Match Preview: Bolton vs Liverpool

Liverpool travel to Bolton on Saturday evening well aware anything less than three points at the Reebok Stadium will cast serious doubts over their already flagging top-four ambitions.

A seventh Premier League draw of the season at Anfield in last weekend's dire stalemate against Stoke has left the 18-time champions of England five points adrift of fourth place.

And should Kenny Dalglish's team fail to win at a relegation-threatened Bolton, who have themselves been wretched at home in 2011/12, the pressure will mount.

Owen Coyle's team have incredibly lost eight times out of 10 league games at the Reebok Stadium and have conceded 24 goals in that time to leave them 19th in the table.

But a rare win over Liverpool could lift Bolton, who has sold Gary Cahill to Chelsea since their last league game, out of the relegation zone if results elsewhere go their way, given that they only trail 16th-placed Wolves by two points.

Ominously for Bolton, though, Liverpool have won the last 10 Premier League games between the two clubs, including in August a comprehensive 3-1 victory at Anfield and last season a late 1-0 success at the Reebok Stadium.

David Ngog is set to face former club Liverpool for the first time since his £4million summer move.

The striker is likely to replace Kevin Davies, who scored in Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay win over Macclesfield.

Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has returned to training after a thigh injury, although the Finn is not expected to be ready to start.

Midfielder Jay Spearing faces a late fitness test for Liverpool after the 23-year-old missed the game against Stoke with a hamstring injury.

Centre-back Daniel Agger is set to return after being rested, which could mean Jamie Carragher loses his place after his first league start in over two months.

Striker Luis Suarez is still suspended and serves the fifth match of his eight-game ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Eagles, Petrov, Reo-Coker, M.Davies, Muamba, Ngog.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Adam, Gerrard, Henderson, Kuyt, Bellamy, Carroll.

Reina Sets Priorities

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has urged his team-mates to put thoughts of cup showdowns with the two Manchester clubs to the back of their minds ahead of Saturday's trip to Bolton.

The Reds are just 90 minutes away from their first final in six years - and a first visit to Wembley since 1996 - as they hold a 1-0 lead going into Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg at home to Manchester City.

After that there is more knockout action when they host arch-rivals Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup in what is bound to be a heated affair in the wake of the Luis Suarez affair.

However, it is the club's Premier League form which needs addressing after just one win from their last five matches, which has included frustrating draws at home to Blackburn and Stoke and away at Wigan.

And while the lure of silverware is an obvious one for the players, Reina insists the focus has to be on arresting a slide which has seen them drop to seventh in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

"We know how huge it is to play a Carling Cup semi-final, second leg at home and everybody knows how big the tie against Manchester United is going to be," the Spanish goalkeeper told Liverpool's official website.

"It definitely won't be difficult to put those games to the back of our minds, because the first game is Bolton and is therefore the most important of all three.

"It is vital for us. We have to get some momentum going and keep winning games.

"It's important not to lose - but it's even bigger to win the games and get three points after three points."

Last weekend's goalless draw to Stoke - the seventh time they have been held at Anfield this season - was possibly the most disappointing performance of the campaign.

Liverpool has had problems with converting chances at home, but against the Potters they struggled to even create opportunities.

"It's always frustrating when you don't win at home, but that has been the case so many times this season and it is disappointing, because we want to win," added Reina.

Liverpool's away form has brought them more victories (five), but they have also lost four and scored only 10 goals in as many games, so even though relegation-threatened Bolton have been struggling, Reina knows there is no room for complacency.

"There is a lot at stake for them, but it is a great opportunity for us, because they need to win, so the game will be more open.

"Any team on its day is always going to give you a game, so we need to try to focus on ourselves. If we deliver and perform to our level, we should be okay."

Adam - Euro Hunt Still On

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam insists the club remain in the hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot despite dropping down to seventh in the Premier League.

The Reds were held to yet another home draw against Stoke last weekend, their seventh at Anfield so far this season.

Those dropped points mean the club have fallen out of the European places and are five points adrift of Chelsea in the final Champions League position.

When quizzed on whether Champions League qualification is still the club's main aim Adam told Sky Sports News Radio: "Of course it is, it's still there, there are plenty of points to play for, you never know what is going to happen.

"We have been disappointed with the results as well but that's expected, we are a new team gelling, it takes time but we'll do everything we can.

"For us it's trying to win every game and on the day it's not always happened for us.

"But we'll not stop working hard and keep doing the things that we know is right and trying to win as many matches as we can.

"The most important game is the next game, a difficult game away at Bolton, which we are looking forward to as we have to bounce back after last week."

On a personal level Adam revealed how quickly he has settled at the club following his big-money move from Blackpool and urged other young Scottish players to try and follow his lead in the English game.

"It's been great," he added. "When you join a new club sometimes it takes time to settle in but it's been easy for me with the players that we've got here, they have made me welcome and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

"Since I've walked into the door at this club I've enjoyed every minute.

"I've always been told to play with a smile on my face as I'm in a very fortunate position where I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"For our national team manager I think he would expect his best players to be playing at the highest level, playing against the best players to improve.

"For me the Premier League is the best league in the world and it's a top league. Now you see the number of English clubs going to the Scottish market as they know the value for money is there.

"They don't have to pay over the odds for players but they're getting good quality for what they are paying for."

Dalglish - Bellamy Needs Care

Kenny Dalglish believes Craig Bellamy must be handled carefully if he is to avoid another serious injury.

The Wales striker is keen to play in every game he can, but the Liverpool boss feels a more restrained approach is needed.

Bellamy has made just nine starts in all competitions this season, but has come off the bench 11 times.

And the Reds boss will continue to adopt this approach for the rest of the season in hope of the striker avoiding another serious injury.

"Some players need greater management than others, but the players themselves have got to look after themselves," he said.

"Craig is fantastic in preparing for matches. I'm sure there's many others out there exactly the same - but he's really got a great knowledge of how you prepare.

"Some can go for longer, further, harder than others. We just want them to give themselves the best possible opportunity of performing as best they can.

"We can't run people into the ground, so we have to try and manage how they get on the pitch and how long they are on it.

"For the fitness side of it it's not fair on too many players at this stage of the season to be starting them every single game.

"Our goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, obviously, has started every one - but for the outfield players, it's difficult to get them through every game you play."

Milos Krasic Offered To Liverpool

Liverpool have been offered Serbia winger Milos Krasic by Juventus.

Krasic is not wanted by new Juve coach Antonio Conte and the Serie A giants have approached Liverpool because ex-boss Rafa Benitez showed interest in him.

Juventus have told the Reds they can have Krasic for the £12million they paid CSKA Moscow for him in 2010.

Liverpool are not interested in paying that much for Krasic, but they may consider taking him on loan.

Krasic, 27, was highly rated at CSKA and could boost the supply line to Andy Carroll from the right wing.

Juventus would prefer a straight cash deal to get Krasic off their wage bill and have circulated his name around Europe and to other Premier League clubs in the hope of finding a buyer.

Aziz Cuts Short Reds Trial

Sky Sports understands Swedish teenager Abdul Aziz has been forced to cut short his trial with Liverpool because of a heavy bout of flu.

Sky Sports revealed earlier this week how the 14-year-old from ISK Norkopping had been handed a two-week trial with the Reds.

Their scouts had sent back glowing reports to the Premier League club about Aziz's scoring exploits with his club and Under-15 national team.

However, the stocky striker who has been dubbed "baby Drogba" has not been able to display his full range of capabilities because of the bug.

Liverpool now hopes to re-arrange a trial with the teenager during the February half-term, having beaten off competition from both Manchester clubs to land him in the first place.

United, though, are believed to have already contacted the player who will also spend time on trial with them next month.

Kenny Dalglish will be loathe to lose out on such a highly-rated prospect to their north west rivals and is desperately trying to arrange another opportunity for him to return to the club.

Liverpool Expect To Earn £300m From Deal With Warrior Sports

Liverpool say they expect to earn a staggering £300m through their new six-year deal with the US sportswear company Warrior Sports, and have denied accusations that underachievement on the pitch led to the collapse of their current kit deal with Adidas.

Warrior, owned by New Balance, will become the club's kit supplier from June having agreed a £25m-a-year deal to enter the football industry for the first time. The £25m per year is a guaranteed figure for Liverpool, not performance-related, and eclipses the £23.5m-a-year deal that Manchester United have with Nike but are currently renegotiating.

With Warrior, Liverpool will control all non-branded merchandising – products outside the usual kit range – and are free to open club stores wherever they choose. That is not the case under Adidas, who control Liverpool's kit supply and the sale of non-branded merchandise, and the club believes they can double the £25m a year from Warrior when the current restrictions are lifted this summer.

Liverpool's managing director, Ian Ayre, explained: "Our business is split in two. We have what you call kit, the branded products, the stuff the players wear, and that's the part of the business that the deal with Warrior covers. In our existing deal, there have been some restrictions on that in terms of the other unbranded products we sell, general retail. That sat within our deal with Adidas in certain lines and in certain markets.

"In our new deal, we have complete control of that. We will still work with Warrior, but we will have a much wider opportunity. That area of business currently represents 50% of everything we generate. The new deal represents half of what we currently generate, so we still have another opportunity to develop similar kind of revenues and that's what encouraged us."

Herbert Hainer, chief executive of Adidas, claimed the German company withdrew from negotiations to extend its six-year contract with Liverpool as: "We thought that what Liverpool were asking and what they were delivering was not in the right balance." Liverpool has, however, secured a £25m-a-year deal despite not qualifying for the Champions League for the past two years and Ayre insists the club's global appeal ensured Adidas's requirements were met.

"I'm happy that we delivered absolute value for a partner like Adidas and we will continue to deliver that value for Warrior," Ayre said. "We shared all the numbers with everybody we spoke to and I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that Liverpool are one of the biggest merchandising businesses in football and we wouldn't have had so many people interested if we didn't have a great business. We ran a very exciting process over 12 months. We worked very hard to speak to every major manufacturer in the sportswear category and we had winners and losers. Some people are very disappointed and some people are very happy."

Rather than taking a risk with a company unknown in football – Michigan-based Warrior were synonymous with lacrosse and hockey before last year becoming supplier to the Boston Red Sox, the baseball club that shares owners with Liverpool – Ayre believes the club will benefit as the company's main priority. That, it is suspected at Liverpool, has not always been the case with Adidas. Liverpool's MD added: "What really encouraged us is that this is their first foray into football and so we are their only customer and they will be very focused on Liverpool Football Club and promoting this opportunity around the world."

LFC Open Egypt Football Academy

Liverpool FC announced plans to open its first ever international football Academy in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

The groundbreaking venture, a first for Liverpool FC in the Middle East, was officially unveiled by Reds legend Ian Rush at a ceremony attended by media from all over the region.

The Academy, when it officially opens early next month, will have a permanent base in Madinaty, a new 33 million square metre ultra-modern extension city being built within New Cairo, with a supporting soccer school in nearby Al Rehab designed to help identify the best young footballing talent in Cairo.

For Managing Director Ian Ayre, who over the past two years has seen LFC team up with international partners to open soccer schools in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Cyprus, Indonesia, USA and St. Vincent in the Caribbean, this announcement demonstrates a genuine commitment to bringing supporters closer to the club, no matter where in the world they live.

"Our international football Academies connect fans around the world and provide young people with an opportunity to be trained by qualified coaches at an official Liverpool Football Club academy," says Ayre. "All of our Academies follow the operating model of our own academy here in Liverpool and we are excited about this latest addition in Egypt as it will also bring children together in local communities through football events and camps."

For Ian Rush, who over the past two years has travelled the world as Club Ambassador for the LFC International Football Academy Soccer schools, this latest project further illustrates the massive global appeal of Liverpool Football Club.

"This is a really exciting time for the club," insists Liverpool's record goalscorer, "because it's no longer just about what happens back home on Merseyside. We have millions of fans all over the world, particularly in Asia and over here in the Middle East, and while they can't all come over to Anfield to attend a match or see the first team play, we can now go to them.

"No matter where in the world you go, and I have been fortunate enough to travel more than most, you meet people who absolutely love Liverpool Football Club. Speaking to people over here in Cairo, the fans love more than just the football that's played on the pitch, they love everything about the club - the history, the fans and what the club stands for. If we can repay that support by coaching the next generation of football fans - the children of our supporters here in Egypt - then that's got to be a positive thing for everybody."

While Liverpool have provided the know-how into setting up and running the venture - Dave Riddler, a former LFC Academy coach and one-time team-mate of Rush in Wales, has recently moved to Cairo to head up the training program - the day-to-day running of the Academy will be looked after by Master Sports, a company with a long history of involvement in Egyptian professional football.

For Master Sports Managing Director Mohamed Hassan, himself a former professional footballer in Egypt whose career was sadly cut short by injury, joining forces with Liverpool is the culmination of a lifetime ambition.

"I started supporting Liverpool in the 1980s when we were the most successful club in the world," he says. "My friends were as passionate as I was but it was very difficult to find a place to watch the games live at that time in Cairo. It wasn't just the fact that we were winning trophies that appealed to me however. Liverpool's philosophy about what football should be about matched my own - to be excellent on the pitch, playing a passing game, but also to be modest off it. Even though they were the best, there was never any arrogance. The players were humble which is how I believe footballers should be.

"In terms of setting up a Liverpool Academy over here, it's something which I've wanted to do for a long time. I first approached the club about five years ago but I don't think the infrastructure at Liverpool was in place to make it happen but a lot has changed at Anfield and now I'm delighted to be able to say that this is the first LFC Academy in the Middle East.

"It's a real dream of mine to be able to work with Liverpool Football Club but more importantly, for me, it's a chance to help the young players in this country improve. There's a lot of very talented young kids in Egypt but they lack that little bit of extra tuition and guidance that Liverpool can help provide. With the right coaching I think we can develop young Egyptian players who can one day play for Liverpool. I know that sounds like a dream but I don't think it's an unrealistic one. Egypt won the African Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008 and 2010 so that proves this is a strong footballing nation. With Liverpool's help, we can help make the next generation of young players even better and that will be good for not just Egypt but Liverpool as well."

Gerrard Return Excites Carroll

Andy Carroll is hoping Steven Gerrard's comeback can help kick-start the striker's difficult start to his Liverpool career.

Injuries to both players have resulted in Carroll and Gerrard starting just one game together - last week's Carling Cup semi-final first leg win at Manchester City - since the forward's £35million move from Newcastle last January.

Coincidentally, Carroll's debut came as a substitute in Gerrard's last match before groin surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the 2010/11 season.

With Gerrard finally fully fit, Carroll is now determined to add to his tally of six goals in 33 games and is looking forward to the service only the Liverpool captain can provide.

"We haven't had the chance to start many games together," Carroll told LFC Magazine.

"I think I may have been a sub when he's started or he has been a sub when I have so it's nice to see him back.

"When you're on the same team as him in training, some of the passes he puts through for you and the chances he creates are incredible really.

"So hopefully I can keep working hard, get a nice run of games, give some good performances and get a few goals.

"If I can get a good run, hopefully that can kick-start me on again."

Indeed, Carroll feels he is not the only one benefiting from Gerrard's presence back on the field.

"You can see at Melwood that as soon as he comes out on the training pitch he's just different class," he added.

"I think just him being there gives everyone else another lift and another boost.

"He's already scored three goals so you can see straight away the difference that he makes and the impact he has."

Liverpool Scouting Welsh International Midfielder

Liverpool has made Swansea midfielder Joe Allen one of their primary summer targets reports the Independent.

The 21-year-old Wales international has impressed in the Swans' debut Barclays Premier League campaign, and has captured the attention of a number of rival suitors.

His sensible use of the ball has helped teammate Leon Britton be ranked among Europe's leading passers - beating the likes of Barcelona duo Xavi and Andreas Iniesta.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish was first alerted to Allen's potential during Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Swansea at Anfield back in September, and has deployed scouts to the Liberty Stadium on a number of occasions to monitor his progress.

Allen fits the model of young player that Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli wants to sign – one who can be bought relatively inexpensively and whose value is likely to rise rather than decrease throughout the course of his contract.

However, a transfer during the January window looks to be unlikely, with Dalglish's priority signing a striker to strengthen his forward department this month.

Allen signed a new contract with Brendan Rodgers' side at the start of the 2011-12 campaign that ties him to Swansea, with whom he has been since the age of nine, until 2015.

Scott Dann Attracting Interest From Arsenal And Liverpool

Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are waiting in the wings to make a move for Blackburn defender Scott Dann before the transfer window closes according to skysports.com.

The 24-year-old has made 11 Barclays Premier League starts for Steve Kean's struggling side this season, prior to picking up a groin injury just before the busy festive period.

However, Dann is set to return imminently which will be a welcome boost to Rovers, who are facing a battle to keep hold of fellow defender Christopher Samba, and so will not welcome reported interest in their summer signing from Birmingham.

Villa boss Alex McLeish is keen on being reunited with Dann having worked with him during his time in charge at St Andrews, whilst both Liverpool and Arsenal's interest stems from last summer, before the talented stopper made the switch to Ewood Park.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is a known admirer of Dann's ability, but opted instead to sign Uruguayan international Sebastian Coates, who arrived at Anfield in August.

But having struggled to establish himself in the Liverpool team, Dalglish could rekindle his interest, but is likely to face competition from the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger is equally keen to bolster his Emirates Stadium rearguard, and having seen his defensive options decimated by injuries, he is poised to make a bid for Dann.

McLeish: Darren Bent Will Cost Liverpool Big Money

Alex McLeish has told Liverpool that they will have to make an ‘attractive’ offer for Darren Bent if they wish to prize the striker away from Aston Villa.

The Reds have been linked with a January move for the England international, as Kenny Dalglish looks to add much needed firepower to their attacking line.

Bent, who only moved to Villa last January for £24million, is said to be keen on the idea, but McLeish insists he was no intention of parting with any of his stars for less than top dollar.

McLeish said: ‘Am I wanting to do (transfer) business? I am not pushing. I am not in any hurry to lose any of my players.

‘Only if it was an attractive proposition would we do anything so it's very unlikely we would let any of our players go.’

Liverpool, having used up the £50million they received for Fernando Torres last January on Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, are unlikely to be ready to pay a further £24million for Bent, leaving any chances of a deal seemingly dead.

That will undoubtedly suit McLeish, who suggests he’d like to do some business of his own, but acknowledges he has to respect a wider plan in place at Villa.

‘I am happy with my squad. Like every other manager in the world, we're all greedy for players,’ he added.

‘If we had our way, we'd probably have 100 players at our disposal.

‘But we are steering towards a wage stability and we're still heading in that direction. I have agreed to the parameters and the way that the club wants to be run. We will keep doing that.’

Ghana Youth Midfielder Mumuni Abubakar Pleased With Liverpool Trials

Ghana youth midfielder Mumuni Abubakar was pleased with his two-week trial at Liverpool.

The 18-year old New Edubiase defensive midfielder is hopeful he did enough to earn an offer.

"They were impressed by my performances during training and the match that I played. The technical team like my style of play, so hopefully they will sign me," he told Joy Sports.

"When you go to trials, they talk to your agent and not you the player. Liverpool is talking with my agent (Oliver Arthur) now. They're impressed with my performances so we should get a favourable response."

Fowler And Nando Set For India

Former Liverpool strikers Robbie Fowler and Fernando Morientes have reportedly agreed to join a revamped Indian football league.

The format, which hopes to replicate the cricketing success of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is apparently attracting stars such as Fabio Cannavaro, Juan Pablo Sorin and Robert Pires.

Fowler has travelled widely since finishing his second stint at Anfield, playing in Australia and Thailand.

Morientes, meanwhile, is set for a comeback after announcing his retirement from the game in 2010 following a year with Marseille.

About 30 players and six coaches from around the world will be auctioned off in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata for the league, to be staged between 25 February and 8 April.

"We have signed seven icon players for the auction and each of the six teams will have one such player with a $600,000 salary cap," said Bhaswar Goswami, the executive director of Celebrity Management Group.

Cricket's IPL excited fans with its Twenty20 format, player auctions and post-game parties. Now football is poised for a similar makeover.

"The league is modelled on Major League Soccer and of course IPL," Goswami added.

"We saw the hype and buzz around the players' auction in IPL and feel it can be an equal success. It's a brilliant concept. We expect owners to make profit much earlier than the IPL franchises.

"We are also in the process of finalizing television rights for live broadcast across south-east Asia."

Fenway Park Could Host Soccer Game Between Liverpool and AS Roma

Liverpool FC might be coming to Fenway Park next summer. The Boston Globe reports the Reds are in talks with Italian club AS Roma about playing a preseason friendly at the historic park in late June or early July.

"Throughout its 100-year history, Fenway Park has seen some of the best in athletic competition," Fenway Sports Management president Sam Kennedy said. "And while we are exploring the possibility of hosting a Liverpool match -- which certainly rises to that level -- nothing has been finalized."

The game would be part of a nationwide soccer tournament that would also involve Premier League club Chelsea FC and Scottish giants Celtic FC. Other games could be played at Yankee Stadium in New York and either Comiskey Park or Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The report also reveals that Liverpool is making tentative reservations to spend part of next summer in the Boston area.

The LFC-Roma game would be a contest between two European soccer clubs that have Boston-based owners. Liverpool is owned by Fenway Sports Group. Roma is led by a group that includes local businessmen Thomas DiBenedetto and James Pallotta.

Fenway Park captivated area soccer fans in July 2010 when it hosted Celtic FC and Portugal's Sporting CP. More than 32,000 fans were in attendance to see the teams play out a 1-1 draw. The game then went straight to a round of penalty kicks, which Celtic won 6-5.

Gary Ablett's Funeral Unites Blue And Red On Merseyside

Former team-mates and current professionals were among the mourners who attended the funeral of former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett.

The 46-year-old died on New Year's Day after a 16-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and Everton boss David Moyes were present at the city's Anglican Cathedral along with many of Ablett's team-mates – including John Barnes, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Duncan Ferguson, Matt Jackson and David Unsworth – and other contemporaries from the 1980s and early 1990s.

The likes of Everton players Phil Neville and Tim Cahill were joined by former Toffees managers Joe Royle and Howard Kendall and ex-Reds boss Rafael Benítez.

Roy Keane, who briefly worked alongside Ablett at Ipswich just before his illness was diagnosed, was also present along with England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce.

The coffin of Ablett, the only man to win the FA Cup with both Merseyside clubs, was carried into church to You'll Never Walk Alone and left to Everton's anthem Z-Cars.

After the service, Everton captain Neville Tweeted: "Sad sad day RIP Gary Ablett."

Echoing his sentiments, Neville's team-mate Cahill posted: "Rest in peace to a legend Gary Ablett. An emotional funeral and also amazing turnout for such a great person."

He leaves behind a wife, Jacqueline, and five children.

Reds Duo Seek Home Comforts

Liverpool duo Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique believe they need to improve their home form if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top four.

The Reds were held to their seventh draw in 11 games at Anfield this season as Stoke ground out a goalless draw at the weekend.

Kenny Dalglish's men have struggled for goals this season, having netted only 24 goals in 21 Premier League games and Carroll, who started the draw with Stoke on the bench, believes they need to start taking their chances if they are to turn draws into victories.

"The objective is qualifying for the Champions League and we are up there and still in with a great chance of achieving that aim," said Carroll.

"We've done really well against the top teams and our away form has been great but in some of the home games we've struggled to put our chances away and I think that's where we need to make sure we can start to punish teams.

"Hopefully we can start taking our chances and score more goals as a team."

Defender Enrique, who played at the weekend despite a stomach upset, knows they have to start winning matches at Anfield if they are to be serious contenders to reach next season's Champions League.

"We have to improve our home form, because we have lost too many points at Anfield this season," said Enrique.

"We just have to stay positive. I think, maybe the Swansea game aside (a 0-0 draw), we have deserved to win the other games we have drawn at home.

"If we start to take our chances then we can be in the top four, but if we don't then we will make it more difficult for ourselves."

Liverpool now have a full week without a game before travelling to Bolton for Saturday's evening kick-off, when Enrique hopes they can return to winning ways.

"I think it's good we have a break now so we can prepare for Bolton," added Enrique.

"Away from home at the moment we are getting better results than at home, so hopefully we can get the three points next Saturday."

Lille Striker Interested In Liverpool Move

Lille forward Moussa Sow has spoken of his admiration for Liverpool, amidst rumours that the 25-year-old is thinking of leaving the French champions during the January transfer window.

Sow was the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 25 league goals as he helped his side win the title but in recent weeks reports have suggested that he may look to leave and now the Senegal international has spoken in glowing terms about Liverpool.

"I am at Lille now but as we all know I want to play in England one day," Sow told Sky Sports. "Liverpool, well, that is a dream club. Anyone would be happy, scoring goals in front of the Kop can be the highlight of a career."

Much has been made of the Merseyside's club need for a striker after the club played out a goalless draw with Stoke at the weekend, their seventh home draw of the season.

With Luis Suarez out of action, due to his eight game suspension, and Andy Carroll yet to find his best form at the club, Liverpool have struggled for goals all season.

Liverpool would certainly face plenty of competition for the prolific striker with Fenerbahce and Tottenham also linked with Sow in recent weeks.

Newcastle have already seen the results of buying from the French champions with Yohan Cabaye earning rave reviews after making the move from Lille to St. James Park in the summer.

Liverpool Line Up Raid For Exciting Young Celtic Winger

Liverpool are thought to be lining up a raid on Celtic for their talented winger James Forrest.

The 20 year-old flyer made his debut for the Hoops at the end of the 2009/10 season, but has only truly established himself as a star in the making this season.

He has scored 5 goals in 22 Clydesdale Bank Premier League appearances this season, and great things are expected of the young Scot, who has so far earned 4 caps in his short career.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish was of course once manager at Parkhead too, and the connection between the two clubs may be what helps the deal go through.

Liverpool’s struggles this season are well known.

Stewart Downing, a big money summer signing from Aston Villa, has yet to score a goal or provide an assist in the Premier League this season, while on the opposite flank Dirk Kuyt is also struggling for form.

Perhaps a young and dynamic player, unafraid to take players on, could be the solution.

Perhaps that man is James Forrest.

Reds Trial For 'Baby Drogba'

Sky Sports understands Liverpool have handed a two-week trial to Swedish teenager Abdul Aziz, who has been dubbed the "baby Didier Drogba".

The 14-year-old, who was born in Sierra Leone, has an excellent scoring record for his club ISK Norkopping and with the SwedenUnder-15 national team.

Manchester United and City had both been watching the youngster, but have been caught napping by their north west rivals who moved swiftly to land Aziz on a trial.

His arrival at Anfield represents a real coup for Liverpool as Aziz is viewed as one of the biggest talents to emerge from Sweden in a generation.

Kenny Dalglish is committed to bringing the best talent from Europe and England to Anfield, as he lays the foundations for a new era of success.

Over the past 18 months the Merseyside club has snared some of the most highly-rated teenagers in the country in Raheem Sterling, Jordon Ibe and Seyi Ojo.