Dalglish: Lucas deserves a song from the KOP

Lucas playing for Liverpool last season

Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, believes Lucas finally deserves his own song from the famous KOP. He has called on the supporters to reward Lucas for the brilliant form he has been in this season.

Lucas wasn't exactly loved by the supporters when he first arrived and he looked set for an exit in the last couple of years, but the Brazilian has really turned it around and can be considered one of Liverpool's players of the season for his fine form.

Kenny talked ahead of a pre-match conference and said: "He's been in good form since I came in here. He's also signed an extended contract and is playing really well. Him and Jay (Spearing) have got a really good partnership in the middle of the pitch."

"It would be nice if supporters could think up a song for Lucas as a reward for the fantastic work he has done recently. I don't know what it could be but there must be something there for him."

"He's only a young boy as well. He's played lots of games for a young boy. He's really developed. He's in the Brazil team and that's a good enough testament for us."

"What he has done for us is very important and he's been brilliant since I came in. You can see he has belief in his own performances. You can see that getting in the Brazil team and being settled - his wife having a  little boy - means his whole world is happy at the moment and that is reflected on the pitch."

I won't lie, I wasn't the biggest Lucas fan when he first arrived and at times I did give him a fair share of stick for his performances. However, I'm really impressed with how well he has matured and improved over the last 18 months, which have been a really tough 18 months around the club, and he has also shown he can be a leader. I for one will be looking forward to whatever song the KOP can think of as they are always brilliant. Congrats to Lucas on his baby boy and the best of luck to him in the future. YNWA!

WAG of the day!

Rosaria Connavo

Cannavo currently dates retired footballer Christian Pannuci who played for numerous clubs including Milan, Real Madrid, Inter and Roma. She was also on the arm of the short tempered Antonio Cassano. Many people might not know Cassano but for those who do might question whats a girl like this doing with him but then again you might still be mesmerized by her looks. She’s famous in Italy for her skills as a ballerina and her appearances on a number of their very strange television shows. One includes trying to balance herself on a board while wearing very revealing clothing, can't go wrong with that. I could of chosen a number of images to display here but some were too revealing, so go on and have a click down below.

For more images click here

BREAKING NEWS: Dalglish signs 3-year contract

Kenny Dalglish: Liverpool's manager

Kenny Dalglish has signed a new 3-year contract that will see him in charge at the club until the end of the 2013-2014 season. Dalglish has taken Liverpool from 4 points above the relegation zone to within a win of securing European football next season.


Liverpool have been in fine from under Dalglish who took over in January after Roy Hodgson was sacked. At that time Liverpool were 12th in the league table and just above relegation. Since then Liverpool has climbed all the way up to 5th and 2 points above Tottenham, who they play this weekend at Anfield. If Liverpool beat Tottenham at home they will secure a spot in the Europa League.


Steve Clarke, Kenny's first appointment when he arrived, has also signed a 3-year deal along with Dalglish. 


"It's a great reward for the work that's been done, not just by me but Steve, Sammy (Lee), the players and the people on the terraces and everyone else inside the club, including the owners," Dalglish told the club's website

"We said at the outset if we stick together and work together then it makes it easier to produce better results and I think that is the main reason why results have improved."


Liverpool will look to carry their recent from into next season and push on for a top four place. Dalglish will also be looking to improve the squad knowing he will be the clubs long term manager. If Liverpool's current form is anything to expect next season then anything is possible.

WAG of the day!

Caroline Celico

Celico met Kaká way back in 2001, and married the Real Madrid star in 2005. They are high school sweethearts which appears to be very rare these days for footballers. Celico’s not the typical WAG, and she doesn’t have the drop dead curves of some others on this list, but she’s damn cute and from all reports surprisingly normal compared to her contemporary soccer wives. She has two children with Kaka and she was only 18 when they married back in 2005.

For more images click here

Spearing earns England call up

Liverpool midfielder, Jay Spearing, has earned a called up to the provisional 40 man U-21 squad which is taking part in the European Championships this summer.

Spearing, who is 22, still qualifies to play at the U-21 level and despite the squad being announced a few weeks ago, which also includes Liverpool forward Andy Carroll, he has been called up to replace injured Mark Davies.

Spearing has been in terrific form since coming into Liverpool's first team for the injured Steven Gerrard. His wonderful form has also earned him a new contract which was reported last week.

The European Championships will take place in Denmark this year and begins June 11th.

Spearing definitely deserves a call up and I believe he isn't too far off being called up to the senior squad. I wish Jay the best of luck in Denmark this summer.

Liverpool favorites to sign Ashley Young

Young celebrating for Aston Villa

Liverpool are looking to make a splash in the transfer market this summer in order to return to the Premier League's elite group of clubs. Wingers are a high priority and the club look to be targeting the Aston Villa wide man.

Young has been targeted by a few clubs, most notably Liverpool's rivals, Manchester United, but Liverpool look to be favorites to seal the deal. United are heavily in debt and it is unsure if they will be able to produce the money needed to sign the player. Damien Comolli is a big fan of Young and believes he is what the club need in order to move forward. However, Aston Villa are said to be unwilling to sell their star.


The asking price is believed to be around £14million which should be able to persuade Villa to sell. This would be a great signing for Liverpool, especially after signing Andy Carroll in the summer, they need wide players who can deliver quality crosses into the box. Liverpool has been notorious for lacking in the wide areas and it is certainly a position the club need to improve on.

WAG of the day!

Alessia Ventura

Ventura is engaged to Italian legend Filippo Inzaghi who has played for Juventus and currently applies his trade at AC Milan. Inzaghi is noted for having his fair share of beautiful women and he didn't let himself down with Ventura. Inzaghi has said she “ticks all the boxes in what I’d like my partner to be as a person,” I'm sure she does because she ticks all of my boxes just by looking at her. Ventura is an Italian model who caught her break by appearing in a soap opera and since then she has appeared on several TV shows and has worked as a news reporter on Sky Cine News. She can also be seen on MTV Italy.

For more images click here

Jose Enrique set to join Liverpool: Transfer Rumors

Enrique: Liverpool target

Transfer rumors linking Newcastle left back, Jose Enrique, with Liverpool have resurfaced.

It has been heavily publicized that Liverpool need a left back and reports have often linked The Reds with Enrique. Kenny Dalglish is a noted fan of the Spaniard and has been sizing up a move for the player.

Some reports have stated Newcastle are looking for Jay Spearing, Liverpool's young midfielder, in return for Enrique but those reports look to have been squashed with Spearing signing a new contract with the Anfield outfit in the last week.

During a Norwegian television interview, former Liverpool manager Phil Thompson admitted that "Jose Enrique to Liverpool is a done deal." There is no doubt that Enrique would be a welcomed upgrade at the club as they push for the top four next season.

It is believed that Newcastle are looking for £15m in exchange for the player but there are no indications of contact between the two clubs so this transfer still remains a rumor despite what Phil Thompson thinks.

Pacheco could return to Loftus Road

Pacheco playing for Norwich

Daniel Pacheco has said he would be willing to return to Norwich if first team opportunities at Liverpool are not available.

The Spanish forward, who was apart of Barcelona's youth academy, enjoyed a short loan spell with the Canaries where he scored two goals in six appearances for the club. He helped Norwich gain promotion back to the Premier League and this could tempt the player to rejoin to club for first team opportunities.

Pacheco graduated from Liverpool's academy in 2009 and featured under Rafael Benitez but was never in Roy Hodgson's plans.

Pacheco told reporters,

"I have to go back to Liverpool and see how the summer goes,"

"But I would love to come back here if I'm not going to get games at Liverpool."

I believe it would suit Liverpool to send Pacheco on a season-long loan to Norwich. With their recent promotion he will get some vital Premier League experience and some much needed first team football. However, under no circumstances should they let him go on a permanent deal, he is a young striker who has a lot of potential to make an impact in the Liverpool first team.

South American delight as Liverpool move up to 5th

Liverpool celebrate Maxi's second

Liverpool move up into 5th spot after a wonderful performance against an in form Fulham side at Craven Cottage. A hat-trick from Maxi Rodriquez and some memorizing play from Luis Suarez carried Liverpool to a 5-2 victory.

Maxi just can not stop scoring in recent weeks as everything he hits finds the back of the net. He netted his second hat-trick in 3 games to give Liverpool the result they needed. It wasn't long until the Argentinian found himself on the score sheet as his first minute strike found the back of the net after some mediocre defending by Fulham. Suarez's strike was deflected and Mark Schwarzer scrambled to clear but it fell straight to Maxi's feet as he made no mistake with the finish.

Liverpool were fantastic in the opening minutes of the game as they continually pressured Fulham into mistakes. Just six minutes after Maxi's first, he doubled his tally when a cross was stood up to the back post and Maxi lost his defender as his left footed volley flew past the keeper to give Liverpool a dream start.

Fulham's terrible start continued as a howler from Schwarzer gifted Liverpool their third goal. Dirk Kuyt's shot from the edge of the box rolled under the keeper as Kuyt ran off celebrating his 5th goal in as many games.

Maxi scoring the opening goal

Fulham did start brightly in the second half and put Liverpool under pressure. They found themselves back in the game when Dembele's effort went in on the 57th minute. Fulham continued to pile on the pressure as they went looking for another but it was Liverpool who scored next when Maxi rounded off his hat-trick with a great 20-yard strike. The goal left Fulham depleted and ended the game as a contest.

The scoring wasn't over though as Luis Suarez scored a well deserved goal for his man of the match performance.  Suarez was played in on goal from a great through ball from Johnjo Shelvey and the Uruguayan finished with great composure as he rounded Schwarzer and tapped the ball across the line. However, the goal of the match was Steve Sidwell's late consolation goal when his half volley flew into Pepe Reina's goal from 25-yards out.

Luis Suarez was undoubtedly the man of the match and his performance was so immense that he beat out hat-trick hero Maxi Rodriguez. Suarez never stopped running as he continued to run at defenders and make them uncomfortable time and time again.

After the match, Kenny said Suarez is playing beyond the clubs wildest dreams,

"He was fantastic. He was running as hard at the end as he was at the beginning. He was causing them all sorts of problems."

"He's really settled in and that's a credit to him and his family. They've settled into the area, settled into the football and I don't think in our wildest dreams we thought he'd settle in so quickly and take to English football like he has done."

Liverpool will now look to this weekend as they take on Tottenham at Anfield. The winner looks likely to take 5th spot but with Manchester City losing this weekend both clubs still have a chance at the final Champions League place. It's unlikely but then again, this is football, and anything can happen.

LIVE COMMENTARY: Fulham 2 - 5 Liverpool

Match Report to follow but Liverpool now move above Spurs once again for 5th place who will play next weekend at Anfield. Liverpool have been brilliant tonight as Kenny Dalglish has his team playing some wonderful football.

Full-time whistle blows as Liverpool run out emphatic winners 5-2 on the back of some memorizing play from Suarez and clinical finishing by Maxi Rodriguez

90+ - AMAZING play from Suarez once again as he plays the ball around the defender one side and crosses the ball to Kuyt who's effort is blocked on the line by Aaron Hughes.

90+ - Fulham play some nice passes around Liverpool's area but it is collected by Reina and Liverpool break again through Suarez

90+ - Liverpool look to play the game out as they keep possession

4 minutes of stoppage time will be added

89 - Suarez is fouled and plays a quick free kick to Shelvey. His shot is saved well for a corner. The corner is then played in and cleared off the line after Spearing's shot.

87 - Free kick played in by Joe Cole which is cleared but Liverpool maintain possession. Shelvey's cross finds it's way into the keepers hands safely.

86 - GOAL! - Steve Sidwell hits the ball on the half-volley as it flies into the top corner and gives Reina no chance. Surely won't affect the out come but what a game!

84 - Bobby Zamora challenges in the air against Pepe Reina who goes down hurt

Joe Cole is now coming on for hat-trick hero Maxi Rodriguez who goes off to a standing ovation from the away supporters

81 -  Fulham try to regain their composure as they play the ball around in the midfield and have now won a corner

Liverpool are putting in a great performance without arguably their best player Steven Gerrard.

79 - Liverpool are keeping possession as Suarez is played in behind once again who takes the shot but it sails over. He could of perhaps played it across to someone in a better position

Fulham make a change as Kakuta comes on for the goal scorer Dembele

76 - GOAL! - Suarez is played in by Shelvey who rounds the keeper and plays a simple tap in to score Liverpool's 5th. What a game for Liverpool, such an unexpected result

74 - A late challenge from Sidwell catches Lucas that leaves him in some pain. The Fulham midfielder is given a yellow card

73 - Fulham look shocked as the Liverpool fans are filling the ground with songs for the hat-trick hero Maxi Rodriguez

71 - GOAL! - Maxi hits an absolute screamer into the top corner for his second hat-trick in 3 games. WHAT A HIT! That surely kills the game as a contest

70 - The corner is a poor one as it is cleared and Fulham try to break but is broken up by the Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher

69 - Suarez spins away from Hangeland and wins a corner off the Fulham defender

Andy Johnson comes on for Gudjohnsen as Mark Hughes looks to be going for it

66 - Skrtel is booked after fouling Bobby Zamora on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick is then hit straight into the wall by Zamora

65 - Decent cross by Johnson but its just to high for the 3 Liverpool players in the box

64 - Liverpool try to keep some possession. They might need another goal to make sure of the 3 points

63 - Bobby Zamora has made an impact as he now wins a corner which is once again cleared off the line. Liverpool look second best now

61 - Salcido is now into the referee's book after earning a yellow card for a foul on Suarez

Interesting fact for this weekend, all Premier League teams have scored as no team have managed to keep a clean sheet.

60 - Fulham are still threatening as they have a free kick punched away by Pepe Reina

57 - GOAL! - Fulham get back into the game through Dembele who slots the ball into the far bottom corner from just inside the box

57 - Shelvey's free kick is poor and now Fulham push out of defense.

56 - Kuyt wins a free kick down near the right corner flag

55 - Johnson is played down the right side who puts in a poor cross as he slips and Liverpool win a throw-in

54 - Liverpool finally get a hold of the ball as they play a string of passes together in the midfield.

53 - Fulham are dominating the possession so far in the second half as Liverpool are trying to get a hold of the ball. Suarez wins a free kick off Hangeland as he continues to cause him problems

52 - Gudjohnsen has a shot that goes wide. Fulham are continuing their strong start to the second half

51 - Fulham win a throw-in deep into Liverpool territory but Liverpool win it back and push out

49 -  Fulham's free kick causes problems for the Liverpool defense and then Dempsey has a shot that sails over the bar. Better start by Fulham, just what they needed

Meireles looks like he pulled his hamstring as he comes off and makes way for Johnjo Shelvey.

47 - Fulham try to get a foothold in the possession stats as they win a free kick

46 -  Liverpool kick off

Fulham bring on Bobby Zamora as they look to pull some goals back

The story of the first half has to be Liverpool's great movement and passing. It has caused Fulham so many problems as Luis Suarez has terrorized them all evening. Fulham have to come out and put on a show for their fans as they have been pretty poor. Liverpool look to be cruising to 5th place.

The half-time whistle puts Fulham out of their misery for the time being

45+ - Once again great movement by Liverpool down the right side but Kuyt's pass is over hit and goes out for a goal kick

45+ - Dempsey earns himself a yellow after he loses the ball and takes out Spearing out of frustration

45 - Free header from Steve Sidwell but it is straight at Reina. There will be 3 minutes of stoppage time.

44 - Liverpool have a prolonged spell of possession that is broken up by a Fulham throw-in. Dempsey then has a shot from 25 yards out but goes wide of the post

41 - Fulham can't deal with Reina's long kicks as it once again causes problems for their defense. Suarez has a shot but its a comfortable one for the keeper


39 - Lucas has another shot as it falls to Kuyt who plays it into the box only to be cleared.

38 - Suarez is in the penalty area once again but his shot is blocked for a Liverpool corner. The corner is cleared pretty comfortably by Fulham

36 - Another corner from Fulham causes Liverpool some problems as it is cleared by Johnson for a throw-in

36 - Misplaced pass in midfield Meireles and Fulham break to win a corner

35- Fulham wins a corner and Dempsey hits it on the volley but it is cleared off the line by Johnson. The first sign of life by Fulham in this match

33 - Fulham tries to make something happen down the right side but in the end its poor and the ball goes out for a goal kick

31 - Everyone is trying to get in on the act now. Great play from Suarez once again and crossed in to Maxi. The ball fell to Lucas who sends a speculative effort over the bar

29 - Fulham win a throw-in down in the corner and plays in a nice cross that is cleared by Johnson

Harry Redknapp, Tottenham boss, is in the stands tonight. Most likely scouting Liverpool and he can expect the same. Harry should worry.

26 - Young fullback, Flanagan, found himself in the box played in by Maxi but the bounce takes it out of play.

25 - Suarez once again gets past the defender easily and is fouled.

24 - Great movement by Liverpool again and it looks to easy for them. Suarez crosses the ball to Maxi who can not connect properly and sails over the ball. Fulham can't handle it

23 - Suarez gets around Hangeland and finds himself on the by-line but goes for glory and blasts the ball across goal

22 - Another spell of possession for Fulham in the midfield is broken up by Liverpool once again.

21 - Murphy looks for Dempsey but cleared by Carragher

19 - Its all Liverpool at the moment as Fulham can not get a foothold in the game

16 - GOAL! - An absolute howler from Mark Schwarzer as Kuyt's shot rolls under the goal keeper. 3-0 in 16 minutes and it looks game over already


15 - Good work by Fulham who crosses it in but Dembele has his shot blocked but on the other end Suarez looks for a penalty after what looks like a push

14 - Fulham enjoy some possession for the first time in the match

12 - Skrtel is down on he ground with what looks to be an elbow to his face

11 - Nothing doing from the corner but Liverpool have another won by Suarez

9 - Liverpool win a corner after some more great play down the wing.

Fulham's defending has been shocking to start with. This will be difficult to over come after their poor start.

7 -  GOAL! - Maxi can not stop scoring. Great work down the right wing as Glen Johnson crosses the ball to the back post and Maxi hammers it in on the volley.

5 - Liverpool win a corner, play it short and Jay Spearing has a shot at goal but saved comfortably.

4 - The game is definitely lively to start off with. Liverpool fans already voicing themselves around the ground.

2 - Danny Murphy see's yellow after a poor challenge on Lucas in the midfield.

1 - GOAL! - Suarez crosses the ball but takes a deflection. Not cleared and Maxi is there to tap the ball in for a wonderful start for Liverpool.

Fulham play hosts to Liverpool at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool will look to go 5th with a win while Fulham look to keep their formidable home record.

Link to game LIVE

WAG of the day!

Elena Bonzanni

 

Elena Bonzanni is an Italian TV presenter and model. When she's not out modelling you can find her cheering on her boyfriend Valon Behrami who plays for Italian Serie A team, Fiorentina. I'm sure she helped ease the pain when he was stuck playing with West Ham a few months ago. Behrami also happens to be nicknamed the Swedish David Beckham, I don't know who would want that nickname though. One thing is certain, I don't think I would be able to have clear thoughts if I was around her.

For more images click here

Carragher set to move into second in Liverpool's appearance list

Tonight Jamie Carragher will look to move into second, behind Ian Callaghan, in Liverpool's all time appearance list for the club.

It will be Carragher's 666th appearance for a club when he takes his place at the heart of Liverpool's defense. He will be captaining the side in the absence of Steven Gerrard and will look to celebrate with a victory and all three points.

Carragher is moving past Liverpool legends Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence for sole possession of second spot but it is very unlikely Carragher can catch Ian Callaghan's record 857 appearances for the club. Carragher, who has one year renaming on his contract, will be looking to take up a coaching role at the club when he retires. 

Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, still believes Carragher has a lot to offer,

“It is a great accolade for him to be the second in the table for most appearances as a Liverpool player. He has been here a while and hopefully he will be here for a lot longer." said the Liverpool manager.

“I am sure he has one or two miles left in him yet.”

Liverpool play Fulham tonight at Craven Cottage in an 8 o'clock kick off.

Dalglish is expected to be named permanant manager

Kenny Dalglish is set to be confirmed as the permanent manager of Liverpool FC by the end of this month. Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, have said they will wait til the end of the season to make any decisions about the manager position, a decision they have stuck by.

Four years seems to be the expected contract length. Since Kenny has taken over Liverpool in January, the club has been on a great run of form. Over the 13 games he has been in charge, Liverpool has averaged 2.23 points per game which is only second to Chelsea's 2.46 points per game.

WAG of the day!

Abi Titmuss

Abi is a former nurse (she could nurse me back to health any day) turned glamor model, and its not hard to see why. With Titmuss as her last name she could of perused other professions if you know what I mean. Abi dated former footballer, and Manchester United man, Lee Sharpe after they met on the reality show "Celebrity Love Island". It didn't last long as most of these relationships tend not too. She has been featured in a number of magazines such as: Nuts, Zoo Weekly and Maxim. She has also hosted a few television series and appeared in a number of movies including Goal!2. 

For more images click here (there well worth a look)

Premier League results for Sunday, May 8th

Sunday brought a lot of action as Arsenal fell to an abysmal 3-1 defeat to Stoke City, Manchester United all but secured their 19th league title and Wolves took a giant step towards safety.


Wolves 3 - 1 West Brom:
     Wolves gained a massive 3 points in the relegation battle as they secured the win at home against West Brom. Steven Fletcher was the hero for Wolves as he scored two massive goals to give his side a pretty comfortable victory. West Brom managed to pull one back on the hour mark through their inform striker, Peter Odemwingie, who scored from the penalty spot. West Brom had chances to make the game more interesting but in the end Wolves did enough to hold onto the three points and move outside the relegation zone.


Stoke City 3 - 1 Arsenal:
     Stoke gave no indications that they had their minds set on the FA Cup Final with a great win over Arsenal. Arsenal dominated the possession but it was Stoke who had the clinical touch in front of goal as they went 2-0 up before half-time. Goals from Kenwyen Jones and the former Arsenal and Liverpool man, Jermaine Pennant gave Arsenal a mountain to climb. Arsenal did make it interesting at the end though as they pulled one back through Van Persie just 10 minutes from time. Stoke didn't panic though as they went up field just after the restart and made sure of the points through Walters. It was a pretty lack luster performance from Arsenal as their poor form since March continues. Stoke will now look to push on and upset Manchester City in the cup final this Saturday.


Manchester 2 - 1 Chelsea:
     Manchester United moved to within one point of their 19th league title with a very important 2-1 win over Chelsea. United didn't have to wait long to find themselves ahead, just 40 seconds into the match Hernandez found himself one-on-one with Cech and the Mexican didn't disappoint as he finished well. Soon United doubled their lead after Vidic headed in from a short corner from Giggs. Lampard gave the away side some hope as he scored with 20 minutes left but it wasn't enough as United ran out the winners. The league is surely wrapped up with United 6 points ahead and only 2 games left to play.