Merseyside Insider: Brendan Rodgers sacked as Jürgen Klopp takes charge at Liverpool and the Merseyside derby sees good behavior

What’s been happening in the world of football on Merseyside this week? Jennifer Atherton gives us the scoop…

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Rodgers sacked!

There’s never a good time to be sacked, but a couple of hours after a Merseyside derby is probably as bad as it gets. But let’s be honest, it seemed to be the inevitable outcome for Brendan Rodgers after rumours gained momentum over the past few weeks. After their draw in the Europa League last Thursday at Anfield with Swiss side Sion, many Liverpudlians were clearly not happy and were willing for a change to finally happen.

It’s no secret that Rodgers has spent a lot of money with very little success, and it seems all involved at Liverpool had given up hope and had to make the change. Rodgers thanked the club and the fans after his dismissal, and said: “I am, of course, incredibly disappointed to be leaving Liverpool Football Club. It has been both an honour and a privilege to manage one of the game’s great clubs for the last three years.”

Rodgers’ time is up, and it’s time for a new manager to lead the red men…

Klopp arrives at the Kop!

Jürgen Klopp! After Carlo Ancelotti ruled himself out of the running this week, there was little doubt that Klopp would take up the vacant role of Liverpool manager. With Klopp’s appointment, there’s an excitement at Anfield again. Klopp is the type of character who you can’t help but be excited by; he’s entertaining, energetic, enthusiastic, and charismatic. Not only that, but the style of play Klopp will likely bring is very attacking and positive, which is something Liverpudlians feel they have been missing lately. It seems certain to be a positive change and one in which will bring the optimism back to Anfield – I’ve not heard many be dejected by the arrival of their new boss on a three-year deal!

Derby Reflections

The game between the two Merseyside clubs was as even a game as you could get; 50% possession for both, 13 shots a piece, one goal and one point each. The result was something Everton fans felt more disappointed with than their rivals. Roberto Martinez and his team went into the game as favourites and should have taken advantage of a Liverpool side who are not performing as they should at the moment, but with Leighton Baines, John Stones, and Seamus Coleman all watching from the stands, Everton’s defence was not at its best. The youngsters in their place played well, but the talent watching from the sidelines was, understandably, missed.

Well behaved fans!

On a final note; well done to both sets of fans for their great behaviour during the 225th Merseyside derby! For the first time in almost 20 years, not a single arrest or ejection was made at Goodison Park, and Everton’s Head of Security and Stadium Safety David Lewis thanked both sets of fans for their impeccable behaviour.

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