Hodgson: Beating Manchester United Would Be A Remarkable Coup

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is looking forward to the FA Cup third round clash against fierce rivals Manchester United and hopes his side can use the magic of the cup to turn around their poor form.

United, unbeaten after 20 league games, are clear favourites for the clash with Hodgson's men, who lost 3-1 to Blackburn in their last fixture.

But Hodgson is confident that he can prove his doubters wrong and apply the tactics that will see his Liverpool side surprise Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

"We've got quite an experienced bunch of players here and they know as well as I do how important this game is," Hodgson told the club's official site after his usual open press conference with the media was cancelled on Friday morning.

"In particular for the supporters of the club who'd take enormous delight if we could knock Manchester United out of the cup on their home ground – it would be a remarkable coup.

"The important thing for me to do is, yes, make that point clear, but also to emphasize that to win it will require a lot of intelligent football. We're not going to do it through heart alone.

"It needs to be a combination of endeavour and desire, but also people using their heads to play well tactically, negate Manchester United's strengths and take advantage of some of their weaknesses."

Hodgson has face intense speculation about his future as Liverpool manager but the former Fulham boss was keen to stress that the players and staff at the club feel exactly the same as the disgruntled fans.

"It's very important the fans realize that we understand they have high hopes, expectations and ambitions for the club and the team. We have high hopes, expectations and ambitions as well.

"Every time we go on to the field we desperately want to see those dreams materialize and to produce the performances which bring you results.

"It's very painful when it's not happening and the fans make their views felt. We're all hurting in this situation."

The Reds boss described the loss to Blackburn as a "poor, poor defensive performance" and thinks that a break from the league could be exactly what his side need.

He added: "We thought after Bolton we had a good opportunity to go to Blackburn and beat them.

"To come away defeated was a harsh blow and this game against our fiercest rivals gives us the chance to show we are better than we were on Wednesday."

Hodgson had some good news for fans on the injury front, with news that only Jamie Carragher is set to miss the game through injury.

Defenders Paul Konchesky and Martin Skrtel are slight doubts but are expected to be fit for inclusion in the squad.

Raul Meireles has also made a quick recovery and Hodgson is delighted that he finally has a selection headache to ponder in his midfield.

"It's one of the few times in a long time that we've been able to consider Lucas, Steven Gerrard and Meireles on the pitch together," he said.

"First Steven Gerrard was out for six weeks and then Raul Meireles got injured. It's good to have the three of those available to play."

Fergie Rallies Round Under-Fire Kop Boss Hodgson

Sir Alex Ferguson rallied around under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, saying he has nothing to prove.

Hodgson, who takes his side to Manchester United in the FA Cup tomorrow, is on the brink of the sack with the Anfield club just four points above the relegation zone.

Despite United’s fierce rivalry with Liverpool, Fergie said Hodgson’s successful managerial record meant the 63-year-old deserved better than his current plight.

“Roy Hodgson doesn’t need to justify his record as a manager,” said Fergie. “His experience and performance level everywhere he’s been have been terrific, so I’m not going to get into that.

“We’re in a situation where managers are getting fired and threatening to be fired.

“It’s a very difficult industry these days. I feel for all those managers who are under pressure and have lost their jobs. The League Managers’ Association is the proper people to talk about it.

“They’re doing a fantastic job representing the managers brilliantly and they have a great chief executive in Richard Bevan.”

Fergie is determined not to suffer the same FA Cup fate as last season, when United were dumped out by Leeds – then in League One – at the first hurdle after a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

“The FA Cup is a tournament you can’t take for granted,” said Fergie.

“We did that last year and we got a reminder, losing at home to Leeds in the third round.

“It was the first time I’d lost a third round tie since I’ve been at the club and it didn’t sit well with me.

“I was sick for a few days, I didn’t enjoy it, so hopefully I’ll enjoy this one better.

“The big difference on Sunday will be that Liverpool will have 9,000 fans at Old Trafford.

“They’re only allowed 3,000 fans in a normal Premier League game, whereas in the FA Cup the percentage goes up and they’re given the whole end.

“It definitely generates a fantastic atmosphere.

“We’ve experienced that over the years, even last year when Leeds brought 9,000 fans.

“They made themselves heard and it was a fantastic atmosphere.”

Liverpool Switch Sights To Sevilla Striker

Liverpool are set to break the bank this month for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, according to reports in Spain.

The one-time Tottenham target has been in glittering form for Sevilla so far this season and has moved above Brazil star Luis Fabiano in the club's pecking order.

His displays have alerted Liverpool, who are desperate to further their striking options with Fernando Torres and David N'Gog the only senior strikers in their squad.

Negredo has a £70m release clause but it is understood that Sevilla would be willing to part with the striker for a fee of around £17m.

And reports have claimed that Liverpool has already made informal contact with Sevilla about a January deal - and a solid offer is expected in the next fortnight.

Liverpool 'To Beat Arsenal' To Signing Of Italy Defender

Liverpool are set to win the race to sign Inter Milan starlet Davide Santon, according to imscouting.com.

The Reds have reportedly already held talks over a potential deal for the 19-year-old and more discussions are scheduled to take place next week.

Arsenal, however, are also thought to be planning to speak to the representatives of the Italy international when they fly to England but Liverpool remain the frontrunners for his signature.

A deal for Santon would only add to the famed stable of 'kids' at Arsenal and Arsene Wenger has long been renowned for his ability to identify and develop teenage prodigies - with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere testament to the talents of the Gunners boss and his academy staff.

Wenger is understood to want to bring the cream of young European talent to the Emirates Stadium as he looks to leave a lasting legacy with Arsenal should he eventually leave the Gunners.

Arsenal has also been linked with Ipswich wonderkid Connor Wickham and Israeli sensation Omri Altman as Wenger continues to build a squad for the future.

Likewise, new Liverpool owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) have identified the development of young players at their academy as a priority - tasking director of football strategy Damien Comolli with bringing precocious stars to Anfield.

Comolli is renowned for having an eye for talent in its infancy and is believed to have been closely monitoring Santon with a view to bringing him to Liverpool during the transfer window.

The Italian is unsettled in Milan after falling out of favour with Rafa Benitez and - despite the former Liverpool boss having departed the San Siro last month - Santon is thought to still be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Santon is extremely versatile and can play at full back on either flank as well as in a more advanced role; something which could see him succeed either Glen Johnson or Paul Konchesky, both of whom could reportedly leave Liverpool this month.

And, with plenty of room to improve and develop, he would fit with the ethos of NESV in their quest to bring talented youngsters to Liverpool as they look to create a squad to challenge for future honours.

Report: Hoffenheim Want Ryan Babel

Netherlands international Ryan Babel could be on his way out of Premier League side Liverpool as Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim have expressed an interest in signing the versatile attacker, if a report in Voetbal International is to be believed.

The Sinsheim side is in the market for attacking reinforcements because of the expected departure of Demba Ba to West Ham United and sporting director Ernst Tanner supposedly sees Babel as the perfect replacement.

Babel came through the ranks of the Ajax youth academy and earned himself a transfer to Liverpool in 2007 with some impressive performances at the Amsterdam ArenA.

However, the winger has been unable to secure regular first team action with the Reds and has mainly been warming the bench in the past two seasons. Therefore, Babel is eager to move on in the winter transfer window.

The attacker has previously been linked with Birmingham City, but Hoffenheim now appear to be sitting in pole position to lure Babel away from Liverpool.

Is There Any Truth To The Rumours Linking Fernando Torres To Bayern Munich?

Liverpool Fernando Torres is a world class player and considering Bayern Munich's stature in Europe, it is far from ridiculous to imagine the Spaniard considering a move to the German champions.

The striker himself had confirmed the possibility in 2009, "Bayern Munich is a very attractive club." This fueled the speculation again. But is a transfer likely in the foreseeable future?

At least this winter, a transfer is definitely not conceivable. The German champions have already revealed that they will not be active in the transfer market. Torres is also too important for current club Liverpool, and could not leave the Merseyside outfit in their delicate situation.

If Spanish and British media report that Torres could move in January to the Isar, the current rumors are likely to be baseless and false. The question remains however: would the Spaniard move to Munich this summer?

That he is not opposed in general, he has already confirmed. If Liverpool miss out on European competition, as currently it looks like they will, a change from Torres would be quite conceivable. Assuming that he wants to change only to one of the best clubs in the world, the options are rather limited.

Barcelona and Real Madrid stand out, but Torres recently clarified, "My home is Atletico Madrid. When I go back to Spain it will only be to Atletico." This leaves only England, Italy or Germany as viable options. That it could be to Bayern Munich is an option, of course. But currently there is really no basis on which one could place these rumours. And this will hopefully end the speculation at least until the summer break.

Captain's Youth Cup Preview

Liverpool Academy captain Conor Coady admits he is relishing Saturday’s FA Youth Cup clash with Crystal Palace at Anfield.

The Reds U18s will look to build on their impressive showing in the third round against Notts County by progressing at the expense of the Eagles.

Coady admits he's delighted to be back into the swing of things following the Christmas break - and he can't wait to take to the field in front of the Kop.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv, the centre-back said: "I'm made up to be back, I could not wait to get back in over Christmas and now that I'm here I'm going to keep working hard and preparing for the game on Saturday."

The U18s will face a tough challenge against Palace, who are in good form this season and are sitting at the top of their league.

The match will place some of England's finest youth players against each other, and to sweeten the deal, the game will be played on Anfield's hallowed turf.

Coady said: "Palace will be just as excited as us to be playing at Anfield, maybe even more so because I don't think they'll ever have played at a stadium like Anfield. It's absolutely amazing and one of the best stadiums in the world.

"Palace are a good team, they pass the ball well, they're good upfront and they're good in midfield, so I think it's going to be a really interesting and good game for both sides.

"We'll be against some top-class players and that's what we want as U18s, to improve by playing against the best, so Palace will definitely be a great learning curve for us.

"Hopefully it'll be a good result for us on Saturday but we'll just have to see how we play."

Looking back to the end of 2010 and the strong run of form the U18s displayed in the league, Coady feels results proved what a good team they have become under manager Rodolfo Borrell.

He said: "My highlight of 2010 was simply playing for Liverpool Football Club and captaining the club in every game. It's the proudest moment that I'll ever have in my life.

"Hopefully we can keep going and building on our form, we've done really well."

Despite an impressive run of form from the Academy, the squad never got a full run out in December as bad weather forced a number of games on the fixture list to be cancelled.

"Not having many games over Christmas was very frustrating," considered Coady. "Usually every week we're preparing for a match but we just had to keep focused preparing for whatever game there would be.

"Notts County in the third round of the FA Youth Cup was our only competitive game in December, which was an outstanding performance from all the boys. The first half hour was especially brilliant but we did drop a level after the first goal but I think we got it back in the second half."

Coady's comments on the performance may be seen as quite modest as the U18s ran out 4-0 winners on the night, with goals from Adorjan, Sterling and Ngoo seeing the team safely through to the next round.

"I think we could have scored more if I'm honest," Coady continued. "They had a few chances but I thought we played really well. Ngoo got two goals but missed a sitter. I hope he doesn't mind me saying that!"

Liverpool's Cut-Price Revolution To Be Ripped From Pages Of Moneyball

Defeat at Manchester United in the FA Cup tomorrow would leave Liverpool with a little more time for thought. Only the Europa League and the effort to get into a smarter part of the Premier League would still be ahead of them. For the owners who bought the club in the autumn the work is merely beginning. John W Henry's investment company New England Sports Ventures may now start to demonstrate its approach to re-establishing Liverpool, regardless of who is appointed manager should Roy Hodgson be removed.

The owners' perspective will owe something to the success they have enjoyed in baseball. The Red Sox, unlike Liverpool, are well-off but they do not have the means of the New York Yankees. There was, indeed, a whole culture devoted to the "curse" that was supposed to explain a lack of World Series success since 1918. Under NESV they have triumphed twice, in 2004 and 2007.

By comparison with that 86-year wait in the history of the Red Sox, Liverpool's lack of the league title since 1990 is a mere pause. Although the baseball club generates plenty of cash it was the insight of people such as Theo Epstein that seemed critical. He became the general manager at the age of 28 in 2002. When Epstein left in 2005 the Red Sox got him back three months later.

Baseball, like cricket, lends itself to analysis since each pitch brings about a self-contained episode that can be studied. Games like football, which are meant to be continuous, cannot be broken down in that fashion. Nor is the information so open to the exhaustive study that is the norm in baseball. Nonetheless NESV's policy for the Red Sox is being loosely recreated at Anfield, where Damien Comolli became director of football strategy in November.

The fixation with baseball owes much to Moneyball, the renowned book by Michael Lewis that was published in 2003. Its subject was the Oakland Athletics and, specifically, the general manager Billy Beane. The movie is to be with us at last in the autumn, starring Brad Pitt as Beane. He had the outlook in baseball of a shrewd investor who can spot an undervalued share.

Others have tried hard to emulate that, with Moneyball both reporting on an emerging approach in the sport and popularizing it. The knack lay in seeing a merit beyond the obvious limitations of a particular player – and the chubby Kevin Youkilis of Boston, for instance, has an unusual restraint that means he is less inclined to strike out for the Red Sox. As a single-minded man he quite often gets to first base on a walk after control deserts a frustrated pitcher.

In a sense clubs have always been eager to carry out this sort of recruitment. Every manager hopes to crow over an outstanding player he secured for next to nothing. Beane was different because he was not following a hunch so much as questioning traditional attitudes about what it was that truly made the difference in a game. He also has a passion for football and, specifically, an allegiance to Tottenham Hotspur. Comolli, of course, worked at White Hart Lane as director of football for three years and during that period he came to know Beane. "We have been talking at length since 2006 about data application in both football and baseball," said Comolli. "Everything I've been doing has come from what the A's have been doing in terms of collecting and using data."

The difficulty now is that all those at the top level are out to refine their gathering of information and the analysis of it. Even so, Liverpool seems to be making a start in the refashioning of the squad. Sylvain Marveaux is expected to sign from Rennes and was in the directors' box at Anfield for the match with Wolves last month. Whatever his skills, he appeals, too, for the fact that his contract is coming to an end.

Those who are familiar with Marveaux describe him as more of a midfielder than a true winger and add that he is quick, passes the ball well and can finish accurately. This sounds rather attractive, even if he is injured at the moment, and he may be more alluring still for his cheapness. Liverpool supporters, of course, will wince at the notion of a cut-price plan to rebuild the squad.

NESV, however, has assuredly not been miserly when agreeing or extending the contracts of players at the Red Sox. It would be folly for the owners not to improve Liverpool radically, even if the main part of that endeavour is likely to come in the close season. They are astute and bought the club in what was effectively an enforced sale by Tom Hicks and George Gillett for £300m.

That has the tone of a bargain since NESV was not caught up in an auction. Whatever the potential, there is a great deal to be done at Liverpool. It has to be undertaken, too, when a range of clubs are better-placed to advance, particularly since Manchester City have the means to assume that one of the Champions League slots should ultimately be theirs each year as a matter of course.

For Liverpool the proposals to build a new stadium in Stanley Park or redevelop the existing site cannot be implemented until NESV has examined the issue fully. The Americans have a good track record but making a success of the Reds is a more severe challenge than anything they faced with the Red Sox.

Sacking Roy Hodgson Is Not Enough For Liverpool's Spanish Stars

Liverpool's new owners have been warned that even the sacking of Roy Hodgson might not be enough to stave off an exodus of their key players, including Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina. Although the manager's departure appears inevitable, and the two Spanish players would not leave during the winter transfer window, frustration at the club's inertia means they will go in the summer if they are not convinced by the new manager and handed reassurances of major investment.

The choice currently before Liverpool's owners, John W Henry and Tom Werner, is a huge one which will bring with it significant consequences. For some senior players sacking Hodgson is a step in the right direction. But while Hodgson continuing at the club would guarantee summer departures, his exit does not necessarily mean that Liverpool will be able to keep hold of their most important assets. With Liverpool immersed in a sale process last summer moves were blocked for Steven Gerrard, Torres and Reina; this year, it will be harder to prevent their departure. Liverpool quoted prices so prohibitive as to be a "not for sale" sign. At the same time reassurances were made regarding ambitions. Hopes had been pinned on new ownership and massive investment. As yet only half of that proposition has come to pass.

The arrival of a recognized, high-achieving coach will be vital if they are not to push for a transfer. Didier Deschamps, who was interviewed for the job last summer and remains a favoured candidate, appeared to rule himself out yesterday. The Marseille coach said: "When I talk about being the coach of Marseille in the new stadium, I mean it. It is an idea that pleases me. Now, 2014 is a very long way away in my profession. But I have said people should understand I am not a tramp. I proved it last year. I could have left."

Key Anfield squad members have been dismayed by the lack of activity from the new owners since they took over in mid‑October.

The lack of activity in this transfer window only increases that impression, with the club currently considering an offer for the Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka. Players feel that promises have been broken before and will not endure another season of underachievement and uncertainty.

Possible destinations are already being studied in case they should be required, but no decisions have been taken. Those clubs that tabled bids for Gerrard, Torres, Reina and Dirk Kuyt last summer are not necessarily expected to return 12 months on. The players are not expected to consider a move to Manchester United.

Following Liverpool's 3-1 defeat against Blackburn Hodgson refused to discuss a possible sacking, saying: "I am not prepared to talk about my future. At this moment I am depressed enough with the performance and the result. I am not here to talk about that. I have no comments to make and I don't intend to answer any questions on the subject." The club's director of communications then brought the press conference to a close and there was no indication from the owners today that they intend to change manager before Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester United.

But Hodgson's days at Anfield are numbered. Fans have railed against him – he was met with graffiti at the club's training ground yesterday – and pressure builds to replace him. Progress is stalled by the absence of a chief executive at Anfield and the fact that the New England Sports Ventures group that owns the club continues to be based in the United States.

There has also been little opportunity over the Christmas period properly to discuss the club's next move. Kenny Dalglish, who currently occupies an ambassadorial role, made it clear that he wanted the manager's job in the summer before the former regime employed Hodgson – and he is still keen to take charge. There is, however, a reluctance to make a definitive decision at this stage, which only increases the uncertainty. With the situation being monitored closely by key players, it is a decision that must be made carefully.

Henry Silence Only Adds To Hodgson's Agony And State Of Crisis At Anfield

The graffiti scrawled on a Melwood wall yesterday stated "Hodgson Out" but the Liverpool manager was in at an early hour and still at his desk late into the afternoon, even though it was a designated day off for most of the players whose capitulation at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night left his job in such jeopardy.

Those who work closely with Hodgson say he is bearing this nightmare experience with equanimity, wise as he is to the brutal environment football can provide, yet the silence from Boston yesterday was deafening. The smartest football proprietors publicly support their managers even while preparing to sack them but this seems to be a lesson John W Henry has yet to learn. He is creating a news vacuum that is making Hodgson's position desperate.

The rumour mill was in overdrive when he emerged to place a bin bag of items in his car. After much deliberation within the club about the merits of protecting him, it seems Hodgson will appear publicly today to discuss Sunday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United.

Though Kevin Keegan, John Barnes and Steve McManaman all came out in favour of Hodgson being given more time, the manager is not delivering what he claimed privately that he could in the summer. Liverpool's non-executive chairman at that time, Martin Broughton, declared back in July that Hodgson's "extremely thoughtful, prepared, thorough" interview for the job included a commitment to focus "on how we could get more from existing players", which had been most impressive. "It was not [about] how much money he could have."

There are some extenuating circumstances – the injured Jamie Carragher would not have allowed a defensive display like Wednesday's – but the players Hodgson has inherited have become shadows of the individuals they once were.

Henry and the current Liverpool chairman Tom Werner would have appreciated Hodgson's interview pitch. Though discussions of their success at the Boston Red Sox have focused on the appointment of the relatively untried Theo Epstein as evidence of their love of young and highly intelligent managers, Epstein was their general manager – not their coach. The baseball man who turned the Red Sox around was Terry Francona, a seasoned baseball pro, who arrived in 2004, aged 45, with prior experience of handling the truculent pitcher Curt Schilling, whom the club had just signed from the Philadelphia Phillies and who was to prove critical to their first world series championship since 1918. He had also managed to get the best from Michael Jordan at the Birmingham Barons franchise. Now Henry wants someone able to work similar wonders on Fernando Torres.

But Francona was also amenable to the modern baseball ways that the Americans want now to adapt to football, having worked as a bench coach at the Oakland Athletics where general manager Billy Beane introduced the sabermetrics system. The problem for Henry, Werner and their Fenway Sports Group is not to find a modern young manager – there are plenty of those around – but one capable of beginning to lift players in the way that Francona did at Boston, where he remains manager to this day.

The connections that the Americans' new director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, has with continental football have elevated Marseilles' Didier Deschamps, the former Barcelona coach Frank Rikjaard, Porto's Andre Villas-Boas and, in what would be a particularly bold move, Ralph Rangnick, the 52-year-old who recently resigned from Hoffenheim, to the ranks of possible contenders. The latter two are immediately available and with doubts that Rikjaard might be the right candidate, rumour continues to surround Rangnick.

Known in Germany for the offensive 4-3-3 system that secured successive promotions for Hoffenheim from the third tier to the Bundesliga, "the Professor" – as the technocrat Rangnick is known – also worked as an intern at Arsenal and Arsène Wenger was a major influence. Liverpool's owners see Arsenal as a model club.

Yet the picture of Rangnick's suitability is clouded. He was bankrolled by a wealthy benefactor at Hoffenheim, whose €175m (£147.1m) investment over 10 years included a sizable outlay on players. Some of his scientific methods might appeal to the Liverpool owners and to Comolli, a big fan of German football: the players were encouraged to shoot against specific areas of a large electronic wall and there were elaborate devices to get players passing in triangles. But there are doubts that Rangnick's man-management skills match his ideas as a technocrat.

Rangnick, who never won a trophy in Germany, has distanced himself from comments attributed to him suggesting that he wanted the Liverpool job, heightening the sense among some German observers that he might be in contention, as the quotes served only to discredit him. But another consideration is whether the German would be willing to cede control to Comolli, having commanded such power at Hoffenheim. The same goes for Kenny Dalglish who, if he accepted a caretaker-manager's role, may not appreciate a new recruit calling the shots at a club where he is a legend.

Hodgson, by contrast, has fitted comfortably into his relationship with Comolli. They do not share views on all things – Comolli is far more absorbed by the science of metrics, for instance – but Hodgson's experience on the continent has enabled him to work with the Frenchman. Since Comolli has the Americans' ear, it is conceivable that their good relationship is helping preserve Hodgson's fragile tenure.

Another Anfield legend, Keegan, led demands for more time for Hodgson. "It's not easy but Liverpool has been in decline for a number of years and I think Roy Hodgson is just picking up the tab," he said. "Where are all these youngsters they signed? None of them have come through. I think there are a lot of questions that need to be asked way beyond Roy Hodgson." Hodgson's question is a simple one. Does he have a job, or doesn't he?

Kevin Keegan Defends Under-Fire Boss Roy Hodgson

Kevin Keegan has rushed to the defence of Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, insisting that the club's fortunes were on a decline much before he was appointed as boss.

Hodgson was handed the reins after the exit of his predecessor Rafael Benitez, who parted ways with the club after an underwhelming season that saw the side fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The former Fulham gaffer began his reign in a morose manner as the Reds plunged into the relegation zone owing to poor form during the start of the season. But a small patch of positive form saw them make it to a mid-table position, before inconsistency played its part in putting the team only four points above the drop zone.

The recent defeat to Blackburn Rovers saw several calls for Hodgson's head, amid reports that the ex-Inter boss was on the brink of being shown the door. But Keegan believes that it would probably be unfair to give the gaffer the boot, as the club's problems precede his reign.

"The decline of the club is not down to Roy Hodgson," he said, according to The Mirror.

"It goes back way before he came.

"All you can blame Hodgson for is the 20-odd games he’s been in charge. He’s picked those teams. The problem Liverpool have got is that they are trying to live with history. We all over-achieved for that club. There’s no divine right to win the league, no divine right to win it year after year.

"But the standards have been set and these players have not been able to live up them. They’ve not won the league for 20 years and it’s getting longer every minute.

"Hodgson has been in charge for about 20 games. If they thought he was right in June, what are they going to do to back him?

"The attention over the last two or three years has been away from the manager and on the owners. The fans are looking at a lot of things and the players have to look at themselves as well.

"You can’t blame Roy for the lack of talent coming through, for the fact they’re playing in a stadium I played in and that has hardly changed since before I arrived 40 years ago. It’s too simple just to say: 'Hodgson has got to go.'"

Keegan added: "The new owners have got some big decisions to make.

"Fans don’t have unrealistic expectations but they want to go on a Saturday and see their team play.

"Those Liverpool fans are used to seeing opponents turning up at Anfield worrying about what was coming, fearing conceding an early goal, not wanting to kick towards the Kop if they won the toss. But you can’t say that any more.

"Teams have gone to Anfield for the last few years and had a go because they think: ‘Liverpool haven’t got six or seven good players any more - they’ve got two. If you can stop [Steven] Gerrard and keep [Fernando] Torres quiet, what else have they got?' The answer is not very much and the players have had plenty of opportunities to prove otherwise."

The Reds have an FA Cup clash with heated rivals Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford, and the former Newcastle United boss believes that it represents the club's last chance to win some silverware this term.

"Manchester United away is the hardest game you could have, but in some ways it’s the best game they could have. If they were going to Derby or Nottingham Forest and got beat, that would be pretty lethal," Keegan said.

"The FA Cup is their last chance this season. They can’t win anything else. They’re still in Europe, but there will be some big teams in the last eight of the Europa League, they’re not going to get in the Champions League again and they’re falling behind the top four all the time."

Owen Coyle Tops Liverpool's List

Bolton boss Owen Coyle last night emerged as the man Liverpool want to lead the club out of their nightmare.

With Roy Hodgson likely to be out of a job within days, the Scot has emerged as the front-runner to succeed him.

He shot to the top of the short-list after Marseille boss Didier Deschamps and former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard ruled themselves out.

Former manager Kenny Dalglish – an ambassador at the club – is the fans’ choice and Liverpool’s American owners are looking for a quick replacement. He is likely to be turfed out after Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Manchester United.

The troubled Liverpool boss saw the words “Hodgson Out” daubed on the walls of the training ground yesterday.

The club’s bosses were ready to kick Hodgson into touch, but have decided to hang fire after Deschamps and Rijkaard ruled themselves out.

Deschamps led Marseille to their first French title in 18 years last year and also won the League Cup.

But last night he said: “When I talk about being the coach of Marseille in the new stadium, I mean it.

“It is an idea that pleases me. Now, 2014 is a very long way away in my profession.

“But I have said people should understand I am not a tramp. I proved it last year. I could have left.”

Rijkaard is unwilling to be parachuted into the job halfway through a season which is already going nowhere.

Now it is the name of the highly-regarded Coyle, whose team did so well despite losing at Anfield on Saturday, which is echoing in the Anfield corridors of powers.

Hodgson’s fate was sealed with Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at Blackburn – Liverpool’s ninth Premier League defeat of the season.

Hodgson is a ‘dead man walking’ and only an unlikely draw or victory at Old Trafford will earn him a stay of execution.

Roy Hodgson Leads The Sack Race

Didier Deschamps has ruled himself out of the running to succeed Roy Hodgson as the under-fire Liverpool manager clings on to his job by his fingernails.

Hodgson spent four hours at the training ground yesterday in the wake of a damaging 3-1 defeat by Blackburn as the owners, the Fenway Sports Group, deliberated over his position ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Manchester United. Hodgson is set to host his weekly press conference as normal today after Deschamps distanced himself from replacing him.

The West Ham board are on the brink of pulling the plug on Avram Grant’s reign, but Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has given his backing to Gerard Houllier and Carlo Ancelotti has received support from the Chelsea hierarchy.

The writing was on the wall for Roy Hodgson, spelt out in large white letters as he was driven into Liverpool’s training ground the morning after another ghastly night before.

Graffiti daubed outside Melwood screamed “Hodgson out”, though for four hours he locked himself away in his office, beginning preparations for Sunday’s visit to Manchester United before eventually heading home.

He left clutching a briefcase and a holdall, but the manner of the insipid 3-1 defeat by Blackburn, a ninth league reverse in a wretched campaign, means the call to clear the rest of his desk could still come at any point.

Just when and, more importantly, to whom Liverpool turn in arguably the lowest point of their recent history remains a delicate issue being debated in a series of transatlantic emails and telephone calls with John W Henry, principal owner of the Fenway Sports Group.

Kenny Dalglish remains the fans’ choice to step into an interim role – chants of “Dalglish, Dalglish” emanating at Ewood Park as soon as Benjani deepened Liverpool’s embarrassment with Rovers’ third goal on Wednesday – but a temporary return to the dugout for him brings with it potential problems.

If Dalglish, who is currently on holiday, was to enjoy any success in the job then the crescendo for him to be given the post permanently in the summer would be deafening and raises the prospect of him becoming a “ghost on the wall”, as he has been for Hodgson, if he is again overlooked.

Phil Thompson, who stepped up from assistant to fill in for Gerard Houllier when he underwent life-saving heart surgery in 2001, could be an alternative. Thompson, another club legend who lifted the European Cup in Paris in 1981, would be easier to move on at the end of a caretaker stint than Dalglish and would win the support of the fans in the knowledge he is Liverpool through and through.

Whether Dalglish, who was brought back 18 months ago in the role of club ambassador, felt he could stay on at the club in that event is doubtful and represents a PR nightmare the American owners will be anxious to avoid. The dilemma facing FSG is an unenviable one, not least because a potential full-time target, Didier Deschamps, said he would not be quitting Marseille. Deschamps was interviewed by Liverpool last summer but overlooked in favour of Hodgson, and he said: “When I talk about being the coach of Marseille in the new stadium, I mean it. It is an idea that pleases me.”

Just three months into FSG’s reign, they are consumed by crisis with the public silence over Hodgson adding to the uncertainty. If they sit on their hands, do nothing and persist with Hodgson by sending him into battle against Sir Alex Ferguson, they risk looking weak in the eyes of supporters who are voting with their feet and staying away from matches.

A ‘Dear John’ letter to Henry posted on the Red and White Kop internet forum claimed Hodgson’s position was “no longer tenable” following the Blackburn reverse that left Liverpool just five points off the foot of the table. Melwood had a ghostly feel to it yesterday with the players given the day off, barring Jamie Carragher and Raul Meireles who received treatment for injuries, while Ryan Babel was also spotted at the complex.

The glare of an unforgiving spotlight has been trained on Hodgson, but the writing should also be on the wall for many of the underachieving squad he largely inherited.

Already On Red Alert

David Fairclough believes Liverpool is already in a fight for their Premier League survival.

Wednesday night's 3-1 defeat at Blackburn has left them just four points above the drop zone and has led to increasing speculation that Roy Hodgson may lose his job.

The club have refused to make any official comment on his future but Fairclough, 'Super Sub' in the club's glory days of the '70's and '80's, says the club is in real trouble already.

"It (relegation) has to be in our minds," he told Sky Sports News HD.

"No Liverpool fan will believe that will happen, but there is a real fear that we have fallen into that cluster of sides who are all haunted by relegation.

"At this time of the year we expected Liverpool to be further up the table in a position to challenge, but it hasn't happened and now they are probably one of eight or nine sides who will consider they are in a relegation battle. Liverpool can't be ruled out of that group."

Former Reds skipper and Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson believes the problems at Anfield are 'deep-rooted'.

And while all eyes are on Hodgson and the club's new owner, John W Henry, Fairclough agrees that the issues may well go beyond who is or isn't in charge.

But he agreed a change in mood at least, is needed - and fast.

"It certainly is deep-rooted," he said. "The atmosphere has to change; the players now have to find a feel-good factor, find a real spirit.

"At the moment there are signals that one minute it's up, the next minute it's down. We saw that when they beat Bolton but couldn't follow it up, we said it earlier in the season when we beat Chelsea and a few days later went to Wigan and threw in a lacklustre performance.

"Clearly there's something in the dressing room, something in the training ground environment that needs addressing. It is worrying.

"We've had a few moments this season when we thought it couldn't get any worse and then there were a couple of bright signals, but now we're falling and falling, I'm afraid.

"I thought the Wolves situation was as low as we could get last week, but last night was so poor. I am sure all Liverpool fans are very depressed."

Huth Yet To Hear From Liverpool

Stoke defender Robert Huth insists he has not received any contact from Liverpool regarding a possible move to Anfield in the transfer window.

Skysports.com reported earlier on Thursday that the misfiring Reds have made a 'firm enquiry' about the German centre-back.

Under-pressure Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson and director of football strategy Damien Comolli have repeatedly been linked with a move for Huth in a bid to strengthen their defence.

With Jamie Carragher still injured, the weaknesses in the club's back four were horribly exposed in Wednesday night's defeat at Blackburn, which may have increased the determination to make a January signing.

But Huth, who has two-and-a-half years left on his contract after being brought back to the Premier League from Middlesbrough in 2009, told The Sentinel: "I've heard nothing from Liverpool.

"I have a contract with Stoke. I am sure they are happy with what I am doing, and I am also happy.

"Being relegated is never nice, so it is great Stoke gave me the chance to come back. I am happy that, apart from suspension, I have played in every game."

Huth cost Stoke a then club-record £6million when he arrived 16 months ago and chairman Peter Coates is not planning to sell the 26-year-old.

He said: "We know nothing about it and, besides, he is very much a player we want to keep. We don't have to sell."

Liverpool Instructed To Step Up Chase For Adebayor

Liverpool has been told they must pay Emmanuel Adebayor's weekly wages in full if they hope to sign him on loan this month.

The Togolese has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City and looks increasingly likely to leave Eastlands as Liverpool wait in the wings alongside Tottenham and La Liga side Malaga.

According to The Sun, City are prepared to accept half of the £25 million they paid to sign the 26-year-old from Arsenal, but Liverpool are only thought to be eyeing a temporary deal for his services.

However, should Liverpool land the striker during the transfer window, they will reportedly have to pay 100 per cent of his wages - which stand at a whopping £160,000 per-week.

But Liverpool owners New England Sports Ventures are thought to be reluctant to splash out so excessively so are reported to be pursuing a number of more financially viable subjects.

Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli is believed to have identified a number of potential acquisitions to the board after discussions with Roy Hodgson but any moves will be depend on the future of the Reds boss at Anfield.

Hodgson has stated in the past his desire to bring West Ham striker Carlton Cole to Liverpool but, with his rumours suggesting the 63-year-old will imminently be sacked, it is unlikely a move for Cole will come to fruition.

Should the Liverpool manager leave this month, a more likely transfer target for the Anfield club will be FC Utrecht hotshot Ricky van Wolfswinkel who is understood to be on the radar of Comolli.

Don Hutchison Blasts 'Average' Fernando Torres

Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has blasted the club's star striker Fernando Torres and urged under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson to sign a top-class centre-forward.

Torres has been way below his high standards this season and his form is one of the reason's Liverpool are languishing in the bottom half of the table in what has been a disastrous season so far.

He has scored just six Premier League goals in 18 appearances, and Hutchison cites Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's handling of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov as an example Hodgson must follow.

Hutchison said in an interview with talkSPORT: “Fernando Torres - his performance levels and his work-rate this season have been so, so bad.

“If I was in Roy’s shoes I would go out in the January transfer window and try and buy a top-class centre-forward or someone that can start every single Saturday.

“At the minute if Sir Alex Ferguson was managing Torres he would not be in the side.

"He’s done it with Berbatov and he’s done it with Rooney.

"Unfortunately for Roy he has to play him because he’s a world-class player but his performances have been very, very average.

"Liverpool need competition in them places where Roy could then maybe say to Fernando 'you're not doing it, my job's on the line here, I'm going to have to sign strikers that are going to score me goals'."

Torres had another poor showing in the 3-1 defeat against Blackburn on Wednesday night, which has led to Hodgson coming under further pressure from the club's new owners.

Hodgson - Agger's Staying Put

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is confident Daniel Agger will be going nowhere during the winter transfer window.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen has been reported as advising Agger to consider leaving the club as a turbulent season continues at Anfield.

But Hodgson has rubbished the reports, saying the 26-year-old centre-back has no reason to leave now he is back in the starting line-up after regaining full fitness.

"His future has never been in doubt," said the Reds' boss.

"I am a close friend of Morten Olsen and I don't believe for one minute he would involve himself in the business of Liverpool Football Club.

"That story you can dismiss. If he said he would like to see Daniel playing regularly that is another matter.

"Now he is fit, perhaps he will be playing regularly, so the question does not come up."

Agger has made just four league starts this season and appeared as a substitute in Wednesday's 3-1 defeat at Blackburn.

The Danish defender has spent three months out injured this season and is contracted to Liverpool until the summer of 2014.

Match Report: Blackburn 3 - 1 Liverpool

Roy Hodgson has survived many low points in his short spell as Liverpool manager but Wednesday night's 3-1 defeat at Blackburn would seem to be one disaster too far and could hasten his exit from Anfield.

Even before Saturday's injury-time winner against Bolton the suggestion was club owners New England Sports Ventures were actively looking for a replacement.

On this performance they will probably have to speed up that search as two goals from Benjani Mwaruwari, who had not started since November 6 and scored once in 12 previous appearances, and one from Martin Olsson condemned the Reds to a ninth Barclays Premier League defeat of the season, despite Steven Gerrard's late consolation.

The now almost-obligatory chants for club legend Kenny Dalglish surfaced in the second half and at one point it seemed all four sides of Ewood Park were singing "You're getting sacked in the morning" to Hodgson.

Liverpool had lost just one of their previous 24 league meetings against Blackburn but even that was not enough encouragement for the travelling fans.

They voted with their feet, as they had done against Bolton on Saturday when Anfield was about 8,000 below capacity, and for the first time failed to fill the Darwen End at Ewood Park.

Pity the poor souls who made the short journey east as they had to endure a result more demoralizing than the 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves last week.

Despite coming up against one of the most lightweight midfields in the Premier League - Olsson, David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Junior Hoilett - Liverpool failed to impose themselves on the game.

Fernando Torres, who was on the end of some tough tackling but nothing over the top, flashed an early header wide but spent most of the game complaining to referee Andre Marriner.

Rovers looked far more threatening and after Dunn had volleyed over from the edge of the penalty area and Mame Biram Diouf had bundled an eight-yard shot straight at Jose Reina they found their shooting boots.

Defender Ryan Nelsen was given plenty of time in the centre circle to play the ball out to Diouf on the left and when he knocked it on Olsson raced past the static Glen Johnson to fire past Reina in the 32nd minute.

Five minutes later it was Sotirios Kyrgiakos' turn to be slow to react as Benjani controlled Pedersen's cross on his chest and turned to lash a ferocious volley past Reina.

By contrast the most work Rovers' inexperienced goalkeeper Mark Bunn, deputizing for the injured Paul Robinson, had to do was fingertip Joe Cole's angled shot wide of the far post.

The Liverpool manager's misery was complete when in the 57th minute Hoilett went around Martin Skrtel and Johnson as if they were not there and from the byline crossed for Benjani to sidefoot home his second of the night.

In almost an exact replay of Benjani's second goal Diouf ran into the left of the area and crossed into the six-yard box but Hoilett could not get his outstretched foot on the ball.

Gerrard, on his 550th Liverpool appearance, fired in an 80th-minute consolation when Torres' shot was blocked but that barely raised a cheer from the travelling support.

When the captain ballooned over a penalty five minutes later, after being fouled by Salgado, any hopes of an Istanbul-style fightback were dashed.

But even an occurrence such as that would have done nothing to mask the malaise the club are currently in.

Hodgson, as both Fulham and Liverpool manager, has now won just two away league games since the start of the 2009/10 season.

That has contributed significantly to his problems but a failure to win over fans and impose a suitably offensive style of play has also been a factor.

This result and the embarrassing sound of Rovers fans singing "Can we play you every week" and "Are you Burnley in disguise" will not have gone unnoticed in the Boston headquarters of NESV.

The next move is surely theirs and it is one Hodgson will be dreading.