Goal Highlights: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham

Liverpool's renaissance under Kenny Dalglish continued as victory over Fulham lifted them into their highest Barclays Premier League position of the season.

It was not the most notable of performances, although there were plenty of spells of good football from the hosts, as John Pantsil's second-half own goal divided the teams.

But the Reds registered back-to-back wins for the first time since early November to move up to seventh, within six points of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and maintain the feeling of optimism which arrived when Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson earlier this month.

The last time the legendary Scot faced a Fulham team at Anfield he was player-manager on the occasion of a 10-0 League Cup victory in September 1986 against the then third-division side - and he did not even score.

There was to be no repeat of those fireworks, understandably considering Liverpool's still fragile form and the Cottagers' precarious position.

Portugal international Raul Meireles was man of the match at the weekend and he started brightly again as he kept the advanced midfield role even on captain Steven Gerrard's return after suspension.

It was he who got on the end of Martin Kelly's right-wing cross to direct a low header goal wards which the goalkeeper turned around his post.

Stockdale was called into action again in the 25th minute when Glen Johnson, playing at left-back, cut inside to unleash a right-footed shot which the keeper tipped over.

Clint Dempsey forced Jose Reina into a low save just before the half-hour but the Spain international should not have been given a chance seconds later when Andrew Johnson cut the ball back to the penalty spot but Moussa Dembele hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Daniel Agger fired a low 30-yard drive wide and Torres headed over from Kelly's cross in added time at the end of the first half as the hosts failed to make their dominance pay.

Maxi Rodriguez had a shot blocked by Aaron Hughes but when a cross was swung back into the area the Argentinean wasted his free header with an aimless looping effort.

But that was forgotten when Liverpool took the lead in the 52nd minute. [Read more…]

 

Source: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com

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Ryan Babel moves to Germany

Ryan Babel has brought his three-year Anfield career to an end by signing for German outfit Hoffenheim.

The Dutch winger has penned a two and a half year deal with the Bundesliga outfit with the option of a further year.

During his time with the Reds, Babel made 146 appearances and contributed some unforgettable goals.

We would like to wish Ryan the best of luck at his new club.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Wolfsburg targets Liverpool forward

According to OnTheMinute.com, Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg are considering Milan Jovanovic as the replacement for Edin Dzeko.

The Bosnian's departure has given the German side a huge sum of money with which to reinvest in the squad and Liverpool striker Jovanovic is a prime target.

The 29-year-old put in impressive performances for Standard Liege and moved to Merseyside on a free transfer, but has since been unable to replicate his form for the Reds.

The former Lokomotiv Moscow man has in the past expressed a desire to trudge on and fight for a regular spot in the club's starting line-up, but his agent has admitted that he could be on his way out.

Source: OnTheMinute.com

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Liverpool striker heading for the exit

Liverpool’s unsettled forward will be making his way out of Anfield soon. He doesn’t fits into the squad for three successive managers at Liverpool Football Club, Rafael Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.

Ryan Babel joined the Reds in July 2007 in a deal worth more than £10million. His Reds debut came on August 11, 2007 when he appeared as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa.

It wasn't long before our new No.19 was hitting the back of the net, making two Derby County defenders look silly before lashing home at the Anfield Road end on September 1.

Another nine goals followed in a satisfying first year including an audacious flick in an 8-0 Champions League drubbing of Besiktas.

Sadly, just as he was poised to set Euro 2008 alight with Holland, Babel was forced into the treatment room. An ankle ligament injury sustained in training brought with it the heartache of missing Austria and Switzerland.

There was further frustration domestically as the wide man struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafael Benitez's starting XI, and he was subject to intense speculation concerning a transfer away from the club in January 2010.

No move materialised and Babel seemed galvanised for the remainder of the campaign, putting in a series of decent displays. Flashes of absolute brilliance continued to punctuate his Anfield career, notably in 2009-10 a stunning solo effort against Lyon in the Champions League.

In the latest news from Liverpoolfc.tv, Babel has agreed a move to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The Dutch international will fly to Germany tomorrow to finalise the deal.

The move comes six days after Liverpool accepted a bid for the 24 year old striker from the Bundesliga outfit.

We all wish Ryan Babel the best of luck in his football career in Germany.

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv

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Tell us what’s your thought about Ryan Babel’s career at Anfield so far in the comment box below.

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Match Highlights: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish secured his first win after returning to the helm after Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Molineux on Saturday lunchtime.

Fernando Torres broke the deadlock in a scrappy contest on 36 minutes after generously being setup by Raul Meireles for the simplest of tap ins.

The Portuguese ace did get on the score sheet shortly after half-time, however, with a sure-fire goal-of-the-season contender as he expertly smashed a 25-yard volley into the top corner.

Wolves pressed in an attempt to reduce the arrears late on, but Torres struck again at the death to help the Reds claim an important three points.

Buoyed by a much-improved attacking performance during last weekend's 2-2 draw with Everton at Anfield, Liverpool journeyed to Molineux aiming to secure not only the first win of Kenny Dalglish's second coming, but also their second on the road in the Barclays Premier League in 2010-11.

Indeed, the manager's satisfaction at his side's derby display was reflected in his team selection with just one change made - Christian Poulsen replacing Jay Spearing in midfield.

However, despite their lowly position of 19^th in the table, Wolves demonstrated they are anything but pushovers by winning 1-0 at Anfield in late December, while they could also consider themselves highly unfortunate not to have taken something from a recent narrow defeat against Manchester City at Eastlands.

In fact, the Reds' last win at Molineux was way back in April 1979, while they'd managed just two clean sheets in their last nine trips to the Black Country.

But the visitors fashioned the first chance on a chilly Midlands afternoon when only a block by Christophe Berra prevented Poulsen giving them an eight-minute lead after good interplay between Glen Johnson and Lucas Leiva carved open a chance for the Dane.

Wolves then had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to thank for thwarting Torres on 21 minutes. Meireles's inch-perfect pass sent the Spaniard bearing down on goal, only to see his effort beaten away after deftly stepping inside the challenge of Richard Stearman.

Nevertheless, it was proving a real midfield scrap with neither side able to stamp their authority on a bitty contest. [Read more…]

Source: Video courtesy of FootyTube

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Steven Gerrard to play on for five more years and wants Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's permanent manager

The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, has set himself the target of playing for another five years.

The England midfielder, 31 in May, admits he has been lifted by Kenny Dalglish's return as manager and he wants to carry on playing for as long as possible, although he has considered taking his coaching badges.

"It's not my main priority or focus at the moment, I still think that's a long way off," he told LFC Weekly. "I believe I can play football for another four or five years but I do sometimes think about what I'm going to do when I finish playing.

"I would like to stay involved in some capacity, whether that's on the media side or in the dug-out we'll have to wait and see. I will certainly try to get my coaching qualifications at some point."

Steven Gerrard has also told Liverpool's owners to look no further than Kenny Dalglish for the club's next permanent manager as they commenced their squad overhaul by agreeing to sell Ryan Babel to Hoffenheim.

Now Gerrard, who was consulted by the then managing director, Christian Purslow, regarding Hodgson's arrival last summer, has lent his influential voice to the Dalglish campaign. "I want to do everything in my power to ensure that he stays here for a long time, beyond the initial six months," the Liverpool captain said.

"I'd love nothing better when the end of the season comes than for us to be on the back of a good run of results that ensures he gets the job full-time. That's my short-term plan, to give everything I've got and all my energy to try to make that happen. I won't lie. When Kenny rang to say he was coming back it was a big lift. I love Kenny as a person and I've certainly enjoyed the first few days we've had working with him. I can see a positive future for Kenny at the club."

Dalglish is without a win in his first three matches back at Liverpool but has vanquished the disharmony that surrounded Hodgson's reign and, certainly against Everton on Sunday, has overseen an improved performance level. The 59-year-old has also been without Gerrard since the 32nd minute of his comeback game, the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United, but the midfielder insists Dalglish has the backing of the entire squad.

Gerrard added: "I think Kenny is the perfect person to get everyone moving in the right direction again. He's the talisman at this club. His nickname, the King, says it all really. He's the perfect manager and also the person to bring it all together. It's time to regroup and for us all to be pulling in the right direction because this season certainly hasn't been good enough."

Source: Guardian UK

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Rumour Mills: Players linked to Liverpool FC

There are just two weeks left for Liverpool to make their move on target players and sew up deals to bring fresh blood to the squad and save a dwindling season.

Let’s take a look at the potential targets as reported by the press.

Transfer in:

Liverpool interested in Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel

The agent of Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel claims Liverpool have made an enquiry about the player but better offers have also come in from elsewhere.

 

Liverpool eye loan move for Aston Villa left-back

Former Red Stephen Warnock could be set for a return to Anfield to solve Liverpool’s full-back problem.

 

Liverpool target Aston Villa winger

Liverpool have made Ashley Young their top target for the January transfer window and are confident they can land the Aston Villa winger.

 

Liverpool back in on Ajax striker

The controversial Uruguayan international is reported in this morning’s papers to have told Ajax he wants to leave the club for Anfield if a fee can be agreed this month.

Report from De Telegraaf newspaper has mentioned,

   "The transfer of Suarez to Liverpool opens the door for me to go to Ajax.

"If Liverpool and Ajax - whether in combination with Luis - can reach an agreement over me I will surely come to the club. For the chance to play I am willing to settle for far less pay." said Ryan Babel. (credits to Liverpool Echo)

But this move seems to be not on the table anymore as Liverpool FC sending Babel to Germany instead.

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Liverpool accept Hoffenheim bid for Ryan Babel

Ryan Babel is set to leave Liverpool after the club announced they had accepted a bid from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for the Dutch striker.

Babel has been given permission to travel to Germany and discuss personal terms with his prospective new employers.

He has struggled to nail down a first-team place at Anfield and was again on the bench on Sunday during the derby draw with Everton.

According to Germany's Bild newspaper, the two clubs have agreed on a fee in the region of £5.8million and Babel is set to fill a void which has emerged in the German side's attack this winter.

''Following the departure of (Demba) Ba and the injury to (Chinedu) Obasi, we were in an emergency situation,'' said Hoffenheim's owner Dietmar Hopp.

''Babel was one of the prime candidates who our general manager Ernst Tanner was most convinced about.''

Hoffenheim slipped to ninth in the Bundesliga table after going down 2-1 to Werder Bremen last weekend and they are currently five points adrift of Bayern Munich. The Bavarians occupy fifth place, which would be good enough for a place in the Europa League next season.

The 24 year-old could make his debut against St Pauli on Sunday, should the deal be completed in the next few days.

However, the player himself had earlier spoken of his hope for a loan move back to Ajax, as part of Luis Suarez's potential transfer to Liverpool.

Let us know what do you think of the winger’s imminent departure on the comment box below.

Source: Telegraph UK

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