Post Brexit Liverpool

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Klopp Resigns Following Brexit Decision

Jurgen Klopp has announced today that he will be stepping down as the Liverpool manager, following the decision of the board to ban Liverpool from signing foreign players. It is understood that Klopp was also unhappy with the notion of selling all existing foreign stars such as Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane, feeling that if the squad was going to be entirely British, then it would make more sense for the manager to be British as well.

It is unclear who will take over, with few British managers available at this moment in time. Eddie Howe is thought to be the front-runner, although Alan Pardew and Roy Hodgson are also considered to be in the mix.

 

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Liverpool Opt For Unknown Manager

Days after Liverpool fans took to the streets to protest the new transfer regulations imposed on the club, the board have risked further angering the fanbase by employing unknown manager Tom James. The 30 year old was a coach at Wigan Athletic for five years, although his vision for the club reportedly impressed the chairman. James now has the unenviable task of rebuilding a side capable of challenging for the Champions League, while also selling some of his key players.

 

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Liverpool Transfer Window Round-Up

A controversial summer saw Klopp leave the club, replaced by the unknown coach Tom James, due to the board's decision to ban non-British players from registering in the Premier League.

In terms of outgoings, James was able to recoup £43.5 million for Roberto Firmino, although he did lose the Brazilian to rival club Tottenham. Emre Can left for China, Alberto Moreno was picked up by Southampton, and Marko Grujic dropped down a division to join Aston Villa. Simon Mignolet rejoined Sunderland, while James was unable to find a permanent club for Origi, with him going out on loan to Red Bull Leipzig instead. Philippe Coutinho was astoundingly allowed to go to Valencia for just £15 million, in a decision which had fans of the club outraged.

The biggest signing for Liverpool was Michael Keane from Burnley, who has looked impressive in a Liverpool shirt so far. Scott Dann and Jamaal Lascelles have also been signed to help bolster the centre-back position. Jordan Pickford was signed from Sunderland as a replacement for Simon Mignolet, while James continued the patterns of many Liverpool managers before him by looking to Southampton, signing Jay Rodriguez and Matthew Targett. Jonjo Shelvey has returned to Anfield, while Andre Gray and Jack Grealish will hope to impress, moving on from much smaller clubs. Fabian Delph was also brought in on loan from Manchester City.

Verdict: 5/10

The squad is certainly much weaker than it had been before, and while James has done admirable business considering the constraints, some questions must be asked of the fees paid for some of the new players.

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A Look Back: August Review

The Tom James era got underway with mixed fortunes for the Reds. With change afoot at the club, let's look back at how the Redmen performed in August.

Premier League

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Manchester City came to Anfield on a blockbuster opening day, with Pep Guardiola also making his debut as City manager. A well worked move from the away side resulted in debutant Leroy Sane getting his first goal for the club, however Jay Rodriguez grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half time, heading in a Sheyi Ojo cross. City created the best chances in the second half, but were thwarted by solid defending, particularly from new signing Michael Keane.

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Liverpool were frustrated by a tenacious performance by Crystal Palace, with the home side finishing the match with 9 men. 17 year-old Ben Woodburn had the best chance of the match on his senior debut, heading just wide from a Jack Grealish cross. Thankfully injuries to Scott Dann and Jay Rodriguez were only short term.

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An eventful afternoon at Anfield saw James claim his first win as Liverpool boss. Hull dominated the early stages, and deservedly went ahead through Abel Hernandez, before James Milner scored a penalty just before half time, after Danny Ings was brought down in the area. Evandro took advantage of a poor header from Scott Dann to give Hull the lead for a second time. The lead didn't last long, as Ings unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box to equalise. As James went more direct, Ings claimed his second goal of the game, scoring a late header from a Jack Grealish cross. As Hull pushed for a winner, a late counter attack saw Jay Rodriguez seal the points, with his second goal of the season.

EFL Cup

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James learnt a hard lesson in management, as a heavily rotated side suffered a humiliation at the hands of Bradford. Kevin Stewart gave away an early penalty, which Tony McMahon ably put away. As a mix-up between Kamil Grabara and Conor Masterton allowed Nicky Law to grab a second, James reacted decisively, throwing Jordan Pickford and Joe Gomez on before half time. Liverpool's day was compounded as Fabian Delph gave away a penalty and got sent off on his debut, with McMahon scoring once again.

 

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A Look Back: September Review

Some of Liverpool's new signings really hit top form, however results were still a mixed bag during the second month of the season.

Premier League

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The Reds took the lead in a half dominated by Arsenal, thanks to a stunning Adam Lallana goal from 25 yards. However despite Jordan Pickford's heroics, the resurgent Gunners came back with style in the second half, with Alexis Sanchez in particularly absolutely tormenting Liverpool's defence.

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Despite a dominant performance from the Reds, they couldn't find a way to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Michael Keane and Scott Dann combined for the opener, yet despite a flurry of chances of the away team, Jose Morales equalised, with a driven shot from outside the area.

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A second home win for James could well have been by a much greater margin. Jay Rodriguez missed a glorious chance after just 20 seconds, before Danny Ings headed home the opener. Rodriguez, Henderson and Shelvey all missed clear-cut chances which could have boosted our goal tally.

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Liverpool's best performance of the season wasn't enough to defeat Chelsea at Anfield. After dominating the early stages, Adam Lallana latched onto Jack Grealish's through ball to put the Reds ahead. The brilliant Grealish doubled Liverpool's lead after a goal line scramble following a corner. A mistake from Nathaniel Clyne allowed Willian to pull Chelsea back into the game, and Diego Costa equalised soon after.

Leagu​e Table

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Double Blow As Liverpool Lose Striking Duo

Fans of Liverpool were left exasperated last night, as the club announced that Daniel Sturridge faces six months out after damaging his cruciate ligaments. Sturridge hadn't appeared for Liverpool since pre-season, and now appears unlikely to feature again until at least February. Danny Ings has also been ruled out for three weeks with a shoulder injury, leaving Andre Gray, Jay Rodriguez and Ben Woodburn as the only forward options going into Saturday's fixture against Middlesbrough.

 

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A Look Back: October Review

An almost perfect month for James was ruined by a defeat by Southampton, but the Reds showed plenty of positive signs for the future with their performances.

Premier League

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An efficient performance saw Middlesbrough swept aside with minimal fuss. Liverpool's patience paid off, as George Friend gave away a penalty late into the first half, converted by Jonjo Shelvey for his first goal since returning to the club. Ovie Ejaria came for his league debut, and impressed the manager by playing Andre Gray in for his first ever Liverpool goal late on.

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James' first derby ended with victory, in a match which Liverpool again dominated. Ronald Koeman bizarrely criticised Scott Dann in his pre-match press conference, but there was nothing the central defender could have done about his first half own goal. Liverpool continued to pour forward, and once again, their persistence was rewarded with a penalty, converted by James Milner. A sensational solo goal from right back Nathaniel Clyne sealed all three points.

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Liverpool got off to the perfect start, as Yoshida deflected Nathaniel Clyne's cross into his own net. A poor error by Jordan Henderson gave Dusan Tadic a free shot on goal, and Marco Gabbiadini gave the Saints the lead before half time. Scott Dann equalised from the corner, but Van Dijk scored the winner, taking advantage of poor marking to hammer home from close range.

League Table

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A Look Back: November Review

A difficult month saw the Reds struggle badly on the road, as defensive errors undermine the good work of the attackers.

Premier League

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Liverpool's first visit to the London Stadium ended in defeat, as the Reds turned in an abject display in the capital. Sam Bryam headed West Ham into the lead early on, before a long range effort from Angel Lafita made it 2-0. Andre Gray grabbed a late consolation goal, latching onto Nathaniel Clyne's cross.

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This game saw reunions aplenty, as Danny Ings, Michael Keane, Jay Rodriguez and Andre Gray all returned to their former club. Ings made his old side pay early on, scoring a real poachers effort. Adam Lallana grabbed a second, before Rodriguez made it 3-0 before half time. An Ashley Barnes goal in the second half failed to have any impact on the final result.

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A shambolic defensive display against the champions. Michael Keane's lapse in concentration allowed Islam Slimani to score early on, before a piledriver from Jay Rodriguez brought Liverpool level. When Danny Ings was brought down for a penalty which James Milner converted, it looked as though the Reds would claim an impressive victory. A second error from Keane allowed Musa to equalise, before the Nigerian added his second of the game after Liverpool committed too many men forward in their pursuit of a goal. An inexplicable own goal came from Joe Gomez, as he somehow sliced his clearance into Pickford's goal. Slimani added a fifth to compound a desperately disappointing evening.

League Table

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