Liverpool Eye Up Stephen Ireland

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.

YNWA

Adebayor Is A Possibility

Several media sources have revealed that Liverpool have made an enquiry to Manchester City for Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togolese star is one of a number of City players who have been linked with a move this January.

The former Arsenal striker is far from being first choice under Roberto Mancini and the imminent arrival of Edin Dzeko will push him further down the pecking order.

Now a host of clubs are making contact with City to register their interest in taking the 26-year-old.

And skysports.com understands that Liverpool are the latest club to express an interest.

However, they are not the only club looking at Adebayor, with Tottenham, West Ham and even Real Madrid linked with a move.

Liverpool would currently only be in the market to take Adebayor on loan given his wages and possible fee, with City unlikely to accept a cut-price deal for a player they paid over £25million for just 18 months ago.

But should City allow him to move on loan, then the Anfield club would hope to be in pole position to land him.

YNWA

Video: Eljero Elia In Action

It is looking increasingly likely that Eljero Elia will be our first signing of 2011, so we have found a video of him in action for your viewing, enjoy!

YNWA

Cole Talks To LFC

Joe Cole believes a united front will be key to Liverpool building on their Bolton Wanderers victory and ascending the Barclays Premier League over the coming weeks.

The winger came off the bench to strike an injury-time winner in Saturday's 2-1 success over the Lancashire club.

With a trip to Blackburn next up on Wednesday, Cole has called for the Reds pick up where they left off against Bolton.

"We are all behind the manager. We all want to put this club in the right direction and keep working hard," he said.

"We are out there playing for the shirt and the manager. We have all got to stick together because there is no-one bigger than the club.

"It is not just the newspapers, none of us like losing and getting criticised but half the battle of modern day football is dealing with pressure.

"We are pleased for the fans, the owners and the manager but we have all got to stick together and kick on from here, it can't be a false dawn."

Liverpool vs Bolton Highlights

Please see and enjoy the highlights from yesterdays home game against Bolton, Enjoy!



YNWA

Last Gasp Goal Seals 3 Points For Liverpool

Joe Cole came off the bench to snatch a last-gasp winner as Liverpool got 2011 off to a winning start with a 2-1 success against Bolton on New Year's Day.

The No.10 was on hand to guide in Maxi Rodriguez's knock down after Fernando Torres's volley had cancelled out Kevin Davies's first-half opener.

It means the Reds are now up to ninth place in the table, nine points adrift of Chelsea who lie fifth.


The home side had gone into the encounter with a determination to get the disappointment of Wednesday's defeat against Wolves out of their system.

Torres celebrates equalising goal

With this in mind, Hodgson opted to make three changes to the side that was undone by Mick McCarthy's men, with Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and Maxi Rodriguez restored to the line-up. Steven Gerrard was a surprise absentee from the starting XI, with fatigue cited as the reason for him dropping to the bench.

In the morning edition of the local Echo newspaper, Club Ambassador, Kenny Dalglish called for everyone connected to Liverpool Football Club to pull together and focus on the matter in hand - claiming three points.

The Anfield faithful would have arrived at their seats expecting a response from their team but it was a cagey opening with both sides tentative in their approach play.

In fact, there was little to shout about in the first 20 minutes other than when Martin Skrtel flicked a right-wing free-kick a few yards off target and Matt Taylor cleared a Maxi volley from under his own crossbar.

With the tempo slowing and passes going astray there was a clear need for some inspiration and the sight of Gerrard taking to the field in place of the injured Raul Meireles seemed to lift the spirits of the crowd.

However, it was the visitors who had the next effort of note when Taylor fizzed a low free-kick into the near post side netting.

Zat Knight then guided Johan Elmander's cross just off target before Maxi saw his looping header clip the top of the crossbar after a deep centre from Dirk Kuyt.

There were signs that Liverpool were beginning to get on top but when Fabio Aurelio gave away a 43rd minute free-kick on the far touchline, an air of anxiety gripped Anfield.

Taylor stepped up and whipped a devilish ball into the danger zone, allowing Davies the chance to thump a free header into the Kop end net.

It was a huge blow for the Reds but they should have been level on the stroke of half-time when Lucas Leiva contrived to stab wide from inside the six yard box after a teasing cross from Kuyt.

There was much to mull over for Hodgson and his backroom staff but whatever was said in the changing room must have done the trick as they were level inside of four minutes of the restart.

A neat move down the right ended with Gerrard clipping a beautifully timed pass towards Torres who eased off his marker to dispatch a powerful volley high into the net.

The roar that echoed around L4 helped to galvanise those in red and just three minutes later they were almost ahead when Torres cut in from the left and curled a vicious shot inches wide of Jaaskelainen's far post.

The momentum was now with the hosts and the Trotters stopper was forced to deny both Maxi and Gerrard on the rebound before the visitors survived a penalty shout when the ball ricocheted back onto Mark Davies's arm.

Bolton could do little to quell the flow of Reds pressure and Ngog was the next player to hold his head in frustration as his goalbound effort was blocked by a desperate defender.

As the game entered the final phase, Liverpool continued to probe and Torres came within a whisker of grabbing his second of the game when he fired Gerrard's pinpoint cross wide of the woodwork.

Mark Davies then provided Pepe Reina with a reminder that he was still involved in a game with a thunderbolt that seared straight at the Spaniard before Gerrard blasted over form the edge of the area.

A second goal would have been no more than the Reds deserved and they got it in stoppage time when Cole turned in Maxi's knock down from Gerrard's sublime cross.

Our next game is away at Blackburn at 20:00GMT on 5th January 2011, and as always you can watch the game on our Watch Liverpool page, http://www.facebookfootballleague.co.uk/watchliverpool.html, bookmark it for the future!

YNWA

Liverpool vs Bolton Lineup Released

The lineup for todays home game against Bolton has been released and is as follows:

Reina
Aurelio, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson
Rodriguez, Meireles, Lucas, Kuyt
Torres, Ngog

Liverpool are firm favourites for the clash, with William Hill offering the following odds:

Liverpool: 8/13 (1.61)
Draw: 11/4 (3.75)
Bolton: 9/2 (5.50)

Click here for a free £25 bet on the match

We are showing the match live and as always free of charge at the following address:
http://www.facebookfootballleague.co.uk/watchliverpool.html

Lets hope we can win this one!!

YNWA