Match Report: Liverpool 3 - 1 Crystal Palace

Liverpool's return to the top of the Premier League was confirmed by an impressive first-half performance which saw Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge steal the show again.

The pair had dispelled suggestions they were not entirely compatible as a front two with all the goals in the 3-1 win at Sunderland last week.

This was more of the same as they scored the Reds' first two, which were followed by a Steven Gerrard penalty for his 99th Premier League goal, in another 3-1 success.

It took the strike duo's tally when both on the pitch at the same time to 16 goals, averaging a goal less than every 70 minutes.

Individually their statistics are formidable, together they are devastating.

Suarez has 19 goals in his last 22 games, while Sturridge has 19 in 24 games since joining in January, including eight in nine matches this season.

Sturridge's form would seem to make him a certain starter for England's important World Cup qualifying double-header next week - injury permitting.

He missed the last two internationals a month ago, coincidentally when Liverpool last went to the top of the table, with a thigh injury and minor concerns were raised about his fitness when he fell awkwardly in the first half, even though he managed to play 87 minutes.

Sturridge was watched by England coach Roy Hodgson, who had dashed down the M62 after watching Manchester City's earlier victory over Everton.

Sat nearby was Kenny Dalglish, whose return to the club in as non-executive director 17 months after he was sacked to be replaced by Brendan Rodgers.

Part of his remit is an advisory role but on this evidence there will not be much he can tell his successor after five wins in his opening seven league matches. Substitute Dwight Gayle's 77th-minute consolation had no impact on this one.

Liverpool were up and running after 14 minutes when Victor Moses' cross-field run delivered the ball to Suarez who instinctively rolled it into the path of the overlapping Jose Enrique.

The Spaniard knew exactly what to do, getting to the byline and cutting back to Suarez, who improvised brilliantly as he fell to the ground under pressure from Jason Puncheon, hooking the ball home while on his way down on one knee.

Within three minutes Liverpool had doubled their lead, with Suarez and Enrique playing a minor part this time.

The Reds left-back tried to pick out the Uruguayan with a long pass out of defence and, with Adrian Mariappa coming out to challenge, the ball went over their heads and put Sturridge in one-on-one with Damien Delaney in the inside-left channel.

Sturridge changed directions three times on his way into the penalty area, leaving his marker all at sea, with the final switch giving the England striker just enough room to fire an angled shot across Julian Speroni and inside the far post.

Liverpool have never lost a Premier League home game having led by two goals, winning a remarkable 311 of 313 and, despite the odd chance falling Palace's way, that record was never likely to be threatened.

The Enrique, Suarez, Sturridge triumvirate was in overdrive as another incisive move cut open the Palace defence and only the outstretched foot of Delaney prevented Sturridge sliding home.

Even when Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel took each other out going for the same ball to put Jimmy Kebe through, Kolo Toure swept up in the six-yard area to prevent the first shot going in and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved Puncheon's follow-up.

Sakho's good fortune continued when he sliced just wide of his own post after Mignolet failed to deal with low left-wing cross.

The match was over as a contest in the 38th minute when left-back Dean Moxey's pull on Raheem Sterling, starting his first league match since January in place of the suspended Lucas Leiva, was spotted by assistant referee Richard West.

Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and Gerrard, making his 638th appearance to replace Tommy Smith in seventh place in the club's all-time list, stroked home.

The sight of Rodgers taking his seat in the dug-out before his side had even emerged for the second half told its own story.

Palace had a better second half and was eventually rewarded with a goal after taking advantage of Liverpool's frailties at set-pieces.

Half-time substitutes Jose Campana and Gayle combined with the former curling in a free-kick from out wide on the left and the latter touching it in.

Sturridge could have had his second when he hit a post late on and England will hope he can carry that form on to the international stage.

Rodgers Criticises Liverpool Despite Win

Another ruthless display from Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge returned Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 defeat of Crystal Palace, but Brendan Rodgers reprimanded his side for their "lack of control" at Anfield.

Suárez marked his first competitive home appearance since collecting a 10-match ban in April with a fine opening goal for Liverpool, his third in two league games since returning from suspension. Sturridge scored his eighth of the season in front of the watching Roy Hodgson and was declared fit afterwards for England's World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

With the exception of his "SAS" strike force, the Liverpool manager was unhappy with his team after Palace missed several excellent chances before Dwight Gayle's late consolation. Rodgers, who kicked a collection of water bottles in disgust when Liverpool was leading 2-0, said: "In the final third it was very good. Those two boys up front [Suárez and Sturridge] are as good as anything in the league. We took our goals well but the second half was nowhere near where we wanted to be. In my first season we were guilty of playing well and not getting the result. Here we got the win without playing great."

Rodgers said the display rekindled memories of one of his most disappointing experiences in football, despite Liverpool replacing Arsenal at the Premier League summit. "I am not the type of coach who only wants the win" he said. "It reminded me of a performance I had when I first became a manager, when I knew it had to be about more than just winning. At Watford we beat Swansea 2-0 at Vicarage Road. Everyone was elated and it was named the performance of the week but I was so disappointed because we didn't keep the ball well. This was like that. Our movement and combinations in the final third was good but the lack of control behind that was very disappointing."

But the Liverpool manager was lavish in his praise for Sturridge and Suárez. He added: "There are not many better in this league. Their movement and understanding was outstanding. They give us a real thrust on the counterattack away from home with their pace and they are clever against teams who defend deep here. They have a telepathic nature and with them anything is possible."

Holloway: Palace Didn’t Deserve Liverpool Defeat

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway believes their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool was harsh on his side’s performance throughout their visit to Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit was in full flow in the opening half, with strike duo Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez netting a goal apiece, while captain Steven Gerrard slotted home a penalty.

The decision to award the spot kick was dubious after Reds winger Raheem Sterling went to ground far too easily, while the Eagles did well to rally back after the break, with Dwight Gayle scoring his second of the season with a flicked header.

Going into the break 3-0 up, Liverpool turned off the gas somewhat when they emerged for the second 45 minutes, and Holloway lamented his side’s costly missed chances as they attempted a comeback after the restart.

“Missing the odd opportunity we had on the break was important," said the Palace boss.

“We need to get some confidence, and there was enough fidgeting from Brendan Rodgers next to me, I can assure you, but unfortunately we’re being punished for any singular mistake we’re making at the moment.

“We had a couple of chances but unfortunately if you don’t take them at this level it can be pretty unforgiving.

“I don’t think we deserved to be 3-0 down at half time on the balance of overall play.

“To go into the break 3-0 down, and in that fashion, I’m pretty upset to be honest.

“But we’ve got to bounce back and take some solace from our second-half performance, a lot of teams would have completely capitulated but we didn’t.”

Toure: Suarez & Sturridge Are The Best

Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are the best attacking duo in the Premier League, according to their team-mate Kolo Toure.

Both forwards scored in Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, making it five goals between them in the two matches since Suarez's return from a 10-match suspension.

"They are the best pair in the league definitely," said Toure after the Palace match. "They work well together, they respect each other and they are so strong up front.

"Suarez is a great player and that is why we wanted him to stay because he is a big striker and to have someone like him and Sturridge is important."

Liverpool Prepared To Make January Bid For Traore

Liverpool is reportedly ready to take their interest in Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lacina Troare to the next level by making an offer in the January transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, Traore has been told he is allowed to leave the club with Liverpool firm favourites to sign the Ivory Coast international.

Liverpool has already attempted to sign the 6ft 8in striker before Anzhi pulled out late in the negotiations, the article reports, and will try to take advantage of Anzhi’s financial problems which has seen them sell Willian and Samuel Eto’o to Chelsea.

The Metro reports that Traore’s agent, Dmitry Selyuk, has said that the player is free to leave Russia should a good enough offer come in during the transfer window.

“If a good offer arrives that suits us then Lacina is free to leave in January,” said Selyuk.

“The demand for him is huge in Russia and especially in Europe.”

The tall striker has a good record in his last 27 games for Anzhi, scoring 13 goals as he hopes to land himself a move to a bigger club.

Suarez Happy With Sturridge

Luis Suarez insists he could not be happier playing alongside Daniel Sturridge for a Liverpool side that has made a promising start in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Liverpool returned to the top of the table after a convincing 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Crystal Palace on Saturday to notch their fifth victory in seven league matches this season.

And Suarez insisted there is no rivalry between himself and the England striker, explaining the pair are desperate to continue to build on their blossoming strike partnership.

"When you have one big striker and a very good player in Daniel, I am so happy," Suarez told LFC TV. "We compete for the shirt of Liverpool and we try our best for the team, not for me or him.

"He tries his best for the team and tries his best to play with me."

"Last season we didn't play very well and we finished in a bad position and this season we'll try to be better," added the 26-year-old.

"If we stay with the same football style and try for the win every game, we can try for the top four."

Sturridge Ready For England

In-form Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says he is desperate to continue his goal-scoring run with England.

The Premier League's top-scorer was forced out of England's crucial double header with Ukraine and Moldova last month - but he is now available for the final two qualifiers with Poland and Montenegro.

Sturridge is now hoping that his form for Liverpool will be enough to earn a start for Roy Hodgson's side.

"I'm fit and ready to go and I'm really happy about that, as I was really gutted to miss the last two England games," said Sturridge.

"I feel I'm in the form of my life and hope to give the England boss a selection problem."

Wayne Rooney also missed England's last double-header, but like Sturridge is now available and captain Steven Gerrard is delighted to have both available.

"I'm glad Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge will be available for us after missing the last two games because they are players that can make an awful lot of difference to the squad," said Gerrard.

"Every opposition will have their tricky players and Montenegro and Poland with have their match winners as well, but we will have the better match winners - I tell you that!"

Dalglish Returns To Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish is to return to Liverpool after accepting an invitation to join the board of directors at Anfield.

Dalglish, who left the club in May 2012 after 17 months in his second spell as manager, will take up his new role as a non-executive board director immediately following discussions with club owners Fenway Sports Group, managing director Ian Ayre and manager Brendan Rodgers.

As a player, he won six league titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, three European Cups and one Super Cup with Liverpool, becoming player-manager in 1985 and helping the club to another three league titles and two FA Cup victories.

Spells at Blackburn and Newcastle followed before returning to Liverpool in January 2011 as caretaker boss following the departure of Roy Hodgson.

He was named permanent successor in May 2011 and steered the club to League Cup success and an FA Cup final the following season before leaving with the team finishing a disappointing eighth in the Premier League.

A Liverpool statement read: "The new role will allow the ownership and senior management to benefit not just from the Anfield legend's decades of experience, but also his close affinity with supporters."

Dalglish said: "It is an honour and privilege to be asked to return to Liverpool as a director of the club. I have always said if there is anything I could do to help this club I would make myself available - when the call came I had no hesitation.

"I am looking forward to working with the board of directors and contributing to the strategic issues that affect Liverpool Football Club. Liverpool has given me and my family so much since we came here just over 36 years ago and my priority is and will always be to have the club's best interests at heart."

Fenway Sports Group principal owner John W Henry added: "We are delighted Kenny has accepted our offer to join Liverpool as a non-executive board director and we are sure he will make a valuable contribution to the club's strategy.

"Kenny has a unique relationship with our supporters and embodies everything that is special about Liverpool. We are thrilled that the club will benefit from his experience and passion for the club and our supporters.

"Kenny has a unique insight on the values and traditions that helped to make Liverpool one of the greatest sporting institutions, not just in football, but in world sport. We are proud and honoured to have him back at the club he has represented with such distinction."

Rodgers said: "When I met with Kenny to discuss this appointment, I was struck by the passion and drive he still has in wanting to see Liverpool return to where it should be; one of the most successful clubs in the world.

"We are all together in that goal - owners and supporters, players and management and also icons such as Kenny Dalglish. I want people around us who have this club and what it stands for in their heart."

Downing Happy To Leave Reds

Stewart Downing admits he was happy to get away from Liverpool after signing for West Ham United in the summer.

Despite featuring heavily last season for Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers had made it clear he could leave.

So Downing did not have to think too much about finalizing the switch to Upton Park.

"I didn't have to think about it that long," Downing says. "I just said: 'OK, I will sign tomorrow.' And that was it. Done," he revealed to the Daily Telegraph.

"Brendan pulled me and said: 'I've just found out they've accepted a fee today.'

"He [Rodgers] said he couldn't promise I would play every week. That's understandable, but at my age [29] I need to play and there's a World Cup coming up so I want to give myself a chance to get into the England squad."

"I need to play. I could not go through that again. I'd missed three or four months when Brendan first came and the season before that I was in and out.

"I came back in the summer and with new players in the [Liverpool] team I was determined to have the attitude: 'It's up to you to try and get my shirt.' And that's how it felt until that conversation.

"It looked like I wasn't going to play [at Liverpool] and with two years left on my contract I knew they wouldn't offer me a new one.

"I didn't want to sit around because Brendan will want to keep on spending and reinforcing and wanting his own team. So I had to make a decision and Sam Allardyce gave me the opportunity."

Downing insists that he has joined an ambitious club.

"There are good ambitions here - moving to the Olympic Stadium and with Andy signing, and with the manager wanting to keep strengthening," he continued.

"I was happy to make that move. It's a great club, a club on the up and finished 10th last year and we want to finish as high as we can.

"He's made it clear to us that he wants to finish higher and I think we can do that. I liked his [Allardyce's] ambitions.

"He's not one to sit around, Sam, he wants to keep improving so I thought it was a good time to come here.

"He's quite persuasive and he's very straightforward, which is all you can ask for as a player.

"He told me to come here, come and enjoy my football and he would improve me as a player - simple things but things that you want to hear.

"I look at it as a whole: am I going to be playing regularly? What type of team is it? Am I going to fit in?

"And the stadium tops it off. All factors come into it but the biggest one for me is playing regularly I didn't have to think about it that long."

Downing, who has 34 caps, has not given up on playing for England again.

"I certainly still want to play for England," he added.

"Obviously I've not played for a long time but you never know. I just want to give myself a chance and coming here and playing well for West Ham gives me a better chance than if I had stayed at Liverpool."

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Liverpool play host to Crystal Palace on Saturday aiming to return to the top of the table for 24 hours at least.

Liverpool bounced back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Sunderland last weekend and they will be keen to keep pace at the top of the table with all three points against Palace.

Brendan Rodgers' side go into the game two points behind leaders Arsenal and victory at Anfield will move them to the summit for 24 hours at least, with the Gunners not in action until Sunday.

Rodgers has recently changed his formation to 3-5-2 and he has a decision to make about whether or not to stick to that when playing at home.

Palace find themselves second from bottom of the table after losing five of their opening six games on their return to the Premier League.

Ian Holloway's men have now gone three games without scoring and they have gone 16 top-flight games without a victory away from Selhurst Park.

Liverpool is without midfielder Lucas Leiva as he serves a one-match ban for picking up five bookings already this season.

Jordan Henderson is expected to revert to Lucas' defensive midfield role with Raheem Sterling hoping to earn a recall to the starting XI.

Luis Suarez is expected to make his first appearance at Anfield after returning from his 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic after making his comeback in away games at Manchester United and Sunderland.

Philippe Coutinho remains on the sidelines as he recovers from shoulder surgery, while Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen are all expected to return after next week's international break.

Sebastian Coates is a long-term absentee after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury on international duty.

Crystal Palace welcome back winger Yannick Bolasie after recovering from a hamstring injury which has sidelined him since pre-season.

The 24-year-old came through a practice game in midweek and he is set to be included in the squad by Ian Holloway.

Long-term absentees Glenn Murray (knee), Jack Hunt and Jonny Williams (both ankle) remain on the sidelines for Palace.

Defensive trio Patrick McCarthy, Damien Delaney and Jonathan Parr are all doubtful for the trip to Anfield.

Rodgers Pleads For Patience

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his team to be patient when Crystal Palace visits Anfield on Saturday.

The Northern Irishman's Reds welcome Ian Holloway's Londoners knowing that a fifth victory of the campaign would see his side sit top of the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Struggling Palace lie second from bottom after one win and five defeats on their return to the top flight but Rodgers insisted he would not underestimate the visitors.

"In the modern game, teams are set up defensively well. Tactically, there is limited space - especially at home," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com.

"You have to be patient, teams aren't going to just turn up and roll over. Especially if you don't get an early goal - a goal in that first 20-25 minutes - then it can be difficult.

"However, we're a team that's evolving and starting to understand that side of football; with every attack, you can't score.

Since the 1-0 defeat by Southampton at home in the league, Rodgers's men have gone down 1-0 at Manchester United in the Capital One Cup but won comfortably 3-1 at Sunderland's Stadium Of Light.

"I'm not one to dwell on too many negatives, to be honest," added the 40-year-old. "We were disappointing in that (Southampton) game; we maybe didn't deserve to lose it but we certainly didn't do enough to win it.

"We reflect on the areas, in terms of the corners, that we can be better at. But then we move on, and we have moved on well with a good performance at Sunderland.

"We love playing at home; Anfield is a good place for us to be. This year, 2013, has shown that. Hopefully we continue with our record, which is playing well there and getting results, and improving that record.

"We understand it will be a difficult game and we will look to get the three points and perform well."

Rodgers Aims To Build Liverpool Around Suarez & Sturridge

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes the partnership between Daniel Sturridge and the retuning Luis Suarez is so good he is comfortable revolving his team around the duo.

In recent weeks, the Northen Irishman has opted to field just three defenders, a tactical choice rarely seen in the Premier League.

The decision allows the Reds manager to pack his midfield with creativity and provide service for in-form Sturridge, who has netted seven goals from eight appearances so far this season.

The England international has done well to carry the Merseyside outfit’s attacking threat on his shoulders over the past months, but his burden has been lessened somewhat with the return of Suarez, who scored a brace in his return to top-flight action in their 3-1 win over Sunderland.

And Rodgers revealed he satisfaction with the current set-up’s suitability to getting the best out of the frontmen.

"It's about exploiting the strengths of our players and I think this does it well for us," said the Liverpool chief.

"In Suarez and Sturridge, I've got what I call two 'nine-and-a-halves'.

"They both like to move, they like to drift and they both like to go into the half-positions in between the lines.

"You've got two great players as your front two and then you build the structure around that.

"I'm not the traditional 4-4-2 man and with the players we've got we can make this system work.

"If you have got them [Sturridge and Suarez] through the middle, moving and inter-changing then your structure has to then change behind that and that's obviously something that we have done."

Second-placed Liverpool has enjoyed a positive start to their Premier League campaign and have a chance to leapfrog leaders Arsenal, who play Sunday, with a victory at home to Crystal Palace over the weekend.

Their last appearance at Anfield saw them slip to a surprise, but slim, defeat to Southampton, but Rodgers is adamant they will not fall into that trap again.

"I am not one to dwell on too many negatives," he said.

"We were disappointing in that game, we maybe didn't deserve to lose it but we didn't deserve to win it. We have moved on well.

"There are still lots of areas that we can be better but we have confidence and belief at the moment.

"We are team who are evolving and we are starting to understand that side of football that with every attack you can't score, sometimes you have to disrupt your opponents' organization and then make goals from there and that requires patience from the players and supporters.

"The beauty for me is that I think we've still got a lot of improvement to make and we'll just look to keep winning the next game."

Liverpool Line Up January Move For PSG Rebel

Liverpool is preparing a £5million move for Paris Saint-Germain winger - and former Manchester United and Arsenal target - Jeremy Menez, reports the London Metro.

The 26-year-old was heavily linked with the Merseyside club during the summer, after an impressive season in France, where he scored eight goals and made 11 assists to help PSG to the Ligue 1 title.

But, after a transfer failed to materialize, the France international remained at Parc des Princes, and began the 2013/14 campaign under the new stewardship of Laurent Blanc.

However, Menez's future is now shrouded in doubt, following a bust-up with the PSG manager during last night's 3-0 victory over Benfica.

The forward stormed off the bench in the closing stages of Wednesday's Champions League encounter, after Blanc refused to bring him on as a second-half substitute.

And, with Menez now banned from first-team training, Brendan Rodgers is ready to swoop when the transfer window reopens in January, as the Liverpool boss looks to lure the player to Anfield in a cut-price deal.

Arsene Wenger has also been previously credited with an interest in bringing the player to the Emirates Stadium, but with the Gunners now enjoying a wealth of attacking midfield options, it's unlikely that Menez can be accommodated in the first-team.

Manchester United is another old suitor, but that was before the appointment of David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Old Trafford.

As a result, it's unclear whether the reigning Premier League champions will rival Liverpool or AS Monaco - who are also monitoring Menez's situation - with a bid for the player at the turn of the year.

Liverpool Trio Set For Return

Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen are all on course to make their Liverpool comebacks after the international break.

Right-back Johnson is back in training as he steps up his recovery from a sprained ankle suffered during the 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United on September 1.

Left-back Cissokho is on the way back from an ankle problem sustained during the 4-2 Capital One Cup victory over Notts County on August 27.

And midfielder Allen is also close to recovery after picking up a hamstring injury during the same match.

None of the trio will be available for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Crystal Palace -- where Liverpool will also be without suspended midfielder Lucas Leiva and playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.

But Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of getting most of his absentees back after the international break, in time for the trip to Newcastle on October 19.

He said: “Glen’s out on the field, and we hope that after the international break, he’ll be ready to come back into the squad.

“Aly Cissokho has trained over the last week or so, and I think he’ll be ready to come back in after the international break.

“Joe Allen, likewise, should be ready for the Newcastle game, along with Glen Johnson, and Coutinho will not be long after that.”

Lucas is serving a one-match ban after picking up five yellow cards in the first six league matches of the season.

The Brazilian will be difficult to replace as Rodgers does not have an obvious stand-in with the same qualities.

But the Reds boss says that whoever does fill in will need the tactical discipline to ensure the team do not leave themselves too open.

He said: “Whoever plays in there understands the dynamics of what’s required -- that they may have to curtail their game a little bit. If you go in and move freely in that space, it just leaves you too open.

“Our movement and fluidity in the other half of the field is getting better, but you always have to make sure you have that tactical discipline. We talk about that every day. Tactically, we work very hard on our game. That’s something that whoever plays in there will have to do.”

Rodgers has made clear that he prizes tactical flexibility and an ability in his players to operate in different positions.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson has proved one such case, playing as a right wing-back in the absence of the injured Johnson in last Sunday’s 3-1 win at Sunderland, as Rodgers switched from his usual back four to a three-man central defence.

Rodgers said: “I think for Jordan, his versatility is only one thing -- it’s a compliment. I’ve been so impressed -- since I’ve been here, Jordan’s got better and better. His level tactically is very good. He wants to improve all the time. If I didn’t think he could play in the roles properly, I wouldn’t put him there.

“So it’s a great credit to him. At the end of last season, he played as a false winger from the left coming inside, he played wide on the right in his first season here, he’s played as wing-back, wide in the midfield in a four. But in all the systems, you get a work rate and a mentality. Jordan’s got quality. I don’t see it as a hindrance for him. I see it only as a positive.

“I know he really enjoys playing. And wherever he plays, there’s no drop off. You can play him at right-back, as I have, and he’s got forward well. He’s a good young footballer whose understanding of the game is improving all the time, and that allows him to play different positions.”

Liverpool Goalkeeper Targets Barcelona Switch

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has confirmed that he wants to move to Barcelona next summer.

The Spanish international, who is currently on loan at Rafa Benitez's Napoli side, has targeted a return to the Catalan ouftit.

With current Barca 'keeper Victor Valdes expected to leave the Nou Camp at the season's end, Reina could be the man to replace his fellow Spaniard in goal.

The 31-year-old has already given up hope of returning to Anfield. Brendan Rodgers signed goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in the summer and the Belgian has impressed so far for the Reds.

So, Reina will now hope to make the switch to Barcelona once his deal with Napoli comes to an end.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Reina said: "I would very much like to return to Barcelona. I'm delighted that my name has been suggested, but my goal now is to have a good season in Naples. And in the summer, we will see.

"Nothing is signed. I imagine that the club [Barcelona] has spoken with many and have several in the pipeline. We will see what happens next year with Victor Valdes."

Reina's immediate focus will be with Napoli. Benitez's side has made a strong start to Serie A winning five of their opening six fixtures.

However they will be hoping to get over their recent setback after they were beaten 2-0 against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Raheem Sterling To Return To Under-21 Squad

Raheem Sterling has been recalled to the England Under-21 squad as boss Gareth Southgate aims to extend his unbeaten start to life in charge.

The Liverpool starlet missed the last two games for the Young Lions after being called up to Roy Hodgson's senior side.

But Sterling, who has had problems off the field in recent months, has not been named in his 23-man squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

Southgate, who signed a three-year deal as boss in August after Stuart Pearce's departure, took the opportunity to name the 18-year-old in his squad for the European Championship qualifying double-header against San Marino and Lithuania.

Joining him in the 24-man party are Blackpool's Tom Ince who is fit again after injury ruled him out of the previous games against Scotland, Moldova and Finland and West Ham's Ravel Morrison.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is the inclusion of Burnley's goal ace Danny Ings who has never represented his country at any level before.

A lot was expected of the likeable 21-year-old this season after the high-profile departure of Charlie Austin from the Lancashire side.

But Ings has not disappointed having blossomed under boss Sean Dyche, nicknamed 'the ginger Mourinho', and his call up is just reward for a 10 goal haul in just 13 games has fired Burnley to the top of the Championship .

Southgate's side travel to San Marino for a match on Thursday October 10 before facing Lithuania at Portman Road five days later.

Not joining them on the plane is Sterling's Liverpool team-mate Andre Wisdom after the FA decided not to appeal his four-game ban for seeing red in the 1-1 draw against Finland.

Stevie Joined Brendan In Bayern Scouting

As reigning European champions Bayern Munich dismantled Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening, both the Liverpool boss and skipper were in attendance on a scouting mission.

The German side, now coached by Pep Guardiola, served notice of their intention to retain the Champions League crown - which the Reds lifted in 2005 - with a handsome 3-1 victory over City.

Brendan Rodgers was joined by Steven Gerrard and a number of his players to watch the action up close, and the Northern Irishman returned to Merseyside with a healthy amount of inspiration.

"Steven Gerrard was at the game with me, and one or two other players as well," Rodgers revealed.

"For anyone in football, if you have a love for the game, it's interesting watching two top teams come together.

"That was as good as it gets; you would do well to see another performance like that one anywhere in Europe. You have to learn from that.

"You look at that level and, for me, it's important because Liverpool want to return to that level. You have to keep one eye on the future and if you look at that you see the quality required.

"There's an awful lot of work to do, but watching that game was a real motivation. That's where every coach, every manager and every player wants to operate.

"You want to compete at that level and be judged at that level. Obviously this club was doing that for a lot of years."

Liverpool Legend Dreams Of Becoming Reds' Boss

Former Liverpool star Sami Hyypia has revealed that it is ambition to one day become the manager of his old club, according to talkSPORT.

The ex-centre half, now in charge at Bayer Leverkusen, enjoyed 10 years at Anfield, where he became captain and won two FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

Hyypia moved to Germany in 2009, where he became head coach at Leverkusen last year.

The former Finland international has largely impressed so far in his short career in the dugout, and has now revealed that he one day plans to return to Liverpool as manager.

""I have two special places in my heart. I was born in Finland. And there the national team coach is the biggest job. Liverpool has a different place in my heart," Hyypia said.

"I will not say that it is a goal, but after the ten years that I played there, it would be a dream someday to be Liverpool manager. But I live in the here and the now. And that is Bayer Leverkusen, and it is great fun."

Hyypia's Leverkusen have made a remarkable start to the current Bundesliga season, winning six games and only losing one, leaving them in third place and only one point behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

His former club is also enjoying a successful campaign so far, with Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool sitting second in the Premier League table following four wins, one loss and a draw.

Barnes Questions Younger Players' Motivations

Liverpool legend John Barnes has questioned the motivation for younger players, adding that money could be detrimental to a footballer's success.

The former England international compared his generation to those in England today, with Reds youngster Raheem Sterling reportedly finding it testing to solve his off-field problems while breaking into the first-team squad at Anfield.

"What we need is young players that are going to be hungry for success. By success I mean the intrinsic motivation, what happens when a player has played in Europe? That desire to strive for more after winning a championship," Barnes told Goal.

"The greatest players understand that mental training is important. That is what separates the ordinary from the best. We have become so comfortable in rewarding mediocrity.

"Our young generation is too comfortable; as a result they have closed that gap to grow. Money should not be the motivation, because what happens then when you have the money? Our young generation needs to focus on doing well and money will follow after that, not the other way around.

Foreign Players Affecting English Talent - Gerrard

Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard believes young players are struggling to break through at top clubs because of the high numbers of foreign players in the Premier League.

Gerrard, 33, made his Liverpool debut at the age of 18 and has been a mainstay in the club's first-team ever since.

However, the midfielder is a rare example of a player from the Reds' academy being promoted to the first-team, with Jamie Carragher the only other notable example in the past 15 years.

The likes of Martin Kelly, Andre Wisdom and Raheem Sterling have shown signs that they, too, could make the step up permanently, but Gerrard recognizes that their path to the senior side is harder than his was 15 years ago.

"Managers are only ever eight to 10 days away from the sack so to take risks on unknown young players is difficult,'' he told BBC Breakfast. "[Liverpool manager] Brendan Rodgers has been fantastic at this club because he's been brave and he's given young players a chance.

"But there's no two ways about it, it's a lot more difficult to break through nowadays because of the standard of players and because there is a lot more foreigners about. That's the whole top and bottom of it.''

New Football Association chairman Greg Dyke recently expressed his concern about the diminishing number of English players in the Premier League and has suggested that more must be done to encourage club's to utilize young homegrown talent ahead of foreign imports.