Gerrard Returns: A Managers Story

[tracksuitmanager]

Tracksuit Manager is back with another story. After the last six months, working all the hours under the sun in the NHS I’m now ready to get back into some writing.

Gerrard Returns: A Managers Story - exactly what it says on the tin, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard returns to Anfield in search of Liverpool’s first Premier League title since 1990 following the departure of Jürgen Klopp. The next few updates will set the scene.

The story will consist of monthly updates with the addition of some detailed piece such as interviews, press conferences and match reviews.

 

[tracksuitmanager]

MARCH 2020

BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has left the club to join the German National Team ahead of Euro 2020.

Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: “It was a very difficult decision to leave Liverpool but right now my country needs me”.

“I have enjoyed some great memories at Liverpool. From winning the Champions League to lifting the Club World Cup in December, I will treasure these moments forever”.

“I will now take Germany to Euro 2020 with the aim of lifting the trophy. I have a long term aim of helping Germany becomes world champions once again as well as brining through the next generation of German talent”.

Liverpool fans paid tribute to Jürgen Klopp although a section of the support also showed their disappointment of his departure.

Diego Simeone is the bookmakers favourite to replace Klopp at Anfield with Julian Nagelsmann and Peter Bosz also amongst the names for the role.

Liverpool legend and current Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has also been linked with the role. Gerrard told the Daily Record: “I’m really happy here at Rangers but if Liverpool made an offer it would be extremely difficult to ignore.

 

[tracksuitmanager]

MARCH 2020

BREAKING NEWS: Steven Gerrard has become the manager of Liverpool FC. Gerrard has signed an initial 18-month deal with the Reds and will instantly take charge in Sunday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Liverpool are sitting in 2nd place in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

Gerrard also has a Champions League second leg tie against Bayern Munich to look forward too. Liverpool lead 4-1 after a superb display at Anfield in Jürgen Klopp last game as the reds boss.

Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo: “I’m absolutely delighted. The aim was always to come back to Liverpool, I just did not expect it so soon”.

“I had an incredible time at Rangers and learnt a lot in the short time I was there. I would have liked to have given the fans something to celebrate but unfortunately that wasn’t to be”.

“I join Liverpool at a time where we have one of the best sides in recent times. Jürgen was so close to lifting the Premier League that has eluded us for so long. It’s now my task to go one step further”.

 

[tracksuitmanager]

As you will have seen this story starts in March 2020, so I though I’d best update you on the season so far...

Premier League
Liverpool are currently sitting in 2nd place, seven points behind Manchester City. The reds have a game in hand against Norwich to whittle the gap down to four points.

Jürgen Klopp had a fairly successful season in the Premier League, only losing four games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton.

I forgot to take a screenshot at the start of March so here is one towards the end of March, few spoilers for the March update.

FA Community Shield
Liverpool 2 Manchester City 3

Jürgen’s reds lost out of the first trophy opportunity of the season. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City lifted the FA Community Shield after a hard fought game. Former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling scored their goal that would turn out to be the decisive one.

Carabao Cup
Liverpool we’re knocked out in the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup away to Nowrich City. A match where Jürgen Klopp fielded 18 year old Rhys Williams at centre back.

UEFA Super Cup
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1 (AET)

Another trophy opportunity which the reds missed out on again, this time against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup.

Jorginho scores the decisive goal in extra time to give Frank Lampard his first taste of silverware as Chelsea manager.

FIFA Club World Cup
The third trophy opportunity of the season, one that Liverpool were favourites to triumph in.

The reds kicked off the tournament against Qatari side Al-Sadd. It was a one sided affair with the Premier League team winning 9-0.

The final saw Liverpool come up against Mexican side CF Monterrey who had beaten Boca Juniors in the other semi-final. Jürgen Klopp’s side went on to win 4-0 and lifted their first trophy of the season.

UEFA Champions League
Liverpool were drawn in Group E alongside Real Madrid, Lokomotiv Moscow and KRC Genk. It turned out to be quite a successful Group stage with the Premier League side winning four games including beating Real Madrid 1-0 at Anfield. Liverpool finished 2nd in the Group and proceeded to the knockout stages.

First Knockout Round
Liverpool were drawn against Bayern Munich in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League.

In what turned out to be Jürgen Klopp’s last match as Liverpool manager, he managed to guide his side to a 4-1 win over the Germans at Anfield.

Can Gerrard take the reds to Germany and progress to the next round? Find out in the next update.

FA Cup
Liverpool are still in the FA Cup having beaten both Nottingham Forest and West Ham United away from home.

The reds have now been drawn away against Fulham in the 5th round of the competition.

Can Gerrard help Liverpool win their first FA Cup trophy since his famous final against West Ham United in 2006?

March update coming up...

 

[tracksuitmanager]

Gerrard’s first full month as manager of Liverpool was quite a good one with four wins and two draws, conceding just two goals.

FULHAM 0 LIVERPOOL 3

Liverpool visited Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Gerrard handed some game time to fringe players such as James Milner, Adam Lallana and Takumi Minamino. An easy win, dominant performance and a ticket into the Quarter Finals.

LIVERPOOL 2 SHEFFIELD UNITED 0

Anfield welcomed Sheffield United in the Premier League, with the blades sitting nervously in 16th. It would be a day to forget for Chris Wilder’s men as the reds completely dominated. Goals from Mané and Salah gave the home side all three points.

BAYERN MUNICH 1 LIVERPOOL 1

Gerrard then took his men to Germany to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round. Liverpool had a 4-1 lead going into the tie and an early goal from Virgil van Dijk helped enermously. Bayern fought back but could could only manage a consolation goal from Kingsley Coman.

Liverpool were drawn against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final, a team that they managed to beat at home in the Group Stages.

LEICESTER CITY 1 LIVERPOOL 1

Struggling Leicester City then welcomed Liverpool to the King Power Stadium. New manager Manuel Pellegrini hoped to get off to a good start. Gerrard’s men looked leggy and never really got into the game. Mo Salah’s first half goal was cancelled out by Jamie Vardy to share the points for the Foxes.

LIVERPOOL 4 NORWICH CITY 0

In form Norwich City then visited Anfield. Norwich were sitting 9th in the league looking at a potential European finish. Liverpool were in no mood for hands out as they dismantled the away side. Goals from Keita, Lallana and two from Salah gave the reds all three points.

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 LIVERPOOL 2

The final game in March was a visit to Wigan’s DW Stadium in the FA Cup Quarter Final. Liverpool fielded a strong squad in hope to progress to the Semi Finals. Wigan, who were struggling in the Championship could not prevent Liverpool dominating the game. James Milner’s penalty and Roberto Firmino’s free kick booked a place at Wembley for the reds.

Liverpool were drawn against Burnley in the FA Cup Semi Final with Arsenal facing Brighton in the other match.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Mo Salah picked up our player of the month award. He scored four vitals goals for us this month as well as providing the assist for van Dijk’s goal against Bayern Munich.

LEAGUE TABLE

Liverpool currently sit in 2nd place, six points behind leaders Manchester City. Chelsea are now eight points behind the reds. Manchester United has also just hired Joachim Löw after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjær.