Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 0 QPR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dalglish Delight At Courage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warnock Praise For Suarez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam's Joy At Suarez Strike

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dalglish Eyes Porto Midfielder As Lucas Replacement

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

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

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

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

Liverpool To Rival Juventus For Gaston Ramirez

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunderland Striker Alerts Tottenham And Liverpool With Exit Wish

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlie Adam Pleads For Patience With Misfiring Andy Carroll

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steven Gerrard Returns To Light Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Q.P.R.

Liverpool will hope to continue their dominant record over Queens Park Rangers at Anfield, as Kenny Dalglish aims to get their season back on track.

A painful defeat at Fulham on Monday night ended the Merseysiders' recent unbeaten run, with Jay Spearing seeing red in his club's first defeat in 12 matches.

The loss also cost Liverpool what would have been a record-equalling seventh successive away win and they now return home hoping to avoid a continued theme of their season.

Dalglish has seen his side suffer frustrating draws at Anfield against the likes of Sunderland, Norwich and Swansea this campaign to leave them trailing the top four by five points.

Liverpool, who have also been held at home by Manchester United and Manchester City to mean they are unbeaten in their last seven home matches, but without a win in the last four, will therefore be desperate to avoid a repeat against QPR.

And Neil Warnock takes his club to the North West with the knowledge they have won just once in 20 league visits to Anfield.

In that time, QPR have only won one of the eight Premier League meetings with Liverpool, but the last of these games came in February 1996.

Warnock's team sit 12th in the table ahead of kick-off and six points clear of the relegation zone, but last season's Championship winners will be desperate for some consistency after drawing with West Brom last weekend.

QPR have yet to record back-to-back league wins in a strange, fluctuating season in which they have beaten Chelsea, but have also been hammered by Fulham and lost at Wigan.

Central midfield is once again a concern for Liverpool manager Dalglish ahead of kick-off.

Spearing, who was expected to provide the long-term replacement for Lucas Leiva after the Brazilian's season was ended by a cruciate knee ligament, begins a three-match suspension after his red card.

Captain Steven Gerrard is still recovering from an ankle infection so Jordan Henderson could start in his favoured central position, although the in-form Jonjo Shelvey has continued to impress following his recall from a loan spell at Blackpool.

Matt Connolly is in line for a recall for QPR and DJ Campbell and Kieron Dyer have both returned to first-team training.

Radek Cerny is expected to continue to deputize in goal, with Paddy Kenny and Brian Murphy both still unavailable.

Possible Starting XIs:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Bellamy, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Carroll.

QPR: Cerny, Traore, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Young, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Faurlin, Mackie, Helguson, Bothroyd.

Dalglish Claims Reds Focus

Kenny Dalglish insists his Liverpool players have not been distracted by off-field issues while preparing for Saturday's visit of QPR.

The Reds' 11-match unbeaten run ended in controversial circumstances on Monday night as Jay Spearing was sent off during a 1-0 defeat at Fulham and, after the match, Luis Suarez allegedly made an offensive gesture to the crowd.

Those incidents resulted in two FA charges, one for the club failing to control their players after the red card and the other for Suarez's apparent misconduct.

But Dalglish claims it has been business as usual at Melwood this week and the Reds boss is confident his side will need no extra motivation as they look to bounce back from their first defeat since mid-September.

"It has only distracted me because I've got to answer questions about it," said the Scot.

"It is a distraction which has to be covered but it should never take precedence over what we are trying to do on the pitch and the training ground.

"We will do what we always do and that is our best, as well as we can, and see if we can get a bit of luck going our way."

Monday's defeat was Liverpool's third in the league this season but their first since losing 4-0 at Tottenham in September.

Dalglish does not believe the Fulham setback will have hit his team's morale as hard as the defeat at White Hart Lane, though.

"I think it is worse to pick them up when they are rubbish and you can never accuse them of that," he added.

"Defeat is never pleasant but we set our standards higher than that so it won't be difficult to pick them up.

"The only reason you wouldn't back your players was if they were continually producing performances like the one at Tottenham.

"They haven't done that. This season they could have won every game they played in apart from Tottenham so I don't see why we have to be disappointed.

"We are only disappointed for the players that they haven't got what they deserved in terms of points and goals. The performance against Fulham was good enough to have won the game.

"We were on a great run. We didn't over-react when we were on a good run so we're not going to over-react when we lose a game."

Agger: We Must Bounce Back

Daniel Agger has urged Liverpool to maintain their top-four pursuit by bouncing back from the Fulham defeat by beating QPR.

The Red host Rangers on Saturday mindful they have slipped up at home to promoted sides Swansea and Norwich already this season.

Monday's controversial 1-0 defeat at Fulham has left Kenny Dalglish's side five points off Chelsea in fourth, but Agger believes they can still break back into the Champions League places this season and wants a win this weekend.

He said: "After the Fulham game it was the same as every time we lose - it was quiet and people were upset.

"Luckily, there is always a game next week and a chance to bounce back - and that's something we have to do."

On Liverpool's quest to make the top four this season and a return to Champions League action in 2012 after a two-year absence, Agger added: "Everybody who has experienced it knows it is the biggest tournament and wants to be in it.

"That's definitely the target."

Warnock Backs Suarez In FA Storm

Luis Suarez has found an unlikely friend in the guise of QPR manager Neil Warnock, who insists the FA is setting a double standard by punishing the player and not the perpetrators following Suarez's alleged middle-finger salute.

Suarez was charged with improper conduct by the FA after pictures in British newspapers appeared to show the Uruguayan aiming a gesture at Fulham fans. The Liverpool striker had previously suffered 90 minutes of abuse from sections of Craven Cottage.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish accused the FA of double standards on Thursday, insisting it sets no example by appealing Wayne Rooney's three-game ban for kicking an opponent - which is a clear three-game suspension by FA regulations.

However, Warnock believes the greater double-standard is set by the FA's treatment of players and fans. In the case of Suarez, Warnock argues that fans did far worse than anything produced by the player, yet it is the player that gets punished.

"I'm not sure the FA shouldn't look into chants by crowds, and fine clubs if fans give players so much individual abuse like they have done with Suarez," Warnock said. "I'd be tempted to do what Suarez did.

"If you're going to get fined, if you're going to do him, they should also look into where these chants come from and fine the people and clubs concerned.

"It's getting ridiculous. Fans can do what they want and as soon as a player reacts they get into trouble. That's the standards I detest."

Rangers head to Anfield this weekend with Suarez set to lead the line for Liverpool, and Warnock counts the Uruguayan among the top two players in the Premier League.

"I was hoping he'd be banned from tomorrow's game!" Warnock quipped.

"Him and [David] Silva have been the two outstanding forwards this year. He's so enthusiastic and determined - he's made to measure for the English game. I think he's a fantastic player.

"Dives a bit, but you get that don't you!"

Pulis Backs Dalglish FA Complaint

Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish was right to raise the Football Association's apparent double standards on disciplinary issues.

The Reds boss was unimpressed with the governing body yesterday successfully reducing Wayne Rooney's three-match ban - for a red card picked up in Euro 2012 qualifying - by one game.

Dalglish, who admitted there was no point trying to appeal Jay Spearing's dismissal at Fulham on Monday, said it set a "bad example".

The Football Association pointed out their disciplinary procedures covering domestic football was different to those for UEFA.

But Pulis said it will have planted seeds of doubt in the minds of many clubs.

"I totally agree with him (Dalglish)," said Pulis.

"It is not as if it was a 50-50 challenge or it was mis-timed, he (Rooney) has actually booted someone from behind.

"It would be interesting to see if a player from an English club actually went and appealed on a similar incident what the FA would have done - I think that is the point Kenny is trying to make.

"I don't think it would have been rescinded.

"I don't think it sets a precedent but it is almost a situation where they (the FA) have worked the system and the system has worked for them."

Four Issues Affecting Liverpool's Top Four Challenge

Liverpool continue to display green shoots of progress under Kenny Dalglish, and 9 months into the Scot’s second coming Anfield his side look capable re-joining European football’s elite for the first time since the 2009/10 season.

But frustratingly for the Anfield faithful, Liverpool have demonstrated something of a soft underbelly this season, dropping points against Swansea, Norwich and most recently Fulham as the lost ground to Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal in the race for a precious Champions League spot. If the Reds are to continue their progress under Dalglish and move on to the next level this season then they must address these issues.

Find A Replacement For Jamie Carragher

Liverpool has a good batch of youngsters and look well set for both the future and the present, but crucially they appear lacking at the heart of the defence.

If Steven Gerrard were to walk away from football tomorrow Liverpool could cope; Charlie Adam has done excellently this season, Lucas Leiva has stepped up wonderfully, Jordan Henderson is growing while Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey wait in the wings.

When it comes to that other Liverpool stalwart, Jamie Carragher however, there is far less cover.

There are high hopes that Sebastian Coates can step up to the plate but a more experienced player in the transfer window would do them a world of good.

Get The Best Out Of Andy Carroll

Popular opinion is on the verge of turning against Andy Carroll. Five goals since his arrival from Newcastle last January isn’t exactly the return expected of a £35 million striker, especially when he plays along a £22 million striker that has set the Premier League alight.

The England international has resembled something of a relic from a bygone era in his recent appearances compared to Suarez; while the Uruguayan is full of verve and movement Carroll appears confined by his role as “big man up top” and simply isn’t contributing enough.

The fact that being match fit and available haven’t come along hand in hand all that much for Caroll this year hasn’t helped either, but Dalglish was ultimately the one who splashed the cash, and he must work with his man to ensure his Liverpool career takes off.

Find Cover For Lucas

It’s a funny world where the loss of Lucas is lamented as the worse thing to happen to Liverpool for some time when a glance back to the start of the Brazilian’s career saw him lamented as everything that was wrong with the club.

Be that as it may his improvement since those dark days is something special and he had become central to Liverpool’s improvement this season; against Manchester City he harried and hustled the Roberto Mancini’s men out of the game and before his injury against Chelsea appeared in the form of his life.

Now Liverpool are without him and their anchor point has gone. In his place Dalglish must choose from a smattering of youngsters before Gerrard returns. He must either hope Gerrard finds his feet immediately with Adam dropping deeper or he may be tempted to delve into the market.

Curb Luis Suarez Exuberance

Another week and another controversy for Luis Suarez, this time for swearing at the Fulham fans after his side’s 1-0 defeat. The FA have subsequently charged him with improper conduct while the investigation into his altercation with Patrice Evra is still on-going.

Dalglish is no fool and will know the key to the former Ajax man’s energy and exuberance relies on his passion in a similar way to Wayne Rooney but Suarez already has an impressive rap sheet. Dalglish must remind him that he can only do damage to opponents on the field, and not from the stands.

Liverpool To Launch £15m Bid For Swiss Superstar

Liverpool are ready to make an offer for FC Basel star Xherdan Shaqiri after watching the winger put in a man of the match display against Manchester United.

The Reds have been linked with the midfielder for some time after first becoming aware of the players talent when he scored a blistering goal against England in a qualifier earlier this year.

The 20-year-old has continued to impress in the Champions League for Basel this term and on Wednesday night provided both assists as the Swiss side knocked United out of the Europe's premier competition.

Basel realize that they will struggle to keep hold of the winger and are prepared for a number of bids when the January transfer window opens.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is keen to strengthen his attacking options after watching his side waste a number of opportunities this season.

Shaqiri also fits in with the clubs transfer policy of signing the best young players available who have the ability to stay at Anfield for a number of years.

It is thought that Liverpool are ready to make a £15million bid for the Switzerland international, however, that figure could soon rise as there will be plenty of competition for the players signature.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona have also been linked with the promising young winger but Liverpool hope to convince him to choose Merseyside by offering regular first team football.

Liverpool are short of options for players in wide areas with Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson often being asked to play on the wing, while Stewart Downing is the only natural left-footed winger.

Liverpool Relieved As Lucas Cools Talk Of Manchester United Switch

Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, who is wanted by a host of top European clubs, has ruled himself out of a possible move to Manchester United in the near future, insisting that his desire is to remain in Brazil for the foreseeable future.

The midfielder is being closely monitored by bitter rivals Liverpool, who will be relieved by the news that Lucas is unwilling to negotiate for the moment, as Dalglish's side would almost certainly represent a second choice for the in demand star.

Italian giants Inter Milan are also keen on moving for Lucas, and Sao Paulo are said to be preparing themselves for a bidding war next summer, according to talkSport.

Lucas is rated at around £25 million by his club, who will be delighted that their star player remains committed to his football in South America, rather than cashing in immediately on a move to Europe.

"2011 has been a good year for me and I hope that 2012 is even better," Lucas recently revealed.

"For the New Year, I have some great objectives and they all go through Sao Paulo. I want to win a title and also have a great Olympics in London. After that, I will see, but I’m only interested in Sao Paulo’

However, given the financial constraints of Brazilian football, Sao Paulo may be forced to listen to considerable offers, with the board regarding certain lucrative figures as too good to refuse.

With Manchester United seemingly in the hunt for a genuine creative force in their midfielder, after crashing out of the Champions League with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Basle this week, Sir Alex Ferguson may be ready to splash out to secure a deal for the highly-rated youngster.

Kenny Dalglish Uses DVD To Reveal The Truth

Two years ago it was Rafa Benítez with his folded sheet of paper containing various "facts" about perceived Liverpool grievances. On Thursday in the same room Kenny Dalglish went one better, with a DVD display illustrating why Liverpool were more sinned against than sinning at Fulham on Monday, a match that earned the club a double dose of disciplinary trouble from the Football Association, with Luis Suárez accused of making an offensive gesture to home supporters and Liverpool charged with failure to control their players following the dismissal of Jay Spearing. "If anyone wants to see the truth it's on the screen," the Liverpool manager said.

"If we have infringed rules we will have to accept it and take the punishment, but I'm not certain what the rules are when it comes to disputing a decision," Dalglish added. "What I do know is that referees are inconsistent with their interpretations. The only intent in Jay's mind was to get the ball, and normally our discipline is good, as our film clip can prove.

"If you look at the way Craig Bellamy was being provoked [by Clint Dempsey] at Fulham you can only say his discipline was unbelievable. He didn't commit a foul, he didn't respond to the player shoving his head into his face, and yet he was the one to get booked. Once that happened we ended up having to take him off so we weren't left with nine players."

Footage from the game does appear to support that point, and Dalglish said it would be presented to the FA if Liverpool were asked to defend themselves, along with clips of Suárez being wrestled to the floor in the penalty area by Brede Hangeland and getting nothing, Andy Carroll being fouled and Bellamy being wrongly penalized for a harmless tussle with John Arne Riise.

"We just want to be dealt with fairly," Dalglish said. "We want the same rules to apply to us as to everyone else. At Fulham I think we got the short end of a lot of 50-50 decisions that on another night might have gone our way. Anyone watching the clips can see that for themselves."

Uppermost in Dalglish's mind is the latest charge to hit Suárez, two months after the Uruguayan was accused of racial abuse by Manchester United's Patrice Evra, a case which the FA has still to bring to a conclusion. Apart from being dismayed by the time that original investigation is taking – "Nine weeks to reach a decision is a joke, if it goes on any longer it will soon be due a testimonial" – Dalglish fears his player is being deliberately wound up by opponents and receiving scant sympathy from referees. "I've seen the picture [of the gesture] now and I'd rather be sitting here talking about football," the Scot said.

"The charge only landed yesterday afternoon and I have yet to speak to him about it, but everyone at this club will stand by him. We know what the truth is. Because he's such a fantastic player, opponents who can't stop him on the pitch find other ways to get at him. People are entitled to tackle him, but tackle him fairly. That's all we are saying.

"People are just jumping on the bandwagon now and accusing him of this, that and everything else. He is happy here, happy in his environment, but we need the outstanding issues to be cleared up before we can start talking about the man as a footballer."

Dalglish claims he can list four other players who have made similar gestures to the one Suárez made and escaped without charge, though he is reluctant to say who they may be. He disagreed that the Suárez gesture to the Fulham crowd was in any way comparable to the Wayne Rooney outburst into a television camera at West Ham that saw the Manchester United player charged and banned for a couple of games last season.

"I don't see any similarities between the two incidents at all," he said. "Saying they are a bit like each other is like saying a man is a bit like a woman. We have picked out at least four other instances that were just the same and the players were not charged. All we are asking for is some clarity on the matter."

Despite being without a league goal since the start of October, a fortnight before the United game and the trouble with Evra, Dalglish is convinced Suárez remains popular with supporters and will continue to be central to the club's plans.

"The contribution he makes is important, it is not necessary for him to score every week as long as he continues to terrorize people," he said.

"As long as opponents have to resort to verbals to try and get to him he must be doing something right. The fans recognize that. They will be right behind him on Saturday, because they know what's been going on. At the end of the day he's not been getting a fair crack of the whip."

Dalglish Wary Of Rangers

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish admits he has been impressed with Queens Park Rangers as he prepares to tackle them at Anfield this weekend.

The Loftus Road outfit currently sits in 12th spot in the table in their first season back in the Premier League after winning the Championship last term.

Dalglish is expecting a tough test against Neil Warnock's side on Saturday as Liverpool look to bounce back from Monday's defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

"I think the three (promoted) sides have done very well," said Dalglish.

"QPR played well against Man City at Loftus Road and were unlucky not to win, so if they can do well against the team at the top of the league I'm sure they will be looking to do well when they come here. All we can do is compete against them as best as we possibly can.

"They got off to a bad start at home and lost the first game 4-0 (against Bolton). Then they got a new owner, Neil got a couple of quid to spend and spent it well, so that's helped to improve them."

Meanwhile, Dalglish has backed Jonjo Shelvey to push for a place in the side after being recalled from a successful loan spell at Blackpool to cover for the injured Lucas.

"We brought him back from Blackpool, where he had a couple of fantastic games," added Dalglish. "He played in the reserves on Tuesday for an hour and scored a couple.

"We know what Jonjo is all about and it was a good experience for him going to Blackpool.

"If we get everybody back fit and from suspension then it may be the case he goes back out again, but whilst he's here we know what he can do and he can make a contribution as he did last year in a lot of the games he came on in."

Liverpool Fury Over Suarez Charge

Liverpool were in a state of indignation last night after the Football Association charged their striker Luis Suarez with improper conduct over what appeared to be an indecent gesture towards Fulham fans on Monday night and also deemed the club guilty of failing to control its players during their 1-0 defeat.

Liverpool's manager, Kenny Dalglish, will be asked for his reaction at his weekly press conference today and it may be incendiary, given that Suarez is already facing an FA charge over alleged racist abuse towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra during the clubs' match at Anfield in October – another charge which Liverpool have rejected.

The FA's governance and regulation committee, which analyzed images taken from Fulham's Putney End, have concluded that the Uruguayan did raise the middle finger of his left hand to home fans who had subjected him to abuse during the defeat. The additional decision to charge Liverpool with "failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, following the dismissal of Jay Spearing", stems from the way in which the referee, Kevin Friend, was surrounded by Martin Skrtel, Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy and Glen Johnson after Spearing's fateful 72nd-minute challenge on Moussa Dembele.

Suarez has until 4pm on Monday to decide how to respond to the charge and if convicted he could face a ban, though punishments in such cases have varied. Birmingham City's Stephen Carr was banned for one game for an obscene gesture directed at Aston Villa supporters last year, while Joey Barton – then at Manchester City – was merely fined £2,000 in 2006 for dropping his shorts to Everton fans. Raul Meireles and Emmanuel Frimpong have escaped any punishment for similar offences to Suarez. Wayne Rooney missed two games after hurling abuse into a television camera at West Ham last season.

Spearing is already facing a probable three-game ban and Liverpool can ill afford to be without Suarez even for one game, given his importance for the club. If he pleads guilty to the charge and apologizes – as Carr did – he could miss Liverpool's visit to Aston Villa on Sunday week, with a match at Wigan Athletic following four days later.

Liverpool's position mirrors that of Birmingham who, after the incendiary match at Villa in which Carr made his gesture, were also fined £10,000 for failing to control their players. Four of them were booked in the wake of a penalty award during the match.

Dalglish, who requested a meeting with referees' head Mike Dean earlier this season after complaining of decisions repeatedly going against his side, is convinced that Premier League clubs' failure to contain Suarez is leading others to denigrate him. "I think people try and find it easy to criticize him because he is such a good player," he said last month. "Rather than wax lyrical about him, they try and find a fault that isn't really there."

A Liverpool spokesman said last night: "The club will take the appropriate time to properly review the documentation sent to us before making any comment."