Kuyts Half Century

Dirk Kuyt is delighted he has finally hit 50 league goals for Liverpool.

Kuyt had been stuck on 49 since netting at Fulham back on May 9 and was relieved to reach the milestone at Molineux in last night's win at Wolves.

Wolves 0-3 Liverpool: Carroll's happy anniversary  

His strike capped a great few days for the Dutch striker after he bagged the winner against Manchester United on Saturday with his first goal of the season.

"Finally I got the goal and it has took me a while," said Kuyt.

"It was great to score the winner against United and it was a proud moment to get my 50th league goal for Liverpool.

"It's something that makes me really proud as not many Dutch people have come over here and done that, so it's special.

"It was great to score another goal and hopefully I can keep going and get a lot more now.

"The most important thing though was the team won and we deserved it.

"This was a really important game for us coming on the back of the Carling Cup semi-final and the win over Manchester United, and we are really happy with the victory.

"Mentally it was a difficult game, especially after the two great results against the Manchester clubs but this was a great performance and that showed with three different people scoring.

"We passed the ball really well, we kept creating chances and we were patient. It was a great result for us and we deserved to win it."

Liverpool have moved to within four points of a Champions League place and Kuyt is relishing Monday's showdown with Tottenham at Anfield.

"After the game at Bolton we were really disappointed, but in one week we have changed everything," he said. "That shows you the character and quality of this squad.

"We said to each other in the dressing room before this match that the most important thing is to win our own games because teams above us will lose some points.

"It's all down to ourselves and we showed against City and United we can compete against the best.

"The dressing room is a happy place and we are now looking forward to the next game against Tottenham on Monday, which is another important game in our race for the top-four. We can't wait for it."

Agger backs strikers

Daniel Agger admits Liverpool's lack of goals is a worry.

Liverpool have managed to score just 21 times in their 18 league games - fewer than both Bolton and Blackburn, the Premier League's bottom two clubs - and it is costing them precious points at Anfield.

Their draw against Blackburn on Boxing Day was their sixth from their nine home games and their inability to score is seriously undermining their Champions League bid.

Agger accepts it is a concern and says the Reds must work harder to find their goalscoring touch.

"When you don't take your chances, you don't win football games," said the frustrated Dane.

"It's a worry, but what can you do? The only way to solve it is to create more chances.

"I really think for 80 per cent or 90 per cent of the time we are playing well. That's the strange thing, as normally when you play well you get a bit more luck.

"But somehow we are missing that final touch. We need to find that. Normally when you try harder, you get the luck and that's what we must keep doing."

Agger refuses to blame Liverpool's misfiring strikeforce of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy, even though they have managed just nine league goals between them.

He says the whole team must shoulder the goalscoring burden, including him and his fellow defenders.

"It's not just the strikers," said Agger. "It's not just one or two players. It's all of us. We all have chances and don't score.

"It's like when we defend - it's not just the defenders who defend. We all need to be chipping in with goals."

Liverpool also drew with Wigan in their previous game, but Agger rejected any suggestion that the Reds had underestimated them and Blackburn.

"It wasn't down to complacency," he said. "We all know that every game in the Premier League is difficult.

"When you play for Liverpool Football Club and play at Anfield you have to go out and win games, especially ones like this."

Steven Gerrard's return after two months out with an ankle infection was the one positive for Liverpool and the Reds have missed his creativity and goals.

Kenny Dalglish must buy a striker in the transfer window, as he faces up to losing Suarez for his eight-game ban and will hope he does better than his other big-money buy 12 months ago.

Yet again Carroll, starting alongside Suarez, failed to impress, and he remains stuck in a rut at Anfield.

His Reds team-mate and former Toon colleague Jose Enrique still believes in him though, and says the England striker just needs a goal to spark him into life.

"The most important thing for him was he had the opportunity to play again," said the Spaniard.

"He had three good chances to score, but it was the same for him as everyone.

"Andy is a great player - nobody pays £35million for a player for nothing. When he starts to score one goal, he will score many goals

Liverpool held by Rovers

This was their fifth league draw in six home matches – 10 dropped points that already threaten a top-four finish.

Dalglish’s side have actually won only one more Premier League home game than Blackburn have and, given Kean’s comments about the likes of Anfield and Old Trafford being a welcome escape for his side, that again speaks volumes.

Strangely, Liverpool do not lack confidence.

They are playing well enough, are creative and stylish going forward and, by and large, are controlling games.

Yet they lack conviction in front of goal.

For that, there can be no excuse.

Yes, Rovers defended impressively, with Chris Samba offering rock-like resistance at the heart of the team and stand-in keeper Mark Bunn deputising magnificently for the injured Paul Robinson.

But the visitors had several kids in an injury-ravaged line up, with teenager Adam Henley making his full debut.

So, given their travails of late, they were ready-made opponents for Liverpool after Wednesday’s disappointing draw at Wigan.

A frustrated and moody crowd made Andy Carroll their whipping boy, the striker receiving increasing amounts of stick as the game went on.

But while it is true he seemed reluctant to burst towards the six-yard box in the manner of his Newcastle heyday, he was far from the only culprit.

Carroll hasn’t played that much this season, so he can be excused a certain rustiness - especially given that he was sporting a black eye following a recent training-ground knock.

Luis Suarez doesn’t have that excuse, and neither does Stewart Downing, and they both missed as many chances as Carroll did.

Suarez failed with four in the opening 20 minutes alone, before Carroll saw a snap-shot brilliantly saved by the impressive Bunn.

Inevitably, amazingly, Rovers weathered that first-half pressure, then scored with their first attack.

It was a fluke goal, too - a corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen that saw Charlie Adam, under pressure from Mauro Formica, slice the ball into the roof of his own net.

It somehow sums up Liverpool’s luck.

The fact that Rovers were ahead at Anfield at half-time also summed up their character.

They were resilient and committed, and showed immense spirit for a side who have been undermined so badly by their own support.

It is a credit to the players and to Kean that they played like they did.

Even when they conceded a soft equaliser with a third of the game remaining, they did not falter.

For once, Rovers failed to clear a cross, and when Martin Skrtel hooked it back in, Maxi Rodriguez was allowed to head home unchallenged - the visitors’ only major mistake of the afternoon.

It was Maxi’s 11th goal in 12 starts, but even he missed more chances, as he headed over from substitute and returning skipper Steven Gerrard’s free-kick.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the afternoon was that Gerrard didn’t inspire a late victory, because he usually does.

But no matter how good his promptings and delivery, he could not produce a fairy tale of his own in his first appearance in two months.

He came close though.

From his corner, with the last kick of the game, 17-year-old debutant Henley cleared Daniel Agger’s header off the line, moments after Carroll had seen a goal-bound effort saved brilliantly by Bunn.

So, more frustration for Liverpool.

They have dropped 12 points at Anfield already, and even a fraction of those – against teams at the foot of the table – would have put them in the top three.

But take nothing away from Blackburn. They deserved their surprise present and unwrapped it enthusiastically.

Boss Kean may not survive much beyond Old Trafford on New Year's Eve, but at least his side showed real Christmas spirit.

King Kenny to be permanent boss

                  Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is set to be offered two years contract and 50 million budget package after some string of good results. Wins over Chelsea and Manchester United and signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll convince owner John W Henry to make him permanent boss.

              But the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) principal stated that Dalglish needed another three games to establish his management. Liverpool fans were calling the owners to make his full time boss after his great transformation since he took over from Roy Hodgson in January.

             Liverpool face Braga in Europa Cup and face Sunderland and Fulham in the league. If Liverpool managed to win these three games it will be confirm that Dalglish will be given the job.

            So far nothing has been discussed yet, Dalglish will be hopping for a four year contact but he will be given just two years. The co owners are expected to compromise if the results improves. So far the owners are pleased with the results.

          

Reds fall to defeat

                   Liverpool had a bitter evening at Portugal when they were defeated by the Portugese outfit. Jamie Carrager captained the match in the absence of Steven Gerrard who pulled out of injury. Luis Suarez ineligible to play and Andy Carroll at bench.

                  It was the first European defeat for the the Reds. Braga took the lead at 18th minute after a clumpsy foul by Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Alan completed the penalty which was almost saved by Pepe Reina. Liverpool had a bad second half which they failed to produce a single attack.

                Liverpool manager was furios by his side after they fail to produce a good European performance. Liverpool had just one shot on target when Dirk Kuyt shot was parried away by Braga goalkeeper Arthur.

              Braga almost doubled their lead when Silvio fires a thunderous shot which hit the goal post. On 57th minute Dalglish replace Christian Poulsen with record signing Andy Carroll to lead the charge. He managed four attempt on goal within 5 minutes.

          Three attempt were pulled back by various reason and he headed a corner from Raul Meireles. Liverpool were handed a first ever defeat in the European games with a just one goal deficit.

Kuyt's hat-trick sinks MU

          Great night to remember for Dutchman Dirk Kuyt who scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool as the Reds beat Manchester United to open the title race. The win makes MU's title chase in danger with Arsenal has a game on hand. Liverpool started yesterday with Kuyt partnering Luis Suarez at front, Lucas, Maxi Rodriguez, Raul Meireles and Steven Gerrard at midfield. Glen Johnson replacing Martin Kelly at right defences, Jamie Carrager and Martin Skrtel at central defence and Fabio Aurelio at left defence.

           Liverpool started match solidly with United look poor in midfield. Liverpool fans were chanting Happy Birthday to Kenny Dalglish which falls on friday. Suarez was the man of the match when he shown his masterclass by overturning skills when trick Rafael Da Silva, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown and shot pass Edwin Van Der Sar which was completed by Kuyt which was protested by Van Der Sar for offside.

         The Reds doubled the lead when Kuyt head the ball which was head back by Nani on the 34th minute. Before the half-time Carrager tackled Nani rashly which ended Nani's game which saw Carrager was booked only despite the harsh tackle. Dimitar Berbatov who scored the hat-trick at previous encounter had the best chance on second half when he head past Pepe Reina which was blocked by Meireles.

        Fabio Aurelio who just returned from injury limped off on the second half and was replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Rafael went over Lucas and could have sent off and he was booked, Lucas managed to avoid injury. On 65th minute Suarez was fouled by Brown. Suarez fires thunderous freekick past Van Der Sar which was saved before Kuyt scores his third goal of the game.

        On 74th minute Andy Carroll long awaited debut arrived when he replaced Meireles was given heroic welcome.Kuyt's supreme confidence saw him attempt a 25-yard volley which screamed wide while Gerrard twice hit low shots either side of each post.  Javier Hernandes grab a consolation on injury time when he headed a Ryan Giggs cross.

      

Liverpools injury news

          Liverpool could be missing two key player ahead the crunchy clash at Anfield. Martin Kelly has been ruled for injury for the showdown againts league leaders Mancester United. The England Under-21 defender suffers a hamstring injury againts West Ham at Upton Park.

           Kelly has been a revolution under Kenny Dalglish helm at the right back position. Kellys absences will be a blow for the Reds. Reports says Kelly may face a month lay off due to his injury. Another injury blow is star midfielder Raul Meireless. He suffered a knee injury which force Dalglish to subtitude him.

           Meireless has been in a good form since  Dalglish took over. Liverpool firepower will short if he did not start againts Manchester United. Liverpool has been waiting for his report so he will able to start againts the Reds Devils.

         Liverpools first team coach Steve Clark told Liverpools official website " He had a little problem with his knee and as a precaution at the start of the second half we thought it was better to take him off. That gives him a better chance of being ready for the next game. He get three or four days on the easier list and then hopefully towards the end of the week we are able to put him back in the preparation for the weekend."

         Fabio Aurelio could be available to face United as the Brazilian is expected back in full training before the end of the week after recovering from an adductor injury.Daniel Agger is set to return. Clark said "They are both on the easy list on the moment and we're almost sure Aurelio will join us ( full training) on Thursday, and we're hopeful Daniel will join us on Thurday or Friday at the latest.

           Liverpool receive another good news when their British record signing Andy Carroll is set to make his first Liverpool debut againts United. The Kops 35million striker yesterday came on first full-on training session with the squad. Medics will assess Caroll, 22, today to make sure there is no reaction to his thigh injury. But the former Newcastle hitman- who has not played since limping off in Toons game againts Totenham on December 28- is pencilled in for Sundays Anfiels clash againts the league leaders.