Match Report: West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool

Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez showed more signs of forging a potent strike partnership as Liverpool strolled to victory over West Brom - and former Reds manager Roy Hodgson - at the Hawthorns.

A Charlie Adam penalty and Carroll's third goal of the campaign confirmed Liverpool's superiority as they climbed into fifth spot in the Barclays Premier League.

But it was the way that Carroll and Suarez gelled which would have given the most satisfaction to Reds boss Kenny Dalglish.

Carroll is starting to live up to his £35million price tag while Suarez gave his usual irresistible performance as the pair tormented the Baggies rearguard.

With Adam and Lucas Leiva running the show in the centre of the park and Daniel Agger impressive in defence, Liverpool had few problems in chalking up a third away league win of the campaign.

It ended the Baggies run of 11 points from the last six games but more accomplished sides will find it hard to deal with Carroll and Suarez in this form.

Liverpool, without the injured Steven Gerrard (ankle) and Jamie Carragher (calf), were the first to settle and a long ball from Jose Enrique was seized on by Suarez but his control let him down.

After eight minutes Adam put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot.

Suarez was bundled into by Jerome Thomas and referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot after his assistant Gary Beswick flagged for a foul.

Albion's players were incensed by the decision but up stepped Adam to send Ben Foster the wrong way from the spot for his second goal of the campaign.

Liverpool had appeals for a second penalty rejected when Carroll's header from Suarez's cross struck the hand of Andy Reid.

Jonas Olsson became the first player to be yellow carded after 35 minutes for a reckless challenge on Carroll.

Suarez had a chance to increase Liverpool's lead after 35 minutes when Martin Skrtel squared a deep Adam corner back across the box. But the Uruguayan shot wide from eight yards out.

Then after 45 minutes Carroll made it 2-0. Lucas' fine pass picked out Suarez and he released Carroll who clipped wide of the advancing Foster for his fifth goal in 21 games for Liverpool.

Liverpool began the second half on the offensive and Henderson failed to make proper contact on his shot after Carroll found him in space.

Albion came close for the first time after 47 minutes when Somen Tchoyi was inches wide with his low cross shot.

But Liverpool were quickly back in command and Carroll should have done better when an Adam shot ballooned up into his path.

Suarez was proving hard to contain and he shot over from a narrow angle.

A long raking pass from Adam released Suarez who cut inside the box but he was eventually crowded out and Foster collected.

Albion were forced into a change with Scharner picking up a knee injury and replaced by James Morrison.

Jose Enrique galloped forward to force Foster to finger-tip his shot over the bar and then the keeper blocked a Carroll volley after more good play by Suarez.

Carroll found himself in acres of space on the edge of the box but shot wide when Jordan Henderson was unmarked.

With nine minutes left, Dalglish made his first substitution with Suarez making way for Craig Bellamy - his 250th Premier League appearance.

Olsson headed wide from a Chris Brunt corner but it was too little, too late from the Baggies and in injury time the woodwork denied Downing his first Liverpool goal.

Dalglish Salutes Suarez

Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to another star showing from Luis Suarez after watching the Uruguayan torment West Brom on Saturday.

Suarez played a part in both of Liverpool's goals as they left The Hawthorns with a 2-0 win.

He won the penalty from which Charlie Adam opened the scoring, before playing in Andy Carroll for the Reds' second.

Dalglish was quick to praise Suarez afterwards, with the Anfield boss admitting he is starting to sound like a broken record.

He said: "Luis is a fantastic footballer. For us, there were a lot of excellent performances out there.

"There was not one player that could be disappointed with their performance.

"But within the group, there will be people who excel a little bit more than others.

"For us, it seems to be Luis quite often. He and Andy haven't played together that often.

"I thought they played really well together. I'm sure everyone in our squad is appreciative of what Luis does but I'm sure he is delighted with them as well."

West Brom's players were incensed with the award of an eighth minute penalty, with Jerome Thomas adjudged to have felled Suarez, but Dalglish claims he did not have a clear view of the incident and cannot comment on it.

He said: "I'm going to sound like Arsene (Wenger). I never saw it from where I was standing and I haven't seen any replays.

"I'm not trying to be evasive or duck the question. There was also a big appeal from our lads for a handball (by Steven Reid) that we never got."

Dalglish Impressed By Liverpool's Attitude And Commitment

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has admitted he was encouraged by his side’s team spirit as they disposed of West Brom 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

Dalglish spent the summer remoulding the core of his side, making seven signings as he attempts to put together a team capable of challenging for qualification to the Champions League.

And after watching a promising performance against the Baggies which saw two of his signings on the scoresheet Dalglish believes his side are showing promising signs of improvement and becoming a real force to be reckoned with.

He said: “It’s their attitude and commitment towards the game, the way that they play for and with each other, that is very impressive for me.

“The harder we work the better we will be. I don’t think any of the lads should be short of confidence but then again we shouldn’t be arrogant either.”

Reds Waiting On Gerrard News

Kenny Dalglish claims Liverpool will not know how serious Steven Gerrard's ankle infection is until early next week.

The Reds skipper was forced to miss Saturday's 2-0 victory over West Brom after being laid low.

He has only recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Liverpool are hoping the problem will not keep their captain out for long.

They are, however, still in the dark at the moment and Dalglish admits there is a chance Gerrard could miss upcoming domestic fixtures as well as England's friendly date with Spain on 12th November.

He said: "Steven Gerrard has got an infection in his ankle. Steven was in our minds for the game. It just flared up.

"We are off Sunday, we will be back in Monday or Tuesday, so we can be more accurate next week than we can be just now.

"We are not going to mislead anyone. We will know better on Monday or Tuesday.

"Will he be fit for England? I haven't got a clue. It's nothing to do with any injuries before, it's an infection.

"I suppose it's like having an abscess on your mouth."

Pardew Issues Hands-Off Warning To Liverpool Over Coloccini

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has issued a hands-off warning to Liverpool after they were linked with a move for Fabricio Coloccini.

Coloccini has become an impressive member of the Magpies' team despite a far from convincing first season at the club, and was handed the captain's armband as a reward for his form.

The Argentine defender has 18 months remaining on his £80,000 per week contract at Newcastle, but the club has already opened negotiations on a new deal for the 29-year-old.

Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish have had plenty of contact with Newcastle in recent times, signing Andy Carroll from the club last January in a £35 million move, then returning for Jose Enrique in the summer - but Pardew remains calm about any speculated move for Coloccini.

“Liverpool like looking at our players, don’t they?” Pardew was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

“I don’t want to add any more to that, other than to say that he’s been outstanding for us as a captain and a player, and that we’re in negotiations with him on a new contract.”

Newcastle have enjoyed a fine start to the Premier League season, currently sit in fourth position and remain unbeaten in the league, a feat only matched by table-topping Manchester City.

Liverpool FC Handed Trip To Chelsea In Carling Cup

Liverpool have been handed a trip to Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

The Reds' reward for their 2-1 win over Stoke City is a showdown at Stamford Bridge to be played during the week commencing November 28.

It's the fourth successive away tie for Kenny Dalglish's men in the competition having already won at Exeter City, Brighton and Stoke.

It will also mean two trips to Chelsea in quick succession as the clubs meet in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on November 20.

Liverpool, who won 1-0 on their previous visit to Stamford Bridge back in February, last faced Chelsea in the Carling Cup in a quarter-final in December 2007.

On that occasion the Londoners won 2-0.

In the other ties, Arsenal host Manchester City while Manchester United is at home to Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers travel to Cardiff City.

Gerrard: Hodgson Not To Blame

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's players were to blame for the short reign of Roy Hodgson at Anfield.

Liverpool faced their former manager at West Brom on Saturday evening, less than a year after Hodgson left the Reds. After a disastrous six-month spell that saw Liverpool lose at home to the likes of Blackpool and Northampton, Hodgson was replaced by Kenny Dalglish.

Since then the Reds have found new owners, who have backed Dalglish to the tune of £50 million during the summer transfer window. Liverpool are now back challenging for Champions League spots and playing an improved brand of football, something for which Dalglish has received much credit.

When Hodgson came up against Liverpool at the Hawthorns in April, West Brom won 2-1.

Liverpool skipper Gerrard admits things have improved immeasurably under their current boss, but he blames the players for Hodgson's failings. The likes of Fernando Torres and Joe Cole, in particular, failed to produce for Hodgson, and Gerrard admits attitudes were not right.

"It was a tricky time for Roy, it was a tricky time for everyone at the club, with the owners changing. Maybe he became Liverpool manager at the wrong time," Gerrard told ESPN. "When the job became vacant, there were an awful lot of supporters that wanted Kenny to get the job, so from day one there was extra pressure on Roy to deliver.

"He's a football man, he's experienced and he's a great guy. He's got the reputation in the game because he's been a successful manager. Just because it didn't work out here, doesn't mean he becomes a bad manager. He knows that at Liverpool you get judged on results. The results weren't good enough and unfortunately in football, managers get the blame.

"But I was one of the players who came out after he left and made sure people knew it wasn't just Roy Hodgson's fault. It was the players underperforming and not delivering. That was the sad part."

Liverpool has not lost any of their last six games in all competitions, and Gerrard credits both Dalglish and the club's owners for the turnaround. "Things have improved since Kenny's come in," Gerrard confirmed. "The new owners... there's happy faces from top to bottom of the club now and we move forward."

Dunn Sinks Baggies

Jack Dunn scored a last minute winner as Liverpool U18s came from behind to triumph 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The talented midfielder netted a superb free-kick to give Mike Marsh's side a deserved victory.

Substitute David Moli was also on the mark as he grabbed the equalizer in the second half after the Baggies had opened the scoring against the run of play.

Marsh told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I am really pleased for the lads. They played ever so well and deserved the win.

"We created chance after chance and eventually got our reward with Jack's superb free-kick.

"I was also pleased with Moli's contribution when he came on and got a deserved goal."

Liverpool team: Tyrell Belford, Ryan McLaughlin, Jordan Lussey, Joe Rafferty, Matty Regan, Lewis Hatch (Peter Aylmer 80), Kristoffer Peterson, Jack Dunn, Sam Gainford (David Moli 60), Josh Sumner (Nathan Quirk 75), Yalany Baio.

Support For Liverpool FC Blossoming In Pakistan

Liverpool boast a massive global fanbase. Their pre-season tours to the likes of Thailand and Malaysia highlights the huge passion for the club that exists in the Far East.

However, less well known is the support they enjoy in Pakistan.

News that Manchester United has signed a sponsorship deal with a mobile network in Pakistan prompted Reds from the country to get in touch this week.

The popularity of Premier League football is rocketing in Pakistan as interest in cricket wanes on the back of match-fixing allegations.

Liverpool Pakistan Fan Club was launched last year and started off with around 15 members who met up weekly to watch matches.

Co-founders Nausherwan Effandi and Raheel Ahmed then decided to promote it on a larger scale and it has blossomed.

The Pak Reds Facebook site now boasts around 1,500 members and screenings of matches are held in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

As well as getting together to watch Kenny Dalglish’s men in action, they have also started up their own team who play matches at an Anfield themed ground in Lahore.

Self-financed and self-managed, Pak Reds is the first supporters club of its kind in Pakistan.

Pak Reds president Effandi said: “We aim to bring Liverpool culture to Pakistan in the sense that not only do we want to promote Liverpool as a team, we hope that the supporters embody the true ethos of being a Liverpool fan.”

Pak Reds are hoping to secure backing from Anfield and soon be recognized as an official supporters club.

Match Preview: West Brom v Liverpool

Both parties would probably prefer to move on from the past, but there will be an inevitable degree of focus upon another Roy Hodgson reunion with Liverpool at West Brom on Saturday evening.

It has been almost nine months since the 64-year-old was sacked at Anfield following a woefully unsuccessful half-a-year in charge of the five-time kings of Europe and much has changed in that time.

Kenny Dalglish is now Liverpool's boss having been promoted from an ambassadorial role and a position working with the club's Academy for a second spell as manager in the wake of Hodgson's departure.

The Kop idol was a constant issue during Hodgson's reign, with it widely recognized most fans would have preferred the Scot to have replaced former boss Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2010.

Dalglish was ultimately appointed, but Hodgson has already got one over on his predecessor after West Brom defeated Liverpool 2-1 at The Hawthorns in April, when two Chris Brunt penalties gave the Baggies a first win over the Merseysiders in 30 years.

Hodgson was characteristically too much of a gentleman to revel in a win against a club which had made him unemployed just 12 weeks previously and instead the focus was upon a success which moved West Brom further clear of relegation.

It was Hodgson's fifth game unbeaten since taking over at The Hawthorns and he will hope for more of the same this season having built a recent run of four Premier League matches without defeat, including back-to-back Midlands derby wins.

Liverpool will also have other concerns away from Hodgson, as Dalglish attempts to find a cure to his side's developing trend for frustrating draws which was epitomized in last weekend's evening match against Norwich.

West Brom will be without striker Shane Long after the Republic of Ireland international was ruled out for six weeks with the knee injury suffered during last weekend's win over Aston Villa.

Somen Tchoyi and Simon Cox will be vying to partner Peter Odemwingie up front.

Midfielders Paul Scharner and Graham Dorrans (both knee) and winger Jerome Thomas (foot) are expected to be fit.

Liverpool are to assess the fitness of star striker Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan sustained a 'little knock' in the midweek Carling Cup win over Stoke.

If fit, the Copa America winner could be partnered by Andy Carroll in attack after the £35million man gave an indication he is finding some sort of form at the Britannia Stadium.

Midfielder Lucas Leiva is available again after missing the draw with Norwich through suspension, but Jay Spearing will be disappointed to drop out after doing well against Stoke.

Daniel Agger is likely to play in the centre of defence after the Dane started his first match in just over a month in midweek following his recovery from a rib injury.

Possible starting XIs:

West Brom: Foster, Reid, Olsson, McAuley, Jones, Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Thomas, Tchoyi, Odemwingie.

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

Hodgson Wary Of Reds

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson admits his side is underdogs against his former club Liverpool on Saturday.

The Baggies are unbeaten in their last four games and picked up a good win on the road to Aston Villas last weekend.

Despite playing in front of a home crowd at the Hawthorns, the 64-year old is weary of the threat from the Reds.

"Liverpool has done very well this season."

He said. "They have spent quite wisely and brought some very good players into the club.”

Their team is much stronger than it has been in awhile.

We have to be aware that we won't be favourites going into the game, despite playing at home.

"If we are to get anything from the game we have to play at our highest level.”

In our favour is the fact that for the last four or five games we haven't been playing too badly ourselves and we also believe we have good players."

Duo Set For Reds Landmark

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel could both notch up a century of league appearances for Liverpool if they feature in Saturday's trip to West Brom.

Here are the rest of the facts and stats:

The Reds have drawn the last two league games (Manchester United and Norwich). The last time they shared the spoils in three successive matches was in January 2009 while the last trio of consecutive 1-1 league draws for Liverpool came in December 1988.

At West Brom: Liverpool 23 wins, West Brom 20 wins, 16 draws.

Overall: Liverpool 56 wins, West Brom 29 wins, 33 draws.

Last season Albion won this fixture 2-1. After Martin Skrtel had opened the scoring after 50 minutes the hosts hit back to win the game courtesy of two Chris Brunt penalties on 62 and 89.

Brunt's goals were the first scored by West Brom against Liverpool in the Premier League in the 10th clash. The Reds in those meetings have hit the net 26 times.

Liverpool had shaded the earlier meeting at Anfield thanks to a single Fernando Torres goal.

The Reds have an excellent record at the Hawthorns, winning eight of the last nine fixtures scoring 26 and conceding four. 23 have those goals have come in the last seven visits.

In the Barclays Premier League the clubs have met 10 times with Liverpool winning nine and losing one.

Liverpool has lost only two of the last 16 visits.

The last time these sides played out a goalless draw in the West Midlands was in November 1968.

The 6-0 victory on this ground in April 2003 is Liverpool's biggest ever league win over Albion.

Michael Owen's four-goal haul in April 2003 is the last hat-trick scored by a Liverpool player against the Baggies. John Wark in a 5-0 win in March 1985 is the only other to achieve the feat for the Reds on this ground.

Prior to last season's Hawthorns clash the Reds had kept 9 successive clean sheets against West Brom in the league since 1986.

Andy Carroll scored twice for Newcastle on this ground two seasons ago - but Newcastle lost the FA Cup tie 4-2.

Liverpool go into this game on the back of an unbeaten six game run in all competitions, which along with Tottenham is the longest currently of any top-flight team.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel could both make their 100th Premier League appearance if selected.

A win for Liverpool will see them reach 1,300 Premier League points.

If they score three goals they will reach 50 in the league since Kenny returned as manager in January (this is his 28th league game).

Albion's win here last season ended a run of 12 successive league defeats home and away. In those 12 games they had scored two goals and conceded 36.

It was their first home win over Liverpool in 10 games since a 2-0 win in February 1981 and is their only success in the last 20 meetings at the Hawthorns and Anfield.

The Baggies are looking to record back-to-back home league wins over Liverpool for the first time since November 1966.

The Baggies finished last season with their best Premier League finish (11th) - this after being 17th when Roy Hodgson took over in February.

Roy Hodgson was in charge of Liverpool for 191 days - a reign which took in 31 games of which the Reds won 13. In the Premier League he presided over seven wins in his 20 games.

His first league victory as Reds boss came against his current employers at Anfield in August 2010.

From taking over with a dozen games of last season remaining Albion lost only twice under Hodgson - to Chelsea and Wolves.

They avoided relegation from the Premier League for only the second time.

His record as West Brom manager in the league currently stands at eight wins and six defeats from his 21 games.

Last season Albion set an unwanted Premier League record of going 34 games without keeping a clean sheet. The sequence ended with a 1-0 home win over Everton in their penultimate game.

Already this season they have kept more (three) than they did in the whole of last season.

They have beaten Liverpool only twice in the last 33 league meetings and in that time they have scored only 13 goals.

The only League hat-tricks scored by West Brom against Liverpool came in 1936 and 1938 and were scored by the same man - W.G.Richardson.

James Morrison was sent off at Anfield last season Somen Tchoyi made his Baggies debut in that game.

Last season Chris Brunt became only the third player to score 2 penalties in a Premier League game against the Reds. The others were Matt Le Tissier (Southampton) in February 1994 and Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford in April 2003.

Albion have scored only two of their last six penalties. Peter Odemwingie and Chris Brunt have each taken three and scored only one of them. Brunt missed a spot-kick at Villa Park last week.

In that game Hodgson's men came from behind to win 2-1 with goals from Jonas Olsson and Paul Scharner. It was their first league win at Villa Park since 1979.

The four games at the Hawthorns this season have produced only six goals with Albion scoring three. They have beaten Wolves, drawn with Fulham and lost to Manchester United and Stoke.

After scoring just three times in the opening six league games they have netted twice in each of the last three fixtures, taking seven points in the process.

Albion are unbeaten in the last four games since going out of the League Cup at Everton last month.

They have 11 points from their opening nine games so far - four points fewer than at the same stage last season.

The Baggies are looking a third successive home league clean sheet in the top-flight for the first time since December 2005.

West Brom along with QPR, Doncaster and Aldershot (all with three) have scored fewer league goals at home this season than any other team in England.

Of Albion's nine league goals this season five have been scored in the opening eight minutes of games.

This will be Albion's 100th Premier League game at the Hawthorns. They have won 30, drawn 25 and lost 44.

Current league positions:

Liverpool: Pld 9 Won 4 Drawn 3 Lost 2 Goals For 12 Against 10 Points 15 Position: 6th

West Brom: Pld 9 Won 3 Drawn 2 Lost 4 Goals For 9 Against 11 Points 11 Position: 12th

Leading scorers this season (league in brackets):

Liverpool: Suarez 7 (4), Bellamy 2 (1), Carroll 2 (1), Adam 1 (1), Gerrard 1 (1), Henderson 1 (1), Kuyt 1 (0), Maxi 1 (0), Skrtel 1 (1), own goals 2 (2).

West Brom: Long 3 (3), Brunt 2 (1), Fortune 2 (0), Odemwingie 2 (2), Cox 1 (0), Morrison 1 (1), Olsson 1 (1), Scharner 1 (1), Thomas 1 (0).

Gerrard And Suarez Injury Latest

Kenny Dalglish has given us an update on the injury situation at Liverpool ahead of the West Brom game on Saturday.

The biggest concern is Luis Suarez who picked up a knock against Stoke in the Carling Cup but Dalglish said they will wait until the last minute to see if Suarez is fit enough to play on the weekend.

Dalglish said, “He’s had a bit of treatment so we’ll see how is. He’s had a tough time recently, so we’ll see how he is on Saturday.”

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson did not feature during the week against Stoke and the boss said that he was resting them and that they are both fit to take on West Brom as they are both just coming back from long term injuries.

Dalglish said, “It’s just part of the course of sensibility, I think, with both him (Gerrard) and Glen (Johnson). There’s nothing wrong. They both could have played if they had to play. It was our choice.”

Comolli Personally Scouts Big-Fee Argentine

Damien Comolli has personally led a convoy with two scouts to watch Fabricio Coloccini in action, according to the Daily Mirror, with the Argentine high on Liverpool’s transfer wish list for January.

Kenny Dalgilsh has already purchased Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique from Newcastle, and with Enrique’s connections to Coloccini, Dalglish and Comolli are both said to be hoping that a deal can go through in the next transfer window.

Alan Pardew has admitted that Coloccini has stalled on contract talks with the Toon, and Liverpool are closely monitoring the situation. And with Jamie Carragher pushing the other side of 30, Comolli is hoping to find a back up defender to add depth to the Reds’ squad.

Pardew won’t let Coloccini go to Liverpool on the cheap, with the Newcastle manager most likely demanding a ‘big fee’ for the star, the paper claims.

And with Coloccini’s experience in the Barclays Premier League, the 29-year-old could move into the Liverpool squad very quickly, and play off Carroll and Enrique, with whom he already has chemistry on the field.

Dalglish's Delight At Jose Form

Kenny Dalglish today reiterated his delight at the form of Jose Enrique following suggestions the defender has proved the signing of the summer.

The Spanish full-back has made a seamless transition to life at Anfield in his nine appearances so far following an August transfer from Newcastle United.

And quizzed by journalists on suggestions Enrique was the best buy of any club in the Barclays Premier League during the summer transfer window, Dalglish replied: "We're just delighted to have him. He's not disappointed us in any way, shape or form.

"If other people have an opinion that's fine, but we're the ones who had to make the choice on whether to sign him or not.

"We did and we're pleased we did sign him. He's done really well for us."

Dalglish Demands Swift Resolution In Suarez-Evra Racism Row

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has accused the Football Association of having a disruptive influence, due to its prolonged delay resolving Patrice Evra’s racism claims.

A fortnight on from Luis Suárez’s contentious bust-up with the Manchester United defender, the Liverpool striker, who was accused by Evra of sustained racial abuse, has still not been asked to provide his version of events.

Dalglish says if the accusations are unfounded, which Liverpool insist they are, Evra should face sanctions for tarnishing Suárez’s reputation.

Having already spoken to Evra, the FA is assessing what further course of action, if any, will be required as they continue with what they are calling a ‘thorough process’.

It was expected Suárez would meet FA officials this week, but no decision has yet been taken about whether he has any case to answer.

From the moment the accusations were made, the FA was acutely aware of not only of the sensitive nature of the issue, but also the fraught relations between Liverpool and Manchester United.

They have sought to proceed delicately, but on the back of the more recent controversy surrounding John Terry and Anton Ferdinand, pressure is now mounting for the authorities to find a swift resolution.

Liverpool will certainly be noting the speed with which the England captain is dealt with compared to their own player, who they are eager to be exonerated as soon as possible.

“The quicker these issues are dealt with, the better it is for everybody,” said Dalglish. “It does not matter if it takes two months, Luis has the full support of everybody. But the longer it goes on, the more disruptive it is. I don’t think it really helps anybody.

“If it is as clear-cut an accusation as everybody says it is, then let’s get it dealt with. And let’s make sure the person who is in the wrong gets punished. The FA has not spoken to anybody here. It’s strange, isn’t it?”

Despite a flurry of recent cases where high-profile players have been accused of racist abuse, Dalglish does not believe the English game has been tainted.

“Whoever the guilty party is; the person who said it or the accuser, should get their due punishment,” he said. So we’ll look forward to our case coming to a conclusion. For me, I don’t see racism, as far as this club is concerned anyway, apparent in any way, shape or form. It has to be proved before you accuse. I don’t think it’s prevalent in the game here and certainly not at this club. We’ve got a case going on ourselves which seems to be dragging its feet. We’d rather have it done and dusted.”

Dalglish is also seething that Suárez has been embroiled in a debate about diving, especially since Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was one of those who publicly accused him of going to ground too easily.

The Liverpool manager is concerned Suárez will receive unfavourable treatment if officials believe what he says are scurrilous observations.

Dalglish said: “Every player needs some form of protection and we don’t expect any player to be treated any differently from any other person. But then he should not be suffering either because somebody comes out and makes an outrageous statement that maybe influences referees.

“He just wants to be treated exactly the same as every one of our players. He does not want any favours but he doesn’t want to be pre-judged either. The wee man just gets up and gets on with it. He accepts he is going to get kicked and it does not worry him.”

Dalglish And Wenger Deny Racism Problems

Two top Premier League managers have denied racism is a problem in English football following two alleged incidents this month.

In the wake of accusations made against Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Chelsea and England captain John Terry, both Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger on Friday said racism was not widespread.

Dalglish told reporters: "I don't think it is prevalent in the game here and it certainly isn't at this football club."

Wenger said: "I do not think that, in sport, racism is basically a problem because you are rewarded on merit. However, in society I still think there is some job to do and we are not at the end of it.

"But in sport, overall, I don't think it is a problem."

Dalglish added that he hoped the case against Uruguayan striker Suarez, following allegations that he racially abused Manchester United's French defender Patrice Evra, will be concluded swiftly.

He said: "For me, I don't see racism as far as this football club is concerned, apparent in any way, shape or form. We have got a case going on ourselves which seems to be dragging its feet.

"We would rather have it done and dusted, out in the open, and whoever is the guilty party, whether it's the person who said it or the accuser, get their due punishment.

"We look forward to the case coming to a conclusion."

Clarke Hails Impossible Shot

Steve Clarke believes it would have been impossible for any goalkeeper to save what he describes as a 'very special goal' from Luis Suarez on Wednesday night.

The Uruguay international fired both goals as the Reds progressed to the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Stoke City.

But it was Suarez's first - involving a nutmeg on Ryan Shotton and a sensational curl beyond Thomas Sorensen - that drew looks of awe from all four stands in the Britannia Stadium.

"We had a great angle from the bench because we were sitting right behind the flight of the ball," first-team coach Clarke told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"As soon as he did the nutmeg on the defender and curled it, you could tell it was always going to end up in the back of the net. Most of us were up celebrating.

"The actual shot, the way it curled away, made it impossible for the goalkeeper to get a touch on it. The little bit of skill was fantastic and the shot was even better."

Liverpool have gone through a period notable for missed chances lately - and Clarke hopes Suarez's antics will be the start of a more fruitful phase.

"The way it's been recently for us, it was going to take either a very lucky goal or a very special goal to turn the luck for us. Wednesday night was a very special goal," he said.

"If you go through a spell where the goals are not going in, all you can do in training is re-emphasize to the players to relax on the shot, take their time, pick their spot. A training situation and a match situation are totally different because you can't replicate the pressure of a match situation in training."."

Henderson: One Game At A Time

Jordan Henderson wants to focus on beating West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday rather than worrying about who Liverpool will meet in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Kenny Dalglish's men secured a spot in the last eight after coming back from a goal down to beat Stoke City 2-1 on Wednesday night.

After three away ties in the competition so far this season, the Reds will be hoping for a home tie in Saturday's draw, but Henderson is keen to take it one game at a time.

"We are not bothered who we get, and we'll wait for the draw and see what it gives us," Henderson told the club's official website. "We just want to go as far as we can in the competition.

"We now have an important game at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and that is our next concern getting the three points."

The Reds achieved their first win at the Britannia Stadium for over ten years after striker Luis Suarez scored two goals to finish off Stoke.

Henderson added: "I thought we started the game very well and created a lot of chances.

"Even when we went 1-0 down we didn't give up and we always knew we could come back strongly, and we are over the moon with the win.

"The first goal was just fantastic and a bit of brilliance from Luis, but we are used to that because we see it all of the time. The finish was brilliant again from Luis. I just managed to knock the ball back in the box and he did the rest."

Liverpool Alerted To Wantaway Munich Striker

Liverpool has been alerted to Bayern Munich striker Ivica Olic, who has voiced his dissatisfaction at being left on the sidelines.

The Croatian, who had been linked with a surprise move to Liverpool over the summer has re-emerged as a target, after revealing to Goal.com his desire to leave the club if he remains on the substitute's bench.

Olic, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, has found himself fourth choice striker, behind Mario Gomez, Nils Petersen and Thomas Muller.

Speaking after Bayern's 6-0 victory over Ingolstadt, in which he was used as a second half substitute, Olic said: "With each workout I feel a little bit better.

"But I was disappointed that I could not play from the beginning. In the end I was happy to come on for a half hour.

"I always hope that I will play. I was injured a long time, maybe I need to have more patience. Nevertheless, I feel well and I've always said that I would not be happy if I did not play. And I will say it again now.

"When I see that I am no longer being given playing time, then I have to think about a change.

"I've always said that I will not be happy if I'm sitting on the bench during the winter of my career. If I cannot play here, then I will try to elsewhere."

Liverpool currently have four strikers on their books, but with Dirk Kuyt often used as a midfielder and Andy Carroll misfiring, Olic would find more first team opportunities at Anfield than the Allianz Arena.