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One of the biggest news stories this week has been the appointment of Jürgen Klopp, ex-Borussia Dortmand manager, as manager of Liverpool FC. It is fair to say, that he has already made a positive impact in the British media, with stories about him splashed across the back pages. But forgotten now is Brendan Rogers, the sacked manager. In this listening practice, Damon, a Liverpool fan gives some reflections on his tenure at the Reds. You can listen to the report by clicking on the link above, and you can also read the transcript of the report (below). There is also explanations of key vocabulary (in bold).Listening Practice: Farewell Brendan Rogers
It wasn’t the best of endings for Brendan Rogers. Another 1-1 draw, although at another time this would be a fair result in an away derby game. 1-1 draws seemed to be happening far to often, however, in the league and the Europa league, with the Reds taking the lead and then almost immediately being pegged back. A team low on confidence.
Rogers was appointed in 2012 full of confidence after his success at Swansea. The first season was nothing to write home about, but there were signs there was a plan. The Big Man at the top, Andy Carrol was shipped out, Liverpool, sometimes suicidally, started to play the ball out from the back, they fared fairly well against the top four teams, and started to show they could play some exciting football – 6-0 against Newcastle being an example.
Goals cam in a flood in the 2013-14 season. And this is what I will always thank Brendan for and what Liverpool fans should remember from his stay in the Liverpool dugout. They ended that incredible season two points from winning the league, having played some of the most exciting football I’ve seen. They dispatched teams with with a high tempo, quick passing style of football ideal for a fluid front three of Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling – even though they didn’t all play together often because of injuries and suspensions.
Flanagan stroking home a half volley off the underside of the bar against Tottenham away for his first Liverpool goal in a 5-0 win; Suarez’s hat-trick against West Brom (the first of a hat-trick of hat-tricks!); blowing Arsenal away 5-1 with four goals coming in the first 20 minutes; 4-0 against Merseyside rivals Everton; 3-0 at Old Trafford; Coutinho’s winner against Manchester City to keep Liverpool top of the table… The list goes on. Incredible. It was truly incredible. Liverpool fans were in dreamland after years of being second tier.
OK, last year was horrible in comparison, and looking back, the loss of Suarez, Sturridge out for most of the season, Gerrard on a farewell tour each game, added to the psychological blow of coming so close but failing to win, meant Liverpool were a shadow of that glorious 2013-14 season team.
Rogers: managedA 166 games, won 83, win percentage of 50% – respectable but not top-notch. But never forget the 2013-14 season, 38 games, 26 won, win percentage of 68% (it felt like 90%!), 101 goals scored, one of the best players in world football, Suarez, in his pomp – it was a white knuckle ride, and one Brendan Rogers can be proud of.
Vocabulary
splashed across: covering; a phrase to describe lots of news reports on one story
sacked: fired; told to leave your job
pegged back: caught up; in football when the opposition scores to make the scores level
nothing to write home about: not exciting; not interesting; not special
The Big Man: A way to describe an old style centre forward, who is tall, strong and good in the air
fared: did
dispatched: beat; clinically won the game
stroking home: scoring with a directed shot
half volley: when the ball is hit just as it hits the ground
Old Trafford: The home of Manchester United
farewell tour: This was Steven Gerrard’s last season for Liverpool, so each game became a goodbye, with the focus on him not the match
top notch: top quality; highest rank
in his pomp: playing his best football (in his career)
white knuckle ride: a very exciting experience
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