Lawyer: Suarez Likely To Appeal Ban

The lawyer of Luis Suarez believes the Liverpool striker will likely appeal against an eight-match ban handed down by the Football Association.

On Tuesday, Suarez was handed the ban and a £40,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

The FA have since confirmed that the suspension could be extended if he launches a failed appeal, but Alejandro Balbi, who is also Suarez's agent, said the Uruguay international was "convinced" the decision could be reversed.

"It seems to us absolutely out of proportion," Balbi said. "It's one of the hardest sanctions handed down in English football. He is firmly convinced this hard sanction can be reversed."

Balbi, speaking from Montevideo, says Suarez is determined to clear his name following the verdict which caused the striker "a great deal of pain".

Suarez's team-mates, meanwhile, wore T-shirts in a public show of support prior to their draw with Wigan on Wednesday evening, something which will no doubt give the 24-year-old hope as an appeal appears increasingly likely.

"Luis strongly denies the racist acts levelled against him. He has met his punishment with a great deal of pain but also with a lot of dignity and with the support of his family and friends," said Balbi.

"He will protest his innocence right to the end. He wants to restore his tarnished image, at least at the heart of English football.

"He is deeply upset but he has told us that he's going to redouble his efforts to continue to play the best way possible not only for his English club but also for the Uruguay national team."

Suarez has been given 14 days in which to launch an appeal against the FA's decision.

Suarez Ban Could Be Extended

The Football Association has confirmed that Luis Suarez's eight-match ban could be extended if he appeals against the suspension.

On Tuesday, Suarez was handed the ban and a £40,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Liverpool reacted angrily to the news, stating they would take every step possible to fight the punishment of Suarez, who has 14 days to respond.

The club is waiting for the full written judgement before deciding on their next course of action, aware that Suarez's ban can be increased, reduced or cancelled altogether by an appeal board.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool players have issued a joint statement to stress their support for Suarez.

The statement read: "Luis Suarez is our teammate and our friend and as a group of players we are shocked and angered that he has been found guilty by the FA.

"We totally support Luis and we want the world to know that. We know he is not racist.

"We are a squad of many different nationalities and backgrounds. All of us support the club's commitment to fighting racism. All of us accept there is no place in the game for any form of discrimination. As a group of players we totally support the Kick it Out Campaign.

"We have lived, trained and played with Luis for almost 12 months and we don't recognize the way he has been portrayed. We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period, and as a popular and respected friend of all his team-mates, he will not walk alone."

Dalglish Praises Liverpool Fans For Vocal Support Of Luis Suarez

Kenny Dalglish has hailed the Liverpool fans that made the trip to Wigan for the support they showed controversial striker Luis Suarez in his side’s 0-0 draw on Wednesday night.

Liverpool had released two club statements since the FA announced Suarez’s eight-game ban for "misconduct" towards Patrice Evra, and the players warmed up in 'Suarez 7' t-shirts as a show of support.

The fans were on the same page and could be heard from the first minute singing Suarez’s name, while Uruguayan flags were spotted numerous times in the Liverpool end.

“We stand right beside him and we always have done and always will do,” Dalglish told Sky Sports. “I think that’s reflected in the reception he got from the fans, and also from the support the players showed towards him as well.

“It's all very well and good telling players to control themselves but maybe the FA should start controlling crowds. Suarez has never disappointed us since the day he came in the door.”

Suarez was responsible for Liverpool's best chance of breaking the deadlock, winning a penalty given for handball against Gary Caldwell with an overhead kick.

However Charlie Adam had his spot-kick tipped around the post by the imperious Ali Al-Habsi to produce Liverpool’s fourth missed penalty of the season.

“We look for positives, we’d love to put them all away at a higher percentage than we do,” Dalglish said.

Despite the obvious disappointment in missing out on three points, Dalglish was still proud of the efforts of his players in a game that could have gone either way.

“It’s a hard fought draw for us to come and get a point, for 20 minutes the pitch wasn’t too bad and that’s when we played our best football, the longer it went on the more difficult it was for us to play the way we want," he added.

“We're not unhappy with the performance. Maybe there are some aspects that we can improve on. I don't think we can be unhappy with the performance of the players, I think they gave us everything.”

Agger - Suarez No Distraction

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger insists his team-mates are focused on doing their best for the club and not Luis Suarez's situation.

The Uruguay international has been hit with an eight-game ban for a misconduct charge along with a £40,000 fine by the Football Association.

The Liverpool players showed their support for Suarez pre-match against Wigan by donning wearing T-shirts featuring his image on the front and number on the back.

Liverpool could only muster a goalless draw at the DW Stadium and the Danish stopper has denied that Suarez's heavy ban and their show of public support was a distraction.

"That is not on our mind," Agger said of Suarez's situation. "We are playing football and that is most important, we don't think about that stuff.

"The squad is together, that is the way it is. It (support for Suarez) has never been in doubt.

"Of course it is second nature to back our friend but the most important thing is to win football games - it just wasn't a big success at Wigan."

Charlie Adam missed a second-half penalty for Liverpool and Agger admitted it was a frustrating night for Kenny Dalglish's side.

"It is a frustrating night because we went there for a win," he added.

"I think we had the better, more clear chances. We are just not finishing the games.

"The first 20 minutes we played really well but when you are not scoring goals you are not winning games.

"The good thing about football is there is always another chance (at home to Blackburn on Boxing Day) and we have to be more clinical in that game."

Suarez T-Shirts Spark Angry Response

Liverpool's decision to wear t-shirts in support of Luis Suarez before their game at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday has been criticized by some prominent black footballers.

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa centre-back Paul McGrath was one of the first to react, and he was disappointed that the club have chosen to support a player found guilty of using racist language in such a way.

Suarez is, pending an appeal, facing an eight-match ban and £40,000 fine for an incident involving Patrice Evra.

"As an ex-footballer having experienced racist comments throughout my career I was saddened to see Liverpool players wear those t-shirts last night," McGrath said on Twitter. "I would have been much happier if they had worn anti-racist t-shirts."

Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts also took to the social networking site to say: "The stance on the Suarez issue from LFC has bemused me. Are United going to print Evra shirts now? Some issues are bigger than football."

Ex-Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard told Sky Sports: "I really didn't think it was fine to wear the T-shirts. I can understand the club's side of it, but in society we can't accept racism and give support to a player who has used racist words.

"It's not okay to use racist language and the message they sent out yesterday was a bit wrong. I don't mind them giving support to Mr. Suárez, but I just think it's a bit wrong to wear the T-shirt because that means they have allowed racist language. I just don't understand it."

Mesut Ozil Refuses To Comment On Liverpool Link

Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil is remaining tight-lipped on reports linking him with a move to Liverpool, insisting that he is happy at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 23-year-old has adapted well to life in La Liga since arriving from Werder Bremen in August 2010 but, despite being a first-team regular, he rarely plays 90 minutes under coach Jose Mourinho.

That has prompted speculation that he might be open to a move to Liverpool, who are reportedly interested in adding some more creativity to their midfield, but Ozil has resisted the opportunity to add any fuel to the fire.

"I play in Madrid and I am very happy there," the Germany international is quoted as saying by DHA. "I do not want to say anything else."

Ozil did admit, however, that he is currently enjoying the fact that he gets to play alongside Turkish duo Hamit Altintop and Nuri Sahin, formerly of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.

"We are very good friends," he revealed. "I already knew them from Germany. Now they are playing with me in Madrid.

“I am very glad to be playing in the same team as them. Nuri also scored his first goal [against Ponferradina on Tuesday night], I'm so glad."

Liverpool Fans Hoping For Roberto Soldado To Join In January

Liverpool should sign Valencia striker Roberto Soldado to help solve their goalscoring crisis, according to a pole conducted by GiveMeFootball.

The 26-year-old has scored 16 goals this season with Valencia lying seven points off the pace in La Liga.

The Reds' need for a striker has swelled in recent weeks, with their inability to convert openings holding them back in pursuit of qualification for the Champions League.

Four successive home draws with Manchester United, Norwich City, Swansea City and Manchester City leaves Kenny Dalglish's side two points off fourth placed Chelsea.

With an eight-match FA ban looming over Luis Suarez, and Andy Carroll yet to find form in the red of Liverpool t he club are in dire need of bringing in some fresh blood.

When poled, 87% of supporters wanted to see Soldado recruited in the upcoming transfer window to help bare the potential loss of Suarez.

Supporters were less than enthused with other potential candidates with Hugo Rodallega leading the likes of Lucas Oscampos, Rory Donnelly and Nikica Jelavic.

It's left to be seen whether Dalglish will be tempted to delve into the market, but supporters have spoken as to who they'd like to see join the Anfield ranks.

Torres Rejects Exit Reports

Chelsea's £50million striker Fernando Torres has brushed off reports that the Blues could be looking to cut their losses and sell him in January.

The Spain international has endured a torrid time at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Anfield in January for a record-breaking fee, with goals and confidence in short supply.

Torres' troubles have led to suggestions that the West London club were ready to off-load him in the transfer window, speculation which was firmly rejected by manager Andre-Villas-Boas.

And now the 27-year-old has insisted that he pays no attention to the recent claims as he has little faith in the media in England.

Torres told Canal+ Liga TV: "When I read something in the Spanish press, I think so. When I read it in the English press, I know that's a lie."

The misfiring forward has scored just three times in the league since arriving at Chelsea, but insists he will get back to his best and deserves more respect from his critics.

Torres added: "It's true that Vicente Del Bosque (Spain coach) is worried about me and my form for Chelsea. It's up to me to go back to being the striker I was before.

"If I go back to how I was a few years ago, I will again play an important role in the Spanish national team.

"I am going to try to be very humble and get back into the Chelsea starting line-up. My form has not been good but I am world and European champion and I deserve more respect.

"It's hard being on the bench but I respect the players who are playing. I'm going to support the team and get back in."

And Torres has again claimed the full story over his departure from Merseyside has not been told to the Anfield club's supporters.

"The Liverpool fans don't know the truth about why I signed for Chelsea," he said.

"The fans don't even know half of what happened. They don't know what the people in charge at Liverpool are like - they have a completely different perception of what they are like.

"They made promises that they didn't keep and I left because I realized I didn't have time to be part of a project that would take years.

"I have nothing against the Liverpool fans. I didn't want to leave Liverpool the way I did but the club lied. I was let down and I don't understand why the fans hate me."

Match Report: Wigan 0 - 0 Liverpool

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was the centre of attention after receiving his eight-match ban but the Uruguay international cut a frustrated figure as his side were held to a goalless draw at Wigan.

Perhaps understandably the Reds' top scorer, playing just 24 hours after learning of the lengthy suspension handed down by the Football Association, faded as the game wore on.

Charlie Adam had the chance to take some of the focus off his team-mate but missed a penalty early in the second half as Liverpool's disappointing run against the Latics continued.

They have taken three points from last four matches against them and have not won at Wigan since September 2007.

For the Latics is was a second successive home draw against one of the 'big' teams - having held Chelsea on Saturday, and another point towards their survival battle.

Suarez remains free to play while the club decides whether to appeal against the punishment for misconduct for using insulting words to Patrice Evra, which included a reference to the Manchester United defender's colour.

Prior to the match the Liverpool squad had issued a joint statement fully supporting their team-mate in which they said: "We have lived, trained and played with Luis for almost 12 months and we don't recognize the way he has been portrayed. We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period."

As if to press home their message, every player, including the striker himself, wore white T-shirts with the image of a celebrating Suarez in red on the front and the player's name and number seven on the back.

But whatever the club's decision, the stain on the player's character is unlikely to be removed as the Wigan fans, hardly the most aggressive in the Premier League, targeted him with barbed chants and booed him throughout.

If Suarez was expecting any sympathy from his opponents he did not get it and fellow South American Antolin Alcaraz's challenge inside the second minute left the striker clutching the back of his head.

The 24-year-old was involved in many of Liverpool's early attacking as, after Adam drilled a free-kick into the wall, Suarez, Maxi Rodriguez and Stewart Downing combined to set up Jordan Henderson but his shot was parried behind by Ali Al Habsi.

Adam had another goalbound free-kick headed away by David Jones while Rodriguez and Henderson both fired over ambitious volleys from the edge of the area.

Dirk Kuyt had the best chance from Downing's cut-back but Al Habsi did enough to turn aside the shot.

But for all their dominance the visitors began to lose a grip on the game and could well have gone into half-time behind had referee Michael Oliver deemed Martin Skrtel's challenge inside the area on Victor Moses - in which there appeared to be contact - a foul.

Maynor Figueroa and Mohamed Diame both tried their luck from distance before Moses ran 60 yards into the heart of the Reds' defence before forcing Jose Reina to punch clear.

Only Daniel Agger's last-ditch tackle denied Conor Sammon after James McCarthy had robbed Rodriguez 15 yards outside the penalty area as Wigan finished the first half strongly.

Soon after the restart Al Habsi tipped over a Suarez free-kick but it was the hands of Wigan captain Gary Caldwell which made a more decisive intervention in the 50th minute.

Suarez's attempted overhead kick hit the centre-back on his left arm and Oliver pointed to the spot but Adam's penalty was saved by Al Habsi.

Kuyt then volleyed over Adam's chipped free-kick from close range before the Dutchman and Rodriguez were replaced by Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Shelvey for the final 20 minutes while Hugo Rodallega, Wigan's scorer in two of their last three meetings with Liverpool, came on for Sammon.

The Colombia international almost came up trumps with a far-post header from Moses' cross which was deflected behind by Glen Johnson.

Moses then stabbed wide from the resulting corner as Liverpool looked like crumbling before Suarez was substituted for Andy Carroll three minutes from time to a chorus of boos.

Greater tests on and off the field await the Uruguayan but for Wigan it was another deserved point.

Dalglish - No Suarez Complaints

Kenny Dalglish insists Luis Suarez has never been a disappointment for Liverpool, as the storm of controversy continues to surround the striker.

The Uruguayan started his club's 0-0 draw at Wigan on Wednesday less than 24 hours after being hit with a Football Association ban of eight matches and a fine of £40,000 for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

Suarez was unable to influence the match at the DW Stadium and was targeted by Wigan's fans with incessant booing and chants, leaving Dalglish less than impressed with the home followers.

But the Liverpool boss is adamant he will never have any complaints about Suarez, who was a £22.8million signing from Ajax in January 2011, as the club consider whether to appeal his FA punishment.

"It is all very well and good telling players to control themselves. I think the FA better start controlling crowds," Dalglish told Sky Sports in his post-match interview when asked about Suarez's display of character.

"But Luis Suarez is somebody that has never disappointed us since the day he came in the door and he won't ever do that."

Charlie Adam saw a second-half penalty saved by Wigan goalkeeper and man of the match Ali Al Habsi to ensure Liverpool's miserable run of form against their North West rivals continued.

It was the fourth time out of five that the Reds failed from the spot this season, but Dalglish played down any concerns about the issue.

He joked: "I suppose the goalkeepers are helpful, aren't they? If they don't put a goalkeeper in, then we have got a chance.

"We are not out there to miss penalty kicks, but at least we are getting them. Obviously we would much rather we put them away.

"It is the difference between maybe one and three points."

Liverpool And Chelsea Warned Off River Plate Strike Starlet

Liverpool and Chelsea have been told to look elsewhere after River Plate insisted that Brazilian teenage sensation Lucas Ocampos is not for sale in January.

Ocampos is rated one of the best young strikers in South America and has already been dubbed the 'new Cristiano Ronaldo'.

Liverpool look certain to step up their search for a new striker after star forward Luiz Suarez was given an eight-match ban, after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Chelsea have also been strongly linked with a move for the teenage hot-shot, who has a formidable record for his club side and has also been one of the star performers for the Argentina Under-17 team.

But River Plate vice president Diegoe Turnes insists they are determined to keep Ocampos at the club and will reject any big offers in January.

Turnes said: "We have had offers from Italy and England but the kid will not leave the club."

Poyet Blasts Suarez Ban

Ex-Uruguay international Gus Poyet has blasted the FA's decision to ban Luis Suarez for eight games after being found guilty of misconduct.

Poyet, who manages Brighton, has labelled the hefty suspension as 'disproportionate' while he has also criticized Patrice Evra, claiming he is no 'saint'.

The 44-year-old insists there are cultural differences between England and Uruguay and anything Suarez may have said would have been perfectly 'normal' back home.

The ex-Tottenham and Chelsea midfielder thinks with Suarez being new to England it was too early for him to gauge exactly what is acceptable to say, remarking his language could even have been construed as 'affectionate'.

"The ban is incredible, shocking, it's disproportionate. I back Luis to death," Poyet told Ultimas Noticias.

"Things have happened before with Evra. He is not a saint. He is a controversial player.

"I don't know in which world we are going to live in from now on people. People will accuse each other of anything.

"Suarez just arrived [in the Premier League] and there are things that he has to learn when you are in another country because they might be normal in your country but perhaps they are not considered that way in other parts of the world.

"I have tried to explain that we live with coloured people in Uruguay. We share different experiences with them. We play football, we share parties.

"We are born, we grow up and we die with them. We call them 'blacks' in a natural way, even in an affectionate way. That is the way we were brought up. We are integrated and there are no problems from either side.

"I've explained how the Uruguay people and the South Americans experience these situations with coloured people. I've been many years in England and I understand them. I know how to deal with it, but Luis has only recently arrived here."

Uruguay's national director of sports, Ernesto Irurueta, called the ban "exaggerated, absurd and out of place."

Uruguay's head coach Oscar Tabarez said he would continue to support Suarez.

Tabarez said: "He has out full support and solidarity because seen from a distance this seems like an excessive punishment."

Uruguayan Footballers Defend Suarez

Footballers in Uruguay hit back at FA for giving their team-mate, Luis Suarez an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine for racial abuse.

An FA independent regulatory commission found Suarez guilty of racially abusing the Manchester United player Patrice Evra during the Premier League match at Anfield on 15 October.

The six-day hearing was told that Suarez used "insulting words" that made reference to Evra's skin colour.

Footballers in Uruguay came out in support of the Liverpool striker following the news, implying the incident was a cultural misunderstanding rather than a racist slur.

"They're making a big mistake. It's obvious that in England there's a racism problem they're trying to eradicate, and that's good, but this sentence has no solid arguments," the Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, who also plays for Paris St Germaine, wrote on his blog.

Lazio winger Alvaro Gonzalez also stuck by Suarez. "All of us who know Luis, we know that if he made this remark it wasn't (meant to be) insulting," he was quoted as saying in the Montevideo newspaper El Pais.

"We Uruguayans, and more so in football, use terms that can be wrongly interpreted by people from other places...it's not a reason to call a Uruguayan a racist. Uruguayans often call friends 'negro' affectionately," he added.

"Maybe we end up paying for entering other, perhaps more closed cultures and which surely have discriminated against Evra at some moment for him to feel attacked in this situation."

Liverpool Land Ibe Deal

Wycombe Wanderers have announced Liverpool have signed highly-rated teenager Jordan Ibe.

As revealed by skysports.com earlier this month, Liverpool has won the race for the 16-year-old, fending off interest from a number of their Premier League rivals.

Ibe became Wycombe's youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Sheffield Wednesday in October aged 15 years and 325 days on his first start for the club.

Liverpool have shown in recent months they are planning to bring in the best young British talent around and Ibe is the latest new face to make the move to Merseyside.

Wycombe boss Gary Waddock admits they could not stand in Ibe's way of a move to Anfield and he has tipped him for a big future in the game.

"It's a fantastic move for him. He's a phenomenal talent which is why we gave him a chance to show what he can do at first-team level," Waddock told the club's official website.

"Obviously we wanted to keep him, but we didn't want to stand in the way of an opportunity he deserves.

"I have no doubt in my mind that he will go on to become a big star and I will be keeping a close eye on his progress. I would like to wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Dalglish Praises Carragher's Influence On Skrtel & Agger

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has praised Jamie Carragher’s influence on central defensive pairing Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel after a solid beginning to the season.

In 16 league matches this season, Liverpool have conceded just 13 goals, better than any other team in the Premier League, with Agger and Skrtel starting a combined total of 25 fixtures.

Despite managing nine starts this season, Carragher has struggled to solidify a place in the starting XI, but Dalglish is convinced he is still having an effect, particularly on those in his place.

Speaking to reporters, Dalglish said: “I don't think they have ever looked a bad pair but the both of them are playing very well.

“They know how to play. Jamie being beside them when they came in at first has been a fantastic help to them, as he has been for a lot of people here.

“You can't under-play what Jamie has done for the two of them but they are more than capable of standing on their own two feet.

“Competition is always helpful but it is not as though the two boys are novices, they are seasoned international players and Daniel is going to Euro 2012 [with Denmark].”

Dalglish has also been pleased with his defenders' eagerness to get forward and attack, particularly on corners as Agger tried his luck and Skrtel scored versus Aston Villa.

He continued: “As soon as we lose the ball we start defending together and when we have it everyone can go forward if they want.

“Daniel Agger got forward a couple of times on Sunday [in 2-0 win at Aston Villa] and Martin scored a goal.

“They have been good defensively but they have been good in attack as well.”

Barnes Pride At New LFC Role

Kop legend John Barnes has spoken of his pride after taking over the presidency of Liverpool's Disabled Supporters Association.

At a gala Christmas dinner at Anfield last week, attended by first team defender Sebastian Coates and outgoing president Alan Kennedy, Barnes addressed over 200 members of the LDSA and revealed the huge sense of honour he feels at being asked to assume such a prestigious position.

"I was asked six weeks ago and I didn't need to think twice," he said. "I know Alan Kennedy has done a great job as president and if I can do half as well then I'll be pleased.

"Football is all about the fans. Fans are the club. The only people I think who should kiss the badge are the fans. Players come and go, as we've seen, but fans are the heartbeat of the club - and especially at this club.

"Liverpool fans are special. Shankly started it and you can see today how the fans identify with the players and identify with the club. They get their strength from the club.

"I appreciate how difficult it is for disabled supporters to get around and to get to games, but they always show their commitment by turning up in their droves. It was the least I could do to become the LDSA president and I'm really looking forward to the next twelve months."

Premier League Preview: Wigan vs Liverpool

After drawing 1-1 with Chelsea at the weekend, Wigan host Liverpool as Roberto Martinez tries to haul his side out of the relegation zone.

Wigan halted an eight-game losing streak with a 3-3 home draw against Blackburn Rovers a month ago.

Since then, they have lost only one of their past five matches, a 4-0 home reverse to Arsenal sandwiching 2-1 wins over Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.

With no major injury worries, Martinez will be hoping to build on the point salvaged in the clash against Chelsea with a good showing at home on Wednesday night against sixth-placed Liverpool.

The Latics have just three wins to their name so far this season and have conceded 30 goals already - twice the number they have scored. Martinez's men have not kept a clean sheet since September and will need to work hard to keep Craig Bellamy and Luis Suarez quiet.

After losing 1-0 to Fulham earlier this month, Liverpool have bounced back with two straight wins - a 2-0 away win last weekend against Aston Villa coming after a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Liverpool had defeated Chelsea 2-1 away and held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw before the loss to Fulham.

After losing Lucas Leiva for the season and with Steven Gerrard still short on fitness after being out with an ankle infection, Kenny Dalglish recalled Jongo Shelvey from Blackpool and started the 19-year-old in the victory over Aston Villa.

Shelvey, who scored six goals in 10 games for Blackpool before returning to Liverpool, looks likely to keep his place against Wigan alongside Charlie Adam.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel's good form recently have kept Jamie Carragher out of the starting line-up despite the centre-back being back to fitness.

Suarez has been central to Liverpool's success this season with five goals but the Uruguayan will need to be more prolific in front of goal.

Liverpool have scored 20 goals so far, 11 fewer than Arsenal who are level on points in fifth but lead the Reds on goal difference.

With goals in short supply, Liverpool could struggle to score if Wigan are resolute on defence.

Dalglish Confirms Striker Chase

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has confirmed the club's interest in sought-after Northern Irish starlet Rory Donnelly.

Cliftonville striker Donnelly is being chased by Swansea and Everton with both clubs thought to have agreed a fee with the Northern Ireland club for the 19-year-old.

However, Liverpool have now joined the chase for Donnelly with Cliftonville chairman Gerard Lawlor revealing earlier this week he had spoken to Dalglish about the forward.

Dalglish has admitted Liverpool have expressed an interest in Donnelly, but admits they face competition for his signature.

"I spoke to the chairman - it was nice of him to tell everyone," said Dalglish.

"There is a bit of interest in the boy from a few places so we have registered our interest but that is as far as it goes at the moment."

Liverpool Rival Manchester United For New Messi

Old rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are both attempting to land the player dubbed the next Lionel Messi as they try and convince Xherdan Shaqiri to make the move to the Premier League.

Shaqiri has been one of the stand out performers for Basel this season and was instrumental in helping the Swiss side knock Manchester United out of the Champions League.

His superb displays have alerted some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with Manchester United hoping to bring the youngster to Old Trafford in the coming transfer window.

The Daily Star has reported that United have already contacted Shaqiri's agent Ulisse Savini about a possible switch to Old Trafford, with a figure of £10million being suggested.

Shaqiri has drawn comparisons to Barcelona legend Messi because of his ability to run with the ball and his impressive left-foot. The 20-year-old is on the radar of United and Liverpool who were strongly linked with the midfielder over the summer.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to add the creative midfielder as he has a lack of options on the right hand side of midfield, the position that Shaqiri prefers as he has the ability to cut in onto his stronger left-foot.

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli is a huge admirer of the winger and is hoping that he can convince Shaqiri to choose a move to Anfield where he would be guaranteed first team football.

Should Manchester United miss out on Shaqiri then they will more tha likely turn their attention to Benfica midfielder Nicolas Guitan.

Liverpool Delay Gerrard Return

Steven Gerrard took an active part in Liverpool training on Tuesday, but Kenny Dalglish is refusing to put a date on the player's return to action.

Liverpool has been shorn of the services of their captain since he picked up an ankle infection in October. The Reds have made repeated denials that the midfielder had suffered a setback and he was pictured working hard in training on Tuesday.

The images suggested Gerrard could be included against Wigan on Wednesday, but that game will come too soon for the 31-year-old.

"We don't have any problems, apart from Jack Robinson, Steven (Gerrard) and Fabio (Aurelio) as well," Dalglish said. "The longer term ones aren't in the squad."

Asked if there was a chance Gerrard would feature at any point over the festive period, Dalglish said: "It remains to be seen, but we won't be making any comments on it."