Match Report: Wolves 0 - 3 Liverpool

Liverpool's revival under Kenny Dalglish is officially under way after he secured his first win since returning for his second spell as Reds boss in the 3-0 victory at Wolves.

Having seen improvements on the pitch if not in results in his three previous matches in charge after taking over from Roy Hodgson the Scot finally got the victory he was craving.

Fernando Torres scored his eighth and ninth Premier League goals of the season either side of Raul Meireles capping a fine individual performance with a brilliantly-taken second-half volley.

It was only Liverpool's third away win in the league in 13 months and their first point outside Anfield since the 1-1 draw at Wigan on November 10.

The result does not paper over the obvious deficiencies in the squad - which Dalglish is trying to rectify with moves for Ajax forward Luis Suarez and Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam - but reinforces the belief among the current players given to them by the appointment of the club legend.

Such has been the 59-year-old's influence he is even starting to get performances out of players who have failed to live up to their potential, with Christian Poulsen and Meireles in particular displaying that in this game.

Meireles, playing in the attacking midfield role given to him by Dalglish in the absence of Steven Gerrard, serving the final game of a three-match suspension, has now scored in his last two matches and his form presents his manager with a conundrum for the midweek visit of Fulham when the captain will be available again.

Poulsen's restoration to the starting line-up began badly with a fourth-minute booking but his day was to improve with the defence-splitting pass which created the goal.

It was a rare moment of quality in a first half which was spoiled partly by the poor state of the pitch and partly by the teams, neither of whom really got into their rhythm.

The Denmark international is intrinsically associated with Roy Hodgson's six-month reign of failure at Anfield but Dalglish believes he has more to offer - which is more than can be said for the former Fulham boss's other maligned signing Paul Konchesky who failed to make the squad.

Poulsen's repertoire is not renowned for having many creative interventions but the pass he picked out Meireles with was perfectly-executed through the inside-right channel.

The Portugal midfielder, played onside by full-back Ronald Zubar on the other side of the pitch, seized on the opportunity and raced into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Torres who side-footed home one of his most straightforward chances of the season.

Meireles had a decent half without being dominant, certainly in the physical midfield battle with Wolves, but showed his class prior to setting up the goal with a brilliant 40-yard diagonal pass to pick out Torres only for the striker to cut inside and shoot straight at Wayne Hennessey.

He also flashed a half-volley wide of the goalkeeper's right-hand post as he continued his improvement in the advanced midfield role he prefers.

Wolves' two best efforts of the first half were Kevin Doyle's mis-hit cross from wide on the right which almost caught out Jose Reina, who did well to smother Steven Fletcher's close-range shot at the far post in added time.

Dirk Kuyt should have doubled the advantage early in the second half when put through one-on-one by Maxi Rodriguez but he delayed his shot and Hennessey charged out to block.

The Wolves goalkeeper was powerless, however, to do anything about the second when it came in the 50th minute.

Daniel Agger's long punt forward was only partially headed clear by Christophe Berra, under pressure from Kuyt, and Meireles lashed a brilliant dipping 25-yard volley inside Hennessey's left-hand post.

The Portugal international had been threatening to do something similar all season and the confidence from his maiden Liverpool goal in last weekend's Merseyside derby showed in the quality of that right-footed strike.

Wolves responded with a brief spell of pressure but although Liverpool have the league's worst record for squandering points from winning positions they held out.

Jonjo Shelvey, on as a substitute for Poulsen, should have put the game beyond doubt with only his second touch - his first having set up his chance from Meireles' pass - but blazed wide with only Hennessey to beat.

Torres continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack and in added time fired into the roof of the net after Kuyt's strong run into the area.

Victory has Liverpool looking up the table with more optimism under Dalglish than they had under Hodgson.

Dalglish Pleased By Shankly Spirit

Kenny Dalglish has hailed the efforts of his Liverpool players after their 3-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux.

Two goals from Fernando Torres and a cracking strike from Raul Meireles gave Dalglish his first win during his second spell as the club’s manager.

And he was delighted by the display his men put on for the travelling support and hopes it will help the Reds kick start their season.

Dalglish said: “Bill Shankly set the standards for this football club and it’s up to us to maintain them. The way the lads played today was a great credit to them and it showed they’ve got great respect for the supporters and the club and that’s important.

“Hopefully that will give them the confidence and the belief back again. We’re not going to be carried away or get complacent in any way shape or form.

“Getting a goal in front, sometimes you get a bit nervous but today they were determined not to lose that.

“[The players] really appreciate the win, their efforts, I think the fans really appreciate it as well and great credit to Pep [Reina] and the back four.”

Kenny Dalglish Backs Raul Meireles To Shine

Raul Meireles showed he has the potential to become a top Premier League player during Liverpool's 3-0 win at Wolves, according to Kenny Dalglish.

The Portugal midfielder moved to Anfield from Porto in an £11.5 million deal last summer, but has struggled to come to terms with the demands of English football.

However, he scored a superb volley and claimed the man-of-the-match honour in Liverpool's victory at Molineux on Saturday.

Dalglish was thrilled to see his side record their first success since he returned as manager and singled out Meireles as one of the main reasons for the Reds securing all three points.

'Raul played very well, he made the first and scored the second. He's a very good footballer,' the Scot told Sky Sports.

'It takes a wee bit of adjusting getting up to speed with the Premier League and he's getting up to that level - he's a talented footballer.'

Dalglish also had some words of praise for Fernando Torres, who scored the first and third goals, but was less forthcoming on the subject of Liverpool's reported interest in Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam and Ajax striker Luis Suarez.

'If we've got business to do we'll do it behind closed doors. I know what's going on but that doesn't mean I have to tell you,' he said.

Ian Holloway Attacks Liverpool’s Bid For Charlie Adam

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has launched an outspoken attack on Liverpool, claiming the club’s £4.5 million bid for Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam was “disgraceful”.

Holloway confirmed Liverpool caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish wants to sign Adam, who has enjoyed a fine season and scored from the penalty spot in his side’s 2-1 defeat against Sunderland yesterday.

But Holloway was unimpressed with Liverpool’s offer, having also rejected bids of the same amount from Aston Villa and Birmingham.

“I was thinking Liverpool and Charlie,” he said. “I thought: 'Fantastic, what a great club for him to go to’. Then when I heard the bid I thought it was disgraceful.

“I don’t think it was Kenny that put that offer in. Mr. (Damien) Comolli (Liverpool’s director of football strategy) should look at what is going on and get realistic.

“What they offered is about the price Charlie would have been worth when Kenny was last playing.

Frank De Boer Wants Swift Deal For Luis Suarez

Ajax manager Frank de Boer has admitted he wants any potential move by Luis Suarez to Liverpool to be conducted quickly.

The Reds have reportedly been in contact with the Dutch club regarding Suarez, however the clubs' valuation of the player is believed to still be some way apart.

The Merseysiders are anxious to add fire-power to their line-up as they have been over-reliant on Fernando Torres this season which has seen them fall down the Premier League.

De Boer told De Telegraaf that Suarez will not be allowed to leave Ajax unless he is sure a replacement for him can be found before the end of the January transfer window.

He said: "We won't let Luis [Suarez] go on 31 January at 23.55. It is logical and a deal which I made with Rik van den Boog [general director of Ajax].

"To replace Suarez will be difficult, but we are ready. We have a Plan B, we know what we want if he leaves."

De Boer’s side have been linked with moves for Bas Dost of SC Heerenveen or Eidur Gudjohnsen of Stoke City if Suarez does complete a move away from Amsterdam.

Comolli: We Considered Move For Darren Bent

Liverpool's director of football strategy Damien Comolli has revealed that the club discussed a move for Aston Villa's £18 million new signing Darren Bent and are prioritizing success in the Europa League this season.

Comolli, who was appointed at Anfield in November, admitted that it was likely to be the club's only way of playing European football next season.

In the same revealing interview with French channel Canal+ Sport where Comolli confirmed the club's interest in Luis Suarez and Ashley Young, he also said: “The Europa League is our main goal for the season.

"We have already won [the UEFA Cup] three times, and it's important for us to win it again. For us it is the shortest route – and perhaps the only route – that takes us back into to Europe next season.”

The Frenchman also admitted that the club had considered a move for Bent, who joined Aston Villa this week from Sunderland in controversial fashion, but Comolli felt that the England striker would struggle to play alongside Fernando Torres.

He said: “We thought of him, but we looked at his profile and thought that he would not be very complementary to Fernando Torres. He is a player who is, as the English say, a lone wolf. He needs to play alone in attack.”

Comolli reiterated the need to sign a number of players this January, after stating that the side was suffering from fatigue following last summer's World Cup in South Africa.

He added: “The match against Everton we deserved to win. This was not the case. Why? In my opinion, the team is still suffering from the accumulated fatigue of our players during the World Cup. And when you see the starting line-up, we see that eight players have gone to at least the last 16, and many have gone further.

“This team has quality. I am convinced that the squad left by Benitez is good, but it's true that we need reinforcements.

“I am surprised in a way, given our results, the number of top level players who want to join us. They say that Liverpool is an attractive club, and most are also telling me that ‘you’ve had a bad season, but you won’t have two’.”

The 38-year-old, who formerly worked at Tottenham and Arsenal, also praised Liverpool's American owners for providing the financial backing to improve the squad.

He said: "There is no more debt. The owners are willing to invest, there is plenty of money. When I first got here, the first question I asked was ‘do I have to lower the payroll?’ They said, ‘No, the important thing is to win.’ It was a great relief for me.”

Comolli remained tight-lipped on the future of Kenny Dalglish, after previously stating that no decision would be made on the caretaker manager's future until the end of the season.

He said: “There is no debate. When he came here, we told him that he had six months and after that we'd see. This does not mean he will leave.”

Rafael Benitez Backs Kenny Dalglish's Appointment As Liverpool Boss

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has backed the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as boss for the remainder of the season.

This is Dalglish's second stint as boss, having managed the club between 1985 and 1991. He is also the last Reds manager to have guided the Merseysiders to the league title, something he achieved three times, most recently 20 years ago in 1989-90.

Much has changed since he last managed the club, Manchester United having drawn level with Liverpool's record 18 English top-flight titles, and currently leading the way at the top of the Premier League table, so threatening to surge ahead and become the most successful team in England.

Liverpool, in contrast, failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and Benitez parted ways with the club, while Roy Hodgson - who was appointed as the Spaniard's successor - has been shown the door following a protracted run of poor results.

"It will be much better with Kenny because he knows the club and what the fans want," Benitez told BBC Radio Five Live.

"He can talk with the players and they will feel and understand what it means to be a Liverpool player.

"I think that Kenny has been a very good appointment and, hopefully, it will be successful."

One of the talking points of Benitez's reign at Liverpool has been his transfer dealings and the actual quality of the squad he left when he departed to coach Inter (a job he has since lost) last summer.

Now the former Valencia boss has defended his reign by citing what he believes is a "massive" squad, but admits that there were some mistakes.

"We know that we made some mistakes," said Benitez. "We are not happy with some of the signings.

"But we are really pleased with the majority of them, especially if you analyse the team now. [Pepe] Reina, [Glen] Johnson, [Martin] Skrtel, [Daniel] Agger, [Fabio] Aurelio, Lucas, [Fernando] Torres, Maxi [Rodriguez] and [Dirk] Kuyt. It is a massive team.

"The team is good, the value of the squad is really good and, we were making mistakes, but [also] signing fantastic players.

"We signed [Xabi] Alonso, Luis Garcia, Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun and we had to sell if we wanted to buy new players."

Benitez Not To Blame For Liverpool's Woes

Rafael Benitez has denied responsibility for Liverpool's current woes, insisting: "It's not my fault, sorry''.

Benitez presided over a disappointing campaign in the 2009/10 season as Liverpool finished seventh. He was replaced by Roy Hodgson last summer.

Liverpool's fortunes have plummeted even further since then, however, with Hodgson sacked and replaced by Kenny Dalglish with the team only four points above the relegation zone prior to Saturday's clash with Wolves.

But Benitez, who joined Inter Milan in the summer but left before Christmas, admitted that not all of his moves in the transfer market were successful.

"I agree, so we know we made some mistakes,'' Benitez told the BBC. ”Sometimes, maybe one player is a good player and after he doesn't settle down, but if you see, we have a net spending of between 10, 12 million.

"So I think that this, for a top side ... it's not big money. And still I would say to you that we are not happy with some of the signings but we are really pleased with the majority of them.

"In the team now, Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Lucas Leiva, Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriquez, Dirk Kuyt, so it's a massive, massive team.

"I am not taking all the credit, I think the team is good, the problem may be the mentality. So I think Kenny can change these things and will hopefully be good for the team.

"But the other thing is that Christian Purslow [the club's former managing director] and Hodgson, they signed seven players.

"Seven players are enough to change a squad, so you can take responsibility for signings in the past but seven players can change a squad. So you cannot continue with this story about the legacy. It's not my fault, sorry.''

Kenny: We’ll Play ‘Liverpool Way’

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is keen for the club to rediscover the style of their glory days — as it is the only way he knows how to play football.

The success of the late 1970s and through the 1980s was built on the pass-and-move doctrines instigated by Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

Dalglish flourished as a player in those teams and tried to continue the legacy in his first spell as manager.

The game may have moved on since he was Reds boss nearly 20 years ago but, particularly in the last couple of years, Liverpool’s style became more structured and solid with less focus on attack and flair.

In the three matches Dalglish has been in charge since taking over from Roy Hodgson, there has been a noticeable move towards a more upbeat, positive approach.

It is a conscious decision by Dalglish to fill his players with the knowledge and expertise he learned when he wore the Reds’ famous number seven shirt. Asked if it was important to rediscover the attitude Shankly introduced at the club the 59-year-old Scot said: "Well, it has never gone for me.

"Pass and move isn’t old fashioned, it’s the Liverpool way.

"That’s the way I was brought up and I don’t think I could change. I think that’s the way the players would like to play as well.

"It’s great for the fans to watch and you can’t underestimate their role.

"Everyone has to play their role. We have to lift the fans. If the staff, the owners and everyone else sing from the same hymn sheet, which we are doing, then I’m sure we have happier days ahead of us.

"The sooner we start winning games the sooner we can look forward and upwards."

Dalglish has been given the job on an initial six-month basis after taking over from Hodgson but chairman Tom Werner said he is a contender to assume the role full-time.

"He has many of the qualities that we have articulated will be what we are looking for and he is going to be a candidate," said Werner.

Henry and Werner met with Dalglish yesterday and the subject of transfers understandably cropped up.

Those discussions were "positive" according to the Reds boss.

Liverpool Line Up €12m Strike Ace As Suarez Move Falters

Liverpool are reportedly set to turn their attentions to Lacina Traore - should they lose out on Luis Suarez.

Suarez's protracted move to Anfield has eked out for some time now and - according to The Telegraph - the Reds and Ajax are currently way apart in their valuation of the Uruguayan.

And, with Liverpool desperate for striking reinforcements in January, they could be forced to set their sights elsewhere in pursuit of more potent attacking options.

One of their reported targets is FC Cluj frontman Lacina Traore who, according to talkSPORT, could be available to Liverpool for €12 million.

Sportingo reports that Liverpool will have to fight of the advances of Fulham if they hope to sign the 6ft 8in striker who could prove to be an intriguing partner for Anfield hero Fernando Torres.

Although lacking the goalscoring prowess of Suarez, the 20-year-old Ivorian would work as a competent foil for Torres as Liverpool attempt to transform their season.

Despite the introduction as Kenny Dalglish as the new Liverpool boss, the Anfield club are still way off the pace in the Premier League and find their attacking department in desperate need of bolstering.

Damien Comolli Confirms Interest In Luis Suarez And Ashley Young

Liverpool Director Of Football Strategy Damien Comolli has dismissed suggestions that the English giants are in crisis this season, but confirmed the club are interested in signing Luis Suarez and Ashley Young.

The Reds are currently 13th in the Premier League table, having collected just 26 points from 22 matches, and are just four points above the relegation zone.

Hopes of European qualification are fading fast but Comolli believes that it's not the time to scream crisis at Anfield.

"There is no crisis," Comolli told Canal+Sport, according to Goal.com France. "I see things from the inside, but I do not have that feeling there.

"Yes, there is a problem [of confidence] in the side and we saw that against Wolverhampton. From the moment we conceded a goal, there was not much effort to stage a comeback.

"[Fernando] Torres and [Steven] Gerrard are exactly at the same physical level as they were in the year in which they finished second [2008]."

The Frenchman also spoke about the prospective recruitment of Ajax striker Luis Suarez and Aston Villa attacker Ashley Young. However, Comolli insisted that Liverpool were not 'in dialogue with Ajax' over signing Suarez - suggesting that the interview may have been conducted earlier this month.

"We are looking primarily for an offensive player because the team is short on pace. As for Suarez, At the moment there is no dialogue with Ajax but he is one of the players we are interested in. Will he be available in January? It's another issue.

"As for Young, if he is available then he will be of interest for us. But I do not think that this is the case."

Dalglish Insists Cole Will Get His Chance

Kenny Dalglish has played down the significance of Joe Cole's appearance for Liverpool reserves, with the Anfield boss insisting the move was designed to improve the midfielder's fitness levels.

Cole's name appeared on the team sheet for a Lancashire Senior Cup tie on Wednesday, leading to speculation that Dalglish did not fancy the England international.

Cole has had a torrid first season at Liverpool and it appeared his fortunes had not improved following the appointment of Dalglish, but the Scot has insisted the former Chelsea man will get his chance.

"Some people look at reserve-team football for first-team players as a punishment," Dalglish said. "But this was a necessity for everybody. It wasn't a punishment. If it was a punishment, the players would've been told that.

"It is all very well training but you still need a runabout on the pitch. Joe Cole will get an opportunity."

Liverpool And Arsenal Linked With January Move For Daniel Opare

Liverpool and Arsenal are confirmed challengers in the race to sign Daniel Opare.

The Ghanaian international defender has been linked with a number of Barclays Premier League clubs in recent months, and the player's agent has confirmed interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and a number of top English sides.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is thought to be in the market for a defender, and the Standard Liege 20-year-old is thought to be one of the players being monitored by the Anfield outfit.

Arsenal are also in the market for a defender, with Arsene Wenger admitting that the Gunners need to strengthen in the position due to an injury crisis taking hold of his Emirates side.

Manchester United, Spurs and Chelsea are also thought to be interested in the player, who joined Standard Liege in the summer from the Real Madrid Castilla side.

“Yes. He is a great player. He is a right defender and can play right-midfield," a representative of the player told Sport.co.uk.

"They call him the 'flying Ghanaian'. He is a great player, he is playing well and in the future we will see."

Liverpool is thought to have money to spend following the arrival of NESV as the club's new owners at the end of the summer.

Dalglish is thought to have targeted an attacking foil for Fernando Torres as the priority at Anfield, but the Liverpool manager is keen to strengthen in a number of core positions and Opare could provide the answers in defence.

Arsenal boss Wenger is also thought to have money to spend following the announcement of bumper profits in north London at the end of last year.

The Black Stars starlet developed his skills as part of the famed Ajax academy during his teenage years, and the French professor could look to get the best out of the 20-year-old at Arsenal.

Whilst a transfer fee or valuation is yet to be discussed, it's though that Liverpool, Arsenal or any of the clubs monitoring the player would have to pay in the region of £8 million to secure Opara's services.

Boudebouz In No Hurry

Ryad Boudebouz is happy to bide his time at Sochaux and wait for the right move to come along.

The Algeria international is attracting mounting interest, with his potential recognized across Europe.

At just 20 years of age he is regarded as a hot prospect for the future and the likes of Liverpool, Paris St Germain, Marseille and Lyon are all reported to be monitoring his situation.

Boudebouz is flattered to learn of the reported interest from afar and admits he would welcome the opportunity to test himself at a higher level at some stage in his career.

He is, however, in no hurry to make that step up and claims he would be willing to see out another 12 months at Sochaux.

"My future? I don't know what will happen," Boudebouz told L'Equipe.

"I am not looking for anything at the moment. I am happy at Sochaux in a team that plays good football.

"I want to reach a new level but if I have to wait another season to get there, that is not a problem."

Reina Remains Committed

Jose Reina is confident he will be challenging for top honours again with Liverpool.

Although Reina has been linked with an Anfield exit during a disappointing campaign for the Reds, the Spanish goalkeeper remains committed to the new six-year deal he signed only last year.

The 28-year-old, who signed from Villarreal in 2005, won the FA Cup in his first season with Liverpool and helped them reach the following year's Champions League final.

And while he admits it has been a tough season at Anfield, he is determined to battle through the bad times and believes he can help restore the club to its former glories.

"There have been moments when we've not played well, where it's been difficult to stay upbeat and positive," he told the club's official website.

"But this is football - and you have to fight every day to become a greater team.

"When things have gone badly for us, I've tried my best to do my bit to improve the team. There is no point being sad, so I've tried to be positive at all times.

"We are sailing on the same ship and we all want the team to produce the results which we're capable of.

"All I can do from my position is support my team-mates and play my own part.

"I signed a new contract last summer and still have more than five years left to run on it.

"Obviously, I want to be part of a team that has the chance to win the title, win major trophies and to play with the best players, but I expect that to happen here at Liverpool, and for the club to return itself to that level.

"I plan to stick with my contract."

Martin Kelly Thanks Glen Johnson For Helping Improve His Game

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has said that fellow defender Glen Johnson has helped him improve as a player, despite both being in direct competition for the right-back role in the side.

Kelly has started in every one of Kenny Dalglish's three games in charge so far and has earned praise for his performances.

He started in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford as England international Johnson had to pull out because his partner was due to give birth, and kept his slot against Blackpool and Everton, where Johnson was forced to play down the left-flank.

And Kelly said on the club's official website: "It was good to play in a big game like that at Old Trafford.

"I remember missing the FA Youth Cup final there through injury and I was devastated, so it was good to go back and play there.

"Glen has been a good help for me. Just watching him on the pitch and seeing how good he is on the training ground has also helped me. He's a great lad and we get on well.

"For me it's good to play at right-back. I could have been pushed out to left-back when Glen came back against Blackpool but the manager has kept me there, and hopefully my performances have shown I can stay there.

"I am enjoying playing at right-back but if the time comes when I'm needed to play centre-back I will play there as well.

"It's good to be able to play anywhere in the back four if need be.

"Playing against Manchester United and then Everton are two of the biggest games I've ever been involved in.

"I've only played 20 games for Liverpool so far and playing in the derby was enjoyable and tough, and I'm still feeling a little stiff from that."

Tom Werner Wants To Live Up To Reds Philosophy

Tom Werner has vowed to restore the principles on which Liverpool FC built their success.

But the Liverpool chairman insists he does not need to oversee a revolution at Anfield.

After a turbulent three-and-a-half-year period under former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, an air of relative stability has been brought to matters off the pitch following October's £300million purchase by New England Sports Ventures.

"We (Liverpool) have a philosophy which has been successful for more than 100 years. All we need to do is live up to that philosophy," said Werner.

The new American owners, through NESV subsidiary Fenway Sports Group (FSG), have spent the intervening period assessing all aspects of the club.

And it has been time well spent as Werner does not believe drastic change is required, although that could not save former manager Roy Hodgson from losing his job after just six months in charge.

"It is a privilege to work for Liverpool," said Werner, who achieved success with principal owner John Henry and NESV with the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise.

"I hope the fans would recognize that we have been winners before, we have been judged in baseball as among the best owners.

"We don't want to over-promise and under-deliver but I hope they see we have certainly shown a commitment to moving forward, that we are not interested in short-term results.

"If we can show progress that is good, and hopefully we are building a management team which can produce success year in, year out as we have in Boston.

"There are challenges, we need to increase our match-day revenues, we need to have a club that is younger, but I am more encouraged by the essential foundation of Liverpool."

Dalglish Given Green Light To Spend By Liverpool Board

Kenny Dalglish has been told he can splash the cash this month by the Liverpool board.

The Anfield legend is only in caretaker charge until the end of the season and there were concerns he would not be allowed to strengthen the squad.

But, after holding talks with owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner, Dalglish has been given the green light to bring in new faces.

“They are good people and we had a positive meeting with John and Tom. We discussed many things, one was obviously transfers,” said the Scot.

"There is no problem with transfers as long as we are responsible. We can go and look for players and try to sign them and bring them in.

"Any time I have been in a transfer market it has been responsible so I will continue to do that and try to spend the club's money as diligently as my own."

Liverpool has been heavily linked with a big-money swoop for Luis Suarez but Dalglish refused to confirm the club's interest in the Ajax striker.

"We are not going to give names or talk about sums of money," added the 59-year-old.

"We don't intend to mislead people but we have a huge responsibility to do our business in a way that has been done since I've known the club and that is in private."

Steven Gerrard Hopes Steve Clarke Can Become ‘Fantastic Addition’

Steven Gerrard is hopeful that Liverpool's new first-team coach Steve Clarke can help improve the team's defence and attack, after what has been a largely underwhelming campaign.

The Reds have managed to keep only six clean sheets in their 22 Premier League games, and have conceded 31 goals in the process. Their attack has also been found to be wanting with striker Fernando Torres having problems in front of goal, and they have a goal difference of -4.

"I think he's a great appointment," Gerrard was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Daily Post. "From what I've seen he's supported some fantastic managers in his career. He played at the top level and has vast experience in the game.

"It's early days yet but the training sessions have been good. If he can come in and help us tighten up defensively and help us improve going forward he'll be a fantastic addition to the coaching staff.

"It's exciting to see how his relationship will work with Kenny. Hopefully the pair of them, along with Sammy Lee, can help guide us up the league.

"Between them that trio have plenty of experience and should make a very good coaching team."

Fabio Coentrao Admits Anfield Interest

Liverpool has been boosted in the race to sign Portuguese international left back Fabio Coentrao.

The Benfica defender has been linked with an Anfield switch in recent months, and has now revealed his personal feelings towards Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool side.

"I love Liverpool," Coentrao is re-quoted as saying on Live4Liverpool.

The 11 cap international also admitted that it was nice to be tracked by Real Madrid, and that being coached by the 'Special One' would be difficult to turn down.

"Who would not want to be coached by Mourinho?”

A product of the Rio Ave youth system, Coentrao joined Benfica in 2007. After three loans the following season, the player settled well into the Águias first team and has been a regular for the past two years.

Manchester United has also previously taken an interest in the player, and were again linked less than a week ago by the Daily Mail.

It is Liverpool who have been following the player more closely in recent months though, with scouts reportedly sent to watch the 22-year-old wingback at the Estádio da Luz.

Dalglish has been promised money to spend at Anfield by the club's new owners, NESV, and a left back is thought to be high on the Liverpool agenda in an effort to cover the under-performing Paul Konchesky.

The Reds would hope to negotiate a deal lower than the £20 million valuation, and Liverpool could face competition for the player were an offer for the highly-rated player accepted.