Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth: Klopp's quest for a first win continues

Jurgen Klopp's quest for a first win in charge of Liverpool continues on Wednesday as AFC Bournemouth travel to Anfield in the League Cup fourth round.

Liverpool have drawn all three matches since Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers earlier this month, the latest a 1-1 draw with Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

That stalemate followed draws with Rubin Kazan in the Europa League and Tottenham in Klopp's first taste of English football.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp has called for patience as he tries to instil his values on the squad, whilst also looking to shake off the fear he believes engulfs the side every time things go against them.

Five games without a win in all competitions has seen frustrations emerge, but Klopp believes progress is being made - a view echoed by vice-captain James Milner.

"It will take time and we know that," Milner told the Liverpool Echo. "Getting his [Klopp's] ideas across, there are certain areas he wants us to change and do better, then other areas drop off, and it's getting it all together.

"It's disappointing but we have to keep working on what he wants us to do, keep applying that and the longer we are together, we can gel partnerships.

"We have a very talented group of players, young and experienced, it's there for us, we just have to build bit by bit and I'm sure we will get that."

Facing a Bournemouth side bereft of confidence could be the perfect chance for Liverpool to get back to winning ways. Eddie Howe's side visit Merseyside on the back of successive 5-1 defeats to Manchester City and Tottenham.

However, midfielder Marc Pugh is confident Bournemouth can bounce back at Anfield.

"I think we have to look at the positives," he told the club's official website. "We've got be brave and show the character that got us promotion last season.

"We've got to bounce back, show positivity and we have a massive game next week now - we have Liverpool to come and Southampton. 

"We've got character in the dressing room to deal with the bad run we've got at the moment. We've got to show belief and courage now."

Bournemouth are making their second trip to Anfield this season after losing 1-0 in the league in August, with a controversial Christian Benteke strike settling the match after Tommy Elphick had an early header ruled out.

Liverpool in shock as midfield star agrees surprise deal to join ex Man U boss

Asier Illarramendi will leave Real madrid to join former united boss David Moyes at Real Sociedad, according to reports.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Spanish Midfielder for a £15million deal.

The 25-year-old left his boyhood club for the Bernabeu in a deal worth around £23m in 2013. He has made 59 appearances but appears to be out of favour with new manager Rafa Benitez.

And Real Sociedad boss Moyes could be ready to set up emotional reunion, while doing this old club United a favour at the same time.

Moyes was a resounding flop at old trafford but might well have a dealth a blow to one of premier league side concluding a deal.

Liverpool seals Benteke deal

Liverpool have finally sealed the signing of forward Christian Benteke from Aston Villa after a lengthy pursuit of the Belgium international.

The 24-year-old has agreed a "long-term contract" at Anfield after impressing with Villa, where he scored 49 goals in 101 appearances.

It is thought Benteke's release clause was £32.5 million, which would make him the second most expensive player in Liverpool's history after Andy Carroll.

"I came here to win trophies," Benteke told the club's official website. "I came here to reach some great goals with the team.

"I'm very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates."

It is the latest transfer in a busy window for manager Brendan Rodgers, who has already brought in the likes of James Milner, Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne.

The movement has not all been one way, though, and want-away England star Raheem Sterling completed a switch to Manchester City last week, while Liverpool will be without stalwart and club legend Steven Gerrard next season following his move to LA Galaxy.

Rodgers will be hoping to improve on a disappointing 2014-15 campaign that saw his side finish sixth in the Premier League, having been challenging for the title the season before.

Replacing Luis Suarez - now at Barcelona - has been the Northern Irishman's biggest problem, with Daniel Sturridge's injury problems adding to Liverpool's goalscoring difficulties last season.

In the 2013-14 season they scored 101 top-flight goals, but saw that figure plummet to just 52 last term. 

For Tim Sherwood's Villa it is another blow, albeit one that had been a long time coming, with midfielder Fabian Delph having already departed for Manchester City.

Raheem Sterling denies Liverpool sickie

Raheem Sterling has denied calling in sick for Liverpool training before his move to Manchester City.

Sterling, 20, last week completed a switch to the Etihad Stadium for a fee which could reportedly rise to £49million after an acrimonious departure from the Merseyside club.

The England international missed two days of training in his final week at the club, with suggestions he was trying to influence transfer talks.

But Sterling said it was a genuine illness – and the Liverpool doctor – that prevented him from training.

"Everyone thought I threw a sick note in. I was in training on the Tuesday - in the changing room my stomach started hurting. I still went out and trained though," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"That day I went home, and I told the doc I was ill. My stomach was rumbling and I had diarrhoea.

"The doctor just said to me you can't be around the other players. For the next 48 hours, I stayed at home.

"That's what the club doctor told me to do. When that 48 hours was done I came back to training as normal."

Liverpool ready to blow Tottenham out the water to sign 'Nigerian Ronaldo' this summer

LIVERPOOL are desperate to land Moses Simon - dubbed the Nigerian Ronaldo - according to reports in Turkey.

Simon, 19, plays for Belgian Jupiler Pro League side Gent.

The winger has two caps for Nigeria.

And according to the Metro Liverpool are set to beat Tottenham and Fenerbahce to his signature this summer.

Rodgers admitted this week he needed to add to his squad as they look to mount a challenge on the top four.

The Reds finished second last season but have dropped out of contention this year, currently sitting fifth seven points behind Manchester United, but have a game in hand. 

Liverpool have been dealt a blow for this season though with the announcement that Daniel Sturridge may miss the rest of the campaign

It has been difficult for Daniel,” said Brendan Rodgers. “Daniel is a good lad. He wants to play and he wants to be working and helping.

“It has been one of those seasons where he has been very unfortunate and just missed out. We are just going to have to monitor that day by day.

"When he has been fit he has been brilliant for the team. The key now is getting him back consistent and playing for the team.

We will see if that is going to be this season or pre-season.

“It is not am I tempted to leave him out? It is that he is not available.

"We will do what is in the best interests for him. We have to make sure Daniel is here for the next numbers of years, playing to the level we all know he can.”

I´m the best man for the job - Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists he is the best man to lead the club into next season, amid reports linking departing Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp with the role.

Rodgers' men saw their FA Cup hopes ended in a 2-1 semi-final defeat at Wembley last weekend, with Aston Villa turning the game around after Philippe Coutinho had put Liverpool ahead.

Liverpool are seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City and the last UEFA Champions League qualifying berth in the Premier League, with Klopp's decision to leave Dortmund at the end of the season thought to have aroused the interest of a number of clubs.

"When you are at a club like Liverpool, there will be lots of names mentioned," said Rodgers. "It goes with being at a big club.

"I don't think there's anyone better [than me to manage Liverpool]. I have a strong relationship with the owners.

"This is a club with ambition, that's why we have to strive to be the best. We want to be winners.

"I'm motivated to make sure we progress and make the next step."

Rodgers takes his side to West Brom on Saturday, with Liverpool having lost three of their last five matches.

Spanish midfielder Sergi Samper ‘ready to accept Liverpool transfer offer’

Sergi Samper is ready to accept a transfer to Liverpool as he prepares to leave Barcelona, according to reports.

Samper, who is rated as one of Barca’s most exciting young talents, has been unable to force himself into the first-team squad this season.

And with a future in the B team not looking appealing, reports in Spain say Samper is looking to leave, and Liverpool are in pole position to get their man.

Arsenal are also keen on the cultured central midfielder, but Samper is said to be about to accept Liverpool’s offer.

Suarez: It was great to be back at Anfield

Luis Suarez admitted he had missed playing in front of the Anfield crowd after making a return to his former home for the All-Star charity game on Sunday afternoon. Liverpoolfc.com reports

The Uruguayan, who left Liverpool in July last year after netting 82 goals in 133 games for the club, took to the field as a half-time substitute in the special showpiece match.

Accompanied by Fernando Torres, the forward led the line for Steven Gerrard's side as they battled to draw level with Jamie Carragher's team in front of the Kop.

Mario Balotelli and Didier Drogba both hit the back of the net in the first half, before Gerrard pulled one back prior to the interval - and, with the help of Suarez, the skipper was able to fire an equaliser in the game.

Asked if he had missed the Anfield atmosphere, Suarez told Liverpoolfc.com: "Yes, of course, because it's unbelievable, it's amazing for me.

"Everyone who's played for Liverpool knows how important the supporters are. Now they know they are in my heart.

"It's always nice, not just to come back to Anfield, but to come for a great game, for all the players, for the supporters, for the foundation and for Stevie - it was a special game."

Suarez and Torres linked throughout the second half as the Kop sung their names one after the other - and Suarez admitted afterwards it was special for him to play alongside the Spaniard.

"It was great for me," said the 28-year-old. "Four years ago when I arrived here for Liverpool, I crossed my fingers to play with Fernando and he left three days after I signed.

"Today was a great day for all the players, but for me and Fernando it was a great chance to play together."

Suarez was brought down inside the penalty area in front of the Kop in the 68th minute of the game after Carragher felled the tricky striker - and Gerrard scooped the ball before offering it to his former teammate.

"Steven asked me [about taking the penalty] because he's a great person," said Suarez. "He knows it's important when a player comes back after a few months to score a goal, but for me it is not important because the day is for him."

By way of final reflection on an emotional afternoon for the forward, there was just time for a last poser for the Uruguayan, who was asked if he would ever contemplate a return to Anfield.

"You never know [what will happen] in football, but if in the future I play in England again, I play with the Liverpool shirt on and not another shirt," was his response.

Suarez goalless on Anfield return, but Balotelli nets stunner

Luis Suarez was unable to get among the goals as he returned to Liverpool in a charity match pitting a Steven Gerrard XI against a side led by Jamie Carragher.

Mario Balotelli crashed a 25-yard stunner home before Didier Drogba rounded Brad Jones to put Carragher's side 2-0 up.

However, Gerrard netted from the spot in either half to secure a 2-2 draw.

Suarez was not the only former Anfield favourite to return, with Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso all turning out.

Liverpool fans among the sell-out Anfield crowd will have been pleased to see Jon Flanagan and Lucas Leiva get run-outs as they return to fitness.

Gerrard's XI : Brad Jones, Anthony Gerrard, Glen Johnson, John Terry, John Arne Riise, Kevin Nolan, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Ryan Babel, Thierry Henry, Jerome Sinclair. Substitutes: Scott Dann, Ashley Williams, Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres, Charlie Adam, Jay Spearing, Stephen Warnock, Joao Carlos Teixeira.

Carragher's XI : Pepe Reina, Jon Flanagan, Jamie Carragher, Alvaro Arbeloa, Martin Kelly, Harry Kewell, Stewart Downing, Lucas, Jonjo Shelvey, Didier Drogba, Mario Balotelli. Substitutes: Peter Gulacsi, Luis Garcia, Craig Noone, Alberto Moreno, Gael Clichy, Fabio Borini, Craig Bellamy.

Liverpool defender 'Skrtel' has been banned for three matches

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been given a three-match ban for stamping on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea in Sunday's Anfield clash.

In injury time of United's 2-1 Premier League victory, the Slovakia international - chasing a throughball - stood on the right leg of De Gea as the Spaniard gathered the ball.

No action was taken at the time by referee Martin Atkinson and, after the Football Association decided to sanction Skrtel retrospectively, he denied the charge.

However, the 30-year-old was served with a suspension on Wednesday.

An FA statement read: "Liverpool's Martin Skrtel will serve a three match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven."

The ban will see Skrtel miss league matches against Arsenal and Newcastle United, as well as the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn Rovers on April 8.

Skrtel will sit on the sidelines alongside Steven Gerrard, who was dismissed 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute for a similar foul on Ander Herrera, which was spotted by Atkinson.

Daniel Sturridge out of England squad

Daniel Sturridge has suffered another injury setback and will miss England's upcoming matches against Lithuania and Italy.

The Liverpool striker damaged his hip in Sunday's 2-1 Premier League defeat against Manchester United at Anfield and will play no part in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier with Lithuania at Wembley on Friday or next Tuesday's friendly in Rome.

A statement on the Football Association website said: "Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has left the England squad and returned home to his club on Monday evening.

"This follows a scan on an injury that he sustained during Liverpool’s game against Manchester United on Sunday.

"The England medical team took the decision on Monday evening having assessed Daniel following the squad's arrival at St. George's Park on Monday afternoon."

Sturridge scored against United and has been restricted to just 11 league appearances in 2014-15 due to a combination of calf and thigh issues.

The absence of Sturridge would appear to enhance Harry Kane's chances of making his first start at senior level for his country.

Sturridge's Liverpool team-mate Adam Lallana has also returned to Merseyside after being ruled out due to a groin injury, with Tottenham's uncapped midfielder Ryan Mason replacing him.

I calmed down Balotelli to prevent red card - Liverpool fan

Liverpool fan Shaun Leatherbarrow claimed credit for helping his side avoid going down to nine men in Sunday's Premier League loss to Manchester United on Sunday after he tried to calm down striker Mario Balotelli.

Having already seen captain Steven Gerrard dismissed just 38 seconds after his introduction at half-time, Liverpool were already pushed for manpower and eventually went on to lose 2-1 in what could be a telling result in the top-four race.

Nine minutes after Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back for the hosts at Anfield, Balotelli - already on a yellow card - and United defender Chris Smalling were involved in a tussle on the sideline.

Balotelli's momentum saw him end up alongside the advertising hoardings and right next to the front row seats.

And Leatherbarrow, sitting square in front of the action, said he felt it was his responsibility to calm the Italy international - to avoid seeing Liverpool go down to nine for the final 10 minutes. 

"The way I saw it, Smalling sort of shoved Mario off the pitch and Mario grabbed him just to have something to grab on to," the supporter told the Liverpool Echo.

"I could tell from Mario's body language he was ready to react and I knew he'd already had a yellow card.

"I was saying, 'Calm down, leave it, leave it', and he was saying, 'OK, OK'. I'm only five foot, eight inches and he's a big lad so I was struggling to get my arms around him.

"Peter, the lad who sits next to me at the ground, helped me and he's a police officer who sometimes works at Anfield on match days.

"Afterwards all the lads were laughing and patting me on the back as well as having a go at Smalling."

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard sorry for 38-second red card

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has apologised following his dismissal after 38 seconds in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United.

The 34-year-old, who is due to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season, came on as a half-time substitute and was sent off for stamping on Ander Herrera.

Gerrard is now set to miss three games.

"I need to accept it; the decision was right. I've let down my team-mates and the fans. I take full responsibility," Gerrard told Sky Sports.

"I don't know what caused it. Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle [by Herrera].

"I shouldn't say more about it really. I've just come out here to apologise to the dressing room and supporters."

Liverpool were already trailing 1-0 when Gerrard was dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson in what will be his final game against Manchester United.

After appearing for the second half, the captain put in a robust challenge on goalscorer Juan Mata, with Herrera responding with a firm tackle on Gerrard, for which the Manchester United midfielder was booked.

TV replays showed Gerrard reacted by stamping on Herrera as he lay on the ground and he was shown the sixth red card of his Premier League career.

                               Steven Gerrard shown red card after stamping on Herrera

"Steven probably watched the first half and saw us not make a tackle and there was probably some frustration in there. He has apologised, Brendan Rodgers told BBC Sport.

"He is a wonderful captain and came on hoping he could influence the game, but that was probably not the way he would have liked it.

"The players continued to fight to get something from the game and the man that Steven is, he has apologised, and we move on."

Having just returned from injury, Gerrard is now likely to miss FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn, and two of eight remaining 

Premier League games - at Arsenal and at home to Newcastle.

The former England captain announced in January he was leaving Anfield at the end of the season, after joining the Reds aged nine.

"From now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I will be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been and giving everything I have to help Liverpool win games," he said at the time.

Gerrard, who made his Liverpool debut in 1998, led the club to the Champions League title in 2005, and has won a further nine trophies in his career.

Top four is Liverpool's focus - Sturridge

Brendan Rodgers may have second place in the Premier League in his sights, but Daniel Sturridge says finishing in the top four is Liverpool's main priority.

Monday's victory over Swansea City stretched Liverpool's unbeaten run to 13 league matches, and led to manager Rodgers insisting that second-placed Manchester City - just four points above his team - could still be caught.

Sturridge has not given up hope of being runners-up once again either, but is focused primarily on UEFA Champions League qualification.

"It is important to secure fourth place and then from there look on," the England striker told Liverpool's official website.

"To finish in the top four is realistic for us, it's what we're aiming to do, and if we can get higher than that then perfect.

"But finishing in the top four is the objective and that's the most important thing for us. It's not about aiming for anything other than that now.

"If we can finish in the top four, then we can push on and challenge for the title again next season.

"I think top four is definitely possible for us."