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Liverpool FC supporters look for a connection with their manager.

The man who stands on the touchline at Anfield should represent all that is good about the club, its history, values and ambition.

Reds fans want a robust and decisive leader with fierce passion and an understanding of what it means to carry their hopes and dreams into every game.

Yesterday, as Liverpool announced they had agreed a deal with Barcelona for the transfer of Luis Suarez – and as emotions ran high and opinions became divided – Brendan Rodgers’s articulate statement put everything into perspective.

His words were dignified and seasoned with class but they were equally firm and to the point.

Suarez is a wonderful striker and though Liverpool’s manager acknowledged their ‘reluctance’ in letting him leave for the Nou Camp, he was also quick to draw a line in the sand.

The phrase that will resonate with most Reds today is: “If there is one thing the history of this great club teaches us, it is that Liverpool FC is bigger than any individual.”

At times, with his breathtaking brilliance, it felt as though the fate of Liverpool was rested on Suarez’s shoulders.

But Rodgers is right to wipe the slate clean, walk away from the past and look to the future.

Luis has left. Life goes on.

And so do Liverpool.

Rodgers, who will be able to reinvest some of the £75m transfer fee, spoke about looking to improve the team and being stronger on all fronts next season.

It wasn’t a petulant dig at the departing Uruguayan but a reminder that this is about the team and nothing else.

Or, more pertinently, nobody else.

Even for a man with such a way with words, Rodgers will always say that actions are what matter.

But until Liverpool are back in competitive action, back in the cut and thrust of the Premier League and have marked their return to Europe’s top table, his words are all they have.

Between now and then, Rodgers will be asked about Suarez a lot.

His responses are sure to be as classy and dignified as the one he delivered yesterday.

Rodgers has been forced to deal with issues, trials and tribulations that he simply could not have foreseen when he left Swansea City for Merseyside two years ago.

But with each test of his resolve he has shown himself the robust and decisive leader Liverpool fans expect of their manager.

Rodgers handled the exit of Liverpool’s star player in exactly the right way and there’s little doubt it has enhanced his reputation on the Kop.

The Reds enter an uncertain new world in the post-Suarez era but supporters can be comforted by the fact Rodgers is leading them there.

Carra helping out on World Cup dream

Jamie Carragher has donated a signed shirt to help a city footballer get to the Amputee World Cup.

Tony Mitchell is part of the Great Britain amputee side and trying to raise funds to realise his World Cup dream in Mexico.

Carragher’s 23 Foundation have kicked-started the drive by handing over a personalised shirt for him to auction off.

Tony needs £2,000 and you can get in touch by emailing mike@jamiecarragher.org

Cyclists raise money for great causes

A bike ride in memory of the 96 Hillsborough victims has raised thousands of pounds.

Ride For The 96 saw 140 cyclists cover a 96km course around the outskirts of Liverpool.

Money generated from the ride is to be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society, Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation and the Steven Gerrard Foundation.

MP Steve Roterham, Reds midfielder Conor Coady and councillor Andy Bowdon were on hand to start the race in St Helens.

Reds burst with pride for Javier

Javier Mascherano has not been a Liverpool player for nearly four years.

But Reds fans were still bursting with pride on Wednesday night as Argentina made it through to the World Cup final.

Mascherano was brilliant and reminded everyone why he was such a favourite on The Kop with an all-action display.

Supporters delighted to meet Rio’s fridge-carrying star Rocky

A group of Liverpool supporters in Brazil for the World Cup bumped into a cult hero – who carries fridges up and down favela streets!

The Rio man, known as Rocky, has shot to international prominence after a BBC documentary revealed how he makes money by lugging fridges around.

Jamie Carragher’s brother Paul and friends Ronnie Gaunt and Marty Mullen spotted Rocky and asked the local celebrity to pose for a photograph.

You can learn more about Rocky’s super-human efforts by watching this BBC video http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01zczqr

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