Match Report: Liverpool 5 - 0 Birmingham

A Maxi Rodriguez hat-trick inspired Liverpool to their biggest win of the season and further prove, if anyone was still in doubt, that Kenny Dalglish is the man to lead the club forward.

The little Argentinian was not necessarily brilliant but just put himself in the right places to capitalize on some impressive team play by a side brimming with the confidence instilled by the 60-year-old Scot.

There were positives all over the field with Dirk Kuyt scoring his seventh goal in six league matches while even substitute Joe Cole, who has endured a disappointing maiden season, got among the goals with a late deflected effort.

Five goals and all this achieved without £35million record signing Andy Carroll, who was unavailable due to an injury sustained in last Sunday's draw at Arsenal which allowed Kuyt to move back up front.

Adaptability was the name of the game as the Reds adopted a midfield diamond formation to get the best out of Raul Meireles' attacking intent.

Crucial to making it work, however, were the superb Lucas Leiva at its base and Rodriguez and Jay Spearing.

Rodriguez is becoming something of a lucky charm for the side he joined in January 2010 as although his goals are few and far between - just seven in 49 matches - they have all coincided with victories.

He is more suited to the midfield set-up which Kenny Dalglish went with at the start but it also brought the best out of Spearing, who had a hand in the opening goal - although not as much as Foster in the seventh minute.

Kuyt's lay-off saw the 22-year-old midfielder fire in a swerving shot which the Birmingham goalkeeper spilled into the path of Rodriguez who made no mistake from close range for his first goal since December 3.

Birmingham briefly responded, without really threatening, before they were caught by a classic Liverpool counter-attack in the 23rd minute.

Jose Reina intentionally picked out Meireles just over the halfway line and he flicked on into the path of Luis Suarez who did well to hold off the challenge of Martin Jiranek.

Foster may have been at fault for the first but he saved well from the Uruguay international and again from Kuyt's follow-up but he could do nothing to prevent the Holland international getting up to slot home the rebound.

The England goalkeeper injured himself in the process and was replaced 10 minutes later by Colin Doyle, who watched one Kuyt header sail across goal and wide of the far post before gratefully clasping Suarez's shot to his chest just before the end of the half.

Almost unnoticed in all the pass-and-move mayhem Liverpool were creating was the performance of the Reds' teenage full-backs, 18-year-old John Flanagan on the right and Jack Robinson, a year younger.

The latter certainly did not look like a youngster making his first start after two substitute appearances 11 months apart when, in the opening minutes, he coolly dispossessed the far more experienced Alexander Hleb as Birmingham threatened an early attack having swept through the inside-left channel.

Having moved into a comfortable 2-0 lead Dalglish almost immediately reverted to more orthodox 4-4-2 formation to ensure Blues were afforded no way back.

Alex McLeish's side provided more of a challenge in the second half but was always chasing the game and their cause became a lost one in the 66th minute when Rodriguez scored his second.

Suarez was played onside by Carr, trailing slightly behind his defensive colleagues, and the forward raced onto Martin Skrtel's pass and crossed to the far post where Rodriguez side-footed home.

Rodriguez saved his best goal for last, collecting Suarez's 73rd-minute pass and shooting low at Doyle who half-saved his effort only for Meireles to force the ball back into the danger area for Rodriguez to convert.

There have not been many instances since his arrival when Suarez has been outshone and as if to remind people of his talents the Uruguay international produced an audacious behind-the-leg shot which would have really rubbed salt in Birmingham's wounds.

That honour was left to Cole who, within seconds of replacing Meireles, cut in from the right to hit a deflected shot past Doyle for the fifth.

While this result was a barometer of the confidence at Anfield it will have done little for spirits within the Birmingham camp, with the club still looking over their shoulders five points above the relegation zone.

Dalglish Hails The Strength Of Liverpool’s Squad

Kenny Dalglish has praised the strength and depth of his Liverpool squad following their 5-0 win over Birmingham City.

Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez grabbed a hat-trick in his first appearance for over a month while out of favour Joe Cole also notched late on for Reds.

And Dalglish was pleased that players who haven’t been in the first team of late were able to make such an impact.

“The win was pleasing, I don’t know if we were deserving of 5-0 though,” said Dalglish. “Other people can judge that.

"We passed and moved really well at times and it’s important for us also not to lose any goals at the back, it’s important for Pepe [Reina] who’s been fantastic for the last month or so.

“It’s a great credit to Maxi who has not played too often in the last few weeks but his training has always been very good, he’s an intelligent footballer and the same goes for wee Joe [Cole]. He came on and he got a goal, it might have been an error from the goalkeeper but it still goes down as Joe’s goal.

“[The result shows] the strength of the football club, the quality of the players, the desire of the players and I don’t think you can ask for more than what we got yesterday.

“We’ve got our reward yesterday, we can enjoy it and on Monday morning we start looking forward to Newcastle.”

Kuyt Won't Get Carried Away

Dirk Kuyt insists Liverpool will keep plodding along, despite seeing fifth place become a reachable target.

The Reds closed the gap on Tottenham, the current occupants of the final Europa League place, on Saturday with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Birmingham.

Kenny Dalglish's side is now just three points adrift of Spurs with four games remaining.

Kuyt, though, has been quick to play down talk of European qualification, with there still much work to be done before the campaign comes to a close.

He told Sky Sports: "The most important thing for us is to focus on our own games.

"The next one is Newcastle at home and we have to make sure we get the three points.

"We still have Spurs at home, but if we want something we have to win our own games and take things one game at a time. If we do that I think we will get really close."

Kuyt was among the goals against Birmingham on Saturday, helping to cover the loss of Andy Carroll, who was rested.

He added: "Unfortunately Andy wasn't ready for this game, hopefully he will be for the next one.

"It was good for the manager to see that he has more options. I thought the team was terrific today.

"Andy has already shown quality and hopefully he will be back soon and our team will get better."

Maxi Rodriguez's hat-trick stole the show against the Blues, but youngsters John Flanagan and Jack Robinson put in promising displays to enhance their blossoming reputations.

"It's unfortunate for the lads who are injured but the way the young lads are playing, Flanno and Robbo, it's terrific," said Kuyt.

"Jay Spearing is doing very well at the moment and Martin Kelly was unfortunate to get injured, because he has done well. It's good to see so many young lads coming through."

Liverpool Striker Target Romelu Lukaku Set To Make England Switch

Belgian international striker Romelu Lukaku is set to make a Barclays Premier League move this summer.

The teenage prodigy has attracted interest from the cream of Europe, with Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona all monitoring the Anderlecht forward in the past year.

A handful of English clubs have been tracking the player for some time, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea all thought to be keen on bringing the player to their club.

In January, following the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as manager at Anfield, the Daily Mirror reported that Liverpool made contact with the Belgian club over a potential £20 million move.

The Purple and White resisted offers for the player dubbed 'the next Didier Drogba', but famed agent Fabrizio Ferrari has claimed that the player is set for a move to British shores at the end of the season.

“Juventus are interested in Lukaku but Anderlecht says they will sell him in the summer to a club in the Premier League, at his request, because he believes his characteristics are most suited to the Premier League," Ferrari told Tuttosport in Italy.

"He is a wonder, with his speed and technique; he reminds of the when I first saw the Brazilian striker Adriano at Inter Milan.”

Ferrari's comments back-up the words of Anderlecht general manager Herman van Holsbeeck, who stated at the start of the month that England would be the 17-year-olds most likely destination.

"We know that Real Madrid are interested, but I think his future would rather be in England," Van Holsbeeck told Sudpresse at the time.

"Teams like Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool are interested, but if two Manchester clubs enter the race it might be interesting. The Lukaku price in the market is €30 million (£26m)," Van Holsbeeck concluded."

Damien Comolli, director of football at Liverpool, was behind the Reds' pursuit of the player at the turn of the year, and will again be instrumental in attempting to lure the player to Merseyside alongside strikers such as Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners, proved in January that they are willing to back the manager financially in the transfer market, and could be called upon again to bring one of the brightest young talents in world football to Liverpool and continue the club's growing policy of developing young talent.

Bayern Enter Chase For Liverpool Target Enrique

Bayern Munich is ready to challenge Liverpool in the battle to lure Jose Enrique from Newcastle United.

And Toon boss Alan Pardew, already in a fight to hang on to key midfielder Joey Barton, is facing up to the fact that top scorer Kevin Nolan is now a target for West Ham.

It had seemed that Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish was in pole position to land Enrique this summer, despite AC Milan’s interest in the Spanish left-back.

But Bayern, who can boast a £100million transfer kitty, have other ideas.

Enrique enters the final year of his Newcastle contract this summer, and is on record as saying he wants to play Champions League football.

Bayern hope that could swing the deal for them – the German giants also believe they will snatch third place in the Bundesliga this term and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Officials from Munich were represented at St James’ Park on Tuesday night, watching Enrique in Newcastle’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

West Ham have been checking out 28-year-old Magpies midfielder Nolan recently, and fancy pairing him with Football Writers Player of the Year Scott Parker next season if they beat the drop.

Nolan, who has two years of his contract to run, is in talks over a new deal with the Toon top brass.

Barton was on West Ham’s radar earlier in the season, and has stalled on his contract talks stating: “I’ll wait and see if players like Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote and Jose Enrique stay.

“If Nolan signs a new deal, I will as well.”

Jeremy Menez Eyed By Liverpool As He Seeks Roma Exit

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli have made signing a new wideman to supply Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez their top priority for the summer transfer window.

Comolli has been monitoring the progress of Menez for some time and the 23-year-old has now indicated he is ready to move to England.

The France international was non-committal when recently asked about his future, but has now fallen out with both his boss and Roma's fans.

He was involved in a bust-up with coach Vincenzo Montella during the 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-final and the club's Ultras later pelted his car with stones.

Menez was not hurt in the attack but, according to the Daily Mail, it was the final straw and he has now decided to move on in the summer.

Liverpool are likely to face competition from Arsenal in the race to sign the ex-Sochaux and Monaco star, while Manchester United have been linked with him in the past.

The Anfield club have also been credited with an interest in Aston Villa's Stewart Downing and Fiorentina's Juan Vargas in their search for a new winger.

Brad Smith Yet To Decide Between Australia or England

Liverpool fullback Brad Smith has left the door open to playing for Australia - despite making England's U17 European Championship squad.

The left-back joined the Reds last year and has quickly caught the eye of England scouts.

Given the complete change in his surroundings it is perhaps no surprise to learn that he has yet to decide where his true allegiance lies.

"I was born in Australia and lived there for 14 years before moving over here," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"I went on to play for the same school as Jack Robinson but I'm completely focused on playing here now.

"I suppose I'm half English and half Australian! I don't know who I would support if the two teams played each other."

Pacheco Loving Norwich Experience

Dani Pacheco is loving his loan at Norwich City.

The Spanish striker hit his first goal in the 5-1 derby thrashing of Ipswich Town.

The on-loan Liverpool star, who joined the action as an 84th minute substitute was quick to air his delight with the result on his personal twitter account.

"Great result tonight. Amazing atmosphere, love derbys! Our fans were amazing! Happy for my goal as well. 3 games left, come on boys!!"

Pacheco's final tweet of the night read: "what a great day. Time to sleep now and rest for Monday. Thanks to everybody for the support today, fans been amazing. More of that Monday!"

Liverpool Held By Bristol Women

Grace McCatty's stoppage-time goal earned Bristol Academy a 1-1 Women's Super League draw with Liverpool.

The Reds took the lead through Michelle Evans' well-struck 20-yard half-volley on 42 minutes.

But the home side pressed their opponents in the second half and their equalizer came when McCatty's low shot was deflected into the Liverpool net.

The result gave Bristol their first point of the campaign but still leaves them bottom of the eight-team table.

Academy trounced their opponents 3-0 in last Sunday's FA Cup semi-final and, in their first home game of the season, were out to impress in front of an expectant crowd of 707.

But they found the going much tougher in this rapid re-match.

Bristol hit back after Evans had broken the deadlock and almost equalized when Liverpool goalkeeper Andrea Worrell had to save a mis-directed headed clearance by her team-mate Cheryl Foster.

Bristol continued to press but the visitors held firm and looked set to claim a slice of revenge for their FA Cup dismissal as the game went into stoppage time.

But McCatty grabbed her last-gasp equalizer following a Helen Bleazard corner.

Despite having to settle for a point, Liverpool has leapfrogged Chelsea and Lincoln into fifth place.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Birmingham

Injury problems have once again disrupted Liverpool’s preparations in the build up to the visit of Birmingham City this weekend. Both Jamie Carragher and Andy Carroll suffered injuries at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and remain doubtful for Saturday’s game, stretching an already depleted squad, which is hanging on by its fingernails to the hope of European football next season.

They may be missing players through injury, but Liverpool will undoubtedly be feeling good about themselves after showing immense character to rescue a point from their trip to North London. Dirk Kuyt’s 102nd minute penalty – unsurprisingly the latest goal scored in Premier League history – showed nerves of steel whilst the performances of academy graduates John Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Jay Spearing drew much praise from the national media.

Coming on the back of a morale boosting 3-0 win over Manchester City, there is clearly a belief amongst the Reds that they can compete with the top teams in the league. Throughout this season, however, it has been the performances against the sides propping up the table which have given most cause for concern.

Against the teams currently in the bottom half of the Premier League, Liverpool have taken just 25 points from a possible 54 (their record against the top ten, 24 from 45, reads significantly better), and most recently this has manifested itself in defeats at West Brom and West Ham. Home defeats against Blackpool and Wolves, as well as a draw against Wigan, however, suggest this problem is not simply one of away day blues.

Birmingham have not been an easy team for Liverpool to face in recent years, indeed under Rafa Benítez the Reds never came out of a league match on top, although there was the small matter of a 7-0 victory in the FA Cup. The last seven league meetings between the two sides have all ended in draws whilst Birmingham did the double over Benítez in his first season in England. A first league win in the fixture since the 8th May 2004 would be timely in the continued chase for 5th place.

Liverpool has major worries over both Carragher and Carroll after the draw at the Emirates Stadium. Carroll slipped in the penalty area and suffered a knee injury which, although not as serious as was first feared, threatens to keep him out of this weekend’s match. Carragher, who was knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Flanagan, has recovered remarkably quickly, but there remain doubts as to whether the medical department will clear him to play.

Should both be ruled out, Liverpool’s squad will be stretched almost to breaking point. Sotirios Kyrgiakos would be the most likely option to replace Carragher, whilst Dirk Kuyt may well be called upon to play up front should Carroll be ruled out. Maxi Rodríguez would be the most likely candidate to fill Kuyt’s vacant place on the right flank, though it was the returning Jonjo Shelvey who came on for the final twenty minutes against Arsenal when Carroll was withdrawn.

Birmingham are boosted by the return of centre back Martin Jiranek, who suffered a groin strain in the Carling Cup Final, meaning that Liam Ridgewell could be slotted back into his favoured left back position. That is likely to be the only change from the team that lost 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as Birmingham look for the few points they need to cement their place in the Premier League.

Starting XIs

Liverpool (possible): Reina; Flanagan, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Robinson; Kuyt, Lucas, Spearing, Meireles; Suárez, Carroll

Birmingham (probable): Foster; Carr, Jiranek, Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, Fahey, Hleb; Jerome

Kenny Eyes End To Seven-Year Jinx

Kenny Dalglish is confident his Liverpool side can break a seven-year jinx on Saturday by beating Birmingham City in the league.

Rafael Benitez failed to gain three points against the midlanders during his Anfield tenure - while Roy Hodgson could only manage a goalless draw at St Andrew's earlier this season.

Emile Heskey, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen were the scorers the last time we overcame Birmingham in a league match back in May 2004 - but Dalglish isn't concerning himself with history.

"The past doesn't matter," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "It's what happens on Saturday that's going to determine the result. Obviously we'd love it to change and improve our record against them."

Liverpool would be third in the league if the season started when Dalglish re-took the reins in January - proof of the potential within the squad, according to the gaffer.

"It reflects on how well the players have done," he said. "Their approach has been fantastic since we came in and their determination to get results has been superb. It's a work in progress but there are quite positive signs.

"If you support Liverpool Football Club then I think you will have enjoyed what's gone on, but like Oliver Twist we'd still like to get a wee bit more."

Liverpool go into Saturday's 3pm kick-off on the back of a victory against Manchester City and a draw at the Emirates, results gained with several Academy graduates on the teamsheet.

Dalglish is keen to moderate the hype surrounding players such as 17-year-old Jack Robinson and 18-year-old John Flanagan, but he admits it's not easy with all the media coverage of football today.

"It's easy for us - though it might be difficult for the press," he said. "The lads find it quite easy. They're good lads and they're well grounded. I don't think we'll have a problem, and I don't think they'll get carried away.

"They can be immensely proud of the way they've played in the games they've been involved in but we won't get carried away.

"We've got some experienced heads and so have they at home - their parents and relatives. They'll be able to keep their feet on the ground.

"It's difficult for local lads to progress in football. Sometimes they're dragged from one thing to another but for these lads to have got as far as they have shows you they've got some determination. They also respect the profession they're in and what they have to do to be good at that profession. They are quite strong individuals."

One of the experienced heads at Dalglish's disposal is Steve Clarke.

Speaking to us earlier in the week, he revealed how the coaching staff goes about keeping young players grounded.

"We keep on at them every day in training," he said. "When you come into work you can reflect a bit on the previous performance but in football the next game is always coming up. There is no point dwelling on what you've done - it's what you're going to do in the following game.

"They've got good people around them, they'll get good advice and they seem to me to be very level-headed boys. I'm sure they'll continue to progress."

Clarke and Dalglish will pit their wits against a man they know well this weekend in Blues boss Alex McLeish.

But our first-team coach isn't expecting any favours despite City having steered themselves clear of the drop zone in recent weeks.

"I know Alex through his time in Scotland, I think I played against him a few times," said Clarke. "He will have been coming to the end of his career as I was starting out in mine!

"I know him well and he's done a good job there. Winning the League Cup with Birmingham was a big thing. They've almost got enough points in the league but they're not quite in a position yet where they can relax and so it'll be a difficult game for us."

Speculation Is Growing That Pepe Reina Wants To Stay At Liverpool

Pepe Reina looks set to stay at Liverpool for next season, despite speculation mounting that he was fed up with not winning trophies, according to The Sun.

The Liverpool goalkeeper appeared set to leave the Kop in the summer, with ex Liverpool goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov and Hugo Lloris looking likely replacements, as well as a list of other names in the pipeline.

Mihaylov was recently quoted as saying he was sure Reina was leaving to head to a club in Spain.

“I know from my agent Pepe Reina wants to go back to Spain," he said.

"His desire dates back one or two years. He's one of the best keepers in the world but his form is not as it should be in a club like Liverpool.”

While Reina had signed a six year deal six months ago, a £20 million release clause was inserted into his contract, giving weight to Mihaylov's beliefs.

But it appears Mihaylov might be wrong, as Reina has praised Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish on a number of occasions now, indicating that the goalkeeper might indeed stay with Liverpool after all.

"He's a legend in Liverpool - and I mean a legend because sometimes that word is used too much for other people.

“Kenny knows exactly what the [Liverpool] people think and what the supporters want to see.”

Dalglish has ensured a resurrection of Liverpool, with the club going from facing relegation to challenging for Europa League qualification. If Reina does believe that Dalglish knows what Liverpool people want, the goalkeeper will surely know that the people want trophies and Champions League qualification, which is what Reina wants too.

Dalglish recently made a personal appeal to Reina to stay with Liverpool, telling reporters: “I can't speak for Pepe Reina on how he sees it and believes it's going.

“I can only tell you about how me personally and the club as a whole feels about him.

“Whatever he feels about us going in the right direction or not is up to him, but he doesn't look too unhappy to me.

“I have always believed he is one of the best in the Premiership, if not the best, maybe even in football.”

And so through Dalglish’s personal appeals to Reina, the Spaniard is looking poised to stay with the Anfield club.

Liverpool Chase Bayern Munich Captain Philip Lahm

Liverpool are reportedly plotting a surprise move for Bayern Munich captain Philip Lahm.

According to Sportingo, the Reds and Chelsea are both chasing the £23 million-rated full-back and Bayern are already looking for a potential replacement.

Although it would seem unlikely that the Bundesliga giants would sell their skipper, Liverpool and Chelsea are both reportedly prepared to test their resolve in the summer.

The Blues are thought to be in the market for a world class right-back, with Jose Bosingwa's career at Stamford Bridge stagnating and Branislav Ivanovic not a particularly useful attacking option on the flanks.

Liverpool, meanwhile are known to be after defensive reinforcements and a deal for Lahm would certainly represent quite a coup for the Anfield club.

However, it would be a surprise if Liverpool did launch a bid for the 27-year-old with Glen Johnson and the increasingly impressive Martin Kelly already providing Kenny Dalglish with capable options on the right.

A more pressing issue for Liverpool is the acquisition of a new left-back with the injury-prone Fabio Aurelio currently the only senior player at Anfield who is a natural in that position.

Liverpool is reportedly closing in Newcastle's Jose Enrique as they look to solve their left-sided woes in time for next season.

Johnson Committed To Reds

Glen Johnson has insisted he has no regrets about joining Liverpool and is looking forward to a bright future with the club.

The England international has endured long periods of frustration since making the move to Anfield from Portsmouth in the summer of 2009.

He could not help the Reds qualify for the UEFA Champions League last season under Rafa Benitez and was criticized by Roy Hodgson at the start of this term following a series of disappointing performances.

Injuries have also hampered Johnson's progress and he now finds his place under threat from youngsters such as Martin Kelly and John Flanagan.

However, the right-back maintains that he never looks back at the moment he came to the club and wishes he had made a different decision.

Johnson feels the Reds are heading in an exciting direction under Kenny Dalglish and new owners Fenway Sports Group, and is eager to play a part.

Asked if he had any regrets about joining Liverpool, Johnson told the Daily Telegraph: "No. Not at all.

"I definitely see my future here. It has never entered my head that I made the wrong choice.

"I am not the sort of person who, just because things are going badly, would jump ship.

"It was difficult for the club at the start of this season but we are over the hill now and everything is looking bright.

"The new owners coming in was like a cloud being lifted. Everyone feels like we are over the worst of it, we have fantastic owners, a fantastic manager and a fantastic coaching staff. With a few signings this summer, we will be a force."

Johnson knows from his time at Pompey how important it is to have stability at a club, and he is enjoying life with Liverpool since FSG took control.

"They have spent a lot of money," he said. "If it was me, I wouldn't spend that much unless I was dedicated to it.

"They do not want to be part of the club, they want to take it on. Why else would they buy it? It is exciting times.

"Kenny has brought the smile back to everyone's faces, and Steve Clarke [the first-team coach] has been fantastic.

"I feel a lot more settled now than I did. I had always lived in London before. It was a big change."

Spearing Relishing Reds Run

Jay Spearing believes his patience has paid off at Liverpool after earning a run in the first team this term.

The 22-year-old was reduced to a bit-part player at Anfield under previous managers Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson and started just three games last season.

Now with Kenny Dalglish at the helm Spearing has been given a new lease of life and is set to make his 12th start of the season against Birmingham on Saturday.

Happy to have a foot firmly in the first-team door, the combative midfielder is keen to seize the opportunity after his hard work paid dividends.

"I have had to be patient for two or three years now and different managers have given me different opportunities," he told the Daily Star.

"I used to come in and then be out the next week. At that time I wanted to nail a position down as much as possible.

"It didn't happen for me then. But thankfully, now it has and I just have to keep it going and make the most of my chances."

With first-team openings few and far between last term Spearing was forced to venture out on loan in search of games, landing at Championship side Leicester.

Despite loving his time at the Walkers Stadium, the player was forced to admit he may have to drop down a division on a permanent basis.

He added: "I hadn't played as much as I would have liked, so I went to Leicester, played some games and loved every minute of it.

"We were lucky enough to get into the play-offs. I knew that if I kept grafting and kept showing different managers that I wanted it, one day it would come for me.

"It was hard. There were times when I thought to myself, 'What's going on? Am I going to break through at Liverpool?'

"It is something I have been wanting to do for four or five years, not just this season, and there have been times when I thought I might have to look elsewhere.

"It is one of those things when you need the support of family and friends to keep you going and I believed in myself and knew at some point if I kept going it would come."

Kenny Dalglish Finds Fringe Benefits But Summer Exodus Still Likely

Kenny Dalglish has praised Liverpool's fringe players for their contribution towards the club's upturn in fortunes, although that will not prevent a cull of the squad at the end of the season.

Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, David Ngog and Christian Poulsen have rarely featured since Dalglish became manager in January and Liverpool are likely to consider to offers for all in the summer. Cole has started just two Europa League games under the new manager and Jonjo Shelvey was preferred to the former England international when Dalglish was forced to withdraw the injured Andy Carroll against Arsenal last weekend.

Despite the club reportedly securing the biggest kit deal in English football with a £25m-a-year contract with the Boston-based Warrior Sports, Liverpool are looking to raise additional transfer funds in the summer and will offload players currently out on loan, such as Alberto Aquilani, Emiliano Insúa and Paul Konchesky. Yet Dalglish says he has had no problems from those he has overlooked.

"The important thing for us is the players who aren't playing because their attitude is really important. They have been brilliant," the Liverpool manager said, speaking ahead of Saturday's home game against Birmingham City. "They came in on Monday morning and trained fantastically well. Most of them are forward players, apart from Christian, and it's difficult for us to get them a game because our injuries are at the back. They are deserving of a game because of their attitude and the way they have gone about their work."

One player who has voiced his disaffection at Liverpool is the Serbia international Jovanovic, who admits he "made a mistake" in moving to Anfield on a free transfer last summer having been signed by Rafael Benítez. But Dalglish countered: "I don't know what's going to happen with Milan. He's been injured and still has a problem with his knee so if you are not fit it's difficult to be selected."

The Liverpool manager believes there is a new-found belief in the squad since his arrival, with the signings of Carroll and Luis Suárez instrumental in lifting the mood of the club. He said: "I had belief in them [when he took over] but they had to get belief in themselves. The first game at Old Trafford after they went down to 10 men after giving a penalty away in the first minute to the same referee we've got on Saturday [Howard Webb], it was fantastic the way they hung on in there.

"OK, we lost at Blackpool, but you could see they were determined to get something out of the game. They've been fantastic in training, their approach and their attitude, and I think getting Luis and Andy was a big thing in January. That lifted everyone. I think also bringing the youngsters in, if they're good enough to play, in a strange way gives the other first-team players a lift seeing some young faces in there."

McLeish - Carroll Rejected Scots

Alex McLeish has revealed he tried to lure Andy Carroll to play for Scotland while he was national team manager.

The Birmingham boss will come face-to-face with the man mountain on Saturday when they play Liverpool.

Carroll qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandmother who was born in that country but he spurned McLeish's advances and also his successor's Craig Levin.

Liverpool shelled out a British record £35million in January to prise him from Newcastle as a replacement for Fernando Torres.

Carroll has since cemented his international future with England as he opened his account at international level in the friendly against Ghana last month.

"Andy Carroll has come on leaps and bounds and I did try and get him to play for Scotland when I was manager," said McLeish.

"I was aware that he had got Scottish connections through his family. He was 19 at that stage, a reserve player really at Newcastle, and I was quite hot on trying to get him to play for Scotland at that stage.

"But unfortunately he said 'no' and we all know what he has already achieved in his career.

"Certainly since he has gone to Liverpool, he has formed a great partnership with Luis Suarez."

The Sun Boycott Remains As Strong As Ever

On Monday, shortly before RTÉ released a public statement about the issue, a text came through: Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton would not now be appearing on the Sun-sponsored ‘Premier Soccer Sunday’.

The decision to remove them from the show was thanks to the tireless campaigning of Irish Reds and came as a huge relief. The two players stopped playing for Liverpool a long time ago but any introduction for either of them will always include the club’s name. In effect their appearance on the show would give ammunition to the tiny minority who think it’s possible to be a Liverpool fan and a Sun reader. It would also give ammunition to the sick, small-minded, individuals who feel that it’s acceptable to abuse Reds based on the Sun’s false version of events.

Having already spoken on the issue to The Irish Independent, journal.ie and Dublin radio station Spin 103.8 before the announcement was made it was clear that the story was gaining a lot of attention in Ireland. After the announcement had been made there came another request to talk to Irish Radio, this time to the national station Newstalk.

There was some disappointment at the lack of any word from either player about the position they’d been in. RTÉ just said they wouldn’t now be appearing on the show – they didn’t say why.

If the two had made it clear that they fully support the boycott and pulled out as soon as they were informed of the sponsorship situation it would have helped repair their reputations and raise even more awareness of the boycott.

Their reputations are of course for them alone to worry about – it’s up to them to decide if their status amongst supporters was damaged during the time taken for them to be withdrawn. It’s up to them to decide if any damage can be fixed by just leaving it to heal of its own accord. And of course any hit their reputations might have taken is nothing compared to what their appearance on the show would have done.

Awareness still got a massive boost from the coverage afforded to the story. People previously unaware of the boycott have been made aware there is one, and why. The response to posting a link to the full transcript on Twitter was for a number of supporters already aware of the boycott to express their shock at how bad the Sun’s fabricated version of the disaster really was. Younger Reds are getting the full details and coming to the same conclusion that the younger Reds of 22 years ago made – to boycott.

The boycott is also increasingly coming to the attention of supporters around the world. And of course it isn’t just supporters of Liverpool who join in the boycott after seeing the lies that were told.

A point raised quite often is whether or not Liverpool fans should be dictating how ex-players can make a living. The simple response is that ex-players get these offers because they used to play for Liverpool and were given huge support from those fans; to turn work down when it relates to that one boycotted publication isn’t a great deal to ask in return.

Another point raised regularly is whether there is anything The Sun can do to bring an end to the boycott after 22 years. It’s a fair question: what will it take?

It’s a question that only the families and survivors can answer and there’s little point asking them before the truth – not the lies the Sun headlined ‘The Truth’ – is made public.

The Sun wasn’t the only newspaper to print the lies fed by a Conservative MP and the high-ups in South Yorkshire police. But it was the only paper that didn’t follow it up with an immediate retraction. Instead The Sun waited years, waiting until fresh attention was drawn to their lies, attention that came after Wayne Rooney spoke exclusively to them.

Their apology was seen as insincere, all the more because it included a dig at the Liverpool Echo for writing about the boycott and the backlash to the Rooney story.

The Sun’s lies have got in the way of the truth coming out. They have allowed small-minded scum to have sick fun at the expense of survivors and the families of the victims. They added to the trauma and suffering.

The panel set up in 2009 following Andy Burnham’s appearance at the memorial service is quietly suggesting that the truth might finally be close. That truth will come as a huge comfort to those affected by Hillsborough.

Until that truth does come out, until that truth becomes the accepted version of events so that small-minded scum are shouted down by those who excuse their behaviour, there is absolutely no chance that the boycott will end.

Until then no true Liverpool supporter will allow The Sun into their home in any form; printed, electronic or as the sponsor of a TV show they watch.

Don’t buy the Sun.

Kenny Dalglish Calls For Liverpool To Continue Spending Spree

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has insisted the club must continue spending this summer in order to continue their revival, but has assured the team’s young players they will be given first team opportunities.

The Merseyside club invested £57.8 million in January on forward pairing Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, having raised £56m from the sales of Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel.

Dalglish has called for a continuation of investment in top-class players with the likes of Bolton defender Gary Cahill, Aston Villa’s Ashley Young and Blackpool captain Charlie Adam linked with moves to Merseyside.

Speaking to The Guardian, Dalglish said: "Every summer is important for the club. The better the business, the more successful the club is going to be. If you do good business, you've more chance of being successful.

“That just doesn't mean buying players and letting players go, it's about developing what else you have. This summer is going to be very important, not just for Liverpool Football Club, but every football club. And the better decisions you make, the better business you do, the better chance you have of setting yourself up for next season."

The Scotsman, however, has pledged not to disregard the club's youth prospect having seen Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson all step up into the senior squad this season.

"It's important that there is room for development for players, but it's also important that you don't use it as an excuse not to spend money and not improve what you've already got," he continued.

"Age does not determine their ability to play. So if we're convinced we have young players who are better than what's available, then we'll keep our younger players. There's no two ways about it.

“But that does not say we don't want to improve as a football club in any way, shape or form. We do need to leave some path open if we do think there are players who can come in.

“If they develop then fine, if they don't, we've got a problem. But if you buy a player in and he doesn't produce, you've got a bigger problem."