Liverpool ( /ˈlɪvəpuːl/) is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Liverpool was 445,200 and was part of a larger urban area of 816,216.

Historically a part of Lancashire, the urbanisation and expansion of Liverpool were both largely brought about by the city's status as a major port. By the 18th century, trade from the West Indies, Ireland and mainland Europe coupled with close links with the Atlantic Slave Trade furthered the economic expansion of Liverpool. By the early 19th century, 40% of the world's trade passed through Liverpool's docks, contributing to Liverpool's rise as a major city.

Inhabitants of Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlians but are also colloquially known as "Scousers", in reference to the local dish known as "scouse", a form of stew. The word "Scouse" has also become synonymous with the Liverpool accent and dialect. Liverpool's status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population, which, historically, were drawn from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, particularly those from Ireland. The city is also home to the oldest Black African community in the country and the oldest Chinese community in Europe.

Daniel Andre Sturridge (born 1 September 1989) is an English footballer who plays for Chelsea and the England national team. He is primarily a forward, although he has been deployed as a winger for Chelsea. He is known for his pace, dribbling skills a powerful long-range shot and his ability to play as a striker or a right winger.

Sturridge was born in Birmingham, where he joined Aston Villa, before moving to Coventry City in 2002. He then signed for Manchester City a year later. He continued his development at City and played in two FA Youth Cup finals. He made his first team debut in the 2007–08 season, becoming the only player ever to score in the FA Youth Cup, FA Cup and Premier League in the same season. He left City in 2009 and signed for Chelsea, where he was loaned out to Bolton Wanderers for the second half of the 2010–11 season. After a successful spell at Bolton, scoring 8 goals in 12 appearances, Sturridge returned to Chelsea for the 2011–12 season, under new manager André Villas-Boas. He began to emerge as a first-team regular during this period, mostly being used on the right wing.

Brendan Rodgers (born 26 January 1973) is a Northern Irish former footballer who is the current manager of Liverpool.

Rodgers began his career as a footballer at Ballymena United before moving to Reading, where an injury forced him to retire at the age of 20. He stayed at Reading as a youth team coach before being invited to join Chelsea as the manager of their youth team in 2004. He was promoted to reserve team manager in 2006.

In November 2008, he was appointed manager of Watford, before moving back to Reading as manager following the resignation of Steve Coppell in June 2009. He left the club by mutual consent in December 2009, and returned to management with Swansea City in July 2010. The following year, he led Swansea City to become the first Welsh team to win promotion to the Premier League, and guided them to 11th in their debut season. In June 2012, Rodgers was announced as the new Liverpool manager.

Rodgers was born in Carnlough to parents Malachy and Christina, the eldest of five brothers. He was educated at St. Patrick's College in Ballymena. He played Gaelic football and hurling in Carnlough before taking up football when he was 13. He grew up as a supporter of Celtic.

Fernando José Torres Sanz (Spanish pronunciation: [ferˈnando ˈtores]; born 20 March 1984), nicknamed El Niño (The Kid in Spanish), is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker.

Torres started his career with Atlético Madrid, progressing through their youth system to the first team squad. He made his first team debut in 2001 and finished his time at the club having scored 75 goals in 174 La Liga appearances. Prior to his La Liga debut, Torres played two seasons in the Segunda División for Atlético Madrid, making 40 appearances and scoring seven goals. He joined Premier League club Liverpool in 2007 after signing for a club record transfer fee. He marked his first season at Anfield by being Liverpool's first player since Robbie Fowler in the 1995–96 season to score more than 20 league goals in a season. Torres became the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 league goals after scoring against Aston Villa in December 2009. He left the club in January 2011 to join Chelsea for a record British transfer fee of £50 million, which also made him the most expensive Spanish player in history.

Raheem Shaquille Sterling (born 8 December 1994) is an English-Jamaican footballer who plays for Premier League club Liverpool mainly as a winger.

Sterling was at Queens Park Rangers for seven years as a youth player, before being transferred to Liverpool.

Sterling was signed in February 2010 for an initial fee of £600,000, but this could rise to £5 million depending on how many appearances he makes for the first-team. He made his first appearance for the first team in a pre-season friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany on 1 August 2010.

Sterling scored his first goal for Liverpool's youth team in a friendly against Hibernian in a 2–2 draw, coming off the bench and scoring a late equaliser. After all the friendlies, Sterling's first Premier Academy League match was a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa. His first league win was at home to Bristol City in a 3–0 win on 28 August 2010. On 15 December, Sterling scored his first FA Youth Cup goal for Liverpool's youth team in a 4–0 win over Notts County with Sterling netting the third. On 14 February 2011, Sterling scored five goals for Liverpool's youth team in a 9–0 win over Southend United in the FA Youth Cup.