Stefan Frei Joins Liverpool For Week-Long Training Stint

Stefan Frei is the latest Major League Soccer standout to join Liverpool FC for offseason training. The Toronto FC goalkeeper will spend one week practicing with the Reds, according to TorontoFC.ca.

"This is a great opportunity for Stefan and we were happy to give him permission to train with a historic club like Liverpool," Toronto FC manager Aron Winter said. "He has emerged as one of the top keepers in the league since the start of his career and has certainly earned this special opportunity."

The Swiss-born stopper has been Toronto's starting goalkeeper since becoming a professional in 2009. He was drafted out of the University of California-Berkley in 2009, replacing Aston Villa's Brad Guzan in the TFC goal.

In three seasons, Frei has made 95 appearances in all competitions, and Toronto's notoriously pourous defense keeps the 25-year-old plenty busy. He is annually among the league leaders in goals conceded and saves. Despite allowing a high number of goals, Frei is regarded as one of the top 'keepers in MLS.

He will work LFC goalkeeping coach John Achterberg and world-class goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Alexander Doni. The trio will help him refine his game and introduce him to the "Liverpool way" of playing the position.

Frei is the second MLS player to join the Reds during the offseason. New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo is currently training at the club's Melwood practice facility.

Real Defender Flattered By Reds Interest

Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez insists he is happy to remain in San Sebastien, despite reported interest in his signature from Liverpool.

The 20-year-old made his senior debut for Sociedad this season, and has since registered a further 13 appearances in La Liga.

His composed displays at the back have reportedly caught the attention of Liverpool, and it has been claimed that Kenny Dalglish is keen to bring the Spaniard to Anfield in January.

However, Martinez says he has no intention of moving to Liverpool - or anywhere else for that matter - at the present time.

"I am happy in San Sebastian," he told skysports.com.

"It is normal that I am happy with this news, but those things depend on the club.

"Now my head is only focused on helping Real for us to make sure we are not in a dangerous position in the table."

Meanwhile, a club source says, should Liverpool or any other interested parties make a formal approach for Martinez, it would not be considered until the summer.

"We know about the presence of scouts, but our position is clear - the subject of a sale will not even be looked at until the summer," the source told skysports.com.

Luis Suárez Given Extra Time To Reply To Conduct Charge

Luis Suárez has been granted more time by the Football Association to respond to a charge of improper conduct for an alleged obscene gesture to Fulham fans following Liverpool’s defeat at Craven Cottage last week.

And while it is not expected to influence any defence against the improper conduct charge, the emergence of photos in Holland showing Suárez allegedly making the same gesture to Feyenoord supporters while playing for Ajax in January 2010 is likely to be an embarrassing development for the Uruguay forward.

Suárez, who was charged last month with racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, had been due to respond to the improper conduct charge by 4pm on Monday (Dec 12), but the FA has confirmed that Liverpool have asked for further time to reply.

They have also been granted an unspecified extension to respond to a charge of failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion following the dismissal of Jay Spearing during the same game.

Suárez is awaiting confirmation from the FA regarding a date for the personal hearing requested when pleading not guilty to the charge of racially abusing Evra, which dates back to the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on Oct 15. With the threat of a suspension hanging over Suárez should he be found guilty, Kenny Dalglish last week described the ongoing failure to resolve the case as a “bit of a joke”. While no date has yet been set for Suárez’s hearing in response to the Evra charge, it is understood that the player is likely to be given the chance to state his case to an FA panel before the turn of the year.

Although the FA closes for business on Dec 23, the disciplinary unit will work as normal in the week leading up to Dec 31, and a hearing could yet be scheduled for that week to ensure that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible. While Dalglish’s misgivings about the length of time taken to arrange a personal hearing are shared by many involved with the case, both at Anfield and Old Trafford, Liverpool’s decision to request further time to respond the charge against Suárez – issued on Nov 17 – resulted in the club being granted an extra week.

As such, the FA’s disciplinary unit has had two weeks to process Suárez’s response and make arrangements for a hearing. It is understood that Suárez will not be expected to respond to both charges against him at the same hearing because of an effort to ensure neither case is prejudiced by the other.

Liverpool Club Focus - Should Reds Tweak Their System To Get The Best Out Of Suarez?

Liverpool tasted victory over a promoted side for the first time this season as Kenny Dalglish’s men clinched all three points with a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers. The Reds, who had failed to beat both Norwich and Swansea at Anfield in recent months, had striker Luis Suarez to thank for the victory following the Uruguayan’s 47th minute header – his first Premier League goal since the beginning of October.

The 24-year-old forward, who is currently facing two Football Association charges, has been in the headlines for all the wrong reason of late, but Dalglish will have been relieved to see his star man end his goal drought. Suarez has now scored five league goals so far this campaign and is Liverpool’s top-scorer.

Scoring goals has been one of the Reds’ major problems this term. The Merseysiders have scored just 18 goals in 15 top-flight games this season – no other current top-half side has scored less. Liverpool have also only managed a paltry 10 goals in eight games at home so far this season. The Anfield side will undoubtedly need to find the net more often if they are to finish in the top-four come May. The last time a team ended up in a Champions League spot with less than 50 league goals was in the 2004-2005 season, when Everton finished fourth despite scoring just 45 goals.

But where are those goals going to come from? Suarez has been terrific for Liverpool since his arrival in January, and the South American striker has wowed crowds across Premier League grounds with his sublime pieces of skill, but his performance in front of goal has been average so far. The Reds’ may have to adapt their style of play in order to get the best out of Suarez – after all, this is a striker who scored an incredible 49 goals in just 48 games at Ajax in 2009-2010.

While some would argue that it is easier to score goals in the Dutch league, Suarez’s previous record suggests that he can be a prolific goalscorer in England if chances are created for him. In many games this season, the Uruguayan hot-shot has used his trickery and quick feet to create space for himself, but has failed to find the net regularly. Liverpool would perhaps be better off using an attacking midfielder tucked in behind Suarez to provide him with some much-needed support. This system worked wonders for the Reds in the 2008-2009 season, when Steven Gerrard played in behind Fernando Torres.

Given that Gerrard is injured, Dalglish may be tempted to splash some cash on a creative player in January. Other options could be to use Suarez in the ‘hole’ behind a different striker, or start playing a more direct style of football to suit Andy Carroll’s strengths. Which one of these options the manager will use remains to be seen, but it seems likely that Liverpool will have to tweak their system in order to start scoring more goals over the next five months.

Dalglish Tight Lipped On Liverpool FC Transfer Plans

Kenny Dalglish refused to be drawn on his January transfer plans after question marks were again raised about Liverpool’s potency in front of goal.

Dalglish watched his side take a richly deserved three points on Saturday afternoon to leapfrog Newcastle United in sixth in the Premier League table but Liverpool’s victory over Queens Park Rangers should have been by a more handsome margin.

Luis Suarez’s eighth goal of the campaign won the game but the Uruguayan and several of his Anfield team-mates were guilty of profligacy.

Despite the reoccurrence of this worrying theme, Dalglish remains bullish that Liverpool will rack up a healthy scoreline sooner than later and when asked if the club would look to sign a striker in the New Year in order to cure their wastefulness, the Liverpool manager was noncommittal.

“We did miss some chances, yes, but the goalkeeper saved a lot of them too,” said Dalglish, highlighting the fine performance of QPR’s Radek Cerny.

“Do I feel the need to go out and do something about that? Aye, whichever side comes along here next, we’ll ask them to come without a keeper. That’s the best way to do it, isn’t it?

“Irrespective of what I say, it’s not going to stop speculation we are going out in January to sign Joe Bloggs up front, or whoever. I don’t need to say anything.

“For us it was a fantastic team performance. We are quite happy.

“I trust the players implicitly when it comes to scoring, implicitly.

“They continued to get in there on goal, and even with the keeper having a good day, they didn’t drop their heads. They must be enjoying what they are doing, to continue playing like that, and creating chances like that.

“One day, creating chances like that, we are going to get a load…or we are going to be garbage, and win 1-0. And I think that will do us.”

As Dalglish was keen to point out, some of Liverpool’s approach play was excellent as QPR struggled to deal with their pace and precision.

“I think some of the football we played in the first half was brilliant, and we won’t change our beliefs or the way we play,” said Dalglish.

“That’s why we brought the players here in the first place, and we will stick to those principles.

“Our performance was fantastic, and the only thing missing was the goals that confirm that.

“If you look at home performances they have been fantastic, look at points…maybe not. There is not a game we have played here that we couldn’t have won, we shouldn’t have won.

“The goalkeepers that have come here have done very well for their sides…I’m saying that again. Performance wise, we don’t have any problem whatsoever, goals – yeah, we’d love more, and we’ll get more.”

Following a week in which Suarez was slapped with a FA misconduct charge for an alleged hand gesture made to Fulham supporters last Monday, the Liverpool forward answered his critics with the winning goal.

“I didn’t hear the QPR’s fans giving Luis any stick, didn’t hear anything,” said Dalglish. “I haven’t spoken to him about it – ask the people who target him, not us, they should be the ones questioned, not us.

“I did speak to him – I said well done wee man, great goal.”

Liverpool Plot Move For Real Starlet

Liverpool are looking to move for Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez, according to The People.

After several scouting trips to watch the 20-year-old the club is ready to splash out on the defender.

The fee being linked with Martinez is around £20 million, however Liverpool could be forced to pay more.

A clause in the player’s contract means a bid of £28 million could be sold before his contract expires in 2015.

However, in the knowledge that they won’t be able to keep hold of the starlet for long, a fee of £17 million plus a player would be enough for Liverpool to get their man.

Liverpool have spent around £100 million on new players in the last 12 months, and are unlikely to shirk away from a bid following multiple scouting trips.

Suarez Not Just About Goals

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Luis Suarez's value to the team is judged on far more than goals.

The 24-year-old scored for the first time in the Premier League since 1st October as the Reds beat QPR 1-0 on Saturday to end a run of four successive Anfield draws.

During that period Suarez has racked up two Football Association misconduct charges, but the January 2011 signing has been fully supported by Dalglish.

The Liverpool boss believes his player has earned an unwarranted reputation for going down too easily, which has resulted in opponents unfairly targeting him.

However, after watching Suarez end his goal drought, Dalglish said: "I would never judge anyone solely on goals.

"That is for the simple reason that you wouldn't judge a goalie on saves because if he is making great saves we have some problems somewhere else.

"Everyone is entitled to score a goal, but certainly for anyone who scores a goal they get a tremendous lift so I am sure it will help the wee fella."

The goal was Suarez's fifth in the league - and eighth in all competitions - but the way he celebrated with his team-mates suggested it was a relief to end his drought.

"It was good to see Luis on the scoresheet because the chances have been coming for him, but he's just not been able to get them into the back of the net," Charlie Adam, who provided the cross for the goal, told Liverpool's official website.

"But like all top strikers they always wait for their time and Luis was the match winner.

"I'm delighted for him because he works ever so hard for the team - and his hard work paid off with another great goal."

Kuyt Backing For Suarez

Dirk Kuyt has been impressed by team-mate Luis Suarez's unwavering focus after the striker put his recent controversies behind him to return Liverpool to winning ways at Anfield.

Uruguay international Suarez scored his first Premier League goal since 1st October as his club beat QPR 1-0 on Saturday to end a run of four successive home draws.

During that period, Suarez has racked up two Football Association misconduct charges and he has until 4pm on Monday to respond to the most recent accusation.

Suarez has been fully supported by manager Kenny Dalglish, who believes his player has earned an unwarranted reputation, and Kuyt has also offered his backing.

"For all of us, it is important to score a goal, but especially for Luis, who played really well. It was good to see him scoring again," said the Dutchman.

"He is just focusing on the game and he is happy with all the support he gets from the club, players, manager and his own fans.

"This is the Premier League so they (opponents) are trying to do everything to stop you and the better you are the more they try to stop you - and Luis is a really good player.

"But that is football and he knows that and he is a great professional and is just focusing on his job - that is what he does in training and in the game.

"Luis has done great so far and he is a great player."

Barton And Bellamy In Tunnel Bust-Up

Craig Bellamy and Joey Barton were involved in a X-rated tunnel bust-up at Anfield on Saturday.

The controversial pair had a heated exchange of words during the closing stages of Liverpool's slender 1-0 weekend win.

Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock tried to brush the on-pitch feud under the carpet in the post-match press conference.

But Sportsmail can reveal that the combative pair were embroiled in a foul-mouthed row moments after the final whistle as bad blood between the two spilled into the tunnel area.

Bellamy and Barton traded explicit F-word rants as the rift threatened to erupt into something more violent.

But the pair were separated and ushered into their respective dressing rooms before the row escalated any further.

An eyewitness told Sportsmail: 'It was more words than anything else, like handbags at 10 paces.

'Let's just say some of the language they used was only for the ears of the working man.

'But neither player would have voluntarily backed down. There was a bit of a giggle in the tunnel afterwards given which players were involved.'

The FA will wait on referee Lee Mason’s report before deciding whether to investigate the incident further.

However, the duo are likely to avoid FA sanctions given the bust-up was purely verbal and no physical violence was involved.

Bradley Orr: Suarez Is Unplayable

QPR defender Bradley Orr has described Luis Suarez as 'unplayable' after the Liverpool striker capped another sublime display with the winning goal on Saturday afternoon.

The Uruguay ace was a constant menace throughout the Reds' 1-0 triumph over the Hoops and Orr admits he has become a huge fan of the No.7.

Orr said: "I think he is unplayable. He's so strong, I didn't realize how strong he was for a small player. I love him. I'm a big Liverpool fan and to be on the same pitch as him was a pleasure."

A boyhood red, Orr realized a lifelong dream on 50 minutes when he appeared as a substitute for Neil Warnock's men.

It was a moment he will savour for the rest of his life - despite ending up on the losing side.

He said: "It's mixed emotions for me. I'm disappointed with the result, but on personal level, it's a dream come true (to have played here). I've dreamed about this day for years.

"I think it's the number one fixture the lads look forward to. It's disappointing to come away with nothing, but I don't think many sides will come away from Anfield with anything this season.

"Liverpool played very well, they are just so dangerous. At the end maybe we could have nicked a point, but if you look at the whole match Liverpool could have scored a lot more. Our goalkeeper played very well too.

BBC Football Pundit: Agger Falls Into Both Categories

Football Focus pundit Garth Crooks has praised the performances of Liverpool centre-half Daniel Agger this season.

The Danish international has been keeping Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher out of the side, with Kenny Dalglish persisting instead with a centre-back partnership of Martin Skrtel and Agger.

The Liverpool duo have been superb throughout the season thus far and although Carragher's hiatus from first team duty is perhaps something of a surprise given his lofty standing at Anfield, Skrtel and Agger can boast the meanest defence in the Premier League at the moment.

Agger and his Slovakian defensive partner kept yet another cleansheet during Liverpool's 1-0 win against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend and the aforementioned football pundit believes Agger is the key member of the Merseyside club's current resolve.

"Anyone who is partly responsible for keeping Jamie Carragher out of the side must be either an excellent defender or in great form." Crooks told the BBC when referring to Liverpool's backline.

"I think Agger falls into both categories. He didn't give QPR a sniff."

Agger's Liverpool career has been revived since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish. The 26-year-old has started six Premier League matches in a row and has not started seven consecutively since December 2009. He can match that record if he starts Liverpool's match against Aston Villa next Sunday.

Liverpool paid £6 million for the Danish international in January 2006 and although his Anfield career has been blighted by injury and loss of form which at times has threatened his future at the club, the former Brondby starlet has thrived under Dalglish.

Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 0 QPR

Luis Suarez ensured Liverpool's season did not follow a familiar storyline, but it was another edgy afternoon at Anfield in a 1-0 victory over QPR.

The Uruguayan scored the only goal of the game when taking advantage of some slack marking to head the winner just two minutes after half-time.

However, it was far from a perfect afternoon for Kenny Dalglish's team, as the match looked set to follow a similar pattern to the frustrating stalemates against QPR's fellow newly-promoted sides, Norwich and Swansea.

Neil Warnock's team was designed to frustrate their hosts in their first Premier League meeting since February 1996 and they almost achieved their target thanks to the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Radek Cerny.

But Suarez, who has been in the headlines for two Football Association charges in as many weeks, proved the difference and ensured Liverpool ended a run of four successive draws at Anfield.

Suarez had been the main topic of conversation pre-match but it was another instrumental display on the field which was the talking point afterwards.

The 24-year-old has found himself targeted by opposition players and fans alike who believe the South American goes to ground far too easily.

Early signs at Anfield were that QPR were not going to dish out the sort of harsh treatment that had prompted Reds manager Dalglish to produce video clips in a determined defence of his striker at his press conference on Thursday.

Suarez, who is also facing a racism-related charge dating back to mid-October, should have taken advantage in the 10th minute from Stewart Downing's right-wing cross, but he headed straight at Cerny from 10 yards.

It set the tone for the rest of the half, as he then somehow squeezed a shot from a narrow angle between the goalkeeper and his left-hand post which eventually went out for a throw before skewing wide with the outside of his right foot when it looked easier to go with his left.

Having dominated at home against the other promoted teams Norwich and Swansea - which both finished in draws after missing a number of chances - a familiar pattern was developing for Liverpool.

In the 31st minute Dirk Kuyt put Maxi Rodriguez through in the inside-left channel and his low shot across Cerny was destined for the far corner of the net until the goalkeeper fingertipped it behind.

A driving run from Downing set up another Suarez chance but his attempted close-range lob was clawed away by Cerny and the Uruguay international blazed over the rebound.

It took Liverpool just two minutes to put the frustrations of the first half behind them when they returned after the interval.

Charlie Adam's left-wing corner was cleared back to him and his right-footed cross picked out the unmarked Suarez who easily headed past Cerny from five yards.

It was the Uruguayan's first goal since getting two in the Carling Cup in late October and his first in the Premier League since the Merseyside derby on 1st October.

The situation worsened for QPR when Anton Ferdinand sustained an injury and had to be replaced by Bradley Orr.

Suarez continued to be Liverpool's main threat in the final third and when he pulled the ball back for Rodriguez to shoot only a great one-handed save low to his left by Cerny prevented a second all-important goal.

Rodriguez should have scored after a brilliant interchange with Suarez in the area, but he wastefully shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Liverpool continued to dominate, but QPR were always capable of nicking a goal and they almost did when Danny Gabbidon, five yards out, diverted over Joey Barton's inswinging free-kick.

Warnock's side enjoyed their best spell in the closing 20 minutes, but the hosts still looked the most likely to score again as substitute Craig Bellamy curled a free-kick into the side-netting.

QPR felt they should have had a penalty late on when Alejandro Faurlin went down under Martin Skrtel's challenge, but referee Lee Mason saw nothing wrong.

In the last action of the game Shaun Wright-Phillips deflected Bellamy's cross on to the bar but, unlike in recent weeks, one goal proved to be enough as Liverpool moved up to sixth in the table.

Dalglish Delight At Courage

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish praised the courage of his players after their perceived dominance was again not reflected in a scoreline.

A 1-0 win over QPR at Anfield ended the Reds' run of four successive and frustrating home draws after star striker Luis Suarez headed the only goal of the game early in the second half.

The heroics of visiting goalkeeper Radek Cerny denied Suarez and Maxi Rodriguez from making the scoreline more convincing.

And, after the match, Dalglish had no complaints with the performance of his team, while he also repeated that sooner or later an opponent is going to get humiliated.

The Scot told Sky Sports: "It takes a lot of courage to get back in there and have another pop when you miss one (a chance). So the boys are pretty courageous lads.

"If they keep getting in there, then eventually the lot of them is going to score two or three. We look forward to that day.

"We are disappointed for the players, not with them, because we couldn't ask for better football than that."

Liverpool has drawn five league matches at Anfield this season, which is the main factor behind why they trail the UEFA Champions League places.

But Dalglish was adamant his team should only have dropped points in one match this season and that was when they lost 4-0 at Tottenham in September.

"There has only been one game this year where we have not deserved full points, or a victory, if it was a cup tie, and that was at Tottenham," he said.

"I don't think the players have got the points that their football deserves. They will continue to do what they do best, and that is moves and football like that."

Warnock Praise For Suarez

Manager Neil Warnock was left wishing Luis Suarez played for QPR after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.

The Uruguayan, who has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons after two Football Association charges, scored his first goal since October to seal the points at Anfield.

Heroics from QPR goalkeeper Radek Cerny had for a time looked as if they might have condemned Liverpool to a sixth Premier League draw at Anfield this season.

But Suarez was the difference and Warnock acknowledged as much after the final whistle on Merseyside following his patched-up side's defeat.

When asked about the former Ajax striker's performance, the QPR boss is quoted as saying by Liverpool's official website: "Oh, to manage him."

Warnock also told Sky Sports: "I think it was appropriate that the best player on the pitch by a mile scored the winner.

"I think Luke (Young) was disappointed. He was marking him at the corner and it just went over his head.

"But that is good players. They make that half-a-yard of space and we go down to it.

"But I can't fault the lads. I thought Radek Cerny in goal was excellent. I thought everybody did (well).

"As you could see with the bench, we were struggling today. We didn't have any forwards at all to put on.

"Poor old DJ (Campbell) has come on. He has been out for nine weeks and has only had two days with the fitness coach. I don't think he has kicked a football yet.

"So I asked him if he would do 20 minutes for me, and he did. That is the difference, when you see their subs coming on.

"But I can't fault them (the QPR players), great performance in the circumstances."

Suarez scored early in the second half to take the points, but it had been a frustrating afternoon for Kenny Dalglish's team up to that point, as chances went begging.

The Liverpool boss, however, had no complaints about the performance of his players and believed they were unlucky not to record a more convincing scoreline.

Warnock agreed QPR's hosts deserved the points, as he said: "They pass it around for fun. The players they've got, they're going to cause any team a problem.

"They were the better side. Most people in the ground might have thought we'd go four or five down, but we showed great resolve."

Adam's Joy At Suarez Strike

Charlie Adam admits he was delighted to see Luis Suarez return to the scoresheet and help Liverpool return to winning ways with a 1-0 success over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

The Uruguay striker headed home the only goal of the game - his eighth of the season - early in the second half at Anfield to help the Reds collect three points and move up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League table.

Suarez had Adam - who was celebrating his 26th birthday - to thank for providing the assist, and the midfielder admits he was pleased the No.7 was on the mark for the first time since his Carling Cup brace at Stoke City.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was good to see Luis on the scoresheet because the chances have been coming for him, but he's just not been able to get them into the back of the net.

"But like all top strikers, they always wait for their time, and Luis was the match winner.

"I'm delighted for him because he works ever so hard for the team - and his hard work paid off with another great goal.

"It's nice to get an assist, although maybe it was a bit of a swinger with the right-foot cross!

"It was a good way to win the match and it was important because we dominated throughout and we were delighted with the way we played."

Suarez's goal was just rewards for Liverpool, who dominated the contest throughout.

Kenny Dalglish's side tallied up 25 efforts on goal over the course of the afternoon, compared to QPR's seven, and could have won by a greater margin had it not been for the heroics of Radek Cerny between the sticks for the visitors.

Adam said: "We would have been disappointed if we hadn't won the game because we had a lot of chances, but in the end 1-0 was enough and we're happy with that.

Dalglish Eyes Porto Midfielder As Lucas Replacement

Another name has been added to Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish’s alleged January wish-list, with the Daily Mail reporting this morning that the Reds are in line to swoop for Porto’s Fernando Reges.

It is thought that Dalglish will be given some considerable funds with which to strengthen his Anfield roster in the imminent transfer window and, in the wake of Lucas Leiva’s season-ending knee injury, midfield is a key priority.

24 year-old Brazilian Reges is widely regarded as one of the best in his position, and is valued at £17 million despite not yet having featured for his country, Brazil.

Andre Villas-Boas, having managed Reges, is also thought to be eying up a move but Liverpool’s scouts, who watched the player on Tuesday during a 0-0 draw with Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League, have urged Dalglish to make the signing as quickly as possible.

Liverpool To Rival Juventus For Gaston Ramirez

Gaston Ramirez is set to be the subject of bids from both Liverpool and Juventus when the January transfer window opens.

The Uruguayan playmaker has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in Italy, thanks to his impressive form since joining Bologna from Penarol in 2010.

It was thought Juventus would land the 21-year-old at the end of the season, but reports in Italy have suggested the situation has changed.

Liverpool have had Ramirez watched and manager Kenny Dalglish is apparently now keen to bring him to Anfield to play alongside his international team-mates Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates.

Should the Reds make a £15million move in January, the Turin-based club would be forced to bring forward their plans to sign the youngster and make a rival offer.

Bologna are not keen to sell a player who put pen to paper on a new contract last summer tying him to the club until 2016, but the Serie A strugglers would find it difficult to resist big-money bids.

Sunderland Striker Alerts Tottenham And Liverpool With Exit Wish

Despite admitting his admiration for new manager Martin O’Neill, Asamoah Gyan has outlined his reluctance to return to Sunderland, perhaps even after his loan spell with Middle Eastern outfit Al Ain has finished.

Ghanaian goalscorer Gyan – who has netted 27 times in 54 matches for the Black Stars – is in the United Arab Emirates as a result of a deal struck back in September and, although rumours to the contrary have circulated this week, the 26 year-old ruled out a return to Wearside this January.

“Will I come back to Sunderland at the end of this season? For now I don’t want to talk about my situation because I am currently on loan and I am doing well,” said the striker, who has six goals in six league games for his current side. “Let’s see where my future lies after my loan deal.

“I miss the Premier League because it is the best league in the world so I have a lot of respect for it. It is a great league and who knows what will happen in the future. But what I have to say is that I am enjoying my football at the moment. I don’t know – let’s see what happens at the end of my current deal.”

“I know all about Martin O’Neill. I remember him from when he was at Aston Villa and they did very well when he was there,” Gyan added. “He is a good manager and everyone speaks well about him.”

With such comments in mind, both Harry Redknapp and Kenny Dalglish – who are not shy of gambling on high-profile attackers – could be compelled into approaching the Black Cats about Gyan’s availability.

Scoring 10 Premiership goals in 34 appearances since his record breaking £13 million move, Gyan has proven pedigree in the top-tier of English football and would be a strong addition to the squads of either Tottenham or Liverpool.

Charlie Adam Pleads For Patience With Misfiring Andy Carroll

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam says Andy Carroll will come good for the club following an indifferent start to life as Britain’s most expensive ever player.

Carroll was signed from Newcastle last January for £35 million and has so far failed to reproduce the form he showed on Tyneside, though Adam says it is important to remember he is just 22 years old.

"Andy is still young - we have a young squad and we are learning. Let people be judged over a season," Adam said in an interview with the BBC.

"No matter what you do as a player, people have doubts about you. It doesn't matter who you are.

"You can be the best player in the world and somebody will pick something out that they don't agree with and that's what happens in football, it's all about opinions."

Liverpool have made many big-money signings since Kenny Dalglish was appointed for his second spell as manager, with Luis Suarez, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique, Andy Carroll and Charlie Adam costing well in excess of £100m between them. But Adam has pleaded for patience.

"We are still trying to get to grips with each other's game," he explained.

"We have bought in seven or eight new players and it's going to be difficult at times, but in the end the quality will shine through.

"I don't think we've done too badly this season so far but we know we can do better."

Steven Gerrard Returns To Light Training

Liverpool FC have received a welcome boost ahead of Saturday’s clash with Queens Park Rangers at Anfield after skipper Steven Gerrard returned to light training.

The talismanic LFC midfielder has been sidelined since he was diagnosed with an ankle infection six weeks ago.

However, Gerrard was pictured being put through his paces away from the main group by the Liverpool FC's head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess at Melwood.

No date has been put on the 31-year-old’s comeback but the fact he’s back running again will raise hopes that he will be involved over the festive period.

“It’s all part of Steven’s natural progression,” said boss Kenny Dalglish.

“We’ve been delighted with his progress and that’s continuing.

“But we have never put a time frame on when he will be back playing and we won’t now.”

Gerrard hasn’t played since the game against Norwich City on October 22 as his ankle flared up on the eve of the Reds’ trip to West Brom a week later.

His anticipated return later this month will be timely with Liverpool FC facing a hectic Christmas schedule of four league games in the space of 13 days.