Liverpool Mooted As Holding Riccardo Montolivo Interest

Liverpool have been linked with a swoop for Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.

The Italy international is in demand as the January transfer window approaches, with just six months remaining on his contract compelling La Viola to accept a knockdown fee for his services.

A move within Serie A appears Montolivo’s most likely course of action, with both AC Milan and Juventus keen on the 26-year-old.

However, there is significant interest outside Italy.

From Germany, giants Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on the playmaker’s situation, while Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain has also been mooted as a potential destination.

In England, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a long-time fan of Montolivo, though Liverpool’s interest is more recent.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish appears overstocked with midfield talent, but nevertheless, Liverpool are thought to be monitoring the Italian’s transfer status.

For Fiorentina, an auction for the Azzurri star would be a favourable outcome, likely as it is to push up the eventual sale price.

Chelsea And Liverpool Track Goalscoring Dijon Midfielder

Chelsea and Liverpool are tracking French midfielder Benjamin Corgnet.

Sources from France have confirmed that the English duo have taken a liking to the 24-year-old, who currently turns out for Ligue 1 outfit Dijon.

Scouts from both Andre Villas-Boas’ and Kenny Dalglish’s sides took in Dijon’s weekend clash against Bordeaux, a game in which Corgnet scored the second goal in a 2-0 win for Les Rouges.

The Frenchman has appeared in 13 Ligue 1 games this season, finding the net a prolific six times so far – it is little surprise that Corgnet’s form has attracted such interest.

Corgnet’s story is an astonishing one, with the player only joining the professional ranks in 2010, moving to Dijon from French fifth-tier side Monts d’Or Azergues.

Dijon coach Patrice Carteron will be reluctant to lose his attacking midfielder, especially with the club shaping up to be involved in a relegation scrap during the second half of the season.

And under contract until 2015, Dijon is thought to require at least €7M to part with their star.

Corgnet himself would surely jump at the chance to move to either Stamford Bridge or Anfield though in what would represent the culmination of a remarkable two years of progress.

Comolli Tracks Valencia Hotshot Soldado

Liverpool’s director of football Damien Comolli has identified Valencia’s in form striker Roberto Soldado as a target he feels will give his Anfield side a much needed injection of fire-power.

The 26 year old former Real Madrid man has got his career back on track in the last three years after stagnating at the Bernabeu and is now attracting the attention of many prospective suitors and is fighting his way back to the fringes of the Spanish national team set-up.

Soldado spent three troubled seasons in the Real Madrid first team without making an impact and made the move to minnows Getafe in July 2008 and hasn’t looked back since. The Valencia born striker struck 33 goals in two seasons at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez before being lured to his hometown club.

Last term he netted 25 for the Mestalla side and has followed that up with 10 in 16 this term and Comolli has scouted the predatory finisher with a view to making an offer in the region of £15m to test the water.

Valencia have suffered financial problems over the past few seasons that has led to the sales of stars David Silva, Raul Albiol and David Villa and there may well be a need to sell once again to balance the books and Soldado may well be interested in a high profile move that could help assist in his pursuit of a return to the Spanish national team after more than three years out of Vicente Del Bosque’s squad.

January signings Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll have not gelled together and whilst the Uruguayan has been in consistent form, scoring goals and being a constant attacking threat, the £35m signing from Newcastle United has had a limp start to his Liverpool career.

Kenny Dalglish may feel it a necessity to bring in further striking options, not least because David N’Gog was offloaded to Bolton and alternative options Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt are now primarily wide players.

LeBron James Humbled By Liverpool History

NBA superstar LeBron James says reading up on the history of Liverpool FC has humbled him, with the Miami Heat player revealing his newfound admiration for manager Kenny Dalglish and captain Steven Gerrard.

James, 26, recently became a minority shareholder in Liverpool and made his first visit to Anfield last month to watch the Reds draw with Manchester United. The US basketball icon tweeted his delight at being part of a matchday crowd at the time and has since immersed himself in the club's history.

Talking to The Guardian about his Anfield tweet, James said: "That came from the simple fact of how passionate and loyal those fans are. But to walk through the facility the day before - to see all the history and achievements was very powerful.

"Liverpool have won 19 [actually 18] league championships and it meant a lot to read about King Kenny and Steven Gerrard - a hometown kid who now captains the team. And then to be at Anfield and see 40,000 fans screaming at the top of their lungs, the whole game, was an unbelievable experience for me."

And James believes that Dalglish's current Liverpool crop can recreate the glory days of the 1970s and 80s, during which time the Merseysiders were the dominant force in English football.

"Any time you have so much history and so much power behind their story, there is great potential to continue that expansion," James said. "Liverpool is definitely one of those clubs. They really are like Manchester United - and the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees.

"There are some teams and logos you see, no matter where you are in the world, and you know exactly who they are and what they mean. I see Liverpool in that group. They're striving to be a champion and I'm striving to do the same. It would be great if we could do it in the same year."

And despite being one of the world's most famous sportsmen, James says he was humbled by the fact that some of Liverpool's star players were aware of who he was.

"King Kenny is something else!" he said. "His accent is very strong. So it was very difficult to understand what he was saying - but it was great being around him and [Luis] Suarez and Gerrard and Dirk [Kuyt] and those guys. I was very humbled that they knew me."

Spearo And Seb Star In Reds Win

Jay Spearing notched a brace and Sebastian Coates fired his first goal in a red shirt as Liverpool Reserves saw off high-flying Sunderland 5-1 in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North on Tuesday afternoon.

The Uruguayan got the home side off to the perfect start when he stabbed home on two minutes before Spearing thundered in the second with a brilliant effort from distance.

The diminutive midfielder then added a third just prior to the interval as Rodolfo Borrell's charges bounced back from their NextGen defeat in Lisbon in style.

Ryan Noble struck a late penalty for the visitors after Coates was penalized for a foul, but it did little to dampen what was a fine overall display as substitute Nathan Eccleston had the final say with a sublime double in front of the watching Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez.

Ahead of the encounter the reserves had enjoyed a training session with the first-team and there were a quartet of Melwood-based stars involved who would go on to play the whole 90 minutes.

Jon Flanagan, Danny Wilson, Spearing and Coates came in to add some invaluable experience to the hosts and the latter made an instant impact.

Suso found space down the right and whipped in a delicious cross that Coates was on hand to steer home from close range.

Sunderland may well have been stunned by Liverpool's attacking intent from the kick off but they responded immediately and Noble was unlucky to see his effort from a tight angle flash across the six yard box after rounding Martin Hansen in the Reds goal.

Jordan Cook then exchanged a one-two before scuffing a shot off target as the Black Cats illustrated just why they had come into the game level on points with the league leaders.

It had been a lightning start to the proceedings and Raheem Sterling should have made it two on 10 minutes but his low shot was easily beaten away by 'keeper Lewis King.

Adam Morgan then saw a goalbound shot blocked as Liverpool poured forward, but just as it seemed like the chance had gone begging up stepped Spearing to make it two.

The midfielder picked up the loose ball and had time to set himself from 25 yards before arrowing a sensational drive into the bottom corner.

Less than quarter of an hour on the clock and the Reds were well in the ascendancy.

Next, Morgan went close when he was thwarted by King while at the other end Noble brought the best out of Hansen with a snap shot.

Liverpool were full value for their two-goal cushion but it got even better on the stroke of half-time when Spearing netted his second of the match.

The No.20's first shot was parried by King and when Morgan's follow-up was blocked, Spearing reacted by racing into the area and coolly tucking into an empty net.

The visitors would have been shell-shocked by the interval scoreline and they came out for the second period with renewed vigour.

Roarie Deacon nodded a tame header into the grateful arms of Hansen while Craig Lynch should have done better when he dragged a low shot from close range into the path of Coates, who hacked to safety from inside his own six yard box.

On the hour mark Borrell opted to freshen it up, replacing Morgan with Eccleston, who had recently returned from a loan spell at Rochdale, and his first touch almost created a fourth goal of the afternoon.

The striker sent Sterling rampaging in on King but once again the young winger hesitated when clear and saw his shot easily stopped by the Sunderland custodian.

Such was Liverpool's dominance that right-back Flanagan twice got into advanced positions but despite his best efforts he could not get his name on the scoresheet.

With time ticking down Sunderland pushed forward and eventually got a consolation on 82 minutes when Coates brought down Lynch, giving Noble the chance to convert from the spot.

However, Liverpool had the final say when Eccleston turned well before firing home a superb fourth.

And the frontman showed great pace and awareness to net his second deep into injury-time when he raced through and clipped a delightful shot over the advancing 'keeper.

Borrell: Sporting Lisbon Feel Current Youth Team Their Best Ever

Sporting Lisbon believe they have something special inside their youth system. Sporting thrashed Liverpool in last week's NextGen clash.

And Reds coach Rodolfo Borrell revealed on liverpoolc.tv: "I think Sporting are up there as one of the main contenders for the title. I have some experience working in a great youth system at Barcelona, and now here at Liverpool. If I look back at my 14 years in Barca's youth system and analyze all of my squads, I think I had just one that was better than Sporting. In fact, during 20 years I have only faced three teams with similar qualities.

"When we spoke with the Portuguese team's staff while we were in Lisbon they told us that they believe it to be the best youth team in their history. That is a massive statement when you consider that they are famous for bringing through talent such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. What they have with that team is special."

Calling All Reds In UAE

As part of its sponsorship of Liverpool Football Club, Standard Chartered Bank is offering a once in a lifetime opportunity for one boy and one girl.

Our lucky winners, accompanied by their parent or guardian, will travel to the UK and be a Liverpool FC mascot, walking out with the team on two match days in February 2012.

The Standard Chartered Liverpool contest requires answering five simple questions. See the Standard Chartered UAE Facebook page for more details.

20 lucky kids will be selected to take part in a real penalty shoot-out competition at the Dubai Mall Ice Rink on 25th November witnessed by Liverpool FC Legend, Ian Rush from 5-7pm.

The Mascot prize also includes AED500 Dubai Mall gift voucher, air tickets to Manchester and accommodation for two.

Radio listeners can also tune in to the Tom and Dan radio show on Dubai 92 from 4 to 8pm for a chance to win till the 24th of November.

Lucas Leiva Enjoying Partnership With Charlie Adam

Liverpool FC’s Lucas Leiva believes his double act with Charlie Adam is starting to click.

The central midfielders were two of Liverpool FC's outstanding performers in Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Lucas worked tirelessly to win back possession and Adam played a big part in both of Liverpool’s goals.

They have started 11 of the club’s 12 Premier League games this season alongside each other and the Brazilian is relishing playing with the Scotland international.

“Charlie is an offensive player and I try to give him the licence to go forward and make a key pass,” Lucas said.

“You could see the pass he put on for Glen Johnson for the winning goal.

“When we’re defending he gets back and tries to help me. Charlie is learning a lot about the defensive role.

“There are a lot of new players in the team and it takes a little bit of time to get an understanding but like everyone I’m really happy and enjoying playing with Charlie.

“If we play more games together then we will be even better because the understanding will improve.”

Victory over Chelsea kick-started Liverpool’s push for Champions League qualification after the frustrating home draw with Swansea City.

Lucas says Kenny Dalglish’s side must go into every game with the attitude they showed in the capital – starting with this Sunday’s showdown with leaders Manchester City at Anfield.

“If we approach every single game like we approached the Chelsea game, then we would be in a better position,” Lucas said.

“We were really pleased with the performance, especially in the first half when we did very well. When they came back for the second half they changed the system and we lost the way we played a little bit. But after a few changes and a talk with the manager we settled and looked for the second goal.

“They had the ball a lot at the back, and our strategy was to let the centre-backs have the ball and then press at the right moment.

“When you regain the ball close to or in the opposition’s half, you always have a chance to break and you can find space. That’s what happened when we got the ball off Mikel and scored our first goal.

“If you see Barcelona play, they play the ball out from the back a lot and they can be open if you regain the ball. But the problem is that against Barcelona, you can’t get the ball off them!

“We could do that against Chelsea though, and that was important.

“We had to get the three points because we had dropped points at home.

“Now we need to find a good way of playing at home. We have to improve our record there.

“When we play away, the first thing we do is defend very well and on the counter-attack we are dangerous.

“We have to find out the way to play at home. If we can do that then we can have a very good season.”

Lucas was delighted for Glen Johnson and Maxi Rodriguez who both scored their first league goals of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Johnson missed the first two months of the season due to injury, while Rodriguez had been limited to just 14 minutes of league football prior to Sunday.

“Glen has been suffering with injuries but he has had a few games together now to get fit and his confidence is back,” Lucas said. “We know he’s capable of doing something like that. It was a very important goal. I was really pleased for Maxi as well. After a lot of time out of the team, he showed how important he is and deserved his goal.”

Liverpool Prepare To Battle Russian Side For Barcelona Midfielder

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is preparing to make a move Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita once the January transfer window opens for business.

According to reports in The Sun, it is believed Liverpool will have to battle mega-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhackala if they are to acquire the services of the Mali international.

During the course of the summer transfer window Kop boss Dalglish brought in a number of midfield players including Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

However it is felt that Dalglish and Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli are both big fans of Keita and are planning to beat Anzhi to his signature by tabling a £5million move for the 31-year-old.

It seems as though the midfielder would also prefer a move to Anfield over Russia after his quotes a couple of weeks ago.

"Liverpool are a great club and it is fantastic to hear they are interested in me but you know how I feel about Barcelona," he said.

"But we are in football and nothing is an absolute, so let's wait until the end of the season.

"I want to play more games and the Premier League is very attractive and exciting for anyone."

Liverpool Trial For 15-year-old Scandinavian Starlet

Liverpool are set to hand 15-year-old Swedish schoolboy Gustav Engvall a trial at the club.

The midfielder confirmed that he's set for the Anfield opportunity pre-Christmas, and is excited to make the trip from Färjestadens GOIF in Swedish 3rd division.

"I'm going over there and will train with them in December," he said on the trial with Liverpool.

"It will be great to see how everything works at a big club and it will be a really good experience whatever happens."

Kenny Dalglish's coaching staff will take the opportunity to run-the-rule over the teenager, with opportunities for competitive action in the Liverpool academy sides at Melwood.

The Reds are no strangers to taking youngsters on trial, with Chinese youngsters Lung Chan, 16, and Chen Nal, 15, spending time on Merseyside as Liverpool look to expand into the growing Asian market.

Engvall's chance at Liverpool is based on talent alone though, and the Swede will be aspiring to follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard, Charlie Adam & Co at Anfield.

Charlie Adam Relishing Competition For First-Team Places At Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has stated that he is relishing the competition for first-team places at Anfield this season.

The 25-year-old has been a regular feature in Kenny Dalglish's starting XI so far this term, following his summer transfer from Blackpool.

Whilst Adam believes his switch to Merseyside was a 'reward' for his performances at Bloomfield Road last season, the Scottish international is not taking his place for granted, with fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard still to make his return to full fitness.

Adam told Liverpoolfc.tv: “There are top international players in every position here.

"It means you know you have a battle just to get your place. As a footballer that's what you want, big challenges and hopefully I can keep challenging for a place.

"When you get a chance to come to a club like this it's the reward for all the years of hard work you've put in. Then when you get here you can't rest on your laurels. I don't want to just be here. I want to continue working hard, stay in the team and perform as well as I can."

Lucas Issues Reds Challenge

Liverpool midfielder Lucas admits they need to raise their game against the Premier League's lesser lights if they are to challenge for a top-four finish.

The Reds proved once again they are a match for the top sides in the Premier League with their impressive 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday.

However, they have struggled in games they have been expected to win, dropping eight points out of a possible 18 at Anfield following draws against Sunderland, Norwich and Swansea City.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas has now called on his team-mates to improve their home form and treat every game like they are playing one of the top teams.

"If we approach every single game like we approached the Chelsea game, then we would be in a better position," said Lucas.

"We had to get the three points here because we'd dropped those points at home. Now we need to find a good way of playing at home, we have to improve our record there and if we do that then our position will definitely get better.

"When you're playing against teams that aren't maybe considered among the top clubs, then you always need to be on the attack and score goals.

"We have to find the balance and the right time to do that. When we play away, the first thing we do is defend very well and on the counter-attack we are dangerous.

"We have to find out the way to play at home, if we can do that then we can have a very good season."

Glen Targets Home Comforts

Glen Johnson believes it is just a matter of time before Liverpool start to build up a winning momentum again at Anfield – and is hoping the Reds can click back into gear on home turf starting in Sunday's clash with Manchester City.

Kenny Dalglish's side have drawn their last three games at Anfield but after the superb victory at Stamford Bridge, confidence is high going into the game with Roberto Mancini's Barclays Premier League leaders.

The right-back insists a return to winning ways on home soil is just around the corner.

"Normally a team's best form is at home, but as long as we can start picking up a few more points at home and doing what we are doing away then we won't be too far away," said Johnson.

"We haven't been playing badly at home.

"We've created some fantastic chances and if we'd taken one of them in a few games then we'd have nine or 10 more points and it would make it a whole new ball game.

"We can take a lot of confidence from the result and performance against Chelsea and we are aiming for the top four - that's what we are fighting for."

Lille Chief Hints At Permanent Cole Move

Lille president Michel Seydoux has suggested the reigning Ligue 1 champions may look to turn Joe Cole's loan move from Liverpool into a permanent switch at the end of the season.

Cole, 30, has impressed since swapping Anfield for the Stade Lille-Metropole on a season-long loan, enjoying a new lease of life when it appeared his career had stagnated.

The midfielder, who has 56 England caps to his name, has previously spoken of his desire to stay in France and Seydoux has hinted that Lille would consider signing him on a full-time basis.

"It is not a certainty that he will leave us again at the end his contract," Seydoux said to RTL. "If he has a certain good feeling with Lille and we can make him an interesting offer ... This is something that we will look into."

Meanwhile, Seydoux admitted that Lille will likely struggle to hold on to highly-rated Belgium winger Eden Hazard unless they can replicate last season's success this time around.

"There is a real chance that he will stay at Lille if we have a good season and he still sees challenges here," Seydoux said. "If we don't do well, it's probable that he will leave the club after this season as there's plenty of interest.

"Will €50 million be enough? Nobody is irreplaceable and there are solutions for that kind of money."

Liverpool FC To Open Second Boot Room Cafe With Global Expansion Planned

Liverpool FC will open a second Boot Room Sports Cafe a year after the first opened in Anfield, with global expansion on the menu.

The new cafe will open next month in Ellesmere Port’s Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village, which will seat 230 people and have the same look as the existing Sports Cafe, with Liverpool FC memorabilia, private booths, TV screens and a children’s area.

Club managing director Ian Ayre said: “The Boot Room Sports Cafe at Anfield has been a huge success and we are very excited about opening a second high-quality restaurant that LFC fans and Cheshire Oaks visitors can enjoy.

“Cheshire Oaks provides an excellent location, being the UK’s largest outlet centre and the new restaurant will initially create around 50 jobs.”

He added: “This is the first step in us expanding the franchise outside Liverpool, and we are already in discussions with a variety of people interested in International Liverpool FC Boot Room Franchises around the world.”

Match Report: Chelsea 1 - 2 Liverpool

Glen Johnson scored a sensational late winner to earn Liverpool three vital Barclays Premier League points at his old club Chelsea.

Former Blues full-back Johnson netted a brilliant solo effort to inflict his old club's third defeat in four league matches and leave both teams 12 points behind Manchester City.

Each side committed bad defensive errors to concede earlier goals, with Maxi Rodriguez giving Liverpool a half-time lead on his first league start of the season and substitute Daniel Sturridge equalizing shortly after the break.

A draw was arguably a fair result but that had also been the case in Chelsea's games against Manchester United and Arsenal this season when they also ended up on the losing side.

This loss cast further doubt on manager Andre Villas-Boas' Stamford Bridge revolution, with the Blues now looking set to drop out of the top four, something billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is unlikely to tolerate for long.

The Russian watched his prize asset left on the bench as Fernando Torres and Liverpool's Andy Carroll both failed to start.

The game did bring together the two players accused of racially abusing an opponent in recent weeks.

Both John Terry and Luis Suarez, who strenuously deny the allegations made against them, were both spared the kind of hostile reception from rival fans they might expect against other opponents.

Liverpool made the more impressive start, almost exploiting Chelsea's now notoriously high defensive line by twice Rodriguez getting beyond Suarez and Bellamy.

It took 10 minutes for the home side to seriously threaten, Juan Mata drilling Florent Malouda's cross dangerously back across goal.

At the other end, Branislav Ivanovic got a vital touch on Bellamy's cross before Johnson wasted a great opportunity to tee up a team-mate after a barnstorming run.

Liverpool, wearing black armbands in memory of the son of goalkeeper Brad Jones, who died of leukaemia on Friday, were looking more than comfortable, although Drogba hit the stanchion with a free-kick some supporters thought had gone in.

Terry, whose error cost Chelsea dearly against Arsenal in their last home game, made another gaffe in the 28th minute when he was robbed by Kuyt but David Luiz snuffed out the Liverpool attack.

Lucas was booked for clattering into the defender but the visitors' pressure was beginning to tell and they took the lead five minutes later after more horrendous defending.

John Obi Mikel dwelt on Petr Cech's pass and Charlie Adam robbed him, fed Craig Bellamy, who played a one-two with Suarez before feeding Rodriguez to clip over the goalkeeper.

An angry exchange between Terry and Bellamy, who have had more than one run in down the years, was calmed by referee Lee Probert.

With Chelsea's title bid threatening to unravel entirely, Villas-Boas hauled off Mikel for Daniel Sturridge at half-time.

It almost paid off four minutes in when Frank Lampard and Mata combined to find Drogba, who curled over from a good position.

The home side still looked uncertain whenever Liverpool broke but their pressure told in the 55th minute thanks to some rotten defending from the visitors.

Malouda was allowed to advance into the box and his cross-cum-shot was tapped home by Sturridge.

A wonder-save from Jose Reina stopped Ivanovic glancing home Drogba's free-kick two minutes later as Chelsea continued to dominate.

Ramires was booked for a late tackle on Martin Skrtel, with Kuyt following suit after hauling back Malouda.

Liverpool threw on Jordan Henderson for Bellamy in a bid to stem the tide, although Malouda went close with an audacious overhead kick.

The winger then sent a half-volley from Ivanovic's cross back across the face of goal and over the heads of waiting team-mates as Torres and Carroll both warmed up on the touchline.

They were made to wait even longer as the next change saw Stewart Downing replace Rodriguez before Ivanovic was cautioned for a nasty tackle on Suarez.

With just six minutes remaining, Torres finally arrived - along with fellow Liverpool old boy Raul Meireles - with Drogba and Ramires making way.

The visitors missed a great chance when Kuyt dragged wide after great work down the right from Henderson before Johnson produced one of the goals of the season to win it three minutes from time.

The full-back brought down Adam's pinpoint crossfield ball superbly, nutmegged Ashley Cole, and drove goalward before slotting into the corner.

Reds Delight Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish saluted his Liverpool side after they overcame Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge courtesy of Glen Johnson's superb late goal.

The spoils looked set to be shared after Daniel Sturridge cancelled out Maxi Rodriguez's first-half opener before Johnson's intervention.

The former Chelsea full-back collected Charlie Adam's raking cross-field pass, nutmegged Ashley Cole and the slotted home after driving into the box.

Dalglish's side is now level on points with the fourth-placed Blues in the Premier League table and it was a sweet moment for the Scot.

He guided his side to a 1-0 victory in West London shortly after returning to the Anfield hot seat last season, but took more pleasure from the victory this term.

"We wanted the same belief and positivity as last year. I think they surpassed that and were better this year than they were last year," Dalglish told Sky Sports.

"It is a great credit to them to come away from here with three points.

"In the first half we got a goal and were playing really well. In the second half they changed a little bit, put a bit more pressure on us and got the equalizer.

"But we hung on in there and to their credit they kept going. And at that stage of the game to have our right full-back up there and slotting it away is a great credit to the players and how much they want to move forward.

"I thought we played really well in the first half, and I don't know if anyone would object to us taking the three points.

"I was just pleased with the way they played, their attitude and their commitment. It was 'Dad's Army' really, with a lot of the old boys playing. Then the young boys came on and they never let us down either.

"It was a good day for Liverpool football club."

Duo Dedicate Win To Jones

Glen Johnson and Charlie Adam dedicated Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to Reds goalkeeper Brad Jones.

The visiting players wore black armbands during Sunday's Premier League encounter in memory of Jones' young son Luca, who died on Saturday after a battle with leukaemia.

Johnson scored the winning goal three minutes from time when he collected Adam's raking cross-field pass, nutmegged Ashley Cole and drove into the box before sliding the ball past Petr Cech.

Adam also had a hand in the first as he robbed a dozing John Obi Mikel before releasing Craig Bellamy, who played a one-two with Luis Suarez and then played in Maxi Rodriguez for the opener.

"I'd like to dedicate that to Brad. He's had a difficult week so that's for you," the Scotland international told Sky Sports.

And Johnson added later on Twitter: "I want to dedicate my goal and the win to Brad and all his family! My love is with all of you!!! X"

Adam felt that the Anfield outfit's grafting was the key, with the Reds showing great resilience to go on and claim all three points after Daniel Sturridge had cancelled out the opener.

He said: "Hard work was the difference. We had good shape.

Glen Johnson Delighted To Be Returning To Full Fitness

Glen Johnson says he is nearly back to full fitness after grabbing an 87th minute winner for Liverpool away to Chelsea on Sunday.

With the build-up to the game focusing on ex-Liverpool players who now ply their trade at Chelsea, in the form of Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles, it was the former Blues man who grabbed a dramatic winner for his side.

Liverpool took the lead in the first half through Maxi Rodriguez, before substitute Daniel Sturridge equalized after the break, but Johnson's late goal helped the Reds move level on points in the table with their opponents.

The England international, who returned to action after a lengthy absence through injury in October, says his fitness levels are improving every game.

“I was the last name in people’s minds but I like to get forward and I’m very grateful for the goal,” Johnson told Sky Sports.

“Obviously I’ve had a few difficult months but I’ve been feeling better game by game and I finally feel I’m getting back to full fitness.

“We knew we dominated the first half but we knew they would get a kick up the backside at half-time and we expected a reaction, and once they get into that gear they are difficult to stop. The lads showed great character to bounce back and get the late goal.

“It’s two big clubs chasing each other and we know we know we are in a good position. We could have been better with results but we are happy with the result and we will take it.”

Charlie Adam was also a stand-out performer for Liverpool, playing a vital part in both of his side's goals.

“It was difficult because Chelsea is a good team,” Adam said. “We knew it was going to be difficult but we’ve got good players ourselves and I thought we played terrific and it’s a good way to bounce back after a difficult few weeks because the result against Swansea was hard to take.

“We were told to press and you always think you’ve got a chance and I was fortunate enough to get [the ball]. Maxi did well to finish it and we did well to bounce back after conceding the goal [early in the second half].”

Liverpool Join The Race To Sign PSV Star Midfielder

Liverpool are the latest club to be linked with a move for in-demand midfielder Kevin Strootman who has been attracting interest from a number of European clubs are starring for PSV Eindhoven.

The 21-year-old only joined the Dutch club in the summer after coming through the youth system at Sparta Rotterdam and has so far impressed both for his club and for his country with some assured displays for Holland.

The central midfielder has already made six appearances for Holland and recently scored his first international goal against Finland in September 7.

Holland manager Bert van Marwijk is a huge admirer of the midfielder and has praise on the player vision and ability on the ball. This has led to a number of reports linking him with a move away from PSV with The People reporting that Liverpool have been watching the player in action.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish sent assistant manager Steve Clarke and coach Kevin Keen to Hamburg last week to watch the midfielder in action against Germany and the pair were said to have been impressed with what they say despite the 3-0 loss.

PSV paid €13million for the midfielder during the summer and Liverpool would certainly have to make an improved offer if they were to convince the Dutch club to part with the talented youngster.