Liverpool Eye January Move For Algerian Starlet Ryad Boudebouz

Liverpool's director of football strategy Damien Comolli will travel to France before the New Year to watch Sochaux star Ryad Boudebouz, Goal.com UK can reveal.

The 20-year-old has emerged as the latest France-based target for the Reds as they look to rejuvenate their squad in January by signing potential stars.

Boudebouz has been watched by a number of top European sides this season and has most recently been linked with Tottenham and Lyon.

The Algeria international has been given a glowing reference by Steve Hitchin, the highly regarded scout that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp accused Liverpool of ‘nicking’ last month.

Now Comolli is set to cast his eye over Boudebouz in person as Liverpool step up their interest in a player he already knows well from his time as director of football at St Etienne.

Sochaux are reluctant to sell their star player but it is believed they would struggle to turn down an offer in excess of £4 million to take the player to Anfield.

“Liverpool have shown serious interest in him and Damien Comolli will come to watch him at a game in the next two or three weeks,” an insider told Goal.com UK.

“It is looking very possible that he will sign for Liverpool – he is an exciting young player who needs developing but is capable of special things.”

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson wants at least four new players in the January transfer window but it is believed Boudebouz would arrive at Anfield initially as a squad player and is considered one for the future.

Boudebouz is regarded as one of the most exciting creative midfielders in French football thanks to his close control, exciting dribbling and sweet left foot.

He featured for Algeria in the goalless draw against England at the World Cup last summer in a central position but is equally comfortable out wide. He has already scored some stunning goals in his career including a goal from the halfway line against Monaco last season.

Despite representing France at youth level, Boudebouz switched his allegiance ahead of the 2010 World Cup to Algeria, the country of his parents.

Steven Gerrard Battling To Be Fit For Fulham Clash

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has declared Steven Gerrard's return from a hamstring injury may have to wait an extra week.

Club captain Gerrard has not played for Liverpool in more than a month since picking up the injury on international duty with England in a friendly against France.

The England international was expected to be fit for Saturday’s home clash against Fulham, with manager Hodgson claiming as early as last week that the midfielder would be fit, however his return appears to be on the line.

Hodgson told reporters: “Steven Gerrard is not fit and will be touch and go for Fulham. He is training every day and training harder than anyone and doing the work with the sports science and fitness people.

"If you look the statistics after training every day as to who has done the most running it is probably Gerrard and Daniel Agger [who has a calf problem], as they are the two trying to get back fit.

"But they are doing it in a controlled circumstance; the sports science people are controlling their movements, their running, their turning and certainly their kicking.

"At the moment the sports science/conditioning people have not said to me 'You can have these two back in your training sessions' and I am still waiting for when that will happen.

"I am hoping against hope it will be towards the end of the week and they will be able to be considered for the weekend, in particular Steven who is ahead of Daniel, but I don't know if that is the case."

Although already back training, Hodgson has stated that he will decide on Thursday whether to include his captain in the squad to face Fulham, however, he is weary of bringing him back too soon.

The Reds boss added: “We have to be careful there is no risk of the injury reoccurring and I am in the hands to some extent of the sports science people as to when he can come back.

"I take their word for it and I can't really push the subject because I would be devastated if we brought him back too early.

"Wednesday is a day off for those who won't be playing against Utrecht and if he is going to start the game against Fulham I definitely want him back training with us on Thursday, that's for sure. That's the deadline."

Jonjo Shelvey Happy To Play Mind Games For Now

Young Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is ready to continue his rapid development against FC Utrecht this evening.

The 18-year-old has already made eight appearances for Roy Hodgson’s side this season, and is set to be handed another start against the Dutch outfit at Anfield tonight.

“It’s a big game for us young lads,” he says. “It’s another chance to leave an impression on the boss’s mind. Hopefully I’ll get a start and I can show him what I can do again.

“It’s on television and so you want to go out there and show people what you’re capable of and why a club has bought you.”

Shelvey’s ascent since his arrival at Anfield from Charlton Athletic this summer has been steady, and though he has shrugged off premature comparisons with Steven Gerrard, he admits the Liverpool captain remains the perfect role model for any young midfield player.

“He’s the best central midfielder of all time, I think,” said Shelvey, “That game against Napoli (in which Gerrard scored a hat-trick) just summed him up, his drive and his determination.

“I think he’s the benchmark for young midfielders – he is for me. Everyone has someone they look up to but he’s the one for me. Hopefully I can achieve just half of what he’s achieved.”

The Europa League has proven kind to many of Hodgson’s young charges. As well as Shelvey, the likes of Martin Kelly, Danny Wilson and Dani Pacheco could all feature this evening, and the England Under-19 international says there is an eagerness amongst the club’s youngsters to secure regular places in the first team squad.

“I should be pushing more and more,” he said. “I can feel myself getting better in training each day. Hopefully I can get a starting place in the team and keep hold of it.

“You know you’re not going to start sometimes but you’ve got to leave yourself in the boss’s mind.”

'I'd Love Chance To Lift Trophy'

Conor Coady admits it would be a dream-come-true to captain Liverpool to Youth Cup glory - but insists underestimating Notts County could bring a premature end to their hopes.

The Reds kick off their bid for a fourth ever title with a tricky trip to Meadow Lane on Wednesday night and the U18s skipper has called for caution from a squad he feels are capable of going far in this season's competition.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It would be unreal to win it. It really would be the icing on the cake if I had the chance to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

"We'll have to take it one game at a time and if we get past Nott County, we will look forward to the next draw. I think we've got a good team and it's now up to us to prove that on the pitch."

There is often concern of over-confidence when a topflight team is drawn to face lower league opposition - but not from Coady.

The England starlet has already heard good reports about the East Midlands outfit from some of his international teammates, as well as a Reds star currently on loan at Meadow Lane.

"When the draw was made I was away with the England U18s and a few of the lads told us that Notts County has some handy players so we know it's going to be a tough tie," he said.

"Tom Ince text me about it too. He told me that he had seen some of their kids play and that they shouldn't be underestimated.

"He said he was going to come along and watch the game at Meadow Lane so it'll be nice to have his support in the stands.

"It's possible it could be a very physical game. It's their game of the season playing against Liverpool so they'll give it everything they have got. It's up to us deal with that.

"I've heard a few of the lads may drop down from the reserves and that will only benefit us. I think our Youth Cup team this season will be very strong.

"We were all a bit gutted after the Watford game last year because we had high expectations after Leicester. We need to learn from that and take it into this season's competition."

Liverpool Star Torres 'Wants Out Of Anfield'

Fernando Torres does not want to play for Liverpool anymore - at least that's the opinion of respected football broadcaster Alan Green.

In his column in the Belfast Telegraph, Green points towards the performance of Torres in Liverpool's 3-1 loss against Newcastle on Saturday claiming the Spaniard was 'awful' and 'gave in far too easily'.

Green wrote: "One figure still stood out in a wholly abject Liverpool performance at Newcastle on Saturday evening and what was once a thought that was so outrageous it could never be uttered now needs to be said: should Liverpool sell Fernando Torres?

"I would not go so far as to claim that he didn’t try at St. James Park but he certainly gave in far too easily when confronted by an opponent, his touch was awful and his body language even worse.

"Unless he says something completely and convincingly different, it’s become obvious that he wants out of Anfield.

"Worse, so poor are the majority of his performances of late, his ‘market value’ decreases by the game. Torres is now nothing like the player that arrived and I’d love to know why."

Torres has hardly hit the heights of previous seasons at Anfield, but his performances for Liverpool in November - most notably his two goals against Chelsea - earned him the ESPN PFA Fans' Player of the Month Award.

And, despite criticism from some quarters, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has consistently outlined the complete faith he has in the Spain international - commenting that he expects him to be firing on all cylinders again for Liverpool in the not too distant future.

Likewise, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has stated that Torres' form in November showcased to everyone his potentially frightening ability.

Gerrard said: “He is showing why he’s considered one of the best strikers in the world. I love playing with him."

Torres is expected to get the chance to silence his critics tomorrow night as Liverpool take on Utrecht in the Europa League.

Roy Not Worried About Reds Job

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson maintains that he does not have any worries over his future at the club and will carry on striving to turn things around.

The 63-year-old is under increasing pressure to deliver better results as his side languish in mid-table and are suffering from a woeful away record.

The Reds, who were in the relegation zone earlier this season, have won just one and have lost six away from Anfield despite their home form picking up.

New owner John Henry described the results as "unacceptable" in a fan phone-in on LFCTV, which has been seen as a thinly-veiled threat to Hodgson.

The former Fulham boss has bemoaned his team's lack of consistency and poor performances, and was in agreement that things needed to improve following their 3-1 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday.

However, he took a hard stance over questions about his job security, stating that he had no worries that New England Sports Ventures would keep faith in him.

"I don't have any fears, worries or concerns," he said.

"But if you put it to me 'You feel there is no chance whatsoever of you getting sacked' then I would be in a minority of one in that respect.

"It happened to Chris Hughton, it happened to Sam Allardyce, Martin O'Neill resigned - we are all in that situation.

"But as someone who prides himself as a professional, who knows his job and is comfortable with doing his job, then you would excuse me for not going down the route you want me to go down in terms of 'Who can we get rid of next?'.

"Because, basically speaking, unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next then whoever takes my place will be doing a similar job with similar players.

"The owners have made it perfectly clear they are in it for the long term and they are going to be patient; they realise it is going to take time.

"They realise we can't turn things around overnight and they also realize that the team I am working with is not the team I put together.

Magnitude

"You don't turn things around overnight and they are aware of the magnitude of the task but they are very focused on what needs to be done and I am convinced they will help me get it done."

Hodgson was speaking at a press conference ahead of what will be an ultimately meaningless visit of Utrecht in the Europa League due to his team having already qualifying for the next stage.

However, he became increasingly frustrated with the line of questioning about his job, and whilst accepting it was a part of the game, conceded that there was not much else he could say about the matter.

"Once again I come here to do a European press conference, playing Utrecht when we are top of the table, and I find myself answering questions about owners and whether I am safe - it is a sad situation," he added.

"I came here to do a European press conference, which I am forced to do for UEFA, when really and truly I am doing a phone-in with you

"That is the nature of the game, it seems to be the major preoccupation of the mass media because they want to see change.

"It doesn't bother me because I can't do more than I am doing, I can't work harder, I can't work better.

"I have great confidence in my ability, I don't think there is any reason not to have.

"I know the players are working as hard as they can to win matches for Liverpool and therefore me as manager.

"But if you have situations like last night when you have phone-ins to the owners you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know how that is going to go because we are not top of the league.

"Had we been top of the league it might have been different but we are not, we are ninth and we are Liverpool Football Club.

"You don't have to be Albert Einstein to work out more people will be unhappy with that than are happy with it."

Dirk Kuyt Takes His Lawyers To Court After Being Sued Himself

Liverpool FC midfielder Dirk Kuyt is taking his own lawyers to court after being sued for allegedly refusing to pay contractors more than £50,000.

The World Cup finalist was served with a writ by property managers Knight Frank after it oversaw an overhaul and extension of his south Liverpool home.

The firm managed the £400,000 contract and expected to be paid 11% of that sum for its fees.

But Kuyt is accused of not paying.

Knight Frank’s solicitors lodged papers at the High Court in March, saying the company planned to sue the 30-year-old Dutch international.

But five months later, Kuyt also issued a writ to law firm Withers.

It said if for any reason Knight Frank won its case against Kuyt, which he is staunchly defending, Withers should pay him damages or cover his losses.

A hearing about the case was due to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice tomorrow.

Kuyt’s lawyer Steve Morris, a partner at DWF, told the ECHO: "Confidential negotiations are progressing.

"It is ongoing. I do not think at this stage I can say any more than that.

"It is an ongoing piece of litigation that is currently still going through the courts."

The saga dates back to August 2008, when Kuyt asked Knight Frank to oversee work being done on his plush Woolton home.

The papers filed by Knight Frank said: "The claimant claims the sum of £50,600, being fees owed to the claimant for acting as contract administrators for a construction contract for refurbishment and extension works.

"The claimant acted as contract administrators until the conclusion of the works.

"At no time during the administration of the contract did the defendant [Kuyt] express dissatisfaction with the claimant’s services.

"Following the submission of the invoice, the defendant’s Dutch legal representative expressed surprise at the fees, being calculated on a percentage rather than hourly time-spent basis.

"Subsequently, vague and entirely spurious allegations have been raised about the claimant’s services and the defendant has failed and refused to pay the invoice."

Knight Frank claimed its fee was due to be £44,000 plus VAT. The firm also wants interest on the debt charged at 8% a year from April 29, 2008, to March 24, 2010, bringing its total claim to £54,248.61.

The counter-claim issued by Kuyt’s Manchester-based lawyers against Withers said that – while he denies any liability to Knight Frank LLP – if he is found to be liable then he should be entitled to damages, and/or indemnity from Withers due to its alleged breaches of duties to him.

Neither Knight Frank nor Withers said they could comment on the cases they are involved in.

Hodgson Is Told Results Must Improve As Owners Target Title Within Five Years

During a 90-minute fans’ phone-in on the club’s official television channel on Monday night, Werner, appointed Liverpool’s chairman this month, insisted the Anfield board “believe in what Roy is doing” but “certainly feel like the performance has to improve”.

More telling, though, was the description of Liverpool’s current standing offered by Henry, the principal backer of the Fenway Sports Group consortium which owns the club.

The defeat at Newcastle, which prompted Hodgson to call an impassioned team meeting on Monday, left his side ninth in the Premier League, nine points adrift of a Champions League place.

“Where we are at this point is not acceptable,” Henry said. “When [FSG talk about] rebuilding the club, we mean building for the top of the table. That is something that is going to be really difficult to do this year and a real challenge for next year.”

Both Henry and Werner were keen to illustrate FSG’s long-term commitment to the club they purchased for £300 million in October, insisting that they saw returning Liverpool to a position to challenge for trophies as a “three to five-year” project. That does not mean, though, that there is either time to waste or room for error.

“We are certainly looking at it as a three to five-year project,” said Henry, who added that Kenny Dalglish would be offered a more substantive role at the club than he currently enjoys as an academy ambassador. “It would not have made sense for us to get involved if we did not think we could win the Premier League in three to five years.

“There has not been a Premier League title here since it was created [in 1992], so that is our largest goal. I do not know if it should be a larger goal than winning in Europe but those are our two main goals. We have to be in a position within three years to do that.

“Over the last two years there have been some short-term decisions that have really hurt. It is up to us to help turn the tide and move on. We have to be patient and have a long-term vision.”

That FSG are determined to shape Liverpool to that vision will not preclude spending in the January transfer window, with Werner admitting they are prepared to take “risks” if they are in the best interests of the club.

Both he and Henry, though, insist they will not repeat the mistakes of the past. If Werner’s assessment that some previous transfer “decisions were focused on nice PR work” was not sufficiently damning, then his partner’s assertion that some Liverpool players could be described as “overpaid” certainly was.

“This is our first transfer window,” said Henry. “There is no doubt that this season and the last half of last season were unacceptable for Liverpool. We are in sync with fans for what it is going to take going forward.”

Comolli Instructs Hodgson To Get Rid Of Five And Swoop For One

Damien Comolli has it appears delivered his latest instruction to Roy Hodgson as the power struggle at Anfield continues and the management plot thickens. Comolli’s latest piece of ‘Football Strategy’ has seen him approach French hotshot Sylvain Marveaux, a playmaker by trade who will be out of contract at the end of the season and is currently playing for Rennes in Ligue 1.

Marveaux, only 24 and can play in a variety of attacking and wide positions, can be persuaded as of January but will become available on a Bosman next summer. Should Roy act and pay the money now or wait until mid-2011 and risk a transfer scrap with Europe’s elite?

With Marveaux seemingly coming to Liverpool, reports suggest that as many as five players will be shipped out in a bid to cut costs and rebuild a floundering squad. Ryan Babel, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and perhaps most significantly Joe Cole will be sold to free up funds for Comolli’s foreign invasion.

Is this the right move? Can Liverpool afford to offload so many players with Premiership experience? Is Marveaux what the fans really want?

And most importantly, is the Hodgson-Comolli structure what fans really want? Or is Dalglish the ideal Christmas present?

Kuyt Hoping For Europa Reunion

Dirk Kuyt is hoping to feature against former club FC Utrecht in Wednesday's Europa League clash.

With qualification to the last 32 of the competition already secured, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is expected to utilize fringe players at Anfield.

The 30-year-old spent five years with Utrecht in his early career before moving to Feyenoord and then on to the Premier League.

Kuyt now faces a wait to see whether he will be included in the midweek squad ahead of a crucial weekend league clash with Fulham.

"I am a player who always wants to be involved in every game and if the manager needs me I will be there for him on Wednesday," Kuyt told the club's official site.

"I have missed a few games through injury this season and I hope I can feature against my former club.

"We play a lot of games in a season and obviously you can't play in every game but it would be nice to play against Utrecht at Anfield.

"We have done really well in the Europa League and it would be nice to finish the group stages with a good performance at home.

"I had some good times at Utrecht and a lot of people are still there at the club who I am good friends with."

Roy Draws Up Shopping List

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has targeted as many as four new signings in the January transfer window, skysports.com understands.

Hodgson is keen to reinforce his squad in the New Year after a disappointing start to the new season.

The Reds chief is now thought to have drawn up his shopping list as to what the club need in the transfer window if they are to challenge for a top four spot.

Liverpool are believed to be keen on bringing in a new right-back, central defender, forward and winger if the right players become available in January.

The Anfield outfit is tracking a number of right-backs across the world as doubts continue to surround the future of Glen Johnson with the England international understood to be interested in a move abroad.

Hodgson is also looking to bring in a new central defender to provide cover for the injured pair of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.

The former Fulham manager has also earmarked a new winger to help add to Liverpool's attacking options with Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia mentioned as a possible target.

A new targetman has been sought since last summer as the club are short of options up front and Hodgson wants to bring in a new striker to partner Fernando Torres and help ease the goalscoring burdern on the Spaniard.

Liverpool Target Shock €16m Swoop On Barca Strike Wonderkid

Liverpool are being linked with a shock swoop for Barcelona wonderkid Bojan Krkic.

The 20-year-old striker, who can also play in the wing positions, has failed to earn a regular starting spot at the Nou Camp, leading to speculation that he could leave the club in the summer.

His agent, Zoran Vekic, revealed that the player will not be making a Catalan exit in January, but admitted Bojan would consider his options at the end of the season. Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is thought to be one of the interested parties in the player.

"Next summer we will analyse it and we'll see, but at the moment he is happy at Barcelona. He's not having many minutes but every time he has a chance he's playing quite well," Vekic told Sport.co.uk.

The agent also dismissed the possibility of a January loan move, something Liverpool have been linked with in relation to the player in the past.

Spurs, Juventus, Inter Milan and Arsenal are also thought to be keen on the player's services, news that could lead to a major battle for Bojan's signature in the new year.

Liverpool's new owners, NESV, have promised a transfer war chest to Hodgson in the region of £35 million, and the Reds boss is reportedly searching for an attacking foil for Fernando Torres as his number one priority.

The Anfield board reportedly wants attacking young talent added to the Liverpool squad, and Bojan would certainly fit the bill were he to be available.

A fee in the region of €16 million is thought to be enough to persuade Pep Guardiola to sell the starlet, but Liverpool will have to move fast when the opportunity arises if they are to beat off the string competition for the player.

Liverpool Target Shock Serie A Swap Deal For New Torres Partner

Liverpool will let Glen Johnson join Juventus, but only if the Italians include striker Amauri in any potential deal.

According to the Daily Mail, the Merseysiders have reluctantly accepted Johnson wants out of Anfield and Juventus are ready to pounce for the England defender.

However, Liverpool will reportedly attempt to get as much out of the deal as possible by demanding Juve offer Italy forward Amauri plus cash if they are to sign Johnson.

The 30-year-old has allegedly been identified by Roy Hodgson as a potential partner for Fernando Torres and his name was reportedly raised during a meeting between Juve technical director Fabio Paratici and Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli.

Liverpool are understood keen to add more potent attacking options to their squad in January and have been linked with numerous names in their pursuit of more goals.

Ajax captain Luis Suarez and Bolton star Johan Elmander are both reportedly in the Liverpool radar, while Belgian youngster Eden Hazard and Japan sensation Keisuike Honda have also been mentioned regarding moves to Anfield.

Hodgson is expected to have money to spend in the New Year as Liverpool owners NESV prepare to make their mark on the transfer market.

With the departure of Johnson looking increasingly likely, the Liverpool boss is also expected to be in the market for defensive reinforcements when the transfer window opens.

Henry Wants Dalglish To Have More Significant Role At Liverpool

Liverpool owner John Henry says he wants ambassador Kenny Dalglish to have a more pronounced role within the club.

The former Reds superstar was close to being installed for a second stint as manager of the Anfield club before Roy Hodgson took the reins in the summer so instead was given an ambassadorial role.

But with the club failing to reach the heights they should be, Henry wants Dalglish to be more significant around the place.

“We actually met a couple of times to talk about things,” Henry said.

“He needs to have a more substantive role within the club and that’s something we are working on with (director of football strategy) Damien Comolli.”

Mark Lawrenson: Time For Liverpool FC Players To Sort Out Their Ownership Issue

The takeover at Liverpool came as a relief to everyone – finally some clear leadership and direction to bring an end to the turmoil.

Now how about a similar thing happening on the field?

John W Henry took ownership, now it’s time some of the Liverpool players did as well.

What struck me about the game at Newcastle was that the team appeared rudderless.

When Fernando Torres missed that great chance to make it 2-1, they should have built on that moment and sensed the game was there for the taking.

But nobody was prepared to step up and really grab it by the scruff of the break.

Newcastle got a fortunate break and closed the game out quite easily.

Helped by some awful, basic defensive errors it has to be said.

All of which leads to the obvious conclusion that Liverpool are missing Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard badly.

But Gerrard’s absence didn’t affect the side too badly at Tottenham and certainly not in the home game with Aston Villa.

In fact, at St James’ Park Liverpool played quite well for the most part and made a decent start.

And in the central midfield area, Raul Meireles and Lucas have actually been thriving without Gerrard and taking some responsibility.

But it’s when you’re up against it, especially away from home, that you need more players to take responsibility as leaders.

Even with Gerrard and Carragher back in the team, those players can’t just be looking for them to provide the inspiration.

Everyone has to start putting their necks on the line.

As it is, the past week has summed up Liverpool’s season for me.

At home everything is absolutely fine. They have shaken off those early jitters that saw them lose to Blackpool at Anfield, and that remains their only home defeat of the campaign.

Victories over Chelsea, West Ham and Aston Villa have shown that they can find their groove and smash teams into submission in front of the Kop.

But what Roy Hodgson has to somehow instil is the ability to be mentally strong enough to respond to adversity and bounce back when you’re under the cosh.

If they had that they would have won at Spurs and at Newcastle, never mind drawn.

It could come from him it could come from within the players.

But either way, if it doesn’t happen soon then I won’t be changing my early season opinion that Liverpool are a top 10 side – but not a top six one.

Liverpool FC Away Form Causing Roy Hodgson Sleepless Nights

Roy Hodgson admits Liverpool’s dreadful Premier League away form is leaving him with sleepness nights.

Hodgson’s men’s travel sickness continued at the weekend when they slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United.

It was Liverpool’s sixth defeat in nine away league games this season with the Anfield outfit having taken just five points from a possible 27 on their travels – their worst tally at this stage of a campaign since 1962.

Liverpool was on course for at least a point after Kevin Nolan’s first-half strike was equalized by Dirk Kuyt shortly after half-time.

But poor defending at a set-piece allowed Joey Barton to restore Newcastle’s advantage with 10 minutes remaining before Andy Carroll slammed home a third during injury time.

And Hodgson, for whom the injured pair Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were both sorely missed, reveals that the decisive second Magpies goal will keep him awake in the early hours.

“It will be great to have Steven back next week, but even he could not have done anything about the second goal,” said the Liverpool manager. “And that is what is going to haunt me when I ride home, and when I wake up in the middle of the night.

“That has cost us any chance of getting anything.

“I came into this job to try and win every game and I can’t say it’s harder or easier than I thought - I just need to keep working hard. It’s the job I signed on to do.

“Do I wake up in the middle of the night often? You find me a football manager who’s worthy of his sword, who doesn’t wake up in middle of night after matches, and I’ll give you a good headline.”

Hodgson admits Barton’s goal dealt a massive psychological blow to his players and warns there is no magic formula to repair their fragile mental strength away from Anfield.

“The major problem was the second goal, which was an unbelievably bad goal to give away,” said the manager. “That’s the bottom line.

“When you concede a goal like that, it’s going to have a major effect on the team’s confidence.

“We weren’t looking that troubled at 1-1, we weren’t exactly being smashed or bombarded.

Newcastle had not put us under massive pressure but when you concede like that, you can almost see in the faces of the players, ‘Whoops, here we go again’.

“How can we change that? You’ve just got to win, it’s as simple as that. There is no magic formula.

“You have to play better than we did in the second half – if we had played for 90 minutes in exactly the same way, and passed the ball in the same way, and kept our shape as we did in the first half, we would have had a good chance.”

Newcastle had endured a week of turmoil after popular manager Chris Hughton was surprisingly sacked to be replaced by Alan Pardew.

There were demonstrations outside the ground before the match against Magpies owner Mike Ashley, but the home supporters departed all smiles following Liverpool’s heaviest defeat at St James’ Park in 17 years. But Hodgson does not believe his team missed a chance to make the most of Newcastle’s predicament.

“I don’t think in those terms or go into that type of analysis,” said the manager. “Thinking about the opposition’s state of mind is not my business, I just prepare my team in the best way I can and never allow myself to think in those terms.”

David Ngog is likely to miss Wednesday’s Europa League dead rubber against FC Utrecht after receiving stitches in a cut just above his eye on Saturday which forced him to leave the field to be replaced by Ryan Babel.

“Hopefully David will be okay for the Fulham game,” added Hodgson.

“It might be difficult for me to play him on Wednesday against Utrecht but I don’t think it will keep him out of next Saturday’s game.”

Dalglish Does Not Expect Reina Or Torres To Leave Reds

Kenny Dalglish does not expect any of Liverpool's star players to leave in the foreseeable future, insisting: "I don't think there's anybody trying to get away".

Liverpool slumped to ninth in the Premier League table after their 3-1 defeat at Newcastle, which leaves them with just six wins from 17 league games. The Reds finished the weekend nine points adrift of a Champions League qualifying spot, and they have won one away game all season.

Such a poor run of form has seen the likes of Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina linked with a move away from Anfield, and both players have fanned those flames at times by warning the club that it must show signs of improvement.

Dalglish, a Liverpool ambassador, is not concerned about the future though, pointing to the fact that the Reds' key players all recently signed long-term deals. Reina penned a six-year contract in April, Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard both extended their agreements in 2009, while Torres is tied in until 2013.

"I wouldn't see that as a problem," Dalglish said when asked by Sky Sports News of his fears over a player exodus. "I don't think there's anybody trying to get away.

"They've all committed themselves to the club for a long time, we were delighted when they did, and I can't see any reason why they would change their minds."

Dalglish does admit that results need to improve under Hodgson, but he called for calm, insisting the former Fulham boss is guiding the club through a tough time.

"It's a transitional period for the club, Roy came in very late on in the summer, his players were away on international duty, he took a while to assess the staff, and by the time he did that he had run out of time in the transfer market.

"Through no fault of Roy Hodgson's, it is a transitional period. The takeover rightly took precedence over everything else. The club has settled down a lot more now and has some stability. Now we need to get results on the pitch.

"Roy Hodgson will decide if he needs to improve the squad. If he sees a weakness I'm sure he'll ask the owners for finance."

Liverpool Prepare Bid For €6 Million Next Anfield Hero

Liverpool is ready to formalize their reported interest in FC Basel midfielder Valentin Stocker, according to The People.

The 21-year-old Swiss sensation has been linked with a move to Merseyside for some time and it would now seem the Reds are prepared to table a bid in order to fight of interest from other suitors.

It had been reported last month that Liverpool had commenced informal discussions regarding the youngster – something which was later confirmed by his agent Marco Balmelli.

Balmelli told TMW: "Liverpool? Yes, with the English club I have had contact. How much? Five to six million euro.

"Valentin is good technically, can play multiple roles, both on the wing and the centre."

Stocker has caught the eye of a host of European clubs since bursting onto the scene two years ago, and has since gone on to represent Switzerland - scoring three times in just six appearances thus far.

A fleet-footed attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Stocker would certainly fit with the ethos of new Liverpool owners NESV in their quest to invest in young talent to develop a squad for the future at Anfield.

Liverpool are slowly building a young and talented squad at Anfield with exciting Spanish starlets Suso and Dani Pacheco already making waves in the Liverpool reserves - and Stocker would certainly be worthwhile acquisition.

Liverpool have also been linked with January moves for French youngster Mamadou Sakho and Israel prodigy Omri Altman as Roy Hodgson looks to continue the rebuilding job at Anfield.

Liverpool Make £12.5m Bid For Ajax Striker Luis Suarez

Liverpool have made a €15m (£12.5m) bid for Ajax striker Luis Suarez, but the Dutch side are holding out for closer to €25m (£20.9m), according to media reports.

Italian publication Tuttomercato comments that the Reds want to pair the Uruguayan with Fernando Torres at Anfield, and have made initial enquires to bring Suarez to the club in the January transfer window.

Ajax is not currently in a position where they can reject a substantial offer for their star asset, but will attempt to hold out for a bigger fee from the Premier League side.

The likes of Juventus, Real Madrid and Tottenham have been linked with Suarez in the past, but Liverpool has now emerged as one of the main contenders for the player’s signature.

The 23-year-old struck 49 goals in an incredible season last year, and has managed 11 goals in 22 matches for the Amsterdam club this season.

M'Vila Admits To Interest

Rennes star Yann M'Vila has confessed his love for the Premier League with a number of top clubs reportedly tracking the midfielder.

Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa have all registered interest in the 20-year-old who has recently broken into the senior French national team.

This catapulted the Frenchman of Congolese descent into the eyes of Europe's elite clubs despite being contracted to Rennes until the summer of 2014.

Manager Frederic Antonetti is likely to command a fee in the region of £13million for his man once the January transfer window opens.

M'Vila recently said he would like to remain at the club in 2011, but that 'it doesn't matter when I leave as I feel ready for anything'.

The anchorman admitted to L'Equipe: "Which league do I watch on TV? The Premier League! It matches my game.

"It is a warrior's game, where you have to show plenty of fighting spirit.

"I like to watch Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, but also Manchester City.

"I'm a big fan of the English state of mind and tackling.

"You can't leave for a big club to be a substitute. I prefer to stay at my club to improve. I want to work more on the attacking aspect of my game - scoring and assisting."

Larsson - Blues Future Unclear

Birmingham City midfielder Sebastian Larsson admits his future at the club is still up in the air.

The 25-year-old winger has forced his way into the Sweden set-up this year with a string of impressive performances at St Andrews, including scoring a penalty in Blues' Carling Cup triumph over Aston Villa.

But the former Arsenal trainee has yet to agree a new deal in the Midlands with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

And Larsson has warned Birmingham fans that there are no guarantees that he will stay at the club next summer.

Larsson, who has been linked with Liverpool and Everton, confessed: "By no means am I not signing, but I couldn't promise anyone that I will sign either.

"I am just being honest about the situation.

"My contract is running out, we have not agreed anything. We'll keep working hard, and I'll see what happens.

"I would like more talks, but at the moment I don't know if any dates are planned."

That means that boss Alex McLeish risks losing one of his brightest stars for nothing, and he will want Birmingham's Chinese owners to up their offer to keep Larsson.

But the player insists it is not only money that will decide his future, adding: "I'd like to stay if we can find an agreement where everybody is happy. This season I am enjoying my football more than ever and the manager has been a big help to me.

"I am 25 and of course my next contract is a big one for me. It's an important part of my career. I am just being honest.

"It is not just financial, it is a lot to do with where the club wants to go, and if we can match each other.

"You just want to know the club is going forward. I've no idea how much the owners want to spend. For me you just want to be as successful as you can."

Hodgson Says Liverpool Are Losing Confidence As Speculation Mounts About His Future

Roy Hodgson is worried after yesterday's defeat at Newcastle and says that his Liverpool team is losing confidence.

Hodgson could be losing more than that soon as speculation is starting to mount that Anfield's new owners are going to make a change in time for the opening of the January transfer window.

"Confidence is obviously a factor because the longer you go without winning away from home it plays on your confidence.

"We didn't produce a good enough performance to win the game. If you want to win a game away from home against a team like Newcastle you have to play at least as well as we did in the first half for the full 90 minutes.

"We didn't do that in the second half. We gave the ball away far too often and we kept giving the ball away. We didn't get anywhere near as good enough quality balls into their half like we did in the first half, and we gave away two very bad goals."

Hodgson continued on the Newcastle game: "This is a major setback and a major blow because we have been on a good run recently and played well.

"I thought we played well in the first half - we had most of the ball, asked a lot of questions of their back four and got into some good positions. I had high hopes we would continue to play well but I was disappointed with our second-half display.

"We let Newcastle back into the game and we conceded a second goal - the like of which you don't want to see as a manager. The ball should have been cleared on at least three occasions before Barton scored."

Next up for Liverpool is Hodgson's old club Fulham at Anfield on Saturday. Hodgson will be hoping that his old club doesn’t end his reign at his new one.

Reds To Make Germany Visit

A party of Liverpool supporters will make their fifth consecutive 'friendship visit' to Moenchengladbach in Germany in 2011 and enhance a very special friendship that goes back over 30 years.

Fans of the Reds and Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach established strong links following the teams' meetings in European competition during the 1970s.

Since 1992, a group of Borussia fans have travelled to Anfield every winter to support Liverpool, and Kopites, led by organiser Graham Agg, have journeyed to Moenchengladbach annually since 2007.

The 2011 Liverpool FC Supporters Friendship visit to Moenchengladbach will take place from Friday, 18th March to Monday 21st March 2011.

This will as usual include guaranteed match tickets to watch Borussia Moenchengladbach in Bundesliga action, and we are taking in the clash with Kaiserslautern at the 54,000 capacity Borussia Park.

All match tickets for the visiting LFC supporters are guaranteed by the Borussia Moenchengladbach Fan Projekt.

Every year since 2007, the Liverpool supporters have been invited on to the Borussia Park pitch shortly before Borussia's home match to unveil a specially commissioned friendship flag that they unveil each year and the Borussia "Nord Kurve", Borussia's equivalent of the Liverpool Kop, sing a moving rendition of "You'll never walk alone".

Commentating on the special relationship between the two sets of supporters, Agg said: "The friendship and hospitality shown to us during our previous four friendship visits since 2007 has been truly awe-inspiring and it really is a friendship that is absolutely unique in world football.

"I do not believe there are two other clubs in the world that has a friendship as strong as Borussia Moenchengladbach with Liverpool Football Club.

"It is something to which both sets of supporters and clubs should be truly proud to uphold."

Also on the 2011 LFC Supporters Friendship visit itinerary this year will be, as usual, a guided tour of the impressive Borussia Park, where they have a suite called the "Liverpool suite"!

We will also visit the many pubs and bars in the Moenchengladbach Altstadt (Old Town) and a visit to the Borussia Moenchengladbach "Fanhaus", the official BMG Supporters Club who have a whole corner dedicated to Liverpool FC.

Organiser Agg wishes to remind all travelling LFC supporters that they will be once again be acting as ambassadors for Liverpool FC and the City of Liverpool.