Dalglish Insists They Won’t Be Getting Carried Away With Victory At Arsenal

Manager Kenny Dalglish insists there will have no problem in keeping a sense of perspective at Liverpool this season.

The Reds recorded an impressive 2-0 win at Arsenal on Saturday – their first away Barclays Premier League win over the Gunners in a decade.

Dalglish is in no doubt the squad is stronger this season following significant investment, but accepts only time will tell if those transfers have been “bold or stupid”.

However, the Liverpool manager maintains no-one will get carried away with talk of an Anfield revolution.

“Everybody at Liverpool wants to be successful and win as many games as they can,” said Dalglish.

“The people who own the club, the people who play for it, from our side – and more importantly the people who support us want exactly the same thing.

“A victory always helps your belief, but you have to manage it. If you lose, you are not going to cut your throat and if you are winning, you are not going to take it for granted you are going to do that every week.

“Everybody will enjoy the moment – it is a fantastic result to come to a place of this quality and win 2-0.

“But we will maintain our dignity and respect, and also keep our feet firmly placed on the ground.

“There is a feeling of contentment, the punters are happy, the owners are very supportive and respectful, and that is reflected through the whole club, which is a wee bit less tense than it used to be.”

Dalglish added: “Our supporters are one of the most educated that you will come across.

“They understand what we are trying to do and they will come along with us.

“They know we won’t be carried away – and neither will they.”

Liverpool Prepare £10m Shock Move For Republic of Ireland Striker

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is preparing to make a move for Wolverhampton Wanders striker Kevin Doyle according to reports in the Daily Star.

Doyle has been in impressive form for Wolves over the past couple of seasons since his £6.5million switch from Reading in 2009.

Dalglish has been one of the busiest Premier League managers during this summers transfer window and has brought in the likes of, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Doni, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique to Anfield on top of January signings Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Both the Kop boss and Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli are keen admirers of the 27-year-old, and Comolli was eager to bring Doyle to White Hart Lane when he was working at Tottenham.

The Reds manager is keen add another back up striker ahead of the transfer window closing at the end of the month, with it looking increasingly likely that David Ngog will be heading out of Anfield.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will not want to lose one of his prized assets in Doyle, but with Liverpool believed to be preparing a £10million offer it may be hard for the Molineux outfit to turn down.

Last season Doyle made 31 appearances for Wolves in all competition and managed to score eight goals. This season the Republic of Ireland international played twice and scored the opening goal in Saturdays 2-0 win over Fulham.

Warnock Hopeful On Loan Deal For Joe Cole

Neil Warnock remains hopeful of bringing in Joe Cole on loan from Liverpool after a fresh injection of cash at QPR.

Tony Fernandes' takeover at Loftus Road last week has given Warnock extra money to spend in the transfer window, and the Rangers boss can now afford to pay a greater portion of Cole's wages.

The former Chelsea midfielder has been linked with a loan move to Loftus Road after failing to make an impact at Anfield last season, although his wage demands have been reported as the major stumbling block. Cole is currently on £90,000 a week at Anfield, but with Liverpool reportedly willing to continue contributing around a third of that figure, Warnock is hopeful of reaching an agreement with Cole.

But despite confirming that he is looking to bring in "four or five" new players before the end of the transfer window on August 31, Warnock insists he will not splash the cash unnecessarily.

"We will not just spend money for the sake of it," Warnock said. "We have to get quality players into the club. Joe Cole? We can probably afford 30 or 40 per cent of his wages now. The chairman knows all my targets and we are discussing them.

"This man coming in, Tony Fernandes, is a dream come true. You do not often get the opportunity to look at players I have only dreamed about. I am in Utopia."

Milan Reveal Aquilani Interest

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi admits the Rossoneri are "discussing the possibility" of a move for Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

The Italy international spent last season on loan at Juventus before returning to Anfield earlier this summer.

Milan is looking to bolster their midfield line after failing to lure Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo to the San Siro.

"Aquilani is a great player," AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We are discussing the possibility with (AC Milan administrator Adriano) Galliani.

"I spoke to (AC Milan coach Massimiliano) Allegri and we will see what happens."

Aquilani has been strongly linked with a move back to Serie A in recent months with Fiorentina also reportedly keen to acquire the midfielder's services.

The 27-year-old is under contract with Liverpool until June 2014.

Enrique Confident Of Creating Productive Partnership With Downing

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has said that he is hopeful his growing understanding with Stewart Downing can continue to develop and they can continue to provide chances for the Reds’ strikers.

Enrique was named as man of the match against Arsenal, and has spoken of his admiration for the English winger, with whom he is looking to provide crosses for the likes of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Enrique told the club’s official website: "Stewart is a very good player who is very quick and good with both feet.

"I always felt he was a very good player when I played against him for Newcastle and I'm hoping we can play well together for Liverpool.

"I am hoping we can provide some good service for Andy who is a great English centre forward.

“In the air he is the best I have ever seen and is almost unplayable.

"If Andy is 100 per cent fit and on top of his game then he will be a very important player for us."

Liverpool next face Exeter City away from home in the second round of the Carling Cup, and will look to stay unbeaten in the Premier League in their next game at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Carragher - Liverpool FC Must Build On Massive Win At Arsenal

Jamie Carragher has urged his Liverpool team-mates to use their 2-0 victory over Arsenal as a springboard for the season ahead.

The Reds’ first ever win at the Emirates Stadium kick-started their campaign after the frustrating opening day stalemate with Sunderland.

“It was a big game for us and a big result,” Carragher said.

“I was aware of how we started last season. When we nearly got a good result against Arsenal and then lost at Manchester City. Suddenly one point from six doesn’t look too good.

“I was worrying about a similar scenario. If we had beaten Sunderland then a draw here wouldn’t have been the end of the world. But getting three points makes up for what happened last week.

“I’m not sure what message it sends out but it may make some people sit up and take notice and think this Liverpool team could maybe do things this season.

“The challenge for us now is to build on this result. This win has put us in a good position.”

Carragher was the only survivor from the last Liverpool side to triumph away to the Gunners way back in February 2000 when Titi Camara got the winner.

The Reds were helped on Saturday by the dismissal of Emmanuel Frimpong prior to Aaron Ramsey’s own goal and Luis Suarez’s late strike.

However, the skipper insists Liverpool were worthy of maximum points against a depleted Arsenal side.

“I think we were good value for the win,” he said. “For them, (Thomas) Vermaelen was outstanding and in the first half he won some crucial headers at the back post. Without him we would have been at least a goal up by half-time.

“I suppose it was a good time to play Arsenal because they have so many injuries at the moment.

“It’s very difficult when you don’t have continuity in the back four and they had (Laurent) Koscielny go off early on. It’s something we tried to take advantage of and fortunately we did.

“It’s the in thing at the moment to criticize Arsene Wenger but with 10 games to go last season they were the real challengers to Manchester United for the title.

“If everyone for Arsenal is fit they are still a formidable team and I certainly don’t think they are a spent force. It’s a long time since we won at Arsenal and that shows what a difficult place it is to come.”

Suarez and Raul Meireles made a big impact in the closing stages after coming off the bench and Carragher believes that underlines the benefit of having greater depth in the squad this season.

“That’s always been a complaint aimed at the club – about the strength of the bench at Liverpool,” he said.

“But we had quality players to come on at Arsenal and they were instrumental in killing the game off for us. Substitutes are massive because a lot of games are won and lost in the last 20 minutes.

“The time to judge the new signings is at the end of the season but I thought they played a massive part in the win. Jordan Henderson was outstanding in a midfield role.”

Liverpool now turns their attentions to Wednesday’s Carling Cup tie at Exeter City before returning to league action at home to Bolton next Saturday.

Carragher said: “Exeter is a massive game for us. We haven’t been in the Carling Cup at this stage for a long time.

“There’s no Europe this season so everybody at the club is determined to do as well as we can in the domestic cups.

"We need to make sure we get through that before thinking about Bolton.”

Carroll Now Worth More Than £35m - Dalglish

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has admitted that only "time will tell" whether the decision to spend a combined £55 million on Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll will prove "stupid".

Carroll joined from Newcastle for £35m in January following Fernando Torres' move to Chelsea, and has scored just two league goals for Kenny Dalglish's side since then - although his appearances have been limited by injury.

Meanwhile, England international midfielder Henderson cost a reported £20m from Sunderland this summer, a fee that raised a few eyebrows given the amount of options available to Dalglish in central areas.

Given the Reds' significant outlay - Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique have also arrived in recent months - the pressure is on Dalglish to deliver a top-four place, a quest that was boosted by an impressive 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.

And Dalglish has told his doubters to pass judgement on the summer splurge later in the season. "If you want to buy [Carroll or Henderson] now, you'll pay more than I did," Dalglish said. "Bold? Stupid? Time will tell."

Two Decades On From Hillsborough And Liverpool Is Still In The Dark

Slide out of a taxi at Anfield and a figure will hand you a "Don't buy the Sun" leaflet while a familiar throng chats outside the Hillsborough Justice Campaign shop on Walton Breck Road. The disaster that cost 96 lives 22 years ago is so integral to the experience of attending a Liverpool match that the quest for the truth is part of the identity of the club.

The campaign was always there and always will be, or so it feels, as the chip shops do their lively trade and fans gather at the Hillsborough memorial or examine Bill Shankly's statue ("He made the people happy"). But the people can't be happy – not fully – until the system extends to the families of the dead the simple right to see all of the documents relating to events in Sheffield on 15 April 1989, when Steven Gerrard's 10-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was the youngest of the 96 who went to a football match and never came back.

There is no let-up in the antipathy to the Sun over its coverage of the tragedy. Kelvin MacKenzie, the paper's editor at the time, was on Newsnight recently, pontificating about rioters. His inability to distinguish 22 years ago between a disaster and a so-called outbreak of criminality as people lay dying on the Hillsborough pitch would, in a more discerning society, disqualify him from comment on the recent disorder across Britain. But the current Sun continues to carry the stigma of those times on Merseyside, just as the families persist with their demand for full disclosure.

The story so far is that an e-petition calling for previously hidden documents on Hillsborough to be released raced past 50,000 signatures this week and looks sure to acquire the 100,000 names needed to force the House of Commons backbench business committee to consider granting it time for debate.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet Office said it would appeal against a ruling by Christopher Graham, the Information Commissioner, who had approved a freedom of information request from the BBC to see the papers. The e-petition took off after Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, tweeted: "Think it is very important that we support this." Since that moment, Joey Barton has interrupted his flow of Friedrich Nietzsche quotations to urge his 428,000 followers to sign online.

The Commissioner argued that it would assist public understanding of the tragedy for the concealed documents to be released. But, in a statement, the government said: "The Cabinet Office absolutely agrees with the principle of providing information to families about the Hillsborough stadium disaster, but we believe it is important any release of information should be managed through the panel's processes and in line with their terms of reference."

The panel referred to is the independent body set up by the previous Labour government to examine the archive and decide on publication. But the panel was not in existence in 2009 when the request for access was first made. The BBC says the records include "reports presented to Margaret Thatcher [the then prime minister], correspondence between her office and that of the home secretary, Douglas Hurd, and minutes of meetings she attended."

For the neutral to find a position on this procedural wrangling, one has only to imagine how it must feel for the mother or father of a victim to be told, 22 years after the event, that they are not entitled to see words on pieces of paper that might release them from the torment of not knowing the full story of the defining day of their lives.

Across Merseyside, people wake and go back to sleep with a sense of injustice that stems partly from the original coroner's inquest, which imposed a cut-off for the examination of evidence at 3.15pm, a source of anger, still, to those who believe the role of the emergency services and the full timescale of death should have been part of Dr Stefan Popper's report.

In March, the Hillsborough panel said they would look at previously concealed documents. But you can see why the families object to the idea that a panel must decide what they can and cannot see. The system has piled years and years of additional needless cruelty on the Hillsborough families. The British obsession with secrecy and protection for those in power has stretched beyond all humane grounds the process of finding out, once and for all, what happened (and who was responsible) at an FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield more than two decades ago.

To most of us, the obvious truth is that this pain and indignation will hang over Liverpool until the books are laid out. This shame-inducing suppression of evidence serves no moral purpose. Nor can the campaign be fobbed off, as every politician must know by now. Its spirit pervades every aspect of Liverpool football club, to the point where Rafa Benítez's last act as manager was to donate £96,000 to the campaign.

The first e-petition to force a parliamentary debate called for convicted rioters to be deprived of state benefits. The state moves fast when it wants to punish and slowly when people want the truth.

Match Report: Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

Liverpool recorded their first away win over Arsenal since 2000 to heap more misery on the Gunners - who saw Emmanuel Frimpong sent off and lost injured centre-back Laurent Koscielny in a 2-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium.

Samir Nasri impressed for the Gunners but the home side's luck was out after Aaron Ramsey's own goal and a last-minute strike from substitute Luis Suarez handed victory to the visitors.

Arsene Wenger - who now has half his first-choice team out because of suspension or injury - must regroup his squad for next week's crucial Champions League play-off second leg in Udinese and the small matter of a trip to Manchester United.

Nasri - whose £22million move to City is, according to reports on French TV, said to have broken down - did not applaud the crowd as the teams came out of the tunnel, and was then jeered by some sections of the Emirates Stadium faithful when his name was announced.

Liverpool showed early intent, as Dirk Kuyt - who netted a late penalty deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw here last season - drilled a low, angled drive goalwards.

New Arsenal captain Robin van Persie looked lively as he nicked the ball out on the right channel and floated over a cross which Martin Kelly stabbed behind for a corner.

On eight minutes, Frimpong was cautioned for squaring up to Jordan Henderson as the Liverpool midfielder tried to take a quick throw-in.

Koscielny added to Wenger's defensive problems when he pulled up with what looked like a lower back injury on 14 minutes and had to be replaced by youngster Ignasi Miquel, the Spaniard making his Premier League debut.

Liverpool almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Andy Carroll's towering header at the far post brought a brilliant save from Wojciech Szczesny.

The visitors were in full flight now, with Henderson sending a tame header straight at the Arsenal keeper following another quick break down the left.

Charlie Adam then tried an audacious chip from the halfway line, which had Szczesny backpedalling, but flew over the bar.

Arsenal finally mounted a meaningful attack after 30 minutes when Frimpong's low drive from 20 yards was pushed wide by Jose Reina.

Nasri then showed what Arsenal would be missing when he picked up the ball in his own half, dashed forwards and turned Liverpool inside out before unleashing a 25-yard strike which curled past the post.

As the Heavens opened for the start of the second half, Liverpool continued to frustrate Arsenal.

The visitors broke quickly into the Gunners box on 55 minutes, with Carroll laying the ball back to Kelly - and his snapshot struck the outside of the post.

Arsenal eventually started to up the pressure, but lacked a decisive pass in the final third.

Andrey Arshavin turned Kelly and fed van Persie at the near post, but his goalbound flick was kicked behind by Reina.

With 20 minute left, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Frimpong was shown a second yellow card when he left his foot up in a 50/50 challenge with Lucas, right in front of the referee.

Liverpool snatched a fortunate lead on 78 minutes when as Suarez darted into the six-yard box, Miquel's clearance cannoned off Ramsey's chest and back over the keeper into the net.

A miserable afternoon for the Gunners was compounded in the final minute when Suarez tapped in from close range following a quick counter-attack.

Dalglish Praises New Boys

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish hailed his summer signings after the impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal.

Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing all made their second starts for the club at the Emirates after arriving at Anfield during pre-season.

The quartet have all quickly settled in to their new surroundings with Enrique picking up the Man of the Match honours for keeping Theo Walcott quiet during the contest.

Dalglish was delighted to see his side secure their first win of the campaign and he believes the signs are promising for his new arrivals.

"Obviously we are delighted. It is a very difficult place to come that everyone knows about," Dalglish told Sky Sports HD2. "We knew anyone that they did play would stand up for them and play well.

"I thought it was a fantastic game of football - we are delighted to have won, we probably just about deserved it. We never lost a goal which is good for a start.

"We know what the boys are capable of and it is just about getting them trained to play that way. I think you have seen the difference with an extra week and they were very impressive again.

"They have got the first game out of the way and they know the size of the football club and what they have come for. If that is an indication of how quickly they have settled we have a lot to look forward to."

Carragher Hails Emirates Win

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher felt his side deserved their 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsey's unfortunate own goal and Luis Suarez's late strike proved to be enough to give Liverpool their first ever win at the Emirates.

An under-strength Arsenal side was further depleted by an early injury to Laurent Koscielny and the sending-off of Emmanuel Frimpong and Carragher, who captained Liverpool in the absence of Steven Gerrard, admitted it was a good time to play the Gunners.

"They are such a great side and have been for a long time and it is a difficult place to come but we deserved (the win) on Saturday," Carragher told Sky Sports HD2.

"To be fair to them they have a lot of injuries and they had a couple more at the back on Saturday so when you have that many it is going to be awkward but I think (Thomas) Vermaelen was outstanding, especially in the first half."

Carragher also felt the win was important following last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

"Last week was a bit of a comedown after everyone had started well - the players, fans and staff were on a bit of a downer and I think we had a little to prove here after that," added Carragher.

Man of the match Jose Enrique felt the own goal changed the game but still feels there is room for improvement in the Liverpool side.

"We had a lot of chances in the first half and didn't score but after the first goal we had control of the game," noted Enrique.

"All (the new signings) started on Saturday in the first XI and we did OK and won against one of the best teams in England.

"We have to play more together to play better but we did well on Saturday. I think I played OK but I have to know the players more."

Kenny To Take Care With Suarez

Kenny Dalglish accepts he is going to have to manage Luis Suarez carefully to make sure Liverpool see the best of him this season.

The Reds recorded a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Saturday - their first away Barclays Premier League win over the Gunners in a decade - following the introductions of Suarez and Raul Meireles.

It was the duo who combined to force the breakthrough, after Arsenal had been reduced to ten men in the wake of Emmanuel Frimpong's red card, when Ignasi Miquel's clearance bounced off Aaron Ramsey and into the net.

Suarez then tapped in a second goal in the final minute to make sure of the points for the Reds at the Emirates Stadium.

The 24-year-old impressed in Uruguay's Copa America win this summer, and Dalglish feels if he can keep all of his frontmen fresh then that can only benefit the long-term good of the squad.

"Last week (against Sunderland) maybe I was being a wee bit romantic with Luis," the Scot said. "It was unfair on him, he was coming back and was on such a high and looked sharp in training. I thought I would give him a game.

"Maybe last week it was the wrong decision from me. He still scored the goal, still played well, but he just never had the energy he normally has. Maybe we just brought him back a wee bit too soon."

Dalglish added: "We have got to manage Luis' circumstances the same as we have everybody else's. There were another four or five lads there who we had for the first time.

"Raul Meireles has had a difficult pre-season with injuries so we have got to look after him as well as Luis."

Aquilani In Milan Claim

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani claims he is close to joining Italian giants AC Milan.

Aquilani spent last season back in his homeland with a loan spell at Juventus, before returning to Anfield earlier in the summer.

Aquilani has been continually linked with a move back to his native Italy summer with the former Roma man seemingly not figuring in Kenny Dalglish's plans.

Juventus declined to sign Aquilani on a permanent basis because of his price-tag, while the 27-year-old also came close to joining Fiorentina earlier this summer, but he pulled out of the move as he wanted a permanent transfer rather than a loan deal.

Milan have now expressed an interest in Aquilani as they look to bolster their midfield options after being frustrated in their attempts to land Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo

"I am close to joining Milan," Aquilani told Gazzetta dello Sport.

It remains to be seen if the move would be a loan deal or a permanent deal with Liverpool thought to be keen on a permanent transfer so that they can raise funds for their own transfer plans.

Kenny & Comolli’s £6m Man Will Be A Stellar Centre Back Solution

Kenny Dalglish is mulling over a cut-price move for Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker as the Scot continues to rebuild his Liverpool squad. Mertesacker is available for around £6m due to him being in the last year of his contract.

Though Liverpool generally have an excellent defensive record and boast young, powerful centre-backs in Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, even during their Premiership opener, Jamie Carragher’s weaknesses were again exposed.

Though Carragher is without doubt a great defender and still has a big part to play this season, he cannot be relied to maintain his form of old for a full season.

This leaves Liverpool with Agger and Skrtel – talented certainly, but hardly the rock solid pairing that would propel Liverpool into the top four. A move for Mertesacker would offer Liverpool the defensive stability that is essential to a high finish.

Mertesacker recently expressed his desire to play in the Premiership which had many thinking that Arsenal would make a bid for the German international. However, no bid has materialized for one reason and another.

And now it seems that Arsene Wenger will be far busier trying to replenish his squad’s midfield talent, leaving Liverpool to steal in and secure the signature of one of Europe’s top defenders.

Capello Impressed By Kelly

England boss Fabio Capello has revealed he is considering giving Liverpool defender Martin Kelly a call-up into the senior squad.

Kelly has established himself as a key member of the Liverpool side over the last 18 months after earning an extended run in the side under Kenny Dalglish last term.

The versatile defender, who can play at centre-back as well as right-back, has won two caps for England Under 21s and he is now in contention for the senior side.

Capello watched Kelly in action during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday and he is a big admirer of the 21-year-old stopper.

"I see some players interesting for me, some new players like Kelly the right-back, he is really interesting," Capello told Sky Sports' Goals On Sunday.

"He is young and he played a good, good game."

Tommy Smith: Liverpool FC Must Field Strong Side In Carling Cup

Liverpool makes the long trip down to Exeter City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night and it’s vital we play a strong side.

Too often in recent years we’ve played weakened teams in the competition and been dumped out at an early stage.

Let’s go there and get a thumping win to boost confidence ahead of the league game against Bolton next weekend.

You can get away with making a few changes but you can’t afford to play a completely different team.

Liverpool should be too strong for Exeter but there’s no room for complacency.

I remember when I was at Swansea under John Toshack we played Tottenham in the FA Cup.

On paper they should have beaten us but they thought it would be easy and we dumped them out.

Exeter won’t be as good technically as Liverpool. Their passing won’t be as good but what you can guarantee is that they will work tirelessly.

They will run and run because it’s a massive occasion for them. It will be the only chance many of their players get to play against Liverpool.

It will be a sell-out and if Liverpool’s attitude isn’t right we will pay the price. If we match Exeter’s work rate we’ll be fine.

Young Reds Held In Opener

Jordan Lussey struck a magnificent equalizer as Liverpool U18s came from behind to claim a creditable 1-1 draw against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

The versatile youngster finished off a positive run with a rasping 25 yarder on 74 minutes to cancel out Joe Ralls's opener from the penalty spot.

It means Mike Marsh maintains his unbeaten run since assuming the U18 hot-seat in the summer and he will now look to re-energize his squad in time for the long journey to Portsmouth next weekend.

On a bright morning in Kirkby, the Reds looked intent on carrying on the goalscoring exploits that had been a feature of their pre-season and almost got off to a flyer when Jack Dunn saw his goalbound effort deflected to safety on five minutes.

The hosts were playing with a hunger and an urgency that the visitors were struggling to cope with in the early exchanges leading to another opening just moments later.

The busy Dunn breezed down the left and sent a teasing cross to the far post where Kristoffer Peterson guided a header wide with David Richards all at sea in the Bluebirds' goal.

Substitute Sam Gainford then brought the best out of Richards with a low shot from Yalany Baio's pass before Lussey was forced to hack clear from underneath his own crossbar after a Cardiff corner from the left had threatened to arc directly into the goal.

The visitors had slowly gained a foothold in the game as the half wore on and as Liverpool toiled they should have gone ahead on 35 minutes.

A long ball over the top sent Jessie Darko rampaging towards goal. The powerful striker held off Matty Regan but saw his attempted lob drop inches over the crossbar with Jamie Stephens stranded in no man's land.

The Reds looked to step it up a gear following the interval but it was the away side who again looked the more threatening with Ralls crashing a low effort just past the far post.

It had developed into a keenly contested encounter and there didn't look like being a breakthrough until the Reds were penalized for a handball 20 minutes from time.

Ralls stepped up and comfortably beat Stephens from the spot to give the visitors what they must have felt was a winning goal.

However, they reckoned without the perseverance of Lussey who side stepped two challenges before smashing a stunning leveller into the top corner just six minutes later.

Substitute David Moli then came close to sneaking victory when he almost converted on 89 minutes but it wasn't to be and the hosts were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal begins Premier League life after Cesc Fabregas, and probably Samir Nasri, when they host Liverpool live on Saturday lunchtime.

Arsene Wenger and his club have been headline fodder for the majority of the summer amid what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period of the Frenchman's 15 years in England.

The sale of Fabregas to Barcelona was inevitable, but, with Manchester City also closing in on Nasri, Arsenal is being portrayed as a club in crisis.

Some fans have turned on Wenger as a result and chants of to the effect of 'spend some money' could be heard during the 0-0 draw at Newcastle on the opening day of the season.

An edgy 1-0 win over Udinese in midweek in the UEFA Champions League play-offs has done little to appease the doubters and a positive performance against Liverpool is essential as a consequence.

Controversial

But Kenny Dalglish's new-look visitors need to show their own mettle after the less-than-inspiring 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield last Saturday.

Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique all made their Premier League debuts for Liverpool in the draw, but did not have critics raving.

After a controversial, late draw at Emirates Stadium in April, a first three points at Arsenal in the 12th attempt would therefore give a significant indication of the new era under Dalglish.

Jack Wilshere is set to miss the game and is 50-50 for Wednesday night's Champions League return in Udinese.

Wilshere was on Thursday still undergoing treatment on his troublesome ankle injury, which it was originally hoped would clear up in time for last weekend's opener at Newcastle.

That game cost Wenger two more players, with new striker Gervinho sent off and midfielder Alex Song punished in retrospect with both starting three-match bans on Saturday.

The Udinese game saw Kieran Gibbs and substitute Johan Djourou both limp off with hamstring strains, joining Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Armand Traore on the sidelines.

That could force Wenger to hand summer signing Carl Jenkinson his Premier League debut against Liverpool in the unfamiliar position of left-back.

Defender Glen Johnson is an injury doubt for Liverpool, while captain Steven Gerrard continues his recovery from his groin problem.

England full-back Johnson missed last week's opening match with a hamstring injury and manager Dalglish rates him as his only doubt for the trip to London.

Dalglish may opt to make changes, with Martin Kelly and Dirk Kuyt pushing for the staring places of John Flanagan and Henderson.

Possible starting XIs:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Walcott, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Chamakh, Van Persie.

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Agger, Carragher, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Kuyt, Downing, Suarez, Carroll.

Dalglish: We Are Due A Win At Arsenal

Liverpool may never have a better time to end their miserable away run against Arsenal but manager Kenny Dalglish insists his team will not under-estimate Arsene Wenger's side.

The sale of captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona earlier this week and the impending departure of Samir Nasri to Manchester City have only added to the Gunners' problems.

Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Armand Traore were joined on the injury list by Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou after their midweek Champions League victory over Udinese.

And with new signing Gervinho and Alex Song also suspended for Saturday's match everything is pointing towards the Reds ending a stretch of 14 away matches to Arsenal without a win.

Liverpool's last victory came in February 2000 and only two of that winning side - Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, currently sidelined by injury - are still at Anfield.

"Maybe we're due for a win," said Dalglish.

"But it is not going to make it any easier for us because they have lost Fabregas, Nasri is unlikely to be playing and they have a couple of suspensions.

"It will still be a difficult game for us. Arsenal has been most football fans' second team because they play great football and are entertaining to watch.

"Unfortunately they have not won anything for six years and that is the monkey they would love to have off their back.

"But they are still a team I have the greatest respect for and so we go in there and hopefully we can make it as difficult for them as they will for us.

"I don't know how they are going to react, it is up to us to know how we are gong to react.

"We can control what we do and we can compete against them - that is all we can do."

Having begun their season positively with a good first half at home to Sunderland Dalglish saw his side fade after the interval as they were held to a 1-1 draw.

The Scot insists, however, that fitness is not an issue, pointing to the fact he fielded four debutants and two players who had been involved at the Copa America.

"The boys that played with the emotions and the magnitude of the task in front of them, for different reasons, it was understandable that the second half was maybe not as good as the first," he said.

"But we have no problem at all in terms of their fitness.

"We were disappointed with the performance because we can play better than that but we have a lot more positives to take out of it when we look back now than we thought we did at the time."

One of those debutants last weekend was Jose Enrique, who was thrust into the action just over 24 hours after completing his £6million move from Newcastle.

The Spaniard believes he has joined a team who can regain their top-four slot and, in future, hopes can win the Champions League again.

Enrique may only have been at Anfield for a week but it has not taken him long to spot the differences between his former and current employers.

Since January the Magpies have sold him, Andy Carroll (to Liverpool) and Kevin Nolan, three of their biggest names.

In comparison, Dalglish has spent more than £100million in transforming the squad during the same period.

"We have a good squad. They (Liverpool) had an amazing team before and they signed good players this summer - me too," he joked.

"It is a different mentality and they want to have an amazing team again like the Liverpool before.

"Liverpool wants to spend money. If they get in the top four this year they will spend a lot more.

"That is why I am here. I am really happy because it is a dream just to be here at a team that wants to spend money on players and be in the top four.

"Both teams fight for different things. In Newcastle there is a different mentality now, they don't want to spend a lot of money but here they want to spend and be big again."

Kuyt Wants Arsenal Start

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has revealed that he was disappointed not to have started against Sunderland last weekend but hopes to feature against Arsenal on Saturday.

The Dutch international striker was left on the bench by manager Kenny Dalglish in the Premier League opener at Anfield and was brought on only after the hour-mark.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw and although Kuyt says that he is pleased with the result, he admits that it was not easy for him to watch from the bench.

"I'm happy we're on the way now," Kuyt told Liverpool's official website. "The draw against Sunderland wasn't what we were hoping for - we wanted three points, but that's behind us now and a really big game is waiting for us on Saturday.

"I am feeling very well. It's my first full pre-season in many years. Last year, for example, I had two weeks to prepare for the season, but this year I had a full pre-season and I have to say I am feeling fitter than ever.

"I am desperate to play and was disappointed not to start on Saturday, but the manager needs to decide who he's going to pick - and hopefully he's going to pick me for the next game."

The former Feyenoord striker is also confident of a successful 2011-12 campaign and enthused: "I am very excited by the new season. I think the owners and manager have done a great job with the players who have come in January and the summer.

"It's very positive, we have a great squad, but it's now up to the players to show we are also a great team and have the ability to compete with the best."

Kuyt, who has established himself as one of the key players for Liverpool with his versatility and work ethic, is also enthusiastic about summer signings Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique.

"I think they've settled in very well," stated the 31-year-old. "A big plus for them, and for us, was that most of them arrived in pre-season so we could train and work with them during pre-season and get to know them better. That was very good and I think they've all done very well and are happy to be here.

"It's the job of everyone (to welcome new players), whether you are experienced or not. We have to try to help each other because at the end of the day, we need each other if we want to achieve something.

"You always try to make the new lads feel welcome. I think I did and the rest of the lads did as well, so hopefully we can have a great season together."