, but he said he only got his salary for playing and not recommending players. I was miffed and told him to start respecting his head coach and he immediately apologized.

I have offered 30 million to Everton for their Belgian defensive midfielder Fellaini, as the end of the transfer window draws closer.

Liverpool has been drawn with A.C Milan, Sparta Prague, and FC Kobenhavn in the Champions' League group stage.

Everton wants 40 million for Fellaini. I rejected them flatly. Looks like there won't be anymore players coming in, so that means I'll have 35 million to spend during the January transfer window - although it is very unlikely that I will spend any.

Great story, I'm enjoying it still

How have your fans reacted to the signing of Balotelli, Mr Tham?

They had a mixed reaction, with most skeptical about the signing. But all of them are clearly delighted that he has made such a quick impact.