Match Report: Norwich 2 - 5 Liverpool

Luis Suarez scored his second hat-trick at Carrow Road in the space of five months as Liverpool crushed a sorry Norwich to record their first Barclays Premier League win under Brendan Rodgers.

Suarez scored a memorable treble on his last visit to Carrow in April and he took just 67 seconds to open his account in Norfolk this season, scoring from the edge of the box to make it 1-0.

He then capitalized on a terrible mistake by Michael Turner to make it 2-0 before laying on Nuri Sahin, who made it 3-0 just after the break.

The former PSV Eindhoven forward then took his tally for the season to six when he curled home from the edge of the box and Steven Gerrard scored Liverpool's fifth after Steve Morison had pulled one back for Norwich.

Substitute Grant Holt overpowered his marker to score another consolation for Norwich with three minutes to go, but there was no doubt who the bossed the game at the final whistle, as the home fans booed their team off following a poor display.

A lot had been made of Liverpool's poor start to the season under Rodgers before Saturday's game, but the Merseysiders were a class apart at Carrow Road.

Teenage trio Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom all performed brilliantly and Sahin proved the perfect foil to Suarez's penetrating runs through the Norwich defence.

They played with fluency, pace and brutal finishing that will give Rodgers hope that he can deliver success at Anfield during his first term in charge.

A Liverpool rout seemed on the cards from the start. With just over a minute on the clock, Glen Johnson's through-ball was cleared only as far as Suarez and he drove home from 18 yards.

Daniel Agger headed over a free-kick as Liverpool searched for a quick second, but Norwich then stormed forward through Simeon Jackson, who drew a top-drawer reaction save from Pepe Reina at his near post.

Sterling then knocked Suarez's pin-point ball across the box but Norwich cleared just before the unmarked Sahin could pull the trigger.

Suarez was at the centre of controversy in the 23rd minute when the Uruguayan raced through after a long ball over the top and broke in to the box.

Just as the forward was about to shoot Leon Barnett barged in to back of Uruguayan and brought an elbow down on his shoulder, but referee Mike Jones waved play on despite the please of the Reds players, who were infuriated at the decision.

Suarez was involved in the action again minutes later when he played Gerrard through with a wonderful 40-yard pass but John Ruddy palmed the skipper's header away from close range.

Jackson blazed over a good chance to put Norwich back in the game and Suarez made the hosts pay.

Barely 30 seconds after shooting wide while one on one with Ruddy, the Uruguayan pinched the ball off a lazy Turner, nutmegged the defender and slotted finished from 12 yards before goading the home supporters in his celebration.

After seeing his team booed off at half-time, Chris Hughton brought on Holt and the Canaries started playing much better.

Hughton's team should have pulled one back in the 46th minute when Jackson fired a cross the box with a volley but the ball cannoned off Robert Snodgrass' knee and flew over the bar from barely two yards.

Once again Norwich were made to pay for their miss as Suarez came in off the flank and unselfishly squared to Sahin, who made it 3-0. Some Norwich fans had seen enough and left even though the game was only 56 minutes old.

Andrew Surman blazed a terrible shot wide and almost predictably Liverpool went down the other end and scored.

Norwich foolishly stood off Suarez and he curled a brilliant finished wide of the outstretched Ruddy to complete his hat-trick.

The Canaries restored some pride soon after when Reina spilled Russell Martin's shot in to the path of Morison and he calmly swept home.

Liverpool underlined their dominance with little over 20 minutes left when Sterling took advantage of a slip by Javier Garrido to square for Gerrard, who scored thanks to a big deflection off Barnett that wrong-footed Ruddy.

Suarez almost bagged his fourth four minutes later when he latched on to Gerrard's pass down the left wing, but the forward could only find the side-netting.

The away fans sung the names of Suarez and Rodgers in the dying minutes, clearly delighted at their team's first win of the season.

The home fans, meanwhile, vented their frustration by booing their team off as their winless run under Hughton continued.

Rodgers Hails Luis Master Class

Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to a striking master class from Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan struck a hat-trick to help Liverpool to their first league win of the season against Norwich at Carrow Road.

Suarez repeated his heroics of last season's corresponding fixture by netting a treble before the hour-mark, becoming the first player in the Reds' history to net hat-tricks in the same away league fixture in successive campaigns.

Nuri Sahin and Steven Gerrard were also on target on a highly satisfactory afternoon for the visitors, but it will be Suarez who will undoubtedly grab Sunday's headlines.

"I remember his game last year and his goals were incredible," said Rodgers. "I've got to say, this was another master class in finishing.

"His first goal was terrific. We built it from behind and played through the lines. There was a nice combination on the edge of the box and he finished it well.

"His second one typifies him because 10 seconds earlier he missed probably his easiest chance [of the afternoon]. He doesn't get disappointed and immediately he gets back onto the ball and with an incredible piece of skill, he nutmegs the defender and finishes with the outside of his foot.

"It was a special day for him - and more importantly, a special day for the team.

"I thought the performance and how we got between the lines, and played and passed, and had relentless possession was pleasing."

The win is Liverpool's first in the Barclays Premier League during Rodgers' tenure - and the manager was keen to highlight the 'outstanding' efforts of his players at Carrow Road.

He said: "Obviously I'm very content. I'm not surprised because our performance level up to now has been very, very good - apart from one game against Arsenal, and when we went down to 10 men away at West Brom.

"I've got to say, the quality of our game and play was outstanding. I know Norwich is a wonderful club and over the past few years it's been a real difficult place to come.

"To arrive here and score five goals, and play like we did, was outstanding."

Meanwhile, journalists asked Rodgers for his thoughts on Liverpool's first-half penalty appeal which was waved away after Suarez appeared to be hauled down in the box by Norwich defender Leon Barnett.

"I thought it was a stonewall penalty," said the boss. "I feel for the guy, I've got to be honest. I think everyone in the ground knew it was a penalty.

"There is nothing we can do. I know how difficult the referee's job is. You'll never hear me criticizing referees and officials often. I want my players to respect them - and I look to respect the referees as well."

"I spoke to Mike Riley in the week and put across my concerns because it has been a trend over a number of games.

"Maybe one day we will get the decisions, but until that day we'll just continue to concentrate on our performances."

Gerrard - Miracle To Win Title

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has admitted it would be a 'miracle' if the Anfield outfit can claim the Premier League title before he hangs up his boots.

The 32-year-old England international feels that the Merseyside giants, who won the last of their 18 English titles back in 1990, have fallen behind the leading lights in the top flight in recent years, a point illustrated by their eighth-place finish last season.

New manager Brendan Rodgers was brought in over the summer to replace Kenny Dalglish and finally picked up his first league win of the new season at the sixth time of asking with a 5-2 romp against Norwich.

With the club in a transitional phase, Gerrard believes that finishing in the top four this term amid the ever-increasing competition in the Premier League and securing a return to the UEFA Champions League should be their main target.

He told the Sunday Times: "There's not just (Manchester) United and Arsenal now but City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Newcastlecoming as well. The Premier League has become a lot more difficult to win for everyone.

"We were eighth last year. If this season goes well, we get a bit of luck, improve, we have an outside, no, a 50-50 chance of being in the top four. That's being realistic. It's achievable.

"But even if we do sneak into the top four I'll be 33 at the end of the season, so that's why it'll be a miracle if we win the title before I finish.

"But I'll keep fighting. I'll keep trying and see what happens."

Gerrard has also revealed how an infection in a seemingly minor ankle injury last season threatened to bring his career to a premature conclusion, with emergency surgery required just two hours after he was eating a pre-match meal with the rest of the team prior to the clash with West Brom.

He said: "The doctor was unhappy with the colour and size and had sent the sample for tests. There was a severe infection.

"If I hadn't had the fluid out within 24 hours I wouldn't have had a cartilage. The bug would have eaten it. I'd probably have never played again, or even trained.

"In my mind, as the operation began, was, 'This could be the end'.

"I owe the doc and Chris Morgan, our physio. Last year put my career into perspective."

Liverpool To Offer Theo Walcott A New Home In January

Liverpool finally showed some proof of the major transformation in the offense with a five goal bashing of Norwich City in their Saturday September 29th match at Carrow Road in the Barclay's English Premier League.

However, there are still many things to tinker with and fix for the Reds going forward. Although Luis Suarez scored his second hat trick at the same ground in less than five months, he cannot hold the line at the Merseyside club alone.

The loan move of Andy Carroll to West Ham and the failure of Liverpool to sign an adequate replacement in the transfer window left the side with limited options going forward. The likes of Fabio Borini, Adam Morgan, and Samed Yesil are all not ready to be the permanent solution or partner of Luis Suarez.

Liverpool is believed highly likely to make a big move in the January market to add some additional firepower to the front line and ease the burden of Luis Suarez. According to the Daily Mirror, that signing could potentially be Theo Walcott of Arsenal.

The continued failure of the London club to sign him to a new deal has cast much speculation on his current place at the Emirates Stadium. With Arsene Wenger refusing to play him from the opening whistle until a deal is done the frustrations are mounting for the young England international.

Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool are believed to be set to offer Walcott an out and out striking role as part of his tenure at Anfield if he were to join the club. That is a position he has wanted for some time at Arsenal, but his pace on the right side has made him a permanent winger to Wenger.

The rotational pass and move style of the new look Liverpool could even offer Walcott more opportunities on goal from the right and thus give him all the more reason to make a move if the price is right for all parties.

Spaniard Set For Liverpool Contract Offer

Liverpool will reward emerging starlet Suso with a new contract following an impressive first-team breakthrough, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The 18-year-old Spaniard - signed by Rafa Benitez from Cadiz in 2010 - has forced his way into contention since taking his place on the pre-season tour of North America.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers handed Suso his first Premier League start in yesterday's emphatic 5-2 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road, where the youngster turned in another assured performance.

And, with the teenager's contract set to expire next summer, talks over a new Anfield deal are already underway, with the Northern Irishman determined to keep him on Merseyside.

"The contract is something we're looking at," confirmed Rodgers. "Suso makes things happen. He is tactically very good and strong technically with the ball.

"I love that type of player. You saw that when he came on against West Brom for the goal. He took the ball out of a tight space. Talent finds space and he is a real talent.

"He worked the ball well to (Oussama) Assaidi and we got the goal. He knows he still has a lot to learn but he's a good kid."

Suso made his senior debut in the Europa League against Young Boys before impressing again when he came off the bench in the Premier League clash with Manchester United.

Liverpool Monitor Real Madrid Midfielder

Liverpool will monitor Mesut Ozil's situation at Real Madrid after the German midfielder was given a kick up the backside by manager Jose Mourinho.

The Sunday Mirror reports how the 23-year-old has not enjoyed the best of seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, and could be allowed to leave the club at the end of the season.

Brendan Rodgers is a huge fan of Ozil, and with Liverpool having held a long-term interest in bringing him to Anfield, a move to Merseyside looks increasingly likely.

Ozil - who has 41 caps and 12 goals for Germany - is still under contract in Spain until 2016, but following the arrival of fellow playmaker Luka Modric, his future in Madrid appears increasingly uncertain.

Liverpool already has Nuri Sahin on loan from Real, and that relationship with Mourinho, could help push through negotiations between the two clubs, should Ozil become available.

The Reds tried to sign the player from Werder Bremen when he first moved to La Liga, and will hold out hope of finally landing their man.

In response to rumours that his extravagant social life is ruining his performances on the pitch, Ozil recently took to Facebook to clarify his situation.

"About the rumour I go often out at night: It's not true! Since new season started, I was almost never out. I train and work as a professional," he posted.

Liverpool Targeting Newcastle's Demba Ba

Liverpool is considering a move for Newcastle striker Demba Ba after the Magpies reportedly said they were unwilling to meet his contract demands.

According to reports the Senegalese hitman, who has a £7.5 million release clause, is seeking an increase to his £50,000-a-week contract, which Liverpool would be able to provide.

The Merseyside club beat Norwich 5-2 on Saturday but has found it tough in front of goal this season with only Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez to choose from up front.

Ba would bolster Liverpool's front line having netted an impressive six goals this term, putting him at the top of the Premier League goal scoring chart.

Newcastle are said to be unhappy with the 27-year-old's representatives and are reportedly ready to let him go and try their luck with a renewed bid for Liverpool striker Andy Caroll.

The Premier League hotshot signed for the Toon in 2011 and scored an impressive 17 goals in his first season at the club.

Ba's form suffered though when he was moved out wide to accommodate his countryman Papiss Cissé, who signed for Newcastle in January this year.

At the time Ba's agent Alex Gontran said: 'Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba doesn’t understand the management.

'If he continues to be a substitute all season we will look at other solutions.'

Rodgers Tells Stewart Downing To Fight For Future

Brendan Rodgers has told 28-year-old left winger Stewart Downing that he must fight for his shirt or lose out to young players.

Downing joined Liverpool from Aston Villa in a £20million move last summer, and has seen teenager Raheem Sterling overtake him in the pecking order.

Speaking to national newspapers he said: "Stewart is a good guy and a good lad who came here for an awful lot of money. It hasn't quite worked out for him as he would want it. The big challenge for him now is that commitment to the cause to fight, because he has the qualities.

"He has a wonderful left foot but what is important is that it is more than talent. Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard, you have to fight for the shirt. We have seen that in a number of the young players and if you don't do that then longer-term you won't be here. It is as simple as that really."

Another man to have found chances hard to come by under Rodgers is Jose Enrique, the £6million recruit from Newcastle.

"What is important is that you have good communication. I don't waste my time waiting until January to tell both players what I know now. So they know in relation to the demands of what we want and certainly what it is going to take for us to succeed and for them to fit into the dynamics of the group," Rodgers added.

"The communication I will keep private between Stewart and I, but he is under no illusions that he has to fight."

Enrique Is No Way Unhappy

Jose Enrique is browned off with life at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.

But it is nothing to do with the shaky start the Anfield giants have had to their Premier League season under the new Kop boss.

For Spanish star Enrique, 26, insists on topping up his tan with regular sun bed sessions prompting a tirade of teasing jibes from his team-mates.

Yet the left-back says he is more focused on the warm glow provided by ex-Swansea chief Rodgers – and has vowed to help Liverpool get back on track.

He said: “Yes, my team-mates make a lot of jokes about me when they see me looking at my tan in the mirror but I don’t care – I would lose my tan if I didn’t go on the sun bed.”

Enrique reckons Rodgers has a tough task ahead because of less than satisfactory transfer dealings in the summer.

He said: “The turbulence in the summer is no excuse for players.

“You sign and you must play but of course it was frustrating in the summer as we let many players go and not many came in.

“Our squad has many young players. They can do well for us and we still have great players in the team and it is our mistake why we are where we are now.

“Qualifying for the Champions League would be a dream but I don’t know how long this will take.

“You have to be realistic. You see the level of Man City and Chelsea’s spending in the summer and it is going to be tough.”

And Enrique, who appears in FIFA13, believes Rodgers will continue trying to imitate Barca’s style of play.

He said: “You can’t compare to Barcelona because they are a different team. Of course we try to put their type of play in this team but it takes time.

“Players need time to understand the way to play.

“The manager wants us to play 4-4-3 and press up high but it is hard if you have not played that way.‘‘

U18s Win At Fulham

Liverpool U18s produced a superb performance to get their first win of the season with a 3-1 win at Fulham on Saturday.

Steve Cooper's side was full value for their victory and got the win courtesy of goals from Jerome Sinclair, Kristoffer Peterson and Yalany Baio.

Cooper told Liverpoolfc.com: "The lads played very well and I am delighted for them.

"We played some great football, created lots of chances and this win has been coming.

"We have played well this season but our problem has been not putting away the chances we are creating, but today our finishing was clinical.

"It was a really positive performance and the lads have worked so hard."

Liverpool U18s team: Fulton, Quirk, Maguire, Williams, Jones, Baio, Peterson, Lussey, Sinclair, Trickett-Smith (Randall 75), Gainford.

Former Azzurri Boss Among Top Suitors For Liverpool

Liverpool is contemplating replacing their current manager Brendan Rodgers and Marcello Lippi is rumored to be one of the top candidates, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

Although the Reds would prefer Roy Hodgson, he might be unavailable should he continue to take charge of the national team.

Alongside Lippi, former Internazionale coach Rafa Benitez is also listed among the top suitors.

Liverpool has had a dismal start to their season, picking only two points from their first five games.

Match Preview: Norwich v Liverpool

Liverpool will hope a strong record against Norwich City in the Premier League will bring their first top-flight win of the season on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers has yet to record a domestic three points since moving to Anfield, including last weekend's defeat by Manchester United, and will be desperate to address the struggles.

West Bromwich Albion was beaten at the beginning of Liverpool's League Cup defence in midweek but the Premier League is the priority.

And Rodgers will be pleased to know he has inherited a club record of having won five and lost none of the last six Premier League matches against Norwich.

Liverpool is also unbeaten in their last four visits to Carrow Road, winning the last three in a row, including Luis Suarez's hat-trick in this fixture last season.

Norwich have endured similar struggles in the Premier League and, like Rodgers, Chris Hughton has yet to record a win.

They sit just one place and point above relegation zone occupants Liverpool but Doncaster were defeated in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday and there could be some momentum.

Norwich has been counting the cost of their victory over Doncaster with the news Harry Kane could be sidelined for six weeks.

The 19-year-old striker, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, damaged his ankle in the 1-0 win against the League One club.

Kane is also understood to have broken a metatarsal, although the full extent of the injury has not yet been confirmed.

Centre-back Daniel Agger has a good chance of being fit for Liverpool despite being carried off on a stretcher last weekend.

The Denmark international sustained bone bruising in the defeat by United but could retain his place in the starting line-up, although forward Fabio Borini (ankle) is rated at 50-50.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is suspended while Martin Kelly's knee operation means there is a decision to make in defence with left-back Jose Enrique still injured.

Gerrard: First Win Is Crucial

Steven Gerrard admits the pressure is growing in the Liverpool dressing room as they go in search of their first win of the Premier League season against Norwich.

The Reds have taken just two points from their opening five league matches, which have included home games against champions Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Their next three fixtures - against Norwich, Stoke and Reading - are definitely winnable on paper and Gerrard knows they must start converting their encouraging recent performances into victories.

"We have a run of games coming up now where there are points we should be taking but the longer it (not winning) goes on the more difficult it is going to get so it is important against Norwich we take maximum points," said the 32-year-old.

"If you look at the performances against City and United we should have six [more] points so it is not a case of 'they're out the way now, let's go beat the sides we should beat'.

"I think what we need to do is keep playing like we have done and hopefully we'll get the rub of the green, get referee's decisions in our favour and we will go on and take maximum points.

"Of course it puts more pressure on us. If we had won against United and beaten City everyone would be saying about how good a result it was at Sunderland (a 1-1 draw).

"But because that win hasn't come it seems as if we dropped points at Sunderland, so it is no good getting a point from these tough away games any more, we need to win them."

Carra Praises Rodgers' Bravery

Jamie Carragher has hailed Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for being brave enough to put faith in the club's emerging talent.

Veteran defender Carragher again saw at first hand the potential of some of the budding stars of the future during Wednesday night's 2-1 win at West Brom in the Capital One Cup.

On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin scored both goals, wiping out an early opener from Gabriel Tamas, as holders Liverpool retained their grip on the trophy and set up a home tie with Rodgers' former club Swansea.

But others such as left-winger Oussama Assaidi, who laid on the winner, caught the eye, while Jerome Sinclair became Liverpool's youngest player at 16 years and six days as a late substitute.

Carragher said: "We believe that we have good young players at Liverpool.

"But you can have the best kids and academy in the world, and if the manager isn't brave enough to play them, then it doesn't make any difference.

"You have to give the manager credit for having the balls to play them and for the lads to have the sort of character they showed as well at West Brom after going 1-0 down.

"It isn't just the ability they have, it's the character as well. It's not just against West Brom that they've showed that. It was last week as well in the Europa League (against Young Boys).

"He's giving players a chance and they have to grasp it. So far they're doing that."

Carragher acknowledges the challenge facing Rodgers, who has admitted he has only 12 fit senior players ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Norwich.

He said: "It's difficult for the manager, we're in four competitions and the squad's a bit threadbare at moment.

"We missed out on a couple of players in the transfer window on the last day.

"We also have a few injuries as well, so it's difficult for the manager to juggle it all.

"I'm sure a lot of people looked at the team sheet at West Brom and thought it was going to be a difficult night for us.

"After the first 10 minutes maybe they were being proven right. But credit to the young players here."

Molby: Nuri Deserves Norwich Start

Jan Molby lauded the influence of on-loan midfielder Nuri Sahin after the Turkey international inspired a young Liverpool side to an important victory over West Brom on Wednesday night.

Anfield's Great Dane, who knows all about influencing matches from the centre of the park, was delighted to see Sahin pulling the strings and dictating the pace of the game at The Hawthorns.

And he believes the 24-year-old's decisive contribution mid-week should be rewarded with a starting berth for the Reds' trip to Norwich on Saturday.

"The performance of Nuri Sahin on Wednesday night did not come as a surprise to many of us, least of all myself," Molby wrote in his Liverpool Echo column. "I have written about the midfielder before and how much I like him as a player.

"He is starting to show us his form now and at the Hawthorns we caught glimpses of that football arrogance he plays with, which was great.

"Sahin was at the heart of a lot of what was good about Liverpool in the Capital One Cup against West Bromwich Albion.

"He deserves to start at Norwich City. He would go into my team for the weekend because we need players who can influence games."

Sahin fired the Reds' equalizer from distance before putting the finishing touches to an intricate 10-pass move to set-up a meeting with Swansea at Anfield in the fourth round.

The side was largely unchanged from the XI that secured a memorable 5-3 victory over Young Boys in Bern last Thursday and Molby is thrilled with the way the youthful outfit have displayed both character and composure during the two ties.

"What really encouraged me about the team was that they were confident in looking for those risky final passes, which would get them into dangerous positions," explained Molby.

"Barring one of two changes, it was the same side that went over to Switzerland last week and defeated Young Boys.

"And again, there was a real flow to their game. These lads have been given an opportunity and a lot of them have taken it with both hands.

"But not only did they impress everyone with their technique and skill at West Brom in midweek, but also their ability to dig in and show character.

"Brendan Rodgers was particularly pleased with the manner in which they fought back.

"The way Suso has played recently and with the confidence he has, I don't see any point in keeping him on the bench.

Meanwhile, Molby was keen to look ahead to Saturday's trip to Carrow Road with a degree of caution, pointing to manager Chris Hughton's ability to inspire his players as one of The Canaries' key strengths.

"Hughton is very much in the Paul Lambert mould of management and gets the players onside," said Molby. "He gets them working very well and he manages well, considering the limitations placed upon him.

"Norwich have had a difficult start to the season but remain a well organized side who will work as hard as anyone in the league."

"Up front, they have a real physical threat with Grant Holt and so, with Daniel Agger still a doubt, an important selection issue arises as who to partner Martin Skrtel at centre-half.

"With the current appetite for a new Liverpool, and the way he looked very comfortable on Wednesday night, I would select Sebastian Coates."

LFC Considering Offer For £10m Serie A Star

With Jamie Carragher winding down, and Daniel Agger still prime to picking up injuries, Liverpool could be in the market for another central defender in January, and according to new reports in Italy, the Reds are tracking Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia, and are considering making a 'tempting' offer.

Liverpool manager tried to sign the no-nonsense defender during the summer transfer window, but a deal could not be concluded.

In March - when Kenny Dalglish was at the helm - Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo confirmed that Liverpool were interested. He told Radio KK:

"Arsenal and Liverpool have contacted me [about Benatia], but there is no mention of a transfer fee. At the end of the season we will see how it goes"

Chelsea and Manchester United are also reportedly interested in the £10m-rated defender, and with Nemanja Vidic injured again, And Rio Ferdinand getting older, Liverpool could face stiff competition for the Benatia's signature.

Central defence may not appear to be Liverpool's immediate priority, but it's arguably an area of the team that needs to be addressed.

Liverpool fans will get to see Benatia in action soon during the club's Europa League double-header with Udinese next month.

David Villa Reveals Summer Liverpool Inquiry

Liverpool has taken a lot of flak for not signing a star striker over the summer. Manager Brendan Rodgers has been frustrated to nearly no end that he was not allowed to bring in another player in the place of Andy Carroll. Having loaned the big Geordie striker to West Ham United, the Reds were left with only Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini as first team attackers.

However, it appears that aside from the failed attempt to sign Clint Dempsey from Fulham, the club were interested in a world class forward that has revealed he would have accepted the chance to move to the famous English club had his injury not prevented the summer transfer.

That world class striker is Barcelona and Spanish international David Villa. A leg break suffered in the club world cup last winter saw him miss the second half of the 2011/12 campaign as well as the European Championships for his country.

It has been revealed that Villa had indeed been interested in the potential move to Merseyside and has sparked debate that he could be a massive winter transfer period signing for Liverpool. According to both El Confidencial and Caught Offside, Villa is ready and willing to discuss his options.

If the Liverpool owners want a true solution to their scoring issues upfront, the combination of Villa and Luis Suarez with the support of Fabio Borini could be one of the most deadly front three groupings in the EPL. The creative ability of Villa could also potentially bring Steven Gerrard that much more back into the game for the Reds in the second half.

Suarez Defends Premier League Referees

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has refused to put the blame on referees regarding decisions that have gone against him this season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers yesterday revealed that he had spoken to Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd; irate with perceived mistreatment his players have been receiving this season. One of the northern Irish manager’s biggest gripes surrounded the incident at Anfield last Sunday, where the referee failed to award Suarez a penalty after a challenge from Manchester United’s Jonny Evans.

But the Uruguayan international has taken a more thoughtful approach, and has conceded that referees are tasked with a difficult enough job where mistakes can be made.

“There are times when the referee gets it right and others when he doesn't but that's all part and parcel of the game,” the forward told Sky Sports.

"It's happened in the last few games, like against Manchester United when the penalty shout on me wasn't given and then the one on (Antonio) Valencia was.

"But talking about it doesn't solve anything - the referee has a split second to see an incident. Let's just hope that it doesn't happen again in the future.”

Brendan Rodgers bemoaned a number of decisions that have gone against his side in the last week, particularly aggrieved with the decisions that saw Suarez’s penalty claim turned down and Jonjo Shelvey’s shown a red card.

Borini Wanted To Stay In Italy

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini would have welcomed a stay in Italy, his agent has revealed.

The Italian international arrived at Anfield for a fee of £10.5 million; just weeks after Roma had signed the remaining 50% of the player’s contract from Parma. Prior to his move to the Premier League, Borini was co-owned by Serie A sides Parma and Roma, a common circumstance in Serie A.

After a successful campaign, the Rome side paid Parma a fee of €5.3 million to acquire the other 50% of Borini’s rights and own the player outright. Little over two weeks later, the forward became Brendan Rodgers’ first signing as Liverpool boss.

But speaking to Italian radio station, Radio Incontro, Borini’s agent Marco De Marchi has suggested the striker would have been happy to stay at Roma. “His move to Liverpool happened very quickly, he wanted to stay at Rome. (and was prepared to even buy a house there.”

De Marchi was also quick to add that a move to Merseyside was a welcomed alternative.

“However, then the directors eventually decided to sell him to Liverpool and that was certainly a welcome destination for him.”

The 21-year-old, who Brendan Rodgers also signed on loan from Chelsea while he was managing Swansea City, has hit the back of the net just once so far this campaign, against Belarusian side Gomel in a Europa League qualifier.

Barnes: Education The Answer To Racism

John Barnes has told ESPN that "we are all unconscious racists" and said the punishments handed to Luis Suarez and John Terry are not the answer to ridding football of racism.

On Thursday, Chelsea captain Terry was fined £220,000 and given a four-match ban after an FA commission found him guilty of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a match at Loftus Road in October 2011.

In December 2011, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was given an eight-match ban and fined £40,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in their match at Anfield on October 15.

Barnes, though, believes that education is the most effective way of clamping down on racism in the sport and suggested that everyone is guilty of "unconscious racism".

The former Liverpool winger told ESPN: "The trouble is stereotyping. We are all unconscious racists. It's what you think as much as what you say.

"If players are careful not to say it, [in order] to avoid bans, you cannot stop them thinking it. It just drives it all underground, and that can make it worse.

"So the approach of heavy-handed punishments isn't the answer. If you want to get rid of unconscious racism, you have to understand its causes and understand that people like John Terry and Luis Suarez are not going to change the way they think.

"The answer is through education, awareness, tolerance, and it is vital that we teach a new generation racial tolerance. It is about understanding the unconscious racism that can exist in all of us. It can exist in myself, but I can recognize it and deal with it.

"But the FA punishing John Terry and Luis Suarez won't change the way people think. It fails to get to the root of the problem.

"We need people to discuss the issues and not to be afraid of them, as they are now, and it is not the point whether you think John Terry is a racist or not.

"John Terry has been carrying his opinions for the whole of his life. His opinions about black people haven't changed, and he cannot help feeling the way he does about black people.

"But we all have to tackle the cause, the reasons why we feel this intolerance, rather than tackle the symptoms of it. John Terry is no different to anyone else - he is an unconscious racist, just as we all are."