Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 1 Manchester United

It may not have lived up to Sir Alex Ferguson's billing as the greatest match-up in English football but Liverpool's draw at home to Manchester United was typically not without incident.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was denied a dream return to the starting line-up when his free-kick midway through the second half was cancelled out by substitute Javier Hernandez's late header.

The England international put seven months of rehabilitation behind him after a groin operation in March by capping an assured performance in midfield with the goal which looked like extending his side's home dominance over their arch-rivals.

However, Hernandez prevented a fourth successive United defeat at Anfield - which has not happened since 1979 - to maintain his team's unbeaten record this season.

It also denied Liverpool a happier anniversary than the one they were enjoying after marking the 12 months to the day since they were bought by Americans Fenway Sports Group.

Wayne Rooney's demotion to the bench summed up his miserable week after his England sending-off and subsequent three-match ban for Euro 2012, which was the talking point before kick-off.

Once the match kicked off there were plenty of others - mainly in the second half - with Rio Ferdinand's disputed foul on Charlie Adam which could have resulted in the defender seeing red and United goalkeeper David de Gea's impressive performance just two.

The first half was essentially about trying to establish a grip on the game and although Liverpool had the better of that scrap early on United had done enough to restore the balance by the interval.

Both sides had chances to open the scoring with Phil Jones, playing in midfield, heading Patrice Evra's deep left-wing cross into the side-netting when he should have done better.

A similar accusation could have been levelled at Luis Suarez, who looked like he would give Rio Ferdinand a torrid time after their opening exchanges but found the United defender a worthy opponent as the half drew on.

The Uruguay international found himself with only David de Gea to beat when Charlie Adam's 34th-minute shot kindly rebounded off Jonny Evans but the striker shot straight at the goalkeeper who parried the ball to safety.

Gerrard found the midfield a little too crowded for his liking and rarely got the space or opportunity to have much impact.

Early in the second half Ashley Young's 25-yard free-kick briefly had Jose Reina scrambling to claim at the second attempt but the tide was gradually turning in favour of the hosts.

They felt they should have had a penalty when Dirk Kuyt's header struck the arm of Evans. And when Ferdinand, who had been booked for an earlier foul on Suarez, tripped a charging Adam with the slightest of touches as he threatened to break into the penalty area, the Liverpool fans were convinced he should have been sent off.

Gerrard, however, exacted a greater punishment when he curled home a low shot from the resulting 25-yard free-kick after Ryan Giggs left a space in the wall.

Rooney and Nani were immediately sent on, with the latter blazing a shot well over, before fellow substitute Hernandez was introduced for the final 15 minutes.

And he made his mark within six minutes of coming on as Danny Welbeck flicked on a left-wing cross and the youngster headed home unmarked at the far post.

But United were indebted to De Gea, who has come in for a fair amount of criticism in his maiden season, as the Spaniard threw himself to his left to deny Dirk Kuyt.

He was in action again in injury time when he acrobatically tipped over a shot from Henderson, with the Liverpool midfielder also having a chance to win it even later only his header from Stewart Downing's cross dropping onto the roof of the net.

Dalglish Praise For Gerrard

Kenny Dalglish believed Steven Gerrard's first XI comeback against Manchester United epitomized the captain's importance for Liverpool.

The England international played in the starting line-up for the first time in seven months following a groin problem and marked his return with an opening goal from a free-kick.

United came back to equalize through Javier Hernandez but Liverpool manager Dalglish was delighted by the performance of Gerrard.

On his skipper, the Scot said: "I thought he was everything he's been for the club, and it was fitting he got the goal."

Dalglish added: "The fact we have Steven Gerrard playing is a real boost to us. It is fantastic for him he has crowned his first start for a while by scoring.

"He has made a fantastic contribution to this football club and he will continue to do that.

"To see him back was brilliant for us, but more importantly really encouraging for him. He still has a bit to go, but it was fantastic to see him starting a game and he deserves that reward of a goal."

After an uneventful first half, the contest provided far more entertainment in the second 45 minutes and developed into an end-to-end contest in the closing minutes.

Jordan Henderson went close to winning it, but his lobbed volley was superbly saved by David de Gea, who produced a composed display to respond to some of his critics.

Dalglish said: "I thought in the first half the two teams almost cancelled each other out, and the second half started much the same.

"We scored the goal then they equalized, then their keeper made two or three good saves. I thought the boy (De Gea) was struggling?

"He wasn't struggling, he made two or three great saves."

Gerrard Feels Hard Done By

Steven Gerrard was pleased to mark his return to Liverpool's first XI with a goal but he was disappointed Manchester United could not be defeated at Anfield.

The fit-again Liverpool captain's free-kick found its way through a United wall weakened by Ryan Giggs deserting his post to give the hosts the lead.

But substitute Javier Hernandez headed United level and Liverpool were unable to find a winner.

David de Gea made an excellent save from Jordan Henderson and when Martin Skrtel blazed over it was certain that United would remain six points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table.

"I'm sure our fans will feel a little bit hard done by with the chances at the end, we could have nicked it," Gerrard told Sky Sports HD2.

"Before the game our aim was to close the gap and get it to three points."

On his goal, the England midfielder added: "The free-kick wasn't the best, the intention was to get it over the wall, but a couple of years ago at Old Trafford the same thing happened, the wall split.

"Maybe it's just the bit of luck I was looking for in my first game back.

"When you're out and sitting watching these games, there's nothing worse. To be out there experiencing the emotions again was fantastic and hopefully I can stay fit for the rest of the season now."

United defender Rio Ferdinand has also been absent with injury for much of this season and concurred, as he said: "These are the games you want to play in, the things you love and enjoy."

It was Ferdinand's foul on Charlie Adam which led to the free-kick, with opposite camps feeling either that the Scot made the most of minimal contact or that Ferdinand was fortunate to escape a second yellow card.

"There was the slightest contact, but I don't think it was enough to make a fella of 12 or 13 stone fall on the floor," Ferdinand insisted.

He praised the character of his side, though, adding: "They created a couple of chances towards the end but for most of the second half I thought we controlled it and played good football. In the final third, if we'd made those good decisions, we could have had opportunities.

"We showed the resilience you need to come places like this and get a point."

Liverpool & Arsenal Interested In Belgian Defender

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is set to battle Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for the signature Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen who has been strongly linked with a move away from the Amsterdam club for a number of months.

Dalglish added the likes of Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates during the summer but it is believed that he is still looking for a new centre-back and could attempt to lure Vertonghen away from Holland.

Arsenal have also been tracking the progress of the talented defender who is good friends with international colleague and Gunners centre-back Thomas Vermalen.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs, with Inter Milan also said to be interested, but it is the Premier League duo who are hoping to land the defender.

Vertonghen has been one of Ajax's most consistent performers and was close to moving in the summer. However, he decided to stay and now Liverpool and Arsenal want to persuade Ajax to cash-in on the defender.

Reports in Holland suggest Liverpool are favorites to sign the Belgian international but it will take an offer of at least £17million to persuade the Dutch side to sell their prized asset.

Wenger has reportedly been handed £50m to spend in the summer and could use some of that war chest to land Vertonghen.

Holloway Cools Wilson Talk

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway says he is unlikely to be making an imminent move to sign Liverpool defender Danny Wilson on loan.

Holloway recently brought Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey to Bloomfield Road on a temporary basis and has been strongly linked with an offer for Wilson.

The Scotland international has yet to make an impact at Anfield since his arrival from Rangers in 2010 and has made just one appearance in the Carling Cup so far this season.

Wilson recently admitted that he would be prepared to seek a loan move away from Liverpool in order to play regular first-team football.

However, Holloway is happy with the current make-up of his squad and has played down talk that he is ready to add Wilson to his ranks.

Holloway said: "At the minute my squad is taking shape, I'm working with people, and I don't think at this moment in time I'll be adding Wilson."

Ayre Rubbishes Media Report

Ian Ayre has rubbished a newspaper report claiming Principal Owner John Henry suggested Fenway Sports Group may have overpaid for Liverpool players.

The Reds Managing Director insists Henry's quote was not regarding the club's transfer business and was instead referring to baseball.

Ayre told LFC TV's Friday Night Live: "I have actually seen the transcript. It was John answering questions via email, rather than in an interview. I have seen his comments he replied with.

"What he was essentially talking about in the first place was baseball. He was talking about the comments people have been making about a big signing they (Boston Red Sox) made, Carl Crawford.

"He made the point they may have overspent on players, but at the same time a month or so ago, before the Red Sox got into trouble, people were saying the Red Sox were maybe the best team they've ever had.

"He just drew the comparison, but it wasn't actually related to Liverpool in anyway.

"The other thing that comes out from that, and I was talking to Tom (Werner) about it today, is how do you ever gauge what you've spent on any player until the end of his contract?

"It's a long time playing for a club, and not everything happens on day one. For Carl Crawford or anyone else, it's all about what you get from that player across the life of his contract.

"We've seen players come to football clubs, baseball clubs and other sports clubs and some have a brilliant start and some have a slow start and they're just different. It's all about what you extract as value.

"He definitely didn't relate it to Liverpool. I don't know if it was a mis-quote - I think his quote was right, but it was just taken out of context."

Ayre Explains TV Comments

Ian Ayre insisted that Liverpool Football Club weren't looking to sell their own overseas television rights.

Clarifying comments made earlier this week regarding the sale of Barclays Premier League overseas rights, the Liverpool Managing Director claimed the debate needs to be opened up but believes his comments were taken out of context in the media.

Ayre told LFC TV's Friday Night Live: "What I said, and what we were trying to put forward - the debate we've been trying to open up - isn't about Liverpool wanting to breakaway and sell their own rights. That is not in any way what we were trying to say.

"What we are trying to say is that at the moment, the way the rights are sold collectively is great. It generates a significant amount of revenue, more than any other league, and that is fantastic.

"However, the way those values that come in are distributed is an issue we believe.

"What a lot of fans maybe don't know is the UK rights - the domestic rights which are about half of the total - the way they're distributed is 50 per cent is shared equally and the other 50 per cent is shared on the basis of how many times you're on TV while the second half of that is distributed on the basis of where you finish in the league. That is a mechanism that rewards success and therefore the more successful, bigger clubs get a bigger share.

"But internationally, the other half of the money that comes in is just divided by 20. I don't think that's right and I think the bigger clubs have a bigger appeal overseas, they're playing in bigger competitions in Europe playing against bigger clubs that have bigger revenues.

"What we're trying to do - and what I was trying to do when somebody asked me the question - was just explain that I think that's an issue.

"The question I was asked was about the European ruling on illegal pay TV and I said that's an issue, for certain - but I think the distribution issue also needs a debate.

"It's unfortunate that it's snowballed into some ridiculous tirade of media that's suggested that we were trying to run off and damage the league. We're Liverpool Football Club, that's not our game.

"It's something I'd like to see debated and I'd like to see addressed."

Ayre admits he was disappointed with the manner in which his comments were reported in the media.

He added: "It was like a bland comment really. Somebody asked me the question and I said the whole media rights landscape is very important, it represents about 95 per cent of the revenue we get from the league every year - it's bigger than sponsorship and all of those things from the league.

"It's a very, very important part of every football club. Not just Liverpool or the big clubs - every club in the league, even the clubs in the lower leagues because of the parachute payment. It's a very, very important subject.

"What I said is that I think it needs to be addressed because I don't think the balance is right.

"What it turned into was a torrent of 'Liverpool is going to break away and damage the league'. Quite clearly, I never suggested that."

LeBron Makes LFC Donation

American basketball player LeBron James has donated $10,000 to the Liverpool FC Foundation during his first visit to the club.

LeBron, who plays for Miami Heat, made the donation at St Margaret's CoE School in Liverpool which is Liverpool FC's Respect 4 All centre, used for football coaching sessions with local children with severe physical or mental disabilities.

The centre is currently oversubscribed and LeBron's donation has kick-started a fundraising campaign to open a second centre in north Liverpool.

LeBron said: "I am honored and humbled to be a part of Liverpool FC and especially proud to help the club's charitable efforts. My foundation has always focused on giving kids the support they need to be successful. I'm excited to give this gift on my first trip and to start participating in the amazing work being done by Liverpool FC in the community."

Gary Adlen, Liverpool FC Foundation Director, said: "It's been a real pleasure having LeBron here. We are extremely grateful for his donation which will contribute significantly to opening a second Respect 4 All centre and support even more local children in north Liverpool."

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester United

Manchester United will be hunting their first win at Anfield in four years when they make the trip to bitter rivals Liverpool in Saturday's blockbuster clash.

As one of the most eagerly-anticipated fixtures of the season, the Saturday showdown promises to get Premier League action back under way in style after the international break.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men head into the derby clash at the top of the table and undefeated so far this season, having dropped just two points in seven matches.

But with neighbours Manchester City breathing down their necks in second place on goal difference only, United will be desperate for three points to keep them sitting pretty in the top spot.

Memories of last season's Merseyside thrashing no doubt still haunt the visitors, when Dirk Kuyt's hat-trick condemned United to a 3-1 defeat and their third consecutive loss at Anfield.

Seven months down the line and United repeat the short trip to their North West rivals but this time with bragging rights, having overhauled the Reds' tally of 18 English league titles last season by lifting a 19th championship.

That sore point could provide the Reds with added motivation as they seek their third Premier League win on the bounce, having ousted local rivals Everton 2-0 last time out in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

While Liverpool's start to the season has not packed quite the same punch as their visitors', the Reds have kept themselves in the upper echelons of the table with 13 points from their opening seven games.

The hosts will also be boosted by the return to fitness of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, who is tipped to start for the first time since March after recovering from a groin surgery.

Gerrard is expected to slot into a side which has been rejuvenated by Kenny Dalglish since his return to Merseyside in January and could pose a serious threat to United's unbeaten streak.

The Red Devils' own talisman Wayne Rooney will start following a turbulent international week which has seen the frontman incur a three-match ban for the start of Euro 2012 following his red card in the final qualifier in Montenegro.

Ferguson gave his star hitman his backing after that incident and will be hoping Rooney can shelve his international concerns and continue the form which has seen him net nine goals so far this season.

Saturday's clash will mark the third meeting between Dalglish and Ferguson since the Reds legend began his second stint at the helm, though the former has moved to play down any personal competition between the two managers ahead of the match.

Nevertheless, much of the focus will be on the two old foes as they continue their renewed rivalry, adding extra spice to what already has the makings of a mouthwatering encounter.

Dalglish has a full-strength squad at his disposal for Saturday's encounter, with Liverpool's international contingent having reported back for domestic duty unscathed.

Skipper Gerrard's return to contention provides the biggest lift for the Scottish boss, while Glen Johnson has also been declared fit after a hamstring problem forced him to miss the last three matches.

Centre-back Daniel Agger has recovered from a broken rib sustained last month and is also available for selection.

Ferguson is considering whether to hand captain Nemanja Vidic his United return after the centre-back played for Serbia on Tuesday night in Slovenia.

The skipper has been sidelined since United's opening weekend win at West Brom with a calf injury but could make his comeback at Anfield, while central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand is also closing on a return.

Jonny Evans is available should Vidic not feature after recovering from an ankle problem which kept him out of Northern Ireland's recent qualifiers.

Tom Cleverley (foot) and Rafael (shoulder) are still out but otherwise Ferguson reports a fully fit squad.

No fresh injuries were picked up during the international break, which Ferguson described as a "blessing" particularly with Fabio, Ashley Young and Patrice Evra all suffering knocks last Friday.

Possible starting XIs:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique, Kuyt, Gerrard, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Suarez.

Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.

Adam - Reds Reaching Peak

Charlie Adam claims Liverpool have yet to play to their true potential this season, but hopes they will scale those heights against Manchester United.

Kenny Dalglish's side have made a steady start to the 2011/12 campaign and headed into the international break on the back of a morale-boosting derby victory over Everton.

Next up for the Reds is a visit from arch-rivals Manchester United, with the reigning Premier League champions and current table-toppers due at Anfield on Saturday.

The fixture tends to bring the best or worst out of those on show, with a pressure cooker environment separating big-game performers from the rest.

Adam will get his first taste of an emotionally-charged atmosphere this weekend, following his summer switch from Blackpool, and he is confident that a new-look Liverpool side is ready to face the challenge head on.

"I still don't think we've played as well as we can but that happens when you bring in so many new players," said the Scotland international.

"We've shown glimpses of being a very good side. Hopefully we can continue that on Saturday. It is a massive game for the supporters and a massive game for the players.

"We know it's going to be difficult and we have got a lot of new players in our squad who are still gelling together.

"It's not about sending out a message, it's your own pride and performance being at this club.

"We have to win every game at this club and that's our challenge.

"We have had a couple of bad results but we have reacted in the right way.

"There's no bigger test than Man United at home and if we can win it, it will be a big confidence boost for us."

Adam will be at the very heart of the action at Anfield, possibly with fit-again club captain Steven Gerrard alongside him, and he admits the outcome of Saturday's clash could rest on who comes out on top in the midfield battle.

"The key normally in these games is the midfield," he told the club's official website.

"If you can get a grip of the game in midfield then I think you can win the match.

"Over the years gone by we have had some terrific performances, especially last season at Anfield when we beat them (3-1).

"So the midfield will be key and also you need somebody up front who can score you goals and we have certainly got that (in Luis Suarez).

"We are confident going into the game and hopefully come Saturday we can get the three points."

Liverpool Defender Martin Kelly Fit For Manchester United Clash

Martin Kelly has handed Liverpool a welcome boost ahead of Saturday's clash with Manchester United by declaring himself fit for the north-west derby.

The young defender was sent back to Melwood last week by the England under-21s having complained about tightness in his groin.

Since then, however, Kelly has been able to train for Liverpool and will be available for selection when Kenny Dalglish choses his starting XI.

And Kelly now hopes he has done enough to be awarded a starting berth for what, he admits, will be a stern test for the Reds.

"I came back from the England squad as a precaution with a tight groin," the 21-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"That's fine now and I trained on Monday, had Tuesday off and was back in on Wednesday.

"It's fine and I'm looking forward to what will be a really tough test for the team."

Liverpool is unbeaten at home this season, having won two and drawn one of their fixtures at Anfield.

But United will certainly be a different proposition for Dalglish's side, with the champions having started the campaign in rampant form.

Kelly, however, says the Reds have complete belief they can get the result they want - while he has urged the fans to make it as difficult as possible for their old foes.

"If we play how we've been playing at Anfield, do what we do best and play our football, we've got a great chance of winning," he added.

"We know how good we are, we believe in ourselves and so do the fans.

"The fans will be vital on Saturday in getting behind us and being that 12th man.

"Everyone is really excited about the game. We'll carry on working on the training pitch and then look forward to the match."

Dalglish Hits Back At Gerrard Critics

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has offered his full support to skipper Steven Gerrard as the 31-year old returns to full fitness ahead of Manchester United’s visit on Saturday.

Gerrard has not started a game for the Reds since March, when United last visited Anfield, with many feeling that the midfielder has passed his use-by date.

Recently, Gerrard insisted that he was defiant in the face of scrutiny and claiming that he is now fitter than he has ever been, the Liverpool captain vowed to deliver.

His manager has now verified that sentiment, making it clear that Gerrard remains a part of the club’s long-term plans.

“Steven has been fantastic for the club and everybody would want him to go on for as long as he could because he has always been a fabulous asset,” Dalglish was quoted on LiverpoolFC.tv.

The gaffer added: “Steven has made a huge contribution to this club and he isn’t going to change. He’s probably fitter now than he was before. He’s not in a Zimmer! When he plays, you’ll still see him charging forward. He did that against Wolves the other week when he came on.”

With England’s current generation of superstars all entering their thirties, Gerrard is not the only one whose status as a regular contributor has gone under the microscope.

Fellow England internationals Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, and John Terry have all been reminded that they must continue to fight for a place in both the domestic and international set-ups.

However, neither of those players have been bothered by the doubters and in fact, Lampard’s recent performances for the Blues suggest that he remains just as dangerous as he was a few years ago.

Dalglish has joined the initiative to ignore age as a major factor in selecting his players, especially when they are performing at a high level.

“Both Steven and Carra (vice-captain Jamie Carragher) are people who everybody else can look up to. Anybody who is an asset to the football club I am sure we will look forward to keeping. For me, you judge a player on what they are doing on the pitch. It doesn’t matter what their age is,” Kenny concluded.

With a win over the reigning champions at Merseyside this weekend, the Reds will only be trailing their bitter rivals by three points as the first quarter of the Premier League season approaches its end.

Liverpool Reportedly Tracking Celtic Midfielder Ki Sung Yeung

Liverpool are being linked with a January move for South Korean international midfielder Ki Sung Yeung.

The 22-year-old midfielder has come to the fore at Celtic after joining from FC Seoul, earning rave reviews in both the SPL and Europa League following a reported £2.1 million move in 2009.

Dubbed 'the Korean Steven Gerrard' for his all-action style of play, Daily Mirror reports claim Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is considering a £5 million move to bring the player to Anfield, presumably in January.

A move would see Ki line-up alongside the England international on Merseyside, although competition for places in the midfield is fierce with Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva also vying for a spot in the Liverpool starting XI.

'King Kenny' spent big on transfers in the summer, and is expected to do the same again in January with the backing of Liverpool owners FSG.

The signing of an Asian player will also be warmly welcomed by the club's hierarchy, who are eager to take advantage of the lucrative marketing opportunities in the country in any way possible.

Whilst this is unlikely to be of concern to Dalglish, it could have a positive long-term impact on the transfer funds available to the Liverpool boss, and with 44 caps to his name already, the youngster appears to be a top talent.

Dalglish Wants New Reds Deals

Kenny Dalglish is confident that Liverpool icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher can lead the team for many more years to come.

Both players' contracts are set to expire in June 2013, but the Reds boss says the 31-year-old skipper, and 33-year-old vice-captain can carry on well beyond that.

"I haven't a crystal ball, I don't know how long he [Gerrard] has left, how long it will be," said Dalglish. "Maybe once he gets back into the swing of things he will have a better idea himself.

"Whatever he wants to do we will go along with and for me both him and Carra are fantastic examples. Both of them are two people who everybody else can look up to.

"Carra and Steven have been fantastic for this football club whether they are playing or not playing. Anybody who is an asset to the football club I am sure we will look forward to keeping."

With the new set-up at Anfield, it's Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli who has the final say on player contracts, but Dalglish sees no reason why age should be a factor when offering new deals.

"I got a long contract when I was 33 which I couldn't believe," he continued. "For me it doesn't matter about age.

"I am not rigid. If I was asked how long someone's contract should be I do not have any hard and fast rules. Everyone is different."

LeBron James To Attend Liverpool Match

For the first time since he became a minority owner of Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League in April, LeBron James will be in the crowd this weekend at iconic Anfield to see the team play.

The Miami Heat forward tweeted Thursday that he had arrived in England and later confirmed to ESPN.com that he'll be attending Liverpool's home game on Saturday against longtime rival Manchester United.

Saturday's game is the first meeting between the two English giants since Manchester United won the league championship in May and passed Liverpool as the winningest club in the country's history. United has won 19 titles in England's top flight to Liverpool's 18.

"Yeah, I'm going for sure!" James told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard Thursday night. "Wouldn't miss this one! Biggest game in the world probably."

In April, as part of an agreement with Fenway Sports Group to become the sole marketer of his rights globally, James and manager Maverick Carter were installed as minority shareholders in Liverpool, which ranked as England's most renowned club globally in the 1970s and 1980s but hasn't won the league title since 1990.

Liverpool was purchased in October 2010 by John W. Henry and the group that owns and operates the Boston Red Sox.

According to the Guardian newspaper in London, Liverpool's 3-1 defeat of Manchester United last season attracted an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide, whereas the Super Bowl is watched by 20 million viewers outside of the United States.

"Just got to Liverpool, England," James tweeted Thursday. "Riding through the city. What a beautiful place. Home and birthplace of the One and Only 'BEATLES.' "

U18s See Off Man United

Liverpool U18s have won their first home game of the season with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in Kirkby.

Adam Morgan - back from England U19 duty - put the Reds in front with a header after just two minutes.

Matty Regan made it two, again with his head, after 37 minutes before Nick Barmby's son Jack pulled one back with an explosive finish on the hour mark.

Morgan was then twice denied by former LFC Academy goalkeeper Liam Jacob, while Jack Dunn hit the crossbar.

Dalglish Cools Fergie Rivalry

Kenny Dalglish has played down talk of the rivalry between himself and Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the Liverpool and Manchester United match.

The two most successful teams in the country will meet at Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League in what is sure to be a magnificent clash.

Indeed, the rivalry between these two clubs is immense, as is the history between the respective bosses, having clashed for the first time over 20 years ago.

Dalglish is in his second tenure as the manager of the Merseyside giants and his first game in January upon his reappointment was against United at Old Trafford, where Liverpool was beaten.

Revenge of sorts was exacted when Liverpool beat United 3-1 in the league at Anfield in March, which was their third successive victory in the league at home against their old foes.

Yet Dalglish, who won a host of trophies in his first spell as manager at the club, insists he is not motivated by getting one over Ferguson.

"I don't have any individual contest with Fergie," he said.

"These are football clubs that are playing - we don't play anymore. We can't influence anything other than what we do in the build-up and preparation for the games.

"The most important thing for us is how we compete on the pitch as a team. Head to head (against Ferguson)? I wouldn't have a clue what the score is in that and it doesn't really matter to me.

"I am in competition with him because we are playing against them on Saturday but over and above that we are a unit.

"Everyone has an important role to play and if I continue to do my job, the players do theirs, the fans and owners do theirs we will be much better off.

"It is not about someone getting one over on someone else - it is about the football club."

Anfield Atmosphere Can Inspire Liverpool Win Over Man United - Hansen

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes that the home atmosphere at Anfield could inspire the Reds to record a victory over rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

The former defender was impressed by the noise levels when his beloved Liverpool faced Bolton at home in August, and feels things can only get better in a big match such as this weekend’s.

“Another potentially important factor is the Anfield atmosphere on Saturday,” Hansen wrote in LFC Magazine.

“I was at the Bolton game at Anfield in August and while, with all due respect to them, Bolton will never be the biggest game of the season, the atmosphere was electric.

“I don't think Manchester United's players will be frightened by the noise levels on Saturday, but Liverpool's players could be inspired by it.

“If you're playing in that sort of atmosphere and you know the crowd is right behind you it definitely gives you an edge.

“On Saturday, Kenny would love the crowd to be in full voice and for Anfield to be bouncing because when it is, there is simply nowhere better.”

The ex-Scotland international, now a pundit, made 434 league appearances for the Reds between 1977 and 1991.

Liverpool Face £8m EPL Fight Over Striker

Long-term Liverpool target Ola Toivonen is being linked with a move to Sunderland.

The Swedish international striker was heavily linked with a move to Anfield whilst the Reds were under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson, who still had connections from his time in Scandinavia.

However, replacement Kenny Dalgish was also thought to be keen on the PSV Eindhoven forward, who impressed Liverpool scouts with his form in the Eredivisie.

TalkSPORT now claim Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has taken a keen interest in the £8 million-rated player, who scored the goal that sent his country through to the Euro 2012 finals in a 3-2 win over Holland in midweek.

The Black Cats are in the market for a striker after Asamoah Gyan left the club on a season-long loan move to Al-Ain, with Bruce admitting it will be hard for the Ghanaian to ever return to the Stadium of Light.

Clubs across Europe, most notably Italy, have also taken a keen interest in the player, whilst Liverpool is also thought to be in the market for a striker.

Dalglish spent big on his appointment as Liverpool manager, bringing Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll to the club, but a lack of strength-in-depth in the position means Toivonen remains a realistic option for the Reds.

Jeffrey Schlupp and Brek Shea have also been linked with moves to Merseyside, but Toivonen would represent the experienced option as Liverpool look to challenge for the Champions League once again this season.

John Henry Discussed TV Plan With The Glazer Family

The Glazer family discussed the possibility of individual selling of overseas television rights with John W Henry and his colleagues at Liverpool before club chief executive Ian Ayre floated the subject this week, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Ayre’s suggestion that the biggest clubs in the league abandon the Premier League’s collective selling model and exploit their overseas rights individually has met with opposition from the league and clubs concerned that it would ultimately weaken the competition.

Manchester United has also distanced themselves from the comments, but the Glazers and Liverpool’s ownership are thought to have discussed the implications of such a move during talks earlier this year.

Sources have suggested that Liverpool believe they are not a lone voice among Premier League owners even after the lack of public support yesterday for Ayre’s comments.

Despite their clubs’ rivalries, set to be renewed on Saturday at Anfield, the American owners at Manchester United and Liverpool are said to be close and to consult on a number of issues relating to their English football interests.

The Glazers are acutely aware of the value of United’s brand around the world and television rights issue are the most valuable way of exploiting that value. For now they have made no formal move to challenge the collective model, but the very fact the issue has been discussed with Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, even in abstract terms, indicates that it is on their radar.

The Premier League remains confident that there is still overwhelming support for their collective selling of television rights, even among those clubs with the largest global fan-base and potentially most to gain.

Bruce Buck and Ivan Gazidis, the respective Chelsea and Arsenal chief executives, spoke in favour of the collective selling of rights at last week’s Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge. Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, also recently outlined his belief that Premier League clubs should split their broadcast revenue. “We’d love to have our own but I don’t think it should happen that way,” said Ferguson. “It’s quite fair to have all equal shares.”

In his interview with Telegraph Sport, Arsenal’s new majority owner Stan Kroenke spoke of his experience in American football and the success of rules which maintain a competitive balance in the National Football League.

The Premier League believes that the huge growth in their global popularity is underpinned by their success in delivering matches that are generally very competitive. In Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid earn around 12 times more than their rivals by selling their television rights individually, yet no club has finished within 20 points of them for the past two years.

The Government yesterday also outlined its support for the Premier League’s current model. “It’s a provocative kite to fly,” said sports minister Hugh Robertson.

“One of the strengths of the English game has been collective selling. I don’t want our league which, in many ways, is this country’s greatest sporting export to be like other less competitive leagues elsewhere in the continent. I think the collective selling rights is a crucial part of maintaining the Premier League’s primacy.”

For Liverpool to initiate any change in how the Premier League distributes its £1.4 billion overseas broadcast deal, they would need to secure support from 14 of the 20 clubs.