Dalglish Refuses To Blame Carroll

Kenny Dalglish refused to blame £35million striker Andy Carroll missing a first half sitter for Liverpool's laboured 0-0 draw against Swansea.

England international Carroll blew a golden opportunity to put his team ahead when he smashed a seventh-minute strike across the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

It did not get much better for the Anfield crowd from then on, with the home side missing a number of chances in a disjointed performance against the Premier League newcomers.

And Swansea was unlucky not to punish Liverpool further in an impressive second-half display.

Mark Gower wasted their best chance when he lacked composure and blazed over the bar on 84 minutes.

Dalglish said: "Our performance was disappointing. Swansea did well - they passed and moved it well.

"They had one chance in the second half where perhaps they would expect the lad to do a little better.

"We had the first chance of the game and if we had taken that it would have changed the outlook.

"But we've got to look deeper than the opportunity early on.

"There were other phases of the game where we might have had a goal."

Swansea keeper Michel Vorm stood up to everything thrown at his goal and denied Glen Johnson a certain winner with a brilliant acrobatic save in the dying stages.

The Liverpool boss added: "He made a couple of good saves at the end. At least we're testing him and getting a bit closer.

"We had some decent opportunities but I don't think we passed it as well as we could.

"When we lost possession they came at us quickly but when we got it back we gave it away too cheaply and too quickly."

The point extends Liverpool's unbeaten home run to six matches, but four of those have been frustrating draws.

Asked how Liverpool can turn these stalemates into wins, Dalglish said: "We score more than the opposition."

Real Madrid Planing Liverpool Raid In January

It is being reported this morning that the Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is aiming to raid Liverpool in January because he is desperate for another right back, and has been impressed with Glen Johnson since his return to the Liverpool squad and sees him as the perfect competition for Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa was not very popular at Anfield, amongst the Liverpool players or fans, but he has flourished since moving to Madrid and is now a well respected member of the squad.

But he is now 28 and Jose Mourinho is aware that he needs a younger, faster version and is hoping that Johnson is still smarting from the treatment he received from Rafael Benitez and Roy Hodgson while he was injured.

The People reports that Mourinho had a meeting with the Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to tell him to begin talks with Liverpool for Johnson, and also to try and arrange a loan deal with Man City for Carlos Tevez.

Gerrard On The Mend

Kenny Dalglish claims Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is recovering well from an ankle infection.

The Reds' boss gave a positive update on the England international midfielder, who was ruled out of Saturday's goalless draw against the Swans at Anfield on Saturday and is set for another fortnight on the sidelines.

Dalglish said: "He's fine. Everything been checked and the figures are hugely encouraging and well on his way to recovery."

Meanwhile, the Scot backed his Liverpool players to return to winning ways in the near future.

The Reds are unbeaten at Anfield but have now dropped eight points and sit in sixth spot in the table going into the international break.

However, after watching Swans goalkeeper Michel Vorm produce two excellent late saves to deny Luis Suarez and Glen Johnson, Dalglish backed the side to come good.

He said: "We just need to keep working on it and keep getting in there. But we haven't got in there as often as we have done in the past games. The problems there are problems we can solve ourselves.

"We have to look at ourselves and expect better performances than what we produced there."

Dalglish added: "Anything that we were good at, we didn't do too much of, passing and moving, we didn't do too much of that.

"The keeper was tested a few times and usually we are missing the target. That's 11 times we have hit the post or bar this season.

"If we had scored early on it might have changed the way the game went but we never scored so it is hypothetical.

"No-one has ever in the history of football deliberately missed a chance."

Reina: It's An Honour

Pepe Reina admits he feels privileged to be a regular member of Spain’s all-conquering squad.

The Reds stopper is bemused that some players retire from international duty due to a lack of action and remains adamant he will continue to answer the call from La Roja for as long as his country needs him.

Reina said: "I can't understand why 'keepers retire early from international football because they don't feel they will have the chance to play too often.

'Just being in the national squad for any country is an honour and there is always pleasure to be taken from being involved in the best players from your country."

He added: "I will not retire from international football no matter what. When the time comes Spain will have to retire me because I will not walk away from them."

John Henry Boxes Himself In At Liverpool Over Kenny Dalglish

This is why Liverpool should’ve looked into the future rather than back to the past.

There’s a section of Liverpool fans who will stand-by Kenny Dalglish regardless of how he performs as manager. That’s laudable really, especially in an age where fans are more fickle than ever. However, John Henry must surely be starting to doubt the wisdom of installing Dalglish, because the pricey team that’s been assembled grows more underwhelming by the week.

It’s interesting to compare the treatment of Dalgish by the Liverpool fans with the comparative relationship between Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal faithful. One heralded as a saviour regardless of contemporary results, and the other derided because of them. The past is Wenger’s enemy, whereas for Dalglish it’s a saving grace. Arsenal and Liverpool are currently level on points.

Can you imagine how Anfield would’ve reacted to a Roy Hodgson team that failed to beat Swansea, Norwich, and Sunderland at home? Or how the fans might have responded to getting humiliated at White Hart Lane?

The problem John Henry has, is that anytime you appoint a club legend as manager you complicate the situation. Getting rid of Dalglish, should he ever want to, is almost impossible given the fans emotional investment in the man himself. Sacking someone like that would put the ownership in direct opposition to a considerable percentage of the fanbase – and owners do that at their peril.

Some may argue that even talk of dismissing Dalglish is premature, but since when is this kind of form acceptable to a club of that stature? The Champions League grows a more remote objective by the week, and you could certainly make a case for saying that Liverpool are currently – on form – the seventh best side in the league. That’s not good enough for Liverpool. It’s definitely not acceptable when you’ve spent an absolute fortunate on putting a team together.

At times, and apologies for this being a laboured point, Andy Carroll looks little more than a Championship player. Stewart Downing is a mid-level player at best, Charlie Adam – for all his much-heralded set-piece qualities – is a passenger in that midfield, and Jordan Henderson has done so little in a Liverpool shirt that you can’t really have an opinion. Luis Suarez is a fantastic player, but he’s actually limited by what goes on behind him.

That’s an awful lot of money for very little product, and on the basis that you can’t eat out on the 1980s forever, there eventually has to be some accountability for how this team is performing. Trouble is though, how much of that accountability can John Henry put on his manager?

Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Swansea

Liverpool could move back into the top four of the Premier League when they host Swansea in the first league clash between the sides in almost 30 years.

Boss Kenny Dalglish, who played in the Reds' 3-0 victory over the Welshmen in April 1983, has overseen a rich vein of form for the Anfield side in recent weeks.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five top-flight matches and could leap above Chelsea and Tottenham if the results go their way.

Dalglish believes his new-look team, which was bolstered by seven summer signings, has started to gel and a number of key partnerships are beginning to blossom.

Strike pair Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll have showed signs of forging a deadly attack, while Jose Enrique and Stewart Downing have caused problems for the opposition by linking down the left flank.

But Dalglish has warned the home crowd not to expect Liverpool to cruise past Brendan Rodgers' men.

Swansea, who was thrashed 8-0 when they last visited Anfield for a FA Cup tie in 1990, have made a solid start to Premier League life.

After failing to score in their opening four games, the Swans have found their shooting boots to win their last three home matches.

Now the 10th placed side will be hoping to take this form away from the Liberty Stadium, having earned just one point on their travels.

History will also be created if Rodgers and his players pull off a shock against Liverpool.

It would be Swansea City's first win at Anfield, with the Welshmen's previous success - a 2-1 triumph in February 1964 - coming under their former guise of Swansea Town.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss the clash after being ruled out for at least the next fortnight with an ankle infection.

Gerrard's absence means midfielder Jordan Henderson, who deputised in last week's win at West Brom, is likely to keep his place.

Defender Jamie Carragher's calf injury which forced him to miss the match at the Hawthorns will be assessed late on to see whether the centre-back is ready to return.

Swansea manager Rodgers is boosted by the return of Kemy Agustien.

The Dutch midfielder has been out for six weeks with a hamstring problem, and he is likely to make his return on the bench with Mark Gower, Leon Britton and Joe Allen having performed so well in his absence.

But the trip to face the Reds comes too soon for Stephen Dobbie, who is likely to return following the international break after an ankle injury.

Possible starting XIs:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Adam, Lucas, Downing, Suarez, Carroll.

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Taylor, Britton, Gower, Allen, Dyer, Graham, Sinclair.

Swansea's Brendan Rodgers Touched By Kenny Dalglish's Congratulations

Brendan Rodgers says he was "honoured" by the congratulations Swansea received from Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish after their Premier League promotion.

Dalglish was among the first to congratulate the Welsh side after their Championship play-off win over Reading.

As the Swans prepare to travel to Anfield on Saturday, Rodgers said he still treasures Dalglish's letter.

"I was very honoured to receive that from such a great man and a wonderful player," he said.

"It was a fantastic gesture - we received a number of those but this was the first to come through.

"It shows you why they [Liverpool] are respected worldwide. It's those class moments and acts that go a long way.

"Kenny's come in and reignited the whole club - and because of that association that he's had his impact has been fantastic.

"I liken the way the club is run and their supporters to our own.

"They're both sets of supporters who understand the traditions of their club [and] the good footballing principles."

Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, while Swansea have secured only one point on the road.

But Rodgers believes Swansea can do well at Anfield, citing the draws achieved by Sunderland and Norwich as examples.

"We understand no matter what ground it is this season that every game is going to be difficult away from home," said Rodgers.

"We go there really looking forward to the game and we feel our game is progressing and we're getting success in particular at home.

"But we want to turn some good performances on the road into points.

"But you know when you go to the big teams you also need that little bit of luck.

"If we can get that and perform like we can then we want to give ourselves an opportunity."

Midfielder Mark Gower is currently holding talks with the club over a new contract and Rodgers says the former Southend player thoroughly deserves a new deal.

"He deserves it, discussions have been ongoing and I am sure that they will be completed soon," said Rodgers of the 33-year-old.

"Mark has been brilliant since I've been here, he showed his worth last season and has been exceptional when he has come into the team this season.

"He gives his all every single day and is a player I wanted to ensure we did retain."

Liverpool Open Contract Talks With Steven Gerrard

Liverpool have opened contract negotiations with captain Steven Gerrard as the club’s American owners look to reinforce his long-term role at Anfield.

Despite his absence through injury, owners Fenway Sports Group have already held discussions with Gerrard’s representatives about lengthening his current deal.

The 31-year-old has 18 months left on an existing contract, but from the moment they bought the club over a year ago FSG have made it clear they wish Gerrard to spend the remainder of his career at his boyhood team.

The same applies to Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher, who signed a three year deal last year prior to the takeover but is seen by the hierarchy as integral to the club’s identity.

Gerrard’s existing agreement will take him to his 33rd birthday, and an extension, likely to be another two years, represents a show of faith in his ability to overcome recent injury setbacks.

Although the latest negotiations began before he suffered the ankle injury which has put him back on the sidelines, he is expected to make a full recovery from the infection.

Gerrard has been at Anfield since his schoolboy days and after resisting the temptation to leave for Chelsea on three occasions between 2003-2005, and rejecting numerous less publicised offers from Inter Milan and Real Madrid, he said when penning his last deal in 2009 he would remain at Liverpool for as long as he was wanted. He rebuffed another approach from Jose Mourinho after the 2010 World Cup.

There was never a doubt manager Kenny Dalglish would seek to retain the experience of both Gerrard and Carragher as he seeks to mould a new side with the assistance of their invaluable experience.

FSG have informed the pair they see roles for them as part of the staff when they finish playing, should they decide to pursue such a course.

The Liverpool duo have come integral to how the club presents itself both on and off the park and FSG have no wish to allow rivals to benefit from the wisdom and inside knowledge of Anfield which they’ve garnered throughout their two decades.

Liverpool Angry Over Scheduling Of Carling Cup Clash

Liverpool is embroiled in a furious row with the Football League after being ordered to play their Carling Cup quarter-final against Chelsea just 48 hours after a key Premier League fixture.

The Merseyside club is unhappy they must travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, Nov 29, two days after they face Manchester City at Anfield.

An appeal to both the tournament organisers and the Premier League to rethink the schedule to preserve the integrity of the cup competition has been rejected.

City find themselves in the same position as Liverpool, as they must travel to London to face Arsenal in their quarter final immediately after their visit to Liverpool.

However, Robert Mancini’s side — with a vastly deeper squad and other priorities — are understood to be more relaxed about honouring both fixtures within such a short period.

Liverpool had expected to head to Chelsea for a Wednesday evening kick-off, but the Football League claimed it could not do so because of Metropolitan Police advice.

There is a TUC rally in central London on that day and Spurs are playing at home to PAOK Salonika in the Europa League.

These explanations hold little sway with Liverpool, who do not believe they should suffer as a consequence of other commitments in the capital city, especially with other dates available in the fixture calendar.

Manager Kenny Dalglish is deeply concerned Liverpool will not have any time to train for a game ranked as one of the most important of their season.

After a brief warm down on Monday after the City game, Liverpool will have to make their 200-mile journey to London and play with minimal preparation.

Chelsea, in comparison, play Wolves at home on Saturday, Nov 26, giving them an obvious advantage. Liverpool appealed to the Football League for this to be taken into consideration. They asked for the quarter-final to be played in the week of the semi-final, commencing Jan 9.

When that was refused, both Liverpool and City asked the Premier League to bring forward their league meeting by 24 hours. This was deemed impossible because of live television commitments.

Liverpool is especially unhappy with their treatment given how they have supported the League Cup, not only throughout their history, but during the course of this season.

They boast the record number of wins in the tournament and the record number of appearances in the final.

Dalglish has played a strong side throughout the early rounds this season and it has become a major priority due to a lack of European competition. He is determined to lift the club’s first trophy since 2006.

Ryan Babel Reveals Regret Over LFC Mistakes

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has revealed that he regrets his 'dangerous' use of Twitter during the latter stages of his career at Anfield.

Babel, who now plays his trade in Germany with Hoffenheim, admits that he is 'addicted to Twitter', and warned that becoming 'too emotional', can be 'very dangerous'.

Babel got into a couple of high-profile Twitter scrapes at Liverpool, one of which still bothers him to this day:

"The first mistake I made was when I was at Liverpool and I hadn't been selected for the squad.

"We were having problems up front with Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun all injured, and had to play Stoke away.

"I was left out of the squad completely, and it didn't make sense to me. So I tweeted "Do you guys understand that", to hear fans' opinion.

"Within 15 minutes it was on Sky Spots News as 'Babel blasts his manager'. It put the team and the coach under extra pressure, and when they lost, I felt bad"

Babel must be referring to the 2-0 defeat at Stoke in the 2010-11 season under Roy Hodgson. He shouldn't feel so bad though; until recently, the Brittania Stadium has been a bit of a cursed ground for Liverpool.

Babel seems to be enjoying life at Hoffenheim. In a recent interview with De Telegraaf, he enthused:

“I think I’ve really benefited from the move to the Bundesliga. We do more preparation work at Hoffenheim than I ever saw in England and we do longer training sessions. I’ve never felt so fit".

Babel had a strong start the season, scoring 5 goals in 7 games, but his form has tailed off a bit in recent weeks, and he's failed to find the back of the net in the last 6 starts for his new team.

Reds To Wear Poppy Shirts

Liverpool will wear jerseys embroidered with poppies when they take on Swansea City on Saturday afternoon - before signing and donating them to the Royal British Legion.

With no Barclays Premier League matches next weekend, the Reds will don the special shirts to commemorate Remembrance weekend.

The match-worn jerseys will then be given to the charity, which supports current and former members of the armed forces and their families, to help raise funds.

Jordan Henderson said: "It's important for Liverpool to pay their respects this weekend. The Poppy Appeal raises millions of pounds for the families of those who are involved in the armed forces.

"It's an honour to wear the poppy on our shirts, and afterwards we'll be signing them and donating them to the Royal British Legion.

"Everybody has the utmost respect for the members of those involved in the armed forces, and their families. Saturday is a great opportunity for the players and the fans to pay their respects.

"I'd like to thank all of the fans in the armed forces for the work they do - and I'm sure we'll pay our respects to them on Saturday and try to get the right result for them."

A minutes' silence will also be held prior to kick-off, while Liverpool will host a pre-match bucket collection for the Royal British Legion and have donated perimeter board advertising and an article in the matchday program to the Poppy Appeal.

The two teams will be led out onto the pitch by the Royal British Legion flag bearer Brian Fearn, while Mark Kirwan and John Cadwallader of the Royal Marines Reserve Merseyside will place a large poppy in the centre circle.

Keegan: I Could Have Come Back

Kevin Keegan has spoken of how Liverpool Football Club made him as a footballer and a person - and revealed how the possibility of a sensational Anfield return was once discussed.

Forty years after signing for the club, the player who helped make our No.7 jersey famous has given his most forthright and personal interview ever - and if you're an LFC TV Online subscriber then you can watch the entire 60 minutes before anyone else right now.

Among the revelations from Keegan was an admission that after leaving Anfield in 1977, a clause was inserted into his Hamburg contract giving Liverpool an option to buy him back.

The transfer never happened and instead in 1980 he signed for a Southampton side managed by Lawrie McMenemy.

Keegan explained what happened: "It was an option. I was with Lawrie McMenemy at a charity event the other day and he said he phoned up Peter Robinson, because he wanted me but Liverpool had a clause, but Peter said, 'No, we won't be signing him, definitely, we don't need him.'

"Liverpool had moved on, got different players and partnerships, were just as successful and arguably about to be even more successful.

"In football terms, it's never easy to go back. You've had it happen over the years a couple of times and it's half worked but it's never really the same. My book had been written at Liverpool and it was a nice little book. I had a lot of good fun and a few little downs, which makes a good story.

"Every time I come back, even driving here today, I go past my old digs. You can't take the memories away but it was finished."

Despite firing a century of goals in 323 appearances for Liverpool, Keegan is perhaps associated more with Newcastle these days following his return to St James' Park as manager.

But despite his father being from the north-east, the 60-year-old regards Liverpool as the club to which he owes everything.

"Newcastle and Liverpool are the two," he said. "I played for and managed Newcastle, my father and all his relatives were from up there, so there was a big pull for me in the north-east. But Liverpool made me, not just as a footballer but as a person. The people I met: Shanks, Tommy Smith, Ian Callaghan, Ron Yeats. All these people you take something from.

"You think, what makes Emlyn Hughes so special on the football field? Fitness. I want to be fit. What makes Tommy Smith so special? He absolutely loves the club. I'll take a bit of that. Taking bits of those people made me. It was a very influential time for me.

"The fans made me. When they started singing my name! What am I, five foot seven with Cuban heeled boots? But (because of them) I was six foot six."

Duo Unveil Brand New Facility

Two of Liverpool's promising starlets paid a visit to St Ambrose Barlow Catholic High School to unveil a brand new state-of-the-art training facility.

Conor Coady and Michael Roberts cut the ribbon at the opening of the new £150,000 project, and the new suite will provide a high quality venue for the delivery of training for local businesses and schools in the South Sefton Area.

The Governors, staff and students of St Ambrose Barlow Catholic High School unanimously voted to name the facility 'The Andy Traynor Suite' in memory of their former Headteacher who tragically passed away shortly after his retirement.

Mr. Traynor laid the foundations for the massive success that the school has achieved in recent years, resulting in national awards for excellence.

The state of the art building is a self-contained training facility. It includes a conference room with an attached ICT area for up to 28 users with a SMART whiteboard and internet access. The Training room can be accessed independently from the school and has a purpose built reception area, disabled WC and kitchen.

Dalglish Urges His Side To Respect The Threat Of Swansea

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has warned his team they must not take newly promoted Swansea City lightly when the clubs clash on Saturday.

The Scot believes the Reds have squandered too many points against sides promoted from the Championship in recent years and hopes to avoid a repeat against the Welsh team.

Dalglish told reporters: "It's a game that we're going to have to be very patient in. The supporters have to understand that sometimes there is a bit of disrespect for teams who have been promoted.

"Swansea might have spells of possession in the game, which we've got to accept. We've rued the games against some promoted teams over the last few years. Swansea are one of the promoted teams but they're a decent side and they've got a good collection of points."

Dalglish is full of admiration for how Brendan Rodgers' side have played this year in the Premier League, but will not be doing them any favours come the weekend.

"I wouldn't say struggled is the right word," Dalglish said. "I would just say they've had a difficult draw of games. They certainly never struggled in the first 20-25 minutes at Eastlands. We've got the utmost respect for them and their principles are similar to ours.

"I don't know Brendan Rodgers as a person, I only know what he's done in football, but he's certainly set up a decent team there.

"I don't think it does you any good to change your principles, you have to change the whole team if you change your principles. That was the way they got their reward last year in promotion - why should they change? Good luck to them.

"It's a great achievement what they've done so far but let's hope their bad run away from home continues."

Bellamy Eyes Swans Statement

Craig Bellamy has called on Liverpool to demonstrate their top-four credentials by securing victory over Swansea City this weekend and extending their unbeaten run to eight matches in the process.

The Swans will journey to Anfield on Saturday having enjoyed an encouraging start to life in the top flight after securing promotion from the Championship last term.

However, Bellamy is eager for the Reds to return to winning ways on home soil following the 1-1 draw with Swansea's fellow Barclays Premier League new boys Norwich City a fortnight ago.

"It is important to keep the unbeaten run going, but with no disrespect to Swansea, if we have ambitions of finishing in the top four then we have to win these type of games," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We slipped up against Norwich, but on overall chances created and how we went about it, on any other given day we would have won quite comfortably.

"Credit to Norwich, they kept going because we didn't kill them off. If we can create the same number of chances against Swansea, then I feel we will that game.

"We have to look at it as trying to get three points because they are a promoted team and if we want to get into the top four, these are the games we have to try and win."

Swansea will come to Anfield sitting in 10th position in the table having enjoyed an enterprising start to the campaign.

"I'm not surprised because of the way they play and are as a football club," said Bellamy. "The Premier League suits them.

"They will play football at all costs - and they have done. They've tried to keep that idea and that momentum going. I think they will be very comfortable in the league this year.

"They're a good team and we'll have to be at the top of our game on Saturday. If we're not and we sit off, they'll pass it around us and it'll be a very uncomfortable afternoon."

Liverpool are currently in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

It was a sequence Bellamy himself kick-started when he opened the scoring during a Carling Cup tie at Brighton in September.

The striker admits it was a landmark moment on a personal level as it was his first goal for the Reds since securing a return to Anfield on transfer deadline day.

He said: "It was a big moment. It was Brighton and seven minutes in, and then I was lucky enough to follow it up in my next start with another goal at home to Norwich.

"We should have been a couple of goals up by that time, but to get a goal in front of the Kop is always an extra bonus."

Bellamy's first spell at Anfield yielded nine goals - including one in a historic 2-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Having signed from Blackburn Rovers in 2006, the Welsh international spent just a season at Liverpool before departing for West Ham United the following summer.

The 32-year-old admits he thought the chance to ever don the red jersey again had passed him by - but was left thrilled when Kenny Dalglish moved to snap him up from Manchester City earlier this summer.

In doing so, Bellamy fulfilled a lifelong goal - to play for the King of the Kop.

He said: "It was always an ambition to work with Kenny. Did I feel I was going to get this opportunity again? Probably not - but then Kenny would say the same as well. These things can happen in football.

"When he returned in charge in January, I got to see his team and it was so refreshing watching Liverpool.

"To watch Kenny come back and the football that's been played, for me it is exciting to be around - and that is something I'd expect from Liverpool Football Club."

He added: "It's been really good and I have enjoyed it. Training has been great. I'm lucky enough to have worked with Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen before at West Ham, and to be involved with them again is great.

"Training is intense, but it is always with a view to the opposition who we're going to play.

"Every day you come in and there is something different. There is a great atmosphere at the place - very relaxed but really with a goal of Champions League football. We have the players to do it and I feel this team will get stronger through the year as well."

No Old Pals' Act For Clarke

Steve Clarke has revealed why he is looking forward to welcoming an old friend to Anfield when Swansea City come to town - but is hoping the only thing Brendan Rodgers heads back to Wales with on Saturday evening is a handshake.

The Liverpool first-team coach is close friends with the Swans gaffer having struck up a friendship during their days working at youth-team level.

Clarke then recommended Rodgers to former club Chelsea when he was promoted to the role of Jose Mourinho's assistant at Stamford Bridge in 2004.

The Scot explained to Liverpoolfc.tv: "I know Brendan well. We came across each other what seems like a really long time ago when I was managing the youth team at Chelsea and Brendan was youth-team manager at Reading. We had some good matches and got to know each other through that.

"When Mourinho went to Chelsea, I moved up to work with Jose and recommended that Brendan could be one of the candidates to come in and take the job with the youth team.

"Fortunately for everybody, Brendan got the job and did a great job for Chelsea."

He added: "We stay in contact regularly. I probably speak to Brendan a couple of times a month - obviously not this week because we've got different agendas at the weekend. I haven't seen him for a while, so I'm looking forward to seeing him after the game.

"He's done a terrific job at Swansea. I hope they have a big reversal this weekend, but after that I wish them all the best."

Dalglish Convinced Liverpool Squad Can Cope Without Key Duo

Kenny Dalglish is convinced his Liverpool squad can cope with the absence of key men Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher as they are much better equipped compared to last season.

Gerrard and Carragher, the local heroes who have been the backbone of the Liverpool team for 12 years, have always been indispensable members of the squad with the club's success very much dependent on their availability.

However, with the backing of new owners, Dalglish has spent heavily on new players including midfielders Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing and defender Sebastian Coates,

And Dalglish believes the squad can now cope with the absence of captain Gerrard and vice-captain Carragher.

"We would much rather have both of them available, but if they aren't then we can't walk about with self-pity," said the Scot. "We have to brush ourselves down and get on with it.

"The response from the players has been fantastic, and it was a great achievement for the boys to get a result at West Brom last Saturday without them. I think that's a reflection of how strong the squad is now compared to maybe how it was at the end of last season.

"I don't think at the end of last season we'd have coped as well without Carra and Stevie as we have now. We won't be complacent in any way, shape or form. The sooner they are back then the better we will be."

However, Dalglish has insisted that the veteran duo remain crucial parts of the team.

"I don't think anybody can dispute the role they have played in forming part of the history of this club," he said. "They have both played massive roles and will continue to be a huge part of this football club.

"Talismanic figures like them are always difficult to replace, but that's part and parcel of this club - people move on, they get old and you have to replace them and try and take it forward.

"It happens to everybody. It's how you respond to it that's the important thing. But it's also important for us to be respectful and appreciate what they've done.

"It's not an obituary for either of them, they both have a bit more to offer here."

Dalglish Linked With Sensational Move For Tevez

Manchester City's controversial striker Carlos Tevez has emerged as a shock target for Liverpool who are hoping to land the player on a short term loan deal.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has seen his side criticised in recent weeks for failing to find the target despite carving out numerous opportunities.

The Reds beat West Brom 2-0 at the weekend but it could have been more had the side taken their chances, while a 1-1 draw with Norwich at Anfield further highlighted Liverpool's lack of composure in front of goal.

This has led to numerous media outlets suggesting that Liverpool could now attempt to land Tevez, with reports suggesting that the forwards agent Kia Joorabchian had already held informal talks with a Liverpool representative.

City are hoping to be able to loan out the striker while they wait for him to be sold with West Ham and Corinthians both sounding out the Premier League leaders about possible loan deals.

Tevez is also keen to keep playing and put himself in the shop window as he knows that he will struggle to ever play again under Roberto Mancini.

Dalglish managed to convince Mancini to part with striker Craig Bellamy over the summer and is reportedly contemplating bringing Tevez to Anfield.

Liverpool already have Bellamy, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll available to play up front, but should the Reds be able to land Tevez on a short term loan deal then they would snap up the opportunity to have such a prolific striker at the club.

Liverpool In Pole Position To Sign Swedish Wonderkid

According to reports on Insidefutbol.com, Liverpool are in pole position to sign exciting Swedish teenager William Sheriff.

The 15-year-old AIK Solna player has been hailed as a future star by the club and it is thought scouts from around Europe have flocked to Stockholm to watch him in action.

Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan are also both thought to be interested, but Liverpool is the player's preferred move should he leave AIK.

It has been claimed that Sheriff had the chance to sign for Liverpool in the past, but opted to sign for AIK from local club Gefle IF in August to remain in Sweden.

However, the Reds have reportedly been keeping a close eye on the young midfielder's progress and have firmed up their interest due to the interest of the Milan clubs.

The Sierra-Leonne born Sherif is progressing well at AIK and the club fear they will lose him sooner rather than later.

And Liverpool are reportedly ready to pounce and are expected to make an approach in January.

Kenny Happy With Development

Manager Kenny Dalglish believes the evolving partnerships in his Liverpool squad will prove key to the club's chances of long-term success.

With seven new arrivals in the summer and January signings Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll having hardly played alongside each other in the latter stages of last season it has taken a while for things to knit together at Anfield.

The striking duo are starting to develop an understanding but by far the most successful link-up this season has been the one down the left between Jose Enrique and Stewart Downing, both summer signings.

Charlie Adam has also slotted in alongside Lucas Leiva in central midfield to go some way to counter the absence of injured captain Steven Gerrard, who has only made two Premier League starts this season.

Dalglish said: "The squad is the most important thing, then it becomes the team then the partnerships between people on the pitch and their understanding and getting to know each other.

"They get to know the idiosyncrasies of each individual player and their team-mates; for Jose and Stewart I don't think it is any different from any other pairing on the pitch.

"The more they play and train together the better their understanding will be.

"There have been a few new players coming in so it might take them a little bit of time to understand it but I think some of the football they have played up to now has been fantastic for them.

"Stewart fills in if Jose goes forward but that is only part of their relationship and it is the same all over the pitch, there are relationships to be bedded in.

"To their credit they have done it a lot quicker than a lot of people would have expected."

Such has been the form of Enrique, who made his debut in the opening match of the season just 24 hours after moving from Newcastle, he has played every minute of all 10 Premier League matches so far.

That has had his name mentioned for a potential first international call-up for Spain.

Dalglish believes the 25-year-old is more than capable of playing at that level - although he admits there are a few barriers to be overcome.

"He got thrown in at the deep end against Sunderland because Fabio (Aurelio) got injured and he slotted in straight away - maybe that was a blessing in disguise for him being thrown in as soon as he did as he didn't have much time to think about it," said the Scot.

"He has certainly played very well for us but I think he has to concentrate on getting a game for us first and then he can worry about Spain.

"If he gets called for I don't think there is any level in the game that he couldn't play well at."

Reina's Reds Faith Restored

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits the stability brought by Fenway Sports Group restored his faith in the club.

Reina revealed in his autobiography that he considered leaving Anfield for Arsenal in the summer of 2010 only for former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to block the transfer fearing it would send out the wrong message to any potential buyers.

In the end, the decision over the future of the Reds was taken out of the American pair's hands when it was sold to FSG amid increasing financial concerns.

Reina admits writing about those difficult times under the former owners was not easy, but the Spaniard believes the future is bright under their new owners and Kenny Dalglish.

"All the stuff about the club being threatened with administration - those were the most difficult bits," Reina said at the launch of Pepe: My Autobiography.

"It was a pretty tough moment for everyone, not just me.

"Everyone at Melwood, Anfield and around Liverpool were not very happy with the club, team and the performances.

"They were tough moments but once again I knew a club like Liverpool was not going to be sitting waiting for it to go into administration and fortunately we found good owners and the stability came back."