Andy Carroll Confident That Liverpool Can Beat Arsenal To Break Emirates Duck

Andy Carroll is confident that Liverpool can finally break their winless streak at the Emirates by beating Arsenal.

The striker scored twice against Manchester City on Monday to get himself off the mark after his £35 million move to the Reds in January from Newcastle United.

Carroll hopes his new team-mates can repeat the success of his former side, who won at the Emirates earlier this season thanks to a goal from the England man.

He told the club's official website: “We need to work hard to close them down and make sure that we don't give them space or time on the ball because we know what a good side Arsenal are and what they can do if you allow them to do that.

"All the Newcastle lads played well that day. It was a great ball in from Joey Barton and it was something that we had practiced in training beforehand.

"He put it right where I wanted it and the 'keeper was in two minds whether to come and claim it or not. I got there first and put it into the back of the net.

"There's no reason why Liverpool can't win there and all the lads are confident that we can beat Arsenal."

The striker is not the only Liverpool player to win at the Emirates this season as Lucas Leiva also tasted victory when Brazil played Scotland in a friendly last month.

Dalglish - Justice Is Closer

Kenny Dalglish believes that the families of the 96 Liverpool supporters who died at Hillsborough are closer to obtaining justice.

The Reds boss will lead mourners at Friday's memorial service at Anfield to mark the 22nd anniversary of disaster.

Families of those who lost their lives in Sheffield have been campaigning for answers since 1989, but still no-one in authority has been held accountable for the tragedy.

An independent panel is examining previously unseen documents relating to Hillsborough and James Jones, the bishop of Liverpool who is chairing the panel, is expected to complete the report later this year.

Dalglish, who was Liverpool's manager in 1989 and who is currently in caretaker charge, is hopeful the families will finally get the justice they have been battling for.

"I think it's getting closer to some positive news for the families, but it has taken a long time to get to this point as well," he said.

"Two years ago Andy Burnham [then secretary of state for culture, media and sport] came up to the memorial service and promised that he would do the best he could to get access to some papers that were not due to be released for another three or four years and to the man's great credit he has done that.

"They have got access now to some papers that they've never had before and have now got to file through them and that's why I'm saying it's getting a bit more positive for the families."

Dalglish, who helped the club deal with the aftermath of Hillsborough, believes it is important that those who died are remembered by everyone associated with the game.

"I don't think what happened there will ever be removed from anybody and neither should it," added Dalglish. "I don't think anybody should ever forget it.

"I suppose the people who were there are the ones who have the strongest opinion on it. There are people now passing an opinion on things but I'm sure had they been there they would have a different opinion.

"For ourselves also, it has been that long that there is a generation of our supporters now who know about it but obviously weren't there. I'm sure it is to the forefront of their minds as well.

"Everybody knows what it means to the football club and everybody knows how difficult it is for the people who lost someone there. The sooner they get the justice for themselves, the happier they will be and we all will be for them."

Liverpool Face Serie A Scrap For £11m Marauding Midfield Target

Newly capped French international Blaise Matuidi has expressed his desire to move to a bigger club 'when the time is right' reports skysports.com.

The highly-rated Ligue 1 midfielder recently graduated into Laurent Blanc's national side after a string of fine performances for his club.

Liverpool have long been linked with a move for the combative midfield general, as manager Kenny Dalglish looks to strengthen that department of his Reds squad.

However, talkSPORT now reports that Liverpool may face competition for the Anfield target from Serie A side Genoa who are also said to be courting the player.

At 24, Matuidi feels he has achieved all he can at St Etienne, a club he joined from Troyes in 2007. He now wants to play on a bigger stage, and has targeted a number of Europe's elite clubs as potential destinations.

Liverpool Make Enquiry For £10m Standard Liege Star Steven Defour

Liverpool is weighing up a £10 million move for Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour after Manchester United cooled their interest in the Belgian star.

United have been tracking Defour for more than two years but have indicated that they are unlikely to follow up their interest with a summer bid.

The 23-year-old is set to leave his Belgian club at the end of the season and Liverpool have now emerged as one of the leading contenders for his signature.

Defour's agent, Paul Stefani, has held talks with Portuguese giants Benfica within the last month but he has also been in contact with Damien Comolli, Liverpool's director of football, about a summer move to the Premier League.

Comolli and Reds manager Kenny Dalglish want to add creativity to the Liverpool midfield next season and have identified Defour as one of their candidates.

Defour had previously been reluctant to join the Anfield club as he feared he would ruin his dream of playing for Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson took the extraordinary step of writing a letter to the player in 2009 after he suffered a long-term foot injury.

But Defour has been impressed by the direction the Merseysiders have taken since Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson in January and a summer switch could be on the cards if Liverpool decide to make an offer.

"Liverpool are now a different club to last year," a source told Goal.com UK. "Defour could really thrive and achieve his goals at Liverpool - and he is the kind of player they want to sign now."

The Belgian international would fit into Liverpool's strategy of buying young and talented players under owners Fenway Sports Group and his £10m price is considered attractive by the decision-makers at the club.

Comolli has said he wants to bring “top players” to Anfield and has promised movement in the transfer market during the summer as the Reds look to build on the January signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Liverpool 'Considering' Swoop For £15m English Starlet

Liverpool are ready to step up their pursuit of Connor Wickham by offering £15 million for the Ipswich Town forward, reports the Daily Star.

The 18-year-old has signed two new contracts this year alone to re-enforce his commitment to the Tractor Boys.

Tottenham Hotspur were reportedly leading the race to sign Wickham, but now, with Liverpool having bolstered their attack already this year as they swooped for Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, it appears Kenny Dalglish is keen to add another member to his star studded attacking line-up.

Wickham, who has already progressed into the England Under-21's, scored his eight goal of the season against Middlesborough on Tuesday, just weeks after netting his first professional hat-trick against Doncaster Rovers.

Such has been his impact on the first-team that Ipswich had Wickham extend his deal until 2013 in January, and then by a further year earlier this month after he was named the Football League's Young Player of the Year and the Champions Apprentice of the Year in March.

Damien Comolli, Liverpool's director of football, has been to watch Wickham on a number of occasions, and could be ready to tempt the forward to the Premier League.

The Anfield club hasn’t been frightened to splash the cash after spending close to £60 million on Suarez and Carroll, and if Liverpool's ambitions of closing the gap to the top five in the Barclays Premier League are genuine, a swoop for Wickham, who is available at a reported £15 million, would be expected.

Mamadou Sakho: I Have No Interest In Joining Liverpool

Speculation that defender Mamadou Sakho is on the verge of agreeing a move to Liverpool this summer has been rejected by the Paris Saint-Germain star.

Sakho had been rumoured to be a £12million target for the Gunners earlier this season, while Liverpool have this week become the latest club to join the race for the highly-rated 21-year-old.

However, the versatile starlet - who can play in the centre of defence or at left-back - has distanced himself from talk of a move to the Premier League.

'I am focused on PSG at the moment,' he said.

'I am reading nothing into the speculation.'

Sakho admits he was ready for the interest to come his way after an impressive campaign in France.

However, he appears to have ruled out a move to England in the near future, adding: 'If I do well then clubs will look at me, but I plan to stay with PSG for a long time.'

Liverpool is said to be monitoring several targets to strengthen its defence this summer.

Keeping Hold Of Pepe Reina Would Be Massive Boost For Liverpool

Rafael Benitez has stressed the importance of former club Liverpool holding onto Pepe Reina this summer.

The Spanish shot-stopper has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United in recent months, with the 28-year-old recently saying that he was happy but would "not swear eternal love" to any club.

Benitez, the man who brought the goalkeeper to English football in 2005, believes the Merseyside club have to retain the services of the former Barcelona and Villarreal man.

He told Yahoo: "When any team has a good player it is important to keep them. Pepe is one of the key players for Liverpool so if he stays it will be a massive boost for Liverpool."

Benitez, out of work since parting ways with Inter in December, admitted he would be tempted by offers from abroad but his priority is to return to the Premier League as he sets his sights on a return to management.

The Spaniard, who won the Champions League in 2005 and FA Cup in 2006 with Liverpool, left Merseyside last summer after guiding the side to a disappointing seventh place, just a season after running Manchester United close at the top of the table.

The ex-Valencia manager has previously been linked with a return to Anfield and with the club's board stalling over offering Kenny Dalglish an extension to his current short-term deal, Benitez admits a return to the Premier League is what he desires.

He said: "I am watching as many games as I can but in a different way as you are not under pressure and you do not need to prepare for the next game.

"I am still analyzing games at the moment. If I have good offers abroad it would be ok but my priority is to return to the Premier League."

Since leaving Serie A, Benitez has enjoyed time with his family and is adamant that he does not feel his experience with Inter was a bad one.

"I think it was positive," he added. "In the circumstances that we had won two trophies which was a good achievement, especially winning the Fifa Club World Cup as this was the main target of the club. Six months and winning two trophies is not a bad statistic if you consider it in this way."

Benitez also believes that Premier League clubs are more patient than any other league in Europe and that there is more respect in the English game, and talked about another of his former players, Lucas Leiva, who was often cited as a transfer dud before becoming one of the club's most consistent performers.

"I think that people have more respect and are more patient," he continued. "You can build and prepare a team and work better with younger players. You have more time overall. In Italy or Spain you have one or two weeks and everything can change.

"I was defending Lucas from the beginning. He played a lot of games and the people in the stadium could see he was working very hard and improving every day. The more mature a player he becomes the better he will become. I am so pleased for him because he is not only a fantastic player but a nice lad."

The 50-year-old manager also took time out to have his say on how to get the best out of Fernando Torres, something he achieved at Anfield.

He added: "Fernando is a good professional and although he had some injuries he was learning the English style he was scoring a lot of goals at the beginning and at the end.

"He had a good mentality, he has good quality and his relationship with me was good because we could talk in Spanish."

Martin Skrtel Excited By Liverpool Youth Players

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel believes the impressive debut of John Flanagan this week underlines the potential of an exciting crop of Reds youngsters.

Reserve team right-back Flanagan, 18, gave a composed performance after making his first senior appearance from the start in Monday's 3-0 Barclays Premier League thrashing of Manchester City.

The local-born youngster follows in the footsteps of fellow defender Martin Kelly, who has impressed in the same position this season but is currently injured, while midfielder Jay Spearing is also getting opportunities.

Other teenagers such as Conor Coady, Jack Robinson and Raheem Sterling are highly rated and have been on the fringes of first-team squads.

When asked about Flanagan's display, Skrtel told LFC TV: "He was brilliant. He is just 18 and on the pitch he looked like an experienced player.

"I think he showed his best and he showed he can be a very good player.

"The young guys from the Academy have already got a chance in the first team, like Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, Flanno and Peter Gulacsi.

"They are still young players but they are part of the first team.

"We can see they are the future of Liverpool FC and it is on the right way. These players can be big in the future of Liverpool."

Skrtel says the convincing win over City, which included record signing Andy Carroll's first two goals for the club, has done wonders for team spirit going into the final six games.

The Anfield side remains sixth in the table but is determined to close the gap to Spurs above them and secure a European place.

Slovakia international Skrtel, 26, said: "It was a great game for us.

"These few days after the game we have really enjoyed the atmosphere at Melwood.

"You can see the smiles on the faces and that is very important."

Liverpool now faces another tough test as they travel to title-chasing Arsenal on Sunday.

The Merseyside club has not won away at Arsenal since a 1-0 success at the old Highbury ground in 2000.

Skrtel said: "It is going to be a big game, a very important game for us.

"We are in a race for the best position (we can reach) in the league table at the end of the season.

"We have to work hard and we try to repeat the performance we did in the game against City and we can get a good result there."

Four Reds Called Up By England

Four of Liverpool's most promising Academy youngsters have been called up by England for the forthcoming U17 European Championships.

Raheem Sterling, Adam Morgan, Brad Smith and Matty Regan have all been named in John Peacock's squad for the tournament in Serbia between May 3 and May 15.

England U17s will be defending their title as European Champions.

Sterling and co will face hosts Serbia, France and Denmark in Group A, and if they finish in the top two of their group of four then they will progress to the Semi-Final.

Group B is made up of Czech Republic, Germany, Holland and Romania.

The competition also offer an opportunity for the squad to qualify for June's FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico, which they will do by finishing in third place or higher in Group A.

England will kick-off the tournament with a clash against France on Tuesday, May 3.

John Barnes Hails Kenny Dalglish Impact At Liverpool FC

John Barnes has hailed the impact Kenny Dalglish has made since he returned to the Anfield hot-seat, saying: “It is a match made in heaven.”

Barnes played under Dalglish during his first stint as Reds manager and hasn’t been surprised by the upturn in the club’s fortunes.

And he believes with some quality additions this summer, Liverpool will be capable of mounting a title challenge next season.

Barnes said: “It is a match made in heaven. It is a perfect fit – Kenny and Liverpool.

“He is the only one who could have galvanized the fans to bring everyone back together.

“They made two great signings in (Andy) Carroll and (Luis) Suarez but they need more investment.”

Barnes, who was sacked as Tranmere boss in October 2009, is determined to get back into management.

“The long-term aim is to get back into football,” he said.

“If I get a job here in football, it will be in League One, League Two or other lower division clubs. I have worked in Jamaica before, so I would be willing to look anywhere in the world.”

Liverpool Make £8m Plus Joe Cole Transfer Bid For Aston Villa Ace

Liverpool is ready to offer Joe Cole plus £8m in a swap deal for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.

The 25-year-old has reportedly told friends he will leave Villa in order to develop his international career further and looks set to engineer a move from the club at the end of the season.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are reported suitors of the winger but the Anfield club could emerge as favourites to land Young with an alluring swap deal involving midfielder Joe Cole plus a cash offer.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to offload the 29-year-old who has endured a torturous time since his summer move to Anfield, struggling for form and fitness, and it now seems the Scot is ready to cut his losses with the former Chelsea player.

Liverpool have reportedly signed French winger Sylvain Marveaux for next season and the club are eyeing one more orthodox wide man to provide service for new strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Dalglish Makes ‘Mad Dash’ For Germany Star

Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten is claiming that Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli are planning to make a mad dash for Germany to personally secure the signature of Wolfsburg star Simon Kjaer.

Dalglish reportedly sees Kjaer as perfect for the center half position at Liverpool.

The defender has been rated one of the top on his kind in the Bundesliga, but with Wolfsburg currently struggling and sitting third last on the table and facing relegation, speculation is growing that the Danish international is set to make an exit.

The 22 year old was linked with Liverpool last year while he was playing for Serie A side Palermo, but Kjaer signed with Wolfsburg instead.

Now that Wolfsburg are reportedly looking to cash in on the youngster, Liverpool are back in the hot seat to work out a deal, and both the Liverpool manager and football director are wasting no time in securing the star’s signature.

Liverpool Want Birmingham City's Sebastian Larsson

Liverpool's search for summer reinforcements has led them to Birmingham City winger Sebastian Larsson, it has been claimed.

According to the Express & Star, the Swede will leave St Andrew's at the end of the season when his contract expires, and the Reds are ready to pounce for the 25-year-old.

Reports allege that Liverpool have made their interest known in Larsson and are keen to bring him to Anfield when the transfer window reopens as they attempt to bolster their attacking options.

Larsson began his career with Arsenal but, after failing to make his way into Arsene Wenger's first team, joined Birmingham in 2007 after an initial loan spell at the club.

However, the Sweden international has been frequently been linked with a move away from Birmingham after stalling over contract negotiations - and it would appear Liverpool are one of the frontrunners for his signature.

Fotbollskanalen.se has previously reported that Liverpool are interested in the versatile midfielder, while the Anfield club are known to be after more potent wide options.

Liverpool are already said to have tied up the signing of Rennes flyer Sylvain Marveaux in their pursuit of new recruits.

Liverpool Manager In Sensational Swoop For Former Anfield Hero Michael Owen

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is lining up a sensational swoop for the former Kop idol Michael Owen this summer.

The Manchester United striker is out of contract at the end of the season and is unlikely to be offered a new deal by Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 31-year-old has been struggling with injuries since he left Liverpool in 2004, despite playing for the Red Devils, Real Madrid and Newcastle United.

Dalglish is prepared to gamble on the England international and sees Owen as ideal back up to Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Being a free agent, Dalglish is prepared to offer him a chance to rebuild bridges with Liverpool fans following his departure from Anfield and his decision to join the Red Devils.

It is understood Owen still has a lot of admirers from within the Liverpool dressing room, notably Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Owen has been linked with a move to Aston Villa to work under Gerard Houllier, but the Villa manager’s uncertainty over his own future has left the deal in doubt.

It is unclear whether the Kop fans would welcome the return of Owen, as they have constantly heckled their former hero at every opportunity.

Kenny Targets PSG Star If Cahill Bid Fails

Liverpool will turn to France's next major star Mamadou Sakho if their campaign to land Gary Cahill ends in failure.

Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish has earmarked the Bolton and England centre half as a major priority when he is given funds in the summer.

But the Reds manager is painfully aware that Wanderers are determined to hold out until the bidding reaches £20million.

And with moneybags Manchester City also in the race, Dalglish has wisely lined up a back-up, with 21-year-old Sakho his preferred choice.

The Paris St Germain defender has already made a massive impact in France after winning his first full cap in the recent victory over England.

Sakho is doubly attractive because he can also play left back as well as centre half, and would cost only half the fee Cahill is likely to command.

Dalglish has other targets, with Aston Villa's Ashley Young, Charlie Adam of Blackpool and Ipswich wonderboy Connor Wickham, who only turned 18 last week, on his list.

The Liverpool boss wants to concentrate on exciting young stars, after presiding over a massive improvement in the youth structure at Anfield since he returned to the club 18 months ago.

King Kenny gave teenager John Flanagan his debut against City on Monday night, and wasn't disappointed as the defender turned in an immaculate performance.

And his display was further proof of the giant strides made with young players coming through the ranks in the past 12 months.

Dalglish originally returned to the club as an ambassador with special responsibility for academy recruitment, and he has maintained that interest by promoting several kids into his first team squad.

Liverpool has seriously failed to develop young, local talent in the past decade, since Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher burst onto the scene at the end of the 1990s.

Yet this season Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly have already established themselves, along with Jonjo Shelvey and now Flanagan knocking at the door.

Other exciting young stars such as Conor Coady, Jack Robinson, Andre Wisdom, Raheem Sterling and 16 year old goalscoring sensation Adam Morgan all seem to have a big future at Anfield, and Dalglish wants to ensure that happens by continuing to identify the best young talent.

Flanagan showed enough in 90 minutes against England winger James Milner to suggest he can make the grade, and previous academy graduate Carragher believes it is a massive boost for the future of the club.

"I'm delighted for John and I think it gives the whole club a lift when you see a local lad come through - the supporters love it," he said.

"I think at the Academy it gives all of them a lift. The young lads at the Academy, it shows them it can be done.

"There's a bit of competition now between him and Kelly for the local lads. It's great for everyone really that you've got two local lads like that coming through.

"To be honest there's a few more down there so it's up to them lads to take their chance. Flanno's done that, but I'm pretty confident that there are more down there."

Pardew Denies Rumours Linking Enrique With Liverpool Move

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has insisted there is no deal in place to sell Spanish full-back Jose Enrique to Liverpool. Speculation has been rife in recent months that the former Villarreal full-back will leave Tyneside during the summer after putting talks over a new contract on hold.

Former Liverpool player and assistant manager Phil Thompson said in a television interview over the weekend he understood a deal had been done, a claim on which Newcastle were not prepared to comment.

However, Pardew, who has repeatedly spoken of his hopes of persuading the club's first-choice left-back to extend his stay at St James' Park, is adamant that is not the case.

He said: "There's definitely no deal between the clubs – 100 per cent. He's under contract here until next summer and we hope to open talks on a new deal as soon as possible. That's where we are.

"We want to keep our best players, and Jose's one of them. As far as anything being a done deal, that's not true. We want Jose to stay. Nothing's changed."

Pardew's comments are likely to do little to placate fans concerned that one of the club's most consistent players could be heading for the exit doors.

Striker Andy Carroll was ultimately prised out of the manager's grasp by Liverpool's £35million January bid after repeated assurances he was going nowhere. Indeed, Carroll had signed a new long-term contract just months earlier.

Newcastle had hoped both Enrique and midfielder Joey Barton would sign new contracts at the turn of the year, but the defender, having been linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Milan, decided to wait until after the club's Premier League status was assured.

Barton also decided not to commit himself in the wake of Carroll's departure, preferring instead to wait for the club to persuade him of their ambition by tying up the likes of Enrique and skipper Kevin Nolan as well as targeting new signings during the summer.

The Spaniard endured a tough first couple of season on Tyneside after making a £6.3m switch from La Liga in August 2007.

However, he has developed into a genuine Premier League player and it is no surprise he has attracted the interest of prospective purchasers. The word in the north-east has been for some time that his future lies away from St James, and his retention or otherwise will represent a major test of how owner Mike Ashley's blueprint for the future is viewed within the dressing room.

'Academy Is One Of Europe's Best'

Former Liverpool left-back Stig Inge Bjornebye has hailed the club's Academy as one of the finest in Europe.

The Norwegian has been a frequent visitor to the Reds' youth-base in recent years and has been hugely impressed by the work being carried out by Academy director Frank McParland.

Speaking at a specially arranged U13 clash that saw his amateur side Heming takes on Liverpool, Bjornebye revealed his deep gratitude to the Kirkby staff for their hospitality.

"This is an outstanding complex," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's got to be one of the best around when you look at the staff and facilities available.

"I've always kept in touch with the club and have often visited to look around and get advice on coaching.

"We actually did a TV show for a Norwegian channel when I came here last year and I have to say Frank McParland and his staff were fantastic.

"We spoke then about the possibility of bringing my son Tobias's team, Heming over for some training sessions and a friendly match. I coach them but we are only an amateur team from Oslo, so for Liverpool to treat us so well is great.

"I feel very honoured to be here and to have been looked after the way we have by everyone.

"When you look around at the players at the various age groups you can see there is some great talent here. It really does look good for Liverpool's future."

Carroll Expects Big Signings

Andy Carroll believes Liverpool can still attract the biggest names in football and expects the club to invest further this summer.

Carroll became the most expensive British player following a £35million move from Newcastle in January, on the same day Liverpool paid £22.8million for Luis Suarez.

The England international scored his first goals for the club in a 3-0 win over Manchester City on Monday, in which teenage defender John Flanagan made an impressive debut.

Despite being likely to miss out on UEFA Champions League football again next season, Carroll believes Liverpool's renewed confidence and team spirit can attract further star signings.

"The team spirit here is great, there are massive names here, it's a massive club and I don't see why we can't attract big names," said Carroll.

"We're just putting a team together now. Me and Luis are new, Flanno (Flanagan) played his first game at the back - and I thought he did great - and it shows what we can do for next season."

Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva is delighted Carroll has broken his goalscoring duck and believes the 22-year-old proved his ability with the ball at his feet, as well as his head.

"Everyone is so happy for Andy," Lucas told the club's official website.

"For a few games he's been trying to score and at times has been unlucky. On Monday, he showed what he's capable of - not just with his head but with his feet as well.

"Your first goal is always the most difficult to get. I'm sure now he will get more and more. He will have more confidence for the next games. It's up to us to keep creating chances for him."

John Flanagan Hails Kenny Dalglish For Giving Liverpool Youth A Chance

Liverpool's latest academy graduate, John Flanagan, has predicted an influx of young talent into the first-team ranks thanks to the guidance of Kenny Dalglish.

The 18-year-old produced a flawless first-team debut in the 3-0 win over Manchester City on Monday, when Dalglish was quick to pay tribute to the work of the Liverpool youth academy over the past two years. Dalglish worked at the Liverpool academy on his return to the club in 2009, when the former manager Rafael Benítez, dismayed at the lack of players coming through, orchestrated an overhaul of the coaching structure.

Under the academy director, Frank McParland, and the technical director, José Segura, Liverpool have a pool of promising talent pushing towards the senior squad, including Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, Jésus Fernández (known as Suso), Michael Ngoo and Toni Silva. And Flanagan, who excelled at right-back in the absence of the injured Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly, another home-grown player, and alongside the midfielder Jay Spearing, believes Liverpool's production line has been given added impetus by the appointment of Dalglish as temporary manager.

"Kenny has been a big help to me and the other young players," the defender said. "He's been working at the club for the last two years and he was at the academy so he knows all of the youngsters well. He's always a big help to us, telling us what to do. It helps us just the fact that we already know him well from the academy because it means that he knows us well too.

"It gives all the young players a boost because we all know that Kenny is looking at us and is willing to give us our chance so that gives us confidence. The thing for us is that when we do get a chance we have to take it. There is a great bunch of lads at the academy, we were unlucky in the Youth Cup but we've got great teams in the academy and the reserves."

Flanagan's father, Jonathan, was also on Liverpool's books as a teenager but his failure to make the grade will, the defender says, now serve as an inspiration. He explained: "My dad was here when he was younger but unfortunately he didn't make it. But even that is something that can help me because he's able to speak to me about what worked and what didn't work for him and that means I can learn from his mistakes. He keeps telling me he used to clean Kenny's boots! My dad wants me to go all the way and so do I."

Niko Kranjcar Has His Heart Set On A Move To Liverpool This Summer

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Niko Kranjcar has set his sights on a summer move to Liverpool according to the London Evening Standard.

The 26-year-old Croatian international has grown increasingly frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities at White Hart Lane, having only made 17 appearances in all competitions this season.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp cited the fine form of Welsh wing wizard Gareth Bale as the main reason why Kranjcar has rarely featured for the north Londoners this term.

Liverpool was heavily linked with a January move for the want-away midfield magician, who is valued at around £6.5million.

And despite the fact he still has two years remaining on his Tottenham contract, a move to Anfield could still be engineered this summer should Liverpool wish to step up their pursuit.

Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen made an enquiry as to Kranjcar's availability in the mid-season window, but a transfer was knocked back by Redknapp after failing to bring in a ready-made replacement.

Having enjoyed a brief renaissance back playing in the first-team, Kranjcar made key contributions when he scored in consecutive games for Spurs in February.

The most notable strike came in the last minute of their Barclays Premier League home encounter against Bolton Wanderers, giving Tottenham a vital three points from a 2-1 victory.

However, after suffering a foot injury in the 0-0 draw with Wigan last month, Kranjcar is set for another spell on the sidelines amidst doubts he will not recover in time to play again this season.

If that is the case then the Austrian-born Croat may have played his last game for Spurs, though he has indicated he would prefer to remain in England.

That puts Liverpool in pole position to secure the player's signature in June, and Kranjcar has reportedly told friends that Anfield is his number one option.

All that remains to be seen is whether or not Kenny Dalglish will renew his interest in the summer as he steps up his search for midfield additions.

Teen Star 'Yearns' For LFC Move

Reported Liverpool target Xherdan Shaqiri is closing in on a move to Juventus, it has been claimed.

According to talkSPORT, the Italian giants have already met with FC Basle in order to discuss a deal for the 19-year-old winger, who could be set to move to Turin in the summer.

Liverpool have frequently been linked with a swoop for the teenager, who continues to impress with his skilful displays in the Swiss Super League - but it appears the Reds will now have their work cut out if they hope to bring him to Anfield.

The fleet-footed winger's profile rose dramatically after he scored a stunning goal against England as Switzerland fell to a 3-1 defeat in the Euro 2012 qualifier last September, and his name has been mentioned regarding Liverpool ever since.

Shaqiri is thought to be keen on a move to England - and to Liverpool in particularly - and Goal.com previously reported that the youngster 'yearns' for a move to Anfield.

Liverpool Agree Deal With FC Porto Boss Andre Villa-Boas As New Manager For Next Season

FC Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas has agreed to become the new Liverpool manager next season.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports the 33-year-old rejected a move to Roma because he has already signed a pre-contract with the Anfield club.

The Portuguese is regarded as the hottest prospect in football management and has been labelled the ‘next Jose Mourinho’.

Villas-Boas worked under the ‘Special One’ at Chelsea but the pair fell out over the differing views on style of play.

He has just won the Portuguese first division title, breaking many of Mourinho’s records at the club.

Mourinho’s right-hand man at Chelsea, Steve Clarke, is already the number two at Liverpool and is known to be an admirer of Villas-Boas.

Many clubs have been after the Porto boss with Inter Milan and Roma said to be at the head of the cue.

Reports suggest Villas-Boas met Franco Baldini, who has strong ties with Roma, and told him he could not take charge at the Stadio Olimpico because he already had a pre-agreement with Liverpool.

Mourinho has also told Villas-Boas it is too early in his career to move to Italy and that going to the Premier League would be more beneficial.

Vladimir Romanov 'Got Scared' By Liverpool Offer

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov says he made a mistake in failing to buy Liverpool when he claims the club was offered to him for £200 million in 2005.

"In 2005, my club Kaunas was playing against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers," said the Lithuanian businessman and banker, who the same year bought a majority shareholding in Hearts.

"David Moores, who then owned Liverpool, suggested that I bought it for £200 million. The price was realistic, a serious piece of real estate, star players. Just to mention Gerrard."

Romanov admitted: "I got scared. By that time I had been beaten black and blue over Hearts in Scotland where they pictured me as an idiot. And I thought that if I got hold of Liverpool they would definitely drive me to an early grave."

He said he had planned a bid with a Russian businessman friend who he did not name. "He refused. And I did not risk getting into it on my own," he said.

New York Times Confirmed As Second Largest Liverpool FC Shareholder

The New York Times Company has been confirmed as the second largest shareholder in Liverpool Football Club.

The club’s owners Fenway Sports Group released the information as required by Premier League rules which state that any ownership of more than 10 per cent must be declared.

FSG chief John Henry revealed that he and the Times group are the two biggest shareholders in the company, which owns Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox.

It was already known that the Times were significant players in FSG with their stake believed to be 16.58%.

Henry and the Times group are the only investors with more than 10 per cent of FSG, while Reds chairman Tom Werner is one of “a range of investors”.

A statement said: “The economic interest in this company is held by a range of investors, including Tom Werner.

“Those holding more than a 10 per cent interest are John Henry and the New York Times Company (which is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange). John Henry and Tom Werner are generally responsible for the management of Fenway Sports Group.”

Man Arrested Over Andy Carroll Arson Attack

A man has been arrested on suspicion of torching former Newcastle United star Andy Carroll’s car.

The striker’s brand new chrome-plated Range Rover was set on fire outside Toon captain Kevin Nolan’s house last October.

Carroll, who signed for Liverpool for a British record £35m in January, was staying at his skipper’s home in Darras Hall, Ponteland, at the time as a condition of his bail, after being charged with assaulting his former girlfriend Laurie Henderson, 18.

Abusive graffiti relating to the Gateshead-born forward was also scrawled on Nolan’s garage door.

A police spokesman said: “On Tuesday, police arrested a 33-year-old man from the Whitley Bay area in connection with an arson that happened in Darras Road, Ponteland on October 20, 2010.

“We are appealing for information after a car was set on fire in Ponteland.”

Police said today the man had been bailed until August pending further police inquiries.

Carroll, 22, bought the 4x4 to celebrate netting a five-year contract with the Magpies.

Police and firefighters were called to the house at about 7pm on October 20 after Nolan and Carroll noticed the car on fire outside the house.

Nolan’s wife, Hayley, and their two children were inside at the time.

Carroll had appeared in court that week charged with assaulting Miss Henderson at her home, also in Ponteland, on the Sunday morning.

The charges were later dropped.

On Monday, Carroll scored his first goals for Liverpool following his record-breaking transfer in a 3-0 win against Manchester City.

He fired his first England goal last month in a 1-1 draw with Ghana.

Segura Happy After First Win

Pep Segura declared himself a happy man after seeing his reserve side record their first win under his leadership after a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Academy on Tuesday afternoon.

Adam Morgan netted the only goal of the game and in doing so found the net for the 12th consecutive game.

The victory keeps the reserves title chances alive but for Segura that is not his main priority.

"It was good to get the first victory for us but the most important thing for me was how well we played," Segura told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"To win is always fantastic but it's the attitude and application of the players that is the main thing.

"The work of the players has been fantastic in all of the games. We were unlucky to lose to a late goal against Arsenal, we deserved to beat Everton and now we have beaten Bolton.

"We could have won by more than the 1-0 scoreline because we created many chances."

Meanwhile, Morgan, who netted on his first start in the league for the second string said: "It was an important win for us and it was important I contributed to that and it was nice to get the goal.

"It was a great run by Toni Silva to get the goal and he put it on a plate for me. I thought I worked hard and enjoyed it but the rest of the team did well, not just me."