Arsenal Vs Liverpool- Squad Sheet

Starting XI- Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Lucas, Spearing, Kuyt, Meireles, Suarez, Carroll

Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Shelvey, Ngog, Maxi, Robinson

Xabi Alonso: My toughts with victims and families of Hillsbrough. JFT96

Leighton Baines linked with Liverpool move

Everton defender Leighton Baines is a shock transfer target for Liverpool reports the News of the World.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish is in the market for a new left-back, and is said to be planning an audacious £10 million swoop for their Merseyside rivals starlet.

The-26- year-old England international has impressed with his attacking play and set-pieces this season, and has been credited with 11 assists in the Barclays Premier League.

According to the Metro, Liverpool Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli has identified Baines as the man to plug the defensive gap as well as provide the crosses to get the best out of Anfield’s new £35million striker Andy Carroll.  

Everton would be reluctant to sell one of their best players to their local rivals for fear of a backlash from their fans, but the club’s precarious financial position means they may have to give serious consideration to a Liverpool bid.

Having deemed Paul Konchesky surplus to requirements at Anfield, Dalglish has employed Glenn Johnson out of position on the left side of defence, but Liverpool have made King Kenny’s problem position the number one priority to fill when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Reds owners NESV have backed their manager in the transfer market so far, as they bid to return the club to its previous fortunes, and they look set for another busy spending spree in June.

Liverpool have been linked with a whole host of left-sided replacements, with Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique perhaps thought to be the favourite –but the Spaniard looks set to stay at St James’ Park meaning the attention now turns to Everton and Baines to orchestrate a move at the end of the season.

Andy Carroll named in England squad

Glen Johnson and Andy Carroll are Liverpool's representatives in Fabio Capello's latest England squad.

The Three Lions are due to play Wales next weekend in a European Championships qualifier - and they've also lined up a friendly with Ghana.

Carroll has just returned from a lengthy thigh injury and Kenny Dalglish has urged Capello to be cautious with the 22- year-old as he continues to regain full fitness.

The full England squad is: Ben Foster, Robert Green, Joe Hart; Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker; Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Matthew Jarvis, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young; Darren Bent, Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney.

Clarke on Carra, form and systems.

After four straight wins we caught up with First team coach Steve Clarke who tells us why the players deserve a special mention for their hard work.

Clarke talks about the recent change of system, the form of Glen Johnson, the welcome return of Jamie Carragher and why Joe Cole could still play a big part at Anfield this season.

Well Steve I guess Melwood must be a pretty happy place at the moment especially after Sunday's fantastic victory?

It was a good win for us and it keeps the momentum going. We are in a good moment and the longer we can keep that good moment going the better.

You got a great welcome as well before the game - that was a nice touch by Chelsea...

I had some fantastic times at Chelsea both as a player and as a coach so it's always nice when you go back and get that kind of reception. It shows that your work there was appreciated and I'm always grateful for the reception I get when I go back there.

What pleased you, Kenny and Sammy most about the performance on Sunday?

I think the confidence the players showed and the resilience. It's a difficult place to go and get a result. We handled it very well and I thought we played some good stuff and created the better chances. If you look at the match statistics I think Chelsea only had two shots on target in 90 minutes which is very unusual for them in a home game.

Four clean sheets in a row now, how pleasing has that been?

Your success is always based on how you defend. If you defend well as a team and don't concede goals then you will always give yourself a chance to win the game. I know it sounds like an old cliché and it's really simple but the basis of any good team is built on a strong defence. It has been good for us in the last few games not to have let any goals in. It's good for Pepe, it's good for the confidence of everybody and hopefully we can continue that.

Jamie Carragher has been out since November but you wouldn't have thought it with that display would you?

When you put a player like Jamie back into your team you know what you are going to get. Obviously it was a big game and difficult for him because he's been out for so long but you knew the occasion, the adrenaline of the game would get Jamie through it. His experience and his quality told.

In the last three games you have gone with three at the back using two wing backs, and it has been very effective hasn't it?

It has and it's something we wanted to do against Stoke to get another big player in the team to nullify their threat in the air, and it worked very well. We decided to go again with it on Sunday and it worked really well again, so it's good when you have got two or three different systems that you can play. If your players are adaptable and can fit into any system then it's obviously great going forward.

Is this system something you could continue with?

Yes and we will look at it game by game. You have to look at the opposition and you have to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. It's good for us because it means we can be more flexible and it means we are not as easy to read for the opposition. We can change the system to suit how we want to play so it's good to have different systems.

How rewarding is that for you as coaching staff when you see the hard work on the training ground come to fruition where it matters on a match day?

It's good for the manager and the coaching staff when you are getting results. It's good when you've changed the formation a bit and you win. Most of the credit has to go to the players. They are the people that go on the pitch and they have to put that into practice and they've done that very well recently.

Have you been impressed by the players work on the training ground?

I have been impressed with their attitude since I first came to the club. Even at the start when it was more difficult to get a result and we didn't get the result we wanted, on the training ground you could see the players were working and they were hungry. They wanted to take on board what we trying to tell them and hopefully the recent results are a reflection on how they have trained.

How much are you enjoying working alongside Kenny and Sammy?

It has been great. I've been here about four weeks now and it feels a lot longer than that because there has been a lot of games and a lot of training sessions. It's great to be involved again. I had a long time out of the game and every day is a pleasure.

How important it is to continue the good run against Wigan on Saturday?

It's very important. The club when we came here were in a false position and not a good position. It was important to put that right and get us as high up the league as possible. The only way you do that is by winning games. We have shown that when you string together a good couple of wins then you quickly go up the table. We are in a better position now but we are certainly not in a position that Liverpool Football Club should be at. We want to be higher.

Wigan are in the bottom three and fighting for their lives - does that make them a dangerous opponent?

I think you only have to look at recent results in the Barclays Premier League to know that everybody is dangerous. The top team went to the bottom team last weekend and lost. That shows you that anybody can beat anybody else in the league. We have to be on our guard but we also have to be confident and sure of ourselves and think we are looking like a good side again. We want to continue that and pick up another three points and keep looking at the teams above us.

You went with Kenny and Sammy to watch the reserves beat Tranmere Rovers 4-0 in a friendly yesterday - was that a good exercise for the squad players?

It was a lovely morning and we had three or four players who haven't played recently and needed a game. For them it was a good exercise and for myself it was good because I don't know a lot of the younger players so I could go and see what is coming through.

A player you know very well Glen Johnson has switched positions to play on the left but he has been terrific hasn't he?

Glen is a quality player and a top international for England. You don't become an international regular for England if you are not a good player. I worked with Glen at Chelsea and he is always a pleasure to work with. I think he has been re-energised with the change and he has switched to the left and proved he can play just as well there as he can on the right. It's always good to have adaptable players and when you have people like that who do well for you every week no matter what position they are in then it's a great position for the manager and the coaching staff.

How is Joe Cole after missing the last two games with a knee injury?

He's working again on the training pitch. He's not joined in with the group yet but he is on his way back and hopefully before the end of the season we will get a glimpse of the real Joe Cole. If Joe can get himself fit and focused on the pitch then he will certainly be a big asset to this squad.

Eight of your players are on international duty this week, is it a case of you all keeping your fingers crossed hoping they come back unscathed for Saturday?

It's not ideal having the international friendlies at a time when you want all of your players together, and especially when you are on a good run. We are hoping the international break doesn't break the momentum a little bit because we have players going to different parts of the world and we hope they will come back fit and healthy. We will have a head count on Thursday and probably the only real preparation session for the game will be on Friday, but I'm sure the lads will be ready for Saturday.

For young lads like Danny Wilson who has been called up again by Scotland it's a good opportunity for him isn't it?

It's a fantastic honour to get picked by your country especially for somebody like Danny who hasn't had too many games here. He has shown a terrific attitude in training and he is a really valuable member of the squad. It's nice for him to get that little reward and hopefully he will get a game.

Are you hopeful the likes of Steven Gerrard and Martin Kelly will be available for Wigan on Saturday?

We hope so but if not we have got other players in the squad that can come in and do a similar job.

Liverpool Starting 11: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Meireles, Kuyt

Substitutes: Gulacsi, Aurelio, Suarez, Jovanovic, Ngog, Kyrgiakos, Poulsen

Suarez quality excites Kenny Dalglish.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish revealed new striker Luis Suarez had not even trained with his team-mates before scoring in the 2-0 win over Stoke.
"He had not even had the opportunity to train with us because of administrative stuff which had to be sorted out, "said the Reds boss.
"When he starts training with the lads I think we might see an improvement. "He has a big smile on his face every day. He's a happy and a good guy. It is a great start to score on your debut."
Dalglish added: "He worked hard and him and Dirk Kuyt linked up well a couple of times.
The £22.7 m signing from Ajax scored after he rounded keeper Asmir Begovic and unleashed a shot which was diverted by defender Andy Wilkinson against the post and into the goal.
Suarez's goal 16 minutes after coming on as a substitute -in addition to Raul Meireles's opener -helped lift the gloom at Liverpool following the departure of forward Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50 m. Torres handed in a written transfer request last week to rock the Merseysiders, who brought in Suarez and £35M striker Andy Carroll as his replacements ahead of the January transfer window's closure on Monday.
"It has been a busy week and we've been in the newspapers more than we would have liked to have been," added Dalglish. "It is great credit to the players that they have not let it get to them and they've gone out and been magnificent.
"The supporters realise that there is a great group here who want to compete for everything and get as much as we can from every game. "The clean sheet against Stoke was Liverpool's third on the trot and came after Dalglish started with a three-man central defence of Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger to try to nullify the visitors' threat.
"They [Stoke] are a difficult team to play against -you have to compete against them first and then you have to get your own going", said the Scot.
"Soto [Kyrgiakos] was brilliant for us. His presence and the way he commanded nearly everything which came in the box was great and when we were under pressure he was there as well. "Three clean sheets is always a bonus and a help.
"Stoke manager Tony Pulis conceded his team were beaten by a superior side.
"Liverpool were the better team and created the better chances, "he said.
"We did okay for the first half but to concede just after half-time knocked us. But up until the second goal I thought we were in the game."

Martin Skrtel expected Fernando Torres to leave.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel says Fernando Torres' exit came as 'no surprise', but feels he could end up regretting his move to Chelsea.
The Spanish striking ace sent shockwaves through Anfield on transfer deadline day when he completed a £50 million move to Premier League rivals the Blues. The 26 year-old has penned a five and a half-year deal at Stamford Bridge and fired a parting jibe at Liverpool by expressing his delight at joining 'one of the biggest teams in Europe'.
But Skrtel, while admitting he saw Torres' departure coming, believes the former fans' favourite could lament leaving Merseyside in the future. "I expected it,"Skrtel told isport.blesk.cz .
"There had been plenty of talk for a long time before and when he was not training with us in the last two days, nor was he in the training centre, the speculation just seemed to come true.
"We all feel sorry because he's a player of world class ability but, to be honest, it was no surprise (to see him go). "I wish him all the best but do not wish any success to Chelsea. Maybe Fernando will regret making this step sometime in the future.
"Liverpool have recently enjoyed an encouraging run of results after a miserable start to the season, and Skrtel believes it was that period of turmoil that pushed Torres towards the door.
He said: "There were some hints of him leaving already in the summer when Chelsea claimed interest in him but he agreed with Liverpool on staying.
"However, this season has not been going according to our wishes and expectations and that convinced him that it is the right time to move elsewhere. This is how he explained it to us. "Torres is poised for his Chelsea debut against his former club at the Bridge on Sunday, and Skrtel is determined to keep his ex-colleague off the scoresheet.
"It will be different because so far I have been playing against him only in training," he added. "I hope he appears on the pitch and, since Chelsea wanted him so much, it is very likely that he will.
"I'm looking forward and firmly believe I won't let him score.
"While acknowledging Liverpool will miss the striker, Skrtel is confident new signings Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez can plug the gap left by the Spaniard.
"Such a player would be missed at every club, that's for sure, he said.
"On the other hand, we have captured Suarez and Carroll. "I believe these two will replace him and we will be at least as strong as we were with Nando."

Carroll: The first interview

After finishing his first session at Melwood and meeting his new teammates, Andy Carroll sat down with the club's official website to give his first interview as a Liverpool player

Welcome to Liverpool Football Club, how does it feel to be here?

It's just a great feeling. Liverpool is a massive club and it's nice to be wanted by a club like this, never mind turning up and being here with everyone around.

How did you feel when you first heard of Liverpool's interest?

I was a bit surprised and didn't really know what was going on at the time. When I knew it was real and that there was a chance for me to come here I knew it was a great opportunity and I had to take it.

Everything has happened so quickly - has it sunk in yet?

A little bit! Everyone I grew up with is still in Newcastle but as soon as things settle down a bit I'm sure it'll be better.

How did it feel this morning to wake up as Liverpool's new No.9?

It's a great feeling. The No.9 is a big number and the one I wanted. To get it at Liverpool is a great feeling.

It is an iconic shirt at Liverpool with the likes of Rush, Fowler and Torres having worn it - how proud are you to now be following in their footsteps?

That's what I'm hoping for. I want to go out there and play the football that has brought me here. I want to score goals, set up goals and carry on playing football

How much are you looking forward to working with Kenny Dalglish?

That's really exciting. He's a great man, a great manager and I'm looking forward to getting started. He has told me to settle myself in, get fit and get ready to start playing.

We know you're close friends with Kevin Nolan who is a big Liverpool fan - what has he said to you about this club?

I have spoken to him. He is over the moon, really delighted for me. He said it's a big chance for me to go out there and show what I can do with Liverpool, and that's what I'm going to do.

How big an opportunity is this for you at such an early stage in your career?

It's massive. Liverpool is a big club which is going places and this is a chance to show what I can do. What I did at Newcastle has got me here and now I have to carry it on with Liverpool.

You're not the only new signing at the club - how much are you looking forward to linking up with Luis Suarez?

It's going to be great to partner with him. He's a great player but I'm looking forward to playing with all the lads. There are some great players here and I just hope I can fit in well.

You've had a great season at Newcastle - how confident are you that you'll score the goals to take Liverpool forward in the way we all want?

Goals have always been in my game so I'm very confident I can score for Liverpool. I'll bring as much as I can to the team, I'll score goals, create chances, hold up the ball and just try my best really.

How much are you looking forward to making your Liverpool debut?

I can't wait. I just need to get myself fit and then look forward to my debut. I'm just working in the gym at the moment and hopefully will start running soon. I just want to get started.

This is clearly the start of a new era at Liverpool under new ownership - how excited are you at the prospect of being an integral part of it?

It's a great feeling. Everyone has put their faith in me and it's nice to have come to a club that has welcomed me like this.

And, finally, what would your message be to Liverpool fans today?

They have spent a lot of money on getting me here and I just want to repay them for what they have spent. I'll do my best and think I can do it. I want to win trophies with this club and help push us forward.

God made man and then rested. He also made Earth and then rested. And then he made woman, since then no one rested. :P