Dalglish and Redknapp Set To Battle For £7m-Rated Scottish Starlet

Liverpool and Tottenham are both reportedly keeping tabs on Celtic's highly-rated youngster James Forrest.

The 19-year-old winger was given his chance in the first-team towards the end of the 2009/10 season when Neil Lennon was in charge on a temporary basis. He became an important member of the team last season under Lennon's guidance and is entering his second full-season as a first-team regular.

Forrest's progress last year was remarkable and he has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in British football.

And according to Fanatix.com, his sharp rise has not gone unnoticed with Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham both monitoring his situation at Celtic.

Celtic has already reportedly rejected an approach from the Merseyside club for Paddy McCourt and the Scottish giants are thought to be bracing themselves for another attempt by Liverpool for Forrest.

The Hoops will be even more unwilling to lose the Scotland international given his age and potential but Anfield manager Kenny Dalglish is reportedly prepared to test their resolve by tabling a £7m offer.

The move will be supported by Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group whose transfer policy is heavily based on recruiting younger, British players.

Tottenham Eye Ambitous Swoop For Liverpool Trio

Tottenham will make an ambitious attempt to land three Liverpool players if - or when - they decide to cash in on Luka Modric.

Manager Harry Redknapp is already looking to a future without the Croatian and will use the funds of his projected £35m sale to Chelsea to strengthen his squad and he hopes to do that with the signings of Joe Cole, Lucas Leiva and Dirk Kuyt.

The former West Ham boss has expressed his desire to work with Cole again having brought him through the ranks at Upton Park. Despite the England international's travails since moving to Merseyside 12 months ago, Redknapp still feels the 29-year-old has plenty to offer and the player himself would jump at the chance to link up with his mentor.

Dirk Kuyt is a surprise target given that he is already 31 years old yet his inexhaustible engine and eye for goal have seen him emerge as one of the most consistent performers for Liverpool - and in the Premier League generally - over the past couple of seasons. With first team opportunities diminishing with a change of formation at Anfield, the arrival of Jordan Henderson on the right flank and Kenny Dalglish's preference to field Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in tandem up front, Kuyt could be persuaded to move to north London.

Lucas could prove the trickier to extricate from his employers after finally getting to grips with English football last season. One of the Reds' more dependable player last campaign, the 24-year-old Brazil international has carved a niche for himself at the base of midfield and Redknapp would like him to reprise that role at White Hart Lane especially with Wilson Palacios bound for Stoke and Sandro injured.

Having spent a considerable sum on players in recent months, Liverpool could be tempted to sell - especially given their bloated midfield - though they are likely to demand more than the £25m that Spurs will offer.

Pacheco Poised To Join Rayo

Liverpool youngster Dani Pacheco looks poised to join Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano on a season-long loan.

A source close to the Primera Liga outfit claim a deal is almost done and that the promising forward will return to his homeland on a deal that will run until June 2012.

It is claimed that the 20-year-old will arrive in Madrid for a medical on Monday and to complete the relevant paperwork.

A number of clubs are reported to have contacted Liverpool this summer regarding a possible transfer, with permanent and short-term agreements discussed.

Pacheco, though, has had the final say in where he ends up, with it important for him to get games.

He believes he will get the opportunities he craves at Rayo Vallecano and considers them to be the best choice for his career.

The youngster revealed back in July that he was prepared to leave Liverpool in order to find regular football.

He hinted that a return to Spain would be his preferred choice, and it appears as though he may be about to get his wish.

Pacheco said at the time: "Above all, I want to play and if I have to leave to do that then there will be no problem.

"Some day I would like to return home. If it happens, it happens."

Pacheco took in a loan spell at Norwich last season, scoring two goals in six appearances as the Canaries secured promotion out of the Championship.

El Zhar Leaves Liverpool To Make Spain Move

Levante is set to snap up Liverpool flop Nabil El Zhar after he was released from his contract at Anfield.

The Moroccan winger was touted as a potential star of the future when he arrived from Saint Etienne five years ago but he has failed to establish himself on Merseyside.

And having made just 32 appearances for Liverpool, he has now reached an agreement with the club to terminate his current deal.

The writing was on the wall for the 24-year-old when he sent out on loan to PAOK but started just 13 games for the Greek club.

But now La Liga side Levante is ready to offer him a chance in Spanish football and are expected to complete a deal to sign him in the next few days.

Kenny Dalglish Warns Arsenal Trip Won’t Be Easy

Kenny Dalglish insists Liverpool's task hasn't been made any easier by Arsenal's mounting problems ahead of tomorrow's clash at the Emirates Stadium.

The Reds will face a depleted Gunners line up as they go in search of their first away win over Arsene Wenger's side since February 2000.

Arsenal has been rocked by the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri is set to join Manchester City.

To add to Wenger's woes Gervinho and Alex Song are suspended, while Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou and Jack Wilshere are all struggling with injuries.

However, Dalglish has urged his players to forget about the Gunners and focus on themselves.

“It's not going to make it any easier for us that they've lost Fabregas and that Nasri might not be playing,” the Reds boss said.

“They've got a couple of suspensions but it's still going to be a difficult game for us.

“Arsenal have been most football fans' second team as they're very entertaining to watch.

“They're still a team I have the greatest respect for. We'll go there with the same feelings that we had last season - that it's going to be a really difficult game.

“I don't know how they're going to react but it's about what we do. We can control what we do and hopefully we can make it as difficult for them as they will for us.”

The Reds will take heart from their last trip to the Emirates back in April when Dirk Kuyt's 102 nd minute spot-kick earned them a hard-fought point.

“That was a great result for us,” Dalglish said.

“We had young Flanno (Jon Flanagan) at right-back and then Fabio Aurelio went off early on and Robbo (Jack Robinson) came on at 17 years of age to play against Theo Walcott, an England international, and did fantastically well.

“We battled hard throughout the game, competed really well and we got what we deserved from it.”

Dalglish will be looking for a repeat display from Jose Enrique after the left-back's impressive debut in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland. The manager is delighted to have the classy Spaniard on board.

“He's a good player, he's got experience in the Premier League and he's settled into the way of life in England so that's helpful,” he said.

“His English is good, it's better than mine and his football is better than mine as well, so we're quite happy with the signing of Jose.

“It's a position we had to strengthen. Young Jack Robinson has got fantastic potential, but we have to responsible with him. He's 17 and to throw him in and expect him to play a full season would have been wrong but he'll be there or thereabouts.”

Glen Johnson (hamstring) remains doubtful but Dalglish has no other fresh injury concerns. Martin Skrtel has returned to full training following a calf problem and is available for selection.

Jose Enrique Backed By Allardyce

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has been backed to thrive for his new club when the Reds face Arsenal on Saturday by his former Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce after proving his doubters wrong.

As the Spanish left-back prepares to head to the Emirates for the biggest Premier League game of the weekend, he was given a ringing endorsement by Allardyce, who brought him to English football four years ago during his reign as Newcastle manager.

There were concerns over the 25-year-old’s aptitude for English football as he initially struggled to impress on Tyneside but West Ham United manager Allardyce is adamant he will prove to be a big hit with the Merseyside club.

“When a player moves to a club of Liverpool’s stature it is a great for him but it is also a move that Liverpool will benefit from greatly,” Allardyce told Goal.com.

“I am very pleased that he has proved my judgement to be right because from the very start I had faith in his ability to make it in the Premier League.

“Jose has an excellent temperament, a great work ethic and on top of that he is a first-class defender. Not many wingers have got the better of him since he found his feet in England and on top of that he is a real threat going forward as Andy Carroll will testify from his own days at Newcastle.

“There will be another adjustment period but Newcastle is a big club in its own right because let’s not forget they attract crowds of 50,000 for most home games and the demands are great from the supporters that follow that great club.

“It is the same at Liverpool. He will feel relatively comfortable in that atmosphere but Liverpool being what they are there will be even greater demands on him now and everybody will be looking at him to see if he can take the step up to the next level, but I have every confidence in his ability to do so even on the biggest occasions such as the Arsenal game. Massive matches like Arsenal are the reason he moved to Liverpool and I bet he can't wait."

Valencia-born Jose Enrique joined Liverpool in a quest for the European football that had proved elusive at St James’ Park and his £6 million move to Liverpool has vindicated Allardyce’s judgement in a player brought to England for £6.5m.

“It is nice to see a player that we brought in from Villarreal do so well and really kick on but then again he came from one of the top clubs in Spain so we always knew he would do well,” Allardyce added.

“But he had to be given time. When he came to Newcastle it was like it is for every foreign player and it is even more difficult for young foreign players to adjust immediately to life overseas and conclusions are drawn very quickly by everybody.

“You have to try to protect them from that because people can almost start writing them off before they have even started. As time has gone and Jose has got used to the change in culture and the change of environment he has grown as a footballer and as an individual and has gone on to show what a talented player he really is.

“Of course as you have seen in the last two or three seasons, he has really excelled at Newcastle and that has sparked the interest of one of the biggest four or five clubs in England."

Learn To Play The Liverpool Way

School may still be out for most youngsters across the country but for a very special bunch of boys and girls, Liverpool FC has made sure their summer holidays are kept busy.

The Reds have joined forces with main club sponsor Standard Chartered to run two free soccer camps at the 'Goals' Soccer Centre in Speke for the local community.

This week has been the turn of local disabled children from across the city, who have all had the chance to learn football the 'Liverpool Way'.

Meanwhile, the Reds' 'Ability Counts' team, fresh back from their successful trip to Switzerland as part of the European Disabled Tournament, has also been training at the camp.

The next camp, running August 22-26, will be for all kids across the local community with everyone welcome to sign up.

LFC Community Coach, Scott Fowler said: "These types of camps are in many ways the highlights of our year.

"We really look forward to it and it never lets us down.

"It's a great experience for the coaches and for the kids involved."

34 Goal Starlets Set For Opener

In our latest column from the Academy, U18 coach Mike Marsh looks ahead to Saturday's league opener against Cardiff City.

The big kick off is almost upon us and everyone involved in the U18 set up can't wait to get started.

We feel we have made some good strides in the past few weeks and our final pre-season encounter against Watford last weekend gave us a better idea of where we are as a side.

Everyone has got a lot of minutes under their belts and shown what they can offer us this year. We've played eight games, which may seem like a lot, but I felt we needed that many because of the number of players we have. There are 20-plus lads in the squad and they are all now raring to go so we should be ready to get off to a good start.

A lot has been made of the fact we have netted 34 goals in that time but in our earlier matches we were playing against sides that were probably below the level we are normally used to.

As we got towards the end of the pre-season program we didn't trouble the scoresheet as often because the quality of opposition was higher. We only managed one at Middlesbrough and then we failed to fire against Watford. That's not to say we shouldn't have scored more in those two matches because I felt we should have.

But overall, I feel we are heading in the right direction and it was nice to score goals whilst keeping clean sheets too.

It's no secret that we've got an array of attacking talent in our side but we've also worked hard at the back. We've done work on our defensive shape every week and I think it has paid dividends in our last couple of matches.

It sets us up nicely for our first league game of the new season against Cardiff City on Saturday morning. We are confident we are ready for the challenge and I'm certain we won't be found wanting in terms of our fitness levels.

If I'm honest I don't know too much about the Bluebirds but I'm sure they'll be a strong, physical side and it's our job to be ready for them.

I've had a starting XI in mind for the past month or so. I've been 80 per cent certain of who would play. Obviously performances of certain individuals in that time means one or two players have come to the fore whilst others may have drifted out.

We are almost there though and it'll just be a case of finalizing things between now and the big kick off. We can't wait.

Six Players Linked With Liverpool Exodus

Liverpool look set to lose David Ngog to Bolton, with Kenny Dalglish keen to trim the club by at least six players over the next two weeks, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

Ngog has long been the subject of exit talks, and Bolton are said to be readying a £4 million bid for the young striker.

And the Frenchman isn’t the only one to be set to exit Liverpool over the next few weeks, with Dalglish also looking to bring some money in from Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Emiliano Insua, Phillipp Degan and Alberto Aquilani.

Liverpool is reportedly hoping to sign a centre-back this summer, and have targeted Gary Cahill. But before Dalglish hands the Bolton defender a contract, he wants to let go of any players who don’t figure in Liverpool’s plans for the next season.

Talks for Ngog are said to have been taking place for over two weeks now, and Liverpool are hoping to seal the deal and get some money back into the bank.

While in January, Dalglish’s purchases were offset by the record £50 million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, Liverpool are yet to make any big money sales this summer and have spent well over £50 million on five new signings.

Liverpool Keeping Tabs On £9.5m Rated England Forward Starlet

Liverpool and Stoke City will both be on red alert after the latest comments coming out of Selhurst Park with regards to the future of Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha.

The 18-year-old first came onto the scene at Selhurst Park last season and was voted Young Player of the Year for 2011 by Crystal Place fans.

Zara's performances haven't gone unnoticed and the Ivory Coast born forward has represented England at youth level.

A number of Premier League clubs have been keeping tabs on the Zara with Liverpool and Stoke keen to acquire his services.

Kop boss Kenny Dalglish has been one of the busiest Premiership managers during the summer transfer window and is still looking to add to his squad.

It is believed both Dalglish and Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli are keen admirers of Zara and see him as a player for the future.

Last season Zara made 43 appearances for the Championship club in all competitions and scored just one goal whilst providing five assists. So far this term he has played in all three games and provided two assists.

Pulis Warns Liverpool Off Shawcross

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has told Liverpool to forget about signing Ryan Shawcross, insisting the club have "got no need to sell" their star defender.

Following the arrivals of England internationals Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate, rumours of Shawcross potentially heading for the exit door have circulated. Liverpool are expected to launch a bid imminently for the 22-year-old, though should they come in for the central defender their advances are likely to be repelled by a determined Pulis.

"We have got no need to sell Ryan," he told the Daily Mail. "We want to spend money if we can. I think the chairman and the board have made it quite clear that their intentions are to try to improve the squad this year.

"We are very pleased with the defenders we've got, now we have to improve our midfield and forward line."

Shawcross's head may have been turned by Liverpool's reported interest - not that Pulis is at all worried by the Reds' expected big-money offer. He told the Daily Star: "I haven't had to tell him to keep a clear mind. I think the fact that we have brought Matty and Woody to the club would have cleared his mind in loads of respects. With regards to Liverpool, I am sure Kenny Dalglish would have rung me if there was anything on that front."

The Potters are preparing for Thursday's Europa League clash with Swiss outfit FC Thun and, with the game set to take place on a plastic pitch, Shawcross and Woodgate are unlikely to be risked - paving the way for Upson to step in and make his Stoke debut.

Maxi Encouraged By Depth Of Liverpool Squad

Maxi Rodriguez insists he is pleased by the signings Liverpool have made this summer - even though the task of securing a first-team place has grown tougher as a consequence.

Over the last few months Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has recruited Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique, all of whom made their debuts for the club in Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland at Anfield.

Rodriguez - scorer of seven goals, including two hat-tricks, for Liverpool towards the end of last season - was not included in the squad and looks set to face a battle to be selected.

But the Argentina international told the Liverpool Echo: ''Healthy competition is always good. Competition for places is always a positive thing for the club and I think it's great that the signings who have arrived are of such high quality with a great level of skills and technique.

''It means the manager has to decide what he thinks is his best 11 but that is something he will decide and we will all be hoping we are in it.

''It's always nice to welcome new faces to the club and you always go out of your way to make them feel as comfortable as possible. They are settling in well.''

Liverpool are attempting to break back into the top four this season and Rodriguez believes it is vital they make a strong start to the campaign.

''I don't think you can stress enough the importance of the first few weeks of the season,'' Rodriguez said. ''If you can see yourself near the top of the table it's great and the confidence that gives helps you grow as a team and as a squad.

''It also means that the teams you are facing will maybe come to Anfield with a different attitude, perhaps showing more respect when they're coming to play against you.

''I think at the start of any season your ultimate goal is to win the league and to come out as champions.

''If you can aim to achieve that then by the very fact that you are fighting for the title it will almost guarantee that you will be involved in the Champions League the following season.

''A team like Liverpool has to be battling on that level and have those kind of aspirations for the season.''

Reina To Follow Legend’s Footsteps

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina has set his sights on helping Liverpool return to European competition this season and reveals the club is already focusing on winning the title.

Reina committed his future to Liverpool earlier this summer, stating the club's progression under manager Kenny Dalglish, who was appointed permanent manager in May, gave him reason to believe the club could be successful in the future.

The club may be without European football this season but the stopper believes that will work in The Reds' favour and help the club get back to their glory days.

"It's difficult because we have been some distance from those aspirations for a long time," Reina said.

"The priority is to return to the top four and keep improving. It's fundamental the team gets back into Europe, then next year makes the jump to challenge for the title.

"I have always been in the situation of playing in midweek so it's new for me. They say it can be an advantage [not playing in Europe] and I hope we can benefit from not having such a heavy schedule.”

Reina also praised new signings Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique, who all played on Saturday against Sunderland, for how they've quickly gelled with the rest of the side.

"I think the new signings have the advantage of having played many years in this league, that always makes things easier,” Reina said.

"This club has a big history and we have to follow those legends."

Injury Boost For Arsenal Trip

Kenny Dalglish has revealed Glen Johnson is Liverpool's only injury doubt for Saturday's trip to Arsenal along with the recuperating Steven Gerrard.

The boss has confirmed the Reds will journey to the Emirates with a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from for the clash with the Gunners.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "I think there is only Glen Johnson who might be a doubt, but other than that everybody's relatively fit."

Asked about the progress Gerrard is making in his rehabilitation from a groin problem, the manager simply stated: "Brilliant."

Meanwhile, Dalglish has played down any suggestion this could be an ideal opportunity for Liverpool to record their first win at the Emirates.

Arsenal sold captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona this week and speculation continues regarding the future of Samir Nasir, while Alex Song and Gervinho will be unavailable for the Reds' visit due to suspension.

"I don't know how they're going to react - it's up to us to know how we will react," said Dalglish. "We can control what we do and we can compete against them, and that's what we've got to do.

"Maybe we're due for a win (at the Emirates). Arsenal have been most football fans' second team. They've been very entertaining to watch, but unfortunately for them they've not won anything for six years, which is the monkey they'd love to get off their back.

"They had a fantastic chance (to win something) last year in the Carling Cup, but on the day Birmingham were better than them and came away victors.

"It's not going to make it any easier for us that they've lost Fabregas, Nasri might not be playing and that they've got a couple of suspensions.

"It's still going to be a difficult game for us and they're still a team I have the greatest respect for, so we'll go there with the same feelings that we had last season, thinking that it's going to be a really difficult game, but hopefully we can make it as difficult for them as they will for us."

The two teams last met in April in a dramatic contest in north London.

With the game seemingly heading for a goalless draw, Robin van Persie netted an injury-time penalty for Arsenal, before Dirk Kuyt secured a point for the visitors with a spot-kick of his own in the 98th minute.

Dalglish recalled: "The referee actually blew up early if you look at the timings, but for us it was a great result.

"We had young Flanno (Jon Flanagan) at right-back. Fabio (Aurelio) went off early doors after about 15 minutes or so, and Jack Robinson came on at 17 years of age to play against Theo Walcott, an England international, and did fantastically well.

"We battled hard throughout the game, competed really well and I think we got what we deserved from it."

Both teams began the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League season with draws last Saturday as Liverpool were held 1-1 by Sunderland at Anfield, while Arsenal ground out a goalless stalemate at Newcastle.

Dalglish admits he was disappointed not to begin the campaign by collecting three points, but on reflection believes there were several positives to be taken from his side's performance - not least the fact no fewer than four players made their league debuts for the Reds, while Lucas Leiva and Luis Suarez both started having only returned to Melwood a mere matter of days earlier following the Copa America.

"We were disappointed with the performance in the second half - we can play better than that - but with a wee bit of luck, on another day we might have been two or three up," said the gaffer.

"We had a lot of positives to take out of it, probably a lot more positives when you look back now than when we did at the time.

"It was a difficult game for the three lads who have just been signed, and Jose (Enrique) came in the day before. Then we had Luis (Suarez) who had only had a week's training, and Lucas had only had 10 days.

"All in all, when you consider that's about six players, I don't think we did too badly because it's a big ask for people to make their debut at Anfield, especially when you've only signed 24 hours before in Jose's case.

"For Jordan (Henderson) he was playing against the only professional team he'd ever played for. Charlie (Adam) and Stewart (Downing) would have had different feelings, but it's still an emotive time and big occasion for them too. They're relatively young players, so when you look back and reflect I think we did better than what I thought we did in the immediate aftermath of the game."

After a lively first-half performance against the Black Cats, Liverpool were unable to maintain their grip on the contest after the break and journalists were eager to know whether Dalglish felt his team were suffering from tiredness in the second period.

He responded: "Tiredness is not an issue. The (new) boys played with their emotions in the way they were and the magnitude of the task in front of them, so for different reasons it was understandable that maybe the second half wasn't as good as the first.

"We have no problem whatsoever with their fitness - try and run against them to see how you fare up!"

One of the quartet making a debut against Sunderland was Enrique, a little more than 24 hours after sealing his transfer from Newcastle.

The Spaniard turned in an assured display on his Liverpool bow, and Dalglish is delighted to have acquired his services.

"He's a good player, he's got experience in the Premier League and he's settled into the way of life in England, so that's helpful to us," said the Scot.

"It's a position we had to strengthen. Young Jack Robinson has got fantastic potential, but we have to responsible with him. He's 17 years of age and to throw him in and expect him to play a full season would have been wrong - but he'll be there or thereabouts."

He added: "It's always helpful when you know the environment you're in and for us that was an important factor when we were looking for a full-back - somebody who has a knowledge of the game and the Premier League.

"He certainly has that. He's been here for four years, his English is good - it's better than mine and his football is better than mine as well! - so we're quite happy with the signing of Jose."

Asked whether Enrique could be Liverpool's final signing of the summer, Dalglish replied: "I don't know - it's the same as I don't know if that's your last question!

"I cannot answer it honestly. I suppose it's a little bit like last year when I was asked, 'When are you signing the contract?' or 'Have you been asked to sign?' - until the transfer window shuts, the most honest answer I can give is 'I don't know.'"

Reds Crash To Sporting Loss

Liverpool endured a difficult start to life in the NextGen Series as they went down to a 3-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Rodolfo Borrell's youngsters faced one of the finest youth sides in Europe and found themselves trailing to two magnificent first-half goals from Joao Teixeira and Alberto Coelho.

The Reds stepped up a level following the interval but could not mount a fightback despite hitting the post through substitute Krisztian Adorjan.

Farley Rosa then sealed the triumph with a magnificent third four minutes from time.

The result means Liverpool are pointless following their first match in Group Two and will now look to bounce back in time for their Barclays Premier Reserve League opener against Norwich City next week.

Ahead of the contest Borrell had warned of the threat the Portuguese outfit would pose and the size of the task was perhaps magnified by the Spaniard's team selection with both Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Robinson amongst the starting XI.

Indeed, the Leoes arrived on Merseyside boasting an Academy set-up that has nurtured the likes of Paulo Futre, Luis Figo, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo to name but a few.

Five consecutive league titles at U18 level provided further proof of the challenge that lay ahead and Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were among the observers keen to see what they had to offer.

It set it up for a mouthwatering night of football which was somewhat fitting on a day that marked the 47th anniversary of the Reds' first ever foray into Europe.

The hosts made a positive start too and Raheem Sterling was first to show on four minutes when he produced some neat skills on the left before delivering a cross that fell too close to Rafael Veloso in the Sporting goal.

The visitors responded and Teixeira was unlucky when he cut in from the left and curled a delightful effort just over the top.

Ricardo Sa Pinto's side looked calm and composed in possession, assuming a control of the proceedings that lived up to their pre-match hype. However, Liverpool's pace on the break was a clear threat and on 15 minutes Shelvey almost released Toni Silva with a well weighted pass that was brilliantly gathered by Veloso.

The Portuguese stopper had been a virtual spectator up until that point but was forced into action just seconds later when he fisted away Sterling's low drive.

The away team may have looked strong in open play but from set pieces it was a different story and twice Liverpool's delivery from corner kicks caused mayhem in the Sporting box before Shelvey arced a free-kick inches over the crossbar.

There had been little between the two sides as the half hour approached but on 26 minutes the visitors produced a moment of magic to snare the lead.

Teixera had been a constant menace to the Reds defence and it was his neat exchange with Coelho that saw the No.9 flick the ball back into his path for him to clinically finish with the minimum of fuss.

The goal stung Liverpool into life and Silva showed Michael Pinto a clean pair of heels before fizzing an effort just wide.

Next, Sterling cut the ball back for Adam Morgan from the left but the striker could only stab an effort wide at the near post.

A leveller prior to the interval would have been the perfect tonic for Borrell and co but it was Sa Pinto's starlets who put together another sublime move to double their advantage on 38 minutes.

A flowing piece of play opened the Reds up down the right and when the ball was cut across goal Coelho arrived to strike a sweet shot beyond Belford and into the far corner of the Kop end net.

There was little Liverpool could do in the face of such quality but they did have a chance to reduce the arrears just seconds later when Suso blazed over with the goal gaping after Morgan's perseverance down the left.

It would have been a tough half-time team talk for Borrell but he resisted the temptation to make changes and instead asked the 11 who had started the encounter to show what they are made of.

To their credit they responded and Morgan was unfortunate not to turn home after Veloso had flapped at a corner.

Next, Sterling showed just why he is regarded as such a promising talent with a superb run and cross before Silva dragged a shot wide from 25 yards.

It had been much better from the Liverpool point of view and on the hour mark the Reds coach made a triple change that was his last throw of the dice.

On came Tom King, Adorjan and Michael Ngoo who answered the call despite having only just returned to Kirkby following his participation at the U20 World Cup.

It gave the home team a completely different threat and after Ngoo fired over following a neat one-two with Suso, he teed up Adorjan for the Reds' best chance of the match.

The towering striker surged down the left and crossed low for the Hungarian who saw his shot crash back off the near post.

It was all Liverpool but on 65 minutes it should have been over as a contest when Bruma played in Carlos Chaby who cut inside and fired over when he had looked odds on to score.

Sporting had appeared rattled but they slowly began to weather the storm and they sealed the victory four minutes from the end when Rosa curled home a sensational third from 20 yards.

Hillsborough Files: Kenny Dalglish In Full Disclosure Call

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has backed a campaign urging the release of cabinet discussions from the aftermath of the Hillsborough stadium disaster.

The Cabinet Office said on Wednesday it was appealing against the information commissioner's ruling that the papers should be made available.

Mr. Dalglish used Twitter to back an e-petition urging full disclosure of all documents relating to the 1989 tragedy.

The government says such a move would pre-empt the Hillsborough inquiry.

Information commissioner Christopher Graham had ruled the release of the documents would be in the public interest, but the Cabinet Office said any information must be issued in line with the Hillsborough independent inquiry.

The e-petition registered on the government's website calls for "full government disclosure and publication of all documents, discussions and reports relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster".

Mr. Dalglish tweeted: "Please sign this petition and RT. Think it is very important that we support this."

The Labour MP for Leigh and former Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and the Conservative MP Therese Coffey, who is a member of the Culture and Media Select Committee, have also called on the government to drop its appeal.

Freedom of Information

Mr. Burnham, an Everton fan, tweeted that the appeal was damaging trust in the process. He has written to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Liverpool-born Ms Coffey, who is a Reds supporter, has written to Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude urging him to reverse the appeal decision.

Mr. Graham's judgement related to a Freedom of Information request from the BBC which was refused by the Cabinet Office in 2009.

The Cabinet Office said releasing the documents would interfere with the inquiry by the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The withheld files include reports presented to then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, correspondence between her office and the then-Home Secretary Douglas Hurd and minutes of meetings she attended.

Ninety-five Liverpool supporters were killed in a crush of fans at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield, where the club was playing an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

The 96th victim was left in a coma for three years and died in 1992.

Mr. Dalglish, who was in his first stint as Liverpool boss when the tragedy happened, attended several of the victims' funerals.

Preview & Matchday: Liverpool U19s vs Sporting Lisbon U19s

An intriguing experiment begins tonight; an under-19 Champions League-style competition with some of the best academies in Europe. And the home-and-away group stage starts out with a bang for Liverpool, as they host what on paper looks set to be their toughest foe of that opening round when Sporting Lisbon comes to town. Molde and Wolfsburg are also in Liverpool’s group, with the likes of Ajax, Olympic Marseille, Celtic, Tottenham, and Barcelona potentially waiting in the knock-out stage in January should Liverpool finish in the top two. But for now it’s the Lisbon u19s.

For those late to the party, the NextGen Series is a 16-club tournament that plans on expanding to 24 for next year’s edition, and while it’s billed as an u19 competition it does allow clubs to include three overage players in their squad—though in this case, overage only means by one year. As for just how seriously Liverpool plans to take it, well, they were the first club to sign on.

The key idea is that it will give young players a chance to face a range of tactical approaches and focuses they wouldn’t normally, and at times they may even come up against approaches to the game that are not only uncommon but entirely foreign to players growing up in English academies.

Of course, in recent years under Frank McParland, Rodolfo Borrell, and Pep Segura, Liverpool has sought a return to pass and move football along with teaching the 4231 at all levels of the academy and reserves in an attempt to fashion a footballing identity for the club that runs from the youngest underage players through to the first team and the backroom staff’s approach the game. To some extent this will make competing against the more technical continental sides such as Sporting far easier for Liverpool’s youth players than, say, Aston Villa when they take on Ajax tonight or Manchester City when they take on Barcelona on the 14th of September. Even for the Liverpool kids, though, it will be on a stage and at a level of competition most of the players wouldn’t have had a chance to experience until much later—if ever.

When it comes to tomorrow’s competition, as much as Ajax and Barcelona might spring to mind for many when the topic of Europe’s top youth academies comes up, Sporting Lisbon deserves to be in the conversation, too. Former and current Manchester United players Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani both came out of their famed Academia Sporting, as did Portugal’s most capped player, Luis Figo, with Ronaldo and Figo’s Ballon d’Or victories making Sporting the only club whose academy has produced two European Footballers of the Year. As good as Liverpool’s academy players have appeared to be over the last year, this will be the first real test to gauge just how close to—or far from—the elite of Europe’s youth systems they are right now. Beat Sporting—or at least compete strongly against them—and it will go some way towards confirming just how good this group of players is and could eventually become.

In the end, though, as with any developmental competition, it would be fairly easy to suggest that the results don’t really matter if things don’t quite work out. As much as we’ve talked about the youth and reserves around here a fair bit over the last year with the excitement of a revitalized academy stocked full of promising talent, names like Raheem Sterling and Fernando Suso, Adam Morgan and Tony Silva and Andre Wisdom and Conor Coady, not to mention players like John Flanagan and Jack Robisnon who have already worked their way into the fringes of the first team, the games they play are at the end of the day about gaining experience more than they are about winning. And here, too, at the end of the day the biggest thing to take away will be that experience, along with the hope that it helps on the road to Liverpool’s potential golden generation eventually coming good and shedding that “potential” tag.

Yet in the same way that winning in the FA Youth Cup is more important than in the developmental and reserve leagues because it secures further competition against generally stronger opposition, winning here is more important than it would be in the FA Youth Cup for the chance it offers to face off with further academy powers from around Europe. Winning means you keep playing, and that could mean a lot down the road.

eyond that, however, it also can’t be ignored that with the likes of Sporting, Barcelona, and Ajax, it is a tournament that from day one carries more prestige than any other underage club competition. While it’s hardly on par with the actual Champions League, and it seems rather unlikely that any player will finish his career only to look back and boast about a NextGen Series triumph, it’s still something more important than what has come before. The chance for Liverpool’s revitalized academy to go up against some of the best developmental systems on the continent is hardly something to be sniffed at, and if Liverpool were to manage a successful run it would clearly be a proverbial feather in the cap for McParland, Segura, and Borrell—not to mention for the academy as a whole, which could then present itself as one of the best in Europe with some fairly heavy proof to back up the claim.

It also can’t be entirely ignored that for the fans, with Liverpool’s senior side out of Europe this season it offers at least an intriguing distraction. Certainly it’s not the league. And it’s not the FA Cup. It would be damnably difficult even to argue that it was near the level of the diluted League Cup. Still, it isn’t nothing: It’s midweek football against some of Europe’s biggest names, and some of the players Liverpool fans will be hoping to follow at the club for a decade or more will be getting the chance to shine on their biggest stage yet.

Bolton Offer £4m Plus Add-Ons For Liverpool Star

Bolton Wanderers will launch a £4million bid for Liverpool striker David Ngog.

The deal will include potential add-ons as well after the Trotters had a £3.5million offer rejected for the 22-year-old last month by the Reds.

The Frenchman has never established himself in the first-team at Anfield and has scored only nine league goals in 63 games since arriving from Paris St Germain in 2008.

He has slipped further down the pecking order following last January’s arrival of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez to complement Dirk Kuyt as the club’s forwards, according to the Times.

Ngog was to be included as part of the deal that saw Jordan Henderson move to Liverpool from Sunderland, but the hit-man could not agree personal terms with the Black Cats.

AC Milan Pull Plug On Aquilani Deal

AC Milan have given up their pursuit of Liverpool misfit Alberto Aquilani, according to reports in Italy.

The Rossoneri were keen on a deal for the Italy international, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, but it is understood that Milan are not willing to pay his high wages.

It has also been suggested that the San Siro side only wanted the 27-year-old on loan, while Liverpool were keen to sell him on to recoup some of the £20m they paid Roma for him in 2009.

And, having ended their interest in Aquilani, Milan has now turned their attentions to Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo and is lining up a £10m offer.

QPR Make Degen Enquiry

Skysports.com understands Queens Park Rangers have made an enquiry regarding Liverpool outcast Philipp Degen.

The Switzerland international appears to be surplus to requirements at Anfield after struggling to make an impression during his time at Liverpool.

He was beset by injury troubles in his first season at the club after arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2008 and spent last season back on loan in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart.

With Reds boss Kenny Dalglish having the likes of Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and youngster John Flanagan to choose from at right-back, Degen could be on the move before the transfer window closes.

Premier League new boys QPR remain in the market for new signings as manager Neil Warnock tries to build a squad capable of surviving in the top flight.

Warnock started the new campaign with Kieron Dyer at right-back, but the former England international lasted just a few minutes of Saturday's 4-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers before being stretchered off.

Bradley Orr replaced Dyer at Loftus Road, while Warnock also currently has issues at left-back after Clint Hill was sent off late on in the defeat by Bolton.

Degen has made a total of 13 appearances during his Liverpool career and his last outing for the Reds was in the Europa League against Atletico Madrid in April 2010.