Match Preview: Brighton vs Liverpool

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Tottenham when they take on Championship high-flyers Brighton in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

The Reds made a bright start to the season but their good early work has been undone to some extent following back-to-back losses against Stoke and Spurs in the Premier League.

Having gone down 4-0 at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Kenny Dalglish will be determined to return to winning ways at the Amex Stadium and make it through to the last 16 of the Carling Cup.

And Dalglish will be boosted by the return of inspirational captain Steven Gerrard, who is poised to make his first appearance in six months following groin surgery.

New signing Sebastian Coates is likely to be given a full debut in central defence while Craig Bellamy could get his first start since returning to the club last month.

Midfielder Charlie Adam and defender Martin Skrtel serve one-match bans after red cards against Tottenham.

Brighton will use the match as an opportunity to further measure their progress, having earned promotion to the Championship at the end of last season and made a fine start to life in the second tier.

Gus Poyet's side were beaten 1-0 by Leicester on Saturday but remain third in the standings and will now hope for a further boost by claiming a famous cup victory.

Poyet has admitted Brighton will need a 'perfect' performance if they are to prevail, but he will be forced into at least one change for the visit of the Reds.

Former Tottenham defender Mauricio Taricco, now Albion's assistant manager, is poised to start at left-back as Marcos Painter is suspended.

Painter was sent off for two yellow cards during Saturday's defeat at Leicester and serves a one-match ban.

Striker Will Hoskins has finally recovered from the hip injury which has sidelined him since the opening day of the season, while former Spain midfielder Vicente has been building up his fitness after joining as a free agent last month and could be added to the squad.

Poyet must also decide whether to risk young defender Lewis Dunk, who is one booking away from a ban.

Dalglish Seeks Response At Brighton

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says his players are determined to repay the fans for the club's disappointing loss at the weekend when they take on Brighton in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

Liverpool slumped to a 4-0 Premier League defeat versus Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday in a game at White Hart Lane that saw Reds duo Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel sent off to leave the Reds with a mountain to climb.

Dalglish is now seeking a response from his charges in their midweek outing at Championship side Brighton, with club captain Steven Gerrard's pencilled in return from injury set to boost Liverpool.

He said: "The fans supported us fantastically and I think the boys will bear that in mind and look forward to repaying them in some way. Sunday didn't please anybody and the players were really disappointed.

"We have got to get ourselves right and concentrate on ourselves. We are pleased to be in the Carling Cup and our intention is to stay in it for as long as we possibly can."

Poyet Seeks Perfect Performance

Brighton boss Gus Poyet admits his side will need to play the "perfect" game if they are to beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup.

Championship hopefuls Brighton welcome Liverpool to the Amex Stadium in their third round tie on Wednesday night.

The Seagulls have already knocked out Liverpool's Premier League rivals Sunderland in the previous round, but Poyet believes his side will need a little luck if they are to send Kenny Dalglish's troops packing.

"We need to be at the top of our game and be a bit lucky, and maybe if Liverpool isn’t then we've got a chance," said Poyet.

"If both teams play at the same level Liverpool should win because they are quicker, stronger and better technically.

"We have to make sure we are better than them on the day and take our chances. You need practically the perfect game to beat them - but we are going to try."

Danny Wilson Keen For Liverpool FC Chance To Impress In Carling Cup

Danny Wilson is hoping to get the opportunity to impress Kenny Dalglish in tonight’s Carling Cup tie against Brighton.

The 19-year-old Liverpool defender’s only appearance so far this season was in the last round at Exeter City.

“Hopefully the manager decides to play me again and I’ll look to take the chance that comes along,” he said.

“If you’re not getting a run of games and are only given one opportunity then you need to make sure you take it.

“Brighton has just come up from League One and is going well in the Championship. It will be a tricky game but we just need to focus on ourselves. If we apply ourselves in the right way we are a match for any team.”

Wilson, who cost £2million from Rangers in the summer of 2010, has been limited to just nine appearances for the Reds so far.

“I’m delighted to be here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he added.

“I feel like I’ve improved as a player but I haven’t played enough games. I haven’t got control over that.

“I can only try my hardest. The more games I get the happier I’ll be with my progress.

“It’s difficult for me with all these top players ahead of me but I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I was up to the challenge. I’m only 19 and I’ve still got time on my side.”

Liverpool & Spurs Still Pursuing £20m Brazilian

Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas is still in the sights of Liverpool and Tottenham, it has been claimed.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Barclays Premier League duo have been joined in the pursuit of the £20 million-rated 19-year-old by Roma, with the latter considering a January bid.

The Brazil international has also been linked with Manchester United in the past, but Anfield and White Hart Lane have since emerged as more likely destinations.

Liverpool and Spurs are alleged to be maintaining contact with Sau Paulo in the lead up to the new year, when both clubs are expected to dip into the transfer market once more.

Spurs are, perhaps, more likely to make substantial investments when the transfer window reopens, having failed to make a significant impact during the summer.

Harry Redknapp added only Brad Friedel, Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker to his first-team squad. However, perhaps more importantly, Spurs did manage to keep Luka Modric from the clutches of Chelsea.

Liverpool, meanwhile, enjoyed a particularly fruitful few months as Kenny Dalglish built a squad capable of qualifying for the Champions League.

Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Alexander Doni, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy all signed for Liverpool to aid their quest for European football.

Agger Out For A Month

Liverpool's current problems have been compounded by the news Daniel Agger will be out for up to a month with a fractured rib.

The cultured defender was substituted before half-time in Sunday's 4-0 defeat against Tottenham following a heavy fall.

For all his talent, Agger seems to have been dogged by injuries during his time at Anfield, and now faces a fresh setback having earned a place in Kenny Dalglish's team.

Dalglish confirmed the injury to the club's in-house television station.

"Daniel has got a fractured rib, so he's struggling a bit," Dalglish told liverpoolfc.tv.

Per Steffensen, Agger's agent, articulated the frustration of the Denmark international who seems to be riddled with bad luck.

"It's the worst possible news. He has broken two ribs, and he must keep still for four weeks," Steffensen told sporten.tv2.dk.

He added on tipsbladet.dk: "Daniel is way down now and I certainly sympathize with him.

"He will miss the two (international) matches against Cyprus and Portugal and there is a match against Manchester United he also misses.

"It's insanely annoying."

Ian Rush Signs Up For Meningitis UK Vaccine Campaign

A Merseyside mum joined ex-Liverpool FC player Ian Rush to campaign for a life saving vaccine.

Sue Burke, 31, from St Helens met the former Wales and Reds striker and charity patron at Anfield, to call for a Meningitis B jab.

Ms. Burke’s nine-month-old son, Cieran, was left profoundly deaf, and sufferers epilepsy among other health problems after contracting the disease.

Ian, who is an ambassador and patron of Meningitis UK, said: “I had meningitis as a child, and was very lucky to survive without any disabilities. Therefore, I am pleased to support this campaign.”

Borrell: We Need Our Best Display So Far

Rodolfo Borrell has called for Liverpool Reserves to produce their best display of the season when they face Wolfsburg in a crucial NextGen Series encounter in Germany tonight.

The Reds needed a late own goal to salvage a point when the two sides locked horns at Anfield last week, leaving Group 2 wide open.

The Spaniard feels it is too early to claim that the clash is 'must-win' but accepts his team will have to step up a level if they are to come away with a positive result.

Borrell told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I think it's more about it being a 'must produce a good performance' type of game.

"Anything can happen when you play against a team with such a strong squad. But we have a very good team too.

"We still have two more games in the group after this one. It's more about putting right what we did wrong in the previous game.

"If we come away with a win then obviously we will be in a much better situation. But it's an improved display we are looking for first of all."

He added: "I think Wolfsburg are very strong but I'm just focusing on my own team.

"They are very well organized. German teams are often like this and I'm expecting a very difficult game, just like it was at Anfield.

"They used two players from their first-team set-up in the 1-1 draw last week, so we know what we will be facing."

Liverpool, Wolfsburg and Molde are currently locked in a battle to secure the second qualifying berth after Sporting Lisbon opened up a five point lead at the top of the standings.

Borrell acknowledges that the Portuguese outfit has been a class apart so far and expects the fight for second spot to go to the wire.

He said: "Sporting Lisbon are better than the other sides in the group. I think they must be up there as one of the favourites to win the whole competition. They have massive quality.

"The rest of the group is very tight. The three squads - the Germans, the Norwegians and ourselves - have different characteristics but we are all better and worse in different areas.

"It will be tight. Okay, we beat Molde away but they also beat Wolfsburg who then drew with us at home.

"It will be close but I think it is important for our players to face these different styles. You can only get positives for your club and for your team."

Borrell remains tight-lipped as to who could feature in his starting XI in Germany but insists that whoever puts on the red shirt will only have one objective in mind.

"We have some physical problems with some players but we will have to wait and see," he added.

"Whether we are missing players or not, the lads I send out there will be going out to give a great performance."

Casper Relishing Reds Test

Brighton goalkeeper Casper Ankergren believes Wednesday's Carling Cup clash with Liverpool will show how far they have come.

The ambitious Seagulls welcome Liverpool to the Amex stadium for their third round tie hoping to take another Premier League scalp after dumping out Sunderland in the previous round.

Gus Poyet's side have impressed in the Championship since their promotion from League One and only suffered their first defeat of the season in last weekend's game at Leicester.

Former Leeds keeper Ankergren is relishing pitting his wits against Liverpool and he feels the game will show just how good the Seagulls are.

"It will be a good test that will show whether we can play as we did in League One, in the Championship and also against Sunderland," Ankergren told Bold.dk.

"We'll see how far we have really come with our football.

"We are not given a great chance of winning. It is a class team we are up against."

Ankergren also hopes Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will field his strongest possible team against Brighton, with Steven Gerrard tipped to make his long-awaited return for the Reds.

"When you meet the team you might as well play against the best, and I also think that Liverpool have some great players," added Ankergren.

"I hope they come with their strongest team."

Coates Relishing Fresh Challenge

Sebastian Coates insists the challenge of adapting to a new country and making a name for himself were the reasons behind his Liverpool switch.

The Uruguay international moved to Anfield before the transfer window closed and he made his debut in Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Coates has achieved success in his homeland with Nacional and at international level and wants to replicate that at a new club in unfamiliar surroundings.

The rising star knows the game's biggest players have achieved success wherever they go and he wants to become a crucial player in Liverpool's history.

"The biggest attraction was the challenge: to come to an unfamiliar place - a huge club - and make a name for myself," he told LFC magazine.

"So far in my career, I have been very lucky; to play for Nacional, to play in the Copa Libertadores, to win the Copa America. There has been a lot of success in a short period of time. But I have achieved that in a place where I am most comfortable.

"Now, I am here, in a different country, in a different league, with different team-mates. The best players are successful wherever they go. I am determined to become an important player here at a historical stage of the club's future."

The central defender also admits that some of compatriot Luis Suarez's words had a big influence on his decision to join Liverpool over the summer.

"(Suarez) helped me from a professional point of view," he added.

"I knew about the history; the success and the European Cups, but he also taught me about the nature of the supporters - the way they treat the players.

"When you're wanted by a club that is famous worldwide - by a club with a history like this - it was impossible to go anywhere else."

Steven Gerrard Due For Timely Return To Liverpool Side

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has stressed the imminent return of captain Steven Gerrard will not detract from the work which will have to be done in the wake of their White Hart Lane humiliation.

Even before the Reds had Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel sent off in Sunday's 4-0 defeat it was apparent they were nowhere near the level Tottenham were playing at.

A second successive defeat, and in particular the first-half performance, will no doubt pose a number of questions but Dalglish stressed they would not be answered by Gerrard's return.

The England midfielder could well end six months on the sidelines after a groin operation in March with an appearance in Wednesday's Carling Cup tie at Brighton.

But bouncing back from the Spurs defeat is more about what the other players do according to the Reds boss.

"It's natural everyone will chase Stevie, especially after we lost 4-0," said Dalglish.

"He has done fantastically well to get where he is. We will monitor his fitness, we will see how it goes, and then we will decide between ourselves when he is fit to play.

"But we have to look at ourselves. We know there is plenty of room for improvement after that [defeat].

"We have to correct the mistakes we made, improve on it and try to make sure it doesn't happen again.

"That is all we are going to concentrate on.

"We have had good days and we will have a lot more coming but that doesn't mean we dismiss a performance like that.

"It doesn't mean we go away and don't correct what we have done and take it for granted.

"When we played well we went out and worked hard to make it better and we'll do exactly the same."

Dalglish found himself having to defend his selection and his tactics in the wake of the defeat.

With injury to Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly still not 100% fit he persisted with central defender Skrtel at right-back and his weakness in that position was exposed by Gareth Bale, the player on whom the Slovakia international committed the fouls which earned him two yellow cards.

A player like Dirk Kuyt, whose renowned tireless industry may have come in useful against a marauding Spurs side, never made it off the bench despite striker Andy Carroll having to adopt an unfamiliar left-sided position after the second sending-off but Dalglish stood by his decisions.

"This is not about a team, it's about a squad and the squad is going to be used throughout the season," he added.

"When there is a victory no comments are made about the team but if it's a defeat then whatever players you use are wrong.

"How we started the game we would have lost the game irrespective of what happened

"The boys are upset and so they should be - if they weren't they wouldn't be here.

"The football club expects more than a 4-0 defeat when you come away from home."

Striker Luis Suarez has cut a frustrated figure in the last two matches against Stoke and Tottenham, often remonstrating with team-mates about his lack of service.

However, the Uruguay international is looking to put the poor performances behind them.

"It is not easy to lose like we lost [against Spurs]," he wrote on Twitter.

"But we have to work hard to improve. I trust my team partners, come on!"

Dalglish is fortunate this is a Carling Cup week as it means both Adam and Skrtel will serve their one-match suspensions on Wednesday and be available for selection at home to Wolves at the weekend.

He may have to wait to discover the extent of Daniel Agger's injury after the Denmark international was forced off with a rib problem in the first half at Tottenham.

"I don't know how bad it is but it obviously was painful," said the manager.

Aldridge: Carling Cup Is Vital Now For Liverpool FC

All of a sudden, the Carling Cup trip to Brighton and Hove Albion looks a great deal more important than it once did.

Liverpool will of course be desperate to stay in the hunt for silverware this season, especially with no European football on offer.

But equally importantly, it is a chance to produce an immediate reaction to two disappointing league results.

They were unlucky at Stoke; they defended well and didn’t get the goal they deserved, but they need massive improvement from the Tottenham game.

It will be interesting to see what team Kenny puts out, and whether he gives a few new faces a chance to impress.

At least he has the squad to make such decisions now. He can shuffle his pack and it won’t have an adverse effect on the team.

Former Liverpool Striker Believes Reds Lack Defensive Steel

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore believes the club is lacking the defensive steel and that is stopping Kenny Dalglish's side challenging for major honours.

Liverpool were one of the busiest clubs during the summer transfer window and added the likes of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates on top of January signings Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

However Collymore who made 61 league appearances for Liverpool between 1995 and 1997, feels the Anfield club need to add a top class defender to the squad in order to bridge the gap between themselves and the likes of Manchester United, City and Chelsea.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Collymore said: "Jamie Carriagher is still one of the best defenders in the Premier League but you're always looking to freshen things up.

“They brought the player of the tournament in the Copa America, Sebastian Coates, who is supposed to be a very good central defender but it will take him time to adapt to life in the Premier League.

"When you look at Vincent Kompany at Manchester City, Rio Ferdinand and people like Phil Jones who has come into Manchester United, I don't think Dan Agger or Martin Skrtel compare. They are a level below.

“From a former Liverpool player’s perspective a top, top quality central defender in January, £20m worth, to be a leader from the back and eventually take over from and put competition on Jamie Carragher.”

Liverpool Face Italian Competition For Belgian Defender

Liverpool will need to warn off the interest of Inter Milan if they wish to complete the signing of Jan Vertonghan, according to talkSPORT.

The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal earlier this summer in their search for a centre back.

However, Liverpool are now seemingly the front runners, but they are under pressure from Italian giants Inter Milan.

Injury to Daniel Agger during Sunday's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and the inexperience of new signing Sebastian Coates leaves Liverpool short at the back, meaning a move for another defender could be on the cards.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has already made moves for seven players during the summer transfer window, and it is yet unknown whether the club's owners will release more funds for the Scot.

South American Starlet Waiting For Liverpool Talks

Bologna coach Pierpaolo Bisoli has quashed claims that Gaston Ramirez is already in talks over a move to Liverpool, insisting the midfielder will look at his options in January.

Ramirez is yet another Uruguayan on Kenny Dalglish’s hitlist for the next transfer period, with the 20-year-old starring for both club and country alongside Luis Suarez.

But Bisoli argued that when it comes to interest from Liverpool, with the transfer window closed, discussions will resume only in January.

"The market is now closed, so I don’t know what to say about it", Bisoli said over Liverpool’s interest in Ramirez.

"The problem at the moment doesn’t exist. Today he plays [for us] regularly, for the rest he will have to wait eventually until January."

Liverpool have been particularly interested in Uruguayan players over the last year, signing Suarez and Coates, and forming a formal agreement with Uruguayan side Nactional over player transfers.

President Confirms Agreement With Liverpool Target

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has confirmed there is a buyout clause written into the contract of reported Liverpool target Ezequiel Lavezzi.

But Laurentiis is irritated that he ever reached such an agreement with Lavezzi and his representatives - and claims it will never happen again.

“Lavezzi’s agent very sneakily asked me for a buy-out clause and as a novice, I fell for it, but from that point on I have never accepted another clause in the contract," said De Laurentiis.

"There is a price for everyone, as this is a business, but I am the one who chooses it.”

The buyout fee for the Argentine striker - who has attracted plenty of interest in recent months - is alleged to be set at around €32 million.

Liverpool, meanwhile, had been linked with a summer swoop for Lavezzi, as Kenny Dalglish reinforced his Anfield ranks with real purpose.

Whether or not Liverpool made an approach for Lavezzi remains unclear, but the Merseyside club did enjoy a particularly fruitful transfer window.

Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Alexander Doni, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy all signed for Liverpool to aid their quest to qualify for the Champions League once more.

Match Report: Tottenham 4 - 0 Liverpool

Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice on his home debut as Tottenham hammered four past nine-man Liverpool to earn a morale-boosting first home win of the season.

Luka Modric opened the scoring with a blistering 20-yard strike before Charlie Adam picked up a second yellow card for a late foul on Scott Parker.

Martin Skrtel, who had a torrid afternoon at right-back thanks to Gareth Bale, was sent off for a second booking in the second half before Jermain Defoe calmly slotted home to make it 2-0 in the 66th minute.

Adebayor, who scored on his debut against Wolves last week, scored a tap-in soon after before he volleyed past Jose Reina to seal the win in stoppage time.

Fresh off the back of last week's first win of the season, Tottenham looked a class apart against their top-four rivals, but their cause was helped by the two dismissals.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, who met referees' chief Mike Riley this week after venting his anger at Mark Clattenburg's decisions against his team last weekend, was furious with Mike Jones' decision-making at times, stopping the official as he went down the tunnel at half-time.

But in truth Liverpool could have no complaints about the defeat or its margin.

Right from the kick-off it looked like there was only ever going to be one winner.

After his team's midweek trip to Greece, Harry Redknapp reverted to the same XI that beat Wolves and they stamped their dominance on the game from the whistle.

Adebayor brushed past his marker to gain a yard in the box but miscued his volleyed wide from 10 yards.

Daniel Agger then blocked Defoe's goal-bound shot before Modric brought White Hart Lane to its feet with his blistering opener after six minutes.

The Croatian, who had been the subject of at least three bids from Chelsea this summer, picked up a loose ball 20 yards out and hammered his strike into the top left-hand corner of Reina's goal.

Referee Jones handed out his first booking of the afternoon to Adam for a foul on the goal scorer.

Liverpool were struggling to get in to the game and at times, their passing was poor.

They thought they had equalized though when Luis Suarez tapped home but the linesman ruled the Uruguayan was offside when he picked up the ball from Andy Carroll.

Agger then hobbled off after slipping and injuring his chest. He was replaced by debutant Sebastian Coates.

Liverpool's afternoon went from bad to worse just before the half hour when Adam caught Parker in the leg with his studs up as the England midfielder went for a volley.

Jones reached for his pocket and issued the second yellow which reduced the visitors to 10 men.

Skrtel, clearly struggling to keep up with Bale's electric pace, saw yellow for a cynical bodycheck on the Welshman.

Like Bale, Adebayor was proving to be a real handful. The striker brushed off Coates and ran towards goal but the defender hacked him down from behind and also earned a booking.

Younes Kaboul and Defoe both came close to making it 2-0 before the break as Spurs' dominance continued.

Suarez was annoyed he did not get a foul on the stroke of half-time after a tussle with Benoit Assou-Ekotto and his protest at the referee earned him a booking.

Reds boss Dalglish, who last week criticized Clattenburg for not giving his side a penalty at Stoke, was furious with Jones and remonstrated with the official as he went down the tunnel at half-time.

Spurs almost scored a minute into the second half when Kyle Walker crossed for Adebayor, who played in the unmarked Defoe his poor shot dribbled wide from six yards.

Liverpool were convinced they should have had a penalty when Carroll thought his jump in the box was impeded by Assou-Ekotto but Probert waved play on.

Liverpool's woes continued in the 63rd minute when Skrtel clipped Bale's heels as he turned to run down the flank.

The former Southampton man punched the turf in apparent pain and Probert sent the Liverpool defender off with a second booking.

Two minutes later it was 2-0. Substitute Rafael van der Vaart sent Defoe racing through the middle, and after holding off Jose Enrique's challenge, the England striker spun and shot low past Reina.

Just two minutes passed before Adebayor scored Tottenham's third.

Reina spilled Defoe's shot and the former Gunners man reacted quickly, lifting the ball over the scrambling Spaniard before tapping in to an empty net.

Liverpool could not get a touch of the ball as Spurs made their numerical advantage count.

With the game well won, Tottenham eased their foot off the accelerator.

Van der Vaart tried a cheeky chip at the other end in injury time but Reina was equal to his effort.

Adebayor then made it 4-0 in the final seconds when he picked up Assou-Ekotto's cross to control and calmly volley past Reina to complete a superb afternoon for Spurs and a miserable one for Liverpool.

Spurs Were Just Better Than Us, Admits Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish refused to criticize referee Mike Jones for sending off two of his players in Liverpool’s heavy defeat to Tottenham.

Dalglish had met with referees’ chief Mike Riley last week to discuss his grievances with a number of decisions in the 1-0 defeat at Stoke.

He argued with Jones at half-time yesterday while the official’s decision to send off Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel helped swing the game in Tottenham’s favour.

Adam was sent off for two bookings – the second a studs-up tackle on Scott Parker – and Skrtel went in the second half with a second yellow for chopping Gareth Bale.

But Dalglish said: ‘It’s better to leave it. We will just stick to [talking about] what we can dictate.

‘We cannot dictate interpretation [of the rules]. It’s best left unsaid as it takes away from a magnificent performance by Tottenham.’

Luka Modric’s brilliant seventh-minute strike set Spurs on their way and from there they never looked back as Jermain Defoe’s drive and Emmanuel Adebayor’s brace sealed victory.

Modric was unhappy at not being able to move to Chelsea in a £40million move this summer but Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said: ‘Luka is fine now, he’s just getting on with it.

‘The chairman will sit down with him and discuss his contract. That’s what I’d like to happen. It was a great strike yesterday. That’s why we were offered £40m, because he’s a top player.’

Dalglish Must Consider Dropping £55m Worth Of Talent To Get Reds Back To Winning Ways

Is there any other manager in world football who would have his name chanted on the terraces when his team are 3-0 down and reduced to nine men?

Around 70 minutes had gone on Sunday when Kenny Dalglish held his hand aloft to acknowledge the corner of White Hart Lane where hundreds of Reds supporters sang his name.

The moment encapsulated the unique relationship Dalglish has with Liverpool's fans, who will continue to support him as he seeks to get the team he virtually rebuilt this summer clicking.

But even before Mike Jones produced his first yellow card of the day, Liverpool were outplayed and looked very much a project in development.

This was Liverpool's first truly bad 90 minutes this season and some of that must fall on the team that was sent out.

The decision to restore £35 million striker Andy Carroll to the starting lineup backfired - particularly as Liverpool have been playing with fluidity without him in the side.

The former Newcastle man was cumbersome and often seemed reluctant to chase and hustle for the ball when Tottenham were in possession.

He and Luis Suarez are yet to strike up an on-the-pitch rapport, which the Uruguayan clearly has established with Dirk Kuyt, who was left on the bench.

With the re-acquired Craig Bellamy seemingly chomping at the bit to get on the pitch and possessing the guile and the movement Liverpool sorely missed, the decision to go with Carroll seemed more prompted by his price-tag than his form.

As Liverpool struggled to play the quick, pass and move football which brings out the best in Suarez, the route one approach was favoured as Pepe Reina aimed a succession of long kicks towards the head of Carroll.

Even that approach didn't work and the 22-year-old seems a long way from putting in the kind of menacing performances he showed in the first half of last season.

Meanwhile, estimated £20m signing Jordan Henderson underwhelmed, albeit he was not helped by Charlie Adam's early dismissal.

Elegant in touch he may be, but the England under-21 international regularly looks like a boy amongst men when up against more seasoned midfielders, in this case the impressive pairing of Luka Modric and Scott Parker.

Henderson and Carroll may one day be worth their place in the Liverpool team, but they are both young, raw talents who will need time to find their feet at the club. Their respective price-tags should have no bearing on whether they are selected.

But despite two consecutive away defeats, nobody should be pushing the panic button at Anfield.

The Liverpool squad is stronger and deeper than it was this time last year and there is an even a positive to take from the game in the shape of Sebastian Coates, who showed moments of composure and intelligence, despite being thrown into a maelstrom on his debut.

Dalglish the icon has done enough for Liverpool over the years to receive unconditional love from supporters, but the manager faces some big decisions and with Steven Gerrard nearing his long-awaited return, the axe needs to be sharpened.

"Liverpool Football Club expects more than that," he said yesterday, after refusing to be drawn into another row over refereeing.

Dropping two of his big-money signings might be the way to back up those words with action.

Luis Suarez Issues Rallying Cry To Team-Mates After Tottenham Defeat

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates in the wake of Sunday’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Merseyside giants were comprehensively outplayed at White Hart Lane and undermined their own efforts to gain a foothold through indiscipline, with Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel both given their marching orders for two bookable offences.

The result condemned Liverpool to their second defeat in as many games after a 1-0 loss to Stoke last weekend and saw them slip to eighth in the Premier League.

With a League Cup tie against Brighton to come on Wednesday followed by Wolves at home in the Premier League next Saturday, Kenny Dalglish’s men have the perfect opportunity to bounce back from recent setbacks, and Suarez is keen to ensure they do.

“It is not easy to lose like we lost [against Spurs],” the Uruguayan posted on Twitter.

“But we have to work hard to improve. I trust my team partners, come on!