Wind Of Change Is Blowing Through Liverpool FC

Apparently they name hurricanes using men and women’s names, working their way sequentially through the alphabet.

After Irene left a trail of havoc up the eastern seaboard of America, I don’t know what happened to Jose but there’s no mistaking that Hurricane Kenny swept through Anfield in the last fortnight, carrying away lots of dead wood and depositing things in unlikely settings.

Not many people would have expected to find Craig Bellamy on their doorstep once the dust settled, and a giant Uruguayan made a welcome change to the hordes of Spanish donkeys which have landed in previous violent cyclones.

Inevitably, some inhabitants have chosen to move on, putting the wreckage of their Anfield careers behind them, and start again somewhere in a less demanding environment.

When they survey the aftermath of the last two transfer windows, most fans will be pretty happy that most of their boxes have been ticked.

Left-back who can tackle as well as career blindly up the wing? Check.

Left-winger who slings in crosses that don’t end up in Row Z? Check.

Stop paying ridiculous wages to average players just because they were free transfers? Check.

Only time will tell, but the squad looks of higher quality and better balance than before Kenny returned, if only because having a left foot seems no longer regarded as the modern equivalent of the Black Spot.

We missed out on the likes of Jones, Young and Mata, maybe, but that’s going to be our lot until we get back into the Champions’ League I’m afraid.

But Kenny has strengthened the squad to the point where we’re starting to discuss how he will fit them all in, and who’ll play where, which is a much better place to be than looking in despair at the bench when we’re 1-0 down and wondering who will make a difference.

As always, some of the new players will hit the ground running and others will need a bit of time to settle in. Adam, Downing and Enrique seem to be coming on nicely while Henderson might need some patience before we see the best of him, though he showed encouraging signs against Bolton.

Suarez of course lit up the Premier League from almost his first touch, while the focus is now starting to fall on Andy Carroll and how he might fit into the pass-and-move style that Kenny is reintroducing. Some fans are beginning to question his worth after an indifferent start, but this is surely wildly premature.

Two parallels from the late 80s spring to mind.

When Kenny signed Barnes and Beardsley, Barnes was an instant success but Beardsley took his time to settle before producing some sparkling stuff. And in that same side John Aldridge flourished despite having to bear the brunt of pompous criticism that he was not on the same level as the rest of the side.

There’s no shame in being the big bloke who smacks it into the net when others have done all the pretty stuff.

Fabio Capello’s resurrection of Carroll’s ‘lifestyle’ and fitness issues are timely reminders to Andy that he still has plenty to do to fulfil his undoubted promise. It’ll be a great shame if a lack of application costs him. He only has to look at one of his new colleagues to see how a potentially brilliant career can be undermined by a fiery temperament and indiscipline.

'Something Big Is Happening At Liverpool'

Phil Thompson believes that "something big" is happening at Liverpool following their splurge during the summer transfer window.

The Reds brought in Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique, Jordan Henderson and Alexander Doni during the summer, and have started the season brightly.

The Merseysiders are currently in third place in the Premier League after three games, and have already defeated Arsenal away from home.

"I like the way the transfer business has been done, going back to January as well," Thompson told the club's official website.

"A lot of business has been conducted without too much press interference or people knowing too much about it. It's been done in a very Liverpool-like way and I'm extremely pleased for Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli for what they've achieved. You have to take your hats off to Fenway Sports Group as well who have dug deep.

"I am very excited. You've got Stewart Downing on the left and also Jose Enrique, someone who had a difficult first season at Newcastle but who settled, got to know the game and became a very good defender who is good going forward.

"With Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson in the midfield there's a 'Britishness' about the team and I think that's because we lost a lot of the lesser games last year. We could always match the top teams but we had to rectify it against the lesser sides."

Thompson believes the return of Bellamy will prove to be an excellent move, and compared his signing to Rafael Benitez's surprise swoop for Robbie Fowler in 2006.

"I see Bellamy as being the same as when Robbie Fowler came back," he said. "He came back for nothing, the salary is easily manageable because of what's gone out. It's a no-brainer. It's great to have - and he'll hate me for saying this - that maverick, someone who can come on and change a game.

"He'll be saying 'I want to be playing' and that's what you want from someone. He will add so much to this squad that we will all be drooling."

Thompson added: "If you look at the squad now I think something big is happening, but we have been there and had our false dawns before.

"We are a little more guarded now and rightly so, but as we've seen, since the change in ownership we all feel much more content and we're happy with what we're seeing from within the football club. Now we need it to be right on the pitch.

"The big games didn't worry me last year, it was the lesser ones and if we can get them right I think we're in for a great season."

Returning Liverpool Superstar Heralds Dalglish’s Dealings

Following a drawn-out recuperation process following a groin injury, Steven Gerrard is to re-join his Liverpool teammates in full training this week.

Speaking to the Mirror Football website, the Reds skipper expressed his excitement about returning to the fold after what has been a very exciting start to the season at Anfield.

Gerrard reserved special praise for the deals that manager Kenny Dalglish managed to finalize before the transfer window closed last week, offloading players that will not be required, such as Joe Cole, and bringing in others, like former Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, who have brought a spark to the Merseyside club.

“There’s a real positivity around the place and that has come from the very top,” he explained.

“The owners have been superb and backed Kenny really well, and he has been a very smooth operator in the transfer market alongside Damien Comolli.

“What is really important is that they’ve shifted a lot of players who were no longer involved and sitting on good contracts.

“I’m really happy with the shape and the numbers we have in the squad and I’m excited about this season. You want to play with good players and I just can’t wait to get back and lead the lads out.”

Liverpool To Make January Move For England Midfielder

Liverpool is expected to make a January move for Manchester City midfielder Adam Johnson.

After failing with a last ditch £15 million bid for the England international, Kenny Dalglish is expected to return with a renewed offer when the transfer window reopens in the winter.

Johnson has fallen down the pecking order at Eastlands and will face increased competition from the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri and James Milner.

With the wide-man harbouring hopes to be included in Fabio Capello's Euro 2012 squad, Johnson knows that he needs to find first team football.

Although City boss Roberto Mancini would like to keep hold of the ex-Middlesbrough man, he admits that it is difficult to find a place for the 24-year-old in his team.

After a summer of rebuilding, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish seems keen to land one more midfielder to complement the wing work of Stewart Downing. With Joe Cole on a season-long loan at OSC Lille and Dirk Kuyt only a make-shift wideman, Liverpool seemingly need a more natural winger.

Europe's Leading Clubs Want Cut In International Games

Europe's leading clubs have demanded a drastic cut in the number of international fixtures and a greater say in how the game is run.

The current calendar provides for 12 games a year but the European Club Association (ECA) wants a 50% cut.

"We would prefer six double dates over a two-year qualifying period," said ECA board member and Manchester United chief executive David Gill.

With the existing agreement running out in 2014, Fifa has proposed 17 games.

That proposal provoked fury from Europe's top clubs when it emerged last year.

Gill, who also sits on the Football Association board, said the clubs were determined to trim international fixtures and that the "single date" friendlies in June and August should be the first to go.

Last month England's friendly against the Netherlands was called off because of riots in London but the summer friendlies remain a bone of contention with the clubs, particularly in southern Europe, where league football starts towards the end of August.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - Gill's counterpart at Bayern Munich and the ECA president - went further than the United chief executive, describing the summer friendlies as "nonsense".

"They are added to make money, nothing else. It's got to stop," said Rummenigge. "The clubs are the most important stakeholders in football - without us you have no business - and yet we have no voice."

Rummenigge has been outspoken in his criticism of Fifa and Uefa in recent months but was more conciliatory in Geneva.

"Our goal is not to break away - we know we have to release our players to the international teams - but we want good governance, democracy and transparency," he said.

The former Bayern, Inter and Germany star pointed out that clubs had agreed to ditch the second group stage of the Champions League in 2004 in order to give the players more rest, but those dates have been filled by international games.

"When I played in the 1980s, for example, only eight teams made the European Championship finals, now it is 16 and in 2016 [in France] it will be 24. So it has tripled," added Rummenigge.

"It is the same with the World Cup: it was 16 teams, now it is 32. And then you have the qualifying games too."

The plan proposed by the ECA - the successor body to the G-14 group which represented Europe's most powerful clubs - would see the European World Cup qualifying phase reduced to 13 groups of four, with only the winners progressing.

The clubs are also furious about what they see as the pittance they receive in compensation for releasing players to compete in international competitions.

The issue of insurance is also a long-standing complaint, with England being an exception in providing cover to clubs for players injured on international duty.

The most recent World Cup in South Africa produced revenues for Fifa of $3.7bn (£2.3bn) but only $40m (£25m) was passed on to the clubs.

This works out at about $100,000 (£63,000) per club: a small price, they say, for providing the talent.

ECA board member and AC Milan director Umberto Gandini said that Uefa is selling the next round of TV rights for the European Championships on a central basis.

And he suggested the clubs should be given a percentage, as opposed to the capped amount they have been receiving.

Uefa itself takes 25% of the Champions League money, Gandini observed.

Rummenigge revealed he met Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini separately in Zurich last month and discussed the ECA calls for fewer games and more money.

He said he was "not pessimistic" that a deal could be reached and added that Platini was especially keen to compromise.

Downing Stars For England

Stewart Downing was in fine form as England beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley to put themselves on the brink of qualification for Euro 2012.

The Liverpool winger capped a lively display by setting up Ashley Young's 35th minute winner.

Meanwhile, Anfield teammate Andy Carroll was introduced as a late substitute for the Three Lions.

Elsewhere in qualifying, Dirk Kuyt went the distance in Holland's 2-0 win in Finland, while Daniel Agger helped Denmark to a 2-0 triumph against Norway in Copenhagen.

There was disappointment for Martin Skrtel, however, who played the entire 90 minutes as Slovakia crashed to a 4-0 defeat at home to Armenia.

Injury Relief For Martin Kelly

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly admitted his relief after his latest injury proved not to be too serious.

The right-back lasted just half-an-hour of the 3-1 win over Bolton before he had to limp off with a hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old missed the final three months of last season with a torn hamstring and feared he may have to endure a similar lay-off.

But he told the official Liverpool website: "We had a scan and it was good news - it was only a slight strain. I'll build up training this week.

"I could have maybe played on but it was important to get it right, with the history of hamstring trouble I had last season. I've done quite a lot of work over the last six months. Touch wood this will be the last.

"It's all part of football. You're going to get injuries. This is just a slight injury - no more than two weeks. It should be fine after that, injuries won't trouble me. It's just an unlucky time in the game for me."

Preview & Matchday: Liverpool U19s v. Molde FK U19s

Liverpool’s youngsters continue to carry the club’s flag in Europe for the season, travelling to Molde in hopes of getting their first points of the inaugural NextGen Series after a disappointing opener. The young Reds started well but failed to get on the scoresheet after periods of sustained pressure and chances created against Sporting Club, and the visitors converted two first-half chances en route to an impressive 3-0 victory.

Tonight’s opponents experienced much of their success late in the 3-1 win over Wolfsburg—two injury time goals sealed the result after the two sides traded goals earlier in the second half to see the match leveled at 1-1. As with many of the opponents in the competition, information beyond the who’s and what’s is difficult to come by; your best bet is the official NextGen Series club page, which fills us in that three of the academy’s players (Krister Wemberg, Magnus Stamnestrø and Simon Markeng) have made appearances for the first team, and includes the following from Academy Director Arve Lervik:

“We are a small club in the tournament, relying on local players, operating a long-term effort to develop them onto the next level. Nevertheless we believe that we have the ability to challenge the teams we are meeting.”

Also worth noting that Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær started with the club and has returned to take the helm of the senior squad, who’s currently atop the Tippeligaen after finishing eleventh last season. That’s not really insight for tonight, but you know, worthless knowledge and everything.

We’re much more well-versed on Liverpool’s squad—last time out saw a very strong Liverpool eleven, with familiar names Andre Wisdom, Jack Robinson, Conor Coady, Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling, and Adam Morgan getting the nod. Wisdom made the trip north after making his debut for the U21s, and we can piece together a good chunk of the squad based on notes from Steve Hunter’s traveling blog on the Kop—Sterling, Toni Silva, Tyrell Bedford, and Krisztian Adjorjan all pop up, and you’d expect more than a few of the names from last match to feature again. I’d doubt if Shelvey made the trip with Wisdom; they both played the first half in the 4-1 win over Israel on Monday, but the departure of Raul Meireles and fitness concerns for Charlie Adam might see the young midfielder back in the mix for the senior squad.

As you’d expect at this level, one of the biggest challenges for Borrell’s squad will be finding consistency and converting chances. The result against Sporting at Anfield was disappointing, but the performance had more than a few glimpses of promise scattered throughout. For those involved it’s likely a hollow mantra, but every match in the competition is less about the result and more about development. Even if that means Damien Comolli following your every move with his toothy grin and piercing eyes.

What's Going On Ear?

Lots of Liverpool fans have been asking why the players are often photographed flicking each other's ears in training, so we got one of Kenny Dalglish's first-team stars to reveal all.

Martin Kelly kindly explained what is going on in the picture above during an interview with Liverpoolfc.tv earlier this week.

He said: "It's a game we play and having your ears flicked is the forfeit you have if you are in the box when the whistle blows. You don't want to be in the box. There are two in the box against the people outside who are trying to keep the ball from you.

"It's a mixture of the young lads who get their ears flicked. We get a bit stitched up sometimes. You don't see many of the senior players getting stitched up.

"Put it this way - Carragher's never getting his ears flicked!

"There's not necessarily something going on but it's usually some of the young lads - maybe they just bottle it at the last minute!

"I've not had many flickings, luckily. I usually pass it to the person next to me just before the whistle goes.

"Training is enjoyable. Most days now training finishes and we're asking to stay out a bit more to do shooting. We don't want to go home. Sometimes the manager has to settle us down a little bit because we're enjoying it that much out there.

"It's definitely bringing us together as a team and when we do the formation work, we concentrate hard. We have to take that into a game and we understand that."

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.