The Anfield Way

Dean Saunders may have scored goals wherever he's been, but his heart - and footballing philosophy - will always belong to Liverpool.

The former Welsh international told Goals on Sunday that it was always his dream to follow in his father's footsteps and play at Anfield.

He did just that when the club paid a then-British record £2.9million to Derby County for him in 1988 and he still singles that out as the highlight of a glittering career that also brought international recognition.

"My dad played for Liverpool and had a bin-liner full of cuttings, so I was brought up on it," he said.

"He played in the same team as Billy Liddell and Bob Paisley so I was always brought up with Liverpool. I got a free transfer when I was 18 and went to Brighton.

"Then I went from Brighton to Oxford, Oxford to Derby, in a short period of time and then I managed to find myself with Liverpool wanting to sign me - I couldn't believe it.

"I made my mind up; they had Peter Beardsley, Ian Rush, Jan Mjolby, all the best players and I thought if I could play in that team it would be unbelievable. It's a brilliant club."

Saunders' time at Anfield came after Liverpool had dominated the First Division for almost a decade.

But he did mark his first full season with a medal as part of the side that beat Sunderland 2-0 to lift the FA Cup in 1992 - and still regards that as the highlight of his career.

"We managed to win the FA Cup at Wembley and I remember walking down the steps at Wembley - I'd only ever watched the cup final on TV - and I thought I had a free transfer not so long ago and now I've got an FA Cup winner's medal!" he said.

"It's the best thing I ever won to this day - because it's the first thing I won."

He is now managing Conference outfit Wrexham and although he admits he it took him some time to "get my head round the league", he is trying to pass on the Boot Room philosophy to his players.

And it appears to be working because they are currently top of the table.

"What I tell my players now, it's all about what I learned at Liverpool really," he said.

"Working with John Toshack, Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and my dad played for Liverpool for 12 years, so everything I try and put over to the players all stems from simple beliefs they had at Liverpool."

Carragher Urges Reds Fans To Forget Stoke Defeat

Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to banish the memory of their 1-0 defeat at Stoke City when they travel to Tottenham next Sunday.

The Reds’ unbeaten start to the season was ended in controversial fashion at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Referee Mark Clattenburg awarded Stoke a dubious penalty when Carragher was harshly adjudged to have brought down Jon Walters.

Walters picked himself up to score the only goal of the game and Clattenburg rejected two vociferous appeals from the Reds for a spot-kick of their own.

Rory Delap and Matthew Upson both got away with handling in the box and Kenny Dalglish’s side also paid the price for missing some great chances.

“We have to be disappointed with the penalty decisions,” Carragher said.

“We had one go against us and a couple not go for us so we feel a bit aggrieved.

“We performed quite well and when you do that you normally get three points.

"I thought we reacted really well to going behind and deserved something from the game.

“Hopefully if we play like that against Tottenham next weekend we’ll get something.

"We have to ensure we bounce back.”

Stoke rode their luck but Carragher was full of praise for the way the Potters survived a second-half onslaught from the Reds.

“Their keeper and their back four did really well – you have to admire the way they defended,” he added.

“They’ve been like that for a long time, especially at home.

"We can be quite pleased with how we performed but we came away with nothing. It was Stoke’s day.”

Gerrard: Suarez Will Become Legend

Steven Gerrard expects striker Luis Suarez to establish himself as one of Liverpool's all-time greats over the next few years.

Suarez made an immediate impact following a £22.7 million move from Ajax in January, ensuring Liverpool did not suffer following the sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

The Uruguay international, who was voted Player of the Tournament at this year's Copa America, has scored six goals in 15 Premier League starts for the Reds - and Gerrard believes he has a big part to play as Kenny Dalglish's side push for a top-four spot.

Asked whether Suarez could become an Anfield legend, Gerrard told the club's official website: "I don't see why not. He's still young enough and I'm sure he's going to get even better than he is now, which is a scary thought.

"He's got the appetite for the game to learn and get better. Hopefully he will go on here for a long time because he's certainly got a massive part to play at this club in the future - the history is there to be written.

"He's a very enthusiastic footballer and very intelligent. He's like a kid in the street and he can't wait to get out for training and games. Alongside Dirk (Kuyt) of late, they've been like two Duracell bunnies. They just don't stop and for defenders that must be a nightmare, knowing when you control the ball those two will be chasing.

"It's fantastic to have him and hopefully he can continue his form until the end of the season. If he does, it will give us a much better chance of getting some silverware."

Carragher Anticipates First-Team Fight

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher admits he’s in a battle to keep his first team place at Anfield.

The 33-year-old’s error against Bolton cost the Reds a clean-sheet in a 3-1 win against Owen Coyle’s side, and the defender was again at fault when he was adjudged to have fouled Jonathan Walters on Saturday, with the Stoke striker converting the subsequent penalty in a 1-0 win for the Potters.

Sebastian Coates’ arrival from Nacional has added further competition for a starting spot in the centre back position on Merseyside, and Carragher knows he can’t rest on his laurels expecting to start every game.

"Young players at the club say, 'I have to be like Carra in training' because they can see that I put in a shift in every session," he told The Times.

"But why should I rest on my laurels just because I have been in the top flight for so long?

"I am always looking to up my game because I feel that I still have something to prove. Even today some Liverpool fans are asking questions about my age and how long I will last.

"The club has just signed a new centre-back who will be knocking at the door. There is no room for complacency."

Liverpool Defender Linked With Leeds Loan Move

Liverpool centre-back Danny Wilson could soon find himself gaining some much needed first team experience with Leeds United after the Championship side were linked with a loan move for the Scottish international.

The former Rangers defender has struggled to make an impact at Liverpool since moving to Anfield last summer and has found his first team opportunities severely limited.

Liverpool has recently signed young Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates and with the likes of Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel all ahead of him in the pecking order, Wilson has struggled to make an impression.

Wilson did make one appearance in the Carling Cup tie against Exeter City, but it is likely that he would jump at the chance to play regular first team football.

With the transfer window having closed a loan deal is the only option for the Scotland defender and with Leeds currently struggling in the Championship, they would jump at the chance to land the talented defender.

The 19-year-old has made just two league appearances for Liverpool since moving to Merseyside for £2million, possibly rising to £5m with appearances, from Rangers and has struggled to force his way into match day squads.

Leeds currently lie in 13th place after a disappointing start to the season in which they have won just two games from their opening six fixtures and have conceded 11 goals.

Johnson Suffers Setback

Glen Johnson has revealed that he could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering another hamstring injury.

The England full-back made his first appearance of the season at Stoke on Saturday, coming on as a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

Johnson had been sidelined since picking up a hamstring problem during pre-season and this latest setback will bring more frustration for the 27-year-old, as he looks to establish himself as Kenny Dalglish's first-choice right-back.

The former Portsmouth man revealed on Twitter: "Can't believe my luck at the mo. Done my hammy again today! Hopefully be back soon!"

The news will come as another blow for the manager, although Dalglish could welcome back Martin Kelly for the clash with Tottenham, after he returned to training towards the end of last week.

Suarez Salutes Defender Coates

Striker Luis Suarez believes compatriot Sebastian Coates has all the ability to become a hit with Liverpool this season.

The Uruguayan, voted young player of the Copa America which his country won, joined the Anfield giants in the summer transfer window along with Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique and Craig Bellamy.

Suarez claims the 6ft 6ins defender, who moved from Nacional late last month, will add more quality to manager Kenny Dalglish's squad as they look to try and break into the Premier League top four.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as the Reds suffered their first defeat of the new campaign, but Suarez is confident Coates will develop into an even better player at the club.

"The things I told him were stuff about behind the scenes at the club - he already knew about everything else," said Suarez.

"Liverpool is one of the biggest and best clubs in Europe, and he knows that well enough himself.

"He is coming to a team where he can really develop as an individual.

"He is still very young and has a lot to learn, but there are some highly-experienced players here who can help him a lot with that.

"He is aware of that and he is happy to learn and help the team as much as he can."

Celebs Aim To Raise HFSG Funds

A team of celebrities will aim to raise money for the Hillsborough Family Support Group next month when they take on a Swansea City legends team in Port Talbot.

Boxers Enzo Maccarinelli and Joe Calzaghe are just some of the high-profile names who have confirmed their participation in the match, which will take place on October 9 at Afan Lido FC.

A charity auction will be held after the game with items donated by a whole host of celebrities, sportsmen and ex-footballers. All money will go towards the HFSG.

Maccarinelli said: "The Hillsborough disaster was tragic and something I can vividly remember watching on the news.

"I think the Hillsborough Family Support Group do excellent work helping the people whose lives have been affected by such a terrible incident.

"Being a family man I can only begin to imagine what the families must have been through and still are going through to this day.

"Hopefully we can raise some money to donate to the HFSG and go someway towards helping the families."

Event organiser Craig Bowles added: "I would like to thank everybody for their support so far, including the HFSG, Liverpool FC and Afan Lido FC.

"The families are a real inspiration to us all and I hope people will support this event and help raise money for them."

Match Report: Stoke 1 - 0 Liverpool

Liverpool stumbled over a familiar hurdle at the Britannia Stadium as they slipped to their first defeat of the season.

In four visits to Stoke since the Potters earned promotion to the Barclays Premier League, the Reds have collected just two points and lost their last two matches.

Not since 1968 have Stoke recorded back-to-back home league wins over Liverpool and the result brought a side brimming with confidence before the international break back down to earth with a hefty bump.

Jon Walters scored the only goal from a 20th-minute penalty after being fouled by Jamie Carragher.

From that point nearly all the possession and chances were created by the visitors, but the resilient hosts ground out the win despite a frantic final half-hour.

When you come to Stoke you have to be prepared to compete and while Liverpool were able to do that it was at the expense of any passing game as they were sucked into the direct style of their opponents.

The Potters are a threat from set-pieces but deadline-day signing Peter Crouch, making a debut against his former club, weakly headed wide one free-kick.

At the other end Luis Suarez, from close range, somehow failed to connect with Charlie Adam's inswinging corner to the far post.

Martin Skrtel, pushed into service at right-back, nipped in front of Ryan Shawcross to prevent the Stoke captain getting his head to Matt Etherington's free-kick as the hosts generated the early pressure.

But the opening goal, when it came, was from a simple ball over the top which caught Carragher out of position.

The Reds centre-back looked to have made good ground to get around Walters but when the Stoke forward went down with Carragher's arm around his waist referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and the player picked himself up to drill a shot straight down the middle of the goal.

Stoke were blocking most avenues open to Suarez - as displayed by a sprawling Shawcross who smothered one near-post shot - with two defenders on occasions but the Uruguayan still found ways of getting past.

He easily turned Robert Huth on the left and crossed to the far side of penalty area where an onrushing Skrtel appeared to be clipped by Etherington just before he blazed a shot over.

After a relatively quiet start to the second half, the match exploded into action just past the hour as Liverpool had five shots in the space of 20 seconds but still could not find a way through.

Jose Enrique's through-ball sent Jordan Henderson racing clear through the middle but he side-footed his first shot straight at Asmir Begovic, the goalkeeper made a good save from the follow-up and Matthew Upson's chest blocked the third.

However, the danger was not over as the loose ball dropped to Adam's dangerous left foot but Shawcross blocked his first effort from the edge of the penalty area and Begovic got back to stop the rebound.

The introduction of Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll for Henderson and Dirk Kuyt ramped up the pressure on the hosts in the final 20 minutes.

But Stoke manned the barricades and with Liverpool seemingly intent on going through the middle more often than not they made it easier for their opponents to crowd them out.

Stoke were being forced back and it was midfielder Dean Whitehead who put in the crunching block tackle inside his own penalty area which denied Suarez yet again.

It is not in the Uruguay international's nature to give up and he kept plugging away, seeing his shot across goal tipped wide by Begovic.

Stewart Downing cut inside from the right to blaze over, Carroll had a claim for a penalty when his shot appeared to hit the arm of Whitehead while Bellamy headed Downing's cross wide.

Suarez was convinced he should have had a spot-kick when his cross hit Upson's arm but neither referee Mark Clattenburg nor his assistant spotted the offence.

The striker had his chance to put that wrong right in the fourth minute of added time when Begovic and Shawcross got in each other's way but he stabbed wide with the goal gaping.

Stoke were hanging on at the end - something they are well equipped and well-enough drilled to do - and they blunted everything Liverpool threw at them.

Kenny Dalglish Ponders Referee Action

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says he will consult the club's owners over how to deal with what he perceives to be poor refereeing so far this season.

The Reds boss was unhappy with a number of decisions during his side's 1-0 defeat at Stoke on Saturday.

And afterwards he said: "The first four games have had contentious decisions in them and every one has gone against us.

"We would like to be respectful to referees but more important is having respect for my football club."

He added: "If I feel the club is suffering in any shape or form I will need to go the same route other people go and see if we can gain some benefit from that.

"The first four league games have had contentious decisions in them and every one has gone against us.

"I'll speak to the owners first and see what they say because the last thing I want to do is for my behaviour to impinge on the club's success in any way."

Dalglish insisted he did not have a problem with Stoke's approach in the match at the Britannia Stadium, but admitted his frustration that Liverpool got nothing out of the game.

He also did not believe Jamie Carragher had fouled Jon Walters for the winning penalty.

"I think it is a bit of an understatement to say we deserved something from the game," added the Scot.

"We can only do what we can do ourselves, sometimes other things are taken outside your jurisdiction.

"If we continually get battered by things outside of our control we are not going to get much chance.

"We don't have any complaint about Stoke; they played hard and played well, they got the goal and defended courageously at times and maybe at times they got a bit of luck.

"But I just cannot see how [Stoke's winner] is a penalty kick."

Tony Pulis Hails Luis Suarez

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has expressed his satisfaction at stopping Liverpool from playing after his side beat the Reds 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

The win came courtesy of a contentious penalty after Jamie Carragher was deemed to have illegally brought down Jonathan Walters, incurring the wrath of Kenny Dalglish after the game, with the Scot displeased that his side had seen several appeals fall on deaf ears.

"Kenny [Dalglish] will be as biased as I am. If you're at Stoke City that will always be the case," Pulis said.

"I'll respect his opinion, whether they were [penalties] or not I don't know, but I'll have a look later on.

"I thought we were pretty poor in possession of the ball at times and we are better than that, but we were really top drawer off the ball.

"We worked very, very hard. We stopped them from playing."

The Welsh boss had plenty of praise for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, who endured a frustrating spell in front of goal but threatened the backline throughout the match.

"I thought [Luis] Suarez up front was absolutely fantastic. He looks a real, real player. A player that will grace the Premier League. His movement and touch at times was different class," Pulis said.

Pulis – who spent over £20 million on deadline day by signing Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios and Cameron Jerome – admitted that the club must endeavour to improve.

"We need to keep that, we need to get better technically and improve the side, especially from a passing point of view," he said.

"But we still need that spirit and commitment."

The win extended Stoke's unbeaten start to the season to eight games, and the manager admitted he was delighted to have got off to such a strong opening to the campaign, and the Welsh boss admitted he was relieved and proud that his side got through a tough beginning to the Premier League.

Gerrard Targets Derby Return

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard hopes to return to action in time for the Merseyside derby but admits he will have to fight for his place.

The veteran midfielder has been sidelined for over six months with a groin injury, a problem that was complicated when he suffered an infection.

However, Gerrard has now returned to full training and the Merseyside derby at Everton in three weeks' time has been set as his possible return date.

Boss Kenny Dalglish secured the likes of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson during the summer transfer window and the Reds have made a strong start to the new campaign, despite Saturday's loss at Stoke.

Gerrard is well aware he will have to battle to win his place back in the side but he feels Liverpool look stronger this season and has welcomed the competition for places.

"We're looking stronger," said Gerrard. "The competition in each position is fantastic. We've near enough got two top players in each position, so there is going to be a big fight on for places."

Downing: We Deserved More

Stewart Downing believes Liverpool have every right to feel frustrated at the manner of the defeat to Stoke City on Saturday - but insists there are positives to be derived from their performance.

The Reds slipped to a narrow 1-0 loss courtesy of Jon Walters's 21st minute penalty after Jamie Carragher was adjudged to have brought down the Potters forward inside the box.

However, Kenny Dalglish's side dominated the contest at the Britannia Stadium and had strong spot-kick appeals of their own waved away when Luis Suarez's cross struck the hand of Matthew Upson as the game edged towards its conclusion.

"I thought we played some decent football," Downing told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We were unlucky and on another day we would have put our chances away, but it wasn't to be.

"I'm not sure whether it was a penalty or not for their goal, but maybe we should have had one ourselves.

"I played the ball to Luis, and although I couldn't see the incident from where I was standing, the lads were saying it was a stonewall handball afterwards.

"It was frustrating, but credit to Stoke, they made it hard for us."

Liverpool applied heavy pressure to Stoke's goal for the entire second half as they went in search of what would have been a deserved equalizer.

The Reds can consider themselves unfortunate not to have taken at least a point back to Merseyside - and Downing feels they can take heart from a dominant display.

Downing added: "The manager said to us after the game to keep doing what we're doing.

"I don't think there was a lot wrong with our performance - we played quite well.

"Stoke is a difficult place to go, but at times we played some good football and cut through them.

"It was 'one of those days' and we couldn't hit the net, but hopefully we'll be able to do it at Tottenham next week. We've just got to keep doing the same things.

"We're frustrated, but it was positive that we were able to create chances, were still passing and moving, and trying to do the right things.

"We were unlucky, but we've just got to keep doing the same things."

Suarez Reveals How He Convinced Coates To Join Liverpool

Luis Suarez has revealed that it was telling Sebastian Coates what happens "behind the scenes" at Liverpool that convinced him to join the Anfield club.

The young defender won the accolade of being named best young player of the tournament as Uruguay won the recent Copa America, and subsequently joined the Reds during the summer transfer window after a fee believed to be in the region of £7 million had been agreed between Liverpool and Nacional.

The 20-year-old has since explained that his international team-mate Suarez was key to his move to Merseyside. And Suarez himself has now told the club's official website: "The things I told him were about stuff about behind the scenes at the club - he already knew about everything else.

"Liverpool is one of the biggest and best clubs in Europe, and he knows that well enough himself."

He added: "He is coming to a team where he can really develop as an individual. He is still very young and has a lot to learn, but there are some highly-experienced players here who can help him a lot with that.

"He is aware of that and he is happy to learn and help the team as much as he can."

Late Morgan Winner Sinks Leeds

Goal machine Adam Morgan netted a stoppage time winner as Liverpool U18s came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 on Saturday.

Mike Marsh's side played some tremendous football at times and deservedly took the three points as they bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Derby.

Jordan Lussey fired the equalizer with a fine effort from the edge of the box and Morgan found the net for the dramatic winner.

A delighted Marsh told Liverpoolfc.tv: "The lads did really well and I'm pleased with them.

"We created a lot of chances but we kept going and got there in the end.

"You know when Morgan is about a goal is always a possibility and it was a well worked goal. Lussey put in a cross, Matty Regan has headed it across goal and Morgan has stuck it away."

Liverpool team: Jamie Stephens, Peter Aylmer, Tom King, Joe Rafferty, Matty Regan, Yalany Baio, Nathan Quirk, Josh Sumner, Adam Morgan, Sam Gainford, Jordan Lussey. Subs: Lewis Hatch, Connor Wearing, Tom Walsh, Michael Wilson, David Moli.

Unique Shankly Tribute

Four of Bill Shankly's greatest players will appear in a unique autumn show when the stirring, tartan tones of their legendary manager resonate around Southport Theatre.

Archive clips of the great man, from an interview only recently released, will feature in The Bill Shankly Anniversary Show which hits Southport on October 7.

Kop heroes Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, Ron Yeats and Chris Lawler will be live on stage in a special memorial tribute to football's most charismatic manager, who died 30 years ago this autumn.

The fascinating memories and anecdotes of the four former players will be interwoven through the two-and-a-half-hour production with Shankly's own words, extracted from interviews with the great man by blind former headmaster Frank McFarlane and by broadcaster John Keith, the show's writer and presenter.

Keith said: "We are indebted to Frank for letting us use his interview with Bill which he did in 1979 as part of a series of talks with sporting celebrities for the visually impaired.

"We have blended Frank's material with some of my own interviews with Bill from my days as a Daily Express sportswriter and we also hear Bill's wife Nessie. I know it will rekindle many memories for the former players on stage, some funny, some sad, and I'm sure the audience will find it captivating."

The incredible archive clips feature Shankly's views on many topics including:

How he landed the Liverpool manager's job in 1959, when the club was languishing in Second Division mediocrity.

The players he signed to revolutionize the club's fortunes.

The man who opened the Anfield purse strings to fund transfers.

The Liverpool player he rated even better than England's World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore.

His shock retirement as manager in 1974 and the Boot Room legacy.

Match Preview: Stoke City vs Liverpool

Familiar faces will be reunited when Stoke welcome Liverpool to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, with Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy both set for their respective debuts.

Former Reds striker Crouch became Tony Pulis' record signing on transfer deadline day after leaving Tottenham in a £10million deal and he is expected to start this weekend.

The 30-year-old, who played for Liverpool between 2005 and 2008, will therefore be playing against a number of ex-team-mates, but could also be in opposition to one he did not expect.

Wales international Bellamy was also on the move on deadline day, when he left Manchester City on a free transfer to return to Anfield, where he spent the 2006/07 season alongside Crouch.

Stoke tried to sign Bellamy in 2010, but missed out as the ex-Blackburn and Newcastle player moved back to Cardiff on loan and they will consequently be well aware of his talents.

Pulis tends to be a busy man in transfer windows and particularly towards deadline day, with this year no exception as Wilson Palacios and Cameron Jerome joined Crouch in arriving on the final day of August.

The Stoke boss will run the rule over the new recruits to see if they are fit enough to make their bows, but it is expected they will feature as his side aims to ensure Liverpool have still to ever win at the Britannia in the league.

Marc Wilson and Rory Delap (both hamstring) will also be assessed ahead of kick-off, when Stoke will aim to maintain their unbeaten season to date in the Premier League and Europa League.

Liverpool, who are not playing in Europe this campaign, have also yet to suffer defeat after a frustrating opening day draw with Sunderland was followed by league wins over Arsenal and Bolton, while Exeter were knocked out of the Carling Cup.

Manager Kenny Dalglish is only expected to name Bellamy as a substitute and he could be tempted to recall Andy Carroll to face Stoke's physical centre-backs after dropping the striker for the victory over Bolton.

Carroll has been at the centre of attention after his lifestyle was questioned by England boss Fabio Capello, but Dalglish has defended his record signing and the £35million man could partner Liverpool's Player of the Month, Luis Suarez.

Captain Steven Gerrard is edging ever closer to returning from the groin injury which has left him unavailable since March, while Charlie Adam is over the hip injury he suffered on international duty and Glen Johnson (thigh) is back in full training.

Possible starting XIs

Stoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Jones.

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

Dalglish Backs Bellamy To Grasp Second Chance

Craig Bellamy will make his second debut for Liverpool at Stoke on Saturday backed by the ringing endorsement of his new manager and childhood hero Kenny Dalglish.

The Scot believes that the Welsh international is a better player at 32 than he was at 25.

Bellamy took a substantial pay cut and accepted a reduced compensation figure from Manchester City in order to force through a free transfer move to Anfield on deadline day last month.

He returns to the club he supported as a boy but left after just one controversy-stained season in 2007.

That sacrifice immediately endeared him to Dalglish -- the 60-year-old has prioritized signing players who have made clear their desire to feature for Liverpool.

But it is the benefit of his experience which the Scot believes will make Bellamy, for so long cast as a trouble-maker, such a valuable asset.

"I have never managed him before, so I do not know what he was like (day-to-day in training), but from what I have seen watching him I think he is a better player than he was when he was 25," said the Liverpool manager.

"He is wiser now and he uses his experience really well. I think he is ideal for us and he is someone who will really help us.

"He loves football. I know that for a fact. Last time he came here he said he was a fan and had always wanted to play for the club. He has that opportunity again. The older you get, the fewer opportunities you get, and he wanted to grab this one."

Bellamy's arrival on a free transfer completed a remarkable overhaul of Dalglish's squad -- that saw the Scot take his spending to £114m.

But Dalglish insists such a price was necessary for Liverpool to put out a side capable of playing in the style demanded by their fans.

"We had to have the money to change our style and bring in players who maybe offered something different to the boys who were here before," he said.

"The players that come in are going to reflect the person that is in charge. I have got the way that we want to play in my mind."

Liverpool Sniffing Around £20 Million Rated Little Messi

Reports in Germany have resurfaced linking Liverpool with a move for Werder Bremen midfielder Marko Marin, according to the reports Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has marked the 22 year old German International as his number one winter target.

Marin has previously been linked with a whole host of European clubs, at one stage it was thought that he would be heading to Old Trafford, then Arsenal became the favoured destination for the player labelled as the German Messi, now it is Liverpool’s turn to be linked with the Bosnian born midfield maestro.

Marin will continue to be a target until a team finally comes in and snaps the player up, he is undoubtedly talented, he is a huge prospect and on more than one occasion he carried Werder Bremen almost single handedly, it is therefore no surprise to read that Dalglish wants to bring the 22 year old to Anfield in January.

Marin will not be cheap, figures quoted have been anything between £15 Million and £30 Million, chances are that it will be closer to £20 Million, still a hefty sum, even in these days of inflated prices.

Blackburn Rovers Rival Liverpool & Spurs For Watford Striker

According to reports Blackburn Rovers are interested in Watford forward Marvin Sorrell.

The 20 year-old striker is reported to have been scouted by Rovers as well as Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Sun claims Southampton will make an improved £4 million offer for Sordell in January.

The Hornets snubbed a £3 million Saints swoop on transfer deadline day.