Thursday, November 10, 2011

Suarez Explains Why He Has Faith In Andy Carroll

Luis Suarez explains why he believes his partnership with Andy Carroll is going to work as we have not seen the best of it yet.

“Playing alongside a player of Andy’s quality, who’s big, skilful, who brings the ball down so well, makes it easy for a striker to play with him,” said Suarez.

“What happened though, was that Andy had the bad luck to be injured for several games and when he came back from that, he picked up another injury. It was difficult for him to get himself into the team because just when Andy came back, the team was playing well and the manager didn’t know who he could drop.

“Now having trained and after a good pre-season for Andy with his team-mates, the more training sessions we have together, he will be better.

“We’ll get a much better understanding of each other and that can only be good for the team.”

Liverpool Ready To Swoop On Dembele

Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in Fulham player Mouusa Dembele as Kenny Dalglish continues to mould his squad.

Dembele has been a revelation in the Premier League since his move from AZ Alkmaar in 2010 and has continued to win praises for his ability to turn games around in Fulham’s favour and has settled under new manager Martin Jol, however reports are suggesting that Liverpool are prepared to make a January approach for the Belgian international who operates as an attacking midfielder for Fulham and is a player that interests Dalglish.

Dembele scored the Fulham’s fans goal of the season last year against Tottenham Hotspur and has attracted Spurs’ interest in recent days though Liverpool appear to be in pole position to sign the player.

Fulham are unlikely to want to sell the player as he is seen as a key player under Martin Jol who in the past few days has said of the player “Dembele will learn and go on to become one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Sochaux Midfielder Claims Liverpool Contact

Sochaux midfielder Ryan Boudebouz has claimed that Liverpool have been in touch with his club over a possible transfer.

The Algerian was reportedly watched by Liverpool’s sporting director Damien Comolli during last weekend’s Ligue 1 match with Lyon – a game in which Boudebouz scored a penalty in a 2-1 success.

The 21-year-old said: “I was told that he [Damien Comolli] had spoken to the president of Sochaux, but I don’t know what they said.

“For now, there is no proposal, but if there was a compelling opportunity, I could not refuse.”

Boudebouz was linked to Liverpool over the summer but a move never materialized.

Liverpool & Arsenal Alerted As Chelsea Forward Stalls On New Contract

Chelsea attacker Salomon Kalou is refusing to put pen to paper on a new deal as he contemplates his options and tries to decide whether to leave in order to get regular first team football.

The Evening Standard suggests that Kalou is currently weighing up his options after a number of Premier League clubs were linked with the Ivory Coast international.

The 26-year-old has never managed to cement his place in the Chelsea first team and has had to make do with a supporting role where he is often used as an impact substitute.

Kalou has been with Chelsea since the summer of 2006 and has scored more than 50 goals in his time with the club but is has recently fallen down the pecking order.

With Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge all at the club it has been difficult for Kalou to force his way into the plans of Andre Villas-Boas.

With the addition of Romelu Lukaku in the summer, Kalou has yet more competition and may consider leaving Stamford Bridge in order to play more regularly.

Liverpool and Arsenal are both rumoured to be interested in the former Feyenoord forward and would certainly be interested in making an offer should he declare his intention to leave.

Chelsea bought the striker for around £9million and would almost certainly want to make their money back should they decide to let him leave the club.

Liverpool Fall Behind AC Milan In Race To Sign Teen Brazil Star

Liverpool have fallen behind AC Milan in the race to sign highly-rated Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas.

The Serie A side's technical director Marco Branco has reportedly met with the 19-year-old's agent, Juan Figer, to discuss a move to the San Siro, taking the Italian club to the head of the queue for the prospect's signature.

The youngster's Brazilian club is not looking to do business in January but could be open to a summer deal, if the price is right.

Lucas has hit three goals in eight games for his boyhood club already this season and has already played ten times for the Brazil national team.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will look to land Lucas and link him up with current Samba star Pato.

Liverpool Braced For More Interest For Star Midfielder

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is now attracting the interest of Bayern Munich with an €18m bid in the offing, according to TuttoMercato.

The Brazilian international has already been linked with Paris St Germain in recent days and now it seems that the Bundesliga are keen on adding the 24-year-old in January.

Liverpool will be desperate to hold on to a player who has become a key member of the first team and only a signed a new contract over the summer.

However, the opportunity of Champions League football with Bayern could certainly turn Lucas’ head.

Premier League Has Improved Spain Stars - Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says in-form David Silva is the latest example of a Spanish player benefiting from playing in the Premier League, and reckons compatriot Juan Mata will follow suit.

Reina, 29, has established himself as one of Europe's best goalkeepers since arriving at Anfield in 2005 and the former Villarreal No. 1 is certainly not alone in enhancing his reputation while playing in England.

The likes of Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres also blossomed at Anfield before moving on to pastures new, while Silva has emerged as Manchester City's stand-out performer over the past 12 months and Mata has impressed since moving to Chelsea this summer.

With Spanish players lighting up the Premier League, Reina is convinced that the national team can reap the rewards of his countrymen's experience of life in English football. "Playing in England has certainly helped David - it has made him a regular starter for Spain," Reina said. "He's up there with the best in the Premier League.

"He's improved since he came to England, just like Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres did when they joined us and just like [Juan] Mata will do at Chelsea. Playing in a different league helps you become a better player."

Reina looks likely to make a rare international appearance on Saturday having been tipped to start between the posts ahead of Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes for Spain's friendly against England at Wembley.

Suarez: Carroll, Kenny & Why I Want To Stay At Anfield For More Than 5 Years

Luis Suarez was the man expected to need time to settle when he and Andy Carroll arrived at Liverpool in a £57.8million double swoop in January.

Yet he hit the ground running, while Carroll is still struggling to find his feet.

Suarez’s dazzling form for Liverpool is in total contrast to Carroll’s woes and the England striker has found himself in and out of the team as he struggles with injuries and inconsistency.

While some Kopites mutter under their breath about the wisdom of spending £35m on Carroll, Suarez still believes he can come good.

He says the big Geordie has been unlucky and insists they can still make their partnership work for Liverpool.

Suarez, 24, instantly replaced Fernando Torres as the fans’ Kop idol and his four league goals and two assists do not come close to illustrating how important he is to Liverpool.

He is so happy he says he wants to remain at Liverpool beyond the five-year deal he signed when he arrived in his £22.8million switch from Ajax after previously admitting a wish to play for Barcelona.

“I’ve just started a phase of my career which I always dreamed about and wanted to do, which is to play for Liverpool,” he said.

“I have five years left on my contract and I think beyond that, I’m already thinking about staying many more years at Liverpool.

“It’s a club I like. I feel very good about being here, about being in the city.

“I feel very pleased. It would be difficult to match the atmosphere, hunger for success and glory that this club has at another team.”

Suarez’s pledge is a massive vote of confidence in Kenny Dalglish and the South American wants to repay the Liverpool boss’s faith in him.

He says he can barely understand Dalglish’s Glaswegian accent with his limited English, but has picked up enough to understand how highly he rates the new custodian of his famous No.7 shirt.

“The truth is there’s not much conversation with Kenny because of the language barrier, which makes it hard for me,” Suarez added.

“But he is the one who has given me confidence. He was the one who had confidence in me. He was the one who said ‘I want Suarez’. That sort of belief is something you repay when you play.

“When a coach gives you confidence, you can give your very best back.

“If you don’t have faith in your manager, it’s very difficult to play well and I think Kenny has a lot of confidence in me.”

Suarez shares Liverpool’s hunger for the Premier League and says it is his “little dream” to win the title.

He accepts that isn’t going to happen this season and feels a more realistic target is a top-four spot and a Champions League place.

The former Ajax star is desperate to play in Europe’s elite club competition and says not playing in the Europa League this season can help Liverpool achieve that goal.

“I do not wish to belittle the Europa League and I do think that Liverpool should be in Europe,” said Suarez, whose nickname is El Pistolero – the Gunslinger.

“But I think not playing in the Europa League this year will really do us some good.

“We can really focus on the Premier League and move up the table as high as we can.

“We always dream about being Premier League champions, but we know it’s a very difficult league to win.

“It’s very competitive and a lot of teams want to become champions.

“But I think we have a quality squad. We trust in our manager and we trust our team-mates.

“We’re confident in our ability and Liverpool can aim to finish in the Champions League positions.

“And there is always that dream, that little dream, about actually winning the Premier League.”