Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool have a chance to make amends for one of the most frustrating performances of the season when they welcome Portsmouth to Anfield on Monday evening.
The Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park in December and Dalglish feels that game will serve as a reminder to the players that they will need to be on top of their game if they are to gain three points. Click to continue reading...

Lauri Dalla Valle was on the mark as Liverpool Reserves reached the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup after a 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at the Kirkby Academy on Wednesday afternoon.
The Finnish starlet was making his first start of the season for the second string and he netted after 42 minutes with an excellent finish from a seemingly impossible angle. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is under intense pressure at Anfield after the Reds lost 1-0 at the DW stadium thanks to a goal form Wigan Athletic forward Hugo Rodallega.
The future of Benitez has been called into question ever since Liverpool were knocked out the Champions League and were ruled out of the race for the Premier League crown. Click to continue reading...

Fernando Torres last night joined a select band of sportsmen as he retained the Liverpool Echo Sports Personality of the Year award.
At a glittering awards ceremony, held at the Crowne Plaza, Torres beat off competition from team-mate Steven Gerrard, Everton pair Louis Saha and Tim Howard, World Champion gymnast Beth Tweddle, St Helens prop forward James Graham and talented local youngsters Francesca Halsall and Katarina Thompson to lift the gong. Click to continue reading...

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Disclaimer: This isn't a Top Ten, just a selection of past and, in one case, current Liverpool players who I think are worthy of a mention for their World Cup finals record. Who have I missed?
Kevin Keegan: 1982 for England
Injuries and a poor qualifying record restricted him to just 26 minutes of World Cup finals football
Alan Hansen: 1982 for Scotland
Failed to dislodge an Aberdeen central defence partnership and made a right mess of one tackle against the USSR
Jan Molby: 1986 for Denmark
Part of the so-called Danish Dynamite Team which included Michael Laudrup
Graeme Souness: 1978, 1982 and 1986 for Scotland
A formidable opponent who usually raised Scotland's game by force of personality alone
John Barnes: 1986 and 1990 for England
Set up Gary Lineker against Argentina in 1986 and repeated the trick minutes later only to see the second chance cleared
Steven Gerrard: 2006 and 2010 for England
While he missed out in 2002 through injury, and failed to score from the spot in 2006, Gerrard may still end his World Cup career as England captain
Dietmar Hamann: 1998 and 2002 for Germany
This clever and much-respected German became only the second Liverpool player to take part in a World Cup Final
Kenny Dalglish: 1974, 1978 and 1982 for Scotland
Probably his country's greatest ever player, Dalglish's Liverpool – Scotland link was forever cemented by the headed goal at Anfield against Wales which secured a place at the 1978 World Cup (before anyone moans, I know this wasn't a World Cup finals match, but I had to put it in anyway)
Michael Owen: 1998, 2002 and 2006 for England
Fondly remembered for his breathtaking arrival on the World Cup scene in 1998, Owen went on to provide some hope against Brazil in 2002, succumbed to injury in 2006, and now looks extremely unlikely to play in 2010
Roger Hunt: 1962 and 1966 for England
Known to Liverpool fans as "Sir Roger", striker Hunt already had a formidable goal scoring record before the 1966 tournament. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has stated the Reds must forget about Xabi Alonso and stop blaming the Spaniard's sale for their failure to push for the title this season.
After finishing runners-up to Manchester United during 2008-09 many expected Rafael Benitez's men to challenge strongly for the title this time around. Click to continue reading...

By Clemente Lisi -- When former Houston Dynamo striker Paul Dalglish was named head coach of FC Tampa Bay last November, it marked the start of a new career path for the journeyman Scotsman with an enviable parental lineage. Indeed, the 32-year-old son of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is on a new mission to try and lead the Rowdies to the USSF Second Division title this year. Click to continue reading...

By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Feb 11, 2010) US Soccer Players -- When former Houston Dynamo striker Paul Dalglish was named head coach of FC Tampa Bay last November, it marked the start of a new career path for the journeyman Scotsman with an enviable parental lineage. Indeed, the 32-year-old son of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is on a new mission to try and lead the Rowdies to the USSF Second Division title. Click to continue reading...

Two men were jailed on Monday over a planned arson attack in which a military hand grenade was left outside football hero Kenny Dalglish's home.
The army bomb squad had to be called to the former Liverpool and Blackburn manager's house last July when undercover police scotched an attack on one of his neighbours. Click to continue reading...

1. Opposition
Once Premier League Champions, reduced to unsightly loiterers.
Under Kenny Dalglish, Blackburn Rovers acquired a fine team to win the championship in 1995 courtesy of the millions invested by Jack Walker in the likes of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton
This endeavour proved short-lived as the winning side was quickly dismantled and Blackburn were relegated a few years later. Click to continue reading...

Former Anfield star Peter Beardsley believes Liverpool should stick by under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez.
And he insists the Spanish boss, who has signed more than 100 players in his five years on Merseyside, is the best man for the job even if Liverpool do not finish in the top four at the end of the season. Click to continue reading...

According to ESPN, Inter coach Jose Mourinho will put his hand up to succeed Rafael Benitez at Liverpool - but only if the current owners relinquish control of the club.
Benitez's future at Anfield is more uncertain than ever following Wednesday's FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship strugglers Reading. Click to continue reading...

Bookies up and down the country are tipping former Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish or former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink to takeover from under pressure manager Rafa Benitez.
Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup last night at Anfield at the hands of Championship side Reading, which now sees the reds fighting for fourth place having been knocked out of the Champions League and League Cup. Click to continue reading...

Torres completed 50 goals in 72 matches, beating Albert Stubbins and Sam Raybould by eight games on the 29th of December.This was the goal..
Here's a list of the number of games it took other Liverpool legends to score their own collections of a half century of goals.
72 Fernando Torres
80 Sam Raybould
80 Albert Stubbins
81 Roger Hunt
82 Jack Parkinson
3 John Aldridge
84 Ian Rush
88 Robbie Fowler
90 Gordon Hodgson
98 Harry Chambers
98 Kenny Dalglish
98 Michael Owen
104 Joe Hewitt
105 Ian St John
111 John Barnes
114 Robert Robinson
116 John Toshack
121 David Johnson
125 Dick Forshaw
125 Tom Miller
129 Jimmy Melia
139 Jack Balmer
160 Berry Niewenhuys
162 Alf Hanson
167 Billy Liddell
175 Kevin Keegan
208 Jack Cox
221 Terry McDermott
269 Ray Kennedy
271 Arthur Goddard
280 Alan A'Court
281 Steven Gerrard
302 Steve Heighway
What makes Torres feat even more incredible is that there isn't a single penalty in those 50 goals.

Click to continue reading...

EPL Talk recently had the chance to interview one of the Liverpool legends, Jan Molby, when he was in New York City to attend an event sponsored by the Liverpool FC New York Supporters Club.

Jan Molby was a legend at Liverpool and played at the club from 1984 to 1996, making more than 211 appearances in the red and white.

Click to continue reading...

Liverpool are lining up Ian Rush for a shock return to the club as a striker coach.
Rush has held talks over the position he previously held under Gerard Houllier.
The Kop legend would work mainly at Liverpool's Academy as part of an ongoing strategy to encourage ex-players to work with youngsters, but he would also assist current stars such as Fernando Torres once a week. Click to continue reading...

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Fernando Torres, Roberto Mancini, Bolton Wanderers and the African Cup of Nations all feature in this week's review of the football world in the good, the bad and the ugly section of the podcast.

Click to continue reading...

Stuff that I found amusing while reading this week's Premiership football news. Bob Holmes in the Malaysia Sun gives some great takes on the Premier League. And I have added other links that will add weight to what Bob talks about.
IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO CITY
(1) We thought we'd seen the last of this one, but no. Click to continue reading...

The longer the season progresses, the harder it is to defend Rafael Benitez. Actually, the truth is that an increasing number of fans have given up and are starting to turn to writing lists on who his potential successors could be.
Among these there are the usual suspects - Guus Hiddink, Kenny Dalglish, Jose Mourinho - but a surprisingly number are also putting in the name of Roy Hodgson. Click to continue reading...

With just one week to go to the big day, we've got something to tax your brain cells over the festive season in the shape of SPAOTP's Big Advent Calendar Crossword!
All you need do is click on the grid below to expand it to it's full size, print it out, then fill it in with the answers that fit the clues we'll be giving you below - just like any normal crossword. Click to continue reading...

Kenny Dalglish insists Liverpool will not be under-estimating Unirea Urziceni after being pitted against the Romanians in the Europa League.
The Reds, like Unirea, dropped into the Europa League after failing to progress from the group stage of the Champions League.
Unirea finished third in Group G and picked up a memorable win over Rangers at Ibrox in the group. Click to continue reading...

It's hard to believe that a classic West Ham United team featuring legends such as Trevor Brooking, Alan Curbishley, Frank Lampard Sr., Billy Bonds and a young Alvin Martin were staring down the face of relegation on the last day of the 1977-1978 season. But they were, and they needed a win to try to stay up.

Click to continue reading...

When you have a history as rich and successful as Liverpool Football Club, the benefits are obvious.
The Reds have long traded off the power their incredible success in the 1960s, 70s and 80s afforded them. Their greatest player - Kenny Dalglish - welcomes new scholars to the club's academy. Click to continue reading...

"Sometimes you've just got to go."
Former Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann explains why he spent a penny during Stuttgart's game with Unirea Urziceni.

"Hope it all goes well - people will be surprised to know you have a heart!"
Sam Allardyce reveals the text sent to him by old mucker Kenny Dalglish before the Blackburn boss underwent minor heart surgery. Click to continue reading...

* The Scotland Herald has an in-depth piece on former Houston Dynamo forward Paul Dalglish, who has been named head coach of the North American Soccer League's Tampa Bay Rowdies. The son of former Scottish international Kenny Dalglish, Paul appeared in 15 games for the Dynamo in 2006-07, scoring four goals for the club. Click to continue reading...

Whilst I was researching win percentages for Liverpool managers, I came across some very interesting similarities between Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier. They're more alike as managers than you might think!
Take a look at the following table: When it comes to win percentages and total career games, Benitez and Houllier have almost identical records! Click to continue reading...

In a recent article, I looked at unbeaten ratios for the top managers in English football over the last 50 years. Today, I take a look at win ratios: who has the highest win percentage, and how have Liverpool's managers compared with their rivals over the years?
Here are the figures for all Liverpool managers from 1959-present (all competitions):

Years

Total
Games

Wins

Win %

1

Kenny Dalglish

6

307

187

61%

2

Bob Paisley

9

535

307

57%

3

Rafa Benitez

5

315

178

56%

4

Joe Fagan

2

133

70

53%

5

Bill Shankly

15

783

407

52%

6

Gerard Houllier

7

325

165

51%

7

Roy Evans

5

244

123

50%

8

Graeme Souness

3

157

65

41%

Rafa Benitez is holding his own against some of Liverpool's legendary managers of the past! Click to continue reading...

Over the last 50 years, which Liverpool manager has the highest unbeaten game percentage, and how do managerial rivals – both past and present - compare?
Here are the figures for all Liverpool managers from 1959-present (all competitions):

Years

Total
Games

Wins

Draws

Total
Unbeaten

%
Unbeaten

1

Kenny Dalglish

6

307

187

78

265

86%

2

Joe Fagan

2

133

70

37

107

82%

3

Bob Paisley

9

535

307

132

439

82%

4

Rafa Benitez

5

315

178

69

247

78%

5

Bill Shankly

15

783

407

198

605

77%

6

Gerard Houllier

7

325

165

81

246

76%

7

Roy Evans

5

244

123

63

186

76%

8

Graeme Souness

3

157

65

47

112

71%

It's no real surprise to see Graeme Souness propping up the table (! Click to continue reading...

Rafa Bennitez is on a mission to plug the Anfield fame drain which has seen stars like Jack Rodwell, Aaron Ramsey and Darren Fletcher slip through the net.
Rodwell played against Liverpool on Sunday in the Merseyside derby – a constant, painful reminder to Kop boss Benitez of the calibre of teenage starlets he has been denied – with Merseyside neighbours Everton beating them to his signature. Click to continue reading...

Spurs deserve a lot of credit for their fantastic 9-1 victory over Wigan on Saturday, but they weren't the first to achieve such a feat. Liverpool got there first in 1989, when Kenny Dalglish's scintillating side hammered Crystal Palace 9-0 at Anfield.
12th September 1989. Five games into a Liverpool's last championship winning season and the club was preparing for the sad departure of John Aldridge to Real Sociedad. Click to continue reading...

In the search for its first coach for the new USL-1 Tampa Bay Rowdies, the ownership in Tampa dipped into one of the storied families in European football when they hired Paul Dalglish, the son of former Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish.
"This sport is my obsession," said Dalglish, who gets his first pro head coaching job. Click to continue reading...

Kop favourite Craig Johnston believes Rafa Benitez may have lost the dressing room and that his reign as Liverpool manager is hanging by a thread.
Benitez's side needed a controversial penalty to salvage a 2-2 home draw against Birmingham last Monday night and have won just once since the end of September. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stoked up the mounting pressure on himself by incredibly insisting: "I don't have to win a trophy."
The Reds' title dreams have been hit by FIVE League defeats already this season; they crashed out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal in midweek and their Champions League dreams will be in tatters if they lose Wednesday's crucial Group E clash in Lyon. Click to continue reading...

What does former Red, Craig Johnson think he is on about?He is quoted in The Star as saying: "Has he lost the dressing room? Six defeats in eight games would say that he has."The former Liverpool fancy-dan has got that one wrong, big time.Despite our poor run of form, the players have not lost faith in Rafa Benitez, as anyone who has seen Liverpool's performances will tell you that they have given 100% commitment in every game. Click to continue reading...

Martin O'Neill has emerged as the man to replace Rafa Benitez.
American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have identified O'Neill to succeed the Spaniard if Liverpool fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Hicks, Gillett, and managing director Christian Purslow are standing by beleaguered Benitez despite Liverpool's woeful recent run of form. Click to continue reading...

Latest rumours in the press are that that the Liverpool owners want to replace struggling Benitez with Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill, it is believed Hicks & Gillette are impressed buy the way the Irishman has built a strong squad on limited funds from Randy Learner and is riding high in the Premier League. Click to continue reading...

There is a growing section of Liverpool fans who believe that sacking Rafa Benitez is the way forward at the moment. TAF MCDONALD disagrees, and explains why he believes there is no real possibility that this is going to happen.
Before Rafa's future can even realistically be called into question at least two of the following three things need to happen. Click to continue reading...

Steven Gerrard believes there are several exciting prospects at the Academy who could one day take the Premier League by storm.
Not since Gerrard broke on to the scene in 1998 has Liverpool produced a world-class star.
The skipper, though, thinks all that could soon change as the new-look Academy led by Frank McParland and Kenny Dalglish looks to get players into Rafa Benitez's first team. Click to continue reading...

Any Liverpool fan would remember the skills and talent of Danish turned honorary Scouser, Jan Molby. Voted in at no. 16 on the list of 100 Players Who Shook The Kop, he was a player with as immense a talent as was his waistline. Before the elegant Xabi Alonso, Liverpool fans marvel at the sublime passing skills and long range shooting of Jan Molby. Click to continue reading...