A press conference was held this morning at Anfield to confirm and unveil Brendan Rodgers as the new manager of Liverpool Football Club.
Chairman Tom Werner started the presser giving his gratitude on behalf of the club to Kenny Dalglish, but said that “supporters will embrace Brendan’s style of football” and that he is “enormously intelligent.”
Werner continued to sing his praises by stating Brendan has travelled Europe to study best techniques and has used them to great effect. He was the only one to be given an offer out of the selection process. He was stated as being the first choice and right choice.
Brendan seemed confident in his new title and was grateful for it.
“I feel very blessed for the opportunity,” he said.
Brendan continued to talk about what attracted him to Liverpool.
He made clear: “If I left Swansea City, it would be for a top club.
“That was the attraction: the history of the club. Also the frustrations. We may not be ready for the title now but the process begins today.”
He talked about the current footballers, saying that they are eager to learn and want to improve and that is where he comes in.
When asked about if he will be bringing new players in, especially from Swansea, Brendan said it is something not clear yet.
“There is big quality in the group,” He stated. “I look forward with working with some of the greats. Where players will come from will remain to be seen.”
Brendan will be quick to impress many already with his leadership already shining through, especially when he talked about the player selection process. He said he did not want to work alongside any one person, but rather a recruiting group.
He clearly wants to make his impact at the club with players and supporters alike.
He told the world: “I am very proud and very honoured to be the manager of Liverpool Football Club.
"I promise to dedicate my life to fight for this club and defend the great principles of Liverpool Football Club on and off the field."
The call for justice for the 96 fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough has been going on for 23 years, but a few fans are now raising awareness in a different way.
Dom Williams and his five teammates are hoping to do just that by running 76 miles from Hillsborough to Anfield in only three days.
Although a new runner by some standards, Williams is fully dedicating himself for the cause. This includes some serious training all in the name of justice.
"I started running last July and have not really stopped since," he said. "I do a lot of very hilly miles, this varies between 25 and 55 miles a week depending on how the body is feeling."
Recently, Liverpool Football Club gave their backing to the team's journey and announced that the run could be ended on the pitch at Anfield. Since then, Sheffield Wednesday have now also showed the same gesture, saying the six runners could start their trek right inside Hillsborough as well.
Not only have the two clubs shown their backing, but the support has also been pouring in from the community as well. Words of encouragemnt and donations to the fundraiser have been coming in from football fans worldwide. Williams expressed just how important it has been in the build-up.
He said: "Without the support, we could not go ahead. It just means we, as a team, have a huge responsibility to do ourselves proud and make this run as successful as it can possibly be.
"It really needs to be successful on two counts, firstly we want to raise a huge amount of money so when we present the cheques on the pitch at Anfield on either the 14th April or the 22nd April it is not embarrassing. Secondly that we raise public awareness not just in Liverpool but right around the country."
Anfield is home to Liverpool Football Club and has been the stage for some highs and lows of English and European football.
There is another group, however, that call Anfield home.
For 13 years now, Liverpool have been running an educational programme called Reduc@te. For the youths that participate in the program, the draw is that it takes place at Anfield.
“I always believed that the principal initial attraction of the education centre was the location, for example here at Anfield, but the materials once here have to be of consistently top quality,” said Education Centre Manager Keith White.
“The combination of these two things leads to much improved educational interest and performance from the children of all ages who attend.”
Originally set up in 1999, Reduc@te is an after school programme for children in primary and secondary school covering numeracy, literacy and ICT (information and communications technology). The best part of Reduc@te for the kids is that they receive this tutoring right at Anfield, including learning experiences in the club store and museum, discovering the ins and outs of the financial side of a successful business.
Reduc@te is not only in the time after school. The programme offers full days, specifically focusing on certain activities such as Spanish and French, Football Globalisation days and Respect Weeks.
Students at secondary school get to enjoy Business days, where they learn about all sorts of activities off of the pitch to understand how the club generates revenue through business partnerships. They get to spend two and half hours with senior members of staff at Anfield to ensure the greatest learning experience possible.
The project was originally funded by the government, but since the introduction of the Coalition Government in 2010, the club has continued with the programme. White indicates that this can be a positive.
“Here at Liverpool we have kept going and even have a brand new centre,” he said. “With a blank canvass we can put on any educational programmes without any direction from Government, national or local,”
Due to no involvement from the government now either local or national, Reduc@te is not just limited to schools in Merseyside. Any school from anywhere can attend. White ensures that he helps design a curriculum suitable to what any attending school’s goals would be from participating in the programme.
“The curriculum is designed around what schools want from their visits and so to this end I and the schools work in partnership,” he said. “This is a successful tried and tested way of ensuring that all visits receive first class evaluations from schools which have visited.”
Because it combines quality learning tools, a specifically tailored curriculum and child-friendly atmosphere, Reduc@te has proven successful with children and leaving educators happy with the experience. After all, the chance to be involved with one of the biggest football clubs in the world would make any child eager to learn.
Anfield is well known as the home of Liverpool Football Club, but it is so much more than that.
On this particularly sunny and brisk day, the crowds are in and out of the stadium with excitement despite the solemn draw that happened there the evening before. Many have made the pilgrimage to this holy land even if just for a tour, a look in the invaluable museum or for a hearty meal at The Boot Room Sports Café.
Although I have been a couple times to the museum already, this trip was to see the newest addition of the LFC family: Darren Farley, a local impressionist whose YouTube videos have now landed him at Anfield.
As soon as I enter the old turnstile upstairs into the colourful images of Liverpool’s past, the calls are being made for the next Darren Farley show. I bypass the exhibits to claim my seat towards the front of the cinema room, and people have quickly filled up the rest in anticipation of the comedy act.
Darren waits on stage for his cue from stage partner Mark, who is delivering him questions as if he were really interviewing former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
The impressions of Rafa, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher bring the laughs and smiles from all ages from beginning to end. It’s not just the voices he has spot on, but the mannerisms as well. The mocking of Wayne Rooney, for example, filled the room with laughter with people seemingly agreeing “That’s so him.”
Darren Farley’s career started on YouTube, when his friend recorded him one day doing his impressions of the likes of Carragher, Gerrard, Rafa and Peter Crouch while in his shop.
“Impressions used to just start as a joke in the pub,” he said. “I’d just do it for my mates but you never think it’s going to be a job. That YouTube video just changed everything. “
“What happened with me was a stroke of luck. I was a landscape gardener working for a housing company and I thought that was the way things were going for me. It was a touch of luck that the video went onto YouTube which propelled me into it.”
Since then, the lifelong Liverpool fan from Kensington, Liverpool has found himself some fame in the football world, entertaining fans and players alike.
“I did little bits of telly at the beginning but I don’t really class them as anything big because I was just a young lad. I really weren’t that professional because I was a young lad going into it. I didn’t really know how comedy worked.
"These last couple of years have been about learning, how to do live television and stand up. I’ve done Soccer AM and going to do a bit more with that.”
The impressions have come natural for Darren, but that does not always mean perfecting them is easy. There is a preconception that a Scouser doing Scouse impressions is easier than it appears.
“Because I’m from Liverpool, a lot of people have this theory that I can speak like Stevie or Carragher and it’s not that easy.
“To be honest with you, I’d have to say Jamie Carragher is one of the hardest impressions to do. I have to do Carragher last because you’re really using a lot. When Rafa come, I just watched him a lot and the Rafa impression just came to me.”
Now that Darren has made a name for himself, and mastered the local favourites, I asked him if he had his own favourite player to show off.
“My personal favourite to do would probably be Steven Gerrard, because people love that. People want to hear that more than anything. Even though he is a Liverpool lad, they want to see him because he’s one of the best footballers in the world.
“For people of any age, Steven Gerrard appeals to them. He’s the captain of Liverpool so he’s the one. That’s been the winner for me, the one that’s love more than anything.
“A lot of people ask me to do Peter Crouch too. They had Ian St John on a phone in and they phoned me and said ‘Can you do Peter Crouch for us?’ I thought ‘I haven’t been doing Peter Crouch for very long so how am I going to phone in as him?’ He was talking to me like we were long lost friends. That’s when you know you’re doing well.”
Darren’s creative and comedic displays of football greats on YouTube caught the eye of Liverpool Football Club. Before his gig in the museum, he was asked to participate in the 2010/11 home kit launch.
He says working at Anfield now for the fans just gets better and better. Being part of the LFC family has him beaming.
“Obviously being a Liverpool fan it’s my dream to work for the club. I mean, when you’re a little kid, you either want to play for Liverpool or at least do something for them.
“To work for the club, it’s great. It’s so enjoyable. They’re hiring you to entertain someone. There’s nothing better than that. I’ve been doing it for a couple of months but it’s getting better as it’s going along.
“We want to make it brilliant don’t we? We want supporters to be buzzing off of it, be really about it. To be here working with Liverpool Football Club is the top, it’s where you want to be, so I’m very happy. “
When asking about his reaction to the approach from Liverpool for a regular stint inside the museum, he insists there is nothing else like it.
“It’s like Christmas. You wake up Christmas day when you’re a kid and you think Father Christmas has been…it’s like ten thousand of them put together. Being a Liverpool fan, anyone would love the chance to work here.
"Where I’m based in the museum, next to me is the European Cup that we won in Istanbul. It’s amazing. The history about the club is here. Nothing beats it.”
Darren Farley's comedic act can be seen in the Cinema Room in the museum at Anfield on Sundays, and some days through the week. Details can be found on the official site http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/tour-and-museum. There is no additional charge to see the show but visitors will have to pay admission for the museum.
In 1884, Anfield stadium was opened in Liverpool. Eight years later, that stadium became the home of Liverpool Football Club.
Anfield, from between 1903-1906
For the last 119 years, the Reds of Merseyside still call the historic place their home. However, this could all end.
For nearly a decade now, Liverpool have considered demolishing the historic ground and moving their home across the street to Stanley Park to allow an expansion in seating.
The current Anfield was originally rented by Everton until 1892 when an argument over rent caused a rift in the club, splitting it into two: Everton and the newly formed Liverpool Football Club. Everton found a new home at Goodison Park while Liverpool stayed at the original home, situated between Anfield and Walton Breck Road.
Early Main Stand
Although there have been several structural changes through the years, including changing the stadium to all-seated only rather than standing following the tragedy at Hillsborough in 1989, the feeling and history around Anfield is still the same.
The stadium has a capacity of 45,362. In addition to football matches, Anfield also hosts the LFC museum, a club store and more recently, a restaurant situated behind the Kop stand. There are several hospitality suites and meeting rooms that can be used at any time, not just during game time.
Anfield currently sits across the road from Stanley Park.
Anfield is currently only has a 4-star rating from UEFA. Because the capacity is lower than 50,000, then the stadium cannot be considered for hosting major football events. The pitch side accommodation for teams is considered inadequate.
A new Anfield at Stanley Park would boost seating capacity to 60,000. It also allows a chance for more businesses to be erected in the old area, including food and drink establishments and a hotel.
It could also prove beneficial to Liverpool as a city, as it prides itself on its sporting history, and the football clubs are considered to be some of the major tourist destinations. The potential of bringing in 15,000 more people into the city for games could have a great economic effect on the city in the long run.
Proposed design of New Anfield
But would a move to a Grade II listed Historic Park be the right thing?
While Stanley Park has meant to provide a serene escape from busy life, it has gone downhill in recent years due to anti-social behaviour and vandalism. An increase of match goers could possibly contribute to even bigger increase in crime, litter, noise and light pollution in the park and the neighbouring historic Anfield Cemetery.
Groups such as Friends of Stanley Park are heavily opposed to the new stadium, citing that park goers will be reluctant to visit on match days and with more vehicle traffic, there is a serious risk to the serenity of the park. They also claim that the proposal of the move includes nothing about helping the park at all.
Residents living in the area expressed that the city has no right to sell a park that belongs to the people of Liverpool and that no other business would be allowed to operate within it, so Liverpool Football Club should be no exception. Also an increase of 15,000 fans is only going to contribute more to the suffering the residents already go through on match days.
Information and petitions on the potential detriment to the park and surrounding area have been available to residents. This includes websites such as “Save Our Stanley Park” and “Our Ground.”
Alternative sites have also been suggested by the council. The most sustainable area suggested is Speke Boulevard.
The area is large enough to accommodate such a magnificent structure. There is good access to the area by car or public transport. The residential area is a considerable distance away.
However this arguably takes away the historic spirit even more so than moving to Stanley Park would.
One of several proposed groundshare designs
Another recent suggestion is a groundshare with Everton Football Club, who are also in need of a new stadium.
Although this idea is quickly dismissed by fans of both teams, some officials say in today’s economic times, the thought is not too crazy.
It is also suggested to keep the current Anfield. It has been restructured in the past to add a tier in the Centenery Stand, so it is believed that the whole stadium could undergo a similar revamp to provide more seating. The offices and other areas situated inside the stadium could also be redesigned to provide sufficient areas for staff and visitor. It is also said to save a lot of money, rather than creating a whole new 60,000 seater stadium at a new location.
Ex-Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks promised a new stadium since council approved the plan in 2006, but angered Reds’ fans all over the world when they failed to deliver their promise and instead, put the club into debt. As of October 2010, Liverpool acquired new owners from America who fans are hoping will bring a new stadium. Although nothing has been said yet exactly about the future of Anfield, the owners have made it aware they are considering all options before acting.
Even with council's approval, Liverpool may not know right away the fate of Anfield, especially with the only recent transition of owners and managers, but fans have made it very clear they will not settle for how things are now for much longer.
When football fans think of Anfield, what may come to mind is that it’s home to one of the greatest English football teams. You may not expect to find a finely themed restaurant serving up exquisite meals.
Anfield’s newest addition, The Boot Room Sports Café, opened in October of this year. It seats 230 guests and includes a private dining area and a bar.
The tables are all adorned with wine glasses and large black decorative napkins with a golden Liverpool FC crest imprinted on them.
The large booths around the room all have flatscreen televisions broadcasting Liverpool’s signature channel, LFCTV.
The Boot Room’s menu is quite large. It was hard to decide what to order because there were so many dishes on offer: from hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza and salads, and much more.
There are also Christmas specials going on right now featuring pork loin and roasted chicken dishes.
Even the ‘Mini Boot Room,’ the children’s menu, had a lot to choose from. There are kid’s favourites such as pasta with meat balls and beef burgers, but also chicken fajitas and a ‘make your own’ pizza.
The drinks menu has a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Mocktails (nonalcoholic cocktails) are cleverly named after current players, such as ‘Gerrard’s Gold’ and ‘Cole’s Coca Cola Float.’
After a good long look at the menu, I decided on the rare roast beef sandwich with caramelized onions. It came with hand-cut crisps and a side salad.
The meal was bigger than expected. The sandwich had perfectly cooked roast beef strips. The caramelized onions were a bit overpowering though, but after taking a few off, I would say my sandwich was perfect.
The hand-cut crisps were very tasty. It was just a shame you only get about four crisps. However after that sandwich, I could hardly think about eating more crisps!
The prices are moderate, with most meals under £10. Two meals including nonalcoholic drinks brought my bill to just under £20.
The food and atmosphere made the meal an enjoyable experience, and I would highly recommend it to any Kopite, whether you have travelled to Anfield for a visit or a local just wanting some good food and a drink.
The Boot Room Sports Café is open from 11:30am. Food stops being served at 9, but the bar is open until 11 (except on match days).
Brendan seemed confident in his new title and was grateful for it.
