Following Liverpool’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton in the Merseyside Derby, the axe lingering above head coach Brendan Rodgers finally fell.
It was announced via the team’s website that Rodgers, coach since June 2012, had his contract immediately terminated and that the search for a new coach was underway.
The Liverpool ownership group released the following statement:
“Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch. Ambition and winning are at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change gives us the best opportunity to deliver it.”
Per Transfermarkt, Rodgers was in charge of Liverpool for a total of 166 games, winning 85 of them (good for a 51 per cent win rate), and led the team to a serious title challenge in just his second season in charge.
This was spearheaded by the potent SAS combination; Luis Suarez bagging 31 goals and partner Daniel Sturridge scoring another 21. Without the now-infamous slip of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, the story might have had a happy ending for the Northern Irishman.
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, there has been a rapid decline in performance since that season, which was arguably their best chance to win the league title since the 1989-90 season.
Following the second-place finish, and the departure of Suarez for Barcelona, the team finished sixth on the table in a season plagued by injuries to Steven Gerrard and, towards the end, Daniel Sturridge. However there were always rumblings of displeasure with Rodgers.
This season started on a brighter note, with an away win against Stoke and outplaying Arsenal at the Emirates, albeit in a goalless draw. The season took a turn when West Ham put three goals past Simon Mignolet, in the Hammers’ first win at Anfield since 1964. Unrest among the fans was growing, and there is only ever one outcome following such an abysmal start to the new year.
“I have worked every day to represent the club to the best of my ability, to develop both individual players and a team that the club’s magnificent fans can be proud of,” Rodgers said in a statement after his October 5 departure.
“There have been some very memorable moments during my time at Liverpool and I would like to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment. The current squad is one in transition, but they have some real talent and are showing a strong sense of togetherness. I expect to see them continue to grow and develop over the coming weeks and I wish them and my successor well for the rest of the season.”
With the end of the Rodgers era, a new one is set to begin, as it was announced three days later that former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp would take the vacant managerial position.
The 48-year-old German won two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund, while also taking home three German Super Cup trophies between his appointment in 2008 and departure seven years later.
After Liverpool spent £76.5 million this offseason, Klopp has a very talented (and expensive) group of players to work with.
“I am very excited by the challenge we face and eager to start the job and begin implementing our ideas and ways of working with this team. This is a talented group of players and there is still much to compete for this season,” the German said on the club’s website.
One of the most pragmatic managers in recent history, Klopp has already suggested he’s going to target Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich after both enjoyed success working together at Dortmund. The Polish international is in remarkable goal-scoring form, netting 15 times in the past six games alone.
“The biggest satisfaction you can get is when you take a player from Poland, from a small club and watch him play like he does today,” Klopp said in the Sunday Mirror. “The difference between that player we signed and the player he is today is unbelievable.”
Having already annointed himself as ‘The Normal One’, Klopp has endeared himself with The Kop, saying the fans of Anfield were a big reason for him signing.
Christian Heidel, the director who gave Klopp his first coaching position at Mainz in Germany, told LFCTV that Klopp will thrive on the Merseyside emotion:
“If you’ve coached in Mainz before, then in Dortmund, then maybe Liverpool is the only club left to coach! Many, many great emotions – that’s what ‘Kloppo’ needs and I think that is part of the reason he chose to go there.”
In the first of probably many conspicuous acts, Klopp cancelled the team’s allocated day off, calling in all players who weren’t on international duty, including Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Coutinho. His first game in charge is against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, where Liverpool won convincingly last time the two sides met.
Only time will tell if the German can turn around the club’s fortunes. Currently sitting mid-table after an ambivalent start to the Premier League, Klopp has more than a few issues that need to be addressed.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Manchester United have survived one of the most astonishing FA Cup semi-final comebacks to beat second-tier Coventry City 4-2 on penalties after a chaotic…
With a certain inevitability, Manchester City are suddenly in charge of the Premier League title race. Arsenal and Liverpool both produced lethargic performances under…
Liverpool have endured a humbling night after Atalanta left Anfield with a 3-0 victory that places the Serie A side on the brink of…
Over to you, Liverpool. Arsenal and Manchester City have done their bit in the latest chapter of the English Premier League's tight title race,…
Alexis Mac Allister scored a stunning goal to help Liverpool beat Sheffield United 3-1 and reclaim top spot in the English Premier League. Darwin…
Mo Salah has kept his composure, putting aside a series of missed chances, to send Liverpool top of the Premier League with a comeback…
