Liverpool F.C - The Road to Europe

This will probably disappoint the fans but I'll say now: I will not be buying any more players above the age of 21 this year - unless of course one of our key players leave in a big-money move, which is highly unlikely as Real Madrid are not prepared to pay over the odds for Lucas Leiva and Luis Suarez.

14/15 Liverpool Squad
2) David Soley
3) Jose Enrique
5) Roger Doux
6) Jack Robinson
7) Luis Suarez
8) Steven Gerrard
9) Andy Carroll
10) Mario Balotelli
11) Carlos Fierro
13) Robbie Cotton
14) Jordan Henderson
15) Seydou Keita
16) Sebastian Coates
17) Martin Montoya
18) Mbaye Niang
20) Stewart Downing
21) Lucas Leiva
22) Danny Wilson
23) Jamie Carragher
24) Felipe Anderson
25) Pepe Reina
26) Charlie Adam
30) Suso
31) Raheem Sterling
32) Joe Osei
33) Bradley Seddon-Griffiths
34) Nicky Guthrie
35) Oliver Vincent
36) Buru
37) Mario
38) Jon Flanagan
41) Philip Pritchard
42) Caglar Dogan
45) Jose Angel Rodriguez
48) Ben Howard
49) Alessandro Rossi

Liverpool have signed 16-year-old Dutch center-back Sezer Ozkul from Roda JC on a free transfer.

Sezer Ozkul

A rather decent pre-season.

I am interested in Milan captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Italian club rates their striker at 17 million and I am not prepared to pay that amount for a 32-year-old.

Liverpool has lost out to Man City 2-1 in the Community Shield.

I have flew in to Norway for my first match as Spain manager, an away friendly against aforementioned Norway that will take place three days later. This marks the beginning of a hectic schedule where I'll have to balance both club and country duties.

I have taken a look at the Spain players and they all were rather polite but I knew some of them were puzzled as to why an English had taken over the reins as Spain manager.

Iker Casillas has been kept as Spain captain and Gerard Pique of Barcelona will be the new vice-captain of the national team.

Spain team vs Norway
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
David De Gea (Manchester United)
Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)
Marc Bartra (Barcelona)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Alvaro Dominiguez (Atletico Madrid)
Martin Montoya (Liverpool)
Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
Jordi Alba (Valencia)
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
Jose Antonio Reyes (Sevilla)
Juan Mata (Chelsea)
Rodrigo (Inter Milan)
Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
Iniesta (Barcelona)
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona)
Ander Herrara (Athletic Bilbao)
Thiago (Barcelona)
Iker Muinian (Athletic Bilbao)
Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

Spain and Tham ease to victory


Glenn Tham's first game in charge of Spain resulted in a 3-0 win over Norway in a friendly. New vice-captain Gerard Pique captained the squad as Pepe Reina took over Iker Casillas' place in goal. Martin Montoya, who plays under Tham at Liverpool, won his first cap at the age of 23, while Marc Bartra of Barcelona also got his first cap.

Watching the line-ups, it was evident that Tham had studied Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two big shots in Spain's La Liga, as the national team lined up in a tiki-taka formation.

Fernando Torres scored two for Spain and Andres Iniesta bagged the last goal, with two of the goals courtesy of Thiago, a transfer target of Tham's Liverpool. The Barcelona midfielder was superb in his position as an attacking midfielder, partnering Andres Iniesta in attacking the Norway defense right behind Fernando Torres.

If Spain can continue to win like this throughout Tham's reign, there is no doubt they could regain their place as 1st in the FIFA World Rankings again.

Spain are currently 11th in the World Rankings following their disappointing World Cup 2014 campaign.

Reds beat Blackburn in first match of the season


Liverpool beat Blackburn easily in their first match of the 14/15 season with a 4-1 scoreline - goals courtesy of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Roger Doux, and Steven Gerrard.

Roger Doux, who signed for Liverpool from Tottenham after just one season in London for 5 million, looked superb in defense as he managed to net a header from Jose Enrique's corner. The French wonderkid, who hasn't even reached the age of 20 yet, replaces Daniel Agger as backup to Sebastian Coates and Danny Wilson this season. With Coates out through injury and Wilson through suspension, Jamie Carragher started and Doux was given the opportunity to play alongside the Liverpool icon, and he took that chance well.

Liverpool are viewed as strong contenders for the title this season, having won their 19th one last season - and will look to overtake Manchester United who have 20 titles - their last title won two seasons ago.

Carroll form continues as Swansea slump to defeat


Swansea slumped to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Liverpool and Andy Carroll yesterday. The latter netted two goals for the Reds and now has 3 goals in 2 league appearances.

Andy Carroll was transfer-listed in January and offered to various clubs, but a move didn't materialize and Carroll remained at the club - eventually winning the Premier League and the FA Cup at the end of the season. Now it looks as if Carroll's future with Liverpool could continue for a while more.

Other goals came from Steven Gerrard and Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker shone for Liverpool last season and the Liverpool fans will no doubt be looking toward him to score the goals that will bring a possible title this season.

Ben Howard made his senior debut for Liverpool in this match, ironically against his former club Swansea.

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Felipe Anderson has crushed Inter Milan's hopes of landing him as the Brazilian midfielder signs a new four-year contract with Liverpool.

"I am very happy to have signed a new contract," said a clearly delighted Felipe Anderson, whose previous contract would expire at the end of the season. "I love Liverpool and the fans - they have been very instrumental in me signing this contract. When I first came to the club I could not speak a word of English - but my teammates have been very helpful and now I can speak almost perfect English."

Liverpool will play Leeds in the League Cup Third Round.

The Reds have also been drawn with Real Madrid, Ajax, and BATE in the Champions' League group stages. Liverpool lost to fellow English side Manchester City in last season's Champions' League Final, and Tham has said that their aim this season for Europe would be to win the Champions' League a sixth time.

Andy Carroll and Steven Gerrard have come in 2nd and 3rd respectively for August Player of the Month.

Roger Doux have come in 2nd for August Young Player of the Month.

Steven Gerrard has won the August Goal of the Month.