Bellamy: Reds Will Get Stronger

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy admits Liverpool have "slipped up" of late, but expects them to get "stronger and stronger" as the season progresses.

Three successive home draws, including being held by Norwich and Swansea, have seen Kenny Dalglish's side drop off the pace at the top of the Premier League table.

But Wales striker Bellamy insists there are no real issues at the club - and nothing to worry about.

"We have slipped up a little bit in recent weeks, and this is no disrespect to Swansea, but if we have an ambition to finish in the top four, we have to win those types of games," he told the Daily Mirror.

"But we do have the players here to reach the top four and get in the Champions League again. I feel this team will get stronger and stronger as the year goes on.

"Despite the results at home, there is a great atmosphere around the place, it's very relaxed, but always with the view to getting into the Champions League next season.

"I've really enjoyed being back at Liverpool, I've enjoyed working with a quality group of players.

"Training is very intense, but very enjoyable, and there is a feeling we will improve.

"Rafa Benitez's team was very good too and very efficient. But I do feel this team - with Kenny's stamp on it - isn't too far off Rafa's."

Staunton Backs Dalglish Over Liverpool Fixture Pile-Up

Steve Staunton has backed Kenny Dalglish’s criticism of Liverpool’s upcoming schedule.

The Reds face Manchester City in an important Premier League fixture at the end of the month, followed by Chelsea in the League Cup quarter-finals just 48 hours later.

Dalglish claimed on Thursday: “It is disgraceful in this day and age that players are being asked to play a league game and then a quarter-final just 48 hours later.

“The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game.

"We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie."

Many believe the Liverpool boss will devalue the League Cup by playing a weakened side but ex-Anfield favourite Staunton has backed his former manager.

“Kenny Dalglish takes every game seriously, even a five-a-side, let alone a Carling Cup quarter-final,” he told Keys and Gray.

“He’s trying to put the point across that it’s a disgrace. It’s the League Cup, why does it have to be 48 hours after an important league game?

“The league is the priority for every team in the country but I’m sure Kenny Dalglish would love to get some silverware and I’m sure he targeted the Carling Cup ,as well as the FA Cup. They [the Football League] could give them an extra day.”

Liverpool Closing In On Basel Youngster Nicholas Hunziker

Liverpool are close to signing Nicholas Hunziker from Basel ahead of some of Europe’s top sides, according to The Mirror.

Hunziker is a 15-year old midfielder and came to the attention of Liverpool after scoring a hat-trick for the Swiss youth side on his debut.

Liverpool scout Frank McParland has been to check on the youngster on numerous occasions and it is thought he has persuaded manager Kenny Dalglish to move for the Basel player before he is snapped up by another club.

Hunziker would be able to move to Anfield for a minimal fee, and the Reds are keen to tie down a deal for the player who has had scouts flocking from all over Europe to check on his talent.

Dalglish has been keen to build a youthful side at Liverpool after bringing through Martin Kelly, John Flanagan and Conor Coady to the first-team, and is now looking around the continent to bring the best talent to the club.

It is thought that Hunziker would jump at the chance to move to Liverpool with the club making progress under the stewardship of club legend Dalglish in his second spell as manager.

Luis Happy After Copying Romario

Luis Suarez declared himself 'very happy' after scoring all four goals in a 4-0 win over Chile to help Uruguay stay top of the South American World Cup qualifying group.

Our No.7 became the first player to fire four in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier since Brazil's Romario in October 2000.

He hit two in three minutes just before the break, including a stunning low drill with his left foot from 25 yards.

Two more followed after half-time before Suarez went home with the match ball.

He then posted on Facebook: "What a great game! Very happy with the win and the four goals.

"This is a very important step for the classification. Thanks to my teammates and everyone for the support they always give me! Hugs to all!"

Suarez scored four goals several times for former club Ajax but had never done so for his country.

Elsewhere, Daniel Agger played 90 minutes as Denmark beat Sweden 2-0, and Dirk Kuyt also went the distance in Holland's goalless draw with Switzerland.

On Thursday Lucas featured as a substitute in Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Gabon.

Jordan Henderson Wants Team GB Olympic Captaincy

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson says he wants to captain Team GB at the Olympic Games after manager Stuart Pearce handed him the armband for the England Under-21s.

Henderson made a big money move from Sunderland to Liverpool during this summer and is so far yet to produce his best form for his new club, but has received a welcome boost from Pearce, who will also manage the British Olympic side.

The 21-year old was made captain of Pearce’s England Under-21 team, leading to suggestions that Henderson could be given the same role at the Olympic Games in 2012.

“I’m happy with the way things have gone,” Henderson said in an article in The Mirror.

“I went to Liverpool and I’m improving, there are great players I can learn from and I love playing for England ­Under-21s.

“I tend not to think about the captaincy too much – I’m still a player for the team and I need to focus on my job – but I try to lead by example.”

Henderson is unlikely to be involved in England’s Euro 2012 campaign and admits he already has one eye on the Olympics next summer.

“Everyone would love to play in the Olympic team.

“Anyone who is picked will be grateful. It should be British players, not just English players, but that’s not up to me.”

Aurelio Eager To Force His Way Into Liverpool FC Team

Fabio Aurelio is on a mission to force his way back into Kenny Dalglish’s plans.

The Brazilian left-back hasn’t featured for Liverpool so far this season due to his injury problems and the excellent form of new recruit Jose Enrique.

Aurelio, who has only made the Reds’ matchday squad on one occasion, was an unused substitute for last month’s Carling Cup tie at Stoke City.

“I feel strong but when you don’t have many minutes on the pitch then match fitness is not the same,” he said.

“I’ve been available more or less since the Man United game. I’ve been training and waiting for the opportunity to have minutes on the pitch.

“When you’re at a big club you have to be ready to take the opportunity.

“It’s in Kenny’s hands whether he decides if he wants to use me or not but my desire is to always be available.”

Injuries have restricted the 32-year-old to 131 appearances since joining Liverpool in 2006 but the defender says his faith has helped keep his spirits up during some dark days.

“It’s not easy to stay positive as I have a history of injuries and lots of problems,” Aurelio added.

“With time you get a bit frustrated as well. Sometimes it puts you down a little bit.

“Being a Christian helps me a lot to go through it and the support of my family has been very important for me.

“Every time I come back I feel like I’m able to do it again, which encourages me to keep fighting and keep looking for what I want, which is to keep playing matches and enjoying football.”

Reds Coach Keen On Kenny

Kevin Keen is relishing his role as Liverpool first-team coach, and explained why he felt a tinge of nerves when coming face-to-face with Kenny Dalglish for the very first time.

The Reds boss' illustrious reputation in world football left the former West Ham United man - who has been working at Anfield for four months now - feeling a little apprehensive, but Keen reveals how he was pleasantly surprised after their initial Melwood meeting.

"It's been brilliant working with Kenny," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "You come in with this idea of Kenny being this hero.

"I grew up in the '70s when Liverpool really, really took on the world and were the best club side in world football. Kenny was the star of that team.

"So you come in with these ideas of him being a superstar, but in fact he's just a gentleman. A really, really good man who desperately wants Liverpool to do well."

Keen says that the fact he, Dalglish, and fellow first-team coach Steve Clarke all share the same philosophies about how football should be played, has made for a harmonious atmosphere around the training ground.

"This is my 10th year coaching, and my philosophy has always been that training has got to be fun and enjoyable," he continued. "I always enjoyed certain types of training more than others, and I think the fun element is a massive part of training every day, week in week out.

"Even though the game has become more professional, everything is on the telly and everything has got to be spot on, I still think the fun and enjoyment element has got to be there. I think Kenny is very important in that role.

"He is a fantastic leader of Liverpool Football Club, a really good manager. All of those little aspects in terms of man-management, making sure you have a little bit of fun when the time is right, Kenny is fantastic at that."

Academy Duo Go Back To School

Two Academy youngsters paid a special visit to Four Oaks Primary School earlier this week to help Liverpool Football Club deliver their 'Truth 4 Youth' message.

Matty McGiveron and Craig Roddan dropped by to host a special assembly at the Liverpool school and deliver anti-racism, anti-bullying and positive community messages to pupils in years 3 to 6.

After an enjoyable sing-a-long with community department manager Bill Bygroves got the afternoon off to a lively start, the children were given a Truth 4 Youth workbook to complete.

McGiveron and Roddan were then interviewed by the Four Oaks year 6 councilors which will feature in the school's newsletter to parents.

"The Truth 4 Youth assemblies hit home key messages that Liverpool Football Club endorses to pupils within our city," said LFC's Kickz officer Forbes Duff.

"All of the issues highlighted in the school assemblies are relevant to young people growing up in today's society and hopefully they will carry these messages throughout the school life and into adulthood.

"The support and encouragement given by Matty and Craig to the pupils was fantastic as they encouraged the pupils to take on board the messages and study hard in school."

Arsenal & Liverpool Expected To Make Offers For Real Madrid Winger

Liverpool, Arsenal and a host of Turkish clubs could be set to battle for the signature of winger Hamit Altintop after reports in Spain claimed Real Madrid are ready to off-load him in a knockdown fee in January.

Real boss Jose Mourinho signed the 28-year-old on a free transfer after his Bayern Munich contract expired and it was thought at the time to be a smart, low-risk move.

However, Altintop has found opportunities limited this season due to the plethora of top-quality midfielders in competition and according to Insidefutbol.com, will be offered the chance to leave in January.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in the Turkey international with Arsene Wenger tempted by the low cost measured against his high level of experience.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is eager to boost his wide options and is thought to be considering an approach.

Both Premier League clubs will face competition from clubs in Altintop's homeland and the chance to return to Turkey may sway the former Schalke star.

Keita Flattered By Reds Talk

Barcelona star Seydou Keita has told skysports.com that he is flattered by reported interest from Liverpool in him.

The 31-year-old has over three years left on his current deal at Camp Nou, having been handed a contract extension earlier this year.

But reports have claimed that Liverpool, along with Russian giants Anzhi Makhachkala, is keen to land the Mali international.

Keita admitted it was good to hear about interest from Merseyside, but also insisted he was more than happy with life at Barcelona where he has started more than half of their league games this season.

"Liverpool is a great club, it is fantastic to hear that they are interested in me, but you know how I feel about Barcelona," he told skysports.com.

"However we are in football and nothing is an absolute, so let's wait until the end of the season.

"I want to play more games than last season, playing regularly in a winning team is very good for the player, but the Premier League is very attractive and exciting for any player.

"My contract runs until 2014, at the end of the season we will see."

Balague Breaks Silence Over Villa To Liverpool Rumour

Reports linking Liverpool with a shock move for Barcelona striker David Villa have been rubbished by SkySports' Spanish correspondent Guillem Balague, who took to his website to comment on the speculation.

According to Valencia-based paper Superdeporte, the 29-year-old Spaniard is unhappy at the Camp Nou because of the problems he is having playing alongside Lionel Messi.

The newspaper also claimed that Villa's situation was being monitored by Reds boss Kenny Dalglish - who could make a shock move for the Barca star in January.

"It's important we put David Villa's circumstances at Barcelona into context," said Balague. "First of all, yes, I do believe that there is most definitely something to the notion that the footballing relationship between Messi and Villa is not quite as good as it could be.

"Villa hasn't been finding the back of the net as frequently as he has done in recent years. [But] at Barcelona, he is playing a very different role to that of a traditional number nine and he's sharing the attack with the best player in the world."

Liverpool have been linked with a number of Europe's leading lights ever since the takeover of Fenway Sports Group at Anfield - but Balague is adamant that Villa will not be one player who moves to Merseyside.

"The player knows he's at the club where he is most likely to win things and he has no intention of leaving," he concluded. "And even if he did, Villa has never been keen on leaving Spain."

The country's premier radio station Cadena SER has reported that Liverpool made initial contact with Villa's agent in an attempt to establish whether a deal could be brokered, but latest developments now look to have extinguished those claims.

Liverpool Alerted After Inter Milan Reveal Playmaker Could Leave

Liverpool is set to be alerted to the news that Inter Milan could offload Philippe Coutinho in January.

According to calciomercato.com, Inter are ready to sell the 19-year-old with the Brazilian struggling for fitness and form following a promising opening to the 2010/11 season under former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool are rumoured to be eager to add more creativity to their team with Bologna’s Gaston Ramirez a prime target. However, the news of Coutinho’s possible departure from the San Siro could sway attention to the Brazilian.

Coutinho has played just one Serie A match for Inter this season.

Rayo Stars Attract Interest

Rayo Vallecano have confirmed that a number of Premier League clubs have been attending their recent games.

Reports suggest that Manchester United, Liverpool and Cheslea have been checking on Rayo's midfield ace Michu, while Sunderland, Fulham and Everton were also said to be present.

Michu only joined Rayo in the summer from Celta Vigo, but he has impressed with five goals from midfield this term.

The player himself admits he is loving life with Rayo at the moment.

"I am living a dream, I had such a negative situation in the summer being without a club," said Michu.

"Then the deal arrived and I am now enjoying this moment, the project from Rayo was interesting and I am happy I made this choice.

"Rayo is a family. Our success has come not just from luck but from hard work."

Michu insists speculation about his future is positive, saying: "These rumours don't damage me, but it is normal that I am happy with this news.

"But now my challenge is to keep Rayo in the Primera Liga."

Michu's team-mates Lass and Jordi were also reported to be on the radar of the visiting scouts.

Dalglish Urges Supporters To Bite Back

Liverpool has always been concerned with tradition, and they have good reason.

The history behind their multiple European Cup wins and the tragedy of Hillsborough among other notable events means the club will always be highly thought of.

The club's relationship with the League Cup, not always a competition held in the highest regard, has led to Kenny Dalglish fielding his strongest team this term, despite the inferior opposition.

"We are pleased to be in the Carling Cup and our intention is to stay in it for as long as we possibly can," Dalglish said prior to the club's tie with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Given the competition's dwindling importance, the Scot's treatment of the tournament is admirable. Even with the club without European football, he'd be forgiven for prioritizing qualification for the Champions League.

The club's previous success means serious treatment of this competition is in the make-up of teams from Anfield. Messrs Wenger, Ferguson and Villas-Boas would do well to take note.

The club has been drawn in potentially the tie of the quarter-final, away to Chelsea, but fixture scheduling is set to deny us of a classic.

The tie comes just two days after Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League, meaning that despite having two important games back-to-back, Dalglish will be forced to choose which game he deems the more important.

Dalglish won't have a potential fine hanging over his head in fielding an under-strength side in the league, but the likelihood is when having to choose between the two, he'll opt to rest his star names at Stamford Bridge.

Such is his consternation surrounding the fixture pile up, Dalglish is urging supporters to think twice about purchasing tickets for the game, as he plans to field a youth team.

"The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game. We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie," he said.

"It is disgraceful in this day and age that players are being asked to play a league game and then a quarter-final just 48 hours later," he added.

"If the Football League wants to devalue their own competition it's up to them.

"When we ask the Football League to move our game to a later date, we're told it's impossible. Where's the logic in that?"

Often the attraction of the fixture for a supporter comes in either the profile of opposition or simply the importance of the game in the context of a season. In many ways, on paper, Chelsea v Liverpool falls into both categories.

However, Dalglish has exchanged the club's devotion to the competition, built up through multiple successes, in an attempt to draw attention to the ridiculous scheduling of his side's match.

The time of the game has been dictated by the police, who do not want two games going on in the same area, the other being Tottenham Hotspur's game with PAOK Salonika as well as the TUC rally, while they appear perfectly happy to see the Chelsea and Arsenal's home games take place on the same evening on Tuesday, albeit in varying areas of London.

Far be it from me to judge whether the police can fulfill a fixture or not, but the Football Association should be on hand to provide alternative solutions so every club is on an equal footing.

Especially for a club like Liverpool, who has during Dalglish's reign taken the tournament with a great deal of seriousness, they deserve fair treatment.

But if Dalglish, one of the most influential figures to ever step foot in Anfield, is telling supporters to think twice about attending fixtures, this could start a dangerous precedent for the leagues and the clubs themselves.

Those counting the cash on Merseyside are unlikely to be impressed with Dalglish telling supporters which games to attend and which ones to ditch, but can sleep easy knowing that with a support like the Reds', they should sell out their allocation on this particular occasion.

How long is it before those allocations aren't sold out? How long before, to fight scheduling, that granted on this occasion is partially out of the Football League's hands, the game must be devalued. One of those guilty, the television companies, are unlikely to be interested to covering events that clubs aren't taking seriously.

So you have fans who are being told not to attend the games and television companies not wanting to spend money on showing them. Bit by bit, you'll see football being punished for selling its soul.

Carra Targets Chelsea Return

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is hoping to make his return from injury against Chelsea later this month.

The veteran centre-back has missed the Reds' last two games after picking up a calf injury in the Carling Cup win at Stoke last month.

The former England international is keen to return to full training next week and hopes to be available for the trip to Stamford Bridge on 20th November, live on Sky Sports HD1.

"I'm coming along fine," Carragher told the Liverpool Echo. "I'm working with the physios this week and if things continue to go well the plan is to get back into full training at the start of next week.

"It was always going to be tight to be fit for the Swansea game last weekend and with a two-week break after that match there was no point doing anything silly. It's important to ensure I get it 100 per cent right.

"Hopefully I'll be available for the Chelsea game but I'm not thinking about games at this stage.

"My first target is just getting back on the training pitch with the lads and that should happen early next week."

Carragher admits the injury was the first muscle problem he has had in his career and that he was happy it did not sideline him for too long.

"It's the first time I've ever had a muscle injury in my life," added Carragher

"I suppose that's not a bad record so I can't complain too much. The good thing is it wasn't a bad one and it has only kept me out for a short period.

"I was quite fortunate and it's not something that should happen again."

Murdoch's Hillsborough Apology

James Murdoch has apologized for The Sun's coverage of the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at the FA Cup semi-final.

News International's executive chairman was put on the spot by Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram as he gave evidence about the News of the World phone-hacking scandal to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

He accepted that it was "wrong" for The Sun to have printed allegations about the behaviour of Liverpool fans under the headline "The Truth".

Murdoch told the committee: "I would like to add my full apology for the wrong coverage of that affair. I would like to add my voice to the successive editors of The Sun and chief executives of News International who since that incident have apologized.

"It was wrong to do so. It was 22 years ago and I was far away and a much younger person and had no involvement or proximity to it, but I have since looked at it and I am aware of the concerns and the hurt it caused and it is something we are very sorry for, and I am as well."

Rotheram suggested that the lack of serious repercussions for The Sun of printing the story may have encouraged a sense at News International that the company was "untouchable".

"Did the fact that The Sun got away with telling outrageous lies in 1989 lead News International into believing they could do whatever they wanted without reproach?" asked the Labour MP.

"Did the lack of appropriate corporate governance give a false sense of security that News International was untouchable?"

Murdoch responded: "I don't think there has been - certainly not in my experience of the company - a sense that anyone is untouchable.

"What we want to be is the business we aspire to be, where we are doing the good work of serious journalism and serious creative endeavour."

Rotheram pressed Murdoch to pledge that The Sun would be closed down, as the News of the World was, if evidence emerged to prove its reporters were involved in phone-hacking.

The News International executive chairman replied: "I think it is important to not prejudge the outcome of any investigation. Nor is it appropriate to prejudge any actions the company might take.

"I don't think we can rule - and I shouldn't rule - any corporate reaction to wrong-doing out. That will be a decision taken at the time, given whatever is out there."

Suarez Explains Why He Has Faith In Andy Carroll

Luis Suarez explains why he believes his partnership with Andy Carroll is going to work as we have not seen the best of it yet.

“Playing alongside a player of Andy’s quality, who’s big, skilful, who brings the ball down so well, makes it easy for a striker to play with him,” said Suarez.

“What happened though, was that Andy had the bad luck to be injured for several games and when he came back from that, he picked up another injury. It was difficult for him to get himself into the team because just when Andy came back, the team was playing well and the manager didn’t know who he could drop.

“Now having trained and after a good pre-season for Andy with his team-mates, the more training sessions we have together, he will be better.

“We’ll get a much better understanding of each other and that can only be good for the team.”

Liverpool Ready To Swoop On Dembele

Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in Fulham player Mouusa Dembele as Kenny Dalglish continues to mould his squad.

Dembele has been a revelation in the Premier League since his move from AZ Alkmaar in 2010 and has continued to win praises for his ability to turn games around in Fulham’s favour and has settled under new manager Martin Jol, however reports are suggesting that Liverpool are prepared to make a January approach for the Belgian international who operates as an attacking midfielder for Fulham and is a player that interests Dalglish.

Dembele scored the Fulham’s fans goal of the season last year against Tottenham Hotspur and has attracted Spurs’ interest in recent days though Liverpool appear to be in pole position to sign the player.

Fulham are unlikely to want to sell the player as he is seen as a key player under Martin Jol who in the past few days has said of the player “Dembele will learn and go on to become one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Sochaux Midfielder Claims Liverpool Contact

Sochaux midfielder Ryan Boudebouz has claimed that Liverpool have been in touch with his club over a possible transfer.

The Algerian was reportedly watched by Liverpool’s sporting director Damien Comolli during last weekend’s Ligue 1 match with Lyon – a game in which Boudebouz scored a penalty in a 2-1 success.

The 21-year-old said: “I was told that he [Damien Comolli] had spoken to the president of Sochaux, but I don’t know what they said.

“For now, there is no proposal, but if there was a compelling opportunity, I could not refuse.”

Boudebouz was linked to Liverpool over the summer but a move never materialized.

Liverpool & Arsenal Alerted As Chelsea Forward Stalls On New Contract

Chelsea attacker Salomon Kalou is refusing to put pen to paper on a new deal as he contemplates his options and tries to decide whether to leave in order to get regular first team football.

The Evening Standard suggests that Kalou is currently weighing up his options after a number of Premier League clubs were linked with the Ivory Coast international.

The 26-year-old has never managed to cement his place in the Chelsea first team and has had to make do with a supporting role where he is often used as an impact substitute.

Kalou has been with Chelsea since the summer of 2006 and has scored more than 50 goals in his time with the club but is has recently fallen down the pecking order.

With Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge all at the club it has been difficult for Kalou to force his way into the plans of Andre Villas-Boas.

With the addition of Romelu Lukaku in the summer, Kalou has yet more competition and may consider leaving Stamford Bridge in order to play more regularly.

Liverpool and Arsenal are both rumoured to be interested in the former Feyenoord forward and would certainly be interested in making an offer should he declare his intention to leave.

Chelsea bought the striker for around £9million and would almost certainly want to make their money back should they decide to let him leave the club.