Charlie Adam's Liverpool Dream Could Be Over

Blackpool has activated a clause in Charlie Adam's contract which, in theory, gives him another year at the club.

However, the 25-year-old Scot is still likely to leave the Seasiders after coming close to joining both Liverpool and Spurs in January.

‘I just want to keep playing and obviously the Premier League was the top of the tree and obviously I want to play there but for me the focus now is Sunday (for Scotland),’ said Adam, who is determined not to dwell on the decision.

‘I need to keep performing well, then once Sunday’s out of the way, get a holiday and take things after that, but the important thing for me was that the performance tonight was terrific and hopefully we can move on to Sunday, then the friendly in August.’

Twelve-month options have also been taken up on Ian Evatt and Gary Taylor-Fletcher, while goalkeeper Matt Gilks is among those offered a new deal.

Newcastle Reject Liverpool Approach For Enrique

Liverpool has been rebuffed in their first move for Spanish defender Jose Enrique.

However, his club, Newcastle, is resigned to losing the highly-rated full-back, after he indicated he will not sign a new contract and wants a move from St James' Park.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is a big admirer of Enrique, who has made a huge impression on the Premier League this season.

The Anfield outfit is thought to be prepared to offer in the region of £4million for the 25-year-old, and have made an informal approach for his services.

Newcastle are not interested in doing business at that price, and have made clear to all potential suitors they value the Spaniard in the region of £15m.

But the left-back has just one year left on his contract and is refusing to talk about a new deal. Magpies boss Alan Pardew admits the player has his sights on a move.

Speaking this week, Pardew conceded Enrique may be allowed to leave:

"There’s no point keeping a player who has set his sights on a club he has perceived is bigger," he said. "You can’t keep a player that’s unmotivated.”

The £15m asking price is clearly unrealistic given the amount of time remaining on the deal Enrique signed when he joined Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007.

Liverpool believes £4m is a fair offer, as it would allow the Magpies to recoup most of the fee they paid for the Spain Under-21 international.

Negotiations will now begin in earnest, with Pardew determined to push the fee up as high as possible.

There is a sense of anger at St James' Park, with the suspicion that Enrique has already decided on a move to Anfield.

The player will make clear over the coming weeks that he wants to further his career by moving to a club with genuine Champions League aspirations, and Liverpool clearly fit the bill.

Dalglish has had a left-back high on his list of priorities since returning to the club in January.

He has also kept a close watch on Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre and Maynor Figueroa of Wigan.

Honduras international Izaguirre is aware of the Anfield interest.

Voted player of the year in Scotland this season after a series of outstanding performances, he admitted he would be interested in a move south of the border.

“This is flattering to any player, that Liverpool shows an interest in your services. I still do not know anything - I have left everything in the hands of my agent and club officials,” he said.

Dalglish will try to pursue a deal with Newcastle over Enrique, but it is increasingly obvious he will turn to Izaguirre if the Geordies continue to be unrealistic in their valuation of the Spaniard.

Fee Agreed For Left-Back

According to reports in Correio da Manha, Liverpool has agreed a fee of £25m for Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao.

Kenny Dalglish is set to move for the 23-year old full back who has been linked with a string of high profile clubs across Europe, including Premiership rivals Chelsea and Man City.

Liverpool has made a left back their top priority in the summer and have been linked with Everton's Leighton Baines, Arsenal's Gael Clichy and Newcastle's Jose Enrique.

Izaguirre Flattered By Liverpool

Celtic star Emilio Izaguirre has admitted he is 'flattered' by Liverpool's reported interest in him.

The Honduran left sider had a wonderful maiden campaign in Scotland, and was voted SPL Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Footballer of the Year.

Neil Lennon insists he has no plans to sell, but now a number of English clubs are being strongly linked with a move for the 25-year-old.

Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest with the latter reported to be in pole position.

The Reds are seemingly in the market for a new left-back and, in recent months, have been linked with the likes of Jose Enrique, Fabio Coentrao and Stephen Warnock, as well as Izaguirre.

And the Honduran, who jetted back to his homeland ahead of next month's Gold Cup, admitted he had heard about Liverpool.

"It is flattering for any player of course, when somebody like Liverpool shows an interest in your services," he told La Tribuna.

"I still do now know anything, I leave this in the hands of my agent and club officials."

Izaguirre insisted he was looking forward to playing for Honduras in the Gold Cup.

"I am happy to be back home, it is always good to be back and thank God it comes after a great season.

"Now my aim is the national team and I am happy to be selected, I will have a few days off and then I will be ready for Honduras."

Steven Gerrard Hoping For 'A Few Top Quality Signings' This Summer

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard hopes new signings over the summer will ensure that the team can once again compete at the top of the Premier League.

After failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, the Reds have now been unable to reach the Europa League following their sixth-placed finish this term.

But Gerrard believes his side, who have had a resurgence under the guidance of manager Kenny Dalglish since January and following the additions of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, could become a dominant force again.

"It makes me feel very enthusiastic about next season. If we can maintain the form we've had recently, get our injured players back fit and playing, and bring a few top quality signings through the door, you never know what might happen," Gerrard said, according to The Mirror.

"With the belief we have running through the squad, and with the outstanding players we already have, we know we can approach every game with a great chance of coming out on top."

For now, however, Gerrard remains cautiously optimistic of the club's recent form under Dalglish, insisting that a lot of work still needs to be done.

He added: "When you are playing good football, it gives you confidence to have the bottle to press high up and win the ball back, and that has been the key for us. The danger of course, is becoming complacent.

"We can't believe we are suddenly fantastic, because even though we have improved, there is an awful lot of work ahead if we are to genuinely mix it with the teams at the top. But with top quality signings, who knows what we can do."

Aquilani's Future To Be Decided

Alberto Aquilani's agent believes the Liverpool midfielder's future will be decided next week.

The Italian midfielder has spent this season on loan at Juventus, but the Turin giants failed to exercise their first buy-out option to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis, which expired last weekend.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has admitted he is open to the possibility of Aquilani returning to Anfield next season.

However, Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia, is optimistic a deal will be agreed between Juventus and Liverpool to see the former Roma man return to Italy on a permanent basis.

"The percentage that Aquilani will remain at Juve is above 50 per cent," Zavaglia told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He has three years left on his contract with Liverpool.

"I believe that in a couple of days the two clubs will reach an agreement."

Juve, who have failed to qualify for European football next season after finishing seventh in Serie A, had refused to pay the asking price of £16million demanded by the Reds for the player's permanent signature.

However, Zavaglia is confident an agreement will be reached, adding: "Juve should have paid 16million for the buy-out clause but I don't think there will be any problems regarding the financial aspects.

"I believe within the next week everything will be resolved."

Alonso Explains Reds Exit

Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has lifted the lid on his reasons for leaving Anfield for Real Madrid.

Alonso quit Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 after a difficult final year at Anfield.

The Spaniard's future was the subject of constant speculation 12 months prior to his departure after then Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirmed his interest in bringing Gareth Barry to the club as Alonso's replacement.

The Barry move failed to materialize and Alonso stayed on for the 2008/09 season, but the 29-year-old admits Liverpool's pursuit of Barry made it too uncomfortable for him to stay on Merseyside.

"At the end of that season, speaking to Rafa, he told me the situation and that he wanted to sign other players and I could be one of the replacements," Alonso told Liverpool's official website.

"If an offer would have come, probably I would have been sold. That's when I told myself that the situation had changed - from being a very important player to being one of those who can be sold to get funds to sign other players.

"I accepted it because I am a professional but you have to realize what your situation is. At the end nothing happened because there was no agreement and we started my last season in Liverpool, but knowing what had happened.

"I didn't know what would happen but at the end of the season, knowing what had happened, I felt if another option was to come I needed to take another step in my career.

"It was very difficult to take that decision, but it was probably for the best for me because I was not comfortable with that situation and if I had stayed another season it would have been uncomfortable for me.

"I was really happy with the team and my team-mates and felt that we could do great things. I was happy on that side but within a club you have to see the big picture and another season would have been too much for me.

"As soon as the season finished I talked to the manager. I knew that maybe Madrid were coming and I said if the terms were good then I wanted to leave."

Derby Defeat For Reds Legends

A team of Liverpool legends slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against the Everton Legends at a star-studded charity event at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

Stuart Barlow's first-half goal was enough to give the Blues a victory, despite the Reds dominating possession throughout.

However, with all proceeds raised going towards local charities Radio City's Cash For Kids and the Teenage Cancer Trust, as well as the Everton Former Players Foundation, the result mattered little as the two teams united for good causes.

The Reds legends included some of the most iconic names in the club's illustrious history as the likes of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, John Aldridge, John Barnes, Alan Kennedy and Phil Neal turned back the clock to don the famous jersey and do battle with the old enemy once more under the tutelage of gaffer for the night Jan Molby.

They were joined by boxing brothers the Smiths, MP Steve Rotheram and Peter Hooton.

Howard Kendall was the man tasked with managing the Blues, who had ex-Toffees stars such as Barlow, Graham Stuart, Iain Jenkins, Joe Royle, Steve Simonsen and Joe Parkinson, who were supplemented by politician Andy Burnham and former Barcelona star Eusabio Sacristan.

There was certainly a slow-paced opening to the contest, but the passion emanating from Goodison's Main Stand was typically fervent for derby day.

Everton had the first opportunity, with Michael Thomas's mis-control of a long ball forward allowing Graham Stuart a clear run on goal, but goalkeeper Eric Nixon was able to repel at close quarters.

They didn't have to wait long for the opener, however, with Stuart Barlow converting having bamboozled his way past Thomas inside the box.

Liverpool almost fired an instant riposte, but Aldridge headed Jason McAteer's centre straight into the hands of Simonsen.

The visitors were bossing possession, and after John Durnin saw a strong penalty appeal waved away, Rush should have perhaps done better when sent into space inside the box, but his cross was too high for Fowler and Aldridge in the centre.

Aldridge then struck straight at Simonsen and McAteer lashed wildly over as Liverpool threatened an equalizer - though they should have been punished when Stuart somehow contrived to sky wildly over when unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.

Bury striker and LFC TV regular Ryan Lowe was introduced as a half-time substitute for the Reds as they endeavoured to turn possession into goals, but Barlow should have doubled Everton's advantage when he went clear on Nixon's goal from Iron's ball over the top only to clip wide.

But Lowe thought he had claimed the goal he has dreamed about since childhood when he met McAteer's cross with a powerful downward header from yards out, only to see the sprawling Simonsen turn it around the base of the post.

It was Durnin's turn to go close next, though his strike was blocked after he'd successfully swapped passes with boxer Callum Smith, before Simonsen denied Lowe again moments later.

With time ticking away, Fowler's turn and shot from the edge of box almost resulted in a leveller but the ball shaved the outside of the upright and Everton were able to clinch the win.

Liverpool FC Appoint Ex-Barcelona Coach As Reserves Manager

Liverpool have announced that Rodolfo Borrell has taken charge of the club's reserve team.

Borrell guided the Reds' under-18 side to a second-place finish in the Premier Academy League this season, with John Flanagan and Jack Robinson both graduating to the first team ranks during the final third, and will move up with many of the players to the second string.

The move comes as part of a reshuffling of personnel at Liverpool's centre of excellence in Kirkby and has put paid to plans by Barcelona to lure back Borrell as he was credited with developing several talents such as Lionel Messi during his time at the La Masia academy.

As revealed by Click Liverpool last month, the Champions League finalists were hopeful of securing the Spaniard's return had he been unsuccessful in graduating to the role.

Borrell succeeds fellow Barca cohort Pep Segura, who had taken the reins temporarily following the departure of John McMahon in March, whilst former Liverpool midfielder Mike Marsh will coach the under-18s side after a successful spell with the under-16s.

Technical director Segura and Academy director Frank McParland will now oversee matters at both youth and reserve team level.

Damien Comolli, Liverpool's director of football, believes that the moves reflect the continued growth of the club's home-grown players since the Academy's overhaul in summer 2009.

He said: "Real progress has been made this season and this has been reflected in the recognition given to our young Academy players - both at senior level within the club and also on the international football stage.

"But we have put a considerable amount of time and effort into thinking about what we need going forward and these changes reflect our desire to constantly improve the way we work.

"Stability is a key part of this process and the quality of the people already working at the Academy has been reflected in the number of internal promotions we have made.

"We've considered both the technical development of the boys at Kirkby and the way our scouting of youngsters in the first place fits into the club's overall recruitment policy."

Liverpool and Arsenal Battle For England Winger

Liverpool and Arsenal are leading the race to sign Stewart Downing, according to the Daily Mail.

The England winger, recently called into Fabio Captello's squad for the European Championship qualifier against Switzerland, has had a good season for Villa despite the teams' difficult term under Gerard Houllier.

And with Liverpool and Arsenal looking to build upon contrasting seasons, Downing is seen as the beginning of their transfer dealings this summer.

Kenny Dalglish has put a winger at the top of his transfer wish list for Liverpool this summer, while Arsene Wenger may have to look for a replacement for Andrey Arshavin.

Arsenal had their title challenge derailed by Liverpool after Dirk Kuyt's late penalty salvaged a draw for Dalglish's men, who have undergone something of a revival since Roy Hodgson's departure half-way through the season.

Liverpool Mull Over Move For Emilio Izaguirre

Liverpool are considering a move for Celtic’s impressive left-back Emilio Izaguirre but Bhoys boss Neil Lennon is determined to keep the Honduras international.

Izaguirre was named the Scottish Premier Leagues players’ player of the year after a fine debut season, and Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is believed to be weighing up a bid for the 25-year-old.

Newcastle’s Jose Enrique is another Anfield target, but Dalglish may see the Celtic full-back as the easier alternative, as Toon manager Alan Pardew continues to dig his heels in over Enrique.

Lennon though is not less bullish in his approach to hanging on to his star players, and has previously issued words of warning for any clubs interested in Izaguirre or team-mate Beram Kayal.

‘With these guys, even in the summer, the timing might not be right to sell,’ insisted the Northern Irishman.

‘We’re building a team here and it might be difficult to replace these players.

'I would be surprised if we need to sell in the summer. I haven't sat down with Peter (Lawwell) or anyone from the board on that aspect of things - but any offers that do come in will be treated with hostility.’

Liverpool To Step Up Pursuit Of Dutch Wing Ace

Frank Arnesen's first task this summer will be to try to keep Eljero Elia from Liverpool's clutches - as the Hamburg winger is back on their radar.

Arnesen left Chelsea to take up a consultancy role with the Bundesliga side this summer and he is keen on taking a few Blues youngsters with him to Germany.

But it has now emerged that Elia, the tricky Dutch forward, has caught the eye of Kenny Dalglish, who is keen to add some width to his Liverpool midfield.

Stewart Downing and Ashley Young are also targets but the latter appears to be heading to Manchester United while Aston Villa is unlikely to let both wide men go.

Liverpool failed in their bid to land Elia in January as they first proposed a loan with a view to buy option, something that Hamburg were not prepared to do.

But Dalglish is now preparing a summer move for Elia and is ready to make a cash offer. The 24-year-old starred for Holland at last summer's World Cup and Liverpool have monitored him since then and now Arnesen will have to work hard to persuade him to remain in Germany.

Elia moved to Hamburg in 2009 and talkSPORT has learned he would welcome a move to Liverpool.

Aguero Puts Liverpool And City On Alert

Liverpool and Manchester City target Sergio Aguero has publicly stated his desire to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.

The Argentina striker posted a statement on his website saying he felt he needed a move to continue his development.

"I said long ago that when I wanted to go, I would say so publicly. And the time has come," the statement said.

"So I keep to my word and here I am. I find it hard to leave Atletico. It hurts and saddens me. I've thought long and hard and I am convinced that I must be true to myself.

"I do not think I put a ceiling on the ability to keep learning, to keep growing. After five intense years, this stage for me personally is over and I have to give way to a new one.

"I'm about to turn 23 and I have everything before me. Suffice it to say that this is not an economic issue but strictly a sporting one.

"So I want to clearly express my appreciation to the club for the efforts they have made for giving me a salary that equates with the largest clubs in the world."

Aguero, 22, has scored over 100 goals for Atletico since joining from Independiente as a teenager in 2006.

As recently as January, he signed a new contract that runs until 2014 and was also named the club's vice-captain.

However, Aguero said that he signed the new deal with an understanding that he may leave this summer, merely wanting to ensure Atletico received a larger fee.

"I want to say also that this decision has been maturing for some time," he added.

"The issue was discussed and agreed with Atletico last year when I was renewing my contract.

"I wanted to sign as a way to give back to the club for all the support they have given me. Had I not done so, they might not have received any more for my transfer. I received then a promise that the club would not stand in my way if I wanted to leave this summer.

"Therefore, in line with that commitment and my decision, I have asked them to listen to any offers they receive for me from different clubs."

Atletico suffered a disappointing season as they finished seventh in La Liga, although that has been good enough to earn them a Europa League berth.

Nevertheless, speculation over Aguero's future has been rife in recent days with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool and Manchester City being linked with the son-in-law of Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

Only last week, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin insisted Aguero was not for sale.

Steven Gerrard Has No Intention Of Altering Playing Style

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is determined not to allow the fear of injury change his style next season.

The England midfielder has been out since March after an operation on a groin problem with which he had been struggling for most of the season.

But although he turns 31 next Monday, Gerrard has no plans yet to adapt his all-action game in order to make things easier on his body.

"Maybe one day but not now. I'm not at that stage yet," he said.

"I want to come back as the player I've always been and perform to the levels that I've reached before.

"After the operation I feel in the best shape I've been in for two or three years.

"I'm stronger, I'm lighter and I've got a lot more confidence about my body generally. Changing isn't on the agenda."

Even though he remains the team's talisman Gerrard feels he still has to work hard to justify his place in the team.

"Everyone will need to prove themselves and I am no different," he told LFC Weekly.

"At Liverpool, you're always proving yourself - it never stops because it's the Liverpool way. It's the manager's decision [who to pick].

"All I can do at the moment is get my rehab done and come back with my body right, hungry, rested up and ready to go.

"The challenge is for the other players to keep me out of the team - I'm all for the challenge."

Aurelio Vows To Put The Hours In

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio has vowed to put in the hours this summer to ensure he spends more time on the pitch than off it next season.

While the squad is due back for pre-season training in early July, Aurelio plans to return to work much earlier to get his fitness levels up.

The 31-year-old has struggled with injuries during his five-year stay at Anfield and was released by Rafael Benitez at the end of his contract last summer before Roy Hodgson decided to bring him back at the start of the season.

It was a decision which did not pay off as the defender managed only 21 matches in another season disrupted by injuries.

However, Aurelio hopes that the extra work he will do over the summer - he is remaining on Merseyside as his wife is expecting a baby next month - and a full pre-season program, he help him in the final year of his contract.

"I expected to be more available once again but it was good to finish with a 90-minute game (at Aston Villa on Sunday)," he said.

"That will bring my confidence up to work hard in the summer and be well prepared in pre-season so next season will be better.

"I have to prepare myself better than the normal work they give to the whole squad.

"I will do something more and as my wife is due to have a baby it will be a good time to prepare myself, using the Liverpool facilities and looking forward to the summer and pre-season.

"My hope is to be available more than I was this season and if I can do that I will have a chance to have more minutes."

Kenny Dalglish is likely to want a new left-back this summer after being forced to use Glen Johnson in that position for much of his time in charge, but Aurelio is not worried by any potential extra competition.

"It is always good that the club tries to keep the squad as strong as possible and it (the prospect of new signings) is welcome for the good of the team," he added.

"My worries are in myself in being fit and available because I believe I have the ability to fight for a place in the team."

The absence of European competition for the first time in 11 years will be of help in some respects as Liverpool will play fewer than the 54 fixtures they had this season.

And with Dalglish set for his first full year back in control, the prospects are much better than they were 12 months ago.

"It was a disappointing end to the season to finish with two defeats (against Tottenham and Aston Villa)," said Aurelio.

"But looking back to the position we were in when Kenny took over (12th) I think the team has improved and had a good campaign, even though it is not the one everyone expected.

"The hopes will be higher for next season and I think everyone is looking forward to it.

"We can put our strength and concentration on the league."

Liverpool FC’s Hopes Of Selling Alberto Aquliani To Juventus Fade After Italians Sign Andrea Pirlo

Liverpool's hope of offloading Alberto Aquilani to Juventus look to have been scuppered by the Italian side’s signing of Andrea Pirlo.

After a disappointing first season in the Premier League following his £17million switch from Roma in 2009, Aquilani was jettisoned from Anfield by former boss Roy Hodgson who sent him back to his homeland to join Juventus in a season-long loan deal.

The previously injury-plagued 26-year-old became a regular for Juve last season, playing 33 times and scoring twice.

As part of the agreement, Juventus had an option to sign Aquilani once his temporary spell was up but they are unwilling to pay the set price and have been unable to haggle the Reds down to a lower offer.

With the situation still at stalemate, Juve, who like Liverpool, have missed out on European qualification for next season, have swooped to sign veteran Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 32, who last night passed a medical to end his 10-year association with Serie A rivals Milan.

A Juve statement read: “Andrea Pirlo is officially a Juventus player. The signed contract will run from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2014.”

Pirlo has been one of Milan’s most consistent performers for the past decade, helping them win two Champions League titles and he also won the World Cup in 2006.

However, he struggled with injuries and form this season and made just 12 Serie A starts as Milan won the title.

Pirlo’s arrival is likely to move down any potential pursuit of Aquilani down Juve’s list of priorities and with the team under new management next term their interest could cool completely.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has already admitted that Aquilani could be forced to return to Anfield later this summer.

He said: “There’s a distinct possibility he could be back here. He’s a quality player.

“He got off to a bad start here with his injuries and never really got going after missing pre-season.

“He went out on loan and has done very well over there. If he was to come back here, for me that would be like a new face coming in.”

Match Report: Aston Villa 1 - 0 Liverpool

Aston Villa duo Stewart Downing and Ashley Young have been on Liverpool's radar for some time and manager Kenny Dalglish witnessed first-hand their qualities as his side slipped to the defeat which ended their Europa League hopes.

Liverpool rarely troubled their hosts on an afternoon when Villa's two wingers provided the main attacking thrust.

Downing produced the one moment of quality with a deft touch and brilliant finish to decide the match in the first half as Dalglish's players appeared to run out of steam after a season which for some of them began in July in the Europa League.

It means Liverpool have failed to qualify for Europe for the first time since 1999, although many will see that as a blessing as it will give Dalglish a chance to concentrate on strengthening his squad and making a challenge to get back in the Champions League next season.

Dalglish appeared to already have one eye on the future by naming a bench which, the 31-year-old Christian Poulsen apart, had an average age of just over 19.

He also gave Joe Cole a chance to impress with his first start for two months but the England international failed to take it and he faces an uncertain future after just one season at Anfield in which he has failed to deliver.

Injured Reds captain Steven Gerrard was sat among the travelling supporters but he will have been less than impressed by a first half which was almost entirely devoid of quality or incident.

In fact, Downing's 33rd-minute goal aside it was difficult to single out anything else worthy of a mention.

Virtually substitute Marc Albrighton's first involvement having replaced Fabian Delph was to provide the right-wing cross which sailed over the defence to the unmarked Downing who took a touch before smashing a narrow-angle shot past Jose Reina via the underside of the crossbar.

Either side of that the story of the half was of niggling fouls, injuries and scrappy play.

Liverpool lost Jay Spearing barely 10 minutes into the game having been fouled moments earlier by Nigel Reo-Coker, who was booked, and was replaced by Jonjo Shelvey.

Jamie Carragher temporarily had to leave the field to have stitches in a head wound after a clash with Lucas Leiva, who came closest to scoring for the Reds with a shot from a Raul Meireles corner cleared off the line by Ashley Young.

Cole had a chance to atone for an anonymous opening 45 minutes when Lucas' lofted ball picked him out in the penalty area but he ballooned a shot well over.

The England international's disappointing afternoon was eventually ended in the 67th minute when he was replaced by David Ngog.

Just prior to that Raul Meireles should have done better when Luis Suarez's cut-back took out the sliding Kyle Walker and James Collins but former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel clawed out his shot.

Collins, substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor and Stiliyan Petrov all had chances to put the result beyond doubt as the hosts finished the stronger, with only Fabio Aurelio and Luis Suarez coming anywhere close for Liverpool.

Ashley Young's withdrawal minutes from the end saw the player, entering the last year of his contract, applaud all four sides of the ground in what looked like a farewell.

But even the prospect of losing one of their major stars could not dampen the delight of the home crowd, who could not decide whether they were happier at a first Villa Park win over the Reds since February 1998 or the demise of city rivals Birmingham.

Meanwhile Dalglish, heading into his first summer transfer window, has plenty to ponder after back-to-back defeats to end the season.

Big decisions need to be taken on some big names as he looks to revitalise his playing staff.

He may well have seen the future at Villa Park.

Reds Boss Wants A Return To The Good Old Days

Kenny Dalglish doesn’t go along, totally, with the view of Jamie Carragher that missing out on a Europa League place could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

As a player, the former European Cup hero lived for those famous European nights at Anfield, and on the continent. Nothing’s changed now he’s the gaffer.

All of which is another reason why he wants to take Liverpool to new heights next season after steadying a ship which was drifting along relative aimlessly.

Despite losing the last two games, the Liverpool boss is full of praise for the players he inherited and who have bought into his and his coaching staff’s philosophy.

"They deserve a holiday. Some are more unfortunate than others in that they have to play in the Copa America (Brazil's Lucas Leiva, Uruguay's Luis Suarez) in July but we just need to get on with it and push forward," he added.

"I hope they enjoy their break because they deserve it. I've been relatively happy but, at the same time, it is not a football club that has built its history and tradition on losing matches.

"We don't want that to become a habit but I am really proud of the players by what they tried to achieve and how they turned it around."

Liverpool Join Tottenham In Race To Sign Brad Friedel

Brad Friedel has been offered the opportunity to re-sign for Liverpool this summer after Kenny Dalglish joined Tottenham Hotspur in the chase for the veteran American goalkeeper.

The 40-year-old is out of contract at Aston Villa and talks over an extension at Villa Park are on hold due to the uncertainty over the manager Gérard Houllier's future. That has alerted several Premier League rivals to the prospect of an astute free transfer and it is understood Liverpool and Spurs have emerged as front-runners for his services.

Friedel joined Liverpool from Columbus Crew in 1997 but made only 25 league appearances for the Anfield side over three years before moving to Blackburn Rovers, where he established himself as one of the finest keepers in the Premier League. However, a return to Merseyside would only be as back-up to José Reina, with the Spain international having recently ended doubts over his long-term future at Liverpool, and the prospect of more regular first-team football at White Hart Lane in place of the erratic Heurelho Gomes could work in Harry Redknapp's favour.

West Bromwich Albion are also interested in the former USA international while Villa have not given up hope of convincing him to extend his successful three-year stint in the Midlands. Speaking before the final game of the season on Sunday, a 1-0 win over Liverpool secured by Stewart Downing – another Dalglish target – Friedel said: "The contract talks at this moment have been put on hold because of Mr. Houllier's health and also the ongoing court case with Martin O'Neill.

"Myself and my advisors wanted to get to safety first and foremost before we started diving into things of that nature. I still feel very good, I still think I've got a year or two left in the legs and we'll see what happens. I've enjoyed every minute of my three years here, so we'll just have to see what the future brings."

Roy Hodgson, the Albion manager, could decide to turn his attention to Preston's Andy Lonergan, who impressed in the Championship last season and has also been on Birmingham City's radar.

Liverpool And United Favourites To Land £10m Set-Piece Wizard

Liverpool and Manchester United are favourites to land Blackpool's Charlie Adam, according to bookmakers William Hill.

The Scottish midfielder was relegated with the Tangerines after defeat to United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

But after Adam scored a stunning free-kick at the Stretford End and following Sir Alex Ferguson's comments earlier in the season that Adam's corners alone were worth £10 million, United have jumped to the front of the queue, along with long-time admirers Liverpool.

After the club made a bid for the midfielder during the January transfer window, Liverpool have been watching Adam intently, and are expected to go back in for the 25-year-old this summer as they search for a left sided player to supply Andy Carroll.

In addition to Adam, who is expected to leave Bloomfield Road for £10 million, Liverpool and United are after Ashley Young, who is believed to be leaving Aston Villa this season.