Asia Tour in China

5th of July we landed on Mainland China to kick-started our Asia Tour 2011 against 3 Chinese football teams. It was a great atmosphere at the airport as we arrived late at the evening. The event agencies and promoters brought us to our hotel.

The next day we had a press conference at the hotel conference room. A plenty of questions asked regarding our transfer policies and tactics as well as our objectives for the upcoming season.

Later that day we had a photograph and autograph signing session at a shopping mall. Many supporters came and took photos with the players which is a good sign that they can relaxed and enjoyed their last few pre-season matches.

In the evening we had a short training session to prepare ourselves for tomorrow’s game. There are a lot of crowd came to the training field to watched their favorite team practice.

Yes. I saw that King Kenny mafla too. But I'm in-charge now.

Our first game in the Asia Tour was against Tianjin TEDA. I fielded my best eleven for the game to repay the supporter's money and time that they spend to see us playing at their country.

Tianjin TEDA controlled the possession throughout the entire game but we are the ones that got the shot to them every time we attacked. Leading 1:0 at the break with Henderson getting on the score-sheet.

The game ended 4:0 with the players making a lot of chances in front of the goal. Lucas Leiva, Suarez and youngster Michael Roberts completed the rout.

Second game two days later against Shenzhen Ruby is a bit difficult because a few of our senior players were called for international duties. So I have to reshuffled my players and brought in some fringe players and youngsters. Its a cagey game and we won 2:0. The goals was scored by veteran Carragher who played at the right back with the absence of Glen Johnson and young midfielder Jordan Henderson who got his second goal of the tour.

Our final pre-season Asia Tour game was against AFC Champions League outfit Beijing Guoan. Facing a team with almost identical tactics with us caused us a plenty of problem adding to the fatigue of some of the players and the absence of first team players. It took Beijing half an hour to broke the deadlock and scored past goalkeeper Doni. They lead 1:0 at half time.

Focused passing and sensible on the pressing helps us pulled one goal back through striker Luis Suarez. Youngster Nacho scored our winning goal with 10 minutes remaining on the clock while another youngster Ivan got a knocked and injured in the game.

We completed our pre-season in China with 3 wins from 3 and I can assured that our team is ready for the new season as we entertains Tottenham on our opening day. I hope my first Premiership game would offer something marvelous to the fans and supporters of Liverpool worldwide.

The European Tour

My European pre-season tour ended in a high note winning three out of four and drawing one game. It given me the opportunity to try a few combinations at our back-line.

Our second pre-season friendly was annual match against feeder club Genk. As usual we lead at half-time by 1:0 thanks to Charlie Adam strike. Suarez double our lead before Genk pulled one back. Bellamy completed the score-sheet by adding the third in the 55th minutes. Great performance in the middle of the field. Total domination by the lads. Alex Serrano broke his wrist during the game.

Another agent for Spanish youngster called my office right after the game with Genk and offer young fullback Ivan Lopez from Levante. Without hesitation I asked his help to make a deal with Levante.

The next day, a called from Levante stated that they had received our proposal and agreed to let us talk to Ivan’s agent. Few days later, Ivan Lopez arrived in Anfield to sign his contract.

First home pre-season friendly at Anfield was against similar reputation team. The Italian Serie A team Fiorentina. I decided to try Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz de la Torre also known as Suso as Attacking Midfielder. We dominated the field with a plenty of chances but Artur Boruc performs superbly between the stick for Fiorentina. We lead Fiorentina 2:1 at half-time with both goals from Daniel Agger. Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo saved Fiorentina from losing by scoring the equalizer 2 minutes before time.

Two days after friendly with Fiorentina a called from Turin saying that they wanted make a deal for Suso after seeing him playing in the match. It was a hard decision I had to make but after a short discussion with the board and coaching staff we agreed to let Suso move to Juventus.

Suso joined Juventus for £1.6 mil

Fourth and final European tour was against Real Sociedad at Anoeta, San Sebastian. I could say it was a balance game as both teams try to creates a lot of chances in front of goal. Luck was on our side as veteran striker Bellamy scored the only goal of the game in dying minutes. 1:0 for us at the end. Good performance although we had to wait until the end to score.

I think we are ready for last stage of pre-season tour in China next week. But before that, Manchester City have asking us about a move for our young lad - Jack Robinson. Another tough decision but it would be a good move for the club and the youngster himself. The next day, he was going to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Jack Robinson signs for Manchester City in a £2.5 mil

First Friendly Match

Our first friendly was an away game at The Bescot Stadium against Walsall. I brought 23-man squad for this game including new signing Alex Serrano. I made a little shuffling at the midfield because the absent of Maxi by placing Bellamy as center attacking midfielder behind Andy Carroll. While at fullbacks I wanted to try out Fabio Aurelio and Martin Kelly.

It was a good start early on with Carroll found the net on the 13th minutes and the game was really balanced right after with both team made plenty of chances on both ends. We lead 1:0 at half time.

Walsall equalized after the break and Kuyt took our lead back on the 54th minutes. Walsall once again snatched another goal 4 minutes later. I brought on Suso for Luis Suarez on the 73rd minutes and he paid back my faith as he clinches the winner on the 86th minutes.

That wasn't a good performance by the team but I won't blame them as they are just getting familiar with the tactics. Steward Downing broke his ribs during the match and could be out for a period of time.

The young Alex Serrano.

Earlier in the evening, one of the player - Maxi had an injury during an intra-squad friendly match and I'm one player short in the midfield area. So, I called my friend in Spain to asked if he could help me contact the agent of young attacking midfielder from Sporting Gijon.

During my time in Spain a few years back, I had the opportunity to tracks some young Spanish talent from lower division teams. One of the young player have surely caught my attention. At the age of 16, Alex Serrano has been a great talent to look out for.

Making 18 appearances and scored once for Sporting "B", he has fair amount of Pace, Acceleration, Dribbling, Finishing and Heading and high attributes on Natural Fitness.

Later that night, my friend told me that I can contact Alex Serrano's agent Jose Ramon Fernandez to discuss about future deal. His agent told that I can signed Serrano on a youth contract immediately but I have to pay Sporting Gijon an amount for compensation.

Alex Serrano Attributes

The Intra-Squad Match

It was a breezy evening at Prenton Park as the intra-squad game started. I decided to use 4-2-3-1 formations with Luis Suarez as lone striker and target man. I put Maxi Rodriguez (AMC), Downing (AML) and Henderson (AMR) as back-up for Suarez.

Lucas Leiva would played as deep laying playmaker alongside Jonjo Shelvey. At wingbacks, my choice are Jose Enrique (WBL) and Glen Johnson (WBR) with Martin Skrtel and Agger as centrebacks. Pepe Reina would always be my first choice goalie.

It's nothing much to comment about the game as the seniors took full control of the reserves throughout the first fifteen minutes or so but the deadlock only be broken a stroke of half an hours with Jonjo Shelvey the scorer.

Score at first-half remains 1:0.

On the 48th minutes, I saw Maxi went down to a tackle and he just stayed down. I knew at that exact moment he's out. So I substituted him with Charlie Adam and Downing with Craig Bellamy on the left-side.

Henderson made it 2:0 on the 59th minutes and Andy Carroll who came on for Suarez scored the third in added time. The game ended 3:0 with the seniors dominate a 64% possessions but it's really disappointing as they only strike 9 shots on target.

At the dressing room, physio Andy Renshaw reports that Maxi suffers an Achilles tendon injury and could be out for 7 weeks. Ouch! Could be bad news for me and the rest of the team.

First Training Session

I went for the first time to Melwood training ground today and I can sense a bottom-low in the players moral. Maybe it was because of my low reputations as their new manager.

Without their charismatic captain Steven Gerrard who is out due to groin injury the atmosphere in the training ground was a little bit monotonous.

I spoke to Jamie Carragher and goalkeeper Pepe Reina that I would like to named Reina as vice captain and Carragher as third captain. He seems downed but he agreed about my proposal. Reina also accepts his nomination as the vice captain. The reason is Reina is the last line of defense and I wanted him to communicate more with his defenses.

I can see the squad is a bit old with the likes of Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt in the midfield but I believed that they still has a lot to offer to the team in terms of their experiences. The likes of Jordan Henderson and Steward Downing can give the team some new ideas and energy to the midfield.

In the defensive unit I have veteran Carragher and the tenacious Daniel Agger. I still have a strong fullbacks and a plenty of youngsters in that area such as Liverpool's own John Flanagan and Argentinian Sebastian Coates.

The only bad part or I must say a problem for me is I don't have much options up-front with only Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez at my disposal. Maybe I would go into the market to get some attacking options but the transfer budgets have been the reason why I can go deep into the market. So, I will go for a bargain deal or free transfer instead. 

Assistant Manager Steve Clarke suggested that we should do an intra-squad friendly match between the senior team and reserve team for me to evaluates the players. The game will be played at Prenton Park tomorrow.

Youth Coach John Owens also suggested that I should look into 3 youth players that might have the potential to be brought to the senior team. They are Raheem Sterling, Kristoffer Peterson and Matthew Regan.

The Intra-Squad Match

Meet the Media

So, I meet the media for the first time today after signing a 3-years deal with Liverpool. I was accompanied by Mr. Tom Werner and Mr. Ian Ayre at the press conference in Anfield.

I am a little bit nervous to be honest but Mr. Werner told me I'd be a great manager for the team and said that I have his full support and it helps me a lot in answering the questions calmly.

Journalist:

You sit here as the new manager of Liverpool. Is this your dream job?

John Winchester:

I am absolutely delighted to hired, it really is a dream come true.

Journalist:

You arrive at the club as Kenny Dalglish departs. Do you feel the pressure of expectation in replacing one of the club’s most successful manager?

John Winchester:

Anyone who replaced Kenny would have been under the same pressure and it’s only natural to feel the weight of expectation in replacing somebody of that calibre.

Journalist:

New managers often bring about times of upheaval sand some at the club might fear for their jobs. Will there be many changes?

John Winchester:

Everyone will have a chance to prove that they are worthy of being here.

Journalist:

While some managers are famous for their hands-on approach, others maintain a more reserved manner with their players. How do you see your management style?

John Winchester:

I think clubs work best when players feel valued as people as well as footballers.

Journalist:

What can we expect from you in the transfer market? Are you looking to splash the cash or are you more of a bargain hunter?

John Winchester:

I wouldn’t say I have preference. I work on a deal-by-deal basis.

Journalist:

What would you say is your tactical approach to the game?

John Winchester:
I like attractive football and that is what I will be encouraging.

Journalist:

On the off-chance that any agents read your comments today, is there a particular area of the squad which you are looking to strengthen in the near future?

John Winchester:

I’m not prepared to talk about my transfer policy right now, and I’m happy with the squad.

Journalist:

It is often said that managers favour different competitions. Will you be concentrating primarily on getting good result in the Premier League?

John Winchester:

The league has to be my priority. That’s what the fans want.

Next Chapter

Sky Sports News - Top Story

Jim White:

It's time for the Sky Sports News with me Jim White and Rachel Wyse reporting.

Good Day

Today's top stories;

Liverpool unveiled new manager

Arsenal to sign Argentinian Cristian Ansaldi

Rachel Wyse:

Fans in Liverpool today are puzzled with the signing of new unknown manager by the owners of FSG group. The new manager, John Winchester arrived at Anfield to sign a contract worth  £170,000 per month.

Despite the obscure reputation of the newly appointed manager, FSG founder John W. Henry thinks that Winchester has something to offer to the club.

Winchester, 31 years old former footballer had never played a professional game due to injury had been coaching since the age of 20. He has been travelling to Spain to learn coaching and managerial style abroad.

Joined Bolton Wanderers as Goalkeeper Coach in 2001 and promoted to Head Coach in 2011.

Next

The Squad

The 2011/2012 Season Squad

Goalkeepers

Pepe Reina, Doni, Brad Jones

Centrebacks

Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Sebastian Coates

Fullbacks

Fabio Aurelio, Jose Enrique, Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Jonjo Shelvey

Attacking Midfielders

Steward Downing, Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy

Forwards

Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez

Next Chapter

Meet the Staff

After meeting and talking to Mr. Werner and Mr. Ian Arye about the club structure and ambitions in the boardroom, they brought me to meet the staffs in another meeting room. Meeting room for staffs to discuss about the team I guess.

Here they are,

The Coaching Staffs

The Physiotherapist

The Scouting

We had a group discussions about the senior teams, our possible formations and youth prospects to look out for in the near future. It was nice meeting new colleagues and we promise to work as a team to help the club getting back to it's glorious reputations.

I talked to my assistant Steve Clarke and he agreed that we need a few more coaches and scouts in addition to the current staffs. He would also compiling some loan reports to me in near future. 

Next Chapter

Rookie Manager

.

Next Chapter

New Manager

CONFIRMED - Liverpool have unveiled John Winchester as their new manager. Liverpool Echo

Next

Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC

Liverpool F.C. was founded in 1892 and joined the Football League the following year. The club has played at Anfield since its formation.

History

Liverpool F.C. is one of the most successful clubs in England and has won more European trophies than any other English team with five European Cups, three UEFA Cups and three UEFA Super Cups. 

The club has also won eighteen League titles, seven FA Cups and seven League Cups.

Anfield

Next Chapter