). I'm not planning on giving such regular updates, but I thought it would be cool to have a thread where we could share our experiences of ML this year, as it seems more robust than it has been in years past. So I'll start off:As the newest manager to grace the Anfield bench, I decided that I needed to make my mark early by making some big signings. First off, I sought out Neymar of Santos fame. Although the crafty striker was not registered to any club team, I still had to part with 13 mil pounds (!) for a transfer - it seems that PES is aware of his ability and the fervor surrounding him in the WENB community
. Next, looking for more pace and technical ability, I went for Nasri and Ashley Young. Although negotiations fell through for Young, I snagged Nasri for a cool 23 million. With my side bolstered with some strong technical players (and a healthy Steven Gerrard), I set up an attack minded formation with Luis Suarez spearheading the attack, backed up by Neymar with Nasri and Downing on the flanks, Gerrard and Charlie Adam controlling the center of the park, and the current Liverpool back 4 holding down the defensive half of the field. All in all, I was pleased with my squad, and looking forward to the start of the EPL season.Opening day saw my new-look Liverpool up against rivals Man United. Although we started off aggressive, perhaps we were too aggressive - Liverpool was trounced 4-1. Of all things, Young scored a hat-trick (argh!) and Gerrard missed a crucial penalty (
). Crestfallen, we went into week 2 with our tails between our legs. Unfortunately, week 2 did little to raise the spirits of the side, as we fell 1-0 in the Merseyside derby. Gutted.Reeling from the two opening losses to such bitter rivals, squad mentality was down. So much so that the skipper came to my office to let me know that if we lost again, squad mentality would take a further dip and that player performances would be affected. Taking the Talisman's words to heart, I made a squad change, pulling out Suarez in favor of Andy Carroll for the upcoming clash with Newcastle. I hoped that the fixture would encourage Carroll to open his scoring account for the season...
And it did! After going 1-0 down on a howler of an own goal, Liverpool responded quickly with an upper corner Carroll blast from the top of the 18. The goal was set up by, who else, Neymar, whose dribbling ability really opened up the game in the attacking third. From that point on, nearly every attacking move went through the young Brazilian, and the squad came alive. There were attacking options galore, and Newcastle looked at times as if they were chasing shadows. The added attention paid to Neymar freed up Nasri on the wing, and he was given space to make cutting runs to feed Gerrard and Adam for the occasional drive on goal. Eventually, Newcastle broke as a result of the onslaught, with Neymar (again) laying off for Gerrard to blast a trademark drive from 25 yards into the near bottom corner. The game ended 2-1, and the side was buoyed as a result. Indeed, Captain Fantastic swung by my office afterwards to let me know of the improved morale in the side. We also got word that we are in the qualifying stages of Europa League and have a good draw. Our aim is to take that trophy in our bid to return Liverpool to Champion's League qualification.
Despite the rocky start, things may just be looking up for this Liverpool squad. On the backs of Neymar, Gerrard, and Nasri, this may just turn out to be the start of Liverpool's return to the upper echelon of English club football.
. Reason? Being cocky. I came in fresh out of 5-0 victory in Europa League, heart still pumping. I see WBA's formation and think I ought to approach this game more carefully (it was an away fixture). I play my suppression formation against them and stop all their attacks without a problem. But I can't get to their goal neither. Second half, score is 0-0, I change to 4-4-2 with a line midfield. I bring Carroll and Gerrard (both of whom I was resting). But they're defending so well I can't get anywhere near the goal. I switch to my 4-3-3 and bring Bellamy in to join Andy and Suarez. I'm literally throwing everything forward, forward, forward. Quick counter, Pepe Reina fumbles a cross, defender refuses to respond to a ball, WBA is one up 
. Pissed off, I go all out at them. Few minutes later another quick counter, few rebounds and a freaking bicycle kick from the edge of the box in the top corner sees me going home with two in my net. I was pissed and delighted at the same time. Pissed cause I just lost to WBA. Delighted because I dawned on me once again:
