Despite having only been in charge of the club for a short period of time, Kenny Dalglish has been asked to step aside and make way for a younger talent; James Gallagher is to take over the reins at the Merseyside club. James Gallagher is an unknown manager but the owner of Liverpool Football Club, John Henry, had this comment to make on this dramatic decision.

“ I would like to start by thanking Kenny for stepping into Roy Hodgson’s shoes. Kenny came into the job knowing that it would be a difficult task and it was one he put 100% effort and commitment into. We felt that Kenny was not the right man, despite him being a legend of the club, to take Liverpool Football Club forward to the next level. James has come in and set out his plans which will allow the club to reach the heights of its former glories. We will support James from day one in any decision he makes and we have full confidence that he will bring success to the club.”

James Gallagher comes into a club where expectations are high from everyone associated with the club. 1990 was the last time Liverpool won the league and ever since they have had some success in Europe with the 2001 in the UEFA Cup as it was named at the time, the dramatic 2005 Champions League win in Istanbul and the FA and League Cup have been won a couple of times each. Despite these wins it is the Barclays Premiership that the Liverpool fans have longed to win.

What can the new manager expect?

Liverpool’s estimated value: £262million (Loan debt: £37million). What is reassuring for James Gallagher is that the new owners wiped the debt which had hindered the clubs progress in the last few seasons. The loan debt should have little effect on whether Gallagher can manoeuvre in the transfer market or whether he will have to focus on developing the younger players at the club.

Gallagher can expect an atmosphere like no other. The 45362 all seater stadium creates a cacophony of noise which the club are famous for world wide. There had been plans for Liverpool to move elsewhere but the owners seemed to have postponed this decision for the time being. The Kop will be expecting results and it will be interesting to see if James Gallagher is the man to provide the positive results that Liverpool should be securing.

Melwood has continued to breed successful young players who this season will be looking to break into the first team. There are rumours going round that it is going to the younger generation that Gallagher will be looking towards to lead the Liverpool front line.

What do the media think?

Media prediction: 5th. Mark Lawrenson took time out to comment on Liverpool’s chances this season and he had this to say.

“I think this season has to be seen as a rebuilding season for Liverpool. The fans, players and staff need to give the new manager a chance to put his stamp on the club. It is going to be a hard task, Liverpool is not an easy club to manage, especially when you are following a club legend like Dalglish. I think 5th is a reasonable prediction but I would not be surprised if Liverpool fall below that position.”

We have heard rumours that James Gallagher has at the ground after signing his one year contract and we are hoping that in the next hour or so to hear from the man that has been put in charge of taking Liverpool back to the top of English football.

Great start! Is this FM 12 you are playing on?

2012-10-21 19:57#68117 The FM Rookie : Great start! Is this FM 12 you are playing on?

It is yes but I intend on doing the same thing when FM2013 comes out!

Thomas Werner (Liverpool Chairman): Thank you to everyone for coming at such short notice to this press conference. I would like to start by welcoming James to the club. We are very excited about his arrival and his agreement to take over the reins from Kenny. I am not going to go on and on so you can direct your questions at James. Lets start with you Dan.

Dan Walker (BBC): James, what made you want to be the manager of Liverpool?

James Gallagher (Liverpool Manager): I would like to start by thanking Mr Werner and Mr Henry for entrusting me with this position, it is an honour, as a Liverpool fan myself, to be in charge of this famous football club. The club is one with a proud history which is recognised by other managers, players, fans and pundits across the world. It has been a long time since Liverpool was where they rightly belong, top of the league. I have the confidence in the ability of myself the staff and players to get this club back to the top of the premier league.

Bryan Swanson (Sky Sports): Welcome to Anfield James. You are obviously aware of the history of this club. How confident are you that you can get this club back to the good ol’ days?

James Gallagher (Liverpool Manager): This club enjoyed the majority of its successes in the great spell of dominances in the 80s; that may be before my time but I am aware that success is in the clubs heartbeat. The club, even though there has been this baron spell of trophies in regards to the premier league, but it is still undoubtedly one of the most successful clubs in England. Liverpool fans cannot forget this period but it is also important for them to be thinking about the present and the future. I am not here to focus on the past, although it will be used as a foundation for the success I hope to bring to the club. I hope the fans get behind us and support us from this point forward.

Paul Hawksbee (TalkSport): Welcome to Anfield James. Of course everyone is going to be keeping a close eye on what happens around the club in the next few days. What are your plans for the backroom staff? What about the players?

James Gallagher (Liverpool Manager): Steve Clarke is a fantastic coach, one of the best there is, why would I want to bring in anyone else? The club have a brilliant setup and it would be daft to make any drastic changes. I intend on having a meeting with all of the staff to set out my plans. In regards to players, this is day one; it would be unfair for me to judge them based on other people’s opinions. I intend on seeing how they get on in training, in pre-season and as the season progresses.

Bryan Swanson (Sky Sports): But there are the on-going rumours that Andy Carroll is unsettled and wants a move away from the club.

James Gallagher (Liverpool Manager): Andy is a brilliant player. He can bring so much to the team, not just his height but his strength and his awareness of what is happening on the pitch. He is a reliable player who has his head screwed on tight. I think what happens will be the best for the club and for Andy.

Thomas Werner (Liverpool Chairman): That is I am afraid all we have time for today. Thank you all for coming but I am sure James is eager to get started.

In a recent press conference James Gallagher, the new manager of Liverpool, stated that he would be having a conversation with the staff, setting out his plans and discussing their futures. He spoke very highly of Steve Clarke but didn’t give any indications that there would be a big revamp of the staff employed by the club.

James Gallagher has come in and meant business. James has already terminated, by mutual consent, the contracts of 12 backroom members of staff. These staff members range from the scouting team, to youth coaches and the physio team. All the offers of mutual termination have been accepted and all the staff have been thanked for their dedication and hard work during their time with the club.

James has not hung around in replacing these members of staff and has already seeked to offer contracts to new candidates. Antonio Fernandez and Pepe Bonet have joined Damien Comolli and Paul Johnson (the only two scouts who have not had their contracts cancelled) on the scouting team. It appears that James is hoping to utilise their extensive knowledge of Spain to scout and then potentially obtain the uprising stars in the nation.
The well renowned youth coach, Brian Eastick has accepted Liverpool’s offer of a contract. He brings a wealth of experience and with his support James is hoping young talents such as Suso and Raheem Sterling can break into the Liverpool first team.

Liverpool fans have rejoiced at an Anfield legend returning to join the goalkeeping staff at the club. Ray Clemence, who has surprisingly been without a club for an extensive period of time, has agreed to join the coaching staff. It is hoped he can part wisdom to some of the young keepers and help Pepe Reina get back to his best.

The season is going to be a long one for the club so James wants to ensure that players stay fit for the duration. The stamina of the players is going to be a worry, especially as currently the team has limited depth. Gian Nicola Bisciotti has been brought in to help ensure that players are fit and ready for everything demanded of them.

Tullio Gritti has been drafted into to support the change in tactical emphasis at the club whereas Massimo Bonini has been brought in to support Steve Clarke with the defensive side of the team.

James has left fans know via the Liverpool website that staffroom changes are completed and it is time to move onto scouting and studying potential new players.

Over the past few seasons Liverpool have not been blessed with squad depth. Previous managers have sought after players who have something to prove, mainly the critics. Managers of yester year have brought in players who have not managed to fulfil their potential. Rafa Benitez is a prime example of this. During his time at the club Rafa managed to spend £229million on 76 players, most of which are no longer at the club. A few examples are below:

Josemi
Position: Defender
Cost: £2million
Where is he now? Josemi had made a promising start to his time at Anfield but he was immediately replaced by an, at the time, inform Steve Finnan. Josemi now plays for Cartagena who are in the lower tier of Spanish football.

Antonio Nunez
Position: Midfielder
Cost: £1.5million – part of the Michael Owen deal with Real Madrid
Where is he now? Antonio, as like Josemi, had made a good start to his Anfield career but the impact was limited. Antonio now plays for Apollon Limassol in the Greek league.

Gabriel Paletta
Position: Defender
Cost: £2million
Where is he now? Gabriel did not stay at Liverpool for long (he only made 3 appearences in 1 season) and now plays for Serie A side Parma.

Andrea Dossena
Position: Defender
Cost: £7million
Where is he now? Dossena made very little impact and put in some below par performances in the Liverpool defence. Dossena was sold for £3.3million to Serie A side Napoli where he is still to this day.

James Gallagher, the newly hired manager of Liverpool, seems to have not hung around in ensuring he puts his stamp on the squad of players. He has stated that he is not going to be adopting the similar approach to his predecessors of overspending. James wants to ensure that any decisions made on players coming in are going to benefit the team in the long run. The decisions will go through extensive deliberation with coaching staff and managing director Ian Ayre. James is continuing his philosophy of thinking towards the future and has already made this known.

Ibrahim Afellay has been signed from FC Barcelona for the small fee of £1.7million, which incidentally is the same price that Pep Guardiola had paid out for Afellay the previous season. Afellay had not been given his chance at Barcelona and with competition for places being as tough as anywhere else in the world; he only managed to appear 16 times and scored 1 goal. James hopes that Afellay’s passing, dribbling, awareness and eagerness to play will help Liverpool control the midfield area.



Afellay is said to have started to settle into his new club. He has shared with the media that he is happy to have joined Liverpool and is seeing this as a new beginning for the club and himself. He is delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the new attacking flowing Liverpool team and he hopes he can make a big contribution from the start.

James Gallagher has made it known to everyone, with his latest signing, that is focus is solely on the future. Carlos Fierro, a relatively unknown 16 year old Mexican, has been signed in a deal which will see him join The Reds at the end of the upcoming season. Fierro will join Liverpool for a small fee of £1.3million but he is required to continue playing for his local team, CD Guadalajara, where he plays for the reserve team. Liverpool fans have expressed their worry that the manager is becoming too focused on the future and not giving thought to the upcoming season as they really want their team to be pushing for the title. James has reassured fans that he is working closely alongside the scouting team and Ian Ayre (managing director of Liverpool) to acquire players for the upcoming season.




There are rumours circulating that Liverpool have had a bid for the Brazilian striker Fred rejected and Liverpool are unwilling to increase the amount they are willing to pay to obtain the strikers services. Instead Liverpool are supposedly interested in signing an international colleague of Fred’s, Leandro Damiao who has so far in Brazil’s First Division scored 8 goals in 18 appearences. The young 22 year old striker has always said he wants to prove himself in one of the world’s top leagues and Liverpool look like they are going to offer him the chance. More on this will be shared as the news develops.

Everton versus Liverpool has always been a fierce rivalry no so more this time around on the opening day of the season. James Gallagher is set to make his Premiership managerial debut and his Liverpool side, which have had a good pre-season, have been given the tough task of playing against their Merseyside neighbours. Ever since the fixture was released for the upcoming season there has been a buzz around the city. Liverpool have been made odds on favourites (4-5) with the chance of Everton winning the game have only been given odds of 3-1.

The match will not only see James Gallagher’s managerial debut but it will also see his Anfield. The fans are expectant and are hoping that their side can make a positive start to the season. Everton on the other hand are well known for having poor starts to the season and Liverpool will be hoping to capitalise on this. It is set to be one of the great matches between the two teams and the managers have been discussing their teams chances in the media.


A day before the opening day of the 2011/12 season the Everton manager has spoken out about his dislike of the new Liverpool manager. David Moyes, who has been in charge of Everton for 10 years, has shared with BBC Sport that he is not a fan of Gallagher’s and that the pair do not see eye to eye on matters.
When asked to reply the new Liverpool manager chuckled and had very little time to say about his opponents comments and wanted to focus his press conference on the upcoming fixture, but he did have this to say,
“I’ve never heard of David Moyes so I don’t mind what he says about me.”

Goal.com: The opening day of the season is marked on the calendars of football fans all across the country and, after a long close season, everyone is raring to go. Are you excited?
James Gallagher: I am hoping for a good performance today and a result to match.

The People: You’ve had the off-season to prepare your team and all that’s left is to kick off the campaign. Are you confident that your team are ready?
James Gallagher: The break went well, now we need to carry our pre-season form into competitive matches.

Sky Sports News: It’s always nice to start with a win to get points on the board and build up some momentum. Are you confident you can get off to a good start?
James Gallagher: We have been working hard and, if the players can carry that focus and determination into the match, we should do well.

The Daily Post: Are you nervous at all ahead of the game, considering your fans will almost certainly be demanding a win?
James Gallagher: Nerves are expected before a game like this. It’s a massive fixture.

BBC Merseyside: There is incredible hunger from the Liverpool fans to get one over on Everton. How is the pressure to mastermind a victory affecting you?
James Gallagher: I hope to thrive under it.

Sky Sports News: Don’t you agree that these clashes add something special to the Premier Division? There aren’t many other fixtures with this atmosphere and will to win, are there?
James Gallagher: The competition is richer for games like this, of course it is.

The People: A match against Everton is always eagerly anticipated by your fans – is the pressure that comes with such expectation getting to the players at all?
James Gallagher: The fans play a massive part in games like this, creating a fantastic atmosphere that the players will thrive in.

We are going to leave the Liverpool press conference at this point but it does seem that the Liverpool manager is confident in getting one over the teams local rivals. I am sure you will agree that it is a brilliant way to start the season and we hope the match lives up to the hype.

We have finally arrived at the opening day of the new Premier League season and we have been given the team news from Anfield.



Afellay has had a promising start to his Anfield career by putting in some confident performances during Liverpool’s pre-season and this has been rewarded with him being given his full Liverpool, Anfield and Merseyside derby debut. Bellamy has been trusted to lead the front line and I am sure it is hoped that his pace will cause problems for the Everton defence. The biggest surprise has to be the omission of Glen Johnson at right back, which we have been told is a result of him just coming back from a groin injury. Andre Wisdom will be trusted to guard the right side of the defence and will have a tough challenge with the runs of Leighton Baines. James Gallagher has also handed debuts to Jose Enrique at left back and Jordan Henderson who I am sure will be looking to start off well and begin to pay back the £16million transfer fee that Liverpool paid Sunderland.

Everton have gone for a more compact midfield with a mix of youth and experience. Jelavic, Everton’s latest signing from Rangers will be hoping to make his mark on his debut and show why David Moyes has faith in him.

Kick off time: 15:00
Stadium: Anfield
Weather: Sun, dry, 19 degrees Celsius
Key players:
Liverpool: Ibrahim Afellay
Everton: Leighton Baines
BBC Merseyside: I can see Liverpool edging this game. It’ll be tough and Everton won’t roll over but the Reds get my vote.

Liverpool 2 – 0 Everton



Performance rating:

Post-match press conference: James Gallagher spoke to KiCK! Magazine and was eager to share his delight in his teams start to the season. He was asked what he thought of Craig Bellamy’s performance after he grabbed both the goals for Liverpool. Gallagher said that Bellamy was simply faultless and he hoped that those kinds of performances continued in the long run.

The Liverpool manager was asked to comment on the squad and if there were any plans to improve the team before the transfer deadline closed. Gallagher was quick to share that he was hoping to add another player in the not too distant future. When asked to name the player, he refused. The result of this is that the fans are being left on tenterhooks as to who Gallagher is interested in signing...there are still rumours going round of Leandro Damiao being targeted by Liverpool. I am sure more news will follow shortly.

There is not long left in the transfer window, we are in the final hours of deadline day. It has been an interesting day so far with some big signings having been made by some clubs. Ganso has traded the Brazilian First Division for the Premier League having joined Manchester City who are looking to bolster their midfield with the £22million signing. Arsenal have been the team from the top four that have been the most busy over the summer and they have continued their business into deadline day. Walter Montillo and Diego Perotti have joined The Gunners on deadline day and are looking forward to being given their debut in Arsenal’s next match.
You have read that right. We have heard rumours that Liverpool had had a bid accepted for Eden Hazard which was stretching to the fee of £30million. It is understood that this bid was going forward due to Andy Carroll being moved on. However, it is now understood that the bid for Hazard’s services has had to be withdrawn due to a lack of funds. Liverpool had tried to pay the fee in monthly instalments but there seems to be a distinct lack of money at the club. Gallagher is said to be frustrated at not getting his man but instead is moving onto another target.

It has been confirmed that in the last few moments that James Gallagher and Liverpool Football Club have confirmed the signing of Leandro Damiao for the fee of £18million which is rumoured to be paid off over the next 48 months in instalments. Liverpool fans are said to be excited about the prospect of Damiao joining the team but are worried about the financial side of the transfer. They are worried that the burden will hinder any other players being signed.



Damiao has already shared with journalists that he hoped to get his chance at Anfield as soon as possible and make himself a favourite with the fan’s of the club. He has said that the move to Liverpool has the ‘best moment of his life.’ The Liverpool manager is said to be delighted with the signing and feels that the player can make an instant impact on the team.

It has to be said that James Gallagher’s Liverpool side have surprised a lot of the pundits and fans. At the beginning of the season Liverpool were being written off, their lack of options upfront seem to be the reason for their poor media predictions of fifth. However Gallagher has come in, made significant changes, made two signings for the club (one more player will be joining at the end of the season) and things seem to have started well.

Fixtures and results:
Liverpool 2 – 0 Everton (Premier League)
Bellamy (Liv) 17mins
Bellamy (Liv) 76mins
MoM: Craig Bellamy

Liverpool 2 – 1 Newcastle United (Premier League)
Suarez (Liv) 38mins
Ameobi (New) 90+1 mins
Agger (Liv) 90+6 mins
MoM: Daniel Agger

Liverpool 4 – 1 Colchester United (League Cup 2nd Round)
Affelay (Liv) 5mins
Henderson (Col) 21mins
Adam (Liv) 25mins
Carroll (Liv) 45+1 mins
Rodriguez (Liv) 87mins
MoM: Suso

Liverpool 1 – 0 Swansea (Premier League)
Suarez (Liv) 88mins
Graham 79mins
MoM: Daniel Agger

Liverpool 2 – 0 Wigan (Premier League)
Rodriguez(Liv) 5mins
Bellamy (Liv) 57mins
MoM: Maxi Rodriguez


Liverpool is going to be facing their toughest test of the season so far next. In a televised match Liverpool will be hosting their arch rivals Manchester United at Anfield. This match is already being talked about as James Gallagher’s early opportunity to show what the future holds for Liverpool. Wayne Rooney is being pipped by the media, ex-professionals and James Gallagher himself to steal the show and put on a performance which will continue the great form he has begun with this season; he has scored 6 goals in just 4 appearances. Gallagher however is confident that the defensive duo of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger will help nullify the threat of Rooney.


The match is close to starting and we have received the team news.



Liverpool have made a couple of changes since their last outing. Fabio Aurelio has been brought in to make his first start of the season; Gallagher must be hoping that his experience can help stabilise the Liverpool defence. More experience is provided further up the pitch by Dirk Kuyt who does have a good record against Manchester United and I am sure he has been told to keep up the work ethic and effort he puts into every game. Interesting choice by the Liverpool manager to put Suarez out on the wing but with Bellamy being in good form it is understandable that Bellamy has been put at the front of the Liverpool attacking line. Steven Gerrard, who is yet to make a single appearance for Liverpool this season due to injury, has made the substitutes bench and I am sure he will be eager to get onto the pitch at some point.

Manchester United on the other hand have gone for the 4-4-2 formation. They will be looking to outnumber the Liverpool midfield and get the ball up to Rooney and Berbatov as often as possible.

Kick off time: 15:00
Stadium: Anfield
Weather: Sun, dry, 16 degrees Celsius
Key players:
Liverpool: Jose Pepe Reina
Manchester United: Dimitar Berbatov
BBC Merseyside: Sorry Liverpool and Man Utd fans, I just can’t separate these two sides. This goes down as a draw in my book.





Performance Rating:

Post-match conference: James Gallagher spoke to the media and shared his delight at Damaio’s late goal. He said that the goal was fully deserved and the Manchester United had not looked like scoring due to the solid defensive work of Skrtel and Agger. Afellay, he said, is already making an impact on the team and it was a shame that he didn’t manage to convert one of his chances into a goal. The Liverpool manager felt that his team could have won by 3 or 4 goals. Gallagher did jokingly ask whether Rooney was playing or not? He also made comment that he did not have time for Sir Alex Ferguson’s mind games of whether knows him or not or sees him as a threat but instead he wanted to concentrate on the match.

An excellent win for Liverpool which will provide more momentum for the upcoming fixtures.
Next three fixtures:
Derby (A) – League Cup 3rd Round
Fulham (A) – Premier League
Blackburn (H) – Premier League

What a start for James Gallagher and Liverpool Football Club. The media predicted that it was going to be a very tough season for Liverpool, made even more difficult with Gallagher’s arrival and his ethos. The manager and the players seem to have taken no notice of the media and used it to spur them on which has resulted in a brilliant start to the season.



The matches which have stood out for the club have been the 2-0 against Everton on the opening day of the season. Liverpool seemed to go from strength to strength which resulted in the team beating their arch rivals Manchester United at Anfield 1-0. United were expected to control the match from start to finish but Liverpool’s approach to the game (their passing and dominance in the tackle) out shone their opponents.

Liverpool had made a good start to their League Cup campaign by beating Derby County comfortably 4-1. This pitted them against Wolves who soundly beat the Merseyside club 2-1 due to a tactical error in regards to the starting formation but the Liverpool manager.

I am sure the Liverpool manager would admit, although not in public, that Liverpool has not been put up against any stiff competition since the United game. It is the upcoming Christmas period that will give the team to show whether they are title contenders or not. Liverpool will face Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal all in the same week and these few games will surely have an impact on who finishes in top spot at the come May.

I would like to end this section by congratulating the Liverpool manager on winning the October Manager of the Month award. The Liverpool manager has now won the award two months in a row which shows that critics are taking note of Liverpool’s performances and that they are getting their rewards with the manager getting his award and Liverpool sitting at the top of the Premier League table.



A number of the Liverpool players so far this season have caught the eye; none more so than the Danish centre back, Daniel Agger. The centre back has been colossal at the back for The Reds which has helped the team to only concede 4 goals in the first 10 Premier League games which has to be said is an impressive start.

Since being put on the transfer list, Jay Spearing, when he has been selected, has put in some solid performances. It seems that Jay is out to prove to the manager that he is worthy of wearing the red jersey. It will be interesting to see if the Liverpool manager decides to keep the player on the books at Liverpool or tries to move him on during the January transfer window.

Damiao has introduced himself to the Premier League with a bang. He is on a good run of form currently and has managed to grab himself 5 goals in 7 appearances. It is starting to look like he has replaced Andy Carroll in the starting eleven, who has coincidentally only appeared 4 times from the substitute bench so this season, which has added to the rumour mill that Carroll is on his way out of the club.

Suso was told at the beginning of the season that he was going to be given a big opportunity this season to show that he can become an integral part of Liverpool’s future. However, when playing for the reserve team a rash tackle resulted in Suso breaking his leg. The result of which has meant Suso has been sidelined for the next 4 to 5 months. James Gallagher has told us he will be looking to play more for the reserves when he returns but has not dismissed the chance that we will see Suso playing for the first team towards the end of the season.

Despite only having made 4 starts for the first team, Andre Wisdom has put in good defensive performances. It was great to see Wisdom bag himself the first goal of his Liverpool career and rumours are going round the club that he is going to be the immediate replace if Glen Johnson suffers a reoccurrence of his injury instead of Jamie Carragher; who is yet to start a match for the club in the Premier League this season.

Terry Connor, the Wolves manager, stated that Liverpool, based on what he had seen so far this season, were in with a great chance of winning the Premier League. When asked to comment on this judgement, James Gallagher calmly said that it was far too early to be discussing winning the title and that he would take each game as it comes. It is not clear what position the manager is expecting his team to finish come May but with this start surely they are in with a chance?

We are very close to the Christmas period of the season but first Liverpool have got what is seen as the toughest set of fixtures that they will encounter this season. First up it is a visit to the City of Manchester Stadium before making the long journey south to visit Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium; Chelsea then come to Anfield as November turns to December.
Another Premier League match is set to start but first we have been given the team news.



Liverpool have been forced into making one change to the team which has started the past three games. Martin Skrtel received a yellow card in the last game taking his total to 5 which means he has to miss this big clash in Manchester; Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool veteran, has been trusted to replace Skrtel in the starting lineup. As against Manchester United, the Liverpool manager has placed Suarez on the wing but I am sure he will be looking for the Uruguayan to get involved and support Damiao who has been in impressive form.

It is clear that Manchester City are taking this match seriously and they are in need of doing so; Manchester City have not had an impressive start to the season and lie in 5th. Liverpool will have to watch out for the dangerman Sergio Aguero and also Carlos Tevez who has a knack for scoring against the Merseyside club.

Kick off time: 15:00
Stadium: The City of Manchester Stadium
Weather: Cloudy, Drizzle, 11 degrees Celsius
Key players:
Liverpool: Daniel Agger
Manchester City: Yaya Toure
BBC Sport: Liverpool are a good side and I think they have enough quality to see of the change of Manchester City today.


Post-match Press Conference: James Gallagher briefly spoke to the media after today’s game. He said that was appalled by the referees decision to let play go on when Tevez was clearly in an offside position for the equalising goal. He could not however criticise his team’s performance and he singled out Steven Gerrard for showing that he is still one of the best attacking midfield players in the world. The Liverpool manager was then asked whether Martin Skrtel would be returning to the team after his suspension. Gallagher said that Skrtel would definitely be put straight back into the team and he assured us that Jamie Carragher, than man who replaced Skrtel for today’s game, understood this and was appreciative of being given the chance to play in such a big profile game.

Performance Rating:

This is the second of three tough fixtures for Gallagher’s men and we have been given the team that the Liverpool manager feels can put a dint in Arsenal’s title hopes.



Arsene Wenger spoke to the media prior to kick off and stated, that even though James Gallagher deserves credit for Liverpool’s impressive start to the season, that his Arsenal side hoped to put an end to The Reds unbeaten run. Arsenal has gone with an attacking formation while showing that that it is going to take a lot to beat them at the back.

Liverpool have made a couple of changes to the side that dramatically drew to the Manchester City in their last match. Skrtel is back from suspension so has replaced Jamie Carragher at the heart of the Liverpool defence. Craig Bellamy, who has been rested to past couple of matches, has been brought in for Damiao who is on the bench. It is hoped that Bellamy’s pace and dribbling ability can put pressure on the slower player that is Per Metersacker. Stewart Downing, he has not been a Liverpool regular since joining the club, has been chosen instead of Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpool manager told us that Stewart had been impressing him in training so felt it was a good time to give him a chance to prove his worth.

Kick off time: 19:30
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Weather: Cloudy, dry 6 degrees Celsius
Key players:
Arsenal: Bacary Sagna
Liverpool: Jose Pepe Reina.
BBC Sport: Liverpool are on a high and that form should be enough to get them a victory over Arsenal today.




Post match Press Conference: The Liverpool manager was unavailable to comment after his side’s unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt end. We have heard he was extremely disappointed in his side’s performance and was very critical of Stewart Downing’s performance. This leaves the question, will Stewart Downing put on a Liverpool first team shirt again?

Performance Rating:

Chelsea are the visitors at Anfield this afternoon and here we have the team news.



It is clear for everyone to see that Chelsea have come here wanting to win. Their starting 11 is very attack minded and I am sure Meireles has a point to prove to the Anfield crowd.
Liverpool have surprised everyone with their choice of formation and starting line up. It is clear that the Liverpool manager feels that the team are in need of a chance and when the 3-5-2 formation has been used before by the club it has proved effective. Luis Suarez has been put back into his preferred role so this is seen as his chance to prove that he can get back to his best. Charlie Adam comes into the team; Gallagher hopes that Charlie’s passing ability can help create chances for Damiao and Suarez.

Kick off time: 15:00
Stadium: Anfield
Weather: Cloudly, drizzle, 13 degrees Celsius
Key Players:
Liverpool: Jose Pepe Reina
Chelsea: John Terry
KiCK! Magazine: Chelsea are on a high and that form should be enough to get them a victory over Liverpool today.


Post match Press Conference: James Gallagher praised his teams performance in terms of keeping possession of the ball and creating a hat full of chances. He did however criticise his forward players for not getting enough shots on target and hinted that that might have to be the focus of the next weeks training regime.
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Manchester United have clearly capatalised on the poor form of Liverpool in the past three games. United are now three points ahead and with a 6-0 hammering of Newcastle United in the last game it seems like they want to make the top spot their own. The 1-0 win for Chelsea will potentially give them the momentum to kick start their season and hopefully pass Manchester City who sit in a very disappointing 6th place. James Gallagher is still confident in his side and has reassured his fans that these dropped points are only in a blip in what has been a very good start to his first season in charge.

It is that time of the season, the time where teams look to bolster their squad with a marquee signing who can hopefully help their team to push to avoid relegation, push for Europe or to become champions come may. Rumours are going around that there is going to be quite a bit of business at Anfield. This is what we know so far.
Jay Spearing was placed on the transfer list at the beginning of the season and since has not been a regular in the Liverpool first team due to him not being registered to play. James Gallagher has made it clear that Spearing does not feature in his plans or the future of the club so will be looking to move him on. Liverpool are reportedly looking for a fee of £2.5million to be paid but I think they might be lucky to get that kind of offer due to Jay’s severe lack of playing time this season. I am sure however this transfer saga is just beginning.
Not even half way into his first season at Anfield has Andy Carroll already been placed on the transfer list by his manager, James Gallagher. During the summer transfer window Liverpool signed Leandro Damiao who has been a big fit with the team and the fans and has performed at a consistent high level. With their already being competition for places from the likes of Craig Bellamy, who has had a good start to his season, and Luis Suarez it seems that Carroll has become surplus to requirements at Anfield. It is well known that Liverpool paid £35million for the England internationals services and they will be lucky to get even half of the amount that they paid. There are rumours going round that instead of trying to sell Andy Carroll that Liverpool may look to loan him out for the remainder of the season.
Stewart Downing has been far from an inspired signing by James Gallagher’s predecessor. Stewart has only been seen by the Liverpool fans in two games so far this season and they were far from impressed with what they witnessed. It is understood that the Liverpool manager is already in discussion with Ian Ayre, the clubs managing director, to move Stewart onto a different club. As with Andy Carroll, a substantial amount was paid for Downing and Liverpool will be extremely lucky to receive an amount to match what they paid (£16million).
Part way through the season, Suso, the young Spanish player, who had put in impressive performances when he was picked, broke his leg. Suso is still estimated to be out for another 2 months which means that the Liverpool faithful will be lucky to see him before the end of February. James Gallagher has met with his coaching staff and the decision has been made to remove Suso from the squad for the remainder of the season and for him to be replaced with Raheem Sterling. Raheem is said to be enthusiastic about his chances of playing for the first team and has assured the Liverpool manager that he will not have made the wrong decision. Suso on the other hand will unfortunately have to play, when he returns from injury, for the reserve side and fight his way back into the first team.
Stewart Downing: Liverpool Malaga –End of season loan - £1.5million up front and potential £14.5million at the end of the season.

Eden Hazard: LOSC Lille Metropole Liverpool - £33.5million – to be paid in 48 monthly installments

This is a sensational deal for Liverpool Football Club. Hazard will bring a lot to the team and the fact he is only at the age of 21 years old he still has a lot to learn and there are some great players at the club who can help him do this. Hazard, ever since he was younger, has wanted to play in the English Premier Division and he is said to be delighted that Liverpool have given him the chance to do this. He is also said to be excited about what is happening at Liverpool this season and he is hoping the manager will give him the chance to push the team forward towards the Premier League title. Ian Ayre the Managing Director has explained that there are no concerns about the financial structure of the club who now have to pay monthly instalments for both Hazard and Damiao. He has hinted that there may be one or two players moving out of the club so this is to be watched during the remainder of the transfer window.

Jack Robinson: Liverpool West Ham United – End of season loan

Conor Coady: Liverpool Bristol Rovers – extended loan deal – end of season loan

Nathan Eccleston: Liverpool Carlisle United – extended loan deal – end of season loan

Jay Spearing: Liverpool Blackpool– End of season loan – potential future fee of £3.2million