Saturday, March 05, 2011

Kenny - We're Prepared

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists that he will be better prepared to face Manchester United this time around.

The Scot faced United just hours after returning to the Reds dugout as manager following Roy Hodgson's dismissal the day before an FA Cup third round tie at Old Trafford in January.

Despite the romantic return of the man the Kop faithful call 'the King,' it was not to be for Dalglish on that day as his team went down 1-0 to a Ryan Giggs penalty in the first minute and had skipper Steven Gerrard sent off.

However since that day Dalglish, who turned 60 on Friday, has turned things around in the Premier League and moved Liverpool away from a place in the bottom half to the top six.

The Reds legend had to cut short a holiday in the Persian Gulf to return to Anfield and did not have any time to ready his players, but admitted that his team is far more prepared for the league leaders upon their visit to Anfield on Sunday.

"I never had any time (ahead of their FA Cup meeting). I was in transit but the lads had been well prepared here," said the Scot.

"But obviously that went out the window a little bit in the first minute when they got a penalty and Steven got sent off.

"You can prepare as much as you want but you can't prepare for things like that."

With such a bitter rivalry between the two, and in light of Gerrard's dismissal last time round in a game that is notoriously feisty over the years, Dalglish was eager to remind his team that they must keep their heads.

"It's hard for us to talk about discipline when we got somebody sent off in the last game but I don't think it's difficult to be disciplined," Dalglish added.

"You have to compete and it's a fine line as to how you do that.

"If you do something stupid you deserve to be sent off. I don't think there is a problem with discipline from either team - certainly from us there is no problem.

"You've got to have controlled aggression, not just for this game but for any game.

"You can't go around punching and kicking and headbutting people and expect to stay on the pitch.

"It's got to be within the rules of the game. The lads know the rules but they also know we've got to compete."

He continued: "Every game's very important for this football club but Liverpool-Manchester United is a game that a lot of people look forward to.

"But you get the same rewards for it regarding points, although maybe a bit more credit and you might get a few more inches in the newspaper columns if you get a positive result.

"Every game is [against] a rival. Everybody that stands in front of you is an opponent.

"Everybody plays football to play at the highest level they possibly can and the games between Liverpool and Manchester United are what you term as the highest category of game you can get.

"I suppose anybody that's playing football would love to play in them."

Georginio Wijnaldum Linked With Anfield Switch

Liverpool starlet target Georginio Wijnaldum insists he's taking his chance in-front of scouts.

The Feyenoord star is reportedly being watched by a number of clubs, including Liverpool, and a four-goal haul against Groningen will have gone someway to impressing the scouts.

"The truth is that I've been playing like this for weeks, only now the goals are flying in," said the 20-year-old.

Liverpool have been monitoring the player since last March, according to tribalfootball, and the player names compatriot Dirk Kuyt as one of his role models.

"Dirk Kuyt is my role model. He left Feyenoord when he was the best, I am not that far away."

Wijnaldum broke into the first team at De Kuip back in 2007, and has since made over 100 Eredivisie appearances for the club. He's also gained experience at European level.

Yet to receive a senior international cap, Wijnaldum has represented Holland at U21 level and is tipped to be a star of the future for the Netherlands.

The Reds were linked with an £8 million move for the player as far back as April, with Voetbal Centraal claiming Liverpool had already spent 18 months considering a move almost a year ago.

Despite two changes of management at Anfield, Liverpool is still thought to be in the hunt for the player and could make their move at the end of the season.

Liverpool Midfielder Target 'Has Heart Set' On £10m Move

Liverpool midfielder target Steven Defour could make a summer move to the Barclays Premier League, claims the player's agent.

The Belgian international has been linked with a number of English clubs in the past, with Liverpool thought to be one of those keen on bringing the player to Anfield.

Manchester United and Arsenal have also been monitoring the player in the past, with Sir Alex Ferguson famously writing the player a letter after a serious injury back in 2008.

Liverpool were first linked with the player back in the summer, with the Daily Mirror claiming the Merseysiders would challenge United for the player's signature.

A move failed to materialize however, and the player has continued to build his reputation at Standard Liege. After recovering from a couple of serious injuries, agent Paul Stefani told Sport.co.uk that they are hopeful of a move.

He has returned and made a full recovery, so we must keep our fingers crossed for the future, and hope that he doesn’t get a fresh injury," Stefani stated.

"Now he has a very big hope that things are going well. Every top club is following him and regularly watching him, but there is no concrete contact.

“The Premier League is something he likes very much, and he has performed well against Liverpool and Everton in Europe, he was one of the best players on the pitch. I think in the summer a Premier League would suit him for sure.”

Kenny Dalglish has hinted at a number of summer additions as he looks to revamp the Liverpool squad in his mould, and the centre of midfield is thought to be a position of interest to the Scotsman.

Christian Poulsen has failed to impress with his limited opportunities, and Sport.co.uk claims Defour has his 'heart set' on a move to England. It's thought the player would cost Liverpool, or any of his suitors, a fee in the region of £10 million.

Serie A Star Ezequiel Lavezzi Could Be On His Way To Anfield

Kenny Dalglish has already strengthened his attacking options with the additions of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll who both came to Anfield in big-money deals, but the spending doesn’t look set to stop there with a whole host of names continually linked with a move to Liverpool when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Described by imscouting.com as a skilful player who likes to play in the hole behind one or two strikers, Lavezzi could be exactly what Kop fans are looking for to improve their beloved club’s fortunes.

However, a potential stumbling block for Liverpool officials could be how they can convince Lavezzi to leave Champions League bound Napoli, who are currently second in Serie A behind leaders AC Milan.

With the Reds likely to miss out on fourth place this season they will only be able to offer Europa League football, but Kenny Dalglish will hope that Liverpool’s long-term vision will be enough to sway the player to move to Anfield.

Kenny Dalglish has already strengthened his attacking options with the additions of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll who both came to Anfield in big-money deals, but the spending doesn’t look set to stop there with a whole host of names continually linked with a move to Liverpool when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Described by imscouting.com as a skilful player who likes to play in the hole behind one or two strikers, Lavezzi could be exactly what Kop fans are looking for to improve their beloved club’s fortunes.

However, a potential stumbling block for Liverpool officials could be how they can convince Lavezzi to leave Champions League bound Napoli, who are currently second in Serie A behind leaders AC Milan.

With the Reds likely to miss out on fourth place this season they will only be able to offer Europa League football, but Kenny Dalglish will hope that Liverpool’s long-term vision will be enough to sway the player to move to Anfield.

Liverpool And Arsenal Target Keisuke Honda Linked With Summer Switch

Liverpool playmaker target Keisuke Honda is being linked with a summer move away from Russia.

The CSKA Moscow star has been earning rave reviews since his return from the World Cup, with Liverpool thought to be one of the clubs keen on signing the 24-year-old.

Borussia Dortmund have joined the chase for the player though, according to reports in Russia, and the current Bundesliga leaders appear set to pose a €15 million challenge to Liverpool for the attacking midfielder's signature.

Arsenal has also been linked with the player in the past, with Arsene Wenger a confirmed admirer of the player.

The Gunners' chief described the Japanese star as a 'genius' whilst commentating for French TV in South Africa, sparking speculation that Arsenal would look to entice the player to the Emirates.

With the manager's connections in Asia, a move to north London seemed like a realistic possibility in the summer, but the interest from Arsenal appears to have died.

It's Liverpool who is showing the most interest in England, according to reports, and Kenny Dalglish has hinted at a number of changes at the end of the season.

NESV proved that they are willing to back the Anfield chief financially in January, although it's unknown if the Scot is keen to spend €15 million of the Liverpool owners' cash on Honda.

Liverpool Target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Wanted By Barcelona And AC Milan

Liverpool winger target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has emerged on the radar of Barcelona and AC Milan.

The England starlet has been earning rave reviews for his performances in League One, leading to speculation Liverpool will look to bring the player to Anfield in the summer.

Damien Comolli, director of football strategy for the Merseysiders, has made several personal checks on the player in a clear statement of interest from Liverpool, although Southampton have denied that they need to sell the player and are keen to keep the 17-year-old at St Mary's.

Arsenal is also believed to be interested in the player, but it's the chase from Europe that's grabbed headlines in the national newspapers in recent days.

The Daily Star reported yesterday that the Spanish giants were keeping tabs on the player, and today the same publication claims Italian giants AC are considering their move for the teenager.

Whilst England would seem like the most obvious location for the player to stay, the opportunity to ply his trade at either the Nou Camp or San Siro would be enough to turn any player's head.

The latest developments could force Liverpool into quick action for the player, and figures in the region of €12 million have been touted as possible valuations for the youngster.

NESV, the Reds' new owners, have issued a remit of bringing young, attacking players to the club, and Oxlade-Chamberlain would fit the bill were Liverpool able to land the starlet.

£15m Liverpool Target ‘Unfazed’ By Tottenham Transfer Tussle

Highly rated Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham has been frequently linked with a move away from Portman Road this season, but insists he is not distracted by the increased media speculation.

Latest reports suggest the 17-year-old England U21 international will be the subject of a £15million summer bid from Tottenham Hotspur with manager Harry Redknapp keen to bring Wickham to White Hart Lane on a long-term deal.

"I don't really read the papers, I just see it if it comes on the news or TV or if my mates from school tell me," Wickham told BBC Radio Suffolk as reported by bbc.co.uk.

"I know what's going on and it doesn't really affect me or faze me, I'm just letting my football do the talking," he added.

The Metro understands that Spurs are now leading the race to sign Wickham, and believe they have an agreement in place that will give them first refusal on the player when the transfer window reopens in June.

A Tottenham source is quoted as saying: “We feel we already have one hand on Connor.”

It was initially reported by the Daily Mail that Liverpool were considering a £10million January bid for the teenager, but it now appears that their decision to delay a formal offer until the summer will be met with competition from Spurs.

And despite claims that Wickham is a Liverpool fan - citing former Anfield hero Fernando Torres as his idol - it is understood he does not believe a switch to the Reds would be in the best interests of his future.

Liverpool Director of Football Strategy, Damien Comolli, is thought to have been monitoring Wickham's progress with Ipswich but he reportedly faces an impossible task in convincing the forward that a move to Anfield is his best option.

Having grabbed the headlines in recent weeks by scoring five goals in as many Championship games, Wickham has just been rewarded as the Npower Championship Player of the Month for February.

With his reputation continuing to grow, and after recently signing a contract extension to 2013 at his current club, a summer transfer tussle between Liverpool and Tottenham for the player’s services is inevitable.

Kevin Keegan Claims Kenny Dalglish ‘Knows The Club’ Like Bill Shankly

Kevin Keegan has hailed Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, stating the Scotsman knows the club just as well as legendary boss Bill Shankly.

Former Newcastle United manager Keegan also said Dalglish will need time to turn around the Merseyside outfit's decline in recent years.

He told Absolute Radio: “No disrespect to the ones who have been there before him, because Roy Hodgson and Rafael Benítez are good men.

“But he knows the club just like Bill Shankly knew the club. He cares about the club, he knows what it takes, he knows what the people want, you know, and I guess he’d have a good idea of how he can provide that over a period of time.

“He will need time, it’s not going to be one of these jobs you’re going to step into and solve the problems of the last four or five years of a club that has been in decline.

“You’re not going to solve those problems over two or three months, but get some better players in because a lot of the players that Liverpool have signed over the last couple of years, two, three, four years, have not really been good enough.”

The former England boss also believes current Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is the right man to take the national job, but raised questions about the number of English players plying their trade in the top flight.

“I don’t see too many candidates who are English at the moment to be the next England manager, probably Harry Redknapp would be one, after that I don’t see too many at the moment,” he added.

“If he came and said ‘I’ve got the chance to take the job’, I would say ‘take it’, because it’s a job that no English person could refuse."

He continued: “When I was England manager I went to watch Arsenal play Chelsea, I was sat next to the French manager at the time, he had 14 players on the pitch and I had one, and we were watching an English Premier League match.

“Now that’s not a bad thing if I could have gone to Paris the next day and watched a French game with him sat next to me and I had 14 English players and he had one, but, of course, that’s not the case, there’s hardly an English player playing abroad anywhere that I can think of.”

Birthday Surprise For Kenny

Kenny Dalglish today revealed how his players presented him with a surprise 60th birthday present – after they tricked him into thinking he was going to a team meeting.

The players were never going to let the manager's 60th go by without marking it in some way - and shortly after training ended at Melwood on Friday afternoon Kenny was conned into making a trip to the meeting room to be presented with a commemorative shirt signed by all of the first team squad.

"I've been very fortunate in my life and there's a lot of good people here at this club," Dalglish told Liverpoolfc.tv today.

"We had a good day's training and then I had a presentation from the players. It was supposed to be a conversation about drugs - what they should take and what they shouldn't take.

"They conned me to go into the meeting and then I got the presentation which was very welcome and unnecessary, but gratefully received.

"We also had a bit of lunch with everyone which was nice. I think it's a very pleasant atmosphere to come and work in here and there's a lot of people who would rather have the day off on their birthday, but I've got the best of both worlds.

"I've come in to work in a happy place and I will go home to a happy place as well so I can't complain."

The manager also spoke about what would make it a perfect 60th birthday celebration.

He added: "I've got the perfect present here. I've got the girls here, I've got my granddaughter here, Marina obviously, Paul became a father of twins last week so I might seem a wee bit greedy to ask for three points on Sunday, but that would be a very pleasant birthday present for me."