LIVERPOOL FANS HAVE REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC WITH KLOPP, BUT SHOULD BE WARY IF THINGS TURN SOUR

With the arrival of Jurgen Klopp Liverpool have made their biggest signing at the time of the deal since Fernando Torres in 2007. No doubt about this, the Fenway Sports Group have made a massive statement with the appointment of the charismatic German. Klopp and the Kop look a match made in heaven, his passion and style fits with the fans and what Liverpool want to achieve. However Liverpool fans have to be careful not to be left disappointed again...

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NEW TACTICAL TRENDS THAT MIGHT HAVE GONE UNDER THE RADAR A BIT POST 2012

The game of football is forever evolving as no gameplan or philosophy in football (or indeed any other sport) can ever be full-proof which is why the tactical battles between managers are forever interesting. This piece focuses on two major tactical developments which I feel the game has seen quite recently (post 2012 to give a specific timeframe). A NEW MEANS OF CONTROL: Between 2009 and 2012, most systems employed by managers (of essentially...

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A PROTOTYPE OF 2014? RODGERS IS GOING BACK TO TAKE LIVERPOOL FORWARD

The 2013/2014 will was fill Liverpool fans with joy but ultimately disappointment. With 3 games to go, the reds only needed 7 points to win their first league title in 24 years. However an untimely slip and a naive display at Selhurst park left the reds with 4 points from the final 3 games and eventually failed to win the league title. The 2014/2015 season was the complete antithesis of the 2013/2014. Bar a period between February and early April,...

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OVERRATED AND OVERPRICED? JAMES RODRIGUEZ IS NOW A CULT HERO AND IMPORTANT COG AT MADRID

When James Rodriguez lite up the world cup in Brazil with dazzling performances, won the golden boot at the tournament, add that to the fact he played for lowly Monaco you just knew he was on his way to superstardom and glamour. What  club suited his superstardom amd glamour? Real Madrid. Before the tournament ended rumours of a potential move to Madrid sufficed. He added fuel to the fire when he said he would jump straight at the opportunity...

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RAFA BENITEZ: AN APPOINTMENT CRAZY ENOUGH THAT JUST MIGHT WORK OR BACKFIRE TERRIBLY

Rafa Benitez has been officially made the coach fo Real Madrid. This is without doubt is an underwhelming appointment. As much as most Madrid fans would  like to b positive, initially and deep down they know it's not what they wanted. Most wanted Carlo to stay, few others like myself (as stated extensively here http://soccerbants.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/thank-you-for-la-decima-but-truth-be.html) wanted Carlo out. Sacking a manager and...

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THANK YOU FOR LA DECIMA, BUT TRUTH BE TOLD, CARLO HAD TO GO

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