Match Report: Exeter 1 - 3 Liverpool

Liverpool gave Kenny Dalglish his 200th win in charge of the club as Luis Suarez inspired a comfortable 3-1 victory over Exeter at St James Park in the Carling Cup second round.

The Uruguayan grabbed the opener after 23 minutes as he volleyed home, before teeing up Maxi Rodriguez and substitute Andy Carroll to put a seal on the victory after the break.

But there was some concern for Dalglish as the Scot lost Raul Meireles to injury inside the first quarter of the game.

The Portuguese left the field clutching his shoulder after coming off worse in a challenge with Danny Coles.

Exeter battled bravely but carved out very few opportunities, although Daniel Nardiello did at least pull a goal back from the spot after he had been felled by Martin Skrtel in the box.

Dalglish named a strong side for his first League Cup tie as Reds boss since 1990.

Suarez led the attack having been on bench duty against Arsenal, while Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Pepe Reina were all retained from the side that started against the Gunners.

The Grecians may have had dreams of a famous upset but Liverpool was always in control after making an assured start.

Skrtel volleyed into the side netting inside three minutes before Adam forced Artur Krysiak into a near-post save after he was left free at a short corner.

Exeter had a great chance to take a 16th-minute lead as Nardiello was left unmarked from a Chris Shephard corner, but the striker's header was straight at Reina.

Liverpool then lost Meireles to injury after 19 minutes, the Portuguese disappearing straight down the tunnel with Andy Carroll his replacement.

But the Reds overcame that loss and were soon ahead as Krysiak succeeded in tipping a Henderson cross only as far as Suarez, who volleyed home despite the best efforts of Richard Duffy on the line.

Exeter then lost a man of their own as an apparent hamstring injury ended Guillem Bauza's night, with Jimmy Keohane being summoned from the bench.

Rodriguez should have doubled the Reds' advantage after 34 minutes when Suarez turned Billy Jones, but the Argentinian could not get a touch as the ball was rolled across the six-yard box.

Adam then dragged wide from the edge of the box after more promising link-up work between Suarez and Carroll.

Exeter created their second clear chance of the night within seconds of the restart as a Shephard ball saw Nardiello loft the ball over the onrushing Reina, but his effort ran wide of the left-hand post.

Henderson was then booked as he was adjudged to have dived in the area under the challenge of Coles, but the second Liverpool goal arrived just nine minutes into the second half as the ever-threatening Suarez calmly picked out Rodriguez at the second attempt to allow the midfielder to slot into the left-hand corner.

And the win was secured just four minutes later as Suarez beat Troy Archibald-Henville before Carroll smashed an unstoppable left-foot drive beyond Krysiak.

That was the final act in a Suarez masterclass and he was withdrawn with Stewart Downing coming on.

Carroll wasted a good chance to grab his second as he nodded wide but it was Exeter who grabbed a consolation goal with 10 minutes to play.

Skrtel was guilty of a clumsy challenge on Nardiello as the striker broke into the box, and the former Blackpool forward slotted home from the spot.

Danilo Pereira Is Also A Surprise Summer Target For Liverpool

Parma midfielder Danilo Pereira has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for both Arsenal and Liverpool according to talkSPORT.

The talented 19-year-old starred for Portugal in the recent Under-20 World Cup, and was nominated for the 'Golden Ball' award after a series of scintillating performances for the tournament's runners-up.

Likened to a young Patrick Vieira, the tenacious, tough-tackling Pereira plays primarily as a defensive midfielder, but the 6ft 1in star is also renowned for his excellent strength and technique with a football - causing him to be deployed in a more attacking role during a loan spell in Greece in the second half of last season.

With Gunners boss Arsene Wenger known to be in the market for midfield reinforcements after the recent sale of Cesc Fabregas, and the imminent departure of Samir Nasri away from the Emirates Stadium - Arsenal could now make a move for the Serie A starlet.

However, reports emanating from Italy suggest that it is in fact Liverpool who are the favourites to land Pereira's signature - meaning Reds boss Kenny Dalglish will have added no less than four midfielders to his Anfield ranks during the transfer window.

Having only been at Parma for one season after Portuguese giants Benfica opted not to offer him a professional contract, Pereira could now become the subject of a late summer scrap between Arsenal and Liverpool as the end of the window fast approaches.

Redknapp Admits Desire To Be Reunited With Joe Cole

Harry Redknapp's attempts to strengthen his Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of the closure of the transfer window could prompt a surprise move for the unsettled Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.

Lassana Diarra and Emmanuel Adebayor are on the verge of completing switches to White Hart Lane but Redknapp has also expressed a desire to sign Cole. The England midfielder has endured a frustrating year on Merseyside, starting only nine Premier League games last term following a free transfer from Chelsea. Liverpool omitted the 29-year-old from their squad for Wednesday night's Carling Cup tie at Exeter City and indicated a willingness to allow him to depart, even on loan, to spare their wage bill. The player is keen to return to London and although QPR may offer an alternative destination, his preference is to be reunited with Redknapp at Spurs.

Cole is willing to accept a reduction in his salary – thought to be around £80,000-a-week – to smooth his departure from Anfield but it remains to be seen whether the Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, would share his manager's enthusiasm in pursuing the player. "I like Joe, and I am not going to say I don't want to sign him because I would be lying," said Redknapp. "I have not made any inquiries for Joe. It probably would be difficult because we tried to get him last year. It was not difficult for me but the chairman – well, he might think he didn't want to come here last year and he went to Liverpool."

Asked whether Cole would have to accept a reduction in wages to secure first-team football at Spurs, Redknapp said: "Yes, but I think he would have last time too. But we took our time making an offer and it all dragged on. In the end he probably felt he wasn't wanted enough. He is a real talent. I signed him when he was 11 [at West Ham] and he was the best young footballer I have ever seen – I have never seen anyone come near him – and I think I can get him back to where he was. I would love to work with him again."

Tottenham's activity in the market is steadily gathering pace with agreement edging closer with Real Madrid over the £10m transfer of Diarra, formerly with Arsenal and Chelsea and an FA Cup winner with Redknapp at Portsmouth. That would represent a knockdown fee as far as the Spanish club is concerned, with Real hopeful of including a sell-on fee in any deal before sanctioning the move. Diarra's salary, which amounts to some £120,000 a week, is in excess of the wage ceiling at White Hart Lane, though Levy is hoping to secure the player with a package of bonuses and a significant signing-on fee.

Adebayor's salary, too, had appeared a potential obstacle blocking his loan move from Manchester City, though Redknapp, whose side go into this evening's Europa League play-off against Hearts leading 5-0 from the away leg, indicated on Wednesday that the Togo forward will take a pay cut to return to north London, with City also paying a contribution. Spurs hope to complete the signing ahead of the weekend, though the striker would be ineligible for Sunday's visit of City to White Hart Lane.

"Emmanuel will give us something different," said Redknapp. "He has fantastic ability, and he had that spell at Arsenal when he was unplayable. He has had a spell where his reputation has gone down, so he needs to come in and have a right go. He has a big point to prove. But he's not coming for the money. He's taking a drop in salary because he fancies coming to Spurs."

£12m Reds Signing To Be Done In 'Next Few Hours'

Liverpool look set to seal their sixth signing of the summer by completing a deal for Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates.

The imposing centre-back who, according to BBC Sport, is valued at around £12 million, currently plies his trade with Nacional, while he was one of Uruguay's star turns in their victorious Copa America campaign.

Liverpool's move for the 20-year-old has flown somewhat under the radar, but it would now appear they are close to bringing him to Anfield, after Nacional sporting manager Daniel Enriquez claimed a deal was nearly finalized.

He reportedly said: "Final details of transfer [to Liverpool] would be done in next few hours."

Coates, meanwhile, is keen to team up with international teammate Luis Suarez on Merseyside - something which has led him to choose Liverpool over Manchester City.

"Yes, it's a club with great history and tradition in English football," he told ovaciondigital.com.uy. "Furthermore, it is Luis [Suarez] who would be a great help to me.

"The offer serves all parties"

He added: "He [Suarez] told me he spoke with coach Kenny Dalglish and the sports manager of the institution."

Scott Dann Close To Merseyside Move

Kenny Dalglish is readying an £8 million bid for Birmingham centre-back Scott Dann, according to The Sun.

Dann starred for Birmingham last season, and after the club was relegated, the 24-year-old has been set for an exit to another English club.

Arsenal and Liverpool both emerged as favourites to sign the star, but with Arsenal reluctant to fork out the high fee for Dann, Liverpool have taken the front line and The Sun believes that Dalglish is ready to make an official offer.

Chris Hughton recently told reporters that no offers had been made for Dann, but the Birmingham manager was resigned to something happening before deadline day.

“Whether Scott will be with us after the deadline, I don't know,” Hughton said.

Liverpool has also been connected to Gary Cahill and Sebastian Coates, but the Merseyside club are now reportedly in the winning position to land Dann, who grew up in Liverpool.

Soto Kyrgiakos left the Reds to move to Wolfsburg on Monday, leaving a space open for another defender to come onboard.

Meireles Injury Blow For Reds

Kenny Dalglish revealed Raul Meireles faces a spell on the sidelines after he damaged his shoulder during the 3-1 Carling Cup win over Exeter.

The Portugal international lasted just 23 minutes before an awkward tumble saw Andy Carroll introduced as a replacement. Carroll scored one of the Reds' three goals, but Meireles faces an uncertain spell in the treatment room.

"It's his collarbone but we don't know how long he'll be out," Dalglish told Sky Sports. "I think we are going to be without him for a couple of weeks.

"I've not got a medical term for it. He just damaged his collarbone. He just fell on it. It's disappointing. It doesn't matter if he's been playing good, bad or indifferent, it's still disappointing to pick up such an innocuous thing. We are disappointed. But I'm sure Raul is the most disappointed person."

Luis Suarez was the star man once again for Liverpool, scoring his third goal of the season before laying on Maxi Rodriguez's first. Dalglish was typically subtle in his praise of the forward, and he also offered appreciative words to Carroll - who had not scored before Wednesday evening.

"I'm pleased for him," Dalglish said of Carroll. "And I'm pleased for Maxi who also got on the scoresheet for the time this season. Obviously Luis is hogging the limelight a wee bit by scoring again but it's great, especially for Andy to get off the mark with fantastic strike.

"We are delighted for him. He might have come on a bit later had Raul not got injured. But he did well when he came on."

Asked specifically about Suarez's contribution, Dalglish responded: "Well he doesn't give many bad performances does he."

Roma Won’t Hijack Aquilani Deal

Roma have dismissed whispers that they will attempt to hijack Milan’s move for Alberto Aquilani.

“These voices are unfounded,” Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini told Radio Mana Mana. “I don’t want to give false hope to people.”

Aquilani was brought up in the Roma youth ranks, but was sold to Liverpool in the summer of 2009 for £20m.

He then spent last season on loan at Juventus before the Turin giants opted against signing him outright.

Aquilani’s agent Franco Zavaglia has been talking with the Rossoneri over the last few days and a move seems imminent.

The Italian international will reportedly join the Italian champions on loan, but Milan will be obliged to buy him on a permanent basis should he appear in a certain amount of games.

The transfer could be made official at some point on Thursday.

Liverpool Launch First Football Academy In India

English Premier League club Liverpool launched their first football academy in India on Wednesday and said the club would have similar "footprints" in every continent by 2014.

"We want to have footprints in every continent in the next three years," Steve Turner, head of Liverpool FC International Football Academy, told reporters after signing a contract to set up the Indian academy on the outskirts of Delhi.

Turner and former Liverpool striker Ian Rush will also travel to China to explore similar opportunities.

"China is next and we are also in discussions for potential partnerships in South America, United States, Canada, Vietnam and also Malaysia," Turner added.

Asked why Liverpool chose India, one of the world's fastest growing economies, Turner said; "We are trying to connect with our fans and the football academy is a vehicle."

European clubs have been keen to tap the Asian market, a growing trend underlined by Manchester United's plans of a $1 billion initial public offering (IPO) in Singapore by the end of the year.

Former England and Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon will be head coach of the Indian academy which is named after him.

Four centres are planned in and around Delhi and more facilities across the country over the next 18 months.

McMahon said the project was not "money-driven" and would hopefully improve the standard of football in India.

"It's going to take time but we are not here for a quick-fix," he added. "We are here for a long time."

Government To Sanction Release Of Hillsborough Disaster Documents

The Government is "happy" for all documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster to be released, the Cabinet Office has announced.

Until now, ministers have failed to officially support calls for all the reports about the 1989 tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans died to be made public.

The Government was considering whether to release Cabinet papers should the Hillsborough Independent Panel ask it to as this would be a highly unusual step ahead of the 30-year rule.

But after an online petition gained 100,000 signatories, ministers have said they will sanction the release of all documents the panel believes should be made public.

It is understood the panel may put forward its recommendations on which papers should be released as early as the spring of next year.

In a statement, a Cabinet Office spokesman said: "The Government has confirmed its commitment to full transparency about the Hillsborough disaster through full public disclosure.

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"All papers had previously been shared with the Hillsborough Independent Panel. The Government is happy for all the papers to be released as soon as the panel so decides, in consultation with the families.

"We expect them to be shared with the Hillsborough families first and then to the wider public."

A spokesman said it would still appeal against the ruling of information commissioner Christopher Graham that the papers should now be made public as it said it wanted them to be released in an ordered way to the victims' families first before the media.

By reaching the milestone of 100,000 signatories, the petition has automatically sparked a parliamentary debate.

Match Preview: Exeter v Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish will get his first real up close look at the strength in dept of the Liverpool squad when his new look side face Exeter in the 2nd round of the Carling cup.

While the clash at St James Park is not the type of midweek game that Liverpool are used to at this stage of the season, the Carling represents a chance for the Anfield club to end their recent trophy drought not to mention give some players an early season run out.

Much has been made of the new found player pool at the Scots disposal and a it was a new found sign of the confidence that surrounds the club that Dalglish, already missing the services of his talisman Steven Gerrard, chose the Emirates to give Luis Suarez an early season rest.

In the aftermath of that game, which Liverpool won thanks to the impact of Suarez and another substitute Raul Meireles, Jaime Carragher spoke of his delight at the impact of the bench and with Dalglish confirming that he will play some of his fringe players in Wednesday game fans will be interested to see who starts.

With Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard the only players unavailable to the Reds boss the likes of Christian Doni, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole look set to start at St James’ Park.

Dalglish who has also acknowledged that he would be taking the competition seriously will be keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s exit, when a then Roy Hodgson managed Liverpool lost to league two side Northampton Town.

Paul Tisdale’s side will not be a push over especially on their own turf and many will remember that they drew with Manchester United 0-0 at home in their last taste of the big time in the 2005 FA cup, before losing 2-0 away.

However like Liverpool they are not used to be involved in the competition at this stage, with Wednesday’s clash their first 2nd round tie since 1993.

Exeter has yet to win in the league this season with their only league point coming in the opening day when they drew away to Stevenage, and they’ve lost three straight since. Their only win this season came in the first round game with Yeovil, Guillem Bauza and Chris Shepard scoring in a 2-0 win.

Tisdale is expected to name the strongest side available to him for the game with Daniel Nardiello and Guillem Bauza expected to partner each other in attack after starting Saturday’s loss against Preston

Midfielder Liam Sercombe and striker Richard Logan are injury concerns however definitely out is former Cork City striker John O’Flynn and defender Steve Tully, who is suspended.

Kenny's Exeter Plan

Kenny Dalglish admits our premature exit from last season's Carling Cup will be in his mind when selecting a side to face Exeter on Wednesday night.

The boss will make changes to his team while guarding against any repeat of our penalty shoot-out exit to League Two strugglers Northampton in last year's third round.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We had a bad result last year against Northampton at home, and we'll do our best to avoid another bad result. We want to do the very best we can in this competition and although there will be some changes in the personnel we put out, the attitude should be exactly the same as it was on Saturday at the Emirates.

"We'll give people an opportunity to play. The training has been superb, as has their attitude and commitment, so they deserve a game.

"But it's not a game we just want to go through the motions for and fulfil our obligations in playing the fixture - we want to make sure we have a chance. We're not getting them (other players) involved because we're undermining the competition or we're undermining the football club at Exeter."

Paul Tisdale's side beat Yeovil 2-0 to progress to the second round but have lost their last three League One outings.

Last time they faced Liverpool in this competition it ended 11-0 on aggregate - with Dalglish scoring in both legs.

But the gaffer added: "You totally respect any team you're going to play. We've put as much effort into our preparation for this game as we did for Arsenal on Saturday.

"Exeter hasn’t had too much good luck, but they've played quite well - they've just not had any breaks at the right time. They had a difficult game on Saturday at Preston when they had a guy sent off after 20 minutes, but they only lost 1-0 and hit the bar in the second half.

"It's going to be difficult, but in the way we're going to approach the game we'll have no excuse for a lack of preparation."

Spirits are high among players and staff after our first away win at Arsenal in 11 years at the weekend, but Dalglish isn't getting carried away - nor is he prepared to countenance talk of a possible Wembley final in the New Year.

"We'll just take our time," he said. "If we have any designs on getting anywhere, then we've just got to take our time and be responsible.

"This time last year there was a lot of disappointment because the club hadn't started so well which fortunately we've changed a little bit - but let's not get carried away or be running before we can walk. Let's just take our time.

"The boys were brilliant at Arsenal on Saturday, but we're not going to get carried away with one result - and neither should anybody."

Dalglish, who has a full squad to chose from bar the injured Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard, also had a few words to say about the transfer of Sotirios Kyrgiakos to Wolfsburg, which was confirmed by Liverpoolfc.tv on Monday night.

Liverpool Hunting Goal Riddled Serie A

Marco Borriello is set to be sold off by Roma, despite the striker only signing for the Italian giants in June with Liverpool interested, according to reports in Italy.

Following a loan spell with the club last season, Borriello put pen to a deal worth €4.5 million per year at the Olympic Stadium.

However, it now appears that Roma want rid of the forward, with Liverpool, who may be searching for a replacement for David N'Gog if he completes his move to Bolton, one of the interested parties.

“While he remains at Roma, he will train at the head of the group,” his agent Tiberio Cavalleri said.

"The news he was on the market was a surprise, above all considering the fact they only bought him out from Milan on June 26.”

Borriello scored 54 goals in the last three season, however his appearance in Roma's European run, limits his options, meaning Liverpool, who are without a spot in Europe this season, are the leading contenders.

Liverpool is expected to continue their spending spree, with Craig Bellamy also touted as a potential recruit.

Liverpool Keen On £10m Rated Brazilian Teenager Oscar

Liverpool’s director of football Damien Comolli is reportedly monitoring Internacional attacking midfielder Oscar with a view to making a move to sign the Brazilian teenager in the near future. The 19 year old played a crucial part in his country’s Under 20 World Cup success, netting a dramatic hat-trick in the final against Portugal last weekend.

The talented youngster is already a regular at club level and a goal scoring midfielder considered one of the hottest prospects in Brazil and saw his team-mate Sandro complete a move to Tottenham that helped further his push for a spot in the full senior national team set-up.

Oscar is in his third season of first team action, his first being with Sao Paulo, and two with Internacional the latest seeing the attack minded midfielder taking part in 25 matches as he helped his side to a Campeonato Gaúcho triumph.

Liverpool’s owners are more than willing to offer funds to Comolli and boss Kenny Dalglish for youthful players who can serve the club well in the long term and have good sell on value and Oscar definitely fits into that category.

The Merseyside club has seen a number of their academy graduates break into the first team with the likes of Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson all impressing, Liverpool have also sought to bring in quality talent from elsewhere to help complement those coming through the ranks, snapping up players like Raheem Sterling, Nathan Eccleston and Daniel Pacheco.

Liverpool have already spent upwards of £50m during this transfer window but are still keen to bring in further additions and Comolli’s scouting of Oscar will reportedly result in a bid for the £10m rated teenager.

Liverpool Close In On £8m Capture Of Blues Centre-Back

Liverpool is now favourites to sign Birmingham centre-back Scott Dann.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish allowed experience defender Soto Kyrgiakos to leave for Wolfsburg yesterday, sparking speculation that a deal for Dann was close.

Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with a move for the Liverpool-born player, but he has his heart set on a switch to Anfield.

Dann was a boyhood Reds fan and he appears he is in line for an £8m dream move back to his native Merseyside.

Dalglish is keen to bolster his backline before the transfer window shuts next Wednesday and is has already held successful preliminary talks with Birmingham regarding the 24-year-old.

The Scotsman hopes to tie up deal in time to hand Dann his debut against Bolton at Anfield on Saturday.

The former Coventry man would become Liverpool's sixth summer signing as part of a £120m recruitment drive this year.

Reds Midfielder Targeting Spurs Switch

Joe Cole is desperate for a permanent move from Liverpool to escape his Anfield nightmare and fancies joining Tottenham.

Former England midfielder Cole, 29, has failed to establish himself at the Reds since joining on a free from Chelsea last summer.

Cole was initially hampered by an early red card, then injury before seeing new boss Roy Hodgson - who signed him - swiftly sacked.

Now successor Kenny Dalglish has repeatedly overlooked Cole and signed several big-money midfielders like Jordan Henderson.

Cole is keeping his phone on in the run-up to the transfer deadline in the hope of a move away.

He has worked hard on his fitness in pre-season and is anxious for regular games but is not keen on dropping into the Championship to play for former club West Ham.

His ideal move would be to White Hart Lane to link up with ex-Hammers' boss Harry Redknapp.

Spurs chief Redknapp is a long-standing admirer of Cole and could be interested if Luka Modric goes to Chelsea.

But QPR are yet to firm up their supposed interest in Cole.

Coyle Keeps Quiet Over Deal For Ngog

Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle remained tight-lipped this morning over the reported transfer of Liverpool striker David Ngog.

According to reports Wanderers have been given permission to speak with the Liverpool forward.

It is understood that Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata is also on Coyle’s transfer radar.

However, the Scot was giving nothing away.

"I am interested in a lot of players," he said.

"Until I have got everything cut and dried, I am loathe to mention individuals.

"There are bigger clubs than Bolton out there who could come and steal your thunder.

"Those two are both very good players. Whether we are able to bring them to the club, time will tell."

Kuyt Closing On Reds Milestone

Dirk Kuyt has played down suggestions he could leave Liverpool this summer, after reports emerged that the Dutchman is the subject of a fresh bid from Inter Milan.

The 31-year-old forward insists he is happy at Anfield, and is undistracted by the speculation, as he closes in on 50 league goals for the Reds.

Kuyt had been linked with a move to the San Siro when former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was at the helm of the Serie A outfit, but his agent Rob Jansen has revealed that his client has been made a new, more attractive offer.

"As far as I know there is nothing true about this," Kuyt told Voetbal International. "I am very happy at Liverpool.

"I didn't extend my contract for two years three months ago for nothing. You don't do that if you have the intention to go away quickly.

"Maybe people think that I want to leave. But it doesn't work like that for me," he continued. "Liverpool has a very big squad and therefore you could sometimes be on the bench, [but] it's my intention to stay here."

Kenny Dalglish spoke of his admiration for the player who is just one strike away from a half century milestone in the top-flight, and reiterated his importance to the first-team.

"Dirk is a fantastic player for this football club," Dalglish told Liverpoolfc.tv. "He does work hard for the team, but then sometimes that work ethic disguises the ability he has got as well, so don't forget he has got a fair amount of ability.

"It's fantastic for anyone to get 50 league goals for his club and that will be a great milestone for him when he gets it."

Tournament Joy For Youngsters

Liverpool U15s are celebrating after emerging triumphant from a tournament held in Dublin at the weekend.

The young Reds saw off Celtic in a tense penalty-shoot-out leaving coach Phil Roscoe delighted with his side's overall showing at the competition.

Roscoe told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We had a tournament over in Dublin for the 1997 group which is the younger U15s and U14s.

"We managed to get to the final against Celtic where we went on to win on penalties.

"I think there were between four or five thousand fans watching so it was obviously a very good experience for the players.

"We played Leicester on the Friday as well as Utrecht and a Republic of Ireland select XI side on Saturday. We then qualified for the final and took on Celtic.

"I think there were about two thousand people crammed behind the goal so it was very real for them. It was a pressurized situation for them to face at such a young age - and they did very well."

Academy manager Steve Cooper was also pleased with the success but insisted the overall experience of tournament football was what mattered most.

Cooper said: "It's all part of our player development program. We aim to take every player away at least twice a year. Basically, the rationale behind it is that if any players are going to move on to the first-team then they are going to have to be able to handle world football.

"The obvious way to do that is to enter tournaments around the world at young ages and give them experience of playing at different climates, against different cultures and alternative styles of football.

"There are some fantastic academies in Europe. If you look at the likes of Sporting Lisbon who we played in the NextGen last week, as well as Ajax, Barcelona and Real Madrid. We have played against all of those teams at different ages over the past 12 months, so it's really given the boys some great experience."

Dalglish Trims His Squad As Aquilani And Cole Heading For Anfield Exit

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is ready to offload two of his Anfield flops in the coming days as both Alberto Aquilani and Joe Cole edge closer towards loan moves.

Both players have found themselves frozen out during their time on Merseyside and it seems as though Dalglish does not have room in his squad for either midfielder.

Aquilani appears on the verge of joining Italian champions AC Milan after his agent, Franco Zavaglia, claimed that a season-long loan deal should be tied up within the next 48 hours.

“The involved parties are working on this case, and between Wednesday and Thursday, everything will be decided,” Zavaglia told the Daily Mirror.

Milan chairman Silvio Berlusconi also admitted that the club were currently negotiating a deal to bring the £17million midfielder back to Serie A. "We are negotiating for Aquilani. I like him a lot, he’s an interesting player.”

It has always seemed likely that Aquilani would once again be allowed to leave Liverpool after Dalglish brought two more central midfielders to the club.

However, many pundits believed that he would keep hold of Cole, who has also struggled to make an impact since making the move to Liverpool from Chelsea.

Cole struggled to force his way into the starting line-up under Dalglish as both Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt were preferred in wide positions. With the arrival of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing, his opportunities appear to have been limited even further and a loan move now appears the most likely outcome.

Premiership newboys QPR seem the most likely candidates for Cole, after Tony Fernandes took control of the club and made funds available for manager Neil Warnock.

The London club also revealed that they would be willing to pay a significant portion of the player’s wages that are believed to be around £90,000-a-week.

“We could probably afford 30 or 40 per cent of his wages now,” admitted Fernandes. “The chairman knows all my targets and we will be discussing them. He’s off to Malaysia, but is contactable.”

John Barnes: He’d Be A Fantastic Signing For Liverpool

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes that Bolton defender Gary Cahill would be a fantastic signing for the Reds. He told talkSPORT:

“Cahill is a fantastic player and I’m surprised there have not been more noises made about him. There are a lot of clubs looking for centre-backs and he’d be a fantastic signing for Liverpool. Another striker would be nice, but defensively is where we really need it [strengthening]. And Cahill would be perfect.”

Cahill has been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal but nobody has made a move for the 25 year old as of yet.