All eyes will be on Brendan Rodgers on the first day of the rapidly approaching 2012/13 Premier League season as the new Liverpool boss looks to get off to a flying start. The former Swansea boss has a number of key decisions to make before the new campaign gets underway, which could set the tone for the season ahead. Despite winning the Carling Cup last season Kenny Dalglish lost his job due to Liverpool’s woeful league campaign, with the club finishing down in 8th, and Rodgers will be well aware that a below-par start will immediately pile on unwanted pressure.
Rodgers’ football philosophy was key to him landing the Liverpool job and it will now be interesting to see whether he flourishes in his new high-profile role or crumbles under the weight of expectation. At Swansea he employed an attractive brand of high-tempo, free-flowing football which drew numerous admirers, and even led to the Welsh club being dubbed as “Swanselona”. He will now look to get Liverpool playing in the same fashion, with his sights firmly set on a top four finish.
Rodgers is currently working on adding some new additions in order to strengthening his squad. It was no secret that Liverpool struggled for goals last season, scoring fewer goals then the likes of Fulham, Norwich and relegated Blackburn Rovers. Rodgers is reportedly closing in on Roma forward Fabio Borini, with whom he worked with at both Chelsea and Swansea. Meanwhile the club's £35million record-signing Andy Carroll could be sent out on loan to Serie A side AC Milan.
Liverpool kick-off their campaign away to West Brom on 18th August, which will be former Liverpool coach Steve Clarke’s first match in charge. The Reds then face a tricky run of fixtures with Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd all visiting Anfield. At the moment Rodgers has odds of 16/1 in the Next Premier League Manager To Leave market. Paddy Power currently have the 39-year-old boss priced at 2/1 to not be in charge of the Merseyside club at the end of the season, while he can be found at 11/2 to not be lose his job before Christmas.
Key dates for Rodgers include his first meeting with The Swans at The Liberty Stadium on November 24th, and the corresponding match on February 23rd. Liverpool can be backed at 13/8 to beat Swansea twice in the 2012/13 Premier League season, while Swansea are available at 33/1 to get the better of Liverpool on both occasions. Meanwhile Rodgers has been handed odds of 3/1 to win a major trophy in his first season in charge.
