John Aldridge: Kenny Dalglish Is Untouchable And Will Definitely Sign As Liverpool FC’s Permanent Manager

There’s a real optimism around the club at the moment and it’s enjoyable being a Liverpudlian again. You can feel it around the ground and in the pubs. The mood has been transformed and it’s amazing to think that only a few months ago it was all doom and gloom.

I share that excitement about the future. The signs are very promising but it’s important nobody gets carried away.

If Liverpool really is going to challenge in the Premier League next season then we need to make three or four top signings this summer. Kenny Dalglish will know there’s a lot of work to be done.

There’s a minimum of 10 players who need to be off-loaded this summer. There’s too much dead wood who aren’t good enough for the club.

Moving them on is going to be crucial because it will boost Kenny’s kitty for signings.

If we can get Jose Enrique, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young and Charlie Adam I’ll be happy.

Left-back has been a problem position for us all season and Newcastle’s Enrique has impressed me. We also need another centre-half and Cahill at Bolton fits the bill.

Everyone would love Young in their side and he would be a great buy. We all know Liverpool need some width and pace.

Adam came close to joining us in January and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we went back in for him to strengthen the midfield.

One person definitely signing will be Kenny himself. With the way he’s turned things around, Kenny really is untouchable. It’s just about sorting out the right deal for him and the right deal for the club.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon on Saturday. Birmingham are no mugs but we hammered them.

The work ethic running through the side was great to see. Everyone is playing for each other.

I’m not a big fan of Maxi Rodriguez but fair play to him because that was by far his best game for Liverpool. Anyone who walks away with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick has to be man of the match.

Lucas Leiva was also excellent, while Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt were a real handful with their movement and work rate.

Jay Spearing had a really good game and full-backs John Flanagan and Jack Robinson were very solid.

Their performance was a tribute to the way Kenny has nurtured them. A lot of managers would have played Sotirios Kyrgiakos in recent games and shifted Jamie Carragher to full-back.

But Kenny has put his faith in the kids. He believes in the youth system and it’s clear the youngsters believe in him.

I liked the fact Kenny had Andre Wisdom, a young centre-half with tremendous potential, warming up with the players before the game on Saturday. We also had Conor Coady on the bench.

Our Academy lads have done brilliantly since they made the step up to the first team. They have ensured there are positives to come out of the negative of having so many injuries.

They have a huge part to play in Liverpool’s future but we still need to build the squad up with some quality additions this summer.

Maxi Rodriguez: Liverpool Can Pip Tottenham To Fifth Place

Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez believes that the club can still beat Tottenham to fifth place in the Premier League and in doing so qualify for European football next season.

The Argentine international scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s thumping 5-0 win over Birmingham and believes that with Tottenham slipping up against West Bromwich Albion they could overtake Harry Redknapp's side in the chase for fourth position.

“It is definitely a great feeling to score a hat-trick but it is not just about me scoring the goals," he told the club's official website.

“The team played really well and that is the most important thing.

“Tottenham's draw means we have closed the gap to fifth place and we still have a chance of qualifying for Europe. We will keep fighting right until the end and hopefully we can finish the season in a positive way.”

Maxi’s hat-trick on Saturday was his first for the club and he admitted he was taken aback by the reception of the crowd after he was taken off in the closing stages of the game.

He added: “It's definitely my best moment in a Liverpool shirt.

“I think it's more special because we scored a lot of goals, it was my first hat-trick for the club and also because I scored it at Anfield in front of our fans.

“I have to say that it was also a great moment when I was substituted in the last minute. The whole ground gave me a reception I will never forget and Kenny also said he was very happy with my performance, so I have to be delighted with what was a perfect day for me.”

Liverpool Chase South American 'Gareth Bale'

Udinese wing back Pablo Armero has been linked with Liverpool this week as a potential solution to the Reds’ left back problem, but who is he?

Armero is Colombian and started out life playing for America de Cali in his native country. The wing back had already played and impressed for Colombia’s U17s, making him a player with tremendous promise for his club. He made his debut for America in 2004, and during his four year stay with the team, he helped the club win its 13th national championship.

With his registration not owned by his club however, but by Sport Agency Turbo Sports, he was loaned out to Brazilian side Palmeiras in 2009. Still young, he made an impression in the Brazilian first division with his speed, crossing ability and attacking intent. He can play either as a full back and left winger, and he stated himself he feels most comfortable in a wing back role where he has the ability to both defend and get forward.

After a season at Palmeiras, where he made 36 appearances and score two goals, he was on the verge of signing for Italian club Parma last summer. Armero had signed a pre contract agreement with the Serie A team, but due to Parma having too many non-EU players in their squad, the move collapsed.

Despite the disappointment over the failed moved to Parma, it was no long before the 25 year old received interest from another Italian club. On 28th August 2010, Armero signed for Udinese. Already an experienced international with 21 caps to his name after making his debut in 2008, he linked up with compatriots Christian Zapata and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado in Udine, and the trio has helped the Italian club push towards a European place this season.

Udinese are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League, and have backed up their credentials with wins over Napoli and Inter Milan this season. In both matches, Armero starred as he performed well in his wing back position, causing trouble especially for Inter full back Maicon. It has been rumoured that he has been watched by Barcelona and he recently stated that he would like to play for a team that plays attacking football.

Armero’s contract only has 12 months to run, according to reports, and while he is currently valued at £9million by Udinese, the lack of time left on his deal could persuade the Italian club to lower their asking price.

Academy Football: Liverpool Under-18s Ready For Crunch Derby Title Clash With Everton

It is almost a winner-takes-all derby at Finch Farm this morning as Liverpool under-18s look to go back ahead of rivals Everton in the race for the Group C title in the Barclays Premier Academy League.

Rodolfo Borrell’s youngsters went above long-time North West section leaders Everton last week with an excellent 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Hungarian striker Krisztian Adorjan was on target and Halewood youngster Adam Morgan completed the victory when he scored for the 14th consecutive game - 13 of which have been for the U18s.

Liverpool led on goal difference until Everton’s win over Manchester United on Saturday. But victory for Borrell’s side today would mean they would be favourites to finish top as they have two games in hand on their Mersey neighbours and a vastly superior goal difference.

And Liverpool go into the match in sparkling form having sealed 12 straight Academy League victories with the success over the Baggies. They only defeat they have suffered in 2011 was in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Anfield. Although they have avenged that since with two wins over the Red Devils, the latest a 6-0 success at the Kirkby Academy.

In their 24 matches in the Academy League, Liverpool has scored a massive 66 goals and has a goal difference 14 better than Everton. But the Blues will provide the sternest test Liverpool has faced this season, having only lost once in the league since October.

Lucas Vows To Fight For Place Next Season

Lucas Leiva is determined not to be pushed back on the periphery by Liverpool’s anticipated transfer spree this summer.

Club owners Fenway Sports Group have already intimated they are prepared to spend heavily to strengthen the squad and help propel the Anfield outfit back into the Champions League.

It means many senior players could find their futures under threat by the expected influx of incomings that will follow the January arrivals of £58million duo Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. Click here to follow us on Twitter for the latest Liverpool FC updates.

But having recently penned a new contract, Lucas believes he has demonstrated he deserves a regular starting place after winning over the doubters with his performances during the last 18 months.

“A new season is a new season, but I don’t think I would have signed a new contract if the club did not have a plan for me,” said the central midfielder. “I am just happy with the way I am playing.

“A lot of players have come already and I am still here, still playing, so that means that the club believes in my football and my qualities. I am just trying to play well.

“We will sign some players for next season that is for sure, but I think I am showing that I am capable of playing in the team all the time.”

Lucas made his 43rd appearance of the season in Saturday’s 5-0 romp against Birmingham City, with only Martin Skrtel and Pepe Reina having played more games.

And the Brazilian added: “Last season I think I played 46 games, but this season I am trying to take more responsibility than I did last season because some players left and I am trying to step up and to show my real quality.

“I am really confident and happy with the way I am playing and I just have to improve and next season fight for my place.”

Among those extra responsibilities is helping teenagers such as Jack Robinson and John Flanagan, who have been pressed into action in recent weeks due to Liverpool’s lengthy injury list.

And with Kenny Dalglish’s side having moved to within three points of Tottenham Hotspur, Lucas has not given up hope of a top-five finish.

“With the youngsters that are in the team now, we have to make sure they are as comfortable as they can be,” he said. “They will make mistakes, everyone does, but at the end of the day I think they are doing really well.

“We are delighted because the way they came in when some important players were injured has been brilliant. We are on a good run at the moment and I think they deserve to be playing at the moment.

“We just have to try and finish as high in the table as possible and the way we are playing at the moment I think we deserve to be higher than sixth place where we are at the moment.”

A knee injury to Carroll meant a first outing in more than a month for Maxi Rodriguez. And Lucas believes that the Argentine responded with his first hat-trick for the club underlines the unity and morale of the squad.

“Maxi is an important player for us, he has not played for a few weeks but he showed what he can do,” he added. “It is not just about the goals, but his work-rate too. He always plays for the team and we are all delighted for him.

“The way in which he slotted straight back into the team shows everyone is together and the team is playing with confidence.”

Liverpool Midfielder Will Quit Club To Further Career

FC Copenhagen is ready to offer Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen a way out of his Anfield nightmare, with international manager Morten Olsen claiming the 31-year-old must quit the club if he wants to retain a place for his country.

After being signed by Roy Hodgson for almost £5 million, Poulsen has struggled to impress the Liverpool fans, despite initially being signed as a potential replacement for Argentine Javier Mascherano.

Since arriving at the club, Poulsen has been subject to a change in management with Hodgson leaving for West Brom, and new boss Kenny Dalglish seems uninterested in what the experienced Dane has to offer.

Having started three of Dalglish’s first four games in charge, Poulsen lost his place in the team and has only featured in two Europa League fixtures since.

Poulsen has steadily slipped down the pecking order, finding himself below the likes of Steven Gerrard, Lucas, Jay Spearing, Raul Mereiles and Jonjo Shelvey. As he continues to sit out on most of Liverpool’s affairs, Denmark boss Morton Olsen has warned Poulsen that he could be dropped from the squad if he does not get more regular first-team football.

"I don't know if he is going to get in the Liverpool team during the remainder of this season,” Olson revealed. “If he isn't, he will not be in my squad for the Euro qualifying game against Iceland on June 4.”

Whilst Kenny Dalglish has insisted no player has already had his future decided by the management, Poulsen is likely to be one of the current squad preparing for a move away from Anfield.

After a tumultuous spell at the Merseyside club, Poulsen now looks set to be offered a way out by Superliga champions FC Copenhagen. With Poulsen regarding his international future as being of the utmost importance, a return to his homeland may be the spark required to reignite his international fortunes with the Euro’s edging closer.

However, with Kenny Dalglish refusing to condemn Poulsen to the scrapheap, the Dane's agent Jorn Bonnesen has stated his client will continue to fight for a place in the Liverpool team until his contract is up in two years time.

"Danish football is in no way interesting to Christian this summer," Bonnesen revealed to bold.dk. "That is not in his mindset. Christian is happy in Liverpool and it is both on and off the pitch. He has a contract with the club for two years yet and he will continue playing in order to earn playing time.

"He has been out with a hamstring injury the past few matches. That's why he has not been in the squad.

Liverpool FC Hat-Trick Anfield Ovation Will Live With Maxi Rodriguez Forever

Maxi Rodriguez admits he will never forget the ovation from the Anfield crowd after his “best moment in a Liverpool shirt”.

Maxi netted the first hat-trick of his career for the club with three close-range finished in the 5-0 home romp against Birmingham City on Saturday.

It doubled the total for the season for the Argentine, who was making his first outing in more than a month after being recalled in the absence of the injured Andy Carroll.

Maxi left the field to rapturous applause from the home supporters when substituted for David Ngog a minute from time.

And the midfielder said: “It’s definitely my best moment in a Liverpool shirt.

"I think it’s more special because we scored a lot of goals, it was my first hat-trick for the club and also because I scored it at Anfield in front of our fans.

“I have to say that it was also a great moment when I was substituted in the last minute.

“The whole ground gave me a reception I will never forget and Kenny also said he was very happy with my performance, so I have to be delighted with what was a perfect day for me.”

Maxi’s treble helped Liverpool on their way to a biggest league win since September 2009 while closing the gap on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to just three points.

The Londoners have a game in hand, but have still to visit Anfield and must also travel to title-chasing Chelsea and FA Cup finalists Manchester City in their final five fixtures.

And Maxi added: “It is definitely a great feeling to score a hat-trick but it is not just about me scoring the goals.

“The team played really well and that is the most important thing.

“Tottenham’s draw means we have closed the gap to fifth place and we still have a chance of qualifying for Europe. We will keep fighting right until the end and hopefully we can finish the season in a positive way.”

Carroll failed to overcome the knee injury suffered during the second half of the dramatic 1-1 draw at Arsenal six days earlier.

The 22-year-old now faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s visit of previous club Newcastle United, from whom he was bought by Liverpool in January for a club record £35million.

But Magpies skipper Kevin Nolan is hopeful his former team-mate will be available – so he can give him a boot!

“The big man missed out because of an injury, and he doesn’t know how long he will be out,” said Nolan. “Hopefully, he’ll be back so I can kick him!

“I don’t know if I want him to play or not. I do so I can kick him, but I don’t want to him to play because of the threat he can pose.

“He’s clicking into gear, and he’ll be desperate to play against us. You will see the best of him next year.”

Newcastle haven’t won at Anfield since 1994, but boyhood Liverpool fan Nolan – who could also miss the game with a niggling groin problem – believes Alan Pardew’s side are in the form to repeat their 3-1 win when the teams met at St James’ Park in December.

“Records are there to be broken – we don’t worry about anything like that,” said the midfielder.

“This is a different team to ones that have gone there in the past. There’s no better place to play your football away from home.

“We’ve been brilliant away from home this season, and we’re full of confidence.

“They had a fantastic result and they’re full of confidence, so it’ll make for an entertaining game.”

Redknapp Questions Kuyt Future At Liverpool

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has questioned the Reds future of Dirk Kuyt.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp wrote: "Dirk Kuyt has scored seven goals in his last six Barclays Premier League games and has once again proved his value to Liverpool, but I wonder if he faces a fight to get into Kenny Dalglish's team next season.

"They need width and to sign wide players to supply Andy Carroll, especially, and Luis Suarez next season.

"That could lead to a substitute role for the Dutchman."

John Aldridge: Dirk Kuyt Will Always Do A Great Job For Liverpool FC

Dirk Kuyt still has his critics among Liverpool fans but I disagree with anyone who knocks him. I don’t think he’s got anything to prove.

The Dutchman has had an excellent season. He’s our top scorer with 13 goals and is currently enjoying a rich vein of form.

Kuyt’s work rate is second to none and he took his goal expertly against Birmingham on Saturday. It was a very tidy finish.

Of course we expect Kenny Dalglish to sign wide players this summer and when Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are both fit they will be the first choice strike pairing.

But whatever happens, Kuyt is going to be a very valuable asset next season. He’s shown again recently he can do a great job for the team whether he’s out on the right or up front alongside Suarez.

It’s great for Kenny Dalglish to have someone who is so versatile and offers him different options.

Dalglish - No News On Deal

Kenny Dalglish insists there is still nothing to announce regarding his future as Liverpool manager.

The Scot returned to the Anfield hot-seat in January, answering an SOS call from the club following their decision to remove Roy Hodgson from the role.

A former fans' favourite from his playing days, Dalglish inherited the reins a decade after his previous spell as boss came to an end.

He enjoyed considerable success during his first stint as coach, between 1986 and 1991, and has sprinkled his magic dust on the Reds once more.

Results have improved dramatically since he replaced Hodgson, with there still a chance that Liverpool could secure a top-five finish this season.

The Anfield faithful are hoping Dalglish will be kept on for the foreseeable future, with his current deal only set to run until the end of the season.

It is expected that Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, will offer him an extended stay, but for now no agreement has been put in place.

Dalglish said: "I have nothing to say and nothing to discuss. When we have some news, I will tell you.

"There is nothing to be announced. For me, it is an honour to be here and an honour to have been asked.

"I said if I could come back and help I would do. They asked me and I have come and if I helped and the supporters have enjoyed it, then so have I."

The Liverpool fans showed their support for Dalglish once again during Saturday's rousing 5-0 demolition of Birmingham and the 60-year-old is flattered by their ongoing show of faith.

He said: "It is humbling when they chant my name, but it would be better if they chanted the players' names as they are doing the business on the pitch."

Dirk Kuyt Believes A Few New Signings Will Allow Liverpool To Challenge For Premier League Title

A few more signings this summer will allow Liverpool to challenge for top honours again, according to in-form Dirk Kuyt.

The Dutchman netted Liverpool’s second goal in Saturday’s 5-0 victory of Birmingham City – a win which extended the Reds' unbeaten home record under caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish to eight games.

Since taking the helm at the club after Roy Hodgson’s January departure, Dalglish has rejuvenated performances and introduced a crop of youngsters into the first-team, which Kuyt believes will contribute to a bright future if the Scot is able to strengthen the squad.

"If we can add a few other good players I think we can compete with the best,” said Kuyt.

"It has a bit of the same feeling as 2009 when we were really close and finished second.

"I had the feeling that if we made a few good signings we would be right up there and that is exactly the case now.”

The Anfield squad list was re-written in January when Fernando Torres departed for Chelsea and strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll were bought to fill the void - business which Kuyt believes has been complimented by the impact made by the club’s youngsters as the club looked to the academy to battle a growing injury list.

He added: "With the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll we have two top quality signings but also with the arrival of the young lads who are doing well things are looking much more promising.

"Everyone is speaking about Flanno and Robbo [full-backs John Flanagan and Jack Robinson] but Jay Spearing is also doing well.”

Kuyt’s strike in the victory over Alex McLeish’s men was his seventh goal in six Barclays Premier League outings and the 30-year-old is confident that the strong second half of the season enjoyed by the Reds along with a good group work ethic will bring success to Anfield next season.

"We have already shown in the second half of the season we can beat Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and draw at Arsenal,” said the former Feyenord striker.

"We are close but everyone is thinking we have to move forward and we have to get better.

"Hopefully we have learned from 2009 and if we can move forward we will be there and the way I see it that will happen."

Dalglish And Comolli ‘Outline’ £50m War Chest

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli have outlined up to 22 targets in their pursuit of a Champions League winning squad for next season, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Dalglish has already revealed that despite a great quantity of emerging young talent at Liverpool, investment will need to take place to take the Anfield club in the direction of winning trophies once more.

According to reports, Liverpool is currently looking at purchasing a striker, left-back, a cover at centre back and as many midfield signings as possible, to provide feeders to new Liverpool star strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

With Carroll and Suarez costing a combined total of £58 million, Dalglish reportedly believes he will get at least a £50 million budget to build a super side around the strikers.

And with numerous successful commercial deals taking place at Liverpool recently, including a £25 million a year deal with Warrior for Liverpool kits, as well as a lucrative sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered, speculation is growing that Liverpool will have the money that Dalglish is hoping for.

Dalglish and Comolli’s transfer wishlist includes mostly 18-24 year olds, and both reportedly have chosen Rennes winger Sylvian Marveaux at the top of the pile.

Hammers Linked With Cole Move

West Ham is being linked with a summer swoop for Joe Cole, who could be surplus to requirements at Liverpool.

After just one season for the Reds Liverpool are said to be preparing to part company with Cole after the former Chelsea ace failed to make an impact and has started just eight league games.

The Hammers are being linked with the player as are Spurs as he would apparently prefer a move back to London but it is highly unlikely that either side would be prepared to pay the reported asking price of £10m.

Liverpool are thought to want around that figure for a player who cost them nothing but is thought to earn around £100,000 a week at Anfield, after a largely anonymous season it is unlikely they will get it.

As with all their supposed summer targets West Ham will not be able to finalize any transfer dealings until they know whether they are in the Premier League or not next season.

Liverpool Plan Ambitious £9m Arsenal Star Bid

Liverpool is reportedly planning an ambitious move to sign Arsenal left back Gael Clichy. Contract talks between the French international and the North London club have broken down and with one year left year on his Gunners deal Anfield director of football Damien Comolli is hoping to lure the 25 year old to Merseyside.

The left back area has been something of a problem this season with Paul Konchesky starting the season as first choice before being loaned out to Nottingham Forest after failing to impress. Emiliano Insua is also out on loan and injury to Fabio Aurelio has led to the emergence of teenager Jack Robinson as a player with a great deal of potential, however Kenny Dalglish is still looking for a player to fill the hole.

After eight years at Arsenal Clichy is reportedly considering his future and given that Arsene Wenger has ready made replacements in England international Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore the French boss may be willing to allow the former Cannes man to leave.

Liverpool may find it hard to convince Clichy to move to a club who is unlikely to offer Champions League football for next term but having seen the sharp upturn in fortunes under Dalglish and the fact that the club is under new ownership, seemingly eager to bring in big names, a move to Anfield may tempt the Toulouse born full back.

Liverpool will be looking to strengthen their squad following the big money signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in January and a fee for Clichy would be significantly decreased by the fact that in one year he could leave for nothing.

Cole Linked With Spurs Switch

After just one season, Liverpool are said to be preparing to part company with Joe Cole with Spurs said to be keen.

A summer signing last season, the former Chelsea ace has failed to make an impact at the club and he has started only eight league games this season and a move back to London looks to be on the cards.

Both West Ham and Spurs have been linked, Spurs were said to be in the race to signing him on a free last summer and West ham is where he first made his name in the game.

Liverpool are thought to want around £8-10m for a man who cost them nothing but is thought to earn around £100,000 a week at Anfield, however, after a largely anonymous season, it remains to be seen whether any club would be willing to pay that sort of money.

Liverpool Close To Poaching City’s €18M Mercurial Free Kick Specialist Target

Reports coming from our friends in Italy today suggest that Damien Comolli has joined Roberto Mancini in identifying left winger Juan Manuel Vargas as a potential signing for this Summer. The one time left back is currently plying his trade for Fiorentina and since moving to left wing has garnered some rave reviews.

Mancini must be looking to collect a plethora of left footed players with him already having Adam Johnson and David Silva on the books who can play from the left. Vargas who is also a free kick specialist began life as a left back, but really struggled there and was shifted to the left wing…sound familiar City fans? He has been long linked with Real Madrid so should City decide to move for the player they could face stiff competition.

Vargas began his career playing in his native Peru, before he quickly moved to Argentina where he began to make a name for himself. When he was 23 he moved to Europe to Serie A side Catania, his performances were so good there that the side managed to avoid relegation twice and in 2008 it appeared that he would move to Real Madrid in a big money move. This however never happened and instead he signed for Fiorentina in a deal worth £8million.

After a shaky start where he was deployed at left back, he began to demonstrate his attacking ability as a left winger and he soon became a star performer. The player is noted for being extremely quick and an exciting dribbler, he more or less plays as a third striker at times for his club, and has been described as one of the best crossers of a ball currently playing.

Radio Tuscany and newspaper Libero claim that City was leading the race to sign the player despite facing new competition from both Liverpool and Barcelona. The media outlets suggest that tentative discussions had taken place between Fiorentina and the Manchester club and that a fee of around £17.4million was mooted.

Providing Mancini isn’t considering Vargas as a left back I can see this being an excellent signing. At numerous times this season City have lacked pace down the wings and the Peruvian would definitely supply that. If Edin Dzeko is going to fire next season he needs the right kind of delivery and a crosser of Vargas’ ability would be a great assistance. With Adam Johnson down the right and David Silva and/or Carlos Tevez roaming around I think it is a signing that could really aid the City attacking unit.

The only doubts in my mind are that the player is remarkably similar to Aleksandar Kolarov in some ways and we know how that ended up, if this is a signing to strengthen the side at leftback I can see many City fans getting more frustrated with their Italian manager.

The price of this player (what a surprise) is only set to escalate with the interest of top end clubs. The right price is probably in the region of €13million but if this three way interest is sustained it will be pushing the €20million mark.

Adam Favours Liverpool Over Man Utd, Spurs

Liverpool are launching a bid for Blackpool captain Charlie Adam.

The Daily Star Sunday says Adam, 25, is understood to favour a move to Kenny Dalglish's club in the summer, when he will have only one year left on his contract at Bloomfield Road.

A proposed move to Liverpool collapsed in January, when he was also a target for Tottenham and Aston Villa.

The talented Adam has also been eyed by Everton and has been watched by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Whether Blackpool survive relegation from the Premier League or not, the midfielder will leave in the summer.

Stats The Way For Liverpool

Liverpool Director of football Damien Comolli has highlighted the qualities of potential target Blaise Matuidi.

The Saint Etienne midfielder has been linked with a summer move to Anfield as part of the anticipated wave of summer signings.

Comolli is set to use the aide of statistics to help him decide on which players will make the grade at Liverpool.

"In France, all the figures prove that the player who wins the most possession at the feet of his opponents is Blaise Matuidi," Comolli told the News of the World.

"That is an extraordinary strong point. When the team plays high, it means a goal chance."

Comolli believes his new policy has already paid dividends as it was used to sign Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January and to facilitate the sale of Fernando Torres.

In regards to Suarez, who has become an instant hit at Anfield, his due diligence appears to have been faultless.

"When you find yourself handling three of the biggest transfers in English football history in the last days of the market, precise figures allow you not to do that blind," he added.

"You have to act quickly. For Luis, I asked scouts to make inquiries in Holland. I looked at his stats over the last three years - especially the number of matches played.

"We are going in the right direction of players who don't get injured. We are going to take more and more account of the health of a player in the future. It costs so much having players who don't play.

"With Luis, we took account of the number of decisive passes, his performances against the big teams, against the little ones, in Europe, the difference between his goals scored at home and away."

Rush Takes Reds Into Korea

Liverpool legend Ian Rush today flew into the Korean capital of Seoul to participate in a three-day Standard Chartered and K-League-sponsored youth football clinic.

Accompanied by eight Liverpool coaches, Rush will spend his time in Korea helping to pass on some of his considerable football knowledge to 100 of the country's most gifted young players. Another 100 local children will also receive expert coaching in the 'Liverpool way' during the clinic with many visually impaired youngsters also receiving special guidance from the LFC staff.

For Standard Chartered, who as well as being the main sponsor of Liverpool FC, also sponsor the youth development program of the national K-League, this week is the perfect opportunity to bring the two together for the obvious long-term benefit of the Korean football scene.

This week's clinic in Seoul is the third such venture for Liverpool FC and Standard Chartered since the sponsorship deal began in July 2010. In August last year, Nairobi in Kenya was the setting for the first joint football clinic attended by 200 local children, some from Kibera, one of the poorest slums in Africa. In February, east London was the venue for another highly successful project, with many visually impaired children receiving hours of specialized training from Liverpool's Community Coaches and England greatest ever blind international, David Clarke.

Ian Rush has been present at both football clinics so far and believes that this trip could be the best yet. "I've spent a lot of time in the Far East recently and it still amazes me just how much love there is for Liverpool Football Club over here," he says. "Wherever I go, I meet fans who have grown up supporting the team I played in and have passed that affection down to their children and now they seem just as passionate as their parents. We've only just arrived in Korea but already I've spoken to fans who've told me how pleased they are Liverpool Football Club is coming here in the summer with the first team.

"Hopefully this week with the football clinic, we can actually help try and develop some of the young players from the K-League. If we can improve just one player by even a few per cent then that will be good for the game here.

"In Kenya and London, we saw kids with big smiles on their faces and I'm sure it will be the same in Seoul. Every young boy wants to make it as a professional footballer but as long as they enjoy what we do this week then that will be a success for me. Liverpool Football Club has brought me so much happiness during my career in football and now I'm just delighted to try and share what makes Liverpool Football Club so special with our fans all over the world."

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.