When training ended, the fog had already dissipated.
As the players packed up their things, there was occasional quiet conversation, but the topics were entirely focused on training details.
"That defensive positioning drill still needs more work."
"Tomorrow I'll come early for extra shooting practice."
Julien stuffed his training kit into his bag. As he walked past Rodgers, the coach happened to look up and nodded at him without saying a word.
This kind of atmosphere persisted at Liverpool for two or three days.
Before the away match against Newcastle United, Rodgers naturally couldn't avoid facing tough questions from journalists head-on.
One asked him, "Recent reports suggest Liverpool's new management is evaluating the coaching staff and has even made contact with potential replacements. How do you view your future at the club?"
Rodgers had probably prepared himself mentally for this question long ago.
He responded, "I understand the outside world's interest in the club's changes. Executive turnover and management adjustments—these things will naturally generate speculation.
But for me, the only thing that matters right now is tomorrow's match against Newcastle United. It's about helping the team secure three points, not discussing the future.
As a coach, my responsibility is to focus on what happens on the pitch, not to be affected by rumors."
Another journalist immediately followed up: "But the new management hasn't publicly expressed support for you. David Dein's previous statements have been interpreted as leaving open the possibility of a managerial change. Do you feel you've lost the club's trust?"
Rodgers shook his head and replied,
"Trust has never been proven through public statements. It's proven through performance on the pitch and commitment in training. I've had two brief communications with the new management, and the core topic has always been how to help improve the team.
They care about the team's tactical system and the development of young players. I've also provided detailed reports on recent training plans and match preparation strategies. As for the final decisions, that's the management's responsibility. I will respect any decision they make. But until then, I will continue doing what a coach should do, just like every day before."
As captain, Steven Gerrard naturally also stated that the team would not change its objectives because of any turmoil. Liverpool's goal would always be to win!
The fans had been absolutely overwhelmed by all the drama and upheaval during this period. They were exhausted from trying to follow and understand everything happening.
But precisely because of this, they felt very anxious and uneasy about the upcoming matches. They worried the team would fall apart.
So, under the news article about Rodgers's interview, many people left comments expressing various viewpoints.
"Stability is most important! Now just because the executives changed, they want to fire the coach? That's too hasty!"
"The ticket-selling scandal was the fault of the management, what does it have to do with the coach? Rodgers has led the team this season and we've been at the top or second place the whole time. With results like that, he still has to be questioned?"
"I really don't understand some people. When we win, they praise the coach. As soon as there's turbulence, they shout for him to be sacked. Can't anyone have a bit of patience?"
Another fan countered: "Stop defending him! Rodgers's tactics have long been rigid and stale. He just relies on Julien going into beast mode. If that's not the coach's problem, whose is it? The new management wants a change of direction. Get a more dynamic coach, like Antonio Conte, and maybe we can actually challenge for the Premier League title!"
A third chimed in: "When he said in the press conference that he respects management decisions, basically he's admitting he has no confidence left! All the old executives who supported him are gone, and the new owners are from Saudi Arabia—they definitely want a more prestigious coach."
A more assessing voice added: "Talking about staying or going is too premature right now. The new management hasn't officially made a statement, and Rodgers hasn't said he's resigning. Better to watch the next three matches. If we can win two out of three, he'll probably stay. If we lose them all, then a change would be normal. Results are what matter most."
Finally, another supporter wrote,
"Who the coach is doesn't matter. What matters is that the team can win matches! Right now, with all these sacking rumors flying around, the ones who suffer most are the players. They don't even dare speak much during training. I hope whether Rodgers stays or not, the management gives a definitive answer quickly and doesn't let the players get distracted. The upcoming matches are what's crucial!"
So, the fans were all eagerly anticipating the match against Newcastle United.
However, in the first half of the next day's match, Liverpool delivered a crushing blow to their supporters!
Martin Škrtel fouled Newcastle forward Loïc Rémy outside the penalty area to stop a clear goalscoring opportunity—straight red card! He was sent off!
Liverpool were forced to play with ten men.
They struggled through the first half barely holding on at 0-0. But then barely five minutes into the second half, from a cross by Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Gouffran headed the ball home to give Newcastle the lead!
Ten minutes later, Julien scored on a counterattack to equalize.
After that, both sides engaged in a constant back-and-forth battle.
Everyone thought it would end as another draw. But then in the 88th minute, Moussa Sissoko played a through ball, and Rémy broke through one-on-one to score!
In the end, Liverpool lost 1-2 to Newcastle, suffering their first league defeat of the season, while Newcastle secured their second consecutive league victory.
This match instantly thrust Liverpool into the eye of the storm!
Combined with all the Liverpool news from this period, the media attention exploded!
"The Reds Lose at Newcastle with 10 Men: Red Card and Last-Minute Winner Expose Shadow of Executive Turmoil"
"Last-Gasp Goal! Liverpool's First Defeat of Season Stuns Rodgers, Sacking Odds Plummet to 2-1"
"Tactical Rigidity Meets Management Vacuum: Liverpool's Collapse Had Warning Signs All Along"
Countless news articles came flooding in one after another. Former players and pundits from all quarters also emerged to voice their opinions.
Of course, even though Liverpool had lost, this massive news story still wasn't the biggest headline in England!
Can you guess what was?
Naturally, it was Premier League giants Manchester United!
Because on this same evening, United had also lost!
And at home, no less.
Suddenly, both managers from the two great rivals of English football had become the hottest candidates for the sack in the Premier League!
Arsenal and Chelsea both won their home matches 4-1, crushing their opponents.
But Manchester United, playing at Old Trafford, conceded in the final moments, and what should have been three points in the bag ultimately turned into just one.
The script was almost identical to Liverpool's—everyone thought it would be a draw, only to be killed by a last-minute goal!
At least Liverpool had the excuse of playing with ten men. Manchester United had their full squad, and they were at home!
After the match, a tweet went viral across the internet. A fan had written a joke: "After the match, Moyes said in his interview that fans everywhere are supporting me! The fans supporting Moyes are Liverpool fans, Chelsea fans, Arsenal fans, Manchester City fans, and Tottenham fans."
In fact, there were Manchester United fans who still supported Moyes, and they represented a not insignificant proportion.
Some fans commented, "Moyes made mistakes with his substitutions today, but it would only be fair to make a final judgment after a full season. He needs time. For Manchester United right now, patience is key. Anyone taking over from Ferguson would face difficulties—Moyes is no exception."
However, prior to this match, United had only managed two draws in the Premier League against Southampton. The last time they failed to beat the Saints at home was way back in the 1999-2000 season.
United legend Willie Morgan was quite harsh on Moyes in his autobiography: "He would never be my first choice. I was surprised he was appointed as Manchester United manager.
He spent a full ten years managing Everton, keeping that limited-budget team at mid-table level, which earned him widespread recognition. But in my view, his failure to make Everton rise again was already a failure in itself.
To be frank, I don't know what kind of impact Moyes can have on Manchester United.
United not only needs to win, but to win beautifully—to play attractive football. Only time will tell whether the appointment of Moyes was correct."
Since taking over this past summer, Moyes had been far from ideal in both team results and dressing room authority.
Under his management, they hadn't recorded back-to-back league wins. In the first four home matches, they'd only scored four goals total.
After eight rounds, they sat in mid-table, eight points behind league leaders Arsenal, and among the top nine teams, they had the worst defensive record.
When results are poor, any internal discontent gets amplified.
Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie had both publicly stated that Moyes's high-volume training regimen was causing injuries, while Nemanja Vidić, Fábio, Javier Hernández, and Shinji Kagawa had all entertained thoughts of leaving United for other clubs.
The turmoil at Manchester United was no less severe than at Liverpool!
Meanwhile, far away at Borussia Dortmund's training center in Brackel, Germany, Jürgen Klopp was leafing through English football news, reading about all these developments.
Ring, ring.
His phone rang.
After Klopp answered, the familiar voice of Michael Zorc came through the line.
"No, Jürgen, you cannot abandon Borussia Dortmund!"
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