Suarez Set To Complete £80M Move For Barcelona In Next 48 Hours

Barcelona expect to finalize a deal for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez over the next 48 hours.

Talks are ongoing and the Spanish club is concentrating on a straight cash deal for the 27-year-old who Liverpool value at £80million.

Suarez would be allowed to have a medical ahead of a transfer under the terms of his four-month ban for biting, FIFA's disciplinary chief has confirmed.

The Liverpool striker has been banned from all football-related activities including from stadiums, but it will not prevent him moving clubs if a transfer deal is agreed.

Claudio Sulser, the head of FIFA's disciplinary committee, said: 'The player cannot have any activity related to football, but a medical examination for a transfer yes - the sanction is not linked to transfer rights.'

Suarez has appealed against the four-month ban imposed for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini.

Wednesday's meeting between the two clubs in London was productive and cordial with sensible expectations placed on both sides.

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre met with Barcelona power brokers Raúl Sanllehí, Toni Rossich and Jordi Mestre.

On Tuesday, Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta publicly backed the shamed striker, smoothing the way for him to join Barcelona.

'Suarez had the honour to come out and apologize for his actions and now it's time for him to begin the recovery process,' Zubizarreta said at the Nou Camp as new signing Ivan Rakitic was unveiled.

Rakitic also had his say on the controversy, saying: 'To have the character and strength to apologize in front of the world shows what a noble person he is.'

Sanchez Open To Reds Move Despite Arsenal Interest

Alexis Sanchez would be open to a move to Liverpool despite reportedly having reached an agreement with Arsenal after the Reds held “positive” talks with Barcelona over the sale of Luis Suárez, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

In the back rooms at Camp Nou, directors agree that the signing of Suárez is the club’s number one priority and all are keen to ensure that the operation doesn’t turn into the soap opera of the summer.

Barcelona executives have been working to accelerate the operation and met with Liverpool officials in London this morning to try to find common ground in the attempt to bring the Uruguayan striker to Camp Nou.

Sources close to the negotiations have told AS that conversations between the two clubs have been positive and cordial. Another meeting has been agreed, although neither a date nor a place has been set for the second round of negotiations.

Suárez has been requested expressly by coach Luis Enrique and is believed to have a verbal, gentleman’s agreement with the Catalans. Attending Wednesday morning’s meeting were director of football management, Raúl Sanllehí, vice-president of the Sports Area Jordi Mestre i Masdeu and director general Antoni Rossich.

When all three directors are involved at this stage of negotiations, it generally implies that a deal is close – although no details have emerged about how close Barça are to landing the player, nor whether another player will be included as a makeweight in the operation.

Liverpool want to take Sánchez to Anfield but the Chilean is currently on holidays following his participation in the World Cup finals. Sánchez will also know that other clubs have expressed an interest in him and similarly, Pedro Rodríguez who Andoni Zubizarreta warned on Tuesday is “not for sale”.

Sánchez would be open to a move to Anfield, despite that he is rumoured to have a verbal agreement with Arsenal. Liverpool still believes that they can convince him.

Liverpool are willing to match and raise the Gunners’ bid for the player (€25m, according to some sources) but any resulting fee would be lower such Barça and Liverpool agree on a part-exchange.

Liverpool know that Suárez is set to leave, and when he does it will break the hearts of millions of their fans – which is why they are determined that his replacement must be the kind of player who will just as prolific and equally as adored back at Anfield.

Arsenal And Liverpool Battling For Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Arsenal’s efforts to sign Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have taken a dent as Liverpool enter the race.

The Reds are resigned to losing Suarez after productive talks between themselves and Barcelona.

Suarez is banned for four months following his third biting incident and manager Brendan Rodgers has lost patience with the striker.

It means Liverpool, who has already added Rickie Lambert to their attacking options this summer, is scouring Europe for high-quality replacements.

Huntelaar is entering the last year of his contract at Schalke and could be available at a knock-down price.

The 30-year-old showed his class to help rescue The Netherlands in their World Cup last 16 clash with Mexico, providing an assist and converting a vital penalty to win the game deep into injury time.

The Gunners have been interested for a while, but had turned their attentions to Mario Balotelli in recent times.

Whether Schalke will opt to keep hold of Huntelaar until his contract expires remains to be seen.

But with Liverpool set to line their coffers to the tune of around £70m from Suarez's sale, they look likely to be in pole position to win any price war for the striker.

Liverpool Move For Arsenal Target Mario Balotelli

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Brendan Rodgers will launch a bid for the AC Milan striker when Suarez's switch to the Nou Camp is finalized.

The Uruguayan looks certain to join the Catalan giants this summer, after Liverpool conceded defeat in their battle to persuade him to stay.

The Reds are hoping to negotiate a fee in the region of £70 to £80m, leaving Rodgers with a bumper transfer war-chest as the Kop boss prepares for a return to Champions League action.

They want Chile star Alexis Sanchez included in any deal, however, recent reports suggest the 25-year-old would rather a move to Arsenal.

The departure of Suarez and non-arrival of Sanchez would leave the Reds light in attack, with just Daniel Sturridge, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini left to battle for a starting spot.

And according to reports, Rodgers will launch a blockbuster bid to land ex-Manchester City man Balotelli, as he looks to add a star name to his frontline.

AC Milan are thought to be open to selling Balotelli this summer, after a mixed spell at the San Siro since joining from City in January 2013.

He was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal earlier this summer, but talk of a deal has cooled after his agent revealed a deal was unlikely.

Newcastle To Rival Liverpool For Man City Outcast

Newcastle is plotting to rival Liverpool for the signature of Manchester City’s Micah Richards, according to reports from Goal.

The 13-time England international looks set to leave the Etihad Stadium in a cut-price deal in the coming weeks, with the Sky Blues having failed to agree a new contract with him.

Richards has just one year to run on his deal, and was seeking assurances regarding his first-team opportunities before committing to his boyhood club.

But Manuel Pellegrini was unwilling to offer him the minutes he craved, which has now opened the door for a knockdown move, with City keen to get some cash for their man.

Newcastle has been alerted by this and is ready to launch an official bid as they plot for the loss of Mathieu Debuchy.

The Magpies’ right-back is said to be in talks with Arsenal, which are likely to result in him moving to north London for around £12m.

Alan Pardew sees Richards as a good replacement, with the powerful 26-year-old able to play on the right side of the backline, or in a central defensive role.

Liverpool has also been linked with him, but the Tynesiders are hopeful that a greater chance of being a guaranteed starter at St James’ Park may give them an advantage over the Reds.

Liverpool Swoop For Kevin Stewart

Sky Sports understands that Liverpool have snapped up former Tottenham defender Kevin Stewart.

The 20-year-old has come through the ranks at White Hart Lane, and has skippered their youth sides.

He made his professional debut last season and has spent time on loan at Crewe Alexandra.

Tottenham decided not to offer him a professional deal, at which point Liverpool have made their move.

Stewart has signed a two-year deal with the Reds, and became a Liverpool player on July 1.

Lallana Overjoyed To Be Joining Liverpool

Adam Lallana said he was "over the moon" to be joining Liverpool after he completed his transfer to Anfield from Southampton in a deal believed to be worth up to £25 million.

Lallana, 26, was Liverpool's top transfer target at the start of the summer, as manager Brendan Rodgers set about strengthening his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League after a four-year absence.

But Liverpool have had to be persistent to push the deal through after seeing two initial bids rejected, with the player undergoing a medical over the weekend.

"I'm over the moon for it to be sorted," said Lallana. "I still can't quite believe it. I just can't wait to get started in pre-season and work with the team.

"I'm so excited for the next chapter of my career, coming to a special club like Liverpool. I'm quite humbled and I just can't wait to get started.

"Liverpool have got so much history and after the season they had last season, I can't wait to get started and carry on and build on that. Champions League football is back; everyone is telling me that the atmosphere on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Anfield are something special.

"I've been granted my wish to play at such a fantastic club, in Champions League football and competing for Premier League titles. I'm so excited for the next chapter of my career, coming to a special club like Liverpool.

The deal sees Lallana follow former Southampton team-mate Rickie Lambert to Anfield and takes Liverpool's summer spending to £40 million. He becomes Rodgers' third signing, joining Lambert and Germany Under-21 midfielder Emre Can at last season's Premier League runners-up.

"Lambert is up here already and he has been telling me all about it," Lallana said.

"It's great that I can continue my career with him as well. That's a special moment.

"I've spent the last four or five years with him. We've had great careers at Southampton and achieved something special, but we're both thoroughly looking forward to the new challenge."

Lallana leaves Southampton after 14 years at the club, having joined them as a 12-year-old from Bournemouth, who hold a 25% sell-on clause.

The midfielder rose to become Southampton club captain, helping them to return to the Premier League in 2012 after a seven-year absence.

His performances for Southampton also caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson and he featured in all three of England's World Cup games in Brazil, coming on as a second-half substitute in the defeats by Italy and Uruguay, and starting in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.

Lallana insisted he was looking forward to working with Rodgers having been convinced of his talents by his England team-mates.

"From what I have spoken to him, he seems like a top manager. Everyone compliments him massively and gives him great references. All of the lads at England said that if I did get the chance to work with him then it would help my career in huge ways."

Rodgers was full of praise for his new signing, who scored ten goals last season, labeling him one of the "top talents" in the Premier League.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of one of the Premier League's top talents in signing Adam Lallana," Rodgers said. "What is apparent about Adam is that his character is on a par with his talent.

"He is an exceptional young man and someone who has a love for the game - and, most importantly, a desire to progress and improve.

"Adam is motivated by being the best he can be and being part of something special. We believe he fits right in with what we are trying to do at Liverpool.

Liverpool Seal Move For Leverkusen's Can

Liverpool have completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can almost a month after announcing that a deal had been agreed in principle.

The Germany under-21 international's move has been finalised after the necessary paperwork was completed, and he revealed that the Merseyside club had been scouting him for some time.

Can has joined for a reported fee of £10 million and becomes Brendan Rodgers' third summer signing after the arrival of Rickie Lambert and midfielder Adam Lallana, both from Southampton.

"I heard that they [Liverpool] had an interest in signing me for a long time - approximately four years," Can told the official Liverpool website.

"We weren't in contact then, but I had it at the back of mind and then it got more and more intense. I was told about the manager's firm interest about four or five months ago.

"It was an easy decision for me to sign with Liverpool as I had a very good chat with the manager, which clearly showed that the club and he wanted to sign me. This was important for me. I can say it was an easy decision for me."

Reina Will Snub Arsenal And Monaco

Pepe Reina is set to reject interest from a host of European clubs to stay at Liverpool next season, his agent has confirmed.

Reina, who spent last season on-loan at Italian club Napoli, had told the media last month that he would not be returning to Merseyside once the deal expired.

However, despite interest from Arsenal, Monaco and PSG, his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon says the goalkeeper will be staying at Anfield after all.

‘I confirm to you that Pepe will play for Liverpool next season,’ Quilon told reporters.

The 31-year-old will now go head-to-head with first-choice Simon Mignolet for the number one jersey next season.

But before his return, he will likely have to apologise to manager Brendan Rodgers, who accused the glovesman of disrespect following comments last season about Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation.

Match Tactical View: Liverpool v Chelsea

It would be a shame if Jose Mourinho follows through with his threat to play a reserve side for this contest, but it's unlikely Brendan Rodgers will be paying too much attention.

With Liverpool in this form - they've won their last 11 - they can afford to go out and play their own game, without reacting too much to the identity of their opponents. As we've noted many times in this column, the Reds have generally made extremely fast starts in big matches this season, and it would be something of a surprise if they didn't score the opener again here.

It's been interesting how many of those crucial openers have come from set-pieces, where Liverpool have been more prolific than any other side in the division, and considering this has been something of a problem Chelsea throughout this season, it could be worth looking at Martin Skrtel, for example, to score first.

The Slovakian centre-back has looked uncomfortable defensively in recent weeks, but his status as the league's top goalscoring defender shouldn't be ignored, especially against a Chelsea side lacking John Terry and Petr Cech.

Rodgers' only genuine selection decision concerns the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, who might not return against his former club. If he is available, Rodgers will return to the diamond midfield he played at Norwich last season - if not, it might again be something of a 4-3-2-1 system again, with both Coutinho and Sterling playing just behind Suarez. In truth, from a purely Liverpool perspective, Rodgers might as well risk Sturridge at this stage of the campaign, although the player himself will be desperate to avoid worsening his injury ahead of the World Cup.

Rodgers' other issue is the continued absence of Jordan Henderson through suspension - not a huge issue at Norwich, but potentially more problematic against a powerful Chelsea side. Rodgers would have asked him to pressure Nemanja Matic, cup-tied in Europe and therefore likely to start this weekend, but without a natural replacement for Henderson, the Serbian holding midfielder might command the midfield zone.

Chelsea are likely to play deeper than other big sides - Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal - have at Anfield, which means the home side might get less joy with pace in behind the defence, and will instead have longer, more sustained periods of possession.

The full-backs, Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan, should feature more in advanced positions - but this would open up Liverpool to Chelsea's counter-attacks, likely to come from Mohamed Salah and possibly Andre Schurrle. There's no real need for Liverpool to be risky in this respect - a draw would be a decent result for the home side.

Another interesting subplot is Luis Suarez's performance. Although the Uruguayan has scored an amazing 30 goals in 30 league starts this season, his record against the rest of the top four is a distinctly unimpressive 0 in five. There's more to Suarez's game than goals, of course - in the 5-1 home win over Arsenal he was probably the game's best player despite not getting on the scoresheet - but it could be worth laying Suarez to score.

Mourinho Given Permission To Play Kids Against Liverpool

Mourinho claimed he would concede the Premier League title to Liverpool by fielding a weakened side when the two teams face each other on Sunday.

A win for Chelsea would still leave them two points behind Brendan Rodgers' men, whereas they go into the semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid as favourites to make the final.

The Chelsea manager has accepted that the Premier League is out of reach for this season and winning on Sunday would only help Manchester City's chances, not theirs.

Now the board at Stamford Bridge has given their consent for Mourinho to field whatever team he feels necessary, even if it means absorbing a heavy defeat.

It means that Mark Schwarzer could be rested to make way for third choice goalkeeper Henrique Hilario while chances could be given to under-21 stars Tomas Kalas, Nathan Ake and Andreas Christensen.

Manchester City is obviously very keen to see Chelsea win on Sunday as a win would put the title back within their reach. They are six points behind Liverpool but have a game in hand as well as a superior goal difference.

However, the Premier League has confirmed that Mourinho is entitled to play any team he desires.

Mick McCarthy and Ian Holloway have been fined for fielding weakened teams in the past but a movement, started by the latter of the aforementioned pair, forced the Premier League to change their policy on such matters.

Liverpool Plot Summer Move For Spanish Wonderkid

Liverpool are in pursuit of Spanish wonderkid Kuki Zalazar, reports Marca.

The 15-year-old, who is the son of former Uruguay international Jose Zalazar, is currently attached to the youth set-up of La Liga club Malaga.

The Spain Under-16 striker will be able to sign professional when he turns 16 in June and Malaga will try to persuade him to stay at the club with the promise of reserve-team football and a contact with the first team the following season.

However, Liverpool also want him and it is believed the Reds' greater financial firepower and more impressive academy facilities could tempt him to Merseyside instead.

Monaco Join Liverpool In Race For Verona Star

Monaco have entered the race for Liverpool target Juan Manuel Iturbe.

In a potentially complicated deal, the Argentine winger will join Verona after he finishes his loan spell there from Porto at the end of the season.

That is when the Italian club will exercise their £15million option so they can sell him on to the highest bidder.

Rival Italian clubs want Iturbe too, but he will be too expensive for them and the battle for the 20-year-old is expected to come down to cash-rich Monaco and the Merseyside club.

Chelsea And Liverpool Close In On Sevilla Star

Chelsea and Liverpool are closely monitoring developments with outstanding Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

The Croatian, who is also on the radar of Barcelona, Juventus and Napoli, could yet stay in Spain, but a big Premier league bid could clinch the deal.

His representative, and brother, Dejan, revealed to Italian website cittaceleste.it: "He is much admired in Italy and I have already talked to a couple of clubs interested in him.

"I cannot confirm who they are, but we are also considering the possibility of renewing the contract with Sevilla.

“We're talking to the president, but at the moment there is nothing concrete."

Liverpool Plan Double Swoop To Replace Agger

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers could replace defender Daniel Agger with a double swoop for Schalke’s Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting Lisbon’s Marco Rojo.

Italian side Napoli are keen on bringing Agger to Serie A in the summer with manager Rafa Benitez a big fan of the Dane from his time at Anfield.

It is believed that Rodgers would be willing to sell the 29-year-old after he has made just 15 Premier League starts this season.

And according to the Express, he is ready to replace him with Greek defender Papadopoulos and Rojo in the summer.

Rodgers is set to be handed a £50million transfer kitty after qualifying for the Champions League and strengthening his defence remains a key priority.

Papadopoulos, 22, is a long term target of Liverpool’s and is a highly rated central defender in the Bundesliga.

Rodgers is also keen on adding a new left-back to the squad and has identified Rojo as the perfect addition.

The 24-year-old has broken into the Argentinean squad and looks set to travel to the World Cup.

Southampton Make Approach For Liverpool Star

Southampton have made an enquiry about Liverpool defender Jose Enrique, which could signify a summer exit for the highly-rated Luke Shaw, [football] direct news understands.

The Saints are interested in signing the former Newcastle left-back who has not featured in the Liverpool team since the second week of November due to a knee injury.

Enrique started the season as the first-choice left-back for Brendan Rodgers’ side but has been forced to watch from the sidelines due to his knee problems.

The Spaniard still has two years left on his current deal but Liverpool were hotly pursuing a left-back last summer with Granada’s Guilherme Siqueira one of the main targets.

Southampton’s pursuit of a renowned left-back signifies that they may be resigned to lose Luke Shaw who has been frequently linked with a move to Manchester United.

The England international has been the subject of much speculation over a move to Old Trafford and is seen as a key component of United’s attempts to rebuild a title-contending team for next campaign.

Ayre: Owners Deserve Credit

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has paid tribute to the club's owners Fenway Sports Group, admitting the Anfield outfit were "seconds from financial disaster".

Ayre concedes Liverpool were on the brink of going into administration in 2010 before Fenway Sports Group secured a deal to take over from the Premier League club from former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jnr.

And he believes their current owners deserve all the praise for saving the club and putting it back on the road for success as they look to secure the Premier League title this season.

"People sometimes forget how bad it was," Ayre said. "I speak to people now and they have really short memories.

"When you think about that day when [the High Court ruled John W Henry and Tom Werner could take over and] we tipped it over the edge and finally pulled it back, we have come such a long way.

"It's easy to say it's about time we are back in the Champions League. But if you think about where we were financially, just because you are Liverpool it does not mean you have a right to get back up there.

"There are plenty of teams who could have slipped and slipped, despite new owners.

"It's an unbelievable achievement to get back where we are. As one of the few people who was here with the last ownership and through this one, the club is in a fantastically sustainable position now."

Talking about the club's financial problems four years ago, Ayre admitted the club was in dark place before Fenway Sports Group took over.

"It is no secret, it's like that TV programme - Seconds From Disaster. We were sort of in that vein.

"It was horrific to see the football club in that state.

"I do not think there was a Liverpool fan anywhere who was not worried we would not get to this position we are in now."

Liverpool Reveal Anfield Plans

Liverpool have unveiled their stadium expansion plans for the redevelopment of Anfield which could eventually boost capacity at their home of 112 years to almost 59,000.

The Reds announced in October 2012 that rather than move to a new stadium, they would prefer to redevelop Anfield and would work with Liverpool City Council to transform the surrounding area through a comprehensive regeneration plan.

Detailed proposals for an expansion of the Main Stand and outline proposals for an expansion of the Anfield Road Stand will be on show at exhibitions and a public consultation scheduled for this week.

The exhibition shows detailed design proposals for the proposed Main Stand redevelopment which include a newly-created public concourse and a carefully designed cloister which will become the new home for the Hillsborough Memorial.

The redevelopment could add an additional 8,500 seats taking the Main Stand's capacity to nearly 21,000 and overall Anfield capacity to around 54,000.

The outline proposals for the Anfield Road Stand provide for an increase in its capacity of around 4,800 seats.

The club are inviting residents, fans and local businesses to give their views as part of its planning application, which the club expects to submit to Liverpool City Council this summer.

Ian Ayre, managing director of Liverpool Football Club, said: "As part of our proposed Stadium redevelopment project, we have unveiled the detail of our ambitious plans for an expanded Main Stand and Anfield Road stand and are embarking on a consultation process which will shape and inform our planning application.

"In order to move forward with our expansion plans we need to have certainty that we can navigate the complex planning process and secure the support of the community, local home owners, businesses and other key stakeholders. This consultation exercise is an important part of this process.

"We started this journey just over 18 months ago and a lot of work has already been done, there is still an incredible amount to do, but good progress has been made so far and we are proud to be able to unveil our plans."

Liverpool City Council has confirmed that negotiations with property owners are progressing well and all parties are close to agreement but there are still details to be finalised.

Subject to agreement and planning consent being reached, construction work on the proposed Main Stand could begin early next year and it could be complete in time for the 2016/17 season.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: "This is another important step in our ambitions to transform the Anfield area, bringing new jobs, investment and housing.

"The overall regeneration of Anfield will see £260m invested in the local community and will deliver hundreds of jobs - Liverpool Football Club's proposals for the stadium are a key part of this.

"We are all committed to delivering a brighter future for Anfield and the Club's exhibition is a clear signal that real progress is being made with all our plans."

Brian Cronin, chief executive of Your Housing Group, said: "This is another significant step in the process for the Anfield Project and we welcome the headway which is being made by all parts of the partnership.

"It's doubtless that many of our residents are very keen to see the plans and see how the new stadium might look and we are committed to making this happen."

Rodgers: Hillsborough Campaigner's Words Inspired Us

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he used the words of Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall to inspire his team to a 3-2 victory at Norwich.

Aspinall's son James died in the tragedy which took the lives of 96 Liverpool fans in 1989.

She spoke during a memorial service at Anfield on Tuesday to mark the 25th anniversary of the disaster.

"She talked about stress - it can prove difficult but can also offer you great determination to fight," said Rodgers.

"Those were words we gave the players before the game. We stuck them on the wall.

"It is a club that is as one at the moment - and we are all fighting to achieve the ultimate goal."

Liverpool's win at Carrow Road moved them five points clear at the top of the Premier League with three games remaining - against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Newcastle.

The win has guaranteed a Champions League group-stage spot for next season and, at present, the Reds need seven points from those matches to secure their first league title since 1990.

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez put Liverpool ahead at Norwich before Gary Hooper pulled one back. Sterling restored the two-goal cushion before a dogged Canaries side set up a tense finish after Robert Snodgrass headed in.

Sterling's two goals took the 19-year-old's tally to nine for the league season and Rodgers was full of praise for the young forward.

"He is arguably the best young player in European football at the moment," the manager added.

"I've been really pleased with his maturity. He puts an awful lot of time into his work. We've tried to play him in different positions to improve his football intelligence.

"He is a really humble kid and it has been great to see."

Rodgers added: "You have seen all the characteristics of our team - wonderful invention, creativity, arrogance on the ball, goalscoring as well as young and senior players playing in a structure that allows them to express themselves.

"In addition, we have had to show the courage to dig in and fight away from home against a team that is fighting for its life to stay in the division."

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes said if the Reds were to clinch the title, it would be the greatest Premier League victory of any club.

Speaking ahead of a 'Celebration of the 96' match at Anfield, he told BBC Radio 5 live: "The consistency they've shown has been incredible and I think if they win it this will be the most incredible victory from any team in the history of the Premier League.

"Where they were last year without making any major signings - (Daniel) Sturridge and Coutinho were there last year - so to finish seventh last year to winning the Premier League would be an incredible achievement and credit has to go to the players and the manager."

Liverpool Showed They Can Cope Without Sturridge and Henderson

Liverpool star Lucas Leiva feels the absence of striker Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Jordan Henderson will not affect the club’s race to the title.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are leading the Premier League table, five points ahead of second-placed Chelsea and are close to winning the title after almost 24 years after they beat Norwich City 3-2 on Sunday.

The Reds were without the services of Sturridge and Henderson on Sunday, with the former being out with a hamstring injury while the latter is serving a three-match suspension for a foul on Samir Nasri during their game against Manchester City.

But Lucas, who was called in along with Joe Allen to replace the duo, feels that with just three matches to go in the crunch title race, Liverpool will be able to cope with their absence.

“Jordan has played every game for the club this season and is doing a fantastic job”, the Brazilian told the club’s site.

"But any player coming in tries to do well for the team. It was no different for me and Joe.

"Of course, Sturridge and Jordan are important players for us, but we showed we have players that can come on, keep the level of performance and still get three points", the 27-year-old added.

Liverpool will be facing Jose Mourinho’s team at Anfield in a crucial match on Sunday before they play Crystal Palace and Newcastle United over the remaining weeks.