Steve Clarke appointed as Liverpool first team coach

Liverpool have appointed former Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke as first team coach.

Clarke, who played over 500 senior matches for St Mirren and Chelsea, is the first addition to new manager Kenny Dalglish's backroom staff following the departure of Roy Hodgson on Saturday.

"Steve is a great addition to our backroom team and I'm delighted we've been able to bring him into the club," the Scot said.

"I am looking forward to working with Steve alongside Sammy Lee (assistant manager) and our other technical staff."

The appointment of the well-respected Clarke will go some way to silencing the critics who claimed Dalglish, who has not managed for more than a decade, had been out for too long and was not equipped to deal with the modern-day demands of the game.

Clarke, who was at the club's Melwood training ground this morning, was a part of the coaching set-up at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho when the Blues won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two Carling Cups over three seasons.

Mike Kelly, who Hodgson brought with him from Fulham as coach in the summer, was not involved with the team in their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday and his departure from Liverpool will be confirmed in due course.

Source: Premier League.com

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Liverpool back in on Ajax striker

Liverpool and Tottenham are locked in a battle for Luis Suarez after both clubs approached Ajax over a January move, Goal.com UK can reveal.

The Uruguayan star is believed to favour a move to Spurs but Liverpool could yet trump their Premier League rivals as Ajax want around €23 million for the striker now they have sparked a bidding war.

They had initially made Suarez available for €20m (£16.8m) but due to cash problems are determined to get the best possible deal.

Goal.com UK understands the Dutch club have indicated they are ready to cash in on their prize asset in the January transfer window despite the player claiming over the weekend that he would be staying in Amsterdam.

Suarez is leaning towards Tottenham due to their more competitive league position and for personal reasons, as he would prefer to bring up his young daughter in London.

As Goal.com UK revealed on Saturday, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has identified the World Cup star as his number No.1 striker target after dropping his interest in Andy Carroll and chairman Daniel Levy is due to step up talks this week.

But Liverpool have also been tracking the 23-year-old for a number of months and director of football strategy Damien Comolli has also registered his interest with Ajax as he prepares to take on his former club for one of the hottest properties in Europe.

"Ajax have received approaches from both clubs, although nothing is imminent," a source told Goal.com UK. "Suarez would prefer Tottenham at the moment because he is a family-orientated man with a very young child and he likes the idea of living in London."

Tottenham, who are fifth in the Premier League, want Suarez to help them secure Champions League football for next season, but the club are first waiting to sell Robbie Keane, the Republic of Ireland captain who continues to reject a move to Birmingham. Redknapp is also known to have slight concerns over whether Suarez will be able to cut it in English football as he fears he is too weak and small to lead the line.

Liverpool are confident they can pip Spurs to Suarez due to the history of the club and they feel they can offer a more lucrative wage package. New manager Kenny Dalglish is believed to support a move for the player, who has scored 110 goals in 154 games for the Dutch giants and netted a stunning 49 times last season.

Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, may also be more inclined to meet Ajax's asking price as they look to make another statement of intent following the dismissal of Roy Hodgson and his replacement with Kop legend Dalglish.

The Reds are desperate to add a quality striker to the squad as both a partner and an alternative to Fernando Torres, who has been out of sorts all season. They believe Suarez, who can play either as an out-and-out striker or as a creative second forward, fits the bill.

Suarez joined Ajax from FC Groningen in 2007 for £6.2m but his relationship with the club hierarchy has deteriorated since the sacking of former Spurs manager Martin Jol, especially after they failed to appeal against his seven-match ban incurred by the Dutch Football Federation in late November for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal.

Comolli revealed on Monday that Liverpool - who have prioritised a striker, winger and full-back - have been working on a number of transfer deals but admitted the Merseysiders are not close to sealing any moves.

He said: "We have been working on it [a transfers list], but I don't know if there will be any activity because it is a very complicated market and we have to be very careful what we do."

Tottenham continue to try to complete a loan deal for David Beckham while their £2m January move for Everton's Steven Pienaar could also be under threat as reports emerged that Chelsea are interested in the South African midfielder.

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

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, Goal.com

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King Kenny is officially unveiled at Anfield

Kenny Dalglish’s first full day back in charge of Liverpool FC, overseeing training at Melwood on Monday morning and being officially presented to the media in the afternoon.

Kenny Dalglish insists he will have no problem stepping aside this summer 'if someone better comes along'.

The man christened The King by Liverpool fans has been placed in charge of team affairs until the end of the season after Roy Hodgson left on Saturday.

Here’s a selection of videos from the day.

 

Read more on what Kenny Dalglish has to say about the future and transfer.

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, all video credits to IndySportsNewsTV

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Gerrard sees red as Liverpool knocked out of FA Cup

Kenny Dalglish endured a frustrating return to the dugout as 10-man Liverpool went down to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

The Anfield icon was left stunned by the worst possible start to the encounter as Ryan Giggs gave the hosts a controversial second minute lead from the penalty spot before captain Steven Gerrard was shown a straight red card on 32 minutes for a lunge on Michael Carrick.

The Reds gave a good account of themselves in the second period but despite some magnificent support from the travelling Kop they could not find the breakthrough to force a replay.

It means our hopes of a first-ever visit to new Wembley will have to wait for another year while Dalglish and co will now turn their attention to Wednesday's trip to Blackpool and the small matter of next weekend's Merseyside derby with Everton.

Liverpool had gone into the Old Trafford encounter on the crest of a wave after a busy weekend had begun with an impressive Youth Cup victory over Crystal Palace and the sensational news that King Kenny would replace the departing Roy Hodgson in the hot-seat.

It led to a stark contrast in the mood of the supporters who had exited Ewood Park with their heads bowed in dejection following a midweek loss at Blackburn. Instead, 9000 members of the travelling Kop arrived in Manchester hopeful that their Messiah could inspire a sudden upturn in fortunes. [Read more…]

Watch the goal that shouldn’t be given

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Hodgson’s Tribute: Premier League managers’ view

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson and expressed his delight at returning to the Anfield hot seat nearly 20 years after he left the job.

Hodgson was replaced by Dalglish on Saturday morning, having won just seven of 20 league games during his tenure. Relations with the club's fans grew strained as Hodgson questioned their support following a defeat to Wolves, and Liverpool's owners claim the former Inter Milan coach left by "mutual consent".

Dalglish flew into Manchester on Saturday evening ahead of Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at Manchester United, and he will take immediate control of the first team for the game.

"It's a great honour to be asked to come back," Dalglish told Sky Sports News. "It's under horrible circumstances because a very good man with great dignity and integrity has lost his job."

Asked how he will approach the United fixture, Dalglish replied: "We'll do our best. I'll have a kip and we'll go from there. I've just come off a plane!"

Liverpool's decision to axe Hodgson just six months after appointing him has not been welcomed by fellow Premier League managers, who claim the 63-year-old was not given enough time at Anfield.

"I am shocked because I rate Roy Hodgson as a great manager," Arsene Wenger said on Saturday. "It puts our job into perspective because he was Manager of the Year in July. It shows you how quickly we lose our qualities because he had to go six months later. Of course it is a shock and I feel our job suffers today."

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, himself stumbling across hard times at Aston Villa, also had sympathy for Hodgson, who managed just one away league win during his time as Liverpool manager.

"Roy got Manager of the Year last season so he was a great manager then and he still is today," Houllier said. "He's a fantastic person, I know him well but this world has become brutal, I mean it - if you lose two games you are in the firing line. I feel for him but Kenny has been a friend for a long time too."

Mark Hughes, who replaced Hodgson at Fulham, has backed his predecessor to bounce back from his latest disappointment, insisting he deserved longer to prove he was worthy of the job.

"It's very, very disappointing when you see a fellow manager lose his job," Hughes said. "But it's a league that thrusts focus on you every minute of the day and, at the end of the day, we're always judged on results. I'm sorry for Roy because he obviously was fantastic for Fulham for two years and deserved his chance to manage a top club. He's a good manager and I'm sure he'll come back.

"There's always that thinking that people who take over a club will always try to appoint their own man and there's many examples of that. There's a little bit of that in the Liverpool situation, I would suggest. But, listen, we're all grown men, we understand what happens. Sometimes, even when it's a little bit unfair, you've just got to get on with it."

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Hodgson out, Dalglish in

Roy Hodgson's miserable six-month reign ended with former title-winning player and boss Kenny Dalglish put in charge until the end of the season.

Since taking over from Rafael Benitez in the off-season, Hodgson presided over Liverpool's worst start to a season for more than 50 years — a dismal run of results that coincided with financial instability and a bitter court battle to oust unpopular American owners.

But even the arrival of Boston Red Sox owner John Henry in October 2010 couldn't halt the dire form on the pitch.

The club finally lost patience with the 63-year-old Hodgson after Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Blackburn. Liverpool are languishing in 12th spot in the Premier League and are sitting just four points above the drop zone.

The 63-year-old refused to answer questions on his future following the defeat at Ewood Park and speculation over his future intensified after his pre-match media briefing on Friday was cancelled.

Hodgson went to Anfield from 2010 Europa League finalist Fulham in July on a three-year contract. He left Anfield by mutual consent, a club statement said Saturday on the eve of an FA Cup match at archrival Manchester United.

Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have reportedly been looking at their possible options for a managerial change for over a week and they have now decided to act.

They had intended to see out the season with Hodgson before reassessing the situation but recent results - defeats to Blackburn and Wolves - and the deteriorating relationship with fans and associated falling attendances have prompted a rethink.

The club have turned to former player and manager Dalglish to take up the reins for the rest of the campaign and try and rescue a wretched campaign for the Merseyside titans.

   "We are grateful for Roy's efforts over the past six months, but both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down from his position as team manager. We wish him all the best for the future." said Principal Owner John Henry.

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Sack Roy Hodgson will leads to more uncertainty

Liverpool's new owners have been warned that even the sacking of Roy Hodgson might not be enough to stave off an exodus of their key players, including Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina. Although the manager's departure appears inevitable, and the two Spanish players would not leave during the winter transfer window, frustration at the club's inertia means they will go in the summer if they are not convinced by the new manager and handed reassurances of major investment.

The choice currently before Liverpool's owners, John W Henry and Tom Werner, is a huge one which will bring with it significant consequences. For some senior players sacking Hodgson is a step in the right direction. But while Hodgson continuing at the club would guarantee summer departures, his exit does not necessarily mean that Liverpool will be able to keep hold of their most important assets. With Liverpool immersed in a sale process last summer moves were blocked for Steven Gerrard, Torres and Reina; this year, it will be harder to prevent their departure. Liverpool quoted prices so prohibitive as to be a "not for sale" sign. At the same time reassurances were made regarding ambitions. Hopes had been pinned on new ownership and massive investment. As yet only half of that proposition has come to pass.

The arrival of a recognised, high-achieving coach will be vital if they are not to push for a transfer. Didier Deschamps, who was interviewed for the job last summer and remains a favoured candidate, appeared to rule himself out yesterday. The Marseille coach said: "When I talk about being the coach of Marseille in the new stadium, I mean it. It is an idea that pleases me. Now, 2014 is a very long way away in my profession. But I have said people should understand I am not a tramp. I proved it last year. I could have left."

Key Anfield squad members have been dismayed by the lack of activity from the new owners since they took over in mid‑October.

The lack of activity in this transfer window only increases that impression, with the club currently considering an offer for the Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka. Players feel that promises have been broken before and will not endure another season of underachievement and uncertainty.

Possible destinations are already being studied in case they should be required, but no decisions have been taken. Those clubs that tabled bids for Gerrard, Torres, Reina and Dirk Kuyt last summer are not necessarily expected to return 12 months on. The players are not expected to consider a move to Manchester United.

Following Liverpool's 3-1 defeat against Blackburn Hodgson refused to discuss a possible sacking, saying: "I am not prepared to talk about my future. At this moment I am depressed enough with the performance and the result. I am not here to talk about that. I have no comments to make and I don't intend to answer any questions on the subject." The club's director of communications then brought the press conference to a close and there was no indication from the owners today that they intend to change manager before Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester United.

But Hodgson's days at Anfield are numbered. Fans have railed against him – he was met with graffiti at the club's training ground yesterday – and pressure builds to replace him. Progress is stalled by the absence of a chief executive at Anfield and the fact that the New England Sports Ventures group that owns the club continues to be based in the United States.

There has also been little opportunity over the Christmas period properly to discuss the club's next move. Kenny Dalglish, who currently occupies an ambassadorial role, made it clear that he wanted the manager's job in the summer before the former regime employed Hodgson – and he is still keen to take charge. There is, however, a reluctance to make a definitive decision at this stage, which only increases the uncertainty. With the situation being monitored closely by key players, it is a decision that must be made carefully.

Source: Guardian UK by Sid Lowe and Andy Hunter

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Liverpool ponder a move for Aston Villa midfielder

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is reportedly tracking Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland this month as he looks to strengthen his midfield.

Hodgson is desperate to add a spark to his under-achieving side and sees Ireland - who only joined Villa last summer - as a possible solution.

The former Manchester City starlet went to the Midlands club as part of the deal that took James Milner to Eastlands.

However, he has failed to hold down a first-team place since and - although rated by former Villa boss Martin O'Neill - does not seem to be on the radar of new manager Gerard Houllier.

As such, the 24-year-old Irishman could be up for grabs for as little as £4million - half his published price-tag for his involvement in the Milner transfer.

His age and previous Premier League form make him the perfect target for the Reds' new owners, who have previously stated they will only be looking at players who are young and cheap enough to demonstrate the potential for improvement during their Anfield stay.

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

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, Metro

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