Today's du Nord post is dedicated to one of our heroes: Muhammad Ali born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr
on this day, January 17, in 1942. Happy 70th my man!
STARTERSI spent 2 great days last week in Kansas City at the NSCAA Convention, including taking in the MLS
SuperDraft.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish expects £35million man Andy Carroll to take his opportunity with
'two hands' over the festive period.
The former Newcastle striker, who moved to Anfield last January, has started just eight Premier
League games this season and has scored only two goals.
A traditionally busy fixture-list over Christmas and the New Year means Carroll could be offered
chances to start as Dalglish rotates his squad.
Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been named Football League Player of the Month for November
after his loan spell at Blackpool.
The 19-year-old, who has now been recalled to Anfield, scored four goals in five matches for Ian
Holloway's Championship side during the month.
Now Shelvey, who was named on the bench for last week's 1-0 victory over QPR, is hoping that he can
continue with his fine form and force his way back into the starting eleven for the Merseysiders.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas has admitted the Reds need to improve their home form ahead of
Saturday's Anfield clash with Swansea.
Kenny Dalglish's side have dropped points against Sunderland and Norwich at home already and have
failed to keep a clean sheet at Anfield all season.
Brazilian midfielder Lucas says they need to start turning draws into wins if they are to mount a
top-four challenge this season.
Merseyside derby hero Andy Carroll dedicated his Goodison Park strike to everyone who has stood by
him during his short time at Liverpool.
The £35million striker scored the crucial opening goal against city rivals Everton on Saturday,
his first in the Premier League since April.
The former Newcastle forward has only scored four times in total in all competitions since his big
money move in January
However, he hopes his derby strike can kick-start his season and wanted to thank those who have
backed him over the past few months.
Liverpool look set to lose David Ngog to Bolton, with Kenny Dalglish keen to trim the club by at
least six players over the next two weeks, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.
Ngog has long been the subject of exit talks, and Bolton are said to be readying a £4 million bid
for the young striker.
Dalglish: Owners Want to Keep Spending
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says the club's owners are supporting his continued efforts to
strengthen the squad, amidst reports that his summer spending spree was over after funds started to
dry up. The Liverpool boss has spent big on the likes of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Stewart
Downing amongst others since FSG took over, but the squad is still a little way off competing with
the likes of both Manchester sides over the course of a season.
Marc Narducci reports in the Philadelphia Inquirer that Tim Howard will not be with Everton when
the club plays the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.
Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz said, "We're really surprised. One of the reasons we entertained
Everton's phone call was because of Tim Howard and we were under the impression Tim Howard was
playing.
Ian Ayre, Liverpool's MD, is an honest and refreshing man with a good commercial pedigree and thus
far has proved himself to be the ideal man at the helm of Liverpool FC.
In a candid interview today he discussed the proposed new stadium, the former disasterous previous
owners Hicks and Gillette and he praised current custodians FSG.
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre admits the failure of former owners Tom Hicks and George
Gillett to build a new stadium "set the club back several years".
And Ayre, promoted from commercial director late last season by new owners Fenway Sports Group,
said had it not been for huge strides made in off-field business during that time the finances
would have been in a bigger mess than they were just before FSG assumed control.
Liverpool won't be making a move for Fernando Gago, even though the Real Madrid star issued a
‘come get me' plea to the Merseyside club, the Liverpool Daily Post understands.
Gago's representative Marcelo Lobilla said yesterday that Liverpool would be the perfect
destination for the star, with multiple clubs including Aston Villa and Tottenham also linked to a
possible move for the midfielder.
Liverpool won't be making a move for Fernando Gago, even though the Real Madrid star issued a
‘come get me' plea to the Merseyside club, the Liverpool Daily Post understands.
Gago's representative Marcelo Lobilla said yesterday that Liverpool would be the perfect
destination for the star, with multiple clubs including Aston Villa and Tottenham also linked to a
possible move for the midfielder.
Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is targeting a Champions League place after an impressive end
to the season.
The Reds endured their worst start to a campaign since 1953-54 under Roy Hodgson, but Kenny
Dalglish helped guide the team from a mid-table position to sixth place following his arrival in
January.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva believes he has done enough to deserve a new contract at
Anfield.
The Brazil international will enter the final year of his current deal at the end of the season and
there have yet to be any discussions regarding an extension.
Lucas has shown significant improvement this campaign, despite almost being sold by Roy Hodgson
last summer, and he has remained a part of Kenny Dalglish's plans since January.
Steven Gerrard is hopeful that Liverpool's new first-team coach Steve Clarke can help improve the
team's defence and attack, after what has been a largely underwhelming campaign.
The Reds have managed to keep only six clean sheets in their 22 Premier League games, and have
conceded 31 goals in the process.
