FA Cup Preview: Manchester United vs Liverpool

The FA Cup may not be anywhere near the top of Manchester United’s priority list this season, but the fact that they been paired with bitter rivals Liverpool in the third round - added to last season’s early exit from the competition - means this is a match they will be taking very seriously indeed.

Sir Alex Ferguson will surely also be licking his lips at the chance to dump yet more misery on his arch-rivals, particularly in a season where his team are currently on target to surpass Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles.

However, the Scot will be all too aware of the honeymoon effect that Kenny Dalglish's appointment could bring about for the visitors, and he will hope to make it a very short cup run for the man who was the reigning league and cup winning manager when Ferguson first came to English football.

They say that form goes out of the window in the FA Cup, and in derby games too for that matter, and Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford praying that really is the case. The Reds are under fire after a dismal season, and recent defeats to Blackburn Rovers, Wolves and Newcastle United proved to be too much for Roy Hodgson and the Liverpool board.

Yet the Merseysiders should need little motivation for this game, both in terms of the opposition and in the return of 'King Kenny' in the dugout, and a quick glance at the history books will also give them hope. The last time the two sides met in the competition, in 2006, the Reds beat United in the fifth round courtesy of Peter Crouch’s first half goal.

History also dictates that in every FA Cup tie between these two sides since 1985, the winners of the tie have gone on to lift the trophy. Motivation, indeed, if any were needed.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that he will select a strong side for the visit of struggling Liverpool after claiming to have erred last season in “picking the wrong team” after the Red Devils were knocked out in the third round by Leeds United.

Two men who definitely miss out are John O’Shea and Paul Scholes, while Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar remain doubts. Javier Hernandez, meanwhile, may have forced his way into the starting XI with two goals in his last two games.

Possible starting XI: Kuszczak; Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson; Berbatov, Hernandez.

Liverpool

After a string of bad news for Roy Hodgson on the injury front in recent weeks, Kenny Dalglish walks straight into a somewhat better situation as, aside from Jamie Carragher, he has virtually a full squad to pick from.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos is expected to miss out in favour of Daniel Agger in defence whilst Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles should also return, which means Dalglish has something of a selection headache in midfield.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Konchesky; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Gerrard, Cole; Torres.

Roy Hodgson Exits Liverpool & Kenny Dalglish Takes Over

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has left the club by mutual consent.

Hodgson, 63, won only seven of 20 Premier League games after taking over from Rafael Benitez in July 2010 and led the club to 12th in the table.

Former player and manager Kenny Dalglish has been placed in charge until the end of the season.

"Both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down," said American owner John W Henry in a statement on the club's website.

Hodgson refused to answer questions about his Anfield future following Liverpool's 3-1 defeat by Blackburn on Wednesday, the club's third loss in four Premier League games, which left them just four points clear of the relegation zone.

And when his press conference ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United on Sunday was cancelled on Friday, it fuelled further speculation that the former Fulham manager's tenure was drawing to a close.

"I have found the last few months some of the most challenging of my career," read a statement from Hodgson on the club's website.

"I am very sad not to have been able to put my stamp on the squad, to be given the time to bring new players into the club in this transfer window and to have been able to be part of the rebuilding process at Liverpool."

Club ambassador Dalglish will oversee team matters for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.

The 59-year-old won eight league titles with Liverpool as a player and manager, taking charge of the club for a six-year spell between 1985 and 1991.

He also helped the Anfield side to three European Cup triumphs before hanging up his boots.

"Kenny was not just a legendary footballer, he was the third of our three most successful managers - three giants," said Henry, who bought Liverpool in October.

"We are extraordinarily fortunate and grateful that he has decided to step in during the middle of this season."

Hodgson has extensive domestic, European and international managerial experience, which includes spells with Blackburn Rovers and Switzerland, who he guided to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup.

He also had a period in charge of Italian giants Inter Milan.

He joined Fulham in December 2007 and steered the club away from the relegation zone, escaping the drop on the final day of that season.

He transformed the Cottagers and guided them to their highest ever top-flight finish in 2008-09, reaching the Europa League final the following year.

His results in west London were enough to persuade Liverpool, searching for a successor to Spaniard Benitez, to offer Hodgson a three-year contract in July.

Despite losing influential Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano to Barcelona for £17.25m in August, Hodgson spent over £20m bringing in Christian Poulsen, Raul Meireles, Danny Wilson and Brad Jones, as well as signing Joe Cole and Paul Konchesky.

But Hodgson endured a tough start in his new job, as his side was knocked out of the Carling Cup by League Two Northampton at Anfield on 22 September, while a 2-1 home defeat to Blackpool on 3 October meant they dropped into the bottom three of the top flight for the first time since September 1964.

And following Liverpool's third league defeat in four matches, at Ewood Park on Wednesday, Hodgson's position at Anfield became untenable.

Former Liverpool defender now BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson said he was "surprised" the team has not gelled under Hodgson.

"He was renowned for improving players at Fulham, coaching them and making them better but at Liverpool the opposite has happened," he said.

"Liverpool has gone backwards and the players he has brought in just haven't worked. I think unfortunately Roy was the wrong man at the wrong time for Liverpool and it has been a case of thanks but no thanks."

Liverpool Plot £28m Trio Raid As Comolli And Dalglish Draw Up Wish-List

Newly installed caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish and Director of Football Damien Comolli have reportedly been busy drawing up plans for the January transfer window and are keen on making moves for Benfica full back Fabio Coentrao, Stoke City centre back Ryan Shawcross and Utrecht striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel.

Portuguese international Coentrao is attacting a lot of interest and is thought to be a player that Comolli rates very highly and given Benfica’s poor showing this season, eight points behind leaders Porto, Liverpool may feel they can persuade the 22 year old wing back to push for a move.

Dutch international Ricky Van Wolfswinkel is a player that has interested the Merseyside club for a few months now and some sources suggest that an offer of around £8.5m was made for the Utrecht man and Liverpool appear willing to up that original offer in order to beat off interest from Napoli in the prolific Eredivisie striker.

Liverpool had been strongly linked with Stoke City defender Robert Huth but apparently his team-mate, and former Man United player, Ryan Shawcross is also a player the Anfield side is keen on bringing in to help stabilize an error prone defence.

Dalglish and Comolli will be looking to find ways to bring in realistic targets in January so as to help the club salvage something from a season that has been truly woeful but they will also be looking to bring in players who are there for the long term and will therefore only be looking to buy players in the relatively early stages of their careers and these three fit that bill and would not require the club’s owners to fork out excessive amounts of money in the process.

Real Madrid Plotting Swoop For Steven Gerrard

Real Madrid are believed to be interested in acquiring the services of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard by making a £20 million move for the Reds' skipper.

According to The Mirror, the Spanish heavyweights believe that the midfielder is losing patience with the club's inability to remain as competitive as they used to be.

The 30-year-old had previously come close to leaving the Merseyside club after the exit of Gerard Houllier back in 2004, but went back on his decision to remain with the Reds at the time.

It has been reported that striker Fernando Torres and goalkeeper Pepe Reina could also make a move away from the club, despite Roy Hodgson having already been fired.

Gerrard's current contract with Liverpool runs through until 2013.

Juventus Prepare Bid For Unhappy Fernando Torres

Juventus are reportedly planning a move to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres in the summer. Bianconeri boss Luigi Delneri is keen on bringing the Spaniard to the club but will find it tough to persuade the Merseyside club to sell one of their prized assets.

The Serie A side’s main attacking threats, with the exception of Fabio Quagliarella, are nearing the end of their careers with the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Amauri aged 36, 31 and 30 respectively and the Turin side are planning major summer additions to help make the Old Lady of Italian football into genuine title chasers.

26 year old Fernando Torres is reportedly not very happy with life at Anfield but the recent sacking of Roy Hodgson may improve his mood and help the usually prolific striker get back in the swing of things. The former Atletico Madrid man has only netted six goals from 18 Premier League starts but his overall record on Merseyside, 78 goals from 131 starts, shows just crucial he is to the club’s chances of success.

Juventus are ready to make an offer in the region of £45m and are also looking to sign current loan Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani on a permanent deal with the Italian international having a great season at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino.

Liverpool Set To Press Lukaku Move

Liverpool are ­pressing ahead with a £20million swoop for Belgian strike sensation Romelu Lukaku – despite Roy Hodgson being given the boot.

Kop talent-hunter Damien Comolli is understood to have approached Anderlecht about the 17-year-old striker who already has eight caps for his country.

The 6ft 3in powerhouse hit 15 goals in 33 league games for Anderlecht last season despite starting on the bench for 12 of his appearances.

His performances for the Belgian club have attracted scouts from all of Europe’s top clubs including both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs as well as the giants from Spain and Italy.

But it’s Liverpool who is pulling out all the stops to sign him – with a £15m initial fee the starting point rising to more than £20m with performance-related add-ons.

That’s big money for Liverpool’s new owner John Henry, head of the Fenway Sports Group, but the Anfield hierarchy recognize they have to start revamping their squad – and fast.

That’s why Comolli has been busy identifying the brightest young stars in Europe and Lukaku now tops his list after Liverpool were told they have little chance of signing his international team mate Eden Hazard from Lille.

Belgian winger Hazard, 19, is wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson as well as Jose Mourinho and sources in France say he’s likely to head for United or Real Madrid rather than risk a move to a club in transition.

Another player on Liverpool’s radar is Valencia’s Pablo Hernandez.

The People revealed back in October that the Spanish midfielder was a target and the Anfield club have now enquired about his availability.

Despite David Silva’s exit to Manchester City in the summer, 25-year-old Hernandez has failed to pin down a regular starting place and has admitted he will look for a move if coach Unai Emeri doesn’t give him a decent run. Tottenham have also expressed an interest in the £15m-rated star.

Thompson: Fans Key To Hodgson Exit

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes that Roy Hodgson had no future at the club once he had lost the supporters.

Thompson said he had never before seen the Liverpool fans so unified in opposition to a manager, including Graeme Souness' ill-fated spell at the helm in the early 90s.

He described the fans' stance against Hodgson as "unprecedented'' - but also said that he felt the former Fulham boss had not been given enough time to mould the team in his own vision.

"Six months is not long enough, not just for Liverpool but for all managers,'' Thompson told Sky Sports News. ”Everybody should have a chance.

"What we've seen at Liverpool in the last month has been unprecedented, unparalleled in the way the fans have turned. Even in the dark days of Graeme Souness' reign, there were no universal chants for Graeme to go.

"Liverpool fans felt as though we were different, we don't do things like that, we stick together and we stick with the club. Now the fans had even started taking the mickey out of their own manager, chanting 'You're getting sacked in the morning'. That is incredible.''

Another former Liverpool defender, four-time European Cup winner Phil Neal, hopes Kenny Dalglish can restore some unity at Anfield after being put in charge of the team until the end of the season.

"With the fixtures coming thick and fast we've got to be a unit and Kenny would be the first man to stand in and maybe create a bit of the old type of togetherness along with the fans,'' Neal said. "It's the right stop-gap thing. He's a quality person, knows all about togetherness ... the body language of some of our players was concerning to all the Liverpool ex-players because they didn't look like they enjoyed playing with each other.

"That's concerning because other clubs have gone down the leagues because they've sacked their manager and can't find a better one. I hope that's not the case with Liverpool.''

Ray Houghton, one of the best signings of Dalglish's first spell in charge, believes the Scot will relish the challenge of returning to the Anfield hotseat: "Kenny is an iconic figure at Liverpool, both as a player and a manager. He has got unfinished business, no doubt about it.

"If you sat down with Kenny I am sure he would tell you he would love to take the job on on a permanent deal, and be there for the long term. He has still got a great affiliation with the Liverpool fans and there is nothing he would love more than to come back at this stage and be a major success. I really hope so.

"I hope Kenny can come in and energize the squad. I am sure he will by his name alone and I think he will put a few smiles on people's faces. I think maybe Roy lost the fans. When you read those quotes about fans not getting behind him - that was a decision that backfired on him.

"Plus when you arrive at the training ground and see 'Hodgson out' - once you see that the fans are well offside with you, you have virtually no chance.''

Rodolfo's Reds Sink Eagles

Rodolfo Borrell's youngsters turned on the style as they reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday.

The young Reds deservedly came back from a goal down to beat Palace after extra time.

Half-time substitute Kristjan Gauti Emilsson scored twice at the Kop end and captain Conor Coady slotted home a late penalty.

Borrell's team played some mesmerizing football at times with Spanish starlet Suso and Raheem Sterling tormenting the Eagles defence.

Against the run of play Palace took the lead after 34 minutes when Jack Caprice's low cross from the right found Ibra Sekajja who netted at the Kop end.

With Emilsson replacing Adam Morgan at the break, the substitution had a dramatic impact when the Icelandic forward made it 1-1 nine minutes after the restart.

Coady's superb cross from the right found Emilsson who chested the ball down before lashing an unstoppable shot into the back of the Kop net.

Liverpool continued to press forward, creating numerous chances and Toni Silva could have won it in stoppage time when he was clean through but shot straight at 'keeper Charlie Mann.

13 minutes into the first period of extra time, Borrell's side got their noses in front when Emilsson headed home Silva's astute cross.

Coady then netted a late penalty when Sterling was brought down.

The youngsters did the Academy proud on the day and they enjoyed playing on the hallowed turf for the first time.

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.