Match Report: Tottenham 4 - 0 Liverpool

Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice on his home debut as Tottenham hammered four past nine-man Liverpool to earn a morale-boosting first home win of the season.

Luka Modric opened the scoring with a blistering 20-yard strike before Charlie Adam picked up a second yellow card for a late foul on Scott Parker.

Martin Skrtel, who had a torrid afternoon at right-back thanks to Gareth Bale, was sent off for a second booking in the second half before Jermain Defoe calmly slotted home to make it 2-0 in the 66th minute.

Adebayor, who scored on his debut against Wolves last week, scored a tap-in soon after before he volleyed past Jose Reina to seal the win in stoppage time.

Fresh off the back of last week's first win of the season, Tottenham looked a class apart against their top-four rivals, but their cause was helped by the two dismissals.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, who met referees' chief Mike Riley this week after venting his anger at Mark Clattenburg's decisions against his team last weekend, was furious with Mike Jones' decision-making at times, stopping the official as he went down the tunnel at half-time.

But in truth Liverpool could have no complaints about the defeat or its margin.

Right from the kick-off it looked like there was only ever going to be one winner.

After his team's midweek trip to Greece, Harry Redknapp reverted to the same XI that beat Wolves and they stamped their dominance on the game from the whistle.

Adebayor brushed past his marker to gain a yard in the box but miscued his volleyed wide from 10 yards.

Daniel Agger then blocked Defoe's goal-bound shot before Modric brought White Hart Lane to its feet with his blistering opener after six minutes.

The Croatian, who had been the subject of at least three bids from Chelsea this summer, picked up a loose ball 20 yards out and hammered his strike into the top left-hand corner of Reina's goal.

Referee Jones handed out his first booking of the afternoon to Adam for a foul on the goal scorer.

Liverpool were struggling to get in to the game and at times, their passing was poor.

They thought they had equalized though when Luis Suarez tapped home but the linesman ruled the Uruguayan was offside when he picked up the ball from Andy Carroll.

Agger then hobbled off after slipping and injuring his chest. He was replaced by debutant Sebastian Coates.

Liverpool's afternoon went from bad to worse just before the half hour when Adam caught Parker in the leg with his studs up as the England midfielder went for a volley.

Jones reached for his pocket and issued the second yellow which reduced the visitors to 10 men.

Skrtel, clearly struggling to keep up with Bale's electric pace, saw yellow for a cynical bodycheck on the Welshman.

Like Bale, Adebayor was proving to be a real handful. The striker brushed off Coates and ran towards goal but the defender hacked him down from behind and also earned a booking.

Younes Kaboul and Defoe both came close to making it 2-0 before the break as Spurs' dominance continued.

Suarez was annoyed he did not get a foul on the stroke of half-time after a tussle with Benoit Assou-Ekotto and his protest at the referee earned him a booking.

Reds boss Dalglish, who last week criticized Clattenburg for not giving his side a penalty at Stoke, was furious with Jones and remonstrated with the official as he went down the tunnel at half-time.

Spurs almost scored a minute into the second half when Kyle Walker crossed for Adebayor, who played in the unmarked Defoe his poor shot dribbled wide from six yards.

Liverpool were convinced they should have had a penalty when Carroll thought his jump in the box was impeded by Assou-Ekotto but Probert waved play on.

Liverpool's woes continued in the 63rd minute when Skrtel clipped Bale's heels as he turned to run down the flank.

The former Southampton man punched the turf in apparent pain and Probert sent the Liverpool defender off with a second booking.

Two minutes later it was 2-0. Substitute Rafael van der Vaart sent Defoe racing through the middle, and after holding off Jose Enrique's challenge, the England striker spun and shot low past Reina.

Just two minutes passed before Adebayor scored Tottenham's third.

Reina spilled Defoe's shot and the former Gunners man reacted quickly, lifting the ball over the scrambling Spaniard before tapping in to an empty net.

Liverpool could not get a touch of the ball as Spurs made their numerical advantage count.

With the game well won, Tottenham eased their foot off the accelerator.

Van der Vaart tried a cheeky chip at the other end in injury time but Reina was equal to his effort.

Adebayor then made it 4-0 in the final seconds when he picked up Assou-Ekotto's cross to control and calmly volley past Reina to complete a superb afternoon for Spurs and a miserable one for Liverpool.

Spurs Were Just Better Than Us, Admits Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish refused to criticize referee Mike Jones for sending off two of his players in Liverpool’s heavy defeat to Tottenham.

Dalglish had met with referees’ chief Mike Riley last week to discuss his grievances with a number of decisions in the 1-0 defeat at Stoke.

He argued with Jones at half-time yesterday while the official’s decision to send off Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel helped swing the game in Tottenham’s favour.

Adam was sent off for two bookings – the second a studs-up tackle on Scott Parker – and Skrtel went in the second half with a second yellow for chopping Gareth Bale.

But Dalglish said: ‘It’s better to leave it. We will just stick to [talking about] what we can dictate.

‘We cannot dictate interpretation [of the rules]. It’s best left unsaid as it takes away from a magnificent performance by Tottenham.’

Luka Modric’s brilliant seventh-minute strike set Spurs on their way and from there they never looked back as Jermain Defoe’s drive and Emmanuel Adebayor’s brace sealed victory.

Modric was unhappy at not being able to move to Chelsea in a £40million move this summer but Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said: ‘Luka is fine now, he’s just getting on with it.

‘The chairman will sit down with him and discuss his contract. That’s what I’d like to happen. It was a great strike yesterday. That’s why we were offered £40m, because he’s a top player.’

Dalglish Must Consider Dropping £55m Worth Of Talent To Get Reds Back To Winning Ways

Is there any other manager in world football who would have his name chanted on the terraces when his team are 3-0 down and reduced to nine men?

Around 70 minutes had gone on Sunday when Kenny Dalglish held his hand aloft to acknowledge the corner of White Hart Lane where hundreds of Reds supporters sang his name.

The moment encapsulated the unique relationship Dalglish has with Liverpool's fans, who will continue to support him as he seeks to get the team he virtually rebuilt this summer clicking.

But even before Mike Jones produced his first yellow card of the day, Liverpool were outplayed and looked very much a project in development.

This was Liverpool's first truly bad 90 minutes this season and some of that must fall on the team that was sent out.

The decision to restore £35 million striker Andy Carroll to the starting lineup backfired - particularly as Liverpool have been playing with fluidity without him in the side.

The former Newcastle man was cumbersome and often seemed reluctant to chase and hustle for the ball when Tottenham were in possession.

He and Luis Suarez are yet to strike up an on-the-pitch rapport, which the Uruguayan clearly has established with Dirk Kuyt, who was left on the bench.

With the re-acquired Craig Bellamy seemingly chomping at the bit to get on the pitch and possessing the guile and the movement Liverpool sorely missed, the decision to go with Carroll seemed more prompted by his price-tag than his form.

As Liverpool struggled to play the quick, pass and move football which brings out the best in Suarez, the route one approach was favoured as Pepe Reina aimed a succession of long kicks towards the head of Carroll.

Even that approach didn't work and the 22-year-old seems a long way from putting in the kind of menacing performances he showed in the first half of last season.

Meanwhile, estimated £20m signing Jordan Henderson underwhelmed, albeit he was not helped by Charlie Adam's early dismissal.

Elegant in touch he may be, but the England under-21 international regularly looks like a boy amongst men when up against more seasoned midfielders, in this case the impressive pairing of Luka Modric and Scott Parker.

Henderson and Carroll may one day be worth their place in the Liverpool team, but they are both young, raw talents who will need time to find their feet at the club. Their respective price-tags should have no bearing on whether they are selected.

But despite two consecutive away defeats, nobody should be pushing the panic button at Anfield.

The Liverpool squad is stronger and deeper than it was this time last year and there is an even a positive to take from the game in the shape of Sebastian Coates, who showed moments of composure and intelligence, despite being thrown into a maelstrom on his debut.

Dalglish the icon has done enough for Liverpool over the years to receive unconditional love from supporters, but the manager faces some big decisions and with Steven Gerrard nearing his long-awaited return, the axe needs to be sharpened.

"Liverpool Football Club expects more than that," he said yesterday, after refusing to be drawn into another row over refereeing.

Dropping two of his big-money signings might be the way to back up those words with action.

Luis Suarez Issues Rallying Cry To Team-Mates After Tottenham Defeat

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates in the wake of Sunday’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Merseyside giants were comprehensively outplayed at White Hart Lane and undermined their own efforts to gain a foothold through indiscipline, with Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel both given their marching orders for two bookable offences.

The result condemned Liverpool to their second defeat in as many games after a 1-0 loss to Stoke last weekend and saw them slip to eighth in the Premier League.

With a League Cup tie against Brighton to come on Wednesday followed by Wolves at home in the Premier League next Saturday, Kenny Dalglish’s men have the perfect opportunity to bounce back from recent setbacks, and Suarez is keen to ensure they do.

“It is not easy to lose like we lost [against Spurs],” the Uruguayan posted on Twitter.

“But we have to work hard to improve. I trust my team partners, come on!

Dalglish Keeps Counsel

Kenny Dalglish would not be drawn on the red cards for Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel as Liverpool were hammered 4-0 by Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Referee Mike Jones had little option but to dismiss the pair for two bookable offences, with midfielder Adam departing from the action in the first period after pulling down Luka Modric and then catching Scott Parker.

Skrtel followed after the break for his second foul on Gareth Bale but Dalglish, who voiced his concern over decisions going against the Anfield outfit in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to Stoke last time out, kept his opinions to himself.

Modric had already fired Spurs 1-0 up before Adam departed and the home side ran riot following Skrtel's exit, with Emmanuel Adebayor bagging a brace and Jermain Defoe also on target.

"All we can do is try to improve what is within our scope," Dalglish told Sky Sports.

"There will be a lot of controversy and a lot of comments made about what happened during the game.

"I thought Tottenham started better than we did, I thought they played very well. We never reached the level that we are capable of.

"For us, it's been a bad day on the football side. It's a horrible result. Probably the best performance from anyone at the football club was the fans.

"We gave ourselves a difficult start because we never started properly and if you don't do that and go a goal down then you are going to be in a bit of trouble because Tottenham are a good side.

"Everything else that you probably want to talk about - the controversy and the sendings off - I think we will just leave it."

Malaga To Battle Liverpool & Man City For Real Madrid Outcast

Big spending Malaga are lining up a New Year swoop for Manchester City and Liverpool target Raul Albiol.

The Spain international, who joined Real Madrid for £13m from Valencia in 2009, has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu and is yet to feature this season.

The 26-year-old is desperate to make Vicente Del Bosque’s squad for next summer’s European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine and reports in Spain have revealed he is ready to leave the club in January to secure first-team football.

City and Liverpool have both shown an interest in Albiol in the past, while it was also reported that Arsenal considered a bid for him before eventually signing Per Mertesacker in the summer.

But it is Real’s La Liga rivals Malaga who are now favourites to complete a January deal.

The Spanish club was bought by a member of the Qatari royal family in 2010 and has brought in a string of high-profile players over the past 12 months, including Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Joaquin and Santi Cazorla.

And now Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini, who made Albiol one of his first signings as Madrid boss two years ago, is hoping to link up with the Spain international once again.

England International Desperate To Quit Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has revealed that he is desperate to make his loan move to Lille permanent, after the England international got off to a flying start for his new club.

Cole - who has struggled at Liverpool since arriving under former Kop boss Roy Hodgson - is now intent on getting regular playing time to potentially reignite his international career.

On his Ligue 1 debut, Cole claimed an assist as Lille brushed aside St Etienne, then impressed once again in a Champions League fixture for the club.

Cole’s transfer marked one of the more eye-catching deals of the summer, with the 29-year-old electing to move away from the Premier League – something rarely embarked upon by English players.

However, the move seems to have reignited Cole’s career, and the flamboyant playmaker now hopes to make the move a permanent one.

“I'll be throwing everything into it. For me as a person, if I go and do something, I do it properly. I'll be moving here lock, stock and barrel.

"There's a few who speak perfect English but I'm going to try and throw myself into it and try and learn the language.

“I’m going to throw myself into it with my wife and my daughter as well.”

Cole now believes that he is within touching distance of his best form, claiming that a full pre-season has given him the right platform to push on for his club, and potentially for his country.

“I've only played one 90 minutes in nine months,” Cole insisted. “I've done a full pre-season but to get to your best, you need games.

"I'm ready to go. If the manager lets me off the leash I'm ready. I just need a run of five or 10 games and I'll be back to my best. I know I made the right choice and I'm happy."

Asked about a possible recall to the England setup, Cole responded: "Of course. I played over 56 times for England. I've loved every minute of it. I would love to be back involved. It's hard to see the lads out there and not be part of it."

Liverpool Loan Star Scores First Goal For AC Milan

Liverpool misfit Alberto Aquilani has quickly settled into life at AC Milan and scored his first goal for the club in the 3-1 loss to Napoli at the weekend.

The midfielder has once again been sent out on loan by Liverpool and is hopeful that come the end of the season he will be able to make his move permanent.

The Italy international is also hoping that Milan could become his new home after impressing in his first few appearances for the club.

Aquilani is currently being employed on the left side of a midfield three and scored his first goal when he gave Milan the lead with a superb diving header.

Unfortunately it was not enough for Serie A champions AC Milan who went on to lose the game, thanks in large to another superb performance from Edinson Cavani who scored a hat-trick.

The Uruguayan striker scored 26 goals last season and has earned a reputation as one of the best strikers in Europe with his superb displays in Italy and for his national side.

With Liverpool suffering a shock 4-0 loss at Tottenham on Sunday, Reds fans will not have been pleased to see one of their loan stars playing so well.

Liverpool was overrun in midfield, with Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Lucas all struggling to get a foothold in the game.

However, it is unlikely that Aquilani will play again for the Reds after starting the season in superb form for Milan and admitting that he would like to secure a permanent move back to Italy.

Robinson: Enrique Advice Will Improve Me

Jack Robinson believes Jose Enrique can help mould him into Liverpool's left-back of the future.

The 18-year-old has been impressed by the way the Spaniard has performed since moving to Anfield and is convinced he will continue to develop if he follows the No.3's example.

"Jose is someone I have watched over the last few years and someone who will be a good player for us," Robinson told the Official LFC magazine.

"He's got everything for a left-back, both defensively and going forward. I was made up when we signed him because I realize that he is eight or nine years older than me.

"I can learn a lot from him because he is good at the things I need to improve on; getting a bit tighter to the players I'm marking; stopping crosses going into the box and going forward; dribbling with the ball; being dynamic."

Robinson's rapid rise into the first-team set-up followed a late cameo against Hull City back in 09-10, as well as impressive displays for both the U18s and reserves.

He credits Spanish coach, Rodolfo Borrell for the role he played in his development and feels the club's youngsters in are in safe hands with the former Barcelona man.

"Tactically and technically he's brilliant," he said.

"When you see the players he's coached at Barcelona, people like Messi, you realize you are learning from someone who has taught the very best. He taught me to keep believing and eventually I would get another chance."

That opportunity arose in last season's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Fabio Aurelio pulled up with an injury and Robinson was plunged into the action against England winger Theo Walcott.

He said: "The boss just said to me 'you look like you are going to be sick.'

"I told him I thought I was going to be sick right there and then. He just started laughing and told me everything would be fine and to play my normal game. I was so built up on adrenalin, it kept me going through the match. I didn't have time to think about what I was doing."

A first start followed in a 5-0 rout of Birmingham and another appearance in this season's Carling Cup win at Exeter. For Robinson it is all part of a learning curve and one he hopes will one day see him become a regular in the starting XI.

"You see people like Jamie Carragher and the way he trains," he added. "It's the way he plays and leads the team. You realize you can't switch off if you want to stay at the top."

Match Preview: Tottenham vs Liverpool

Tottenham play host to Liverpool on Sunday with both sides looking to enhance their top four aspirations.

Both sides will be aiming for a UEFA Champions League finish come the end of the season and they will be hoping to gain an early psychological edge with victory at White Hart Lane.

The hosts go into the game buoyed by their first win of the season over Wolves last weekend, while Liverpool will be seeking to bounce back from their defeat at Stoke last time.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is set to recall his big guns for the visit of Liverpool after resting a number of key players for Thursday's Europa League clash at PAOK Salonika.

Brad Friedel will return in goal against his former club despite Carlo Cudicini's positive showing against PAOK.

Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor will also return to the starting line-up after making impressive debuts against Wolves

Redknapp is waiting to find out if Ledley King will play after his surprise return to fitness in the win at Molineux.

Michael Dawson is missing after he joined Brazilian midfielder Sandro on the long-term absentee list.

However, Rafael van der Vaart (hamstring), Aaron Lennon (groin) and William Gallas (calf) could all come back into contention after making good progress on their fitness.

Steven Pienaar (groin) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) face late fitness tests but Redknapp is likely to stick with the side that won at Wolves.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish must decide if Steven Gerrard is ready to return after featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this week.

Dalglish is refusing to rush back his skipper from his groin injury meaning the midfielder might have to content himself with a place on the bench.

Glen Johnson is ruled out with a recurrence of his hamstring problem he suffered in last weekend's defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

However, Martin Kelly could be back in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury of his own and he could slot into right-back after Martin Skrtel was forced to play out of position at full-back in the last two games.

Dalglish has no other injury worries to contend with, but he must decide whether or not to keep Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy on the bench or bring them into the starting XI.

Possible starting XIs

Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Parker, Modric, Bale, Defoe, Adebayor.

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Kuyt.

Harry Aware Of Carroll Threat

Harry Redknapp has admitted that Tottenham face a difficult challenge to keep Andy Carroll quiet in Sunday's Premier League match against Liverpool.

Carroll became the most expensive British player of all time when he moved from Newcastle to Anfield in a £35million move in January.

Redknapp was also keen on signing the striker, but his price tag put the Spurs boss off and he had to wait until this month before landing a frontman, with Emmanuel Adebayor signing on loan from Manchester City.

Carroll has struggled to make the impact expected of him since his big-money arrival on Merseyside and has scored three goals in 14 games - one of which came against Exeter in the Carling Cup.

England manager Fabio Capello has also had to field questions about Carroll's drinking habits after deciding he was not fit enough to play against Bulgaria earlier this season.

Redknapp has refused to get drawn into the debate on the player's lifestyle, saying only that he will provide a major threat when the Reds visit White Hart Lane this weekend.

Redknapp said: "I don't know anything about his personal life and whether he drinks or not. Kenny Dalglish is the only person who knows that.

"If Kenny is happy with him then that's all that matters really.

"As a player, he is a real handful. He is a great header of the ball. When you go up against him you know you have had a game, that's for sure."

Downing: I Nearly Joined Spurs

Liverpool's Stewart Downing has revealed he was close to joining Tottenham from Middlesbrough in 2008, but the London club was unsuccessful with transfer bids and ultimately missed out on the England international.

Downing instead joined Aston Villa for £12 million, where he enjoyed two seasons before being lured to Anfield by Kenny Dalglish. The 27-year-old is now hoping to show Harry Redknapp exactly what Spurs missed out on as Liverpool travel to White Hart Lane for Sunday's Premier League clash.

"Tottenham made a couple of moves for me when I was at Boro. There were offers in the summer of 2008. Spurs came in again that following January. Then I got injured.

''I got frustrated because [Middlesbrough] were struggling and I thought I'd missed an opportunity. I didn't really put a transfer request in but went in to express my feelings to [club chairman] Steve Gibson, that if another opportunity came to move to a big club, I'd like to do it," Downing is quoted as saying in The Independent.

Middlesbrough's relegation from the Premier League then cleared the way for Villa boss Martin O'Neill to swoop in ahead of Redknapp.

''Steve Gibson rang me and said he'd give me permission to go. I just felt it was the right time. Because I was injured, I think Spurs were maybe thinking they'd wait until the August but I couldn't take that risk. The big thing for me was Martin O'Neill pushed it really hard.

"I'm glad I spoke to O'Neill and I'm happy I went to Villa because it's a great football club and he was really good to me," said Downing.

Since joining Liverpool this summer, Downing says he has enjoyed working under the guidance of club legend Dalglish.

"He has a bit of an aura about him. I think he's bigger than all the players here put together.

''When you look at the bigger picture it's worked out quite well for me,'' he said.

Liverpool Keen On Uruguayan Talent Gaston Ramirez

Sources in Italy have confirmed that Liverpool is interested in Bologna’s attacking midfielder Gaston Ramirez.

Indeed, the Reds are thought to have indicated that they would pay €10M to take the 20-year-old to Anfield, though Bologna’s cooperation in the matter cannot be assumed.

Ramirez has impressed in Serie A since landing at Bologna last summer, being brought to the Rossoblu from Uruguayan outfit Penarol.

The Uruguay international is a player Bologna would love to tie down to a longer deal and there has been talk of a new contract.

But after flashes of brilliance in Serie A, Ramirez is a man in demand, with Manchester City and Manchester United also reported to have begun to track his progress.

Liverpool however look to have become the first club to put a concrete value on the attacking all-rounder and are keen to add to their Uruguayan contingent.

The Reds will surely be confident that, with countrymen Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates already at Anfield, Ramirez would opt for a switch to the Merseyside giants ahead of their Premier League competitors.

Bologna are adopting a realistic approach to the situation and accept that offers too good to turn down could arrive in January or next summer.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard Targeted By Anzhi

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Chelsea's Frank Lampard have emerged as the latest transfer targets for big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Russian club stunned the football world last month by signing Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o from Inter Milan and making him the world's highest-paid player.

Suleyman Kerimov, Anzhi's billionaire owner, is keen to add more big names to a squad that also features Roberto Carlos, Diego Tardelli and Yuri Zhirkov.

Reports in the Russian press suggest the ageing England midfielders are next on Anzhi's shopping list.

Moving to Dagestan would offer Gerrard, 31, and Lampard, 33, the chance to add sizeable sums to their pension funds, as the club are prepared to hand them two-year contracts worth £13million a season.

It seems unlikely either player will be tempted by the move, as they are already multimillionaires and would be reluctant to relocate their families to Russia.

Should they decide the money on offer is too good to turn down, Gerrard and Lampard may find they are managed by a familiar face next season, as Anzhi are also reported to be keen to make England coach Fabio Capello their manager.

Clarke: Craig Gives Us Great Options

Steve Clarke has spoken of his joy at linking up with Craig Bellamy again at Liverpool.

The first-team coach knows from experience just how influential a figure the Welsh striker can be having worked with him at West Ham United.

Clarke insists Bellamy is a great addition to Kenny Dalglish's squad.

"Craig is a good lad and he gives us lots of different options in forward areas on the pitch," Clarke told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"A lot has been said about Craig but his attitude on and off the training pitch is top. He demands high standards, we all demand high standards, so I think there is a good working relationship going forward.

"I knew Craig from working with him before and so did Kevin Keen so we had good background on Craig and really the signing was a no brainer."

Adam Welcomes Skipper Return

Charlie Adam has welcomed the return to fitness of Steven Gerrard despite the fact that his place in midfield could be under threat.

The Scotland ace admits the skipper's comeback has given everybody in the squad a boost and put all the midfielders on their toes with increased competition for places.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Steven come back," Adam told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"He's a top player as everybody knows and every time someone mentions his name they smile because they know how good he is.

"It's going to be difficult for me personally because when he comes back in he will want to play the same as everybody.

"You've just got to play as well as you can in the games coming up next and when he does come back then it's up to the manager to make the decision.

"He's a top player and any team would welcome their best players back into the starting XI."

In the absence of the inspirational No.8, Adam has formed a promising partnership in midfield with Lucas.

"He is a top player, a Brazilian international. There are a lot of good players in this squad so when you come into the team it's made easier for you because there's so many good players round you that can help you," he added.

"I think that's why we've played some good stuff this season because we've got so many good players in this squad.

"We have clicked straight away, so hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season and we can get better every week."

The Scottish international also paid a glowing tribute to Luis Suarez who has continued the scintillating form from last season.

"Luis is just a top player, he makes our life easier and he's a joy to play alongside," he added.

"When I played against Liverpool last season they had Fernando Torres who was a top player but he's moved on and the club have brought wisely.

"They got Luis in and he has justified what they paid for him. He's a top player who can only get better and that's great for us."

Secret To Training Joy Revealed

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to his backroom staff after several members of the Liverpool squad gave his training methods a huge thumbs-up.

The Reds boss admits he is delighted that his players are enjoying the Melwood sessions and reckons it is all down to the tireless work of an unsung duo.

Asked if he too wore a smile on his face on arriving at the club's training ground, the boss quipped: "Yes, but I'm a wee bit disappointed with the training matches. Steve Clarke won't give me a game. I keep asking to join in and there is always an odd number, but he never looks my way.

"It's a fantastic compliment to Stevie and Kevin (Keen) that the players are enjoying their training. They organize most of it. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed but certainly the contribution Steve and Kevin are making towards everything shouldn't be. It certainly doesn't go unnoticed within the framework of Liverpool Football Club.

"I enjoy coming in. It's great for me to come in here. It's not so good when you have lost a game but hopefully those days will be few and far between.

"It's enjoyable for everyone. There is a friendly atmosphere here. At the same time they won't be kidding on that the friendliness means they aren't competitive. They know how to compete and the group of players here are really competitive. At the same time they are a bit more relaxed than what they were before."

Barnsley Late Show Thwarts Reds

Liverpool U18s are still chasing their first home win of the season after a last-gasp equaliser earned Barnsley a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.

Mike Marsh's youngsters edged a keenly-contested encounter and looked like taking the spoils through Kristoffer Peterson's header after Jordan Clark's stunning strike had cancelled out Josh Sumner's sublime opener.

However, substitute Josh Alderson pounced in the fourth minute of injury-time to snare a point and leave the Reds stunned.

The Academy kids went into the contest on the back of a dramatic late victory at Leeds United but knew they would need to raise their level against a side still protecting a 100 per cent start to their campaign.

The Tykes had notched up four wins from their first four matches and almost stole ahead inside 90 seconds but Jamie Stephens did well to thwart the prolific Danny Rose.

There was a real confidence about the visitors' attacking play and Joe Rafferty was forced to produce a Jamie Carragher-esque interception to deny Sam Patterson a clear sight of goal on eight minutes.

Liverpool were struggling to get in behind the Barnsley rearguard and once again it was the away team who posed the questions with last season's 23-goal hitman, Rose flicking an effort straight into the hands of the grateful Stephens.

The Reds had no shortage of attacking talent on the field and on the quarter of an hour mark they finally carved out a half chance when Peterson jinked to the byline and cut a ball across goal that Tykes defender, John Stones just about cleared.

It seemed to give Liverpool an immediate lift and less than a minute later they were ahead. Sumner picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and turned his marker before curling a sublime right footer into the top corner.

The diminutive attacker was suddenly at the heart of the home side's play and it was his ball that played in Adam Morgan but the striker delayed his shot and eventually saw it deflect to safety.

Next, it was the No.9 who turned provider when he nodded Sumner's cross into the path of Peterson, but the Swede saw his volley from six yards out brilliantly pushed away by Lukas Lidakevicius.

It looked like Marsh's team now had the initiative but they were pegged back just seconds later when the Yorkshire outfit netted a goal of extraordinary quality.

Clark picked up the ball on the left, exchanged a fortuitous one-two and crashed a stunning shot that seared in off the crossbar.

It brought an end to the flurry of goalmouth activity and it wasn't until Lewis Hatch misjudged the flight of Rose's right-wing cross that there was any danger at either end. Fortunately for the hosts, Clark's looping header was gathered by Stephens with relative ease.

On 40 minutes the Tykes came even closer when Rose was unlucky to see a snapshot rebound off the inside of the post after a free-kick had caused confusion in the Liverpool defence.

The Reds had struggled to put together any sustained periods of pressure but felt they should have had a penalty soon after when Morgan tumbled under a challenge in the middle of the area. The referee waved away the appeals and it looked like the teams would go in all-square at the break until Peterson produced a moment of magic on 45 minutes.

Hatch hoisted a high ball towards the far side of the penalty area where the winger got above his marker to power a fine header into the bottom corner from eight yards out.

It had been an action-packed first period but with the rain continuing to pour down the second 45 developed into a scrappy affair.

Neither side were able to truly stamp their authority on the game and it wasn't until after the hour mark that a half chance fell the way of Barnsley.

Rhys Oates broke through the middle and looked all set to level until Rafferty appeared from nowhere to slide the ball to safety.

The Reds also suffered the blow of seeing goalscorer Peterson helped off the pitch with an ankle injury but should have wrapped up the victory with two chances in quick succession 20 minutes from time.

Morgan was given a free run at goal but opted to try a cute lob that went well wide of goal before Jordan Lussey forced a fine stop out of the Tykes 'keeper with a trademark blockbuster.

The Yorkshire outfit pushed for an equalizer late on but it was Liverpool who looked the more likely and substitute David Moli should have made it count when he wasted a gilt-edged chance.

It would prove to be the pivotal moment in the match as a goalmouth scramble on 94 minutes saw the ball break to Alderson who was left unmarked at the far post to steer home.

Dalglish Continues To Echo The Old Values At Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish has pledged that his commitment to "the Liverpool way" will not falter whatever setbacks the club encounters this season. Since his return to Anfield in January, the Scot has re-embraced all the values of his first spell on Merseyside – whether it is a reluctance to criticize squad members publicly, however shaky their hold on a first-team place, or a commitment to the pass-and-move football that made Liverpool the greatest force in the English game.

During Liverpool's first defeat of the season, at Stoke City last Saturday, there was no attempt to meet the home side's physical challenge, as Roy Hodgson's side had vainly tried to do last November.

"We will always try to entertain, we will always do our best," Dalglish said. "I can only follow the philosophy I was brought up with. I cannot be anybody else." He sidestepped the question of how that philosophy had changed after his resignation in 1991. It was not always evident under Graeme Souness, or in the more pragmatic methods employed by Gérard Houllier.

"I don't know if that philosophy has ever left Liverpool," he said. "I have never changed at all. I don't know how other people saw it after I left but for me the football club has always been the same, whether I was playing, managing or just watching. I have always had the same understanding of the football club. I cannot talk for anyone else but I cannot do other than how I was brought up – and if it's not going to be right, it's not going to be right."

Nevertheless, Dalglish's commitment to the past is not all embracing. White Hart Lane, where Liverpool play on Sunday, has been an unhappy venue for Jamie Carragher. He dislocated a shoulder at Tottenham last season and conceded an important own goal there in November 2008. There are some who believe that at 33 Carragher may have to adapt his game to continue as the linchpin of Liverpool's defence. "Nobody will get picked because of their history," Dalglish said. "The people who have been involved with the club a long time would not expect that. They would not want it. But Jamie Carragher will do fine for me just the way he is. I don't know what I can say about him because there is nothing about Jamie I would like to change."

The remark by one of his successors as Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, that a season without European football at Anfield is "like a banquet without wine" still carries resonance with Dalglish. Unlike the Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, Dalglish would have unequivocally welcomed the place in the Europa League that was denied him by Tottenham's 2-0 win at Anfield in May.

However, Dalglish remarked that Liverpool would gain no advantage playing a Spurs side who played in northern Greece on Thursday night, saying he expected to face only one member of Redknapp's team that forced a goalless draw against PAOK Salonika.

"Spurs are going to be right up there at the end of the season," Dalglish said. "I don't know who else will be, but Spurs will be there. They may have faced both Manchester clubs and lost but I don't think they were at full strength either time."

Dalglish Insists Steven Gerrard Can Still Be A Force

Kenny Dalglish insists that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can still be a force in the Premier League.

The club skipper has been sidelined since March, but is getting ever closer to full fitness and could make his return from injury as soon as this weekend against Tottenham.

With Dalglish refusing to rush his star man back from a long stretch out of the game, Gerrard has had to wait a long time to come back into the frame at Liverpool and with such an absence from football, some have suggested the club’s skipper may have lost his touch.

However Dalglish disagrees, telling reporters: "If you have got someone like Steven in your squad, it is going to raise the profile and the standard.

"We want to have a really strong squad and his being in makes it much stronger.

"A fit Steven Gerrard strengthens this football club, no question.

"There is no player that will ever be taken for granted here.

"There are players who you will always appreciate for what they have done for the football club and he has done as much for the club as anyone else."