Liverpool Can Make Premier League Title Challenge

Liverpool can make a challenge for the Premier League title, according to Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn.

The Reds have made an impressive start to the season and currently sit in second place in the division after seven games.

And, after Brendan Rodgers' side comfortably beat Premier League new-boys Crystal Palace this weekend, Quinn has backed the Merseyside outfit for a title challenge.

Speaking on Sky Sports Saturday Night Football Match Choice, Quinn said: "When you've got a team like Liverpool that have made this great start and finished last season quite well - I think it's one Premier League loss in 15 - you'd have to say Liverpool fans can start thinking about challenging for the title again. "

Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez were both on the scoresheet in Liverpool's 3-1 victory this past weekend and Quinn believes the pair will be key for the club's success this season.

He continued by saying: "With these strikers and if they prevent goals from going in the other end, Liverpool can challenge for the title.

"Any good Liverpool team has always had great centre forwards. If you look back there was Keegan, Dalglish, Rush, Aldridge - they all got 20 goals plus and that's the secret.

"Here you've got two players that could possibly do that, you still believe between them they could go on and achieve that.

"Now Brendan Rodgers will play it down, but at that end of the pitch everything looks great for Liverpool and others are coming in to as well.

"The likes of Jordan Henderson are much more mature now, they know more about it and [Steven] Gerrard still has so much to offer.

Quinn also believes Rodgers' new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will be key to the Reds' campaign.

"I think it will possibly boil down to Simon Mignolet and the season he has, because he's been brilliant up to now but, overall, there are lots of positive signs for Liverpool."

The Reds will be hoping their fine run of form continues after the international break as they travel to St James Park to take on Newcastle United in their next fixture.

Sturridge Crucial To England's World Cup Hopes

England hurtle towards their destiny-defining World Cup qualifiers with total faith in Daniel Sturridge, a centre-forward with only 55 minutes’ competitive international experience and who has partnered Wayne Rooney only in friendly combat and only for 30 minutes. It’s not blind faith. England’s belief is understandable because at 24, and liberated at Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers, Sturridge has finally come of age.

He has been at major clubs before, at Manchester City and Chelsea, but never given the trust and run of games he craved, always finding his path blocked by £50m signings or his influence inhibited by being pushed out wide. For too long, Sturridge has been adjacent to major events rather than in the middle of them. He has featured in an FA Cup final but also sat frustrated on the bench in a Champions League final. Too often the onlooker, rarely the leading light.

Sturridge’s career was also stymied by injury and flaws in his approach. Too selfish, the critics said. Too one-footed, they added. A promising career meandered. This is a player who first stepped on a Premier League pitch more than six years ago and who first scored in the Champions League three years ago. Only now is potential becoming eye-catching reality. Eight goals in nine Liverpool games this season signals the change. This maturing has come through listening and learning.

Sturridge has always been surrounded by those offering good advice. Aged seven, he was shown videos of Pele by his father Michael, a decent non-League player. He acquired his dribbling skills slaloming through cones at Michael’s soccer school where Nathan Delfouneso’s talents were also nurtured. His education continued at the Academies of Aston Villa, Coventry City and then City.

His spell on loan from Chelsea at Bolton Wanderers helped: Owen Coyle gave him the starting place he desired, building his confidence, while Kevin Davies toughened him up in training. Back at Cobham, Sturridge noted how hard the right-footed John Terry worked on his left foot, allowing him to pass with either whatever the pressure. Sturridge was having lessons but was just unable to put them into action.

Wise family voices are all around Sturridge, including uncles Dean and Simon, former strikers of considerable repute in the Midlands and elsewhere. Dean talks to Daniel regularly, encouraging him to practice, practice, practice. This year, Sturridge’s determination to make himself a more effective all-round centre-forward has led to extra training at Melwood devoted purely to his right foot. The left remains his principal weapon but an increased willingness to shoot with either foot was noticeable against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

If England do qualify for Brazil, Roy Hodgson should buy Rodgers the first Caipirinha. Liverpool’s current manager brought Sturridge to Anfield for £12 million, gave him the belief, the stage and the support both on and off the field. Assiduously attentive to detail, Rodgers has overseen Sturridge’s burgeoning partnership with Luis Suárez, spending time with the pair at Melwood, shaping their understanding. Some of it is instinctive. A few days after joining, Sturridge dummied for Suárez to score against Norwich. With Philippe Coutinho or Victor Moses in the hole of Rodgers’ new 3-4-1-2 system, Sturridge does not need to drop off and can stay up where he belongs, darting and dribbling in and around the box.

Liverpool, and Rodgers’ management, has been the making of Sturridge. On arriving at Anfield, Sturridge spoke of his delight and also his gratitude to Rodgers. He knew this was a huge chance, possibly his last chance at a heavyweight club following disappointment at City and Chelsea. He spoke of being “humbled” by the opportunity.

Everyone from Rodgers to the Sturridge family deserves credit for his development but ultimately it was the player who decided to leave Chelsea, who tackled the gaps in his game, who improved his decision-making with his final ball.

Those who have long followed Sturridge’s career have seen him transformed from the slightly selfish, slightly hit-and-miss target-man for Team GB at last year’s Olympics.

He is now a more authoritative presence on the pitch, his thought process apparently assisted by reading Jamie Smart’s “Clarity”, a book aimed at focusing the mind better. Established at Liverpool, Sturridge now needs to cement himself in England’s starting line-up.

He has only one goal in six caps under three coaches, Fabio Capello, caretaker Stuart Pearce and now Hodgson. Of Sturridge’s 201 minutes with England, less than an hour is competitive (21 minutes in the 1-1 home draw with Ukraine when he replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and 34 minutes against San Marino in Serravalle last March when he came on for Rooney).

Rooney and Sturridge have shared a field for only 30 minutes until Sturridge limped off in the friendly with the Republic of Ireland in May. Now they form an international rescue double act. To think it was only a month ago that Sturridge was being assailed on social-media sites by England fans for withdrawing from the games against Moldova and Ukraine and for some misinterpreted comments. In an interview with Liverpool’s website, Sturridge remarked that he was “more worried about putting in good performances for us [Liverpool]” than thinking about England.

He was simply making the sensible point that England is a privilege that comes to those who deliver for their clubs. Annoyed by fans’ splenetic reaction, Sturridge tweeted a clarification, noting that “England is the pinnacle”. Sturridge’s ascent towards the pinnacle has been circuitous but he’s getting there.

Suarez Targets World Cup Qualification

Striker Luis Suarez hopes his goalscoring return from suspension for Liverpool will benefit Uruguay in their bid for World Cup qualification.

The 26-year-old has three goals in just two appearances following his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in April.

During the time he was suspended Suarez's only competitive matches came for his national team, scoring three times in four matches at the Confederations Cup and then twice in the qualifying victory over Peru last month.

But he thinks his return in a Reds shirt can help even more ahead of of Friday's crucial clash against Ecuador, who hold the fourth and final automatic qualification spot, which is then followed their final game at home to Argentina.

"I feel very happy because I have returned to play at the club and that helps," Suarez told reporters on his arrival in Montevideo.

"Playing in Quito is difficult and we are aware that they have a a lot at stake. We cannot be complacent, we are realistic.

"We have been winning and doing things right, but we cannot rely on anything.

"A couple of months ago we were resigned to the play-offs, now all we want, based on the good results, is qualifying outright.

"We know we have the team to push through qualifying to reach the World Cup."

Arsenal & Liverpool Face Fight For Young Swede

Arsenal and Liverpool face fresh competition in the race to sign Alexander Milosevic, according to reports.

The Daily Express claims Fulham boss Martin Jol has taken an interest in the 21-year-old Swede, and is set to keep tabs on the youngster in an U21 international match against Poland this week.

Jol is chasing a new centre-back, the paper reports, but face strong competition for the player’s signature, with Spurs, Celtic, Fiorentina, Eintracht Frankfurt and AC Milan all credited with an interest at different stages in the past.

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs who have also been linked with Milosevic, whose contract with AIK runs out at the end of the season.

The Gunners have looked strong at the back this season, shipping just eight goals in seven games as they sit atop of the Premier League table.

However, manager Arsene Wenger is renowned for bringing top young talent to the Emirates Stadium, and it will be interesting to see if the Arsenal boss goes back in for the former Vasalunds IF starlet.

The Reds have been even better at the back this term, conceding just five goals on their way to second-place in the English top flight.

Brendan Rodgers is another manager who’s happy to gamble on youth, with several youngsters involved in the Liverpool first team this season.

Milosevic would be another player for the future at Anfield if he were to arrive on Merseyside, but again there is plenty of competition standing in the Reds' way if they wish to pursue the signature.

Liverpool Target Will Hughes Destined To Leave Derby

Derby boss Steve McClaren admits the club will not be able to retain the services of highly-rated teenage midfielder Will Hughes, amid speculation linking him with Liverpool.

The 18-year-old has attracted interest from the Reds, while Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spanish giants Barcelona have also scouted the Rams academy graduate.

Despite being linked with a move away from Derby during the summer, the club received no bids but McClaren has accepted it will be difficult to keep the player in the long term.

‘Our job is to make sure he makes it, and eventually he will be too good (for Derby),’ said McClaren following his first game in charge against Leeds on Saturday, which saw Hughes on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win for the Rams.

‘What we need behind that is players coming through to replace him.’

Gerrard Joins 15-Year Premier League Goalscorer Club

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard broke another Anfield record after scoring from the penalty spot in Saturday's comfortable 3-1 victory over struggling Crystal Palace.

The 33-year-old midfielder netted his 99th Premier League goal, and in doing so, became only the seventh player in English top-flight history to score in 15 (or more) consecutive seasons, and the first to do it with the Merseyside club.

It's a run that stretches all the way back to 1999/2000, when the England captain fired his first senior goal for Liverpool in a 4-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Yan Dhanda Could Have Joined Chelsea

Liverpool teenager Yan Dhanda has revealed that he once missed the opportunity to undertake a trial with Chelsea, but believes he ended up at the right club after moving to Anfield this summer.

The 14-year-old has the ambition of becoming the first Indian player to feature for the club's first team, but may have had the chance to establish himself at Chelsea if things had gone differently.

During his time with West Brom, Dhanda won a competition held by Chelsea in search of an Asian star, and his prize for success was the chance to go on trial with the Stamford Bridge club.

But, says Dhanda, he had to forgo the offer from Chelsea in order to fulfil his commitments with the Baggies.

"I was surprised to win because I was at West Brom at the time," Dhanda told the official Liverpool website.

"I won a trial at Chelsea but I was away with West Brom so I didn't go."

Dhanda, though, is perfectly content with having eventually secured a switch to Liverpool, and explains how the influence of manager Brendan Rodgers persuaded him to reject other offers in favour of a move to Merseyside.

He added: "I was so excited and the fact that Brendan Rodgers was manager made me even more excited.

"It made me want to join Liverpool more than ever because of the way he has faith in young players."

Cissokho Makes His Return In U21 Victory

A match that produced plenty of talking points for the U21s will be recapped more in-depth during Jake's Academy Update, but among the pieces worth noting--of which there were many, especially in a rampant first half--was the return to action for left-back Aly Cissokho, who started in his natural position and proved an integral part of the squad's early successes while logging a full ninety minutes in the 5-0 win. His clipped through ball for Cameron Brannagan led directly to Liverpool's second, and he was largely solid in his first taste of organized action since coming off injured against Notts County shortly after making his debut against Aston Villa.

There had been talk that Cissokho would be available for selection against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but after that proved either too soon or simply deemed unnecessary, today provided a chance to start to get himself back in contention and get a bit of match fitness as the international break kicks off. He'll have plenty of time to wait to see where he fits once club football resumes, and that will be one of the more interesting storylines to watch as Liverpool's squad comes back together.

The window seems open with the continued inconsistent play of Jose Enrique; many have Cissokho penciled in as the regular starter at either fullback or wingback straightaway, though the Spaniard's creativity and decision-making have improved slightly as Luis Suarez made his return to the squad. Suarez and Enrique had some lovely linking play last season and have shown signs of it again over the past few weeks, and if their combination is an actual thing, Cissokho might find a breakthrough more than a little difficult.

His versatility could prove a strength in that regard, with his first appearance coming at Villa as a substitute in a slightly more advanced role on the left after replacing Iago Aspas. It's hard to see him crowding anyone other than Enrique out of the starting eleven, though, and his time at Liverpool is going to be ultimately graded on how much he can offer in a fullback and/or wingback role.

Five-star Reds Run Riot Against Spurs

Liverpool U21s were in scintillating form as they hammered Tottenham 5-0 at Langtree Park on Monday night.

Alex Inglethorpe's side were ruthless as five different scorers added their name to the score-sheet during an emphatic win.

Adam Morgan netted the first from the spot before Cameron Brannagan side-footed home the second.

Ryan McLaughlin tapped in Liverpool's third, Brad Smith curled a beauty for four and Joao Carlos Teixeira sealed the rout with a sumptuous chipped finish.

The Reds controlled the game from the off; Brannagan probed in possession as Jordan Rossiter hounded the opposition in the middle of the park.

Morgan saw two efforts go close early on - the first when he sped clear of Spurs' defence and shot wide of Jonathan Miles' post.

However, the Halewood lad made amends on 25 minutes. McLaughlin hurtled down the left flank before being hacked to the floor in the penalty area and Morgan stepped up to bury the opener from 12 yards.

Summer signing Aly Cissokho, playing his first minutes since sustaining an ankle injury in August, was included in Inglethorpe's side - and he carved the Reds' second goal with a sublime pass.

Tottenham's back-line was suddenly in disarray and Brannagan exploited the gaps with a late run from deep. Cissokho spotted his burst, dinked the ball over the top and the youngster calmly tucked his shot below the 'keeper.

Rossiter was on the ball seconds later and he pieced apart the Spurs defence with a 35-yard inch-perfect pass; however, McLaughlin saw his curling effort palmed clear.

It was 3-0 before half-time when Smith, playing for the first time since January 14, danced down the right flank and squared the ball to McLaughlin, who prodded home Liverpool's third.

The Reds picked up where they left off after the interval. Smith scooped the ball out on the right flank, cut inside and unleashed a sensational curling effort from the edge of the box that dipped under the crossbar for 4-0.

Smith was then replaced by Samed Yesil, who came in to play his first minutes since January 28 – and the forward went agonizingly close to crowning his return with a goal when he struck the post with a fine effort.

Teixeira was the next substitution, and he took seconds to make his mark on the game when he pounced on a defensive mix-up, raced through on goal and dinked the ball over the onrushing 'keeper to seal a fantastic win for the young Reds.

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."