Liverpool In Race To Sign Anderlecht Striker

Liverpool are rumoured to be preparing a move for Anderlecht star Matias Suarez, after technical director Damien Comolli was spotted watching the player in action.

According to reports in the Mirror, the 23 year-old has emerged as one of the club’s top transfer targets, as they look to make adjustments to their squad over the summer months.

Comolli is believed to have watched the striker a number of times this season, but is wary of Anderlecht’s hefty price tag.

Anderlecht manager Herman van Holsbeeck confirmed that a number of clubs have registered interest in the player, with Liverpool and two other Premier League clubs believed to be included, but that nothing concrete has come of it yet.

“There are 15 top clubs prepared to pay the money we want for Suarez and the fee could be higher than the money we received from Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku last year. Matias could have gone to Russia in the winter and also Juventus, but his wife Magali did not want to go.

“Do I think Suarez is worth more than Lukaku? Well, technically he is a better player,” he said.

While Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, no doubt have the finances to bring in Suarez, they are wary about over-spending, having already forked out an estimated £115 million on recruiting new players during Kenny Dalglish’s short reign as Liverpool boss.

Martinez Deal Denied

The agent of Colombian international Jackson Martinez insists that no deal has been agreed for the striker to join any club.

Reports in Portugal claim that Porto has won the race to sign the Jaguares striker - ahead of a number of other clubs including Liverpool.

Martinez and his agents have both previously claimed Liverpool were keen on securing his signature.

And now his agent Diego Cativa insists that the 25-year-old, one of the top-scorers in Mexican football, is yet to decide his future.

Asking whether the Porto deal was agreed, Cativa told Ojogo: "This is not true.

"Until the end of the season, there will be no developments on the future of Jackson."

Cativa also insisted that they are not holding talks with Porto.

Liverpool Set To Miss Out On PSV's Goal Scoring Winger

Liverpool could miss out on one of their summer targets after it was suggested that PSV-Eindhoven winger Dries Mertens prefers a move to Germany.

According to a report in The Sun, Liverpool have sent scouts to watch the winger on a number of occasions this season as manager Kenny Dalglish looks to add balance to his squad.

The Reds already have Stewart Downing on the left, but this season have looked out of shape when playing either Dirk Kuyt or Jordan Henderson on the right hand side of midfielder.

Mertens has been in sensational goal-scoring form for the Dutch side this season as he has scored 18 league goals in 26 games, including netting four ties in a 7-1 win over Roda JC.

The 24-year-old was signed by PSV from Utrecht in a joint deal with Kevin Strootman, the duo costing €13million in the summer.

However, a source told The Sun that the Belgium international would prefer a move to German league leaders Bayern Munich. "He has been asking his friends about life in Germany and he has been encouraged by what he has heard."

Coates Remaining Patient

Sebastian Coates knows he will have to bide his time before earning a regular place in Liverpool's first team.

Despite his stunning scissor-kick goal in the defeat by Queens Park Rangers, last summer's signing from Nacional was dropped to the bench for Saturday's loss at the hands of Wigan.

But Coates accepts he faces a battle to fight his way ahead of Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher and the presently injured Daniel Agger.

Liverpool's Premier League campaign has been a disappointment, but only Manchester City and Manchester United have conceded fewer goals and Coates recognizes the competition for defensive places.

He told Liverpool's Official Matchday Programme: "I feel more settled now. As the months and the time goes by, the period becomes a lot more easy.

"I am enjoying the football and I know I have to be patient to play more games, purely because the other defenders have been so consistent for a long time.

"That is the nature of defence. Especially in that position, when it is working, you don't change it.

"I gained this attitude when Diego Godin had an injury before the Copa America and I got a chance. Because I did well, I stayed in the team.

"So you must respect your team-mates when they perform. There can be no arguments."

Throughout the season, Coates has been watching Skrtel, Carragher and Agger in order to develop his game, but he has also been in awe of captain Steven Gerrard.

"His reputation is worldwide," Coates said of the England international. "When I was younger in Uruguay, I would see a lot of the Champions League games that Liverpool was involved in.

"He was always so influential, putting in some fantastic performances. He is the kind of player that everybody hopes to one day call a team-mate. It is an education to be on the same side as him."

Lucas Hopeful On Fitness

Liverpool's injured midfielder Lucas Leiva is hopeful he will be fit again for the start of next season.

The Brazil international has not played for the Reds after suffering a campaign-ending knee injury in their Carling Cup success at Chelsea at the back end of November.

Lucas is an integral member of manager Kenny Dalglish's team and results have declined during his absence, even more so since the turn of the year.

The 25-year-old has now delivered an upbeat bulletin on his progress, stating his injury was so severe that it was never going to be a speedy return to action.

"My rehab is going well and hopefully I will be fit for next season," he wrote on his Twitter account.

"It was a bad injury so I need to recover properly to be strong again."

The pressure intensified on Dalglish on Saturday following a 2-1 defeat to Wigan at Anfield and Lucas has called on everyone to try and stay positive

He continued: "I know everyone is disappointed about (Saturday's result), but we need to move on and keep working."

Liverpool Kids Have Earned Their Chance

The future at Liverpool is looking bright. When you consider that the Reds went down to a 2-1 defeat against Wigan Athletic at the weekend, and have lost five of their last six games in the Premier League, it seems like an odd statement. But, looking past the first team’s recent struggles in the English top flight, a core of young players are slowly emerging from the club’s famed academy.

After producing the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, it’s been a relatively baron spell in relation to players graduating from Melwood to Anfield. A third-place finish in the inaugural NextGen Series, an Under 19 tournament aimed at reflecting the Champions League, suggests that times could be changing though, with a couple of players who’ve represented the young Reds already getting a recent senior chance.

Raheem Sterling made his first team debut in Saturday’s defeat to the Latics, introduced as a second-half substitute and impressing despite the reverse, whilst Jon Flanagan, who featured last season under Dalglish, was also in senior action for the first time this term over the weekend.

And, whilst the result was a negative over the weekend, neither player was out of depth at the older level. For that, credit must go to Rodolfo Borrell, who is constantly working to get the club’s young players up to scratch.

"The NextGen Series has been a great experience for the lads. We have a young squad and we have played against strong and experienced teams. They have a learned a lot for the future," he told the official Liverpool website.

It hasn’t been all success in the competition for the young Reds, who progressed to the semi-finals on a technicality after a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. They then lost the semi-final 6-0 against a resurgent Ajax.

However, a string of players have shown that they can’t be far from breaking into the side, and it would seem like now is the perfect time.

Liverpool have already booked their place in the Europa League with victory in the League Cup, and will be hoping to make it a domestic double in the FA Cup with a potential all-Merseyside semi-final to look forward too at Wembley.

But, in the Premier League, the Reds literally have nothing to play for. The obvious response is that the players’ pride is on the line, and finishing above Newcastle in sixth would be a positive in terms of morale. It also has a small financial benefit, as each higher place in the table adds a few hundred thousand pounds.

That’s relative chump change in today’s modern football climate, and for a club the size of Liverpool, there is much more important things to worry about now a top four finish is realistically out of their reach.

Developing young talent should be one of those priorities, but it seems to be something ‘King Kenny’ is not so keen to try and do this season.

"You just need to draw your horses back a bit. He (Sterling) wouldn't have been there if we weren't in the position we were in. It is nice to see the kids get a game but it is also better for us to look after them and manage them,” said the Scot post-match on Saturday.

"We are not going to throw kids in and destroy them, but it is nice to see them on the pitch."

From the outside looking in, it seems like a disappointing assessment of the junior players trying to make their way to the very top on Merseyside. The likes of Connor Coady, Adam Morgan, Jack Robinson, Flanagan and Sterling have been talked about for over a year now, but are clearly not judged to be ready for the big-time.

That is where complete trust must fall to the manager – supporters are desperate to see more of Sterling in particular, whose attacking style quickly captured the imagination during 16 great minutes against Roberto Martinez’s side.

More frustratingly, the senior players at the club aren’t playing well. The simple fact is that Liverpool are currently under-performing, and whilst Dalglish won’t criticize any individuals at the club, he will privately be disappointed with a number of his players.

Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 2 Man City

Liverpool set up a Carling Cup final against Cardiff after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Anfield to advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, City quickly drew level on aggregate thanks to a superb long-range strike from defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong that flew into the top corner.

Liverpool hit back before half-time when Micah Richards was harshly penalized for handball after a deflection off his leg onto the arm, and Steven Gerrard stepped up to score from the spot.

The Reds kept pushing forward at the start of the second half but a number of superb saves from Joe Hart prevented them from moving into a position of complete control.

City then grabbed a goal against the run of play on 67 minutes to make it 2-1 on the night, with Edin Dzeko converting an excellent Aleksandar Kolarov cross from close range.

Liverpool were not to be denied, though, as Craig Bellamy rounded off a flowing move with a fine finish in the 74th minute to leave City with it all to do in the closing stages.

Roberto Mancini's side battled hard in an effort to send the tie to extra time but the hosts held firm to book a spot at Wembley.

Mancini's decision to start with three centre-backs - Joleon Lescott and Richards either side of the nervy Stefan Savic, with top scorer Sergio Aguero dropped to the bench - looked over-cautious and Liverpool seized the initiative.

Kolarov almost gifted Jose Enrique an opener in the fourth minute from a sliced clearance back across goal but Hart's outstretched foot block the left-back's shot and Stewart Downing screwed his follow-up volley wide.

Gerrard, tasked with a watching brief on David Silva, was booked for an early foul on Gareth Barry but it was the tackle of Charlie Adam on Dzeko from Silva's corner which could have done more damage to Liverpool but there were few City appeals for a penalty and referee Phil Dowd was unmoved.

Bellamy was Liverpool's most threatening outlet and he drew another save out of Hart after turning Savic on the edge of the box before having a goal disallowed for offside.

The home side dominated the opening half-hour but they were hit with a career-best goal from De Jong.

Having collected a square pass from Silva 30 yards out the trajectory of his sweetly-struck shot started outside Jose Reina's left-hand post but curled back enough to brilliantly beat the goalkeeper.

De Jong goals are a rarity - it was only his second in 118 appearances - but there was far more familiarity about the goal which put Liverpool back in front on aggregate.

Dowd generously decided Daniel Agger's shot which deflected up off Richards and on to his arm was a penalty and Gerrard, scorer from the spot in the first encounter, fired home to make it four consecutive goals in league cup semi-finals, having scored in both legs against Watford in 2005.

Savic was replaced by Aguero for the second half as City reverted to a flat back four but Liverpool were first to threaten again as Gerrard whipped in a free-kick from the left and Hart half-punched only to redeem himself by tipping over Martin Skrtel's goalbound shot.

The England goalkeeper, as he had done in November's league draw at Anfield, superbly kept the Reds at bay again when he tipped over Downing's downward volley from Dirk Kuyt's cross.

Silva wasted a free-kick from the right after the Spaniard was booked for fouling Zabaleta but there could not have been a greater contrast with Kolarov's cross in the 67th minute.

The Serbian drilled a low ball from wide on the left across Liverpool's six-yard box for Dzeko, who had lost Agger, to tap in at the far post.

Liverpool has a habit of producing fairytale finishes under the Anfield floodlights and so it proved.

Kuyt's pass in from the right to Bellamy was laid off to Glen Johnson who immediately bounced the ball back to the Welshman who curled home with his left foot.

Having effectively had his City career ended by Mancini after a fall-out with the Italian, it is unlikely the delicious irony was lost on the 32-year-old.

Kuyt headed wide Henderson's cross before Bellamy departed to a standing ovation, with even some among the City fans applauding his efforts.

Dalglish Savours Semi Success

Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to a 'fantastic performance' from Liverpool after watching his side book their place in the Carling Cup final.

The Reds held a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of their semi-final at Anfield but still displayed a positive attitude to finish the job and set up a Wembley showpiece against Cardiff.

Nigel de Jong's opener for Man City was cancelled out by a Steven Gerrard penalty, before City struck again through Edin Dzeko.

Craig Bellamy's fine finish secured a 3-2 aggregate success and left Dalglish bursting with pride after the final whistle.

"I think it was a fantastic performance. Although the game finished as a draw, we were deserved qualifiers for the final," the Scot told Sky Sports.

"The boys were magnificent last night and deserve a great deal of credit, and everybody in the squad has helped us get through.

"The supporters were magnificent and it is a great reward for them and the loyalty they have shown us, so for everybody at Liverpool it has been a fantastic evening."

Dalglish had further words of praise for the impressive Bellamy, who joined Liverpool from City last summer after being deemed surplus to requirements by Roberto Mancini.

"He was unbelievable. If Man City has anyone else like Craig that they don't want to keep, they know where we are," Dalglish said.

"He's been like that since he came in the door and it is fantastic to have him here."

Mancini Unhappy With Decisions

Roberto Mancini was left to bemoan a couple of refereeing calls that went against Manchester City after seeing Liverpool go through to the Carling Cup final.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, City had a lot of work to do at Anfield and opened the scoring thanks to Nigel de Jong's stunning strike from distance.

Steven Gerrard's penalty swung the tie back in Liverpool's favour, before Edin Dzeko scored from Aleksandar Kolarov's cross.

Craig Bellamy then grabbed the final goal of the night to eliminate City from the competition and send the Reds to a Wembley meeting with Cardiff.

While Liverpool dominated for long periods, Mancini felt the game hinged on two penalty decisions.

Referee Phil Dowd handed Liverpool a spot-kick when the ball reared up off Micah Richards' boot and hit his hand, but did not award one when Dzeko went down under Charlie Adam's challenge at the other end.

"We did a good performance, scored two goals. I think it was not a penalty for Liverpool and was for us. This changed the game," the Italian said.

"He (Richards) touched the ball on his leg, for this reason (it was not a penalty)."

When asked why his players did not vociferously appeal for a foul on Dzeko, Mancini added: "There is a referee on the pitch. It is enough.

"It was a penalty, incredible, clear. We did well, scored, we did some mistakes and conceded a stupid goal.

"We can do nothing."

Gerrard - Bellamy To Thank For

Steven Gerrard recognized the contribution of Craig Bellamy after Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

The Reds booked their place in the final against Cardiff by playing out a 2-2 draw with City at Anfield on Wednesday - to maintain their advantage after a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago.

As he was then, Gerrard was on target from the penalty spot again, equalizing after Nigel de Jong's opener, before Craig Bellamy, a former City striker, scored after Edin Dzeko had put the visitors to Anfield 2-1 up on the night.

Liverpool last reached a domestic final in 2006 when they beat West Ham to the FA Cup in Cardiff, and the 26th February meeting will be their first Wembley appearance since 1996.

"It's a great feeling, it's been a while," Gerrard told Sky Sports.

"Since playing at Cardiff in 2006, it's been too long for this club. I'm delighted for everyone, especially the fans."

Gerrard was in no doubt who his side's star man was, with Bellamy hitting the decisive goal after City goalkeeper Joe Hart had produced a stunning one-man show to keep Liverpool at bay.

"Craig was the difference," Gerrard added.

"His pace was always a threat and we know that if a chance falls to him he can finish. It's a big thanks to him.

"We had to be positive and brave. Man City has so much quality and our decision to attack them paid off.

"Joe is a big character but I don't feel sorry for him. He's a top keeper and he will play in many finals. But it's our turn now and we have to go and lift that trophy."

Bellamy will get to face his hometown club in the final, as well as the side he played for last season.

"The omens were looking good going into the match last night after I saw Cardiff go through," the striker said.

"I was delighted for them and this couldn't be a better final for me.

"Cardiff means so much to me. It's funny how football can work out at times."

Liverpool And QPR Chasing Barcelona Midfielder Alexander Hleb

Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers have been alerted to the availability of former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb, with Barcelona ready to make the out-of-favour Belarusian a free agent, after talks over cancelling his contract.

The move comes two weeks after Hleb returned to Barcelona following a failed loan spell with Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, who had asked to terminate his season-long agreement six months early, after the 30-year-old struggled with form and fitness, making just four appearances this term.

Hleb has also spent time on loan with Stuttgart and Birmingham City in the last two seasons, after manager Pep Guardiola lost patience with the versatile attacker in June 2009, just 12 months after signing him from Arsenal in a £15 million deal.

As Metro reported last month, Barcelona have been offering Hleb around Premier League clubs in a bid to get his hefty £90,000-a-week wages off their books, but with no takers, the reigning Spanish and European Champions are ready to make him a free agent with immediate effect.

Hleb is willing to accept a pay off by the Catalan club, and hopes he can now seal a return to English football, after recently admitting he wasted the best years of his career by opting to quit Arsenal in 2008: 'I've given away the best years of my career. And I hold no one responsible for it.'

Queens Park Rangers have shown a strong interest in bringing Hleb back to London, but Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is also keeping his options open, but has other targets in the pipeline at present.

Hleb is currently contracted to Barcelona until the end of the season.

Reds Hand Youngster Trial At Anfield

Liverpool have handed teenage Norwegian starlet Jakob Glesnes a one-week trial with the club.

The 17-year-old defender will travel to England on Sunday where he hopes to be enriched by his experience.

"I regard it as an opportunity to get a good week's training," Glesnes told Adresseavisen.

"I want to learn some things, show what I can do and return with some good experience."

Glesnes has previously had trials with Arsenal, Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest.

Kenny Dalglish is keen to continue the club's recent policy of signing the best young talent from England and Europe.

Evra Set For Anfield

Mike Phelan has insisted Manchester United would not consider leaving Patrice Evra out of their game against Liverpool if he is fully fit.

United's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Liverpool will be the first time they have faced their old rivals since Evra levelled racism allegations at Luis Suarez that ended with the Uruguay forward landing an eight-match ban.

Suarez will still be suspended this weekend, a fact that is only likely to heighten the normal antagonism for United from the Kop.

Earlier this season, Sir Alex Ferguson left Wayne Rooney out of his starting line-up to face Liverpool due to the adverse reaction the striker receives in his home city, whilst last season, the United boss did not even take his star forward to former club Everton.

However, it seems Evra, likely to continue as captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic with a season-ending injury, will be involved.

"It wouldn't be a consideration," said Phelan, when asked by Radio Manchester whether United had thought about leaving Evra out.

"Patrice Evra is a football player who plays for Manchester United.

"If he is fit, he is considered to play like any other player.

"What has happened has happened. What has been said has been said.

"You are talking about a football match now and I think it will be a very good FA Cup tie."

Ferguson Asks Fans To Behave At Anfield

Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has written to the club's supporters, urging them to behave themselves at Liverpool on Saturday.

Improved behaviour by United fans at the Premier League match in October has led to a large increase in their ticket allocation being released for the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield. However, it will be the first meeting between the teams since the race row between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez that ended with the Liverpool striker being given an eight-match suspension.

In a letter to supporters who have tickets for the game, Ferguson makes no reference to Evra or Suarez, or the row that he has said will have no impact on relations between the clubs. However, he does ask for "positive, witty and loud" support.

The letter said: "I wrote to fans attending the away match in October urging them to co-operate with stewards and officials at Liverpool so we can make a strong case for restoring our allocation for future United games at Anfield. The fans did almost everything asked of them. Please do everything you can to continue that good work.

"Your support is vital to the team and down the years that has been especially true at Anfield. But please put the emphasis on getting us into the next round and giving the sort of support you are famous for – positive, witty and loud."

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester City

A trip to Wembley and Liverpool’s first cup final in nearly five years are on the line on Wednesday, with Manchester City heading to Anfield for the second leg of the League Cup semi-final. Liverpool have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg after a Steven Gerrard penalty capped a dominant opening spell for Kenny Dalglish’s squad, but there’s little illusion that they’ll be able to coast into the final, with City more than capable of turning the tie over.

Thankfully there’s not a whole lot of time left to rehash the weekend’s failings, with any prolonged misery interrupted by a match that carries with it stakes, at least from a practical standpoint, that are higher than anything the club’s been involved in since the Europa League tie with Atletico Madrid just under two years ago. So sure, it’s the League Cup, but it’s also a match with some gravity to it at a time the club find themselves in desperate need of something to be positive about.

That it comes against the current league leaders adds to the challenge, particularly when considering that, after a frustrating finish to the match two weeks ago, they’ll be more than ready to press Liverpool relentlessly. They’ve rebounded nicely from the defeat in the first leg, getting past a plucky Wigan side 1-0 before beating Spurs 3-2 on a Mario Balotelli penalty in the final minutes of injury time on Sunday.

As Noel mentioned earlier, however, they’re likely to be without the match-winner on Wednesday, as the FA decided to pursue charges against him for Cobra Kai’ing Scott Parker’s face. Quotes from assistant David Platt indicate the club won’t dispute the retroactive red, which means the ban starts immediately. But as was the case in the first leg, there’s no lack of quality in the rest of the available personnel, even if they’re still missing the Toure brothers to the Africa Cup of Nations and Vincent Kompany in the last of his four-match ban. That leaves their defense as the main question mark, as Stefan Savic had a torrid time in the first leg and looks in line for another appearance on Wednesday.

Gerrard Keen To Finish The Job

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard wants to maintain focus ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg - by banning talk of Wembley.

The Reds hold a 1-0 lead over Manchester City from the first leg and are favourites to progress ahead of the return game at Anfield, but Gerrard insists the team must prepare correctly.

Kenny Dalglish's side go into the tie after a woeful 3-1 defeat at Bolton on Saturday, leading some to conclude the team were already looking ahead to the big cup games this week.

Liverpool face Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday but Gerrard believes looking past Manchester City could be costly.

"(Wembley talk) has got to be banned because we haven't made it there yet," said the England international.

"Of course it enters your mind and you dream about it; that helps when it comes to motivation.

"But I don't think any of our players will be getting carried away or thinking we've already done the job.

"We know this is a big game and a tough game."

Liverpool have not won a trophy since lifting the 2006 FA Cup but Gerrard has plenty of big game experience of two-legged ties himself having won Champions League semi-finals in 2005 and 2007.

"I think experience is important, it always is," he told the official matchday program.

"Especially when you have a lead in such an important two-legged fixture.

"We need to play to our maximum. We need every player to turn up and play well to qualify.

"We need to ignore the scoreline and go into this game trying to win it. I think if we're too negative and try to just protect the lead it could be very dangerous."

Kenny - Reds Must Lift Fans

Kenny Dalglish insists Liverpool will give everything against Manchester City to get the fans back on side following Saturday's deflating defeat.

The Reds put in a woeful performance against Premier League strugglers Bolton at the weekend, going down 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium.

They have a chance to redeem themselves when they host leaders City at Anfield on Wednesday in the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final, having established a 1-0 lead at Ethiad Stadium last time out.

Manager Dalglish has vowed his players will work hard to ensure Reds supporters are celebrating by the final whistle.

"Hopefully it will be a fantastic occasion for everyone," he told Liverpool's official website.

"The punters will be turning up, there'll be loads of support for us but we need to do something that's going to get the supporters on our side. We can't always leave it for them to lift us, sometimes we need to lift them.

"We can't take it for granted that the fans are going to be there. We should never assume we're going to get the fantastic support that we do - we've got to earn that.

"They've got to see that we're up to put in a tremendous effort on Wednesday night to get a result for the club."

Liverpool are just 90 minutes away from a first Wembley appearance since 1996 but Dalglish is refusing to get carried away.

He added: "Let's not be running away with ourselves, let's make sure we get the hard work done first."

The Reds' poor display against Bolton prompted Dalglish to publicly criticise his players for the first time since returning as manager just over a year ago.

The Scot feels he was justified in his comments, adding: "I think what was said had to be said. At the end of the day I don't think anyone can object to the fact that we never played anything like we're capable of playing.

"In the past we've rightly praised them when they've deserved it, we've given them plaudits when we've done well and we've congratulated them for the way they've gone about their work.

"When you've been critical it doesn't mean to say you're getting any pleasure from it because at the end of the day we're all in it together. It's not the coaching staff and the players, it's everybody."

Liverpool Have Moved On

Liverpool first-team coach Steve Clarke believes the club has collectively accepted the consequences of defeat to Bolton and has already moved on from the misery.

Kenny Dalglish's men were last weekend embarrassed in a dire 3-1 loss at the Reebok Stadium and the manager for the first time turned criticism onto his players.

The Scot accused his squad of lacking respect for Bolton and blamed them for being preoccupied with Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.

This weekend's forthcoming FA Cup tie against Manchester United also acted as a distraction, according to Dalglish, who said some of his players' futures were under scrutiny.

But coach Clarke insists the fall-out from the Bolton defeat is now a thing of the past, as he said "There has been a line drawn under it as far as we are concerned.

"Hopefully we've put it to bed.

"We have spoken about the game, we know it wasn't a good performance, we accept that and we try to move on and improve in the future.

"We all have to sort it out together. When things are going well we all take the credit and when they don't go well we have to take the stick."

Liverpool Open Talks Over FC Groningen Striker David Texeira

Liverpool have opened talks with FC Groningen over exciting striker David Texeira, as manager Kenny Dalglish steps up his transfer activity in the closing stages of the window.

Dalglish had previously made buying a striker his top priority for January, with Luis Suarez missing for eight matches through suspension, and Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt struggling to find their feet this term.

The Reds boss has had a whole host of established options under consideration, but after being quoted fees in excess of £20 million for Aston Villa's Darren Bent and Valencia's Roberto Soldado, Dalglish has changed tact, and is now in search of a younger forward who would represent better value for money in the longer term.

Twente prospect Luuk de Jong is Liverpool's preferred target, but Dalglish is thought to be unsure about his suitability to life in England, and has instead moved for another promising Eredivisie prospect, Groningen's David Texeira.

The Uruguayan isn't 21 until next month, but Groningen have a good pedigree for finding quality strikers, having previously had the aforementioned Suarez and PSV forward Tim Matavz on their books, and Liverpool are keen to wrap up a deal now before other interested parties make their moves.

Texeira is valued at around £8 million by Liverpool, but former club Defensor Sporting are believed to have a sell on clause option in his contract, which entitles them to 20% of any fee received.

That means that Texeira could cost closer to £10 million, but the Reds' Director of Football Damien Comolli is hoping to knock them down considerably, during talks this week.

Liverpool are expected to try and sweeten the deal by offering Groningen a pre-season friendly, which would see former hero Suarez return to the Euroborg stadium in a potentially money-spinning run out.

Liverpool Eye Up Spanish Wing Option In Pablo Hernandez

Liverpool are eyeing Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez according to Madrid-based daily Marca.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has kept his powder dry in the current transfer window, despite admitting that he has money to spend if he so chooses.

But his side’s recent poor performances are thought to have given the Scot pause for thought.

Liverpool have stuttered in recent weeks, drawing 0-0 at home to Stoke City two weeks ago, with Dalglish bemoaning a lack of creativity, and then going down 3-1 to a struggling Bolton Wanderers at the weekend – a performance which left the Scot fuming.

The Merseyside giants have been heavily linked with Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, with a loan mooted. But Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho has long stated that he wishes no one to arrive or depart the Bernabeu in the current window.

Valencia winger Hernandez would add real spark and intent to Liverpool’s wide play, allowing Dalglish to stretch the play and also potentially supplying out-of-sorts striker Andy Carroll with further precious service.

The 26-year-old is considered one of Valencia’s crown jewels however and has been increasingly key ever since David Villa and David Silva were sold by Los Che.

Hernandez is under contract at the Mestalla until 2014.