Steve Clarke Chasing Brazilian Talent On International Break

Steve Clarke has admitted to heading to the Brazil v Ghana game at Craven Cottage on Monday night, with the Liverpool first team coach looking for future talent.

“You can always pick up a game that’s interesting, whether it’s by television coverage or getting down to watch it,” Clarke said of his plans for the international break.

“I’m actually penciled in to go and watch Lucas play against Ghana. There’s always something you can do and always a game you can watch – and who knows? You might identify a talent for the future.”

Liverpool currently has Fabio Aurelio and Lucas Leiva on their books from Brazil, and the Reds signed goalkeeper Doni in the last transfer window.

But with young stars Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso being targeted by top English clubs, Liverpool are hoping to steal the march on their rivals and look at the best talent coming out of Brazil in the friendly.

Liverpool has made seven signings this summer in the hopes of getting back to their glory days and challenging for trophies in England and Europe. And with the January window coming around the corner, the club is already looking at potential targets to continue to bolster their squad.

John Aldridge: Stoke Will Provide Tough Test For Liverpool FC

Liverpool hasn’t won at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League and they will be in for another tough game at Stoke on Saturday.

Tony Pulis has done some great business in the transfer market and it’s been a real show of ambition by Stoke.

They’ve brought in the likes of Peter Crouch, Matthew Upton, Jonathan Woodgate and Cameron Jerome and look set for a good season.

They play to their strengths and we all know about Rory Delap’s long throws.

Hopefully he sprains his hand before Saturday!

Liverpool just rolled over at Stoke last season and was comprehensively beaten but now we’ve got better players to deal with what they throw at us.

If Glen Johnson isn’t back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jamie Carragher at right back with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger in the centre.

I don’t think it’s the kind of game to throw in Sebastian Coates. If Coates plays his first match at Stoke he might be left wondering what English football is all about.

Suarez Unfazed By Attention

Liverpool hot-shot Luis Suarez insists he is not worried about becoming a marked man from rival defences after lighting up the Premier League.

Suarez has been a revelation at Anfield since arriving during the January transfer window from Ajax and he has carried the form he showed last season into the new campaign.

The Uruguayan ace claims he is not worried about defenders doing their homework on him and he insists he does not feel under pressure to avoid second season syndrome.

"I feel no pressure at all. In fact when a defender studies you, it almost makes it easier because you just don't do what he expects you to," Suarez told the club's official magazine.

"If he thinks you are going to go to your right, you go to your left and so on, and you just keep switching it round so you are hard to read.

"It keeps you on your toes but really it's harder for the defender because he can't know what you are going to do."

Suarez, who helped Uruguay win this summer's Copa America, claims he has not set himself a goals target for the season despite hitting three in his four games.

"I don't set a goals target and I never really have personal goals, just collective goals for the team," added Suarez.

"That is far more important than what I do myself. It is about team targets."

Suarez admits Liverpool's main objective for the season is to get back in the Champions League, but insists they will try and challenge for the Premier League title.

"We want to get Liverpool back into the Champions League and maybe win a cup," continued Suarez. "But we also want to get as high as we can in the league. It might be a little bit early but if there's a chance to win the league, we will go for it."

Liverpool Plan Nacional Link After Coates Purchase

Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli has revealed the club are looking to tap into the talent emerging from Uruguay with two internationals from the country now at the club.

Liverpool signed 20-year-old Sebastian Coates from Nacional late last month and he will link up with countryman and former Nacional player Luis Suarez, who joined in January from Ajax.

Comolli says Liverpool are now looking to establish a more formal relationship with Nacional on the back of the Coates deal.

"I've got to thank the people from Nacional, the directors and their chairman, because they have been very helpful," he told the club's official website. "They tried to help the player complete his will, which was to come here.

"They tried to find a solution for us to make it happen. We now have strong links with them because both Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates have come from this club and been developed by their academy.

"We are talking about a partnership with them that we would like to create over the next three, four or five years, to see if there is more talent coming through. Maybe we can help them to develop their standards and in turn have the ability to bring those young players here.

"During the Copa America they had 14 players out of the 23 who had at some point played at Nacional or were developed by Nacional. That is a fantastic record for their academy."

Comolli added: "It is very interesting for us. ''We already have a strong link with South America through Lucas (Leiva), Maxi (Rodriguez) and Luis.

"Since it's been such a success with Luis - and I'm sure it will be for Sebastian - why don't we try to make it an even bigger success by bringing in other players from Nacional?"

Martin Kelly Delighted With Capello's Words Of Praise

Liverpool youngster Martin Kelly has revealed his delight with England manager Fabio Capello's recent words of praise.

The defender, 21, broke into the first team with the Reds under Kenny Dalglish last season and he has been reliable when called upon, though injuries have restricted his availability.

Capello recently referred to him as “really interesting” footballer who played a “good, good game” against Arsenal in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at the Emirates.

“It's exciting as a youth England player to hear that from an England manager but I've not been up there and trained with the senior side yet," said Kelly to Liverpool’s official website

“Obviously I can still play for the under-21s and helping them qualify for the Euros is the main objective. I've been brought up to have my feet on the ground and that's where they will stay.

“I don't think you can take anything for granted in football. Things change so quickly. You've got to be on top of your game all the time, there's always competition coming in

“You've got to keep working hard because it's a short career and you have to make the most of it.

“The injury made me a stronger character. I missed nearly two years of my growth but if you keep working at it and take your chances – that's what you need to do in football.

“There are millions of kids out there looking for a chance and you've got to take it.”

Kelly is desperate to be involved in the England set-up, although he would be ecstatic if they won even without his involvement.

He said: “One of my all-time ambitions, even if I'm not in the squad, is to see England win a World Cup.

“While I'm alive I want to see England win a World Cup because I'm a massive England fan. When it comes to the World Cup and Euros I've always got the England shirt on and I'm with the lads watching it at the local pub.

“It's a massive thing to be thought of to be in that senior squad – it's great to have had a little mention off the England manager."

The defender, who has two under-21 caps, will be looking at the recent youngsters to have broken into the first team and feel that he could follow in their path.

Manchester United’s Chris Smalling is the latest promising talent to start for his country, while Andy Carroll, Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson have all made the step up in the past year.

“The word 'potential' is used a lot and I think the generation coming up that's my age, there's a really good squad there,” Kelly added.

“There is definitely the quality there to replace the people who are getting a little bit older now.

“I think it will be exciting times in the next three or four years when my generation grows up and gets into their mid-20s. We'll have a really good side.”

Danny Wilson Should Not Have Joined Reds, Says Richard Gough

Danny Wilson's move to Liverpool last summer was a mistake, at least that is according to former Rangers captain Richard Gough.

The young defender was signed in July 2010 by then Reds manager Roy Hodgson, having won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award for his exploits at Ibrox the previous season.

However, the 19-year-old has made only nine appearances for Liverpool - including just one league start - in what has been a testing time at Anfield for the Scotland defender.

And, says Gough, Wilson really ought to have not joined Liverpool at all as it has hampered his progress - and provides an issue for the national side.

"The move to Liverpool had its lure for Wilson, he may have doubled his wages and I understand why the former Rangers kid took it," Gough told the Scottish Sun.

"In football terms, though? It was a mistake.

"Danny would have been better staying put with Gers for another season and learning under the wise guidance of the likes of David Weir.

"If I was Wilson's agent I'd have told him to STAY at Ibrox.

"Danny has a huge future and played really well in the Denmark game but that was a friendly and it was 23 days ago.

"Since then he has played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool's 3-1 win at Exeter City in the Carling Cup. That's it."

Kenny Praises Jordan Gesture

Kenny Dalglish today praised Stuart Pearce for allowing Jordan Henderson a free week to prepare for Liverpool's fixture at Stoke on Saturday.

Henderson captained the U21s to a 6-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Thursday night but rather than retain his services for the friendly with Israel last night, Pearce instead opted to send Henderson back to Melwood.

"We're very grateful for that gesture and it was very much appreciated," Dalglish said.

"It was a good bit of common sense by Stuart Pearce. With it being a friendly he was going to look at a few other players so rather than keep Jordan with the squad he released him back to us.

"It's important clubs and international managers work together - it's all about building bridges.

"It was an intelligent decision and we thank him for that.

"Jordan did very well for the under-21s and we've been delighted with him as well."

Meanwhile, Dalglish is waiting to discover if Charlie Adam will be fit for action this weekend after picking up a knock playing for Scotland in their 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic.

"Charlie is back with us and we will just have to wait and see how he responds to treatment," he added. "It's too early to know about the weekend yet.

Terry Sets Example To Carroll

England captain John Terry believes Andy Carroll can learn from his mistakes after manager Fabio Capello questioned the Liverpool striker's lifestyle choices.

Capello stated on Monday that Carroll must drink less than the average person if he is to fulfil his potential and become an important figure for club and country.

But Terry does not feel that will be a problem and has cited his own career as a template for Carroll to follow.

The Chelsea defender admits to getting things wrong when he was starting out but thinks there is plenty of time for Carroll, 22, to become a great player.

"He's a young player who's at a very good club with a really good future," said Terry ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on Tuesday.

"He has still got to enjoy his time away from football. I'm sure he will.

"He's a really good pro on the pitch and good around the camp. I've made my mistakes, maybe drunk a little bit too much when I was younger and gone out a little bit too much.

"But, having gone through that, at 26 or 27 you maybe look back and are glad you did it then because you don't want to do it now."

Capello Warning For Carroll

Fabio Capello has confirmed that he will not include Andy Carroll in his starting XI in his current shape.

Carroll was named in the England squad for the games against Bulgaria and Wales.

But the Liverpool striker was not deemed fit enough to feature in Sofia and was not even on the bench for the 3-0 win.

And Capello admits the £35million hit-man needs to prove himself at Liverpool first before he can be back involved with England.

"He needs to find good form," Capello said.

"Against Bulgaria I chose 25 players and decided that the first 11 would be the players who were, for me, in the best moment of form.

"Andy didn't start the last game with Liverpool and probably he is not at the top of his form.

"Also he is big. He needs to play games, games, games.

"When these players, like Frank Lampard, like Andy, are fit and at the top of their form, they will be important."

Real Madrid Set Sights On Liverpool Striker

Mourinho is said to be keen on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who has made an instant impact on Merseyside. Kenny Dalglish will fight tooth and nail to keep the Uruguayan at Anfield but the allure of a move to Real Madrid may be hard to fend off.

Indeed it seems that the Scot sees the former Ajax man as his first choice striker and whilst a pairing of Andy Carroll is used for some Liverpool fixtures the season Dalglish has looked to play Suarez up front on his own and taking advantage of the goals he can now hope to see coming from his new midfield signings such as Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool paid £23m to bring Suarez to the club in January and it would take a fairly hefty offer from Real Madrid to have any chance of convincing the club to sell but Mourinho may be relying on the temptation of playing for the Spanish giants being enough to convince the prolific 24 year old pushing for a move.

Scotland Suffer Adam Blow

Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam has pulled out of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania due to a hip injury, the Scottish Football Association has announced.

Adam picked up the knock during Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Hampden Park and was forced off the pitch in the 79th minute.

The SFA confirmed that Adam would be absent from Tuesday's clash on their Twitter page late on Sunday, posting: "Charlie Adam definitely out".

His absence further depletes Craig Levein's squad, which has been ravaged by injury and suspensions.

Levein has also lost the services of Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who pulled out earlier on Sunday with a back injury.

First-choice striker Kenny Miller is suspended after being booked on Saturday.

The manager is also missing midfielder Scott Brown through suspension but full-back Steven Whittaker returns after a ban.

Jordan Henderson Leave England Under-21 Squad

Liverpool and England Under-21 midfielder Jordan Henderson has been granted permission to leave the Under-21 set-up early to join up with Kenny Dalglish’s squad ahead of their match against Stoke City next weekend.

The former Sunderland man was on target for Stuart Pearce’s side as they got their Euro 2013 qualification campaign off to the perfect start with a 6-0 win over Azerbaijan on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's McEachran has pulled out of the squad with a hamstring injury, meaning Tottenham youngster Adam Smith, who is on loan at MK Dons, has been called up.

England Under-21s play Israel in a friendly at Oakwell on Monday.

Liverpool Move Already Paying Off For Downing

Stewart Downing believes his England career is already seeing the benefit of his summer move to Liverpool FC.

Downing has been in impressive form during the opening weeks of the season following his near-£20m arrival from Aston Villa during the transfer window.

The 27-year-old last week revealed a determination to make a greater mark on the international stage after admitting his time with England had previously felt peripheral.

And after playing an integral part in the 3-0 win for Fabio Capello’s side in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Bulgaria, Downing is confident his prospects can only improve while at Anfield.

“I feel that I am an England player and my aim always must be to start games at this level,” said the winger.

“I have joined a terrific club. I am really enjoying myself at Liverpool and playing under a great manager like Kenny Dalglish can only help me get even better.

“It's been a good start to the season – both with Liverpool and now England.

“There is a good mixture of youth and experience in this England side and the signs are good for the future after what we did in Bulgaria.”

Downing will hope to retain his starting role in tomorrow’s Wembley qualifier against Wales, where victory would take Capello’s men to the brink of qualification for next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Liverpool team-mate Andy Carroll is vying for a recall up front alongside Wayne Rooney after missing out in Sofia.

Gerrard Welcomes Craig Bellamy Back To Liverpool FC

Steven Gerrard has welcomed the return of “top professional” Craig Bellamy to Liverpool FC and backed him to make a big impact this season.

The Liverpool skipper was delighted with the deadline day swoop for the Welsh striker who completed a free transfer from Manchester City.

Bellamy is back at the club he left four years ago and Gerrard is confident the 32-year-old will prove to be a real asset for boss Kenny Dalglish.

“I’m delighted that Craig is back – I didn’t want him to leave in the first place,” Gerrard said.

“That pace and the fiery character he’s got will help us in our push for success this season.

“When he was here before he was popular and one of the hardest working in training. He was always in the gym getting himself in good shape.

“What people need to realize is that Craig is a top professional. He works really hard day in, day out.

“He’s very knowledgeable about the game and I know even though he’s slightly older than me he will still want to learn and do well here.

“I’m sure he will be desperate to play for Kenny. He will have watched Liverpool from the outside like me in recent months and seen a lot of positive things. He will be excited to come back and we’re glad to have him back.”

Gerrard, who will return to full training later this week after completing his rehab following groin surgery, has also backed Liverpool’s decision to let Raul Meireles leave just before the transfer window closed.

The Portugal international was allowed to move to Chelsea for £12million after submitting a written transfer request.

“It was a bit of a surprise because of the timing,” Gerrard said.

“I don’t think Raul had been too happy because he wanted more game time, but the players who have been playing before him have been doing really well.

“He put in a transfer request and I’m sure Kenny and Damien (Comolli) thought if he’s going to be unhappy and doesn’t want to be here then it was better to move him on.

“It was probably the right decision and we got good money back for him.”

Clarke: We're Satisfied

Steve Clarke believes Liverpool has every reason to be satisfied with their start to 2011-12.

The Reds have picked up seven points from a possible nine in the Barclays Premier League, while they also made sure of a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over Exeter City.

A stylish attacking verve has characterized Liverpool's performances this term - and Clarke feels everyone within the camp can feel pleased with their efforts thus far.

The first-team coach told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We're all reasonably satisfied with the start. Obviously we're two points missing from the perfect start, but if you analyze the performances and how we've done, everybody should be quite happy.

"Each game individually has had pleasing aspects. It was important to go into the international break on the back of a good performance and win. We got that against Bolton, so that's probably been the most satisfying game so far."

Although many of Liverpool's first-team stars are currently away from Melwood in action for their countries, work continues at the club's training complex in preparation for the trip to Stoke City on September 10.

Clarke is eager to stress the importance of ensuring the international hiatus is of minimal disruption.

He said: "We've got a small group of players here. The internationals have gone and it's important for us to manage the players that are here well and make sure they don't lose out on their work on the training pitch and in the gym because we have to keep them fit and ready for the next game.

"We're here, we're working hard and when the international break comes along you've just go to deal with it. From our point of view, we'd like to have them all here working towards the next game, but we don't get them back until the Wednesday before we play Stoke City. From there, we prepare the team for the game."

He added: "The plans have started (for Stoke), but obviously you cannot only work with five players before the game.

"We'll be watching videos, preparing, and I'll be having a little think about training sessions and what we can do when we get the whole group back together.

"They'll come back Wednesday, most will have played on the Tuesday night and be a little bit tired, so on Thursday and Friday we'll start to nail down a few details for the weekend.

"But we should go into the game in a good moment. We finished the first part of the season on a high, we'll go through the international with hopefully no injuries and then we have to get ready for a couple of difficult away games."

While Clarke's work during the break will predominantly be done at Melwood, he'll be keen to take in as much of the internationals as possible.

Indeed, the Scot will be at Craven Cottage on Monday night to take in Brazil against Ghana - a match Lucas Leiva is expected to figure in.

He said: "You can always pick up a game that's interesting, whether it's by television coverage or getting down to watch it. I'm actually penciled in to go and watch Lucas play against Ghana

"There's always something you can do and always a game you can watch - and who knows? You might identify a talent for the future."

Hansen: Them Boys Can Pass

Alan Hansen believes the passing ability of Liverpool's summer signings has been a big factor in the club's impressive start to the campaign.

The legendary Reds captain has enjoyed watching the new recruits in action and thinks each of them has added to the quality in the squad.

Hansen told this week's LFC Magazine: "Against Bolton it was wave after wave of attack and what helps this is the passing ability of all the players. The football was tight and quick and all of the new signings have contributed towards this improvement.

"Charlie Adam is the obvious playmaker in midfield, but all of the other new boys can pass too.

"Stewart Downing has surprised me. I knew he was a good winger but I didn't realize how comfortable he was in possession. He makes the game look easy and that is the mark of a top player. He picks up great positions and retains the ball whether he's defending or attacking. It proves that when you get a player to the club, you never know quite how good someone is.

"Jose Enrique is the same. You'd think he's been playing for Liverpool for years. Then there's Jordan Henderson. It was great for him to get a goal. He rarely gives the ball away but you could tell that the goal gave him a lot of confidence. Again, like the others, he's very calm in the tightest of situations and keeps things ticking over."

King Kenny And The Liverpool Way

Since Kenny Dalglish took over the managerial hotseat at Anfield there has been great improvements made on the pitch and off the pitch.

We have bought good players with potential and hunger to win trophies. Many people have said recently Kenny has paid inflated prices for players in the two transfer windows since he has been in charge. I can see why they feel this is the case but I have news for the doubters, Liverpool fans don’t care about money. We are back playing the Liverpool way of pass and move. If we are up a couple of goals we still push forward. I can’t explain how happy I am to see this. For too many years under Houllier and Benitez we went one up and sat back the rest of the match hoping to snatch another goal on the counter attack.

Kenny has seen what many LFC fans have for years. We needed width as we played with wingers who weren’t really wingers i.e Benayoun, Kuyt, Cole, Degen etc. These players tried but their instinct was to cut inside the opposing full-back everytime. Kenny bought Downing and finally it looks like we can stretch teams more.

Kenny has identified that we needed pace and bought Downing, Enrique, Suarez and Bellamy.

He has also played Kuyt as a centre forward not on the right wing where Dirk did a job but was never going to be the answer on the right side of a Liverpool midfield.

Enrique has also signed to fill a left-back position that has been a problem since Riise was allowed to leave the club for a nominal fee only to be replaced by Dossena or Insua.

He has cleared out the deadwood and reduced a massive squad full of players who should never have got near wearing a Liverpool shirt.

At times last season I was struggling to watch my beloved Reds as they were so poor. Kenny has brought belief back to our players and supporters.

Off the pitch improvements have impressed me especially during the summer.

Gone are the days of the last few years where LFC have washed their dirty linen in the press. Kenny’s press conferences are outstanding. He refuses to comment on transfer targets and any other club business that has not been completed. Under Rafa he seemed to use these opportunities to show he wasn’t happy with his transfer budget etc. I can understand his hands were tied to some extent but the great managers of the past knew that club business was done behind closed doors.

Kenny is old school and Liverpool is engrained in him.

Why Jordan Henderson Is The Reds' Most Important Signing

Optimism is abound at Anfield following a busy, yet successful transfer window period, in which numerous players of quality arrived.

Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and Craig Bellamy are all established names with proven track records at their respective clubs prior to joining Liverpool. Adam flourished at Blackpool, while Downing took great strides at Aston Villa after bursting onto the international scene with his inclusion in England's 2006 World Cup squad.

Enrique shores up the left-back spot, while Bellamy returns to Anfield after an unsuccessful and unhappy spell at Manchester City.

There is, however, one signing that trumps all the others in importance, both for the near future and beyond, and that is the signing of Jordan Henderson.

Henderson was brought to the club in early June for around €22m from Sunderland, and now represents the future of the club's midfield, for better or worse.

Henderson has so far played in all three of Liverpool's competitive matches in the Premier League, scoring his debut goal against Bolton in the Reds' 3-1 victory. His performances have been up and down, but it is very clear that he possesses the talent to be highly successful on both the club and national level.

Still just 20 years of age, he has time to develop into Liverpool's central midfield replacement for Steven Gerrard, once the captain succumbs to age and injury. The fact that Gerrard is currently injured, and has been for a while, has accelerated Henderson's progression towards being in the middle of the field for Liverpool.

Henderson's signing is of extreme importance because he could be the heir to Steven Gerrard's throne, or he could prove to be just another expensive flop in Merseyside.

More so than Adam or Downing, who are nearer or past their peaks already, and Enrique or Bellamy, who are likely to be temporary fixes in their positions, Henderson has all the tools to ignite the Reds' next revolution in Europe and in England.

The "revolving door" nature of football is in constant motion, the latest example for Liverpool being the transfer of Raul Meireles to Chelsea immediately following his standout season with the club. There is a distinct possibility that any member of Liverpool's midfield could be subject to sale, with the exceptions of Gerrard and Henderson.

Yet, when Gerrard finally must concede his reign over Anfield to a new deputy, it will be Henderson who will take the job—what he does with it may very well decide the fate of the club for years to come.

Carroll Says Liverpool Is A Different World To Newcastle

Andy Carroll has revealed he cannot believe how far he has come since leaving Newcastle.

Andy Carroll: "Sometimes I will sit with my girlfriend and think, 'I can’t believe I was at Newcastle last year, and now I am here with all this going on around me.'

"But I’m taking it in my stride – that’s the most important thing.

"I feel a little bit more like I’m part of the [England] squad, but obviously I’ve still got a lot of time to work on things, and hopefully be in the squad more.

"I know I’m not going to be in the team every time, so that’s something to work on.

"I think players like Jack Wilshere and some of the others coming through is great for England.

"I feel I’m playing well and I was delighted to have got my first goal for England against Ghana recently."

Downing: England Looking Good After Victory Over Bulgaria

Stewart Downing believes that the future is bright for England, based on the performance put in by the team against Bulgaria.

The Three Lions travelled to Sofia and eased past their opponents by carving out a 3-0 victory, with the left-winger putting in a strong performance on the day.

The 27-year-old also admitted that his summer switch from Aston Villa to Liverpool and the chance to work under manager Kenny Dalglish could only improve him as a player.

"I feel that I am an England player and my aim always must be to start games at this level," Downing said, according to The Sunday Mirror.

"I have joined a terrific club. I am really enjoying myself at Liverpool and playing under a great manager like Kenny Dalglish can only help me get even better.

"It’s been a good start to the season – both with Liverpool and now England.

"There is a good mixture of youth and experience in this England side and the signs are good for the future after what we did in Bulgaria."