Dalglish Rues Reds Defeat

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish lamented his side's late 1-0 defeat to Swansea on the final day of the season.

The Reds slumped to defeat thanks to Danny Graham's late strike as they finished in eighth spot and below neighbours Everton in the table.

Dalglish felt the defeat was harsh on Liverpool after creating the better goalscoring opportunities in the second half after Swansea dominated the first half.

"I think we finished the stronger team, the second half we got ourselves together so it is disappointing not to take something from the game," admitted Dalglish.

"I think they were probably better in the first half. Second half we played a lot better than the first half and it was a fantastic save from Andy's overhead kick, so it is disappointing not to take something from the game.

"Congratulations to Swansea, they have had a great season winning in front of their own fans and sending them away with a good taste in their mouth."

Asked what he made of Liverpool's season, Dalglish said: "We will go home and revise the season and see what happens."

Reds Prepared For Market

Liverpool have drawn up their blueprint for the summer transfer market and it does not include significant outgoings from their squad.

Manager Kenny Dalglish spent more than £80million in the last close-season on the likes of Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, but a disappointing Premier League campaign has included just six home wins.

Ahead of Sunday's last game of 2011/12 at Swansea, Dalglish's Carling Cup winners and defeated FA Cup finalists can at best hope for a seventh-placed finish and that underachievement is likely to mean changes.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey and Juventus' Eljero Elia have all been reported as possible targets and while Dalglish has been characteristically cagey on his plans, he does admit there will be some business.

"All we want to do is add to the start we've made here," Dalglish told Liverpool's official website. "With the transfer window opening, there will be a bit of business done. But that's the same at every club.

"We sit and talk to the owners throughout the season. We've discussed all the possibilities with various parties and been through every option.

"Most of the plans for next season are in place. We just need to get the work done and get on with it."

The 25-man squad rule in the Premier League means manager's often have to sell before they can buy, but Dalglish is only planning on losing injury-plagued Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio.

That would appear to imply Dalglish has plans for Maxi Rodriguez and Alberto Aquilani and Joe Cole, who have both spent the season on loan away from Anfield.

"We are not looking to move anyone out. The only one who will be leaving is Fabio, because his contract is up," said Liverpool's manager.

"The transfer market always brings up surprises. But what the surprises are going to be I can't help you, because I'm not clairvoyant.

"But what I can say is that we are not actively looking to move anyone out."

Liverpool To Offer Dimitar Berbatov Premier League Lifeline

Liverpool are reportedly considering making a move for out of favour Man United striker Dimitar Berbatov. Kenny Dalglish is looking to beef up his Anfield attacking options but still has faith in Andy Carroll to deliver the goods in the long term and is therefore looking for an experienced back-up options with a proven Premier League record and sees a move for the Bulgarian international as a viable option.

The 31 year old Man United forward has made just five Premier League starts this season, despite last term finishing as the top joint top scorer in the top tier. Despite the lack of playing time there is no doubting that the former Tottenham man is still in a rich vein of form, notching up nine goals in eleven starts in all competitions.

Berbatov has been linked with a number of clubs on the continent, most notably Lazio and his former side Bayer Leverkusen, but having spent the past six years in England he is apparently hoping to be thrown a Premier League lifeline but does not wish to continue to warm the bench at Man United, a fact echoed by Sir Alex Ferguson who has admitted that he may well lose the talented forward.

Dalglish has seen his Liverpool side struggle for goals this term, managing just 47 goals in 37 Premier League games to date, the same total as relegated Blackburn Rovers and now the Scot is looking at possible additions to help add strength in depth up front.

The Merseyside club has depended a great deal on Uruguayan Luis Suarez for both goals and assists and though Carroll has started to string together a series of improved performances there is still a need to bring in alternatives, especially as both Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez are strongly linked with exits this summer.

Though clearly Man United and Liverpool are arch rivals Old Trafford supporters could hardly blame Berbatov for looking at a move to a club where first team chances would be more forthcoming and likewise fans of the Anfield side will surely welcome the addition of a player of his calibre.

A move for Dimitar Berbatov would also prove inexpensive with the forward having just over a year left on his current contract, which was extended merely so that Man United wouldn’t lose a player who cost the club £30.75m for nothing. An offer in the region of £3-5m would probably suffice.

Liverpool Close To Agreeing Move For Midfielder

Liverpool is reported closing in on a move for Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame, who is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

According to reports on Goal.com, the Reds are due to hold talks with the player’s representatives over a £60,000-a-week deal, which will more than double his current salary.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is believed to have been told by the club’s owners to look for summer bargains, after seeing over £110 million spent on new talent in the last 18 months, and it appears he has done just that by moving for the Senegalese star.

The report continues, claiming that Dalglish see’s Diame as ideal competition for the young Jay Spearing, who has had to fill the void left through Lucas’ injury mid-way through the campaign.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez revealed earlier this week that Diame was just one of four Latics’ players who would be leaving the DW Stadium this summer.

“There are four players out of contract and I expect them all to go - Hugo Rodallega, Momo Diame, Chris Kirkland and Steve Gohouri,” he said.

Kuyt Rules Out Feyenoord Return

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has ruled out a return to Feyenoord in the immediate future because he feels it would be a step back in his career.

Kuyt, 31, is almost certain to leave Anfield this summer after struggling to hold down a first-team place under manager Kenny Dalglish.

Last month, the Holland international was seen having talks with Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel, sparking reports he would sign for the Rotterdam club. However, although the player admits he considered a move back to his former club, he believes he still has much to offer a top European side.

''The fact I held talks with Feyenoord indicates I wanted to give it a serious chance,'' he told AD Sportwereld. ''But in many ways the gap is too great at this moment in time.

''If I returned to Holland, I would have to take an 80% cut in my Liverpool wages. If you are 35 or 36, you know your career is almost done. But I'm only 31 and in the prime of my life. I still have two or three years left at the top.

''I still have the ambition and fitness to play at the highest level, a club in a major competition or a big club with European ambitions.''

Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel Seeks Transfer

Liverpool may pay the price for a dreadful season in the Premier League after it was revealed that defender Martin Skrtel is ready to ask for a transfer at the end of the season.

Goal.com has reported that Skrtel is ready to ask the club to allow him to leave in order to find Champions League football, despite the fact that he still has two years remaining on his contract.

Skrtel has been in fantastic form this season and had formed a crucial partnership with Daniel Agger, which was keeping veteran defender Jamie Carragher out of the side.

Liverpool has struggled in front of goal this season and their lack of goals has certainly cost them, however, there have been plenty of plaudits for the defence, with Skrtel in particular enjoying an impressive campaign.

Along with Jose Enrique, Skrtel has the most appearances of an outfield player for Liverpool this season with 33 league appearances and he has been one of the first names on the team sheet under Kenny Dalglish.

The 27-year-old was signed in January 2008 for £6.5million and has gone on to be a regular in the first team under Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and now Dalglish.

It would certainly come as a blow to Liverpool fans who have taken to the no nonsense defender who has even scored some crucial goals this season.

Martinez Happy With Links

Roberto Martinez insists it is a 'compliment' to be linked with bigger jobs after the Wigan Athletic manager was mooted as a candidate to take charge at Liverpool.

The Wigan boss masterminded a stunning closing few weeks of the season as victories over several of the Premier League's leading clubs ensured top-flight survival.

Latics chairman Dave Whelan has previously stated that Martinez will eventually land a top job and the Spaniard has been linked as a long-term replacement for Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool.

But far from viewing it as a distraction, Martinez, who turned down a move to Aston Villa last summer, takes it as recognition of his achievements at the DW Stadium.

"There is another manager in that club, no?" he said when asked about the Liverpool link, adding that he had also seen his name associated with Barcelona.

"When you get stories linking clubs with your players or in this case with a manager, it must be because you have done something right.

"We cannot control speculation and I am not going to lie to you, I like the speculation. I see it as a real compliment. Speculation will follow a team - you get good speculation and bad speculation.

"The speculation I don't like is when it suggests you are going to lose your job after a couple of defeats.

"I am proud and happy that the club is attracting a lot of good headlines and stories.

"We always need to be prepared that whatever happens is for the good of the club.

"We need to make sure we carry on with the progress we have been making in the last few years, not just on the pitch but off it.

"That is all I am bothered about; working hard and making sure the chairman is a proud man when he assesses his football club."

Dalglish Takes Swipe At Rumours

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has taken a swipe at reports in some Sunday newspapers that he will leave the manager's position in the summer.

John W Henry and Tom Werner, who head the Fenway Sports Group, were expected to meet with the Scot following their final day defeat at Swansea.

Danny Graham's 100th career goal condemned the Reds to an eighth-placed finish and a 14th defeat of the season.

The former Celtic and Blackburn manager is less than 12 months into the three-year contract he signed last summer at Anfield.

He has spent £120million recruiting Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique.

But, despite Dalglish guiding Liverpool to a first trophy in six years with a Carling Cup victory over Cardiff and leading his team out for last week's FA Cup final against Chelsea, reports claimed the owners are ready to replace him with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

When asked if he expected to be in the Anfield hot seat next season, he replied: "I expect the owners to have more dignity and integrity than to believe a story in a newspaper."

Match Preview: Swansea vs Liverpool

Swansea play host to Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday as both sides look to end the season in style.

The home team will be aiming to reward their fans by taking another famous scalp after a memorable first season in the Premier League.

Swansea has won just one of their last eight top-flight games, but they comfortably achieved their aim of securing safety among the elite.

Liverpool will go into the game buoyed by their midweek hammering of Chelsea and they will be looking to overtake local rivals Everton in the race to finish seventh.

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers has no fresh injury worries to contend with ahead of the season finale.

Angel Rangel and Leon Britton suffered no ill effects after returning from injury in last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Kemy Agustien (ankle) and Ferrie Bodde (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Steven Caulker will play the final game of his loan spell from Tottenham before returning to White Hart Lane.

Liverpool is waiting on the fitness of skipper Steven Gerrard after he missed the win over Chelsea with a back problem.

Jose Enrique is also doubtful after he was forced to miss the victory over the Blues through injury.

Midfield duo Lucas and Charlie Adam remain on the sidelines as they recover from serious knee injuries.

Andy Carroll will be hoping to keep his place in the starting line-up after impressing against Chelsea as he looks to maintain his push for a place in the England squad for Euro 2012.

Possible starting XIs:

Swansea: Vorm, Williams, Caulker, Taylor, Rangel, Britton, Sinclair, Dyer, Allen, Sigurdsson, Graham.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Kuyt, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing, Suarez, Carroll.

Dalglish Targets Liverpool Title Tilt

Kenny Dalglish has set out his stall for Liverpool to mount a title challenge next season.

The Reds scooped the Carling Cup this year, but it has proved to be a season of disappointment with the Reds in eighth in the table going into the final game of the season.

Dalglish claims plans are being made to take the club forward, with possible transfer business taking place in the summer, and is looking for the Reds to be challenging at the top of the table next season.

"We're not happy finishing below anybody in the table," Dalglish said. "We want to be finishing above everybody.

"Whoever is in our road, it is up to us to be better than they are and get there when we can - but it's not been too bad [a season] for us.

"To win a trophy after six years was a good result for us, to get to the FA Cup final was a good result, and to get into the Europa League is also a measure of success."

The end of the season will hand Dalglish the chance to recharge the batteries, but he is likely to be busy in the summer.

He said: "We talk to the owners throughout the whole season, we discuss many facets, we also discuss about availability and possibilities. It is an ongoing process. Nothing much changes but maybe because the transfer window opens some business will be done."

Carroll Thanks Dalglish

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll admits he has had a disappointing campaign but has thanked manager Kenny Dalglish for sticking by him.

The England international has scored just nine goals this term in 47 appearances for the Reds, but he has bagged three in his last six games.

And whilst Carroll admits he has not been happy with his form, he is pleased with how Dalglish and the club's fans have stood by him.

"Kenny has shown a lot of faith in me," the 23-year-old said.

"I haven't had the greatest season but he has stuck by me and defended me and encouraged me a lot.

"I am confident of doing well all the time and I think it is not just the last two games, I think I have played well in a few games.

"I am enjoying it and I think you could see I have been enjoying my football and training.

"I am just confident every time I step on the pitch and I think it has shown in the last few games. I think I just needed a bit of a run.

"In training I have been doing well and all the lads have been enjoying it now.

"We have all been sticking together and playing well. I can't wait till next season."

Liverpool fans have been willing Carroll to do well ever since his arrival in January 2011 but, because he has not weighed in with the goals he was expected to and at times looked like he was struggling to fit into the system, he has come in for criticism.

Recently, the 6ft 2in striker has looked more mobile and energetic and has shown a willingness to not only get involved in build-up play but follow it through into threatening positions in the penalty area.

Having given John Terry a torrid night at Anfield, he produced the knock-down for Daniel Agger to score the third against Chelsea and also won the late first-half penalty which Stewart Downing drilled against a post.

After the break he received a standing ovation for chasing the ball into the corner to ensure Chelsea earned only a throw-in close to their own byline and the Kop sang his name on regular occasions.

"I thought the fans were great," he said. "Getting beat at the weekend I didn't know what it was going to be like, but from the minute we kicked off we were fantastic."

Shelvey Out To Impress

Jonjo Shelvey has revealed how he is hoping to begin next season by picking up where he left off in 2011-12 and continue to challenge for a regular first-team berth.

The 20-year-old has started six of Liverpool's last seven Barclays Premier League games and claimed his first top-flight goal with a well-taken long-range effort in the 4-1 victory over Chelsea in midweek.

Shelvey is aiming to get another chance to impress in Sunday's trip to Swansea City and take his impressive form into next campaign.

"It's been great to play more regularly in recent weeks and hopefully I've shown people what I can do," Shelvey said.

"The fact that the gaffer has given me more chances towards the end of the season gives me a lot of confidence going into the summer.

"I need to go away, keep myself in shape and then come back for pre-season and really kick on next season. I want to hold down a first team place. That's the challenge facing me next season."

Shelvey spent time away from Anfield this season on loan at Blackpool, where he scored six times in 10 appearances before being recalled following an injury to Lucas Leiva.

"That time away from Liverpool really helped me come on as a player," he added.

"I benefited a lot from the games I got at Blackpool. It was good for me and I came back better for the experience. Playing week in, week out gave me that match fitness.

"It was a great club to play for and I hope they get promoted. It would be good to see them go up and get back into the Premier League.

"But the time there also made me realize just how much I want to be playing in Liverpool's first team.

"It's been a stop-start season for me but it's a great honour to play here."

Liverpool Kit Launch Sparks Anger Among Hillsborough Families

The launch of the new Liverpool home kit has prompted an angry response from a number of the families of those killed in the Hillsborough disaster.

The club's home shirt for the 2012-13 season, designed by American company Warrior, was revealed on Friday.

Fans have welcomed the design, but the decision not to consult some families over the decision to move the symbol honouring the dead, has angered many.

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign (HJC) said the actions were "insensitive".

The new shirt sees the club's logo, which featured an image of the Shankly Gates, replaced by the original Liver Bird crest that became synonymous with Liverpool's success in the 1970s and 80s. As a result the two Justice flames honouring the Hillsborough campaign have been moved to the back of the shirt.

The decision to move the flames is not the source of frustration but the decision to only consult one Hillsborough group has sparked anger.

Liverpool did take time to meet with the seven members of the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) committee but other groups were not consulted.

The HFSG was the first group formed after the disaster in May 1989 and provides support for many of the bereaved families. The HJC also acts for a number of the families but its priority is to fight for the truth behind the events that took place at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.

A HJC statement read: "We have noted that the Hillsborough flames and '96' will now appear on the back of the shirt 'after consultation with family members'.

"We can confirm that no bereaved families of the HJC were contacted or consulted. The first we were aware of this was via the minutes of the Supporters' Committee March meeting. Once again LFC has chosen to ignore the HJC and their families.

"The continued refusal of the club to acknowledge the HJC is insensitive, divisive and deplorable - 96 is more than a number. LFC would do well to remember that."

Liverpool moved swiftly to defend their part in the process and claimed they had made every effort to deal with the issue as sensitively as possible.

A spokesman said: "The club consulted with the HFSG committee and shared a number of alternative designs which were considered.

"The committee selected a design, which includes the number 96 to recognize those who lost their lives. Nobody has more respect for the 96 and their families than this football club."

Margaret Aspinall, chair of HFSG, lost her son James, 18 at the disaster. She said: "It is difficult for everyone to be consulted all the time. I know there are a number of the bereaved families in the HJC and I can understand what they are saying."

Andy Heaton, editor of Liverpool fanzine The Anfield Wrap, added: "Is it really that hard to consult all of the families, not some?"

The row threatens to taint the launch of the kit, which represents the start of the biggest deal of its kind in English football history.

The £25m-a-year contract with Boston-based Warrior Sports more than doubles the Anfield club's previous agreement with adidas.

Director Of Communications To Leave LFC

Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool FC confirmed today that Director of Communications Ian Cotton will leave the Club on 13th May 2012 by mutual consent.

Managing Director Ian Ayre said: "We would like to thank Ian for the important contribution he has made to the Club during his long career here.

He has played a key role as a member of the Executive Team in managing our relationships with key external stakeholders in the media and in the community.

We wish Ian every success in his future career."

Ian Cotton commented: "It has been a privilege to be at Liverpool FC for the last 16 years.

I would like to thank everyone I have worked with for all their support during that time and wish this great Club all the best for the future."

Further communication regarding the Communications and Community Departments will be announced in due course.

Dalglish Transfer Budget Slashed

Kenny Dalglish will stay on as Liverpool manager next season – but the Scot will have his transfer budget cut drastically, according to The Mirror.

Liverpool have spent over £100 million in the last 18 months, bringing in the likes of Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Luis Suarez.

Dalglish has achieved mixed results from his dealings in the transfer market, with Suarez proving an instant hit while the likes of Carroll and Henderson have struggled to turn around the Reds inconsistent form.

Director of football Damien Comolli reportedly paid the price for his part in Liverpool's high-profile transfer failings earlier this season after it was revealed he would leave the Anfield club.

Liverpool go into their final league game of the season against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium needing rivals Everton to slip up in order to secure seventh place - a position well off the top four finish they had targeted at the start of the season.

Dalglish has come in for criticism following his side's poor league form that was compounded by defeat in the FA Cup final, but The Mirror report that Liverpool’s owners have no intention of dumping the Scot, who guided the Reds to the League Cup in February, in the summer.

The paper also reports that he will not have the freedom to splash the cash in order to help remedy their league woes, despite Dalglish insisting otherwise last month.

Reports surfaced in April that the former Blackburn boss would have only around £20 million to spend this summer, but The Mirror reports that Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners, are encouraging Dalglish to chase cheap signings and free agents.

U18s Triumph In St Vincent

Jack Dunn was amongst the goals as Liverpool U18s beat St Vincent U20s 3-1 in the Caribbean to retain the Harlequin Cup.

Mike Marsh's charges are on an end of season trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world, and as part of the tour, they played a match with the St Vincent U20 national side.

Spanish star Nacho and Henoc Mukendi were also on the mark for Marsh's side.

Members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, government ministers and Buccament Bay Resort guests were in attendance with a partisan local crowd giving strong support throughout.

A frenetic first half in the burning Caribbean sun was followed by a slower but no less eventful second with welcome cool showers doing nothing to dampen a heated contest as the teams battled it out.

SVG held their own against the next generation of one of the world's best league teams, whilst the Liverpool U18s showed their quality by winning the Harlequin Cup in difficult conditions that saw members of the squad and staff beneath umbrellas in the sunny first half, before discarding them in the second when the rain began to fall.

In a great gesture to their hosts, the Academy players kindly gave their kits to the SVG team after the game.

Match Report: Liverpool 4 - 1 Chelsea

Liverpool put the hurt of Saturday's FA Cup final defeat behind them with their biggest league win of the season which ended Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish.

Kenny Dalglish's side was as energetic and irresistible in the first half as they had been lethargic and wasteful for an hour at Wembley.

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo had virtually accepted his side could not qualify for the Champions League with a top-four place by naming an understrength team with eight changes from Saturday, with his sights now set on a Champions League final.

But even if he had put out the side who did so well for 60 minutes on Saturday it is debatable whether they would have been able to resist as the Reds scored four in the league for the first time since the 5-2 win at Fulham a year and a day ago.

The hosts raced into a 3-0 first-half lead through a Michael Essien own goal, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Agger while Stewart Downing also missed a penalty.

Ramires pulled one back just after the break but Jonjo Shelvey restored the three-goal cushion.

Liverpool's shirt sponsors Standard Chartered swapped their logo for Seeing is Believing, one of the bank's initiatives for fighting avoidable blindness, but fans must have been questioning what they witnessed with their own eyes in the first half.

The accusation levelled at Dalglish's side on Saturday was that they did not turn up until it was too late.

That was far from the case in front of their own fans as they were 3-0 up inside half-an-hour and should have been even further ahead by the interval.

Luis Suarez's nutmeg on John Terry served as an early warning, the Uruguay international dragging a shot wide, while Andy Carroll's decision to opt for placement rather than power saw his shot drop over the crossbar.

The woodwork has been Liverpool's downfall this season but they enjoyed a let-off themselves in the 17th minute when Branislav Ivanovic planted a free header against the post at a corner.

But in an eight-minute spell the hosts virtually put the game out of sight with three goals almost from nowhere.

First Suarez produced a brilliant run from wide on the right to get to the byline and his cut-back was turned in by Essien.

A slip from Terry put Henderson through on goal to curl a low shot past Ross Turnbull and then, in the 28th minute, Carroll headed down a corner for Agger to nod in from close range.

But a familiar foe returned again as Downing's 30-yard dipping volley struck the crossbar before the England winger drilled a penalty at the post late in the half after Ivanovic had been punished for knocking over Carroll.

Spot-kicks have also been an issue for the Reds with that the fifth out of six in the league which has gone begging this season, with others also missed in their runs to two cup finals.

Chelsea briefly got themselves back in the game five minutes after half-time when Florent Malouda's inswinging free-kick was turned in by Ramires five minutes after the break.

But the hosts did not back down and, if anything upped the pressure, which led to their fourth.

An out-of-position Turnbull mis-kicked straight into the path of Shelvey 30 yards out and he drilled a shot into an empty net.

Dalglish was criticized for leaving Carroll out of the starting line-up for the cup final despite the 23-year-old noticeably improving over the last six weeks in particular.

The club's record signing has had to work hard to not only impress his manager but fans and he must have had a smile on his face after receiving a standing ovation simply for chasing the ball deep into the corner to ensure Chelsea received only a throw in.

It is not what £35million strikers are paid to do but it was greatly appreciated by the majority of the 40,721 at Anfield.

So was the save by Jose Reina, who by his own admission has had a poor season and was at fault for Chelsea's opening goal at Wembley, when he brilliantly denied substitute Romelu Lukaku's header from close range.

Liverpool's onslaught continued late on with Henderson, Suarez and Agger all putting efforts wide but the job had been done in the first half.

Di Matteo will now focus on the Champions League final. Dalglish, still to lose a league match against Chelsea in 12 meetings as manager, will already be looking at summer strengthening to catch up with their Blue rivals.

Dalglish Welcomes Deserved Win

Kenny Dalglish believes his Liverpool side finally got what they deserve at Anfield on Tuesday as they rounded off their home campaign with a 4-1 win over Chelsea.

A convincing victory over the side that put them to the sword in the FA Cup final just three days earlier offered a clear indication of what the Reds are capable of.

They have, however, struggled to hit those heights on a regular basis in 2011/12 and the midweek success against Chelsea was only their sixth in front of their own supporters in 19 attempts.

Dalglish is convinced that their showings have been better than their record suggests, but he is delighted to have given the Merseyside natives something to cling to heading into the summer.

"I think the players, every one, will be happy that they finished on a high note at Anfield," he told Sky Sports.

"That performance there is on a par with a lot of the performances that we have had this season but, here especially, we haven't had the results that the performances have deserved. Tonight we got that.

"(Branislav) Ivanovic hit the bar early doors, but maybe that's the luck that you need. We also hit the woodwork twice again, so for us it's satisfactory and I just hope that the supporters go away feeling very happy.

"I don't think there is any other place in the Premiership where the supporters would turn up and be as loyal and as supportive as they have been, especially on Tuesday night after losing the cup final at the weekend. Great credit to them and I hope the boys have put a smile on their face."

Dalglish has defended his players against any criticism which has come their way this term and he feels Liverpool's loyal supporters appreciate that he and his squad have given their all to a season which has seen them grace two cup finals and book their place in the 2012/13 Europa League.

"I think they understand better than anybody," he said.

"They know that there have been some very good performances here and they know that it hasn't been through the lack of trying and belief and determination to get the result. They understand that.

"There is a bit of silverware back in the cupboard after six years, back in Europe at the first time of asking after being out last year and we went close to winning the FA Cup.

"I think when they reflect on the season and the performances, I'm sure this one will feature quite highly, but there have been others that were just as good as that."

Liverpool Lining Up Bid For Juventus Outcast

Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Juventus outcast Milos Krasic.

The Serbian winger has made just seven Serie A appearances this season after falling out of favour with manager Antonio Conte.

Krasic was expected to leave Turin in January but Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had a loan bid turned down by the player.

He eventually stayed put in Juventus after the transfer window shut - and has not featured since.

Now a summer departure is almost inevitable and there is no shortage of clubs currently in the hunt for the 27-year-old, who joined Juve for around £13m in 2010.

It has been reported that Fenerbahce have already bid £10m for Krasic, but the winger is not keen on a move to Turkey.

And now Italian TV station Mediaset has claimed that Liverpool are ready to offer Krasic a chance in the Premier League with a similar offer of their own.

Liverpool Interested In Spain Striker Bojan Krkic

Liverpool are believed to be interested in signing Roma forward Bojan Krkic in what could be a complicated deal as the youngster has a number of clauses in his contract.

Bojan was allowed to leave Barcelona in order to join the Italian side where former Barca coach Luis Enrique was becoming the manager, however, a number of clauses where inserted into his deal.

The forward was essentially sent on a loan deal as Barcelona have the option to bring the player back to the club but it will cost them €17million after his first year or €13million after two years.

For Roma to be able to keep the striker they will have to make an additional payment of €28million following the €12million they paid to Barcelona last summer.

However, reports in corriere dell sport have announced that Barcelona have told Roma that there is interest from both Liverpool and German outfit Schalke.

The Italian media has reported that representatives from Barcelona and Roma met to discuss the future of the striker who won three La Liga titles with the Spanish giants.

Should Liverpool continue their interest then it seems as though it could be a complicated transfer as Bojan could belong to either Roma or Barcelona in the summer.

Liverpool Alerted As Dutch Winger Admits Leaving Juventus

Liverpool will have a second opportunity to land Holland international Eljero Elia after the winger made it clear that he would be leaving Juventus at the end of the season.

The skilful winger was on the radar of Liverpool back in the summer of 2011 when it was clear that he would be leaving German side Hamburg but there were no official moves for the 25-year-old.

Talksport has reported that Liverpool was interested in the midfielder but he instead made the decision to join Juventus where he has struggled to make an impression in the first team.

Should Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish hold some interest in Elia then it is quite clear that he would be available in the summer after revealing how unhappy he is with life at Juventus.

"I want to leave Juventus. I want to enjoy playing football again. I remained quiet all year and was always positive towards the club and the team, but I never got a chance to prove my worth," Eliarevealed to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

"I didn't play much and consequently miss out on Euro 2012. It's fair to say this season has been a failure. It's really hurt me, but I've become stronger mentally.

"I'm 25 now and I still have a long career ahead of me. I came from far, but I will have to start all over again."

Juventus have been in superb form all season, clinching the Serie A title without losing a single game all season but Elia has made just two appearances in the league campaign.

The winger is no stranger to international football having made 26 appearances for Holland and appearing in the 2010 World Cup final where he came on for Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt.

Liverpool Closing In On Rasmus Elm

The Merseysiders are on the verge of sealing a £7m deal for the AZ Alkmaar midfielder.

And the Reds hope to have it wrapped up before the highly-rated 24-year-old heads to Euro 2012, where he will come up against England in Kiev on June 15.

Elm, who also featured for Sweden in the friendly against the Three Lions last November, has been one of the top performers in Holland this season.

He has just enjoyed his best goal-scoring season, striking 13 times in 36 games for Alkmaar.

Elm has one year left on his contract at Alkmaar but has no wish to stay and his club now wants to cash in.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has been a long-term admirer of the free-kick specialist.

And he has been forced to step up his interest after Newcastle chief Alan Pardew entered the race.

Dalglish and Pardew flew to Holland last weekend hoping to see Elm against Feyenoord but he was absent due to the birth of his child.

Hamit Altintop Lined-Up As Dirk Kuyt Replacement

Liverpool are eyeing up Real Madrid utility man Hamit Altintop as a possible replacement for Dirk Kuyt, as manager Kenny Dalglish looks to reshuffle his squad this summer.

Reds boss Dalglish is targeting up to five new signings when the transfer window opens at the end of the season, but wants to maximize his budget by moving on several of the club's under-performing high earners, including Dutch forward Kuyt, who has only managed two goals in 26 Premier League appearances this season.

Bundesliga outfit Hamburg has already made tentative enquiries over the 31-year-old, but Liverpool baulked at their £1million offer, and has told them to triple it before talks will continue.

Kuyt, who is poised to play a key role for Holland at Euro 2012, is a clear favourite on Merseyside - noted for his versatility and strong work ethics - but Dalglish has already lined up a suitable replacement, in the form of Real Madrid's Altintop.

The Turkey star is ready to quit the Spanish champions at the end of the season, having only played five times following his free transfer move from Bayern Munich last summer.

Altintop had enjoyed eight successful years in German football before that, turning out for the likes of Wattenscheid, Schalke and then Munich, operating in a number of different positions, including right back, holding midfield and on the wing.

Liverpool are now keen to benefit from that experience and versatility, with rumours in Spain that a bid of £2 million would be enough to tempt Madrid into parting with the 29-year-old, who's current contract runs until 2015.

Hamit is not the first Altintop to be linked with the Reds, after twin brother Halil was reported to be close to a switch to Anfield two seasons ago, only for talks to break down.

Bundesliga Outfit Confirm Interest In Liverpool Attacker

The chairman of German side Hamburg has confirmed that he is interested in opening talks with out-of-favour Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield after finding his first team opportunities limited this season, with rumours swirling that a number of European clubs are considering moves for him.

The 31 year-old is thought to be a target for former club Feyenoord, with reports that the Dutch side are willing to offer him a player/coach role.

However it appears as though Bundesliga outfit Hamburg are ready to make the first move for the Netherlands international, after Carl-Edgar Jarchow admitted that he is prepared to open talks with the player.

As reported by Goal.com, Jarchow told reporters: “Until now there have been no negotiations.

“We have to sit down with the player and his agent to find a solution.”

Hamburg have endured a difficult season, finishing just above the relegation zone, and are hoping to add to their squad over the summer months as they plan for next year.

As Jarchow continues, that would include Kuyt, but he concedes that there may be an issue over the wages on offer. "The level of wages in the Premier League is very different to ours. Whether there is the possibility of a move remains to be seen."

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs Chelsea

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is likely to start £35million striker Andy Carroll against Chelsea following his goal in the FA Cup final against the Blues on Saturday.

Carroll's introduction from the bench during the final gave Liverpool a fresh impetus and he came very close to scoring an equalizer but for a good save from Petr Cech.

The former Newcastle frontman is likely to replace Craig Bellamy in the starting XI while midfielder Jay Spearing may also miss out after his disappointing display at Wembley.

Chelsea are set to be without David Luiz and Gary Cahill again.

The centre-backs have been stepping up their recovery from hamstring injuries, with caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo last week hopeful they could return to full training this week.

Di Matteo will also assess how his FA Cup final heroes have reacted to Saturday's Wembley exertions before deciding on his team against the same opponents.

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

Chelsea (from): Cech, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, Essien, Meireles, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Malouda, Drogba, Torres, Sturridge, Kalou, Turnbull.

Gerrard Demands More

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates to stamp out poor form in next season's Premier League campaign.

Since the turn of the year the Reds have won just four and lost 10 of 17 league games, picking up 15 from a possible 51 points.

Kenny Dalglish's side host Chelsea on Tuesday facing the real prospect of finishing outside the top eight.

Liverpool's league capitulation is evident considering just two months ago had they beaten Arsenal at home, not lost in injury-time, they would have moved within four points of the Gunners with a game in hand.

Instead they sit a massive 18 points behind Arsene Wenger's side with Champions League qualification well out of reach.

"We need to dust ourselves down and we need to respond to the challenge next year," Gerrard said.

"We've been fantastic in the cup competitions this year and the players deserve a lot of credit for that.

"We haven't been good enough in the league this year and we deserve criticism and we need to take criticism like men.

"We need to do better. We're Liverpool Football Club; we're not seventh or eighth in the league. We're better than that."

Liverpool Line Up Move For Darren Bent

Liverpool are said to be lining up a bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent who is said to be nearing a full recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for much of the second half of the current campaign. Kenny Dalglish is reportedly interested in the England international who still has hopes of making Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad.

The 28 year old former Tottenham and Sunderland forward had netted a healthy total of nine goals in 22 Premier League appearances before he picked up his injury in late February and there was a great deal of speculation that a falling out with boss Alex McLeish may well lead to a bid from prospective suitors but talk of a summer exit died down following Bent’s ruptured ligament injury.

Liverpool could well do with alternative attacking options after managing just 43 goals in 36 Premier League matches. Luis Suarez has been the attacker in chief and even though Andy Carroll has scored three in his last five matches the former Newcastle United man is still yet to make a real impact at the Merseyside club.

Bent is a proven Premier League marksman and the London born striker may not be all that keen at remaining at an Aston Villa side who have found themselves in the midst of a relegation battle this term.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has already stated that he is unlikely to hand McLeish large sums in the summer and this could lead to the club’s star performers considering their futures.

Darren Bent has notched up in 99 goals in eight Premier League seasons and is the kind of consistent performer that Dalglish may feel he needs to bring in to partner Suarez up front in order to push his Anfield side back into the top four after three lean seasons away from the top table.