Liverpool Face Threat From Milan In Bid To Land Barca Star

Liverpool target Seydou Keita could be about to snub the Anfield side and agree to a switch to AC Milan.

The Mali international has been looking for a new challenge away from Barcelona after falling behind their long list of midfield stars and becoming a sporadically used substitute.

The 32-year-old is looking for a contract that will take him to the end of his career and Russian super-spenders Anzhi have also made their interest known.

But Barca is prepared to use Keita as a makeweight in a deal to refresh their squad and are considering offering him plus cash to AC Milan in a deal for Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva.

Keita has previously described Liverpool as "a great club with great players", but he might now prefer a move to the San Siro, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Liverpool Fifth Most Costly Premier League Side

One of the arguments trotted out to defend the high transfer fees paid for some players last summer—right after the one about how British players with Premier League experience would take less time to settle and because of this pay back the higher fees with a better chance of returning to the Champions League—was that the players coming in would be on lower wages than the men they were replacing. The fees might seem high at first glance, then, but the total cost to the club would be less over the longer term.

If that was indeed the intent, then something has gone rather wrong: The average weekly wage paid out to first team players at Liverpool Football Club has risen 6% this season to over £80,000. This takes Liverpool from being the institution with the 20th highest wage bill in global sport to number 18 on the list. While well behind Manchester City (3), Chelsea (4), and Manchester United (11), and slightly back of Arsenal (16), this still makes Liverpool the fifth most costly side in the Premier League by salary.

After Liverpool, in fact, another English club doesn’t make the list until Aston Villa in 41st place. Of sides ahead of them in the table today, Tottenham rank 51st, Newcastle 127th, and Everton 108th in wages paid. Fulham, who are now level on points, are 104th. Whether or not this played a role in Damien Comolli’s recent dismissal, it’s damning to learn that Liverpool is in fact shelling out 6% more to its players this season compared to last in addition to the heavy fees paid for many of those new signings in the summer and yet the club remains on pace for their worst finish in over half a century.

League results may have improved slightly in recent weeks—at least relative to what they were a month ago—but regardless of cost the bigger picture isn’t all that pretty. At the beginning of March, the club had managed only 0.8 points per game in the previous ten games, while the form since the second half of the season began in January sat at 0.73 points per game. It meant the club stood 19th in the table in the second half and was on relegation form.

Now, Liverpool has managed to raise their form to an even point per game over the past ten matches, with their second-half form rising to 0.88 points per game as a result. The second half form remains in the relegation zone, only moving the club up to 18th from 19th, but at least their form over the past ten matches is slightly above that—over the entire season, a point per game would see Liverpool in 17th place today. On only that most recent form, Liverpool would be 0.03 points per game back of Aston Villa—another side under-performing heavily compared to the wages they pay.

So there has at least been some minor improvement in the league in recent weeks, though it’s very much a relative thing as over a season that improvement would still see the club’s performance at a level far closer to relegation than to the top four. It’s also worth noting that following last night’s disinterested loss to Fulham, Liverpool now need all six points from their remaining two league matches against Chelsea and Swansea to avoid their worst finish in the top flight since relegation in 1954.

As problematic as league performance is even separated from wages paid, what’s most damning about where the club currently finds itself is that the outlay on players—with the numbers taken from the start of the 2011-12 season, when all summer transfers but Raul Meireles’ had been completed—has actually gone up. As such, it isn’t a situation that can be blamed on past regimes and their Joe Coles. For years, Rafa Benitez wildly outperformed his spend in the league table, with European dominance thrown into the mix. Since 2009-10, however, the club’s results have plummeted past something resembling a fair return to the embarrassing place they now stand.

Two things are clear here: Liverpool are wildly overpaying many of their current players based on return on the pitch, and bringing in the likes of Carroll, Downing, and Adam has in fact done the opposite of reducing the wages paid to the average Liverpool player. What also seems apparent is that if Liverpool want to have a legitimate chance of competing near the top of the league and in Europe, then there isn’t just a clear need to spend smarter on players—they also plain need to spend more. The financial numbers make the degree to which Liverpool has misspent in the transfer market over the past year and a half all the more clear, but they also make it clear that even with smarter spending the current outlay isn’t anywhere near enough to compete with the top sides in England.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Fulham

Kenny Dalglish is on Tuesday night likely to give his players the chance to audition for a place in Liverpool's FA Cup final team when Fulham visit Anfield in the Premier League.

The Merseyside club's extremely disappointing league campaign has long since been limping towards its conclusion and the best they can hope for is a seventh-placed finish.

Attention has consequently been upon a second domestic cup final appearance of the season ever since Merseyside rivals Everton were defeated in the FA Cup semi-finals on 14th April.

Dalglish has told his players they have a chance to submit their 'CVs' ahead of facing Chelseaon Saturday at Wembley and all will be keen to impress against Fulham, although the Scot is also likely to rotate his squad in order to avoid any risk of injury.

But visitors Fulham will not view this midweek fixture as a dress rehearsal and, in contrast to their hosts, they have enjoyed the 2011/12 Premier League.

Martin Jol, who it is understood will return to the dugout after missing the weekend defeat by Everton due to a chest infection, has guided Fulham into the top half of the table.

Indeed, with three league games of the season remaining, the Londoners could yet finish above a Liverpool squad containing more than £80million investment from last summer.

The omens are not brilliant for Fulham as they prepare for their second game on Merseyside in four days given they have never won a Premier League game at Anfield, failing to score in their last five.

But they have only suffered defeat on two occasions in the last five overall league fixtures with Liverpool, who are far from comfortable at Anfield after winning just once in their last seven home games in the top flight.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has recovered from the injury which meant he missed Saturday's victory at Norwich and is available for selection.

The club's record signing was left out because of a minor groin complaint, but has returned to training.

With the FA Cup final four days after facing Fulham, there are likely to be other changes to the team.

Andy Johnson is a doubt for Fulham's after he missed Saturday's 4-0 thrashing at Everton with an adductor injury and he is not expected to recover in time.

Stephen Kelly may also have to wait before making his comeback, while winger Bryan Ruiz (foot), Steve Sidwell (hernia) and Zdenek Grygera (knee) are long-term absentees.

Former Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise, who won the UEFA Champions League with the club in 2005, will likely start for Fulham on his emotional return to Anfield.

Possible starting XIs:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Coates, Enrique, Shelvey, Henderson, Spearing, Maxi, Bellamy, Carroll.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Hughes, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Duff, Diarra, Frei, Dempsey, Pogrebnyak, Dembele.

Dalglish Wants Final Applicants

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will allow all of his players to 'put their CV in' for selection for the FA Cup final.

The Reds face Fulham at Anfield in the Premier League on Tuesday, but the most significant game in terms of their season is the Wembley encounter against Chelsea four days later.

Dalglish is usually adamant he and his players focus on the next match only, but even he has hinted he may pick his team to face the Cottagers with one eye on the final.

"We've said to all of the players, 'we want to give you the best possible chance to be available for selection on Saturday'," said the Scot as he plans for a second trophy of the season.

"We want the strongest possible squad we can to pick from for Saturday's game, and there are many ways we can do it.

"If someone needs a break, we'll give them a break and if someone needs a game, we will give them a game, because every single one of them are more than capable of playing in a cup final for this club.

"It's going to be a difficult selection as it always is, but it's a difficult selection for tomorrow night as well.

"Everybody will be treated fairly and equally and everybody will be allowed to put their CV in for selection on Saturday."

Fulham visit Merseyside for the second time in three days, but despite their abject performance in a 4-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday, Dalglish will not underestimate the visitors.

"They're a good side, Fulham, and difficult to play against," he told Liverpool's official website.

"They got battered 4-0 at Everton on Saturday so I'm sure they will be a bit upset with that and they might be wounded animals coming to play against us.

"We will just play the best we possibly can and for us it's an important game.

"It's one we want to get three points from, and we'll put a team on the pitch we think can win and we want to win, then we can concentrate on the final afterwards."

Carroll Boost For Reds

Andy Carroll has handed Liverpool a boost by returning to training after missing the weekend win over Norwich.

The striker was forced to miss the 3-0 victory at Carrow Road with a slight niggle, but he was able to take part in training on Monday.

Carroll could now return to the side for Tuesday's home clash with Fulham ahead of this weekend's FA Cup final with Chelsea at Wembley

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish admitted he rested Carroll as a precaution for the trip to Carrow Road.

"He's training today," Dalglish told the club's official website. "It was just a niggle.

"Players are either going to be rested or they are going to play to give them the best possible opportunity to be available for Saturday, and Andy comes into the category. The safest thing to do was rest him on Saturday."

Enrique Targets Home Boost

Jose Enrique wants Liverpool to build confidence ahead of the FA Cup final by beating Fulham at home in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Liverpool meet Chelsea at Wembley at the weekend, but enjoying a positive end to the league season is also a priority for the club.

A 3-0 victory at Norwich last Saturday gave the Reds a lift and Kenny Dalglish's side now welcome Fulham to Anfield, looking to improve their home form.

The Reds have won just five games at home all season and Enrique is determined to head into the cup final on the back of three points.

"It was a good start to a big week for us," said the Spaniard.

"We have to beat Fulham first before we think about the cup final.

"I know we aren't playing for anything in the league but it's important for us to get three points to get some confidence ahead of the final.

"It's a home game and we want to do well. Then we have an amazing final to prepare for."

Scoring goals has been the problem, particularly at Anfield, this season and their last appearance there highlighted that all too plainly.

In probably the most dominant performance of the season they created chance after chance against West Brom only to lose after a defensive mistake.

Striker Luis Suarez was the difference against Norwich with a hat-trick to take his league tally to 11 and Enrique has praised his team-mate.

"It was an amazing performance from Luis," Enrique told the Liverpool Echo. "I don't think I've ever seen a better hat-trick than that.

"I told him after the game that he just needed a little bit of luck.

"I know he will score many more goals here in the Premier League."

Liverpool Agree £8m Deal For AZ Alkmaar Midfielder

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has moved quickly to reinforce his midfield by agreeing a £8million deal to sign AZ Almaar midfielder Rasmus Elm.

The Sweden international has long been linked with a move to England and the Sun has reported that Dalglish recently flew to Holland in order to watch the player one more time.

However, when he arrived at the club he found out that Elm would be missing the game as his wife had gone in to labour and he would not be in action against Feyenoord.

Despite not being able to take one last look, Dalglish and his team have now made the necessary arrangements with the Dutch club and the 24-year-old should be a Liverpool player next season.

The Sun believes that Elm has agreed personal terms with the FA Cup finalists and that he will sign a five-year deal with wages of around £40,000-a-week.

Liverpool has moved quickly to complete a deal for the midfielder as Dalglish looks to strengthen his squad after a disappointing season in the league.

Liverpool Eyeing De Jong Move

Liverpool is interested in bringing prolific Eredivisie striker Luuk de Jong to Anfield this summer in a deal worth a reported £12.5million.

The FC Twente star has been on Kenny Dalglish’s radar for some time and the Reds boss believes he could be a good addition alongside top scorer Luis Suarez, according to Metro.

Liverpool are not the only team who have been monitoring the Holland international, his 23 goals in the league this season have reportedly attracted a number of European suitors.

The report claims that Dalglish is one of these and that the 21-year-old will be purchased with part of a £20million transfer kitty that will be granted the Liverpool manager this summer.

De Jong is not the only option being assessed by Dalglish, according to the report, Newcastle United’s Demba Ba has been singled out as a possibility but Tottenham Hotspur’s involvement could affect that move.

De Jong could be brought in as another Dutchman, Dirk Kuyt, looks set to leave the club this summer.

Dalglish Makes Personal Check On Montpellier Winger

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is using the last few weeks of the league campaign to check on potential transfer targets, one of which is Montepellier winger Younes Belhanda.

The winger has been instrumental in helping Montpellier enjoy a fantastic season as they push for the Ligue 1 title, scoring 11 league goals in his 27 appearances.

The Metro has reported that Dalglish travelled to France with assistant Steve Clarke to make a personal check on the winger who is renowned for his pace and ability on the ball.

The duo are certain to have been impressed with the performance of Belhanda who scored the only goal of the game as Montpellier remained top of the league with a 1-0 win over Toulouse on Friday evening.

Belhanda, 22, has been a regular starter for the past two seasons, but this year has been his best to date in front of goal, while Montpellier have all but won the league title after moving five points clear of PSG with just four games remaining.

The paper believes that Belhanda is likely to quit the club in the summer after hearing that their is interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and fellow French club PSG.

Liverpool will seemingly face stiff competition for the Morocco international after learning that Arsenal have sent scout Gilles Grimandi to watch the player on a number of occasions.

Hamburg Hoping To Secure Move For Liverpool Attacker

Hamburg appeared to move one step closer in the battle for out-of-favour Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt, after club coach Thorsten Fink described him as a “class” player.

The Dutchman has struggled to nail down a starting place in Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool team, with the Kop boss opting to play Jordan Henderson in a wider role.

As such, Kuyt has been regularly used as a substitute this season, and has been told he is free to look for a new club as he enters the final year of his contract.

The former Feyenoord man has been heavily linked with a move back to his former club, with suggestions that he could be offered a player/coach role.

However, Bundesliga side Hamburg has also been touted as a realistic destination, and Fink has fuelled speculation that the club may move for the 31 year-old, by outlining his qualities.

As reported by Sky Sports, Fink told Kicker.de: “He has class, and he is also a fighter. There is nothing more that needs to be said about the quality of this player. Whether this is something we feel we want to commit to, we will see."

Hamburg has endured a difficult campaign, finishing just above the relegation zone.

Match Report: Norwich City 0 - 3 Liverpool

Luis Suarez netted a stunning hat-trick as Liverpool warmed up for the FA Cup final with a comfortable 3-0 win at Norwich.

The Uruguayan struck twice in the space of four minutes midway through the first half to put the Reds in command.

After Norwich - who are all but secure of a place in the Barclays Premier League heading into their final two games - rallied briefly, Suarez completed his treble eight minutes from time with an audacious lob from just inside the Norwich half to give Kenny Dalglish's men the perfect tonic ahead of their Wembley date with Champions League finalists Chelsea next Saturday.

Reds captain Steven Gerrard had been restored to the starting XI after being rested for last weekend's disappointing home defeat by West Brom which was a seventh in 10 Premier League games.

The Carrow Road pitch had been drenched for several hours this afternoon, making for testing conditions during the opening exchanges.

Norwich winger Anthony Pilkington slipped as he looked to cut back inside after getting clear down the left, before keeper John Ruddy was also on the floor at the edge of the penalty area as the ball squirmed loose.

On eight minutes, Norwich left-back Adam Drury pulled up with a groin injury and was eventually replaced by Russell Martin.

Despite Liverpool having the better of possession, Norwich fashioned the first real opening when Pilkington got away down the left again, and his low centre was hacked clear by Jamie Carragher with Steve Morison waiting at the back post.

Craig Bellamy - who came through the Norfolk club's youth team before being sold to Coventry for £6.5million in August 2000 - moved down the Norwich left and floated a cross into the area, but Stewart Downing lost his footing and somehow could only hack the ball back out of the box.

The visitors went in front on 24 minutes.

Gerrard battled to win the ball out on the left from David Fox, and fed Suarez, who took one touch on into the Norwich area before lashing home into the top-right corner.

It was almost 2-0 soon after when Suarez stretched the hosts again down the right and crossed for Gerrard, whose goalbound effort hit Ryan Bennett and flew behind, as the Reds appealed for what would have been a harsh handball against the defender.

Liverpool, though, did double their lead on 28 minutes.

Again Suarez was proving too much for the Norwich defence to handle, as this time he robbed Elliott Ward following a short pass out on the right and darted into the box, before this time drilling a low strike across Ruddy and into the bottom corner.

Liverpool's quick double salvo had silenced the home crowd and the visitors were now in cruise control heading into half-time.

Norwich made a change for the start of the second period as former Everton striker James Vaughan, back from a series of niggling injuries, replaced Fox.

It was a lively return by the home side, who forced a couple of corners.

Elliott Bennett forced Jose Reina into a full-stretch save with a fierce 20-yard strike, while Bradley Johnson glanced his header wide from the resulting corner.

Liverpool almost put the game beyond Norwich on 51 minutes when was played in down the right and his cross caused panic in the Norwich six-yard box before Jonjo Shelvey headed against the crossbar.

The former Charlton midfielder then somehow failed to make contact with a low ball across the face of goal from Jose Enrique.

Ruddy made another good stop to deny Downing as the England man cut in from the right and flashed in a low shot.

As the hour mark passed, it was all Liverpool.

Suarez was played through on goal in the 65th minute.

However, the Uruguay forward tried a cheeky chip from 12 yards, which floated over the keeper and cleared the crossbar - much to the amusement of the Norwich faithful behind the goal.

With 15 minutes left, Norwich sent on captain Grant Holt, who had scored in the 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier this season, as he replaced Morison.

Bradley Johnson let fly from 25 yards, but was well off target, which just about summed up the afternoon's display by the home side.

Suarez completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes as this time his perfectly-weighted lob over Ruddy from just inside the Norwich half dropped into the net.

Dalglish Praises Whole Team

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish preferred to hand praise to his whole team rather than single out hat-trick hero Luis Suarez after their 3-0 win at Norwich.

The Reds went into the game at Carrow Road having won just three of their last 15 Premier League matches, losing nine in that run.

But the manner of the Merseysiders' performance pleased the Scot more than the Uruguayan's goalscoring heroics as they ran out easy winners.

"It's all part of the team performance, they were three great goals for us," Dalglish told ESPN.

"It was a fantastic performance but we've played like that plenty of times this season, there've been games we've played even better and come away without anything.

"It's even more credit to them that they keep going out there and believing in their ability and we've won easily on Saturday."

Liverpool still managed their habitual strike of the woodwork when Jonjo Shelvey headed against the crossbar, and the midfielder also failed to find an unguarded net when sliding into the six-yard box.

Dalglish said: "We'll forgive it when we're 2-0 up - we've done it again but at least we've won on Saturday and got the three goals."

Gerrard Hails Special Suarez

Steven Gerrard revealed he was ready to give Liverpool striker Luis Suarez both barrels when he let fly from 45 yards to complete a sensational hat-trick against Norwich at Carrow Road.

Liverpool warmed up for next week's FA Cup final against Chelsea with a comfortable victory at Carrow Road.

The Uruguay international netted twice in the space of four first-half minutes before brilliantly chipping goalkeeper John Ruddy from just inside the Canaries half late on.

Suarez had wasted an earlier opportunity to add to his two clinical first-half strikes when he lobbed over the bar from the edge of the penalty area, but Gerrard told ESPN: "That's the type of player he is, but I still had confidence he could get the third."

Recalling the eventual spectacular clincher, he added: "It was just on the tip of my tongue to give him a b******ing but then he did that.

"He's a special player, his movement's first class and it makes my job as a midfielder easier alongside him.

"He's a top player, one of the best in the world on his day, and today was his day. It was great finishing and we as a team could have had more."

A home game with Fulham on Tuesday night represents Liverpool's final dress rehearsal for Saturday's Wembley date with Chelsea and Gerrard continued: "We've got to beat Fulham first, we'll take each game as it comes and we want to go into the cup final in good form.

"We're excited, we've done really well in the cups this year and we deserve to be in the final but it would be silly and naive to focus on the final with league games to come."

Spearing Never Considered Switch

Jay Spearing insists leaving Liverpool has never crossed his mind, despite seeing a number of international stars drafted into the Anfield ranks.

A product of the Reds' academy system, Spearing has faced a fight to be noticed at senior level.

While the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have paved the way for home-grown stars, Liverpool has bolstered their squad with big-money additions on a regular basis.

A number of those - such as Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam - have been brought in to swell the midfield options at Anfield, providing direct competition to Spearing.

The 23-year-old has stepped up to the challenge, though, and claims he has never considered quitting the club in order to find regular games elsewhere.

"With the club that I'm at, I knew there'd be big players going to want to come to this club," Spearing told the Independent on Sunday.

"I thought to myself I would get myself ready and fight and earn the place I personally think I deserve.

"I had that confidence to prove to the boss exactly what I could do. There was never any inkling to move on. Liverpool is where I have always wanted to be a part of.

"I want to get better and follow in the footsteps of players like Steven Gerrard, who also came through the academy like me, and if I can do that I will be very happy."

Spearing rightly considers the 2010/11 campaign to have been a breakthrough year for him, with 20 appearances made and his progress rewarded with a new contract.

"I was fortunate enough last season for the manager to put me in for the last 10 or 11 games on the bounce and that gave me a lot of confidence going into the summer," he said.

"I sat down with my family and my agent and we said that this year was going to be a big year to show exactly what I'm all about.

"We knew new players would come in and that was something I'd have to deal with. I had to show my capabilities of competing against them and try to get in the first XI before they do.

"It took a little while to stamp my mark but towards Christmas I hopefully proved to people what I'm all about."

Maxi Considers Future

Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez has admitted that he is considering quitting the club this summer.

The Argentine has been restricted to just seven Premier League starts this season, but he has still managed to claim four goals for The Reds.

But the former Atletico Madrid ace is not happy about being a squad player at Anfield.

"I'm not playing the amount of minutes that I want to play," he told The People.

"When I play, I take my chances and do a good job. I score goals.

"I don't know if I will stay for next season, that's the truth. I will decide at the end of the season.

"All the people here have treated me well, but I want more minutes."

Feyenoord Miss Out On Kuyt

Feyenoord sporting director Martin van Geel said Dirk Kuyt is unlikely to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

The Rotterdam side has earmarked the attacker as the perfect replacement for on-loan star John Guidetti, who is expected to return to Manchester City this summer.

Van Geel admitted, however, that financial issues complicate matters.

"Dirk would fit in really well here, and we would love to see him return this summer. However, our chances of re-signing him this summer are very slim," Van Geel told Eredivisie Live.

"Even if we manage to qualify for the Champions League, which will not increase our budget for new players.

"We don't include income from European games in our budget, so we can't afford any big expenses."

The 31-year-old Kuyt has also been linked with clubs such as Roma and Hamburg in the past few months.

Reina Makes Form Claim

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina insists the Reds are a better team now than they were this time last year.

The Reds form in the Premier League has been poor since the turn of the year but they have excelled in the Cups, winning the Carling Cup and getting to the final of the FA Cup where they face Chelsea next month.

The Reds are currently eighth in the Premier League, but the Spaniard believes the Cup success shows they are a better team than they were 12 months ago.

"There's no doubt we've improved from last season already," Reina told LFC Magazine. "We've won the Carling Cup with the possibility of a second while also qualifying for Europe.

"The target of the club is still to get back in the Champions League. But before the start of the season, if someone had said we'd win the Carling Cup, reach the final of the FA Cup, as well as getting seventh, probably most people would have taken that.

"It's always good to go back to winning days. Some people might say the Carling Cup is not that important but, at the end of the day, it's a trophy. We knocked out Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City.

"It was not easy. So it was a well-deserved success and I was pleased to be part of it."

Johnson Eyes Champions League

Glen Johnson admits getting back into the Champions League remains Liverpool's priority but he is satisfied with this season.

Reds defender Johnson admits Liverpool are disappointed that they have not secured a top-four finish this season and will not be taking part in the Champions League next season.

However, the defender feels if Liverpool can win the FA Cup the current campaign can be considered a success, having already landed the Carling Cup title this season.

"Of course, we'd like to be in the Champions League - and that was the aim at the start of the season, to finish in the top four," Johnson told the club's official website.

"But we can't do that now and if we come away with two medals then you can't say it's a negative season. Last season we didn't have any medals or the top four.

"It's an improvement on last season but the main priority is still to get in the top four."

Dalglish Reveals Liverpool Transfer Fund

Kenny Dalglish has revealed Liverpool have the funds to delve into the transfer market once more this summer.

Liverpool have spent big since Dalglish took over the club last January, and splashed over £100 million on the likes of Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson in 2011.

However despite that heavy investment the Reds have failed to make an impact on the Premier League table and currently occupy eighth spot, although they have secured a place in the FA Cup final to go along with their Carling Cup success in February.

“We will have money to spend, whoever it’s on,” Dalglish told the Daily Mirror.

“Whether it’s the FA Cup money, Raul [Meireles] being sold to Chelsea [last summer] or from commercial sources, it doesn’t matter where it comes from.

“It all goes into the coffers. The money which is there for us to spend ... we will get whatever they can give us,” he added.

The Liverpool boss also confirmed that, despite the departure of director of football, Damien Comolli who dealt with the club’s transfers, that they hadn’t been twiddling their thumbs ahead of what could be another busy summer.

“We’re not idle,” Dalglish said. “The owners haven’t decided how they are going to replace Damien, but that doesn’t mean the work has stopped.

“Anything we have got to do, we will continue to do the best we can until the owners make the decision on how they want Damien replaced.

“Then whoever comes in will just take up the conversations we have had. We know where we are going.

“We’re not happy with the number of points we have, but the performances have been really pleasing”

He added: “There are not a lot of changes needed but, like every other football club in the summer, there’s going to be transfer activity because that’s what players expect.

“They look at the football club and say ‘who are they going to bring in this summer?’ They want to be excited as much as the supporters want to be excited.

“We’ve only been at it since August. Although nobody is happy with the results we have had at home, I don’t think it’s been a bad turnaround.”

Match Preview: Norwich vs Liverpool

Norwich striker James Vaughan is pressing for another Premier League start after his recovery from a frustrating injury spell.

Former Reds centre-back Zak Whitbread (hamstring) remains sidelined and will not be playing against his old club.

Fellow defenders Marc Tierney (groin) and Daniel Ayala (knee), another former Liverpool man, are ruled out of the season.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard returned to training during the week after being rested for the home defeat against West Brom.

However, with an FA Cup final in just over a week and two league matches to play before then manager Kenny Dalglish may look to protect some of his players, starting with Saturday's trip to Norwich.

Midfielder Charlie Adam's knee injury has ruled out a return before the end of the season.

Norwich (from): Ruddy, Ward, Naughton, Drury, Crofts, Pilkington, Surman, E Bennett, Fox, Hoolahan, Holt, Jackson, Morison, Wilbraham, Steer, Johnson, Martin, Howson, R Bennett, Vaughan.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Flanagan, Kelly, Coates, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Spearing, Shelvey, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy, Doni.

Dalglish Wants Results Over Style

Kenny Dalglish is prepared to see his side sacrifice their style for the sake of some results as they search for a winning formula.

Liverpool has struggled to secure victories this season as their expensively assembled attack has continually malfunctioned.

A familiar pattern was witnessed again last week against West Brom at Anfield, where the Reds dominated the game, but failed to find the decisive goals.

Dalglish's side have won just five games in front of their home fans this season and scored only 20 goals at Anfield over the course of the campaign.

And with the FA Cup final against Chelsea coming up next Saturday, Liverpool needs to build some confidence and moment ahead of the showpiece event.

"We want to win games but it would be nice if we were rubbish and won a game," said Dalglish.

"Our incentive is to get as much as we can from every game we play.

"We want to finish with as many wins and points as we possibly can and the incentive we have is just representing the football club as much as anything else.

"We have always set ourselves high standards in terms of the level of performance and there are not too many times when we've let ourselves down on that front.

"But winning is what it is all about and points on the board is what it is all about."

Liverpool's lack of a killer instinct has been illustrated by the fact they have hit the frame of the goal 30 times this season.

It is a statistic which grates their former player who believes their approach play and determined efforts are worthy of so much more.

He added: "There is no one happy with what has happened in games and we've said that in our post-match interviews.

"But nothing changes in the week to what we have said after the game. The less you have to change the easier it is and it is great credit to the players that they continue to get in there and try their best to win the matches.

"They show great resolve and determination - but I am repeating myself. We know that they are good players and that is not being arrogant or big-headed.

"There is not much more we can say and there are no answers coming up. Their performance level is very high so if they continue to play at that good level then eventually it is going to work for us."

Liverpool Close In On Bologna Midfielder

Liverpool may have moved a step closer to signing Uruguayan star Gaston Ramirez after his agent revealed they have received a bid from an un-named Premier League team for the Bologna midfielder.

Ramirez has been one of the star performers for his club side in Serie A and has been attracting interest from Kenny Dalglish.

The Liverpool manager is set to make a number of changes during the summer and has been strongly tipped to make a move for the 21-year-old.

According to Italian TV station TMW, Ramirez' agent Pablo Bentancur has confirmed that a Premier League club have made an offer for his client and a decision will be made at the end of the season.

Bentancur said: "Bologna have received an offer near to 20 million Euros from an important club in the Premier League.

"Bologna will decide at the end of the season what they are going to do."

Liverpool Will Face Competition For Highly-Rated Playmaker

It is believed that Liverpool will face strong competition from Turkish giants Galatasary if they follow up their rumoured interest in Keisuke Honda.

The Reds have been linked with the Japanese star for a number of weeks, and according to reports on TalkSport, are considering a summer move for the player.

However, the CSKA Moscow playmaker is hot property, with Lazio already having failed to lure him to Serie A in January.

Kenny Dalglish's men have struggled to find consistent league form, and it is widely expected that the Liverpool boss will venture into the transfer market.

With Dirk Kuyt expected to leave Anfield at the end of the season, Honda would be an adept replacement, with his ability at set-pieces one of the more outstanding attributes he possess.

Should Liverpool move for the 25 year-old though, it is expected that they will be met by Galatasaray who are hoping to make Honda their marquee signing of the summer.

Spurs And Liverpool Prepare To Battle It Out For Barca Star

Tottenham and Liverpool could be about to reignite their interest in Ibrahim Afellay after it was revealed that he is set to leave Barcelona on loan.

According to reports in Italy, Lazio are hoping to seal a deal to take the Dutch winger for the whole of next season, as he attempts to get his career back on track following a six-month injury lay-off.

Spurs and Liverpool both wanted to sign Afellay from Ajax before he joined Barca back in January 2011.

But he failed to establish himself at the club in his first nine months before the cruciate knee ligament injury struck last September.

Now a loan spell seems the most likely scenario, which could tempt a Premier League club to approach Barca this summer.

However, sources in Spain have suggested that unnamed English clubs have already been in touch with the reigning European champions about Afellay's availability this summer.

Ancelotti Confirms Paris Saint-Germain Interest In Suarez

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed his interest in signing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

It was reported in February that the Ligue 1 giants were open to offering the Uruguay international a route out of England following his eight-game ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

The link resurfaced earlier this week and, when Ancelotti was asked during an interview with PA if he would like to acquire the services of the Reds forward, the Italian replied: "Suarez is a good striker, yes."

Ancelotti also revealed that he expects to sign winger Florent Malouda from Chelsea during the summer, having failed with a previous attempt to land the Frenchman.

"We were interested in January, but I think in June we will have a different solution," the two-time Champions League winner claimed.

Addressing his departure from Stamford Bridge at the end of last season, just a year after he led the Blues to the double, Ancelotti insisted that he bore no ill will towards club owner Roman Abramovich for firing him on the back of a trophyless campaign.

"When I signed a contract for Chelsea it was very clear: If I couldn't win, I had to leave," he explained. "So, it was not a surprise."

Ancelotti insisted that he is currently enjoying the challenge of trying to establish PSG as a major force in European football but did admit that he would one day like to lead his country.

"Yes, it's a different job to train the [Italy] national team," the former AC Milan coach mused. "[It] could be another good experience."

PSG are currently second in Ligue 1, two points behind leaders Montpellier with five games remaining.

Gerrard Ready To Return

Liverpool boss Kenny Daglish has confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard is fully fit and there are no issues over his fitness.

Gerrard was left out of Sunday's defeat to West Brom, with worries over a hamstring injury.

But Daglish has admitted that it was a precaution to leave him out last week and he has been training all week with no issues.

With nothing but pride left to play for in the Premier League, Dalglish does not want to take any chances with the England international with an FA Cup final coming up in just over a week's time.

"He's fine, no problem," was the Scot's assessment on Gerrard.

"We said it was just a precaution so he's back training. He's been training all week, so there's no other problems."

Dalglish: Adam Out Of Olympics

Kenny Dalglish has confirmed that Charlie Adam will miss the remainder of Liverpool's season through injury, and does not expect the Scotland international to feature in this summer's Olympic Games.

Adam has not played for the Reds since the defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in late March, and his knee injury will keep the 26-year-old out until next term.

That means Adam will miss Liverpool's final four Premier League fixtures but, the fact that he is now unavailable for the FA Cup final on May 5 will serve as a greater blow for the midfielder.

Meanwhile, Adam had reportedly been named on the 80-man shortlist to represent Great Britain at the Olympics, and would have been under consideration as one of the three 'over-age' players in Stuart Pearce's squad.

But Dalglish does not believe the former Blackpool captain would be fit in time to take part in the tournament, should he be selected.

"There is no operation needed but he won't play this season," Dalglish told his weekly press conference.

"And I would think if they had any designs on having him in the Olympics he wouldn't be fit for that either."

Dalglish Opens The Door For Aquilani Return

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has insisted that he would be happy to have AC Milan loanee Alberto Aquilani back in the summer, but has urged the Italian giants to let the midfielder know where his future lies.

The Italian joined Liverpool for £16 million in 2009, but struggled to settle due to injuries and has since returned to his homeland in loan deals with Juventus and Milan.

The former Roma man has made 22 appearances this season, but has failed to start any of the last four games amidst rumours that Milan do not want to trigger the automatic £6m buy-out clause that will come into effect if he plays 25 games.

Dalglish expressed his frustration at the Italian champions’ conduct, but admits that he would welcome Aquilani back to Anfield.

"We've done everything right from our side, so how they want to play it and what they want to do, that's up to them," told reporters.

"If they don't want him, tell the boy you don't want him. They will do what they have to do. If they don't trigger it or they don't want him, it's not a problem.

"I'll be disappointed for the boy, but then he'll come back here as he's our player."