Chapter 11; Transfer window

January began in dramatic fashion for Liverpool. On the traditional New Year's Day fixture,

they fell behind at home to Bolton in the 43rd minute thanks to a Kevin Davies goal.

An unsurprisingly, nowhere near full Anfield, rallied and got their rewards through a 49th-minute goal by Suarez.

Then In 60th- minute Xabi Alonso scored from distance to make it 2:1

And in 73th- minute Liverpool won the penalty, As Bale was tripped in the box which Gerrard scored from to make it 3:1.

Live fans returned happy to their home as They take this win as new year gift.

Then on 6 January

Liverpool secured a league double over Bolton, and again scored late against them,

with Ross getting on the score sheet for the first time in his Liverpool career in the Premier League.

A week later

just as everyone thought Liverpool were getting ready for top 4 position Secured A shock defeat comes out of nowhere

As Liverpool team were torn to shreds by a stunning performance from Blackburn.

First half goals from Martin Olsson

and a goal for Benjani set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool after Benjani scored his second goal to make the score 3–0 after just 58 minutes.

Liverpool were clearly shell shocked, but did manage to pull a goal back through Gerrard.

Liverpool also got a penalty with only a few minutes to go, but Gerrard uncharacteristically skied the ball over the bar

. Gerrard appeared to show little emotion after missing the penalty that would have got Liverpool back into the game,

Many media criticize Gerrard for not showing emotion after miss penalty but klopp defend Gerrard and said that : Penalty is 50: 50 chance you can score or not it's luck . As for Gerrard not showing emotion I think he did the right thing so our players didn't get discouraged and fight till last second to get results.

As for removing Gerrard from team 1st penalty taker no That not in consideration As long Gerrard is in Liverpool. and I am manger he would always be 1st penalty taker.

Liverpool fans were criticizing the whole team performance not just Gerrard because penalty can be missed.

But Media was After Gerrard hard and for next 2 week almost every experts in football TV shows were giving there nonsense opinion on Gerrard.

There were Even rumors that this was Liverpool Doing as they want to Get Gerrard leave the Team .

As Asad Got the news he Told Gerrard agent and Gerrard to come to his office.

As Gerrard was going in his mind what media said was almost true because Asad Asked to meet him just one day after news come out of Liverpool forcing him to leave.

When he and his agent meet Asad .

Asad was smiling and met them happily and even Hug Gerrard as he was his Idol in previous life.

As the sat across each other Asad said.

That he wants to meet them Because he wants to renew Gerrard contract.

Gerrard is Liverpool legend he deserves a higher salary. So Asad asked Alhia to hand him the contract that they prepared before hand.

It was 300k Contract a week which will make Gerrard the highest paid player in premier league history.

( even in 2023 very few have salary above 300k).

so in 2011 this was highest salary in premier league.

Also the contract length was 5 years. Plus 2 year player option he can renew after 5 year if he wants with 350k salary after 5 year.

( Asad offered this contract because he wants to make Gerrard stay at Liverpool until he retire and Pay this contract because of his respect for him in pervious life as Liverpool Fan. Gerrard didn't leave Liverpool Even if he never won premier league trophy.).

After seeing the contract both Gerrard and His agent were left in shock. As Asad was saying he prepared contract they thought he would reduce salary but as did opposite he made Gerrard best paid player in EPL.

Soon they happily signed the contract.

As Gerrard was leaving As said to him As long you don't want to leave Liverpool I will never even think of letting you leave Liverpool.

Gerrard hearing this was choked his eyes were wet. In past days Gerrard thought he might really leave Liverpool because everyone in media was saying that. But thanks God he is Staying.

Gerrard said Thanks to Asad and left happily.

Soon Liverpool Told media in Conference that theh renewed Gerrard contract and made him highest paid player in the EPL

the media drama about Gerrard leaving was settled down.

Liverpool fans Also sigh a relief as they also didn't want to see Gerrard leaving.

On 15 January 2011,

just one day before Liverpool were due to kick off their FA Cup campaign against Manchester United,

Man UTD manger said in his interview as he want to Sign Liverpool Keeper Neuer. which causes a lot of noice but Liverpool keeper Neuer was ruthless he said Infront of media Once a Liverpool always Liverpool. I will never join Man UTD. So the mind game that was playing died before it's started.

Liverpool lost their third round FA Cup game to Manchester United at Old Trafford thanks to an early penalty from Ryan Giggs;

the spot kick was awarded after Dimitar Berbatov had gone over from a Ramos challenge. It was clearly a dive Ramos foot didn't even touched him but he kicked the ground it self and fell and

referee awarded man UTD penalty.

Liverpool players clearly lost their cool after that and emotion were high. Tackle's were flying from both sides. Just in 15 minutes 9 yellow cards were shown by referee Howard webb.

Liverpool players anger was clearly not extinguish as Gerrard was to be sent off by referee Howard Webb in the first half after a reckless challenge,

which would mean he would miss Liverpool's next three games (including the derby game against Everton at Anfield).

In this match 5 Liverpool players were also injured as they had to be out for next 2 weeks.

Liverpool side lost to Blackpool 2–1, despite first taking the lead.

Against Everton

Godin finally scored his first goal for the club in the match, which ended 2–2.

Anfield, however, was stunned after a Sylvain Distin goal from a corner in the first minute of the second half.

Jermaine Beckford then put Everton in front with a well-placed finish.

Liverpool won a penalty in the 68th minute which Reus duly slotted home.

Despite the result it was acceptable because Liverpool players were injured.

Against Wolves ....

Liverpool stormed past Wolves. Winning by a 3–0 margin, Bale scored a world class volley from 32 yard out... The first was from an excellent breakaway move which saw Bale slip in the Suarez who had an easy task to convert.

It was Bale who added a second on the day with a stunning volley that was later voted Goal of the Season by Liverpool fans

Suarez rounded off the day with by finishing a 31-pass move. To give Liverpool 3:0 win.

A few days later, lewandowski and Griezmann helped out stressing John Paintsil into botching a clearance that resulted in Liverpool winning 1–0 at home to Fulham, this in spite of being struggling throughout the game. to end the transfer window