Kenny Dalglish Hits Out At Andy Carroll Critics

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has expressed his delight following the signing of Andy Carroll from Newcastle United, and has hit back at critics of the £35 million spent on the striker.

The Reds boss, who has also welcomed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez to Anfield, has stated that the club has signed a player of great potential, rubbishing thoughts that the 22-year-old will struggle to justify his price tag.

He said: "I don’t want it to be negative in any way, shape or form about Andy Carroll signing for Liverpool football club. He’s a great signing for us, as is Luis’ signing, it’s fantastic for us.

"And we can reassure Andy that we’re more positive than yourselves are [the media]."

Dalglish also insisted that the club wasn’t going to rush the 22-year-old into first team action, as he looks to recover from a thigh injury.

He said: "We’re really looking forward to getting him up and ready and working and I’m sure he’s anxious as well but he’s just got to be conscious of the fact that he doesn’t push too hard.

"So we’ll look after him, get him fit and he’ll play when he’s fit and ready. It might be a few weeks but we never signed him for a few weeks, we signed him for five-and-a-half years. So that’s what we’re looking forward to.

"He’s got fantastic potential. He’s already part of the England squad and for us it’s a fantastic signing for us. He’s the best person we could have got in here to wear the No.9 shirt and at such a young age, when you consider that he’s wore the No.9 at Newcastle, which is a fantastic honour and he can wear the No.9 here as well.

"For somebody at 22 years of age that’s a lot to carry on your shoulders and he’s showed by what he did at Newcastle that he’s capable of doing that. Anybody that can wear that No.9 shirt up there and score goals has got a chance.

"We know that he’s only a young boy. We know the price might be a bit more than what some people think it should be but then every single person in here has got to justify their wages and their costs so if you can do that with yourselves then surely he can do that for us."

Liverpool Set For Anfield Stay

Liverpool will not be leaving their Anfield home any time soon, owner John W Henry has suggested.

The subject of a new stadium became a major source of controversy for the Merseyside club's previous owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who ran into trouble after reneging on famous early promises to get work started on a new home within 60 days of their arrival.

But Henry believes the Reds do not need a new stadium, having been impressed by the atmosphere of the current ground on his numerous visits to date.

"The Kop is unrivalled," Henry said, in an interview with Fox Soccer Channel. "The atmosphere, I was really surprised because we've heard so much about needing a new stadium.

"We were surprised at how beautiful Anfield was both viewing it as an empty stadium and then with the first game. It would be hard to replicate that feeling anywhere else."

Henry also gave his thoughts on the sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, admitting that once it became clear the Spaniard wanted to leave for Stamford Bridge the club saw little point in retaining his services.

"One of things that we talked about from the very beginning was how important it was that everyone was on the same page. No player is bigger than the club," Henry said. "We expect players to want to be there. If they don't want to be part of Liverpool Football Club then we should do everything we can to facilitate them going elsewhere."

Fábio Coentrão In Fresh Link To Anfield Move

Liverpool is reportedly planning a summer move for versatile Benfica wideman, Fábio Coentrão.

The Portuguese is thought to have been on the radar of the Reds for a number of months after Goal.com initially reported that they had shown interest in the 22-year-old.

Coentrão has since been quoted in the French press expressing his 'love' for Liverpool and, now, caughtoffside.com suggest the Anfield club have 'earmarked' the Portugal international for a summer transfer.

Liverpool is currently short on recognized left-backs after the failure of Paul Konchesky to make a lasting impression at Anfield saw him loaned out to Nottingham Forest.

This would suggest that Liverpool will be in the market for reinforcements when the transfer window reopens, and Coentrão would be an exciting successor for the beleaguered Konchesky.

However, Liverpool are expected to have to spend big to land Coentrão, who has a buyout clause of £26.7 million written into his contract, which expires in 2016.

Liverpool, though, have demonstrated their financial clout under the ownership of New England Sports Ventures and are likely to provide stiff competition for Coentrão's other reported suitors.

Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich are alleged to be prepared to battle with Liverpool for Coentrão's signature as a summer of heavy spending awaits.

Gary Cahill Emerges As Anfield Target

Liverpool has reportedly joined the race to sign Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a number of Barclays Premier League clubs as his stock continues to rise at the Reebok, with Liverpool thought to be one of the clubs interested.

The News of the World claimed Kenny Dalglish was keen to bring the player to Anfield in the middle of January, although Liverpool never made an official approach for the player.

Arsenal is known to be interested in the player too, with Arsene Wenger previously stressing his admiration for the Trotters centre back. The pair could come together in a summer bidding war for the England international.

“Gary Cahill is a player I want at this football club for a long time to come. If someone comes in with £25 million, any football club would have to look at that," said Owen Coyle as he tried to warn off potential suitors last month.

Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Commoli is thought to have highlighted the player as a potential long-term successor to Jamie Carragher, although Coyle's valuation may be an off-putting factor.

The Merseysiders would hope to land the player for a discounted fee, and are known to be in the market for a defender after it was revealed Liverpool made an enquiry for Micah Richards on deadline day.

Liverpool Keeping Tabs On Young Villarreal Star

Liverpool have joined the race for precocious Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio.

The Argentina youth international, 20, has been part of the Villarreal first team for a year since breaking through from the club's youth ranks.

Musacchio is considered a key part of the club's long-term plan, but a series of outstanding La Liga performances have attracted the interest of a number of top clubs.

Liverpool, Juventus and AC Milan are the three clubs currently understood to be tracking him, but Villarreal are adamant they won't sell.

Musacchio has a contract until 2014 but reports in Spain claim that a generous offer might tempt him to leave.

It has been reported that Milan are ready to treble his wages, and Liverpool could follow suit if he becomes available.

Fernando Llorente Admits He Turned Down Liverpool

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has admitted that Liverpool were interested in signing him during the winter transfer window as a replacement for their departing Spanish international Fernando Torres.

Llorente and los Leones were opposed to the star striker being sold in January, with clubs such as Tottenham and Real Madrid both rumoured to be interested.

"Representatives from Liverpool arrived in Bilbao and had talks with the leadership of our club, but obviously I did not want to be put on the transfer list. So to talk about this any longer makes no sense," Llorente informed Marca.

"I understand the fans of Athletic who don't like talk of clubs that are interested in me, but it shows that I'm doing my job well. At the moment my football future is associated with Atheltic," the Spanish striker confirmed.

Pepe Reina 'Considers' Liverpool Future

Pepe Reina is believed to be contemplating leaving Liverpool in the summer, with Manchester United considering a bid for the Spaniard at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has seen a number of his team-mates leave Liverpool over the last few seasons, as well as the manager who brought him to the club – Rafa Benitez.

With the departure of fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres to Chelsea on the final day of the January transfer window, reports claim the keeper is now considering his options at Anfield.

There was speculation on Thursday; Reina has a buy-out clause within his current Liverpool contract which, if matched, could trigger his departure.

Reina has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past and there is now speculation Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be contemplating a surprise bid for the 28-year-old in the summer as he searches for a long-term replacement for the retiring Edwin van der Sar.

Liverpool fans have taken to club forums and blogs this week to discuss the possible departure of Reina, with some pointing out that when he first joined the club there was a large group of Spanish players and back-room staff who have all, one by one, left leaving the goalkeeper as one of the only Spaniards remaining.

Andy Carroll Out For Another 8 Weeks

Liverpool’s £35m new boy Andy Carroll could be out for another EIGHT weeks.

Carroll has yet to play this year because of a thigh injury and recently flew to Sweden to see a

specialist for a second opinion about the problem.

And his former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan revealed Carroll faces a long wait for his Liverpool debut, saying: “He could be out for another eight weeks.”

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish refused to put a time on Carroll’s return yesterday.

But did admit: “We’ve got to be patient and we’ve got to make sure we act in the best interests of Andy first and foremost and ourselves.

“The injury isn’t a problem. It will be a few weeks, but we are desperate to see him play and the sooner we can get him fit the better it will be for everybody.

“But we haven’t bought him for five-and-a-half weeks – we have bought him for five-and-a-half years.”

Carroll, who was officially unveiled at Anfield yesterday, insists he won’t be changing his ways despite being involved in a series of off-field scrapes.

He said: “I don’t mind a pint now and again, but that is the way I have been brought up. That’s who I am and I am not really going to change.

“I am just going to carry on playing my football, keep my head down and do it at the right time. I have made some mistakes in the past, but they are all behind me. I have got to move on into the future.”

He is aware that he will be under intense scrutiny after swapping one goldfish bow for another – but says he will be more responsible.

He added: “I feel I’m ready for those responsibilities. I’ve made the move now and feel I’ve settled down and know what I need to do and concentrate on football.

“I know in myself what I can do – that’s scoring goals and creating chances. Fernando Torres was a great player, but I need to concentrate on my own game.”

And he has been boosted by big mate – and Scouser – Nolan telling him all about life in Liverpool. Carroll said: “Kevin told me it is a great club and that I should settle in well and the fans will take to us.

“He has got a few friends here and that will help me to settle in.”

Nolan and Carroll are close mates after the England striker was sent to live with his club captain as a condition of his bail on an assault charge.

Nolan said: “There’s no-one more disappointed than me. Not only have we lost a top player, but I’ve lost a good mate who was very close.

“It’s going to be tough and a bit weird over the coming weeks. “He’ll be all right at Liverpool because he’s a brilliant player, fantastic. I know Andy, and I think he’ll score goals and he’ll be a top, top player.”

Ian Holloway: Charlie Adam Only Liverpool's Third Choice

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has accused Liverpool of not wanting to sign Charlie Adam enough. The highly-rated Scotland midfielder was linked with a move to Anfield throughout January but the clubs failed to agree a fee, while Tottenham were also unsuccessful with a late bid.

Adam's agent Kenny Moyes was quoted criticizing Blackpool for their handling of the situation, claiming his client had been "seriously mucked about".

However, Holloway feels Liverpool were more interested in completing deals for Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll and that Adam deserved better.

The Seasiders manager said: "I think his agent should be very careful what he says, if it's true.

"The boy will go to a top club eventually but he has to go on the right footing, where they really want him, and to be perfectly honest I didn't feel that was the case. Charlie is someone I care about immensely and I believe he's improving. I believe he's a great professional and I believe he should walk into a club when they really want him. He shouldn't be third choice, they shouldn't be doing two other deals, Suarez and Carroll, and putting their energy into that and nothing for Charlie."

Holloway branded the events of transfer deadline day "total madness", but insisted his club had acted in the right way.

"The whole thing is sharks swimming trying to bite pieces off my players, and at the end of the day Charlie will get what he deserves," Holloway added. "I'm very proud of us. The chairman stood there resolute and said, 'That's not good enough'. I think I'll be proven right in time and what Charlie will eventually go for will be a decent amount of money for this football club."

Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 0 Stoke

Luis Suarez scored on his debut as Liverpool concluded a turbulent few days with a valuable victory over Stoke.

The Uruguayan slotted home the Reds' second goal of the game in front of the Kop to ensure Fernando Torres' £50million move to Chelsea was no longer the major talking point.

And if questions were being asked about how the Reds would cope in their former striker's absence then efforts by Suarez and Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles - with his third goal in four matches - provided a swift answer.

Record £35million signing Andy Carroll's introduction to the crowd before kick-off was the closest he is likely to get to the pitch for a month as he recovers from a thigh injury.

Unfortunately for Liverpool this was exactly the sort of game from which they would have benefited from the 6ft 3in powerhouse striker.

Conversely, it did not seem that suited his fellow new arrival, although arriving as a second-half substitute with his side already ahead made the task much easier.

The ball spent much of the first half in the air, which benefited Stoke far more than it did their hosts, and as a result Dirk Kuyt found his role as lone frontman a frustrating one at times.

Saying that, he had at least three chances of which at least one would probably have been converted by Torres.

Manager Kenny Dalglish had tailored Liverpool's formation specifically for the Potters, lining up 3-4-2-1 with Lucas Leiva and Fabio Aurelio holding in midfield and Steven Gerrard and Meireles supporting the Holland international up front.

The first chance fell to Sotirios Kyrgiakos, returning to the team in that back three to combat the aerial threat of John Carew, as he headed Gerrard's corner goalwards only for former Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao to clear two yards out.

Jon Walters fired over an angled shot from 10 yards and Carew headed over another ex-Red Jermaine Pennant's right-wing cross, with the hosts having penalty claims turned down when the ball appeared to hit Robert Huth's hand.

Stoke's tactics of keeping everything compact squeezed the life out of Liverpool and disrupted their passing game.

Suarez's appearance off the bench to jog down the touchline brought a standing ovation from the Kop, who as a result almost missed Asmir Begovic's brilliant reaction save to keep out Glen Johnson's close-range header.

Kuyt nodded wide Gerrard's cross and volleyed over from close range before shooting straight at the Stoke goalkeeper when a rare passing move involving Brazilians Lucas and Aurelio cut open the defence.

Within two minutes of the second half resuming Diao was booked for bringing down the advancing Daniel Agger and from the resulting free-kick Liverpool, somewhat fortuitously, took the lead.

Gerrard's low, driven free-kick deflected off Marc Wilson on the end of the wall to Kyrgiakos 12 yards out and although Huth nicked the ball off the defender Meireles was on hand to smash home left-footed.

Carew almost snatched an equalizer on the counter-attack with a shot which flashed across goalkeeper Jose Reina and wide of the far post before, just after the hour Suarez got his chance to start repaying his £22.8million transfer fee - a club record for a few hours on Monday.

His first contribution was to engage Abdoulaye Faye in a sprint which resulted in the Stoke centre-back pulling a hamstring.

One clever backheel to set up Martin Skrtel showed the Uruguayan was not short of confidence, despite not playing a game since December 8 because of a seven-match suspension for biting an opponent while playing for Ajax.

His next involvement was more decisive and was what the Kop had been waiting for.

Kuyt's through-ball sent the forward racing through and having gone round Begovic he rolled the ball goalwards.

For a few seconds it appeared Wilkinson would cut out the shot but his desperate clearance came back off the post and bounced over the line.

While the crowd were still celebrating Reina ensured there was no frantic final few minutes by punching away Walters' shot.

Glen Lauds 'Fantastic' Suarez

Glen Johnson lauded the performance of Luis Suarez after he capped a dream debut with a Kop end strike during the 2-0 win over Stoke City on Wednesday night.

Entering the field to a standing ovation after 63 minutes, Liverpool's new No.7 settled quickly into his stride.

His big moment arrived after 79 minutes when he rounded Stoke 'keeper Asmir Begovic and found the net despite the attempts of Andy Wilkinson to keep it out.

"Luis was fantastic," Johnson told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It is difficult sometimes to make your debut in a tight game but he came on and he quickly settled in.

"For him to come on and get a goal was brilliant and we are all delighted for him.

"It's definitely his goal. The law says if the ball is going on target it's your goal so he will take that.

"I think in Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll we have made two fantastic signings and I'm sure they will do very well for this club.

"I thought we did really well on the night. We tried to set our stall out from the beginning and we are pleased with our performance.

"We kept another clean sheet and it's another three points - we need to keep it going now."

Raul Meireles struck the first goal with a great hit and Johnson believes the new attacking role given to him by Kenny Dalglish is paying off with rich dividends.

He added: "Raul has got more of a free role now and he scored another great goal. That's three goals in four games now so the longer he keeps that up the better."

Johnson played in a new position himself during the victory over Tony Pulis's side and he did an excellent job for the team at left wing-back.

He said: "I enjoyed it. I'm pleased to play anywhere so I will try and do a good job whatever position I play."

Luis Suarez And Andy Carroll Can Frighten Defences, Insists Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish watched Luis Suarez make a goalscoring debut for Liverpool – then backed his new-look strikeforce to frighten teams at Anfield.

Uruguay international Suarez took just 16 minutes to score after stepping off the bench as a 63rd-minute substitute to secure a 2-0 win for Dalglish’s men against Stoke City last night.

A third goal in four games from Raul Meireles had given Liverpool the lead two minutes and set them on their way to a third successive Premier League victory.

Suarez completed a £22.75million transfer from Ajax on Monday, his fee eclipsed later in the day by the £35m signing of Newcastle United’s Andy Carroll as Liverpool prepared for life without Chelsea-bound Fernando Torres. And a delighted Dalglish said: “I think we will start to frighten some of the opposition when they come here and we’ve got Luis, Carroll, Gerrard, and Meireles. They are four really good players who will compliment each other really well.

“Andy’s going to be a few weeks but we didn’t buy him for that, but for five-and-a-half years.”

Dalglish scored on his Anfield debut against Newcastle back in August 1977, and dismissed the suggestion Suarez’s strike could be taken away from the Uruguayan as the ball was eventually knocked over the line by Andy Wilkinson’s desperate attempts to clear.

“Was it his goal? Well, I gave him it!” said the Liverpool manager. “It was going in – he can have the first goal as well if you want!

“It’s great to score on your debut. Him and Dirk Kuyt linked up very well too, it’s not been too bad a day for us.”

Suarez had not even trained with his team-mates before being named on the bench, and hadn’t played club football in more than two months due to a ban in Holland for biting a PSV Eindhoven player.

And Dalglish said: “I’m delighted for him. The lad’s not even had the opportunity to train with us yet because of administrative issues to sort out. He only got his work permit yesterday, and was straight in the squad tonight.

“When he starts training with the lads will see him improve. He’s got big smile on his face every day, he’s a happy guy and a good guy.

“We were never going to put any timescale on him, he’ll be fit when he’s ready – but he’s not doing too bad as he is.”

Last night’s win moved Liverpool to within two points of sixth-placed Sunderland, and Dalglish said: “Is the table looking healthier? Just a touch. It’s an old adage, but we are taking each game as it comes. It stood us in good stead for many years here. That’s what we will do.

“We cannot afford to and we will not get carried away. There’s a lot of hard work to be done. The lads enjoy winning and it’s a good habit to be in.

“The players did really well. Stoke are a difficult team to play against, you have to compete with them and then get your own game going.”

Dalglish added: “Soto was brilliant, with his presence and command of everything that came in the box.

“Three clean sheets is always a bonus and a help. Tonight it was very important for the defenders to do their job properly, and they did that. It’s been a busy week and great credit to the players they haven’t let everything get to them. The way they competed and went about it was great.

“The supporters realise we have players here who want to compete and get as much as we can from every game.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis had no complaints with the result. He said: “We did okay in the first half until the last 10 minutes and our keeper made a great save. But to come out and concede just after half-time gave them a lift and up until the second goal. I watched Suarez in the World Cup and also for games at Ajax and he is a top player. It will take time for him to settle but he is going to be a top player for Liverpool.”

Liverpool Target Bundesliga Star As Their Next Big Recruit

Liverpool were very active in the transfer window this winter and the overhaul at Anfield will continue right through the summer, with Marko Marin of Werder Bremen being touted as the next target on Kenny Dalglish hit list.

Marin has been much sought after this season and according to the German media it is now Liverpool that has moved ahead of Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United as the favourites to sign the 21 year old.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has already been involved in £100 Million worth of transfers since taking over from Roy Hodgson and has made it clear that Liverpool need a complete rebuild, meaning that the buying is going to continue.

Liverpool will not have a clear route to Marin, competition will be fierce, but as we all know Liverpool football club remains a very big pull for most players.

Charlie Adam 'Desperate For Liverpool Transfer

Charlie Adam was 'desperate' for a move to Liverpool during the January transfer window, his agent has claimed, suggesting the Blackpool captain feels he was 'seriously mucked about' by the club.

Liverpool was continually linked with Adam throughout last month and had two offers for the midfielder turned down by the Seasiders.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was desperate to hold onto his influential skipper and told Liverpool they would have to add an extra £10million to their offers of first £4million and then £6million if they wanted to sign Adam.

After the Liverpool fell through, Spurs were reportedly minutes away from signing the 25-year-old but could not complete the deal before the transfer window closed.

Despite telling Blackpool fans he remains totally committed to the club, even though he almost joined two other Premier League sides, his agent Kenny Moyes has now suggested the midfielder is currently suffering a ‘world of hurt’.

‘Charlie loves Blackpool and the Blackpool fans, but he was desperate to move to Liverpool - who wouldn't feel that way when a club like that comes calling?’ the Sun quote Moyes as saying.

‘But he was seriously mucked about. Blackpool refused to put a figure on how much they wanted for him and would not enter any meaningful negotiations. It has been a major stress for Charlie, a real emotional roller-coaster. As well as being angry he feels gutted and badly let down as the only player to put in a transfer request and have it ignored.’

Moyes said his client would continue to give his all for Blackpool but added he hoped the club would ‘be fair’ when it came to a possible transfer in the summer.

Commenting on the late Spurs bid on Monday, Moyes rejected manager Harry Redknapp’s claims that Adam was all set to join Tottenham and would now be at White Hart Lane if it hadn’t been for a few Blackpool shareholders failing to sign the deal before the close of the transfer window.

‘They came in far too late. I've seen the stories about how Blackpoool couldn't locate two directors to approve the deal, but we hadn't even talked personal terms with Tottenham. So it couldn't have happened anyway,’ he said.

‘Charlie is naturally a bit down at the moment, but he'll be fine for the West Ham game. He played as well as ever against Sunderland and Manchester United while all the transfer talk was going on, and it will be just the same now.’

Kenny Dalglish Praises Support Of Owners In Transfer Market

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes the owners of the Merseyside club are fully committed to continue rebuilding the squad in the summer.

Fenway Sports Group have already broken the club's transfer record to secure the £35 million signing of Andy Carroll from Newcastle United and also brought in Uruguayan star Luis Suarez from Ajax for £22.8m.

The departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m and Ryan Babel for £6m means the Reds' big money signings have not hindered the transfer budget in the future.

And Dalglish now believes more activity will follow in the summer.

"The owners have been fantastically supportive during this window, which was busy but I think very beneficial to the football club," said the Scot.

"In fact they may be slightly disappointed they didn't get someone else.

"Anyone who had any doubts about hunger or anybody taking this club forward, they're gone now. In the summer we'll be looking forward to trying to enhance what we've got."

Skrtel - No Torres Shock

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel says Fernando Torres' exit came as 'no surprise', but feels he could end up regretting his move to Chelsea.

The Spanish striking ace sent shockwaves through Anfield on transfer deadline day when he completed a £50million move to Premier League rivals the Blues.

The 26-year-old has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge and fired a parting jibe at Liverpool by expressing his delight at joining 'one of the biggest teams in Europe'.

But Skrtel, while admitting he saw Torres' departure coming, believes the former fans' favourite could lament leaving Merseyside in the future.

"I expected it," Skrtel told isport.blesk.cz.

"There had been plenty of talk for a long time before and when he was not training with us in the last two days, nor was he in the training centre, the speculation just seemed to come true.

"We all feel sorry because he's a player of world class ability but, to be honest, it was no surprise (to see him go).

"I wish him all the best but do not wish any success to Chelsea. Maybe Fernando will regret making this step sometime in the future."

Liverpool has recently enjoyed an encouraging run of results after a miserable start to the season, and Skrtel believes it was that period of turmoil that pushed Torres towards the door.

He said: "There were some hints of him leaving already in the summer when Chelsea claimed interest in him but he agreed with Liverpool on staying.

"However, this season has not been going according to our wishes and expectations and that convinced him that it is the right time to move elsewhere. This is how he explained it to us."

Torres is poised for his Chelsea debut against his former club at the Bridge on Sunday, and Skrtel is determined to keep his ex-colleague off the scoresheet.

"It will be different because so far I have been playing against him only in training," he added.

"I hope he appears on the pitch and, since Chelsea wanted him so much, it is very likely that he will.

"I'm looking forward and firmly believe I won't let him score."

While acknowledging Liverpool will miss the striker, Skrtel is confident new signings Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez can plug the gap left by the Spaniard.

"Such a player would be missed at every club, that's for sure," he said. "On the other hand, we have captured Suarez and Carroll.

"I believe these two will replace him and we will be at least as strong as we were with Nando."

Mark Lawrenson: Fernando Torres Has Made It Difficult For Liverpool Fans To Forgive Him

There’s no good way of leaving Liverpool for Chelsea. There’s no reason you can give that would convince the Anfield faithful that switching their adulation for Stamford Bridge is a wise move.

But what you don’t have to do is completely alienate those supporters by engineering a move at the most inopportune time and coming out with daft statements to back it up.

Fernando Torres is almost 27 and wants to win trophies and play in the Champions League. Fair enough.

But he knew that at the start of the season. If he’d made it absolutely clear then that he wanted to go instead of waiting for Chelsea to come in at the end of January maybe, just maybe, he would have resurrected a bit of respect and understanding concerning his motives.

I’m not saying that anyone should expect undying loyalty from a footballer these days, we know that they have to put their own career first and that makes Torres no better or worse than anyone else.

However, there are ways of going about it.

Last summer, Liverpool was in limbo. Rafa Benitez was on his way, the club was desperately trying to find a new buyer to rid itself of the George Gillett/Tom Hicks debacle and the team had failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in years.

The fans were disillusioned and couldn’t have blamed the players for feeling likewise.

And if Torres, fresh from a World Cup win with Spain, had come back, surveyed the mess and said, “sorry but I’m off” I don’t think too many would have blamed him.

There certainly wouldn’t have been the same level of antagonism there will be towards him now.

He has scored a few this season, but a finisher of his class can score goals with his eyes shut.

The reality is, he never really gave his all for Roy Hodgson and has sloped around looking uninterested for most of the campaign. If that was his attitude, he should have gone before a ball was kicked.

You can’t have a disillusioned figure running down the dressing room. If someone would rather play for Chelsea than Liverpool you have to let them do that.

But to declare undying love for a club one minute then declare that you’ve “joined a big club now” while sat in front of a giant Chelsea badge the next, is just silly.

For Liverpool, however, it makes it easy to wash their hands of him and move on.

What I like about the deals to bring in Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll is the investment in young, hungry potential.

If this is the direction the new owners want to go in then it can pay off both on and off the field.

Financially, while Carroll especially comes at a very high price, the sales of Ryan Babel and Torres will offset the outlay, and bringing in young players always gives you the time to cash in on them if they don’t prove a success. Babel is a good case in point, he can still fulfil his potential elsewhere.

And on the field, Liverpool will go from relying on one injury-prone – and as we now know uncommitted – striker to having two international forwards.

Kenny Dalglish knows how to get the best out of forwards and he also knows how to overcome the loss of a massively influential player.

That was the status Graeme Souness had at Anfield when he left in 1984 for Italy. He seemed irreplaceable at the time and, similarly in the case of Torres, there wasn’t really anyone who could come in directly and give what he gives to a team.

But it’s about sometimes getting in two players to do that similar job and adapting the side accordingly. You move on and, as I think we’ll see Liverpool do now, you move up.

What Kenny knows more than anything, however, is that nobody is bigger than the club. He is the man who has come closest to having that status, but he still couldn’t manage it.

So he’ll have no trouble making sure Torres is swiftly consigned to the history books.

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs Stoke City

Liverpool had one busy day amongst the dying embers of January’s transfer window. Kop (probably not so much anymore) legend Fernando Torres packed up and flew south to join Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea for a massive £50m, whilst Newcastle’s Andy Carroll made the trip to Merseyside along with Ajax’s Luis Suarez, installing an Anfield revolution within the attacking third of Kenny Dalglish’s transformed squad.

However, it will be Uruguayan Suarez who will get the honours on Wednesday night ahead of the injured Carroll, allowing the Kop faithful to lay spectacle to what could be their next hero.

In the shadows of the epically sizable cheques and James Bond esque helicopter scrambles, Liverpool’s vice-captain Jamie Carragher returns to action after just under three months on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder. His presence on the pitch will be a welcome prospect as the Reds look to kick-start their stop-start campaign once and for all.

Stoke have currently won just three of their away games this season and will almost definitely find Wednesday night’s game a tough test, by any means.

However, Tony Pulis’ side will be able to carry the fact that three points at Anfield will see the team, who currently lie in 10th, leapfrog their opponents and slot into seventh.

Pulis’s side have a very awkward style of play, combining pure toughness with a hint of flair and attractive football, something that caught out a then Roy Hodgson’s side when the two met at the Britannia Stadium with the home side brushing a poor Liverpool aside 2-0.

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Liverpool

The home side will welcome back one of their most influential players on Wednesday night in the form of vice-captain Jamie Carragher who has not played since dislocating his shoulder in November.

Liverpool also look set to add new addition Luis Suarez to the line-up as he completed his move from Ajax on the eve of the transfer deadline earlier this week and should be eligible to make his debut at Anfield against Stoke.

Kenny Dalglish’s side have a full bill of health with the exception of £35 million and former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, who is still battling with his thigh problem and won’t be able to turn out in a red shirt for a few weeks yet.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Johnson; Lucas; Kuyt, Gerrard, Meireles, Maxi; Suarez.

Stoke City

The visitors will arrive at Anfield with just one injury worry as Danny Higginbotham is struggling with a hamstring problem.

However, to add to Tony Pulis’ defensive problems, Ryan Shawcross still has more games to serve as part of his two-match suspension for his sending off at Fulham.

Stoke let go of two of their strikers over the transfer window with both Tuncay Sanli and Eider Gudjohnsen making their moves out of the Britannia Stadium in January, but still possess the firepower of Kenwyne Jones and Aston Villa loanee John Carew.

Asmir Begovic should replace Thomas Sorenson who was given a run out in Stoke’s FA Cup win over Wolves at the weekend.

Possible starting XI: Begovic; Wilkinson, Huth, Faye, Collins; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington; Carew, Jones.

Kenny Dalglish Moves Towards Permanent Manager's Role At Liverpool

Now Liverpool and Fernando Torres have ended the pretence that a) their jewel is not for sale and b) he has Anfield etched on to his soul, it cannot be long before Fenway Sports Group banishes another uncertainty over the club's future direction. That would be the "caretaker" prefix before "manager" in the job title of Kenny Dalglish.

The strategy of John W Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool's principal owner and chairman, has been muddied by their first foray into the transfer market, though there is no mistaking their ambition. They approached January with a reputation for using Sabermetrics – a statistical system used to assess players that was developed in baseball – to make considered purchases and a stated aim not to make the kind of rushed judgments that had cost Liverpool dearly before their arrival. They spent £35m on Andy Carroll within 24 hours of Torres showing up at Melwood with his representatives to say there was no way back.

Promises of investment were delivered to such an extent on Monday that the mourning period for Torres lasted only a little longer than a can of deodorant sprayed on to a burning Liverpool shirt. And yet, with the £57.8m spent on Carroll and Luis Suárez being recouped by £56m from the sale of Torres and Ryan Babel, FSG's outlay spoke of necessity, not extravagance. It did, however, provide the clearest signal that Dalglish has FSG's confidence to manage Liverpool after his fire-fighting role ends, officially, in May.

The clamour for Dalglish's permanent appointment began before he was offered the position as a caretaker and it may be dismissed as sentimental or indecently premature, after five games in charge. But the evidence for his confirmation as manager is already compelling. The Scot was not some idle bystander on Monday while Damien Comolli lived up to his billing as director of football strategy and guided FSG through a potentially calamitous transfer window. Dalglish was at the heart of Liverpool's long-term planning for the replacement of Torres. Caretakers are given mops and buckets, not the most expensive British footballer of all time on a five-and-a-half-year contract.

One of the first assignments given to Dalglish by Rafael Benítez, after the former returned to the club as ambassador and academy figurehead in July 2July 009, was to scout Suárez at Ajax.

"We have known about him for three years," said the Scot, who will give the £22.8m striker a debut at home to Stoke City tonight, subject to international clearance. "When I came back here it was early on that we were looking at him, so when we were talking about players it was pushing at an open door regarding Suárez. He'll be a fantastic player and he's fantastic in the dressing room. For a Uruguayan, and a forward at that, to be captain of Ajax tells you something about the personality of the fella."

Dalglish was the driving force behind Liverpool's interest in Charlie Adam, which came to nothing when Blackpool rejected a £10m offer on Monday night and set a £14m price that FSG refused to pay. The arrival of Carroll, though, hardly fitted Comolli's brief, which is to unearth hidden gems at reasonable prices. Indeed it puts Comolli under a punishing spotlight.

FSG appointed Comolli 19 days after its £300m takeover in October, in response to the transfer mistakes that had contributed to Liverpool's decline. It seemed a sensible move. Now it appears to have been a rushed response by owners who never trusted Roy Hodgson and who accept, as Torres warned last summer, that Liverpool are not blessed with time if they wish to rejoin the elite.

It was said when Hodgson left the club four weeks ago that Dalglish's reluctance to step aside as caretaker would cause problems for FSG. That suspicion was cemented when the 59-year-old said at his unveiling on 10 January that he would happily move on for "somebody better". Yet FSG has struck lucky. Dalglish has galvanized Liverpool after the Hodgson era; in less than a month his charisma and outlook have affected the atmosphere, playing style, public statements and transfer policy at Anfield. His appointment would not be a populist move today. It would be an obvious one.

Reflecting on an extraordinary day in Liverpool's recent history, and the return to spending millions on players rather than on interest repayments, Dalglish said: "It's encouraging there are still players out there who want to play for the club and have a feeling for the club. It will benefit the self-esteem of the supporters and the owners and the players that this football club is still held in high esteem.

"While we have a realization we cannot hold on to the past, the history and tradition of the football club, neither can it be used as a noose around our neck. That should be a great signal for everybody to drive forward and make their own history. I'm sure John, Tom, every supporter and the staff and players are all singing from the same hymn sheet."

Suarez Ready For Hard Work

New Liverpool signing Luis Suarez has pledged to make his move from Dutch football to the Premier League a successful one.

The Uruguay international, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract after completing his £22.8million move to from Ajax, scored 111 goals in 159 matches for the Dutch club.

And while such feats in the Eredivisie do not always guarantee a similar record in England, the 24-year-old is determined to prove he can replicate his goalscoring at a higher level.

"My aim is to work, to show the fans how hard I am ready to work. I want to put in lots of effort, to show people my capabilities," he said.

"First of all I want to try to play as many games as possible and help move us up the table.

"My ambitions for the future are to do my very best for Liverpool, to try to learn more about English football and to become a champion.

"Liverpool is a very famous club, the most famous club in England, and I watched Liverpool and English football as a boy.

"It's a dream to be able to come and play here.

"I had a wonderful time in Ajax and I will miss them but that's football.

"You have to keep changing and moving forward to get better."

Suarez's glowing praise of his former club was reciprocated by Ajax's managing director Rik van den Boog, who believes the World Cup star has what it takes to be a hit on Merseyside.

"Luis is going to bring the place alive because he is a street fighter," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"He arrived here with a decent reputation but he was not a big player then.

"In the dressing room he soon stood up and became a leader. That's why he was special.

"When he goes on his travels to South America he always rushes back.

"Suarez is back on the training pitch the next morning when he has just flown around half the world for a game for Uruguay. He immediately puts his focus on his club again.

"We'll remember him for his incredible amount of goals and what he has done for the club."