https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HYr_rxb2l4
Brendan Rodgers will come face to face with the man he rejected at Liverpool, after his side progressed smoothly to the final of the Guinness International Champions Cup.
The Reds boss’ first act even before he had assumed full control at Anfield, was to block the proposed appointment of Louis van Gaal as the Director of Football, as the club’s American owners tried to implement a European model of management.
In talks before he accepted the job two years ago, Rodgers made clear that he would only accept the offer to become manager if he made the decisions at the club…and that scuppered any chance of the Dutchman arriving on Merseyside.
Now boss of Manchester United, Holland’s World Cup manager had said told Reds owners Tom Werner and John Henry he was interested in the role…as he was in becoming manager.
Now he will get an early chance to remind Rodgers of his role in blocking the move, when the two teams meet in what promises to be a spicy showdown in Miami.
The English clubs will meet in the final in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after United made short work of Real Madrid to top their group, and Liverpool then did likewise in overcoming an under-prepared and obviously disinterested Milan.
If this tournament has had set the pulses racing of the surprisingly large American crowds who have flocked to the games with great enthusiasm – and great knowledge too – then the final will be a very different affair, especially with the likely tension between the two rival managers.
Liverpool have seemed laid back about the competition, using it to fine tune fitness and reintroduce international players after the World Cup, while van Gaal has already shown his contempt for such lengthy foreign trips in pre-season, by insisting he won’t allow United to do it again.
That though, was before he knew they were playing the rivals from the other end of the East Lancs Road.
For Rodgers, it is a chance to set down a marker for the season, and he showed he meant business here, by rotating his entire side on the hour mark, but bringing on a full complement of 10 substitutes, to ensure freshness for two days’ time.
By then though, Liverpool had done enough to suggest they can hit the ground running this season, with Raheem Sterling again showing he has taken huge strides over the past year, by terrorising a shaky looking Milan defence.
The England star tormented the Italians with his pace and strength, and was only stopped by some dubious foul tactics…but not before he had created the opening goal for an impressive Joe Allen.
The little Welsh midfielder had burst through the centre after stealing possession from Michael Essien, to fire a shot against the post, and when the lively Sterling’s follow up was blocked, Allen seized on the rebound to volley home in style.
It was no more than a confident, in control Liverpool deserved, and they should have doubled the lead when Rickie Lambert was given the chance to open his Reds account from the penalty spot after Sterling was pulled back in the box by Adil Rami.
The England striker had a 100 per penalty record at Southampton, converting all 34 of his kicks.
It was sod’s law then, that under little pressure in a meaningless friendly with his side already qualified for the final, he saw his effort saved by Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal.
He will no doubt console himself that at least his record of never having missed has been quietly removed from dangling heavily around his neck, but the big forward must still have to wait for his opening goal in the shirt he cherishes.
Not that Rodgers was too bothered. One fine Simon Mignolet save aside, when he spread himself brilliantly at the feet of Mbaye Niang, Liverpool were barely troubled by a poor looking AC side, and they ensured victory in the closing minutes with a fine goal.
It was created by the dancing feet of Philippe Coutinho, who produced a brilliant first touch to send in Suso, and the finish was equally assured, a first time left foot shot from outside the box that had Abbiati floundering.
And so to Miami, where the talk of fitness being importance not results will stop dead in its tracks, and a more serious intent will enter the equation.
source: mirror.co.uk
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 