Match Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester United

Manchester United will be hunting their first win at Anfield in four years when they make the trip to bitter rivals Liverpool in Saturday's blockbuster clash.

As one of the most eagerly-anticipated fixtures of the season, the Saturday showdown promises to get Premier League action back under way in style after the international break.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men head into the derby clash at the top of the table and undefeated so far this season, having dropped just two points in seven matches.

But with neighbours Manchester City breathing down their necks in second place on goal difference only, United will be desperate for three points to keep them sitting pretty in the top spot.

Memories of last season's Merseyside thrashing no doubt still haunt the visitors, when Dirk Kuyt's hat-trick condemned United to a 3-1 defeat and their third consecutive loss at Anfield.

Seven months down the line and United repeat the short trip to their North West rivals but this time with bragging rights, having overhauled the Reds' tally of 18 English league titles last season by lifting a 19th championship.

That sore point could provide the Reds with added motivation as they seek their third Premier League win on the bounce, having ousted local rivals Everton 2-0 last time out in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

While Liverpool's start to the season has not packed quite the same punch as their visitors', the Reds have kept themselves in the upper echelons of the table with 13 points from their opening seven games.

The hosts will also be boosted by the return to fitness of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, who is tipped to start for the first time since March after recovering from a groin surgery.

Gerrard is expected to slot into a side which has been rejuvenated by Kenny Dalglish since his return to Merseyside in January and could pose a serious threat to United's unbeaten streak.

The Red Devils' own talisman Wayne Rooney will start following a turbulent international week which has seen the frontman incur a three-match ban for the start of Euro 2012 following his red card in the final qualifier in Montenegro.

Ferguson gave his star hitman his backing after that incident and will be hoping Rooney can shelve his international concerns and continue the form which has seen him net nine goals so far this season.

Saturday's clash will mark the third meeting between Dalglish and Ferguson since the Reds legend began his second stint at the helm, though the former has moved to play down any personal competition between the two managers ahead of the match.

Nevertheless, much of the focus will be on the two old foes as they continue their renewed rivalry, adding extra spice to what already has the makings of a mouthwatering encounter.

Dalglish has a full-strength squad at his disposal for Saturday's encounter, with Liverpool's international contingent having reported back for domestic duty unscathed.

Skipper Gerrard's return to contention provides the biggest lift for the Scottish boss, while Glen Johnson has also been declared fit after a hamstring problem forced him to miss the last three matches.

Centre-back Daniel Agger has recovered from a broken rib sustained last month and is also available for selection.

Ferguson is considering whether to hand captain Nemanja Vidic his United return after the centre-back played for Serbia on Tuesday night in Slovenia.

The skipper has been sidelined since United's opening weekend win at West Brom with a calf injury but could make his comeback at Anfield, while central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand is also closing on a return.

Jonny Evans is available should Vidic not feature after recovering from an ankle problem which kept him out of Northern Ireland's recent qualifiers.

Tom Cleverley (foot) and Rafael (shoulder) are still out but otherwise Ferguson reports a fully fit squad.

No fresh injuries were picked up during the international break, which Ferguson described as a "blessing" particularly with Fabio, Ashley Young and Patrice Evra all suffering knocks last Friday.

Possible starting XIs:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique, Kuyt, Gerrard, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Suarez.

Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.

Adam - Reds Reaching Peak

Charlie Adam claims Liverpool have yet to play to their true potential this season, but hopes they will scale those heights against Manchester United.

Kenny Dalglish's side have made a steady start to the 2011/12 campaign and headed into the international break on the back of a morale-boosting derby victory over Everton.

Next up for the Reds is a visit from arch-rivals Manchester United, with the reigning Premier League champions and current table-toppers due at Anfield on Saturday.

The fixture tends to bring the best or worst out of those on show, with a pressure cooker environment separating big-game performers from the rest.

Adam will get his first taste of an emotionally-charged atmosphere this weekend, following his summer switch from Blackpool, and he is confident that a new-look Liverpool side is ready to face the challenge head on.

"I still don't think we've played as well as we can but that happens when you bring in so many new players," said the Scotland international.

"We've shown glimpses of being a very good side. Hopefully we can continue that on Saturday. It is a massive game for the supporters and a massive game for the players.

"We know it's going to be difficult and we have got a lot of new players in our squad who are still gelling together.

"It's not about sending out a message, it's your own pride and performance being at this club.

"We have to win every game at this club and that's our challenge.

"We have had a couple of bad results but we have reacted in the right way.

"There's no bigger test than Man United at home and if we can win it, it will be a big confidence boost for us."

Adam will be at the very heart of the action at Anfield, possibly with fit-again club captain Steven Gerrard alongside him, and he admits the outcome of Saturday's clash could rest on who comes out on top in the midfield battle.

"The key normally in these games is the midfield," he told the club's official website.

"If you can get a grip of the game in midfield then I think you can win the match.

"Over the years gone by we have had some terrific performances, especially last season at Anfield when we beat them (3-1).

"So the midfield will be key and also you need somebody up front who can score you goals and we have certainly got that (in Luis Suarez).

"We are confident going into the game and hopefully come Saturday we can get the three points."

Liverpool Defender Martin Kelly Fit For Manchester United Clash

Martin Kelly has handed Liverpool a welcome boost ahead of Saturday's clash with Manchester United by declaring himself fit for the north-west derby.

The young defender was sent back to Melwood last week by the England under-21s having complained about tightness in his groin.

Since then, however, Kelly has been able to train for Liverpool and will be available for selection when Kenny Dalglish choses his starting XI.

And Kelly now hopes he has done enough to be awarded a starting berth for what, he admits, will be a stern test for the Reds.

"I came back from the England squad as a precaution with a tight groin," the 21-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"That's fine now and I trained on Monday, had Tuesday off and was back in on Wednesday.

"It's fine and I'm looking forward to what will be a really tough test for the team."

Liverpool is unbeaten at home this season, having won two and drawn one of their fixtures at Anfield.

But United will certainly be a different proposition for Dalglish's side, with the champions having started the campaign in rampant form.

Kelly, however, says the Reds have complete belief they can get the result they want - while he has urged the fans to make it as difficult as possible for their old foes.

"If we play how we've been playing at Anfield, do what we do best and play our football, we've got a great chance of winning," he added.

"We know how good we are, we believe in ourselves and so do the fans.

"The fans will be vital on Saturday in getting behind us and being that 12th man.

"Everyone is really excited about the game. We'll carry on working on the training pitch and then look forward to the match."

Dalglish Hits Back At Gerrard Critics

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has offered his full support to skipper Steven Gerrard as the 31-year old returns to full fitness ahead of Manchester United’s visit on Saturday.

Gerrard has not started a game for the Reds since March, when United last visited Anfield, with many feeling that the midfielder has passed his use-by date.

Recently, Gerrard insisted that he was defiant in the face of scrutiny and claiming that he is now fitter than he has ever been, the Liverpool captain vowed to deliver.

His manager has now verified that sentiment, making it clear that Gerrard remains a part of the club’s long-term plans.

“Steven has been fantastic for the club and everybody would want him to go on for as long as he could because he has always been a fabulous asset,” Dalglish was quoted on LiverpoolFC.tv.

The gaffer added: “Steven has made a huge contribution to this club and he isn’t going to change. He’s probably fitter now than he was before. He’s not in a Zimmer! When he plays, you’ll still see him charging forward. He did that against Wolves the other week when he came on.”

With England’s current generation of superstars all entering their thirties, Gerrard is not the only one whose status as a regular contributor has gone under the microscope.

Fellow England internationals Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, and John Terry have all been reminded that they must continue to fight for a place in both the domestic and international set-ups.

However, neither of those players have been bothered by the doubters and in fact, Lampard’s recent performances for the Blues suggest that he remains just as dangerous as he was a few years ago.

Dalglish has joined the initiative to ignore age as a major factor in selecting his players, especially when they are performing at a high level.

“Both Steven and Carra (vice-captain Jamie Carragher) are people who everybody else can look up to. Anybody who is an asset to the football club I am sure we will look forward to keeping. For me, you judge a player on what they are doing on the pitch. It doesn’t matter what their age is,” Kenny concluded.

With a win over the reigning champions at Merseyside this weekend, the Reds will only be trailing their bitter rivals by three points as the first quarter of the Premier League season approaches its end.

Liverpool Reportedly Tracking Celtic Midfielder Ki Sung Yeung

Liverpool are being linked with a January move for South Korean international midfielder Ki Sung Yeung.

The 22-year-old midfielder has come to the fore at Celtic after joining from FC Seoul, earning rave reviews in both the SPL and Europa League following a reported £2.1 million move in 2009.

Dubbed 'the Korean Steven Gerrard' for his all-action style of play, Daily Mirror reports claim Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is considering a £5 million move to bring the player to Anfield, presumably in January.

A move would see Ki line-up alongside the England international on Merseyside, although competition for places in the midfield is fierce with Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva also vying for a spot in the Liverpool starting XI.

'King Kenny' spent big on transfers in the summer, and is expected to do the same again in January with the backing of Liverpool owners FSG.

The signing of an Asian player will also be warmly welcomed by the club's hierarchy, who are eager to take advantage of the lucrative marketing opportunities in the country in any way possible.

Whilst this is unlikely to be of concern to Dalglish, it could have a positive long-term impact on the transfer funds available to the Liverpool boss, and with 44 caps to his name already, the youngster appears to be a top talent.

Dalglish Wants New Reds Deals

Kenny Dalglish is confident that Liverpool icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher can lead the team for many more years to come.

Both players' contracts are set to expire in June 2013, but the Reds boss says the 31-year-old skipper, and 33-year-old vice-captain can carry on well beyond that.

"I haven't a crystal ball, I don't know how long he [Gerrard] has left, how long it will be," said Dalglish. "Maybe once he gets back into the swing of things he will have a better idea himself.

"Whatever he wants to do we will go along with and for me both him and Carra are fantastic examples. Both of them are two people who everybody else can look up to.

"Carra and Steven have been fantastic for this football club whether they are playing or not playing. Anybody who is an asset to the football club I am sure we will look forward to keeping."

With the new set-up at Anfield, it's Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli who has the final say on player contracts, but Dalglish sees no reason why age should be a factor when offering new deals.

"I got a long contract when I was 33 which I couldn't believe," he continued. "For me it doesn't matter about age.

"I am not rigid. If I was asked how long someone's contract should be I do not have any hard and fast rules. Everyone is different."

LeBron James To Attend Liverpool Match

For the first time since he became a minority owner of Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League in April, LeBron James will be in the crowd this weekend at iconic Anfield to see the team play.

The Miami Heat forward tweeted Thursday that he had arrived in England and later confirmed to ESPN.com that he'll be attending Liverpool's home game on Saturday against longtime rival Manchester United.

Saturday's game is the first meeting between the two English giants since Manchester United won the league championship in May and passed Liverpool as the winningest club in the country's history. United has won 19 titles in England's top flight to Liverpool's 18.

"Yeah, I'm going for sure!" James told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard Thursday night. "Wouldn't miss this one! Biggest game in the world probably."

In April, as part of an agreement with Fenway Sports Group to become the sole marketer of his rights globally, James and manager Maverick Carter were installed as minority shareholders in Liverpool, which ranked as England's most renowned club globally in the 1970s and 1980s but hasn't won the league title since 1990.

Liverpool was purchased in October 2010 by John W. Henry and the group that owns and operates the Boston Red Sox.

According to the Guardian newspaper in London, Liverpool's 3-1 defeat of Manchester United last season attracted an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide, whereas the Super Bowl is watched by 20 million viewers outside of the United States.

"Just got to Liverpool, England," James tweeted Thursday. "Riding through the city. What a beautiful place. Home and birthplace of the One and Only 'BEATLES.' "

U18s See Off Man United

Liverpool U18s have won their first home game of the season with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in Kirkby.

Adam Morgan - back from England U19 duty - put the Reds in front with a header after just two minutes.

Matty Regan made it two, again with his head, after 37 minutes before Nick Barmby's son Jack pulled one back with an explosive finish on the hour mark.

Morgan was then twice denied by former LFC Academy goalkeeper Liam Jacob, while Jack Dunn hit the crossbar.

Dalglish Cools Fergie Rivalry

Kenny Dalglish has played down talk of the rivalry between himself and Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the Liverpool and Manchester United match.

The two most successful teams in the country will meet at Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League in what is sure to be a magnificent clash.

Indeed, the rivalry between these two clubs is immense, as is the history between the respective bosses, having clashed for the first time over 20 years ago.

Dalglish is in his second tenure as the manager of the Merseyside giants and his first game in January upon his reappointment was against United at Old Trafford, where Liverpool was beaten.

Revenge of sorts was exacted when Liverpool beat United 3-1 in the league at Anfield in March, which was their third successive victory in the league at home against their old foes.

Yet Dalglish, who won a host of trophies in his first spell as manager at the club, insists he is not motivated by getting one over Ferguson.

"I don't have any individual contest with Fergie," he said.

"These are football clubs that are playing - we don't play anymore. We can't influence anything other than what we do in the build-up and preparation for the games.

"The most important thing for us is how we compete on the pitch as a team. Head to head (against Ferguson)? I wouldn't have a clue what the score is in that and it doesn't really matter to me.

"I am in competition with him because we are playing against them on Saturday but over and above that we are a unit.

"Everyone has an important role to play and if I continue to do my job, the players do theirs, the fans and owners do theirs we will be much better off.

"It is not about someone getting one over on someone else - it is about the football club."

Anfield Atmosphere Can Inspire Liverpool Win Over Man United - Hansen

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes that the home atmosphere at Anfield could inspire the Reds to record a victory over rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

The former defender was impressed by the noise levels when his beloved Liverpool faced Bolton at home in August, and feels things can only get better in a big match such as this weekend’s.

“Another potentially important factor is the Anfield atmosphere on Saturday,” Hansen wrote in LFC Magazine.

“I was at the Bolton game at Anfield in August and while, with all due respect to them, Bolton will never be the biggest game of the season, the atmosphere was electric.

“I don't think Manchester United's players will be frightened by the noise levels on Saturday, but Liverpool's players could be inspired by it.

“If you're playing in that sort of atmosphere and you know the crowd is right behind you it definitely gives you an edge.

“On Saturday, Kenny would love the crowd to be in full voice and for Anfield to be bouncing because when it is, there is simply nowhere better.”

The ex-Scotland international, now a pundit, made 434 league appearances for the Reds between 1977 and 1991.

Liverpool Face £8m EPL Fight Over Striker

Long-term Liverpool target Ola Toivonen is being linked with a move to Sunderland.

The Swedish international striker was heavily linked with a move to Anfield whilst the Reds were under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson, who still had connections from his time in Scandinavia.

However, replacement Kenny Dalgish was also thought to be keen on the PSV Eindhoven forward, who impressed Liverpool scouts with his form in the Eredivisie.

TalkSPORT now claim Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has taken a keen interest in the £8 million-rated player, who scored the goal that sent his country through to the Euro 2012 finals in a 3-2 win over Holland in midweek.

The Black Cats are in the market for a striker after Asamoah Gyan left the club on a season-long loan move to Al-Ain, with Bruce admitting it will be hard for the Ghanaian to ever return to the Stadium of Light.

Clubs across Europe, most notably Italy, have also taken a keen interest in the player, whilst Liverpool is also thought to be in the market for a striker.

Dalglish spent big on his appointment as Liverpool manager, bringing Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll to the club, but a lack of strength-in-depth in the position means Toivonen remains a realistic option for the Reds.

Jeffrey Schlupp and Brek Shea have also been linked with moves to Merseyside, but Toivonen would represent the experienced option as Liverpool look to challenge for the Champions League once again this season.

John Henry Discussed TV Plan With The Glazer Family

The Glazer family discussed the possibility of individual selling of overseas television rights with John W Henry and his colleagues at Liverpool before club chief executive Ian Ayre floated the subject this week, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Ayre’s suggestion that the biggest clubs in the league abandon the Premier League’s collective selling model and exploit their overseas rights individually has met with opposition from the league and clubs concerned that it would ultimately weaken the competition.

Manchester United has also distanced themselves from the comments, but the Glazers and Liverpool’s ownership are thought to have discussed the implications of such a move during talks earlier this year.

Sources have suggested that Liverpool believe they are not a lone voice among Premier League owners even after the lack of public support yesterday for Ayre’s comments.

Despite their clubs’ rivalries, set to be renewed on Saturday at Anfield, the American owners at Manchester United and Liverpool are said to be close and to consult on a number of issues relating to their English football interests.

The Glazers are acutely aware of the value of United’s brand around the world and television rights issue are the most valuable way of exploiting that value. For now they have made no formal move to challenge the collective model, but the very fact the issue has been discussed with Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, even in abstract terms, indicates that it is on their radar.

The Premier League remains confident that there is still overwhelming support for their collective selling of television rights, even among those clubs with the largest global fan-base and potentially most to gain.

Bruce Buck and Ivan Gazidis, the respective Chelsea and Arsenal chief executives, spoke in favour of the collective selling of rights at last week’s Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge. Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, also recently outlined his belief that Premier League clubs should split their broadcast revenue. “We’d love to have our own but I don’t think it should happen that way,” said Ferguson. “It’s quite fair to have all equal shares.”

In his interview with Telegraph Sport, Arsenal’s new majority owner Stan Kroenke spoke of his experience in American football and the success of rules which maintain a competitive balance in the National Football League.

The Premier League believes that the huge growth in their global popularity is underpinned by their success in delivering matches that are generally very competitive. In Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid earn around 12 times more than their rivals by selling their television rights individually, yet no club has finished within 20 points of them for the past two years.

The Government yesterday also outlined its support for the Premier League’s current model. “It’s a provocative kite to fly,” said sports minister Hugh Robertson.

“One of the strengths of the English game has been collective selling. I don’t want our league which, in many ways, is this country’s greatest sporting export to be like other less competitive leagues elsewhere in the continent. I think the collective selling rights is a crucial part of maintaining the Premier League’s primacy.”

For Liverpool to initiate any change in how the Premier League distributes its £1.4 billion overseas broadcast deal, they would need to secure support from 14 of the 20 clubs.

Dalglish Hails Reds Owners

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has paid a glowing tribute to the club's owners as they prepare to celebrate a year in charge of the Anfield outfit.

Saturday's eagerly-anticipated Premier League clash with Manchester United marks the anniversary of the arrival of John W Henry's Fenway Sports Group on Merseyside.

And Dalglish, who replaced Roy Hodgson at the helm earlier this year, feels the Americans measure up to the men who were in charge of the Merseyside outfit during his first stint as manager back in the 1980s.

Sir John Smith and Peter Robinson were the men in the boardroom for a much more successful spell in the club's history, but Dalglish believes the latest incumbents are already guiding the club in the right direction after just 12 months.

"The greatest compliment I can pay to them is that they're as good as the people who ran the club the first time I was here," he told the club's official website.

"That's a hell of a statement because the people who ran the club then, Sir John Smith and Peter Robinson, were two of the best any football club could ever have had.

"John, Tom Werner and the rest of the investors that have supported this football club have been absolutely fantastic.

"Since I came in January they've been nothing but supportive towards what we have to do. Their ambitions and aims are exactly the same as our most ardent fan - they want to have the success that everyone craves. And they've started off very encouragingly.

"We wish them a happy birthday and if we can get a win to put the icing on the cake then fine, we'll be happy with that.

"But irrespective of the result it won't take away how good they are as owners."

Henry Admits To Overspending

Liverpool owner John W Henry concedes he may have overspent on some players, but believes it was important to put down a marker.

Since completing a takeover at Anfield in October 2010, the Fenway Sports Group has pumped £110.5million into the pursuit of fresh faces.

The likes of Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have been snapped up for big money, with the Reds aware of the need to spend in order to compete.

Liverpool are not FSG's sole sporting enterprise either, with £191m in new payroll commitments taken on with the Boston Red Sox at the start of the current baseball season.

Henry believes building for the future on both sides of the Atlantic will have long-term benefits and is surprised to have seen the considerable investment draw criticism from some quarters.

"There was a lot of criticism in Boston that we weren't going to spend money on the Red Sox after we did the LFC transaction," Henry told the Guardian.

"We spent something like $300m in the off-season in Boston, and then there was the fear we wouldn't spend in Liverpool.

"It is really surprising, ironic, to be now accused of overspending. Usually owners are accused of the opposite.

"Hopefully the fans of both clubs will eventually see what we see clearly - that there is nothing to fear from the existence of the other club and that Fenway Sports Group is much stronger financially because of Boston and Liverpool."

Pressed on whether he felt some of his acquisitions were yet to provide full value for money, Henry said: "Choosing players in any sport is an imperfect science. We certainly have been guilty of overspending on some players, and that can be tied to an analytical approach that hasn't worked well enough."

As FSG get set to celebrate their first anniversary at the Anfield helm, Henry has also revealed that he initially had reservations about bringing Kop legend Kenny Dalglish back to the club.

Roy Hodgson was at the helm at the time of the takeover and Henry admits he was sceptical about re-appointing a man who had been out of management for 11 years.

"Kenny is certainly charismatic and beloved by the fans," he added.

"I wasn't convinced when we arrived that Kenny should be back managing and I wanted things to work with the manager we inherited. But the fans knew much more than I did. It took me a while to get up to speed. Then Ian Ayre (whom FSG appointed as managing director) was a catalyst.

"(Director of football) Damien (Comolli) was a gamble. Kenny was a gamble. But they were both calculated gambles.

"They both have the advantage of being passionate about their work and are both very clever. We didn't feel we had a lot of time to wait, and we hope things turned around."

Marsh Eyes Home Comforts

Mike Marsh is hoping his U18s side can rise to the occasion and get their first home victory of the new season when Manchester United visit Kirkby on Friday.

Marsh's charges have yet to record a victory on home turf so far with their best form coming on the road, but the U18s coach is happy with their overall displays in 2011-12.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "There is a little bit of added spice because we are playing United and it would be great for the boys to win, but no-one is getting anxious about getting our first win at home. I think our performances overall have been good.

"One or two things haven't gone our way but I think we could have won every one of the games we've played at home.

"We are pleased with how it's going and we are trying to play in the right way like a Liverpool team should. If we keep going in that direction then I think results will improve."

United might have lost their last three games at U18 level but Marsh is expecting a tough encounter for his side.

He added: "Man United are a little bit like ourselves. They play within the rules that are set down and actually play U18s in their side rather than over age players. I've got a lot of time for the way they approach Academy football."

Liverpool did the double over United at U18 level last season, including a breathtaking display at Kirkby that saw the Reds hammer their arch-rivals 6-0 back in April.

"It was a very good result but United had a very young side out that day because they were preparing for the FA Youth Cup final," Marsh added.

"They had a lot of young players out that day who will probably play against us on Friday."

Joe Januszewski Played Key Role In Liverpool FC Takeover

John Henry and Tom Werner dominated the spotlight a year ago but there was another member of Fenway Sports Group who was key to their takeover of Liverpool FC.

Joe Januszewski, the senior vice president of Corporate Sales and Fenway Enterprises, is also one of Boston’s most passionate Reds fans.

The son of a serving military man who was based for many years in Europe, Januszewski fell in love with football as a boy. And in particular he fell in love with Liverpool.

In recent years Joe’s office at Fenway Park Boston, has been adorned with pictures of Liverpool’s players and their successes, as well as images of Red Sox stars.

It was the email cry for help which, as a desperately worried fan himself, he sent to Henry and Red Sox chief executive Larry Lucchino a few months earlier which triggered their interest in buying Liverpool.

Januszewski said: “I told them to monitor the ownership situation.

“My interest in the situation was as a fan. But also as a businessman who follows sport. I told John that maybe we should take a look at this opportunity.

“I told him my bags are always packed for Liverpool and that I know a great couple of places to eat if you need a tour guide.”

Liverpool & Arsenal On Alert As German Midfielder Considers Foreign Move

Werder Bremen star Marko Marin has suggested that he could be on his way out of the club but only to a team abroad, putting the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal on alert.

The 22-year-old midfielder has attracted the interest of a host of top European clubs with the Gunners and Liverpool both reportedly sending scouts to watch him this season.

Arsenal is keen to bolster their midfield following the departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas and have reportedly identified Marin as a possible long-term replacement.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is eager to increase their attacking options and is thought to be impressed by the German international's creativity and versatility.

And Marin, who can play either as an attacking midfielder or on the wing, has admitted that he could leave Bremen but would only make a move for a a foreign club.

"Werder Bremen is a top club in Germany and I am under contract with Werder Bremen. Therefore I would just consider top clubs from outside Germany," he said.

"But I am actually focused on Werder Bremen and I do not plan to move on. We want to get back to Europe this season via success in the Bundesliga. This is of utmost importance for me."

Liverpool Bid For Angelo Ogbonna Expected By Torino

Torino is reportedly waiting for Liverpool to formalize their interest in Angelo Ogbonna.

The 23-year-old defender has consistently been linked with a move to Merseyside in recent days as the Reds line up potential targets for the January transfer window.

Now, according to various reports in the Italian press, Torino are expecting Liverpool to make an offer of €16 million in attempt to bring Ogbonna to Anfield in the New Year.

A move to Liverpool would certainly appeal to the Italy international who, over the weekend, revealed he was flattered by the Reds' interest.

"I am flattered by the interest from clubs, but I will continue to work hard for Torino in Serie B," he told skysports.com.

"Liverpool is a dream club. If they are interested in me, that is awesome. I love the Premier League and one day I might play in that league."

Tottenham To Rival Liverpool In Bid To Sign Senegal Striker

Tottenham and Liverpool are currently going head-to-head in a battle to sign Lille's prolific striker Moussa Sow, according to caughtoffside.com.

The 25-year-old Senegal international, with Gervinho and Eden Hazard, formed part of a lethal attacking trio last season that secured Lille's first Ligue 1 title in 57 years.

He finished the French season as top scorer with 25 goals and his fine form has not gone unnoticed with Spurs and Liverpool both reportedly circling.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish is eager to add more firepower to his squad to support first-choice strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli is thought to be in close contact with Lille and is confident that Joe Cole's loan move to the French club will work in their favour when it comes to negotiating Sow's transfer.

Meanwhile, Spurs are reportedly eager not to miss out on another forward target and will rival any attempts by Liverpool in the January transfer window.

Although the club brought in Emmanuel Adebayor on-loan, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is desperate to sign a permanent striker and is reportedly willing to sell Roman Pavlyuchenko to fund the deal.

It is thought Lille will reluctantly listen to offers as Sow has already expressed a strong desire to leave for the Premier League and the club will accommodate offers of around £12m.

Man Utd Rival Liverpool & Arsenal For Plymouth Argyle Starlet

Plymouth Argyle youngster Matt Lecointe is attracting interest from England's biggest clubs.

The Mirror claims Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all chasing the 16-year-old right winger who has made ten appearances already despite his young age.

Lecointe has been attracting a host of top flight scouts and all of the clubs are likely to begin a battle to snap him up as quickly as possible.

Plymouth-born Lecointe has been compared to Arsenal sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain because of his style and age.

Liverpool Defender Sebastian Coates Biding His Time At Anfield

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates is biding his time at Anfield as he fights for a first team place under Kenny Dalglish.

The Uruguayan international centre back, signed from Nacional in the summer transfer window, has made two appearances for the Reds thus far, with a start in the League Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion and substitute appearance against Tottenham Hotspur his two tastes of English football thus far.

Whilst things didn't go according to plan at White Hart Lane (Liverpool lost 4-0), Coates believes he's a better player for the experience but understands that he will probably have to wait for more opportunities to come his way as he tries to settle into Merseyside life.

"I'm trying to adapt as quickly as possible. I had to play [against Spurs] and that was very good, although I understand that I will have to wait for my time as there are very good players at Liverpool who have many years in the club," the 21-year-old told Uruguayan paper Ocavion.

"Over the last week we've luckily played on very nice days, but the climate is quite strange. Learning the language also takes quite a lot of time, and we're both helping each other learn."

Coates is, of course, referring to club teammate and international compatriot Luis Suarez.

Having joined Ajax in 2007, the 24-year-old has much more experience when it comes to living and working away from home, and more importantly settling quickly to life in a new environment.

As well as helping the youngster, Suarez has taken his own steps to integrate with colleagues and fans of Liverpool, and took a major step against Everton after claiming the man of the match award at Goodison Park.

"I'm Seba's godfather here but it seems by now he's become a son. I think I have two kids now, a girl and a boy!" said Suarez when talking to the same paper.

"In the Everton match I had been voted man of the match and they asked me if I wanted to talk. I decided to try it and it turned out I did pretty well.

"It's part of what we have to experience there. I was emotional and excited, so some of it came out well and some came out wrong. I need to experiment further."

Liverpool Consider TV Future

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre believes the option for Premier League clubs to sell their overseas television rights on an individual basis would be a 'game-changer'.

The league's broadcast rights outside of the United Kingdom are presently sold in a joint package, which is worth £3.2billion for 2010-13 to be shared equally among the 20 clubs.

But Ayre claims the system is unfair on the higher-profile clubs, arguing they attract more viewers and more subscriptions, and he has advocated the adoption of the Spanish model.

There, individual clubs have the freedom to negotiate their own packages, meaning Real Madrid and Barcelona's earnings will dwarf those of the lesser Primera Division teams - and those of the top English sides, who are restricted to their share of the league's earnings.

Ayre said: "Personally I think the game-changer is going out and recognizing our brand globally. Maybe the path will be individual TV rights like they do in Spain.

"If you're a Bolton fan in Bolton, then you subscribe to Sky because you want to watch Bolton. But if you're in Kuala Lumpur there isn't anyone subscribing to Astro or ESPN to watch Bolton, or if they are it's a very small number. The large majority are subscribing to watch Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal.

"What we are actually doing is disadvantaging ourselves against other big European clubs. If Real Madrid or Barcelona or other big European clubs have the opportunity to realize their international media value potential, where does that leave Liverpool and Manchester United? We'll just share ours because we'll all be nice to each other? The whole phenomenon of the Premier League could be threatened.

"If they just get bigger and bigger and they generate more and more, then all the players will start drifting that way and will the Premier League bubble burst because we are sticking to this equal-sharing model? It's a real debate that has to happen."

Clubs Unimpressed With Ayre TV Claims

Rival clubs have distanced themselves from Liverpool's demand for more cash from television rights - with one top-flight chairman claiming the move would "kill the heart and soul" of English football.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said the bigger clubs should get a greater share of the £1.4billion overseas TV cash - currently shared equally between all 20 clubs.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all understood to be against a change to the collective selling principle.

Manchester City chief communications office Vicky Kloss said: "The subject has never been up for debate either inside the club or externally.

"We are well aware of the benefits of the collective selling of Premier League television rights."

United has always been a supporter of collective selling and chief executive David Gill told a Parliamentary committee earlier this year: "The collective selling of the television rights has clearly been a success and it has made things more competitive."

Meanwhile, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan reacted with outrage.

He told goal.com: "I have just read his [Ayre's] comments and I find them diabolical - I just can't believe what he has been saying.

"They are thinking 'how can we get more money?' You won't get more money by killing the heart and soul of the Premier League and killing the heart and soul of football in England.

"We invented the game and we have still got the finest league in the whole world and some of the finest supporters in the whole world and they want to rip the whole thing up."

Ayre pointed out that Barcelona and Real Madrid sell their own TV rights and earn considerably more.

He said: "Is it right that the international rights are shared equally between all the clubs?

"At some point we feel there has to be some rebalance on that, because what we are actually doing is disadvantaging ourselves against other big European clubs."

Whelan added: "The worst thing for English football is for teams like Liverpool - the top four let's say - who want to get rid of virtually half the Premier League. We will finish up like the Spanish league with just two teams in it, no competition, no anything, no heart and soul in the league.

"What we have is the finest league in the whole world and what Liverpool is calling for would absolutely wreck it. The likes of Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves, Sunderland and Newcastle couldn't compete."

Henry Knew Little About Reds

Liverpool owner John W Henry admits he knew 'virtually nothing' about the club or English football before completing a takeover in October 2010.

His Fenway Sports Group (FSG) helped to oust fellow Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks from the Anfield boardroom last year.

Their arrival was greeted with much fanfare in the red half of Merseyside, with it felt that changes at the top were vital if the club were to move forward on and off the field.

FSG are set to celebrate their one-year anniversary as Liverpool owners on Saturday and believe they have made progress during that time.

New players have been drafted in, Kenny Dalglish has returned as manager and results have started to improve.

Henry is pleased with how his first 12 months at Anfield have unfolded, especially as he came into the post virtually blind to the challenge he was taking on.

He has, however, been a success in his homeland with the Boston Red Sox baseball team and believes parallels can be drawn between his two sporting enterprises.

Henry believes he can help revive Liverpool's fortunes both at home and abroad, but concedes that he knew little of the financial difficulties and the size of the task facing him when he arrived.

"We knew virtually nothing about Liverpool Football Club nor EPL (the Barclays Premier League)." He told The Guardian.

Tom Werner, who is now Liverpool's chairman, also had limited knowledge of the Reds, but claims to have been aware that FSG were buying into a global brand.

"I had been in sports so I was aware of the EPL and its strength globally," Werner said.

"But I didn't know the inner workings of it. I certainly knew about Manchester United."