Ed Chamberlin previews Super Sunday - and recalls moment Brendan Rodgers news broke live on air
Friday 16 October 2015 11:40, UK
It was nearing the end of a brilliant Super Sunday.
We'd seen Everton and Liverpool share the spoils in the Merseyside derby, then Arsenal blitz Manchester United in a spellbinding 20 minutes of football at the Emirates. We were wrapping things up in the studio when suddenly, at precisely 6.30pm - bang!
I had word from our team in the production trucks at around 6.20pm that Sky Sports News HQ had told them Liverpool would be making an announcement and ten minutes later the producer instructed me to reveal the news that Brendan Rodgers had left Liverpool.
It quickly became apparent from the statement that followed that he had been sacked. The guests in the studio were shocked, as I'm sure you've seen on Sky Sports digital platforms from Thierry Henry's immediate reaction alongside Jamie Carragher (see the video above if you haven't!).
It's always sad to see any manager lose his job and I'm sure Rodgers will be a success wherever he goes next.
It also quickly became obvious that Jurgen Klopp was a red-hot favourite to get the job. You don't just have to be a Liverpool fan to be excited about Klopp joining the Premier League.
We want the very best managers in our league and the German falls in to that bracket after his exploits at Borussia Dortmund. 'Excited' might be going too far, however, I defy anyone to not be intrigued as to how he will get on.
His first press conference was impressive. Full of charisma, ambition and charm, it's easy to see why Liverpool fans are loving the appointment. An appointment that had an immediate affect on Sky Bet's markets.
Liverpool's title odds were immediately cut from 80/1 in to 50/1 but more relevant was the slashing of their odds to finish in the top four from 10/3 in to 9/4 by Sky Bet, which is a dramatic move without a ball even being kicked.
Other more adventurous Sky Bet prices include Klopp at 66/1 to win his first six matches in charge, he's only 3/1 to win a trophy in his first season and just 28/1 to be named the manager of the year. Looking further down the line Liverpool are 20/1 to win the Premier League next season.
The first chapter of what should be a compelling story is against Tottenham on Saturday.
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Super Sunday is back in action this weekend and we are at St James' Park at the start of what promises to be a season defining week for Newcastle. First up Norwich at home then next Sunday it's derby day in the north-east.
It's a massive seven days for Newcastle and in particular their manager Steve McClaren. He's yet to win as Newcastle manager and they, along with Sunderland are the two Premier League teams still looking for their first win.
It's our first return to Newcastle since the final day of last season when they secured their Premier League status by the skin of their teeth and Mike Ashley did that rare interview with David Craig in which he promised Newcastle fans that he would spend and the club would go for it in the cup competitions.
He kept his promise to spend in the summer - the club's net spend was around £45.5m which was the third highest in the Premier League behind Man City (£120m) and Man Utd (£55m). Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Florian Thauvin are club's most expensive signings after Michael Owen (£17m) and Alan Shearer (£15m). However, results have not improved.
They crashed out of the Capital One Cup at home to Sheffield Wednesday and are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. It's the club's worst, winless start for 117 years. It's not a short-term issue either: since January Newcastle have won just 16 points from a possible 81 available.
As a result Newcastle are down to just 11/10 to be relegated and only 9/2 to stay put and finish bottom of the Premier League, which is unthinkable for a club of Newcastle's stature.
Derby day at Sunderland looms large on the horizon with their rivals boosted by the arrival of Sam Allardyce at the helm as their go for their sixth straight derby win. It all makes Sunday's game against Norwich absolutely vital. The management must have had this fixture ringed for some time as a must win.
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It won't be easy. Norwich have made a really encouraging start and have been a tough nut to crack on the road for some time. Prior to the defeat at Southampton they were on a joint club record run of 12 away games unbeaten and they have drawn their two away matches since the trip to St Mary's.
Norwich have never won at St James' Park in the Premier League. Win on Sunday and the pressure will be cranked up yet another notch at Newcastle.
