Rumour Mill: Liverpool pondering £20M move for Brazilian whizkid

January transfer window has been fast approaching, the press rumour mill are starting to warm up again with reports of possible transfer targets from the Premier League’s big-spenders.

As usual, Liverpool are likely to be linked to host of names, and have already been rumoured to be targeting Michel Bastos, Carlos Tevez and Seydou Keita.

Another player Kenny Dalglish is said to be interested in is Sao Paulo’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas, full name Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva. According to reports, the Reds are prepared to offer £20 million for the 19-year-old, who is also a target for Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Is he worth £20 million? After spending so much on recruiting young talents in the last transfer window with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Sebastion Coates and Andy Carroll, Fenway Sports Group shown they are willing to splash out big funds yet again on youngsters with potential.

Let us know what are your thought on Liverpool signing Lucas in the comment box below.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Preview: Liverpool v Manchester City

Liverpool 2-1 win over Chelsea vaulted them into the top four of the Premier League table, but their title run does not get any easier as they host the league leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

City is coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to Serie A side Napoli on Tuesday, but in the Premier League, they are on fire.

City has won their last six league games and destroyed Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford. Liverpool will have an opportunity to prove they are again among England's elite on Saturday when they host one of the most talented teams in the world.

Match facts

Manchester City have only won one of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (W1 D5 L6).

The Citizens haven’t won at Anfield in their last eight Premier League visits (D2 L6).

Andy Carroll has scored four goals in five Premier League games against Manchester City.

Man City have now scored two or more goals in each of their last 14 Premier League games, a record for the division.

Sergio Aguero has 10 goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season.

Excluding games against Manchester United, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 41 north west derbies at Anfield (W30 D10 L1).

Liverpool have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target against them than any other side in the Premier League (41).

Liverpool were the last team to stop Manchester City from scoring in the Premier League. Since then, City have netted in 18 consecutive games, accruing a total of 52 goals.

Liverpool were also the last team to score more than two goals against City, with Roberto Mancini’s men shipping just 14 in their last 18 games.

Mario Balotelli has scored five goals in four Premier League starts this season.

via Opta (Yahoo!)

Liverpool has not scored more than two goals in a game in any competition since August 27, and against a Manchester City side that scores goals at will, that isn’t a good stat trend.

City has too much firepower with Balotelli and Sergio Aguero leading the attack. The league leaders will gain a crucial and much-needed win after a poor Champions League display in midweek.

Liverpool probable line-up: Reina(c), Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll

Manchester City probable line-up: Hart, Kompany(c), Lescott, Zabaleta, Kolarov, de Jong, Milner, Toure, Nasri, Silva, Balotelli

Red's Fury™ Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City

Source: Bleacher Report

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Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool Match Report

With Liverpool stuttering with draws at home and Chelsea’s recent poor form, this match was vital for both teams to get a positive result so they keep in touch with the leading group. Liverpool have had good results against Chelsea in recent years and they managed to do the double over them last season. Dalglish is unbeaten as manager against Chelsea so confidence was good going into the match.

THE TEAM

Kenny made three changes to his side with Bellamy, Kuyt and Maxi making his first league start of the season, Andy Carroll had to settle for a place on the bench alongside summer signings Downing and Jordan Henderson, the fit again Jamie Carragher was also named as a substitute. Former Liverpool favourites Meireles and Torres were also named as substitutes for Chelsea.

THE MATCH

Liverpool started on the attack with Maxi making two good early runs. Chelsea reacted with Mata volleying dangerously across goal. Then Mikel fired over from 25 yards.

Liverpool were looking dangerous on the attack and Bellamy combined well with Suarez but Cech thwarted them. Drogba looked to have scored from a free-kick but the ball rippled the net from behind.

The next chance came when Kuyt dispossessed Terry before Suarez failed to find Bellamy and Maxi at the back post. But then in the 34^th minute Liverpool broke the deadlock when Adam dispossessed Mikel before Bellamy took over, executing a one-two with Suarez before finding Maxi on the edge of the 6 yard box who finished clinically before celebrating in front of the jubilant travelling support.

Liverpool almost made it two when Lucas sent Suarez clear but his attempted cross deflected off Luiz into the side netting.

Liverpool maybe felt they should have had more than a one goal lead after their superb first half performance. Chelsea made one change at the break with Sturridge replacing Mikel.

Chelsea started the second half with intent and Drogba saw an effort bend over. Then Mata danced into the box before Skrtel ushered away the danger. But the game had changed and Liverpool were struggling to get forward now and Chelsea got their reward with the equaliser when Sturridge beat Reina from close range from a scuffed Malouda shot.

Seconds later Reina pulled off the save of the match from a glancing header by Ivanovic. Dalglish brought on Henderson for Bellamy as he tried to strengthen the midfield that was starting to struggle to stem the Chelsea tide.

The change did seem to make a difference although Liverpool were still not threatening the Chelsea goal. Malouda had a great chance in the 75^th minute but he volleyed wide from close range. Then a great run down the right by Henderson ended up with Kuyt firing just wide.

Just as it looked like the match would end a draw, Adam sprayed a pass out to the right to Johnson who skinned Cole before racing into the penalty area and then superbly slotted a left foot shot past the helpless Cech. Liverpool held out for the remaining minutes to record an important win.

SUMMARY

Surprised to see Maxi come back into the side, but what a masterstroke, with the Argentine scoring the first goal. I was also pleased to see Bellamy and Kuyt start the match with their work rate and pace. Liverpool played superb especially in the first half with their pressing game and the way the team continued to work for each other when under pressure in the second half was tremendous. The defence was resilient and Lucas and Adam combined brilliantly in the midfield with Kuyt tireless as ever and Bellamy was always a threat and was brilliant at the first goal. Suarez caused the Chelsea defence all sorts of problems, but overall it was a great team performance and a deserved victory.

Man Of The Match – Adam – best performance this season, passed superbly and worked his socks off, played a crucial part in both goals.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool planning January raid on Swansea winger

Liverpool are believed to be preparing to make a shock bid for Swansea City's Nathan Dyer after the winger's impressive performances in recent weeks caught the attention of manager Kenny Dalglish.

Kenny Dalglish is keen to bring in more width to the right side of his midfield and currently uses the services of Jordan Henderson and Dirk Kuyt to fill that role, neither being a natural selection for the role. The Liverpool boss has scouted Dyer this season and is said to be impressed by the former Southampton man has taken to life in the English top tier.

Liverpool boss is reported to be keen on bringing balance to Liverpool's team with pace and width on the right and he has identified Dyer as the man to offer that.

Dalglish has personally scouted the player already this season and saw him up close when Swansea earned a 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier this month.

Dyer was again impressive as the Swans lost narrowly at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

However, Dalglish may have to move quickly if he is to secure his services, with both Everton and Newcastle also said to be keen on making a bid.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Metro

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Post-match conference: Dalglish delight with Liverpool win

Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to the 'fantastic' performance of his players following Liverpool's dramatic 2-1 victory at Chelsea on Sunday evening.

Source: FootyTube

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Video Highlights: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Sunday’s Match of the Day – Premier League clash between Chelsea v Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Source: FootyTube

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Suarez Being Victimised

Luis Suarez has been a terrific signing for Liverpool, what an impact he’s had. The supporters love him, Torres and the absent Gerrard have been virtually forgotten about.

I remember the great sense of loss and despair I felt when the news broke of Torres leaving us, although I knew Suarez was coming to us I was so gutted to think that no player could replace Torres. How wrong I was, Suarez has lit up Anfield so many times with his mesmerising skills and his never stop running work ethic.

OK so far he has not been as clinical in front of goal as Torres but he has brought so much more to the team that the supporters appreciate.

The first I knew of him was in the last World Cup where I thought he was a real pest of a player, constantly niggling away at defenders but with great ability, and I was left hoping that somehow we could sign him and I was so pleased when we did as I thought there would be so much competition for his signature.

Suarez is one of those types of players that you love if he is in your team but you would hate him if he is playing against you, a bit like what I thought about Paul Ince. Suarez is loved at Liverpool but already he is being victimised by other teams and even referees.

We have had people making comments about him after matches which is going against him and giving him an unfair reputation, like when Paul Scharner commented on him going down too easy after our win against West Brom, when the following week he got no protection from the referee at home to Norwich when he was kicked all over the park.

But the start of the conspiracy came from who else but Sir Alex when he spoke about Suarez diving all over the place, after our 1-1 draw against United, and I’m sure he was the instigator in making Evra accuse Suarez of racial abuse.

The FA are now charging Suarez and he could now find himself with at least a 6 match ban that would hurt us deeply. In my view its Sir Alex and his fear of Liverpool’s resurgence that has brought him to delve deep into his large book of “dirty tricks” which has made him so “great” and well respected over the years.

The FA also backing his team once again, with the charge against Suarez, where little, or no evidence to back up the claim. It will be interesting to see if the England Captain receives the same punishment, I think not, the FA will show hypocrisy and racism by hammering a foreigner and let the Englishman off the hook.

I just hope that Suarez is not driven out of our club through this “witch hunt” that could drive him from our shores as he must have a strong feeling of injustice and believe he is being victimised for doing nothing more than giving his all in every game.

Luis Suarez you have the backing of all the Liverpool supporters, we just can’t get enough.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Racism row: FA charged Suarez and Dalglish defends him

Liverpool FC received notification from the Football Association of their decision to charge Luis Suarez and will take time to properly review the documentation which has been sent to them.

They will discuss the matter fully with him when he returns from international duty, but he will plead not guilty to the charge and they expect him to request a personal hearing.

Luis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra.

Liverpool FC remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter.

Source: Liverpool FC Official and YouTube

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