Match Preview: Steaua Bucharest vs Liverpool

Steaua have been consistently inconsistent in recent months, as they have been unable to put together a run long enough to have a significant impact on their campaign. Just as something appears to be blooming, they have allowed themselves to be nipped in the bud.

Their last five games showcase the sort of inconsistency they have had, as a goalless draw against local rivals Rapid Bucharest was followed by a domestic cup game against the same side, but away from home. This resulted in a narrow 1-0 victory for Steaua.

But before their supporters could begin to relax, a loss to Gaz Metan Medias was in the offing. An expected victory over 14th placed Targu Mures followed, and their most recent game was a 2-2 draw at home to CFR Cluj.

They are currently placed sixth in their domestic league, the Liga 1, but a 10 point gap with the league leaders at the halfway point in their season means that a title victory looks unlikely. Still, another Europa League run could be on the cards if they can shake off the stuttering stop-start nature of their form and go on an elongated positive run instead.

In Europe’s second-tier competition itself, Steaua began with a difficult 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, before drawing with Napoli and away at Utrecht. But in all fairness, the result against the Italian club must have felt like a loss, as Marius Lacatus’ men surrendered a three-goal lead to tamely fall prey to a strong comeback from Napoli. Still, they made up for it with a victory at home to Utrecht, and now host group leaders Liverpool in a tie they will want to get something out of.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he will ring in the changes in light of the game against Aston Villa during the weekend.

The focus on Villa is due to the mediocre performance in the Premier League, which is reflected in an anonymous mid-table position at the moment. Sitting in 10th place sandwiched between newly promoted Blackpool and Newcastle United may not have been the idea that the Reds supporters may have had in their minds, but the competitive nature of the league means that fortunes can change quickly.

It wasn’t long ago, when the Merseysiders travelled to London and took the lead against Tottenham, which prompted thoughts of what could be. But then they got dragged down again as a resurgent Spurs side managed to level matters before scoring the winner deep into stoppage time.

Still, the performance was there, and they will have to build on that performance with the right result against Steaua to regain the confidence that was lost in London - since a victory and qualification into the knockout round with a game to spare would be a much-needed morale booster for Hodgson’s men.

However, the former Fulham boss has chosen to field a weakned side, partly due to injuries and partly of his own volition. Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard are out through injury, while Daniel Agger is still unavailable for selection. And in addition to this, Hodgson has chosen to leave Fernando Torres out of the squad, to give the Spaniard some rest before the clash against Gerard Houllier’s men.

With Danny Wilson and Martin Kelly set to start, the captaincy is likely to go to Pepe Reina or Sotirios Kyrgiakos by the manager’s own admission.

But all said and done, even the relatively weakened team certainly has more quality than their opponents, which is likely to be enough reason for the manager not to second guess his decision of concentrating more on the weekend game than the task at hand.

TEAM NEWS

Steaua Bucharest

Home advantage means that coach Marius Lacatus is likely to field a good attacking line-up for the day, with vice-captain Bogdan Stancu and the prolific Greek goal scorer Pantelis Kapetanos leading the line.

Despite being at the receiving end of a 4-1 result at Anfield, a positive style of football is likely to be the order of the day.

Possible starting XI: Tatarusanu; Bonfim, Alves, Galamaz, Latovlevici; Nicolita, Tanase, Gardos, Szekely; Stancu, Kapetnos.

Liverpool

Jamie Carragher (shoulder) is out for three months, while skipper Steven Gerrard (hamstring) still needs more time to return from injury. Daniel Agger (calf) is also unavailable for the trip to Romania, while Jay Spearing (ankle) is also sidelined.

Roy Hodgson has decided to rest Fernando Torres for this one, with the weekend tie against Aston Villa in mind, with youngster Dani Pacheco expected to come into the fold.

The gaffer will also start with Martin Kelly and Danny Wilson, to give the young Reds some more experience while they in turn are given a chance to stake a claim for a place in the first-team.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Kelly, Kyrgiakos , Wilson, Aurelio; Babel, Shelvey, Poulsen, Jovanovic; Cole; Pacheco.

Hodgson Insists Liverpool Fringe Players Are Not Playing For Their Future Against Steaua Bucharest

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists the club's fringe players will not be playing for their futures when they face Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League on Thursday night.

With regular starters Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher both sidelined through injury and Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles rested, the likes of Ryan Babel and Milan Jovanovic, as well as several youngsters, will be given the opportunity to stake their claim.

However, Roy Hodgson believes it would be unreasonable to judge the replacements simply on their performances against Steaua.

“I don’t think it would be fair,” he said.

“I think if you are going to be judged in that way you need to be playing with a large number of the more established players.”

Despite insisting that those involved weren’t playing for their Anfield future, Hodgson did urge his players to take the opportunity to impress him.

He added: “I wouldn’t want to say they are playing for their long-term futures but I think they have a great opportunity to show me that what I am seeing in training they are able to be produce in important matches.”

Hodgson also insisted that he is confident of his fringe players producing a good display, and pointed to their displays in the previous group games to show that he was justified in his selection.

“In the couple of games so far, away at Utrecht and Napoli, they [the fringe players] have not let me, the club or the fans down and I hope they will continue to do that in another difficult game.”

Joe Cole Given Confidence Boost As Club Rallies Behind Midfielder

Liverpool’s players and staff have had to band together to boost Joe Cole’s fragile confidence after the problems which have marred the start of his Anfield career, manager Roy Hodgson has revealed.

The England international arrived amid great fanfare in July - described by Jamie Carragher as a minor deity and heralded as the showpiece signing required to return Liverpool to greatness - but has endured nothing but disappointment and difficulty since his free transfer from Chelsea.

He missed a penalty in his second game at Anfield, his Premier League debut was cut short by a red card, resulting in a three-game suspension, and he has missed the last month with a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-0 win against Bolton in October. Even when he has played, Cole has admitted he has produced the worst spell of form in his career to date.

Hodgson maintains the 29 year-old, who will return to a weakened side for Thursday night’s Europa League tie at Steaua Bucharest, is still a “bubbly” figure, but acknowledges he has had to be handled with kid gloves to ensure his desperation to succeed does not become counter-productive. “Joe is not a naturally confident character,” said Hodgson. “He suffers when things are not going his way. Everyone at the club has worked hard to make sure he does not take it too hard and take too much on himself.

“He is quite happy to take responsibility, but sometimes players like that can take too much on themselves and push themselves even further down. Everyone at the club, in particular the senior players and his England colleagues here, have done a great job. The coaching staff has tried to encourage him, telling him it will come right. Hopefully that will start [on Thursday night].

“But he has a long time with us, a long contract and we know what he is capable of. The sooner he produces it, of course, the better for me, but there is no pressure on him in that respect.”

Cole’s chances of beginning his journey on the road to redemption here are diminished by Hodgson’s decision to travel to Romania without a host of senior internationals - injury victims Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger and the omitted Raul Meireles, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres - but the Liverpool manager is confident his side still boast the leadership credentials required to secure the point that guarantees qualification.

“I have got Pepe [Reina],” said the 63 year-old of the goalkeeper who will captain. “He might be a bit far away from the action in goal, but to be fair if you take people like Carragher and Gerrard out of most teams, not many boast four or five leaders.”

Liverpool Make Spanish Defender Enquiry

Liverpool is reportedly monitoring Malaga defender Ivan Gonzalez with a view to a potential January move.

The Spanish centre back has been on the Anfield radar for some time, with Liverpool chief scout Eduardo Macia reportedly watching the player from before Rafael Benitez's time at the club.

Reports in December 2009 claimed that the Reds were set to bid on the player last January, and the speculation has resurfaced despite the change of manager on Merseyside.

Roy Hodgson is thought to have money at his disposal following the arrival of NESV as the new owners at Liverpool, and Spanish publication Cadena Ser reports that the Anfield chief could spend some of the cash on Gonzalez after Premier League clubs enquired about the player.

A three-month injury to Jamie Carragher, sustained in the weekend defeat against Spurs, has led to further speculation that the Liverpool boss will look to strengthen his defensive options at the first opportunity.

22-year-old Gonzalez has spent his entire career at Malaga, moving from the youth to B team before making his senior debut during the 2009 La Liga campaign.

A regular at La Rosaleda, it is unknown how much Liverpool would have to pay to prize the player away from his current club.

Highly regarded in his homeland and tipped to be a future international for Spain, Liverpool could look to conclude a deal in the opening month of 2011 and avoid a potential bidding war with any other interested parties.

German Giants Line Up Shock Swoop For Anfield Hero

Bayern Munich are preparing a bid for Dirk Kuyt, according to reports in Germany.

4-4-2 suggests the German giants are planning to swoop for the Dutchman in January and are confident of concluding a deal.

Liverpool are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Kuyt - who has two years left to run on his contract at Anfield - and expect Inter Milan to re-enter the race for the 30-year-old.

The Nerazzuri - who are managed by former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez - came close to sealing a deal for Kuyt in the summer but were unable to reach an agreement with the Anfield club.

"The two clubs continue to talk, but things are moving slowly," Kuyt's agent Rob Jansen said at the time.

"The difference between demand and offer is important. It is something between the clubs but Dirk told Liverpool he no longer wants to be involved as this is something that regards his career and life.

"It doesn't mean he wants to leave at all costs, but when a club like Inter comes along it's normal to look into the situation further."

However, the former Feyenoord striker-cum-midfielder has since insisted that he wants to remain at Liverpool, having become a firm favourite with the Anfield faithful.

"Of course I want to stay," he told the official Liverpool website. "Liverpool is a great club with a great history.

"Unfortunately in my four years I haven't won anything but hopefully in the future I will still have that chance."

Hodgson In Bid To Swipe Center Back From Ancelotti

Jamie Carragher’s shoulder injury sustained against Spurs on Sunday will keep the centre-back out until at least March leaving Roy with some thinking to do.

In a bid to strengthen a rather light defensive outfit, Hodgson will look to splash the cash on Bolton’s highly rated Gary Cahill. A bid upwards of roughly £12million should be enough to get Bolton’s attention.

Only days ago, Cahill was linked to Chelsea, Arsenal, Roma and Inter and now Liverpool will join the race for the talented defender.

Bolton may not be keen on selling Cahill to another Premier League club which may force through a foreign transfer, but it may also spark a bidding war and push his asking price through the roof.

Liverpool’s recent NESV takeover should allow for enough funds to secure the Bolton player’s services and may prove a simpler option for Cahill given Liverpool’s closer geographical location.

Failing in any bid for Cahill, Liverpool have been rumoured to be closely following Lille’s French international Adil Rami. He, like Cahill, would not come cheap though with his valuation at roughly £12.5million.

This could be a rather public analysis of Hodgson’s relationship with new American club owners, NESV. The newly installed outfit has not yet stated whether they will be spending during the January window where normally prices are often inflated.

However, faced with the potential scenario of Liverpool’s season being over by the time Jamie Carragher returns, Henry may have little option but to get his wallet out.

Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos are Liverpool’s only fit senior centre-backs and Danish International Daniel Agger is still weeks away from recovering from his calf injury.

Owen Coyle has a real fight on his hands now to keep the services of the 25-year-old, but I’m sure Coyle would welcome a fresh injection of cash. A manager of Coyle’s nature could probably buy half a team with £12million.

Jamie Carragher Lavishes Praise On Boss Roy Hodgson For Giving Youth A Chance

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is behind boss Roy Hodgson when it comes to the youth policy in the Europa League.

Hodgson has giving some of his side’s emerging talent a chance to proves themselves in this year’s competition and this will no doubt continue because Carragher himself was ruled out for three months after sustaining a shoulder injury.

This means that young defenders Martin Kelly and Danny Wilson will start against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday, and will feature heavily during the festive period as the fixture list starts to pile up.

The vice captain has been particularly impressed by the Scottish defender Wilson, who has grown in stature over the preceding games in Europe. Other players such as Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey have also captured his attention.

"They've done great, and it's credit to the manager as well for putting them in there in some difficult places," the 32-year-old told the club's official website.

"Even one of the qualifying rounds - Trabzonspor was a tough place to go. To come through was great. It's been great experience for them and it bodes well for the future.

"It's not just about them getting a bit of experience, though - they've also done very well. They've gone there and performed.

"It's been great for the club to see local lads coming through, so you have to give a pat on the back to them and also to the manager for giving them a chance."

Carra has also reacted to the FA Cup third round draw with Manchester United. Although he will be sidelined in January when the cup-tie will be played, he hopes his side can prevail in order to keep aspirations alive.

"It's a very tough draw for us but it's a very tough draw for them as well. It works both ways," he noted.

"The FA Cup is massive for me. I'm fortunate enough to have won it a few times but I'd love to play at Wembley in an FA Cup final with Liverpool before I finish.

"Hopefully the players can do the job for me and I can be back at Wembley at the end of the season."

Liverpool’s £5 Million Deal For England International Confirmed

It has been confirmed Liverpool paid a £5 million signing on fee to sign Joe Cole on a free transfer during the summer, a big percentage of which went to his agent.

And this is in addition to his reported £90,000 wages. Fans have not yet seen the best of the England international but he could be a bargain if he hits top form.

Cole was out of contract after his deal with Chelsea had run out and Liverpool swooped ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham to bring him to Anfield.

However, it does highlight the amount of money paid by Barclays Premier League teams for players that should technically cost them very little.

Liverpool paid over £9 million in agent fees as Roy Hodgson wasted no time in implementing his Anfield revolution – the second highest amount behind Chelsea.

Cole’s fee, though, was covered by the £6 million transfer fee they received from Chelsea for Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun.

And their agent fees for next year could be higher as Hodgson continues his overhaul of Liverpool’s struggling squad.

Jacob's Special Melwood Day

13-year old Liverpool fanatic Jacob Soar saw his Anfield dreams come true recently when he met up with his Kop idols at Melwood.

Jacob, from Doncaster, travelled to the Reds' training base with parents Amanda and Kevin to meet and have photographs taken with Torres, Carragher, Cole and co.

Sadly, Jacob has faced a lifelong struggle with a number of conditions including Severe Dystonic Quadriparesis; Hydrocephalus; Symptomatic Focal Epilepsy; Bilateral Tempral Optic Atrophy. He has a Tracheostromy and a Gastrostomy button, and suffers recurrent chest infections.

But for one day at least he was able to put his problems behind him and savour every second of his special Melwood visit.

Liverpool Look For Reinforcements After Losing Jamie Carragher

Roy Hodgson will accelerate his search for reinforcements after learning that Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will be out for at least three months because he needs surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

The former England defender will have an operation this week to repair the injury which was sustained during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.

In the short term, Hodgson is ready to give 18-year-old Danny Wilson, the £5 million summer signing from Rangers, the opportunity to fill the void.

But with Daniel Agger also troubled by injury, Hodgson is determined to recruit at least one experienced defender in January, with Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Adil Rami, Lille’s £12.5 million-rated France centre-half, the Liverpool manager’s leading targets.

Liverpool have scouted Cahill intensively over the past month, but Bolton’s £20 million valuation of the England defender is likely to prove prohibitive, despite the improved financial picture at Anfield following the NESV takeover in October.

Lille are similarly determined to retain Rami, but the loss of Carragher until March has left Liverpool in serious need of quality defenders as they attempt to compete for Champions League qualification.

Carragher had been hopeful that a period of rest would enable his injury to recover naturally and leave him with an outside chance of facing Manchester United in the FA Cup next month or Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Jan 16.

But a scan of the injury has highlighted more serious damage and Carragher, who has missed just nine Premier League games since the start of the 2004-05 season, has been told to expect a lengthy lay-off.

He said: “I’ll be having surgery at the end of the week. The average [recovery period] is about 12 weeks. I’d like to come back before that, but I’ve got to make sure it’s right. It will probably be late February or early March when I’m looking to come back.

“It’s difficult for me when I’m injured. It hasn’t happened very often and I’m very lucky with that I suppose, but maybe it’s caught up with me a little bit now.

“I’ve been here before with a broken leg, which put me out this length of time. It’s not easy, but you’ve got to get on with it and it makes you more determined to get back.

“I’m sure towards the end of the season, when people are maybe feeling a little bit tired, I’ll be raring to go.”

Liverpool Will Look To Martin O’Neill As Replacement For Roy Hodgson

Liverpool will turn to former Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill as new owners NESV look to replace Roy Hodgson. The under fire Anfield manager is thought to be nearing the axe after a poor start to the season and the 58 year old Northern Irishman is apparently seen as the man to take over the reigns at the Merseyside club.

Roy Hodgson had appeared to be steadying the ship after a series of positive results, including a win over Chelsea, but one win in his last four Premier League games has heaped pressure back on the Croydon born veteran and it appears he may be heading for the chop.

Frank Rijkaard is the marginal favourite to be the next Liverpool boss with some bookmakers but some sources believe that the former Barcelona man may be looking to take a break from the game following his recent sacking by Turkish side Galatasaray and could also be hoping for a job back in his native Holland in the short term. Fellow front runner Martin O’Neill has been out of the game since he left Villa Park in early August and is thought to be very keen on taking the Liverpool job.

Liverpool’s new owners are thought to be keen to make any managerial changes by January at the latest as they would look to any prospective new manager to invest any transfer fund injection and not Roy Hodgson. The club is currently in 10th spot, some seven points from a coveted top four finish.

Fernando Torres Ruled Out Of Steaua Bucharest Clash

Fernando Torres is set to be rested from Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Steaua Bucharest after Roy Hodgson revealed he would not be travelling with the squad.

The Reds boss also made it known Scottish youngster Danny Wilson will replace the injured Jamie Carragher for the trip to Romania.

Torres is being rested with the Anfield club’s match against Aston Villa in mind while Wilson gets his opportunity after Carragher was ruled out for three months following surgery on his shoulder.

Wilson will make his second appearance since joining from Rangers and he will partner Sotirios Kyrgiakos at the back - and the pair are likely to be joined in defence by Fabio Aurelio and Martin Kelly.

Hodgson told the club's official website: "Martin Kelly and Danny Wilson will start against Steaua Bucharest and it's a great opportunity for them to stake a claim to be in the first team.

"Not being able to take the points we deserved against Tottenham has kept us in a mid-table position so the next games coming up are going to be very important.

"I've got to be careful not to risk too many of the players I want out on the field against Aston Villa.

"Torres won't travel. I can leave maybe as many as six or seven players who I expect to start against Aston Villa out of the team.

"It means on paper I'm taking a weakened team, but I believe people like Joe Cole, Ryan Babel, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen and Jonjo Shelvey are more than capable of doing a good job for Liverpool Football Club."

Steven Gerrard To Return To Training 'Next Week'

Steven Gerrard could return to full training as early as Monday, after making good progress from his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained on international duty.

The Liverpool captain picked up the injury during England’s 2-1 defeat to France in November.

The central midfielder will not make the club’s Europa League game against Steaua Bucharest and will just miss out on the match against Aston Villa next Monday.

But the club’s head of sports science, Peter Brukner, is confident the rehabilitation has gone exactly to plan and Gerrard could return for the Newcastle game.

"Steven's going well. He's back running, though not back in training," Brukner told the club's official website.

"He's certainly looking good to play the Newcastle game, which has been our target all along.

"We're hoping he'll be back in training at the start of next week.

"Everything's gone to plan."

Martin Skrtel Wants Liverpool To Improve After Loss To Tottenham

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has called on his team-mates to knuckle down and improve their performances in terms of putting away their chances.

The Reds had many chances during the recent defeat to Tottenham, but scored only once as their opponents responded by coming from behind to win the game.

The Slovakia international now hopes that future performances will be better, so they don't have to suffer the heartbreak of losing in stoppage time.

"Losing that game was very difficult to take," Skrtel told the Liverpool Echo.

"In the first half we did really well and controlled the game. We scored one and created a few more chances.

"In the second half we let them get back in it and to concede again right at the end was so disappointing.

"It came down to us missing our chances. If you don't score goals you don't win games. We have to improve."

The former Zenit St Petersburg defender scored his first goal in more than a year, but insisted that it was rendered meaningless due to the result.

"It was nice to score a goal after so long without one but for me the most important thing is winning and we didn't do that," Skrtel said, as it was an own goal from him that saw Tottenham level matters.

"I might have scored but I can't be happy after that because we didn't get the result."

Liverpool 'Start Negotiations' With €12 Million World Cup 'Genius'

Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Japan star Keisuke Honda, and are reportedly in talks over a January move.

According to Japanese daily Sports Nippon, the Reds have commenced negotiations over the €12 million-rated playmaker with his current club CSKA Moscow.

Honda has built up quite a reputation thanks to his swashbuckling displays for Japan at the World Cup; some of which led Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to label the 24-year-old a 'genius'

"This Japansese team is based on a solid and collective defence in which everybody knows exactly what to do," Wenger told Eurosport.

"When they get the ball they can give it to Honda - and the magic starts.

"When they get that genius Honda playing up front, he has shown what a top class player he is. For me he's the best performer of the competition so far."

Arsenal have previously been linked with a move for Honda, however Liverpool have now emerged as favourites for his signature as they look to add to their attacking options in January.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is keen to increase the potency of his attacking force at Anfield, which currently relies too heavily on Kop hero Fernando Torres - something that Hodgson readily admits.

Honda is also reportedly a target for AC Milan so, should Liverpool capture him, it would represent quite a coup for the Anfield club.

Hodgson is expected to have plenty of money to spend in January as he looks to bring new faces to Anfield in January with new Liverpool owners NESV prepared to back their manager in the transfer market.

Liverpool Preparing To Make A Move For Colombian Hit Man

Liverpool are apparently preparing a bid for Colombian striker Teofilo Gutierrez who currently ply’s his trade for Turkish outfit Trabsonspor, the reported fee will be in the region of £6 Million which is well within the budget of the Anfield outfit.

Liverpool have been looking for a second striker capable of knocking the goals in regular and it is no surprise to see Roy Hodgson show interest in the 25 year old who has scored a goal every two games at both club level and International level although he has not been able to nail down a permanent spot in the national team.

Liverpool has been interested in the player for some time and were close to making a bid for the Colombian back in the summer and it seems that their interest has not waned, if anything it has increased.

The main stumbling block to any bid is if there is a change of management at Liverpool but as things stand Liverpool remain on course to sign a player they have been interested for some time.

Jamie Carragher To Have Surgery On Shoulder Injury And Miss Three Months Of Action

Liverpool have confirmed that defender Jamie Carragher will likely miss the next three months of the campaign, as he has to undergo surgery to correct a dislocated shoulder.

The 32-year-old suffered the injury during the game against Tottenham, which saw the Reds lose 2-1 thanks to a late Aaron Lennon winner for Spurs.

The defender will now go under the knife this week, and hopes to make a quick recovery to return and contribute to the cause.

"I'll be having surgery at the end of the week," Carragher told the club's official website. "The average is about 12 weeks. I'd like to come back before that but I've got to make sure it's right. It will probably be late February or early March when I'm looking to come back.

"It's difficult for me when I'm injured. It hasn't happened very often, and I'm very lucky with that I suppose, but maybe it's caught up with me a little bit now.

"I've been here before with a broken leg which put me out this length of time. It's not easy but you've got to get on with it, and it makes you more determined to get back.

"I'm sure towards the end of the season when people are maybe feeling a little bit tired I'll be raring to go."

Carragher's injury is the latest blow for the Reds, as Daniel Agger is still recovering from a calf problem, while Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard are both sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Paul Konchesky Admits He Must Up His Game

Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky has admitted that he has struggled to settle into life on Merseyside and found it tough handling the expectations that come with playing for the Anfield club.

The full-back, who was signed by Roy Hodgson in July, accepts that he needs to lift the level of his performances to repay the faith shown in him by his manager.

"It's taken me a while [to settle in], and I got injured early on so I'm just getting back to playing at full fitness now," Konchesky told Liverpool’s official website.

"I'm getting used to the atmosphere and the people surrounding the team.

"There is a lot of pressure here but it's a good pressure. The fans want you to be in the top four because that's where Liverpool belongs.

"I've got to up my game. Where I've played before has not been as high a standard as Liverpool, but this is a good pressure."

And Konchesky acknowledged that he was at fault for Tottenham’s winning goal in their Premier League clash on Sunday as Aaron Lennon raced through to hand Spurs a 2-1 win.

"Straight after I knew that I'd have to hold my hands up, but we also had chances to win the game," he continued.

"That's part of football and we've got to try and take the positives out of the game.

"I was gutted [with the winner]. Being the last minute as well, it didn't give us any time to get back into the game.

"But that's life, we've got to put it behind us, and I've got to put it behind myself for the next game."

The former Fulham defender has also looked to reassure fans by insisting the Reds are slowly starting to adapt to Hodgson’s tactics and revealed he is expecting things to improve soon.

"I can see signs that we're starting to play in the style he [Hodgson] wants," he added.

"The more we work on it on the training ground, the more the players get used to what the manager wants.

"We're taking it into games. The performances have been of a much higher standard in the last two games.

"It's about organization and a lot of hard work. Players filling in for each other when someone's out of position.

"I think the team is becoming organized in the system."

Liverpool Tracking Lorient Forward Kevin Gameiro For January Transfer

They may not be the frontrunners in this transfer, but Roy Hodgson is making sure Liverpool won't miss the opportunity to land French forward Kevin Gameiro in January.

According to a report by givemefootball.com, Gameiro's agent is conducting preliminary talks with Arsenal, which is currently the leading destination for the talented striker. A £10 million deal is reportedly in the works.

However, should any deal fall through with the Gunners, Hodgson is tracking Gameiro's progress to create a potential landing spot at Anfield. It's reported that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is also looking to attract Gameiro if the Arsenal transfer is a no-go.

The 23-year-old striker could be a perfect complement to Fernando Torres up front, as the up-and-comer is described as a solid attacker who is ready for Premier League competition.

Liverpool Earmark Samba Striker As Next Anfield Hero

Liverpool are reportedly after Brazilian striker Kleber as they step up their pursuit of a new striker.

According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are set to re-enter the race for the Palmeiras hotshot - who is also wanted by Everton - after previously showing an interest in his signature during Rafa Benitez's tenure.

"I have a proposal from Liverpool for 7 million euros. We are analysing [it]" Kleber said at the time.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has made no secret of his desire to add more potency to his Anfield attack after admitting that Liverpool rely too heavily on Kop hero Fernando Torres.

And it would appear Hodgson has identified £6 million-rated Kleber as a potential target to take the goalscoring burden away from Liverpool star Torres.

The former Brazil under 20 star has an eye-catching scoring record; notching an impressive 28 times in 77 appearances during a spell with Dynamo Kiev, while he has 13 goals in 18 games for his current employers.

Kleber certainly has the ability to add an extra dimension to the Liverpool attack and his hard working nature and flamboyant attitude to win over the Anfield faithful.

Liverpool have also been linked with Roma ace Mirko Vucinic and Bolton hitman Johan Elmander as they look to bring more attacking options to Anfield in January.