Published: 16 May 2012 – 19:47:19

Former Liverpool player Terry McDermott believes Kenny Dalglish was not give enough time in his second stint at the club and has warned against replacing the fan favourite with an inexperienced manager.

McDermott, who played with Dalglish at Anfield and was on his coaching staff at Newcastle, was dismayed by his friend’s sacking by the club’s American owners Fenway Sports Group.

He accepts Liverpool’s position of eighth in the Barclays Premier League was not good enough but felt Dalglish’s much-criticised transfers would have started to pay dividends next term. “It’s a big call. I think they’ve pulled the trigger at least six months too early,” he told Sky Sports News.

“A Liverpool person, or a person who knows about football, would have kept Kenny at least until Christmas but people who don’t know as much about football maybe came to this decision. To do it now, I think, is the wrong thing.”

The likes of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and Swansea’s Brendan Rodgers are among the early favourites to replace Dalglish, but McDermott was quick to warn FSG away from elevating a younger manager.

“They’ve got to have someone in mind who is going to take over the mantle,” he said.

“They have to be to be top notch. It’s no good bringing a rookie in because then it’s another two or three years while he beds in and brings his own players. It’s got to be a real top quality Mourinho-like (manager). Maybe not Mourinho but someone like that who has seen it and done it.”

Another former Liverpool man, John Scales, was surprised by Dalglish’s departure but was more understanding of FSG’s motivations in making the decision.

“I’m shocked and stunned that Kenny’s left Liverpool,” Scales told Sky Sports News.

“But having said that, Liverpool have fallen well short of their targets in the Premier League this season. They were almost 40 points behind the two Manchester clubs and it has been a difficult season for Dalglish. There were question marks over the players that came in, question marks over the way the team played and their poor home record didn’t help either.”

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Published: 16 May 2012 – 16:47:10

Kenny Dalglish is to leave his job as Liverpool manager, Press Association Sport understands.

The Scot flew to the United States on Sunday to present his end-of-season review to principal owner John Henry and Tom Werner.

Rumours began circulating on Tuesday that his second spell Anfield was coming to an end and that is set to be officially confirmed later.

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Published: 16 May 2012 – 11:46:57

Defender Martin Skrtel insists Liverpool’s Barclays Premier League performance has to take priority over everything else after coming up short this season.

The Reds’ eighth-placed finish has partly contributed to the uncertainty concerning the future of manager Kenny Dalglish. Neither principal owner John Henry nor chairman Tom Werner have, as yet, given any indication what their thoughts are after a hugely disappointing campaign and speculation continues about Dalglish’s long-term prospects at Anfield.

And despite encouraging cup runs which saw the club end a six-year wait for a trophy, Skrtel told liverpoolfc.tv: “We won the Carling Cup and got to the final of the FA Cup, so from that point of view it was a good season in the cups. But I think the most important thing is the league and we didn’t get enough in it.”

He added: “Everybody knows it wasn’t a great season because we finished in eighth position and that’s not good.

“I think we deserved to finish higher than eighth position, but there were too many games in which we didn’t get three points – and there were too many games in which we didn’t get what we deserved.”

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 18:47:07

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has returned from his trip to the United States to meet the club’s owners but what the outcome of their discussions will be still remains unclear.

Press Association Sport understands the Scot flew back to Britain on Tuesday after meeting principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner amid a growing crescendo of rumours about his future.

Speculation reached fever pitch on internet and social networking sites around late Tuesday morning with unsubstantiated claims ranging from him being sacked to resigning. With no statement forthcoming from either Fenway Sports Group or the club, the rumour mill ran wild, although it gradually subsided the longer time went by with no announcement.

Without a public show of support from FSG Dalglish’s position will remain a subject for debate even though just over a month ago Werner stated they had “great confidence in Kenny and he enjoys our full support”.

Since then results have not improved as Liverpool won just two league matches out of five and lost the FA Cup final to Chelsea.

But there has perhaps been too much being read into his trip to America, fed no doubt by FSG’s restructuring at the club has already led to the departure of director of football Damien Comolli, head of sports science Peter Brukner and head of communications Ian Cotton in the last month.

Dalglish, along with coach Steve Clarke, flew out after Sunday’s defeat to Swansea to present their view of what has been a disappointing season.

It was always designed to be part of the review process, which Dalglish had admitted some weeks before required him to provide a detailed report of his assessment of the last 10 months and his thoughts on plans going forward.

After a 14th loss of the league campaign Liverpool’s eighth-place finish was their worst for 18 years and a points tally of 52 their lowest since 1953/54.

It will have left Dalglish and Clarke to answer some testing questions from Henry and Werner about what progress was being made with their investment, having spent over £200million to buy the club in October 2010 and then heavily backed their manager in subsequent transfer windows.

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Published: 14 May 2012 – 18:17:06

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has flown to the United States to deliver his end-of-season review and have talks with the club’s owners.

As is the usual practice following the end of a campaign, which finished with a 14th league defeat at Swansea on Sunday, the Reds boss had been required to prepare a report detailing the past 10 months.

But with all Fenway Sports Group’s senior figures based in Boston Dalglish has flown over to speak with principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner, Press Association Sport understands.

The move will no doubt intensify speculation about the 61-year-old’s future after a disappointing season, although the significance of his trip has been played down in some quarters as just another part of the review process.

Dalglish’s report, which has had input from other backroom staff, will make interesting reading for the club’s owners Fenway Sports.

But it remains to be seen how much they are inclined to agree with the Scot’s assessment of his reign since January 2011, which three months ago brought a first trophy for six years, as being “not too bad” considering the significant investment the Americans have made during that time.

In the last month FSG’s restructuring of the club has led to the departures of director of football Damien Comolli, head of sports science Peter Brukner and, on Friday, director of communications Ian Cotton.

Sunday reports suggested Dalglish’s future was up in the air with FSG casting admiring glances towards Wigan manager Roberto Martinez. And while Dalglish is looking forward to some time off over the summer he will be hoping he does not get more than he bargained for.

“I think everyone needs a break, no matter what job you do – everyone needs a holiday,” he said.

“You look forward to the games when you’re working and you look forward to having a bit of respite when you’re not working. But it’s very seldom, even during the summer, you get a day off any way. You’re normally on the phone doing something. I’ll get away but the phone is never switched off and there are very few days when you don’t answer some calls.”

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Published: 14 May 2012 – 10:16:52

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has ruled out a return to Feyenoord in the immediate future because he feels it would be a step back in his career.

The 31-year-old Holland international is almost certain to leave Anfield this summer and last month he was seen having talks with Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel, sparking reports he would sign for the Rotterdam club.

“The fact I held talks with Feyenoord indicates I wanted to give it a serious chance,” he told AD Sportwereld. “But in many ways the gap is too great at this moment in time.”

He went on: “If I returned to Holland, I would have to take an 80% cut in my Liverpool wages.

“If you are 35 or 36, you know your career is almost done. But I’m only 31 and in the prime of my life. I still have two or three years left at the top.

“I still have the ambition and fitness to play at the highest level, a club in a major competition or a big club with European ambitions.”

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Published: 14 May 2012 – 06:17:07

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish responded angrily to suggestions he may not be in charge next season after his side’s disappointing Barclays Premier League campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat at Swansea.

Reports in some Sunday newspapers had suggested that Dalglish would leave the manager’s position during the summer, with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez being tipped as the man to replace him.

After watching Danny Graham’s 100th career goal condemn them to an eighth-placed finish, Dalglish was asked if he expected to be in the Anfield hot seat next season. He replied: “I expect the owners to have more dignity and integrity than to believe a story in a newspaper.”

The visitors were outplayed during the first half but posed a greater threat after the break, with Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm making one stunning save to keep out Andy Carroll’s acrobatic overhead kick and then making a low stop to deny the £35million striker.

And Dalglish felt his side had deserved at least a point, but acknowledged their campaign, which ended with Liverpool below local rivals Everton for the first time since 2005, had not been good enough.

“I think on the second-half performance, the least they deserved was a point,” he said. “We’ve got to keep believing and in credit to the players they have kept believing. The passing and moving at times has been excellent and the goalkeeper’s save to stop Andy was fantastic. We just have to keep going and maybe next year the luck will change for us.

“We won’t run away from the points tally or hide or say the points tally is satisfactory to anyone who works for or supports Liverpool Football Club. We will face up to reality. The performances have been excellent in a lot of cases but not the points tally, so we will try our best to correct that.”

For Swansea the result capped a fantastic debut season in the Barclays Premier League, which has also seen them claim memorable wins over Arsenal and champions Manchester City. They missed out on a top-10 finish to West Brom on goals scored.

Unsurprisingly there was a celebratory atmosphere throughout the contest, with hordes of fans taking up manager Brendan Rodgers’ invitation to dress up in Elvis Presley costumes. And the Northern Irishman admitted the win, secured by Graham’s sweet finish from Angel Rangel’s pass four minutes from time, was the perfect way to cap the campaign.

“It has been a fairytale and what an end to the season,” he said. “The players did brilliantly, their pressing and work-rate was phenomenal. We were worthy winners and it finished a brilliant season.”

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Published: 13 May 2012 – 17:31:26

Swans finish on a high

Danny Graham struck four minutes from time as Swansea ended a memorable debut Barclays Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium.

The striker fired low to Alexander Doni’s left from Angel Rangel’s astute ball across the box to give the Welsh side a win to rank alongside their successes over Arsenal and Manchester City earlier this term.

The hosts dominated the opening half and were denied by two excellent saves from Doni, who brilliantly kept out Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick and denied Nathan Dyer.

The visitors proved more of a threat after the break with Michel Vorm making a stunning save from Andy Carroll’s overhead kick and denying the #35million striker’s low shot before Graham struck.

It was another demoralising afternoon for Kenny Dalglish’s side, and will have done little to lift the pressure on the Scot after a thoroughly disappointing league campaign.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers had encouraged the home fans to turn up in Elvis Presley costumes to celebrate their survival.

And the joyous atmosphere seemed to inspire them as they bossed the opening exchanges, with Liverpool barely having a kick.

Graham came close to giving them an eighth-minute lead but could not convert Joe Allen’s cross-shot after the midfielder had robbed Jonjo Shelvey.

Carroll’s afternoon had started ignominiously by misdirecting an attempted flick-on straight in the air, and then being beaten By Vorm as he closed the Swansea keeper down.

And his overhit pass back into defence was picked up by Doni, prompting referee Mark Halsey to award Swansea an indirect free-kick inside the box, but Scott Sinclair’s shot was well blocked.

Maxi Rodriguez was off target with a half-hearted effort for the visitors but the majority of the action was taking place in the Liverpool half.

Gylfi Sigurdsson was left unmarked at a corner and almost swept home from Allen’s pinpoint delivery but his effort was bravely blocked by the onrushing Liverpool defence.

Shelvey threatened at the other end but his on-target effort was blocked away by Ashley Williams’ head.

Sigurdsson was brilliantly denied by Doni in the 32nd minute, as the Iceland international intelligently struck a free-kick across the Liverpool wall, but the Brazilian showed lightning reactions to tip the ball round the post.

Carroll wasted Liverpool’s best chance when he fired narrowly over Vorm’s bar five minutes before the break, while Dyer did the same for Swansea at the other end as Doni blocked his strike after being played in by Sigurdsson.

Carroll’s increasing frustration was clear to see and he was involved in a tussle with Williams at the end of the opening half after objecting to the defender’s challenge, which earned the pair bookings.

Dalglish had his players out very early for the second half but any strong half-time words appeared to have little effect as Swansea again set about their familiar possession style.

Dyer failed to make the most of good link work with Angel Rangel when he dallied after being picked out by the Spaniard’s low pass.

Liverpool began to assert themselves as Carroll’s far-post header diverted to safety off Steven Caulker’s back, before the England forward produced a brilliant overhead kick that Vorm matched with a superb agile stop to his right.

Carroll’s central role in proceedings continued as his clumsy defensive clearance almost allowed Rangel to poke home, before Steven Caulker wastefully headed over from the resulting corner.

Swansea showed signs of fading as the game entered its final 20 minutes, and Vorm made another sharp save from Carroll’s low shot after a bright run from substitute Dirk Kuyt.

But the hosts struck to find the winner as Rangel and Sinclair linked on the right and Graham converted coolly for his 14th goal of the season.

Swansea 1-0 Liverpool: Match Report – view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

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Published: 13 May 2012 – 14:47:00

Confirmation of the starting eleven and substitutes named for this afternoon’s fixture away to Swansea City. Competition: Barclays Premier League Date: Sunday, 13th May 2012 Time: 15:00 Venue: White Rock Stadium Swansea City v Liverpool Starting line-ups 1 Michel Vorm 22 Angel Rangel 2 Ashley Williams 4 Steven Caulker 3 Neil Taylor 24 Joe Allen 42 Gylfi Sigurdsson 12 Nathan Dyer 7 Leon Britton 11 Scott Sinclair 10 Danny Graham Substitutes 27 Mark Gower 5 Alan Tate 38 Gwion Edwards 15 Wayne Routledge 19 Luke Moore 25 Gerhard Tremmel 16 Garry Monk Starting line-ups 32 Alexander Doni 2 Glen Johnson 5 Daniel Agger 34 Martin Kelly 23 Jamie Carragher 33 Jonjo Shelvey 11 Maximiliano Rodríguez 19 Stewart Downing 14 Jordan Henderson 9 Andy Carroll 7 Luis Suárez Substitutes 39 Craig Bellamy 1 Bradley Jones 20 Jay Spearing 3 José Enrique Sanchez Diaz 31 Raheem Sterling 16 Sebastián Coates 18 Dirk Kuyt

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Published: 13 May 2012 – 00:10:06

Liverpool away at Swansea City

Follow all the action as Liverpool travel away to Swansea City at Liberty Stadium
in the Premier League on 13-May-2012. The match kicks off at 15:00

Swansea City v Liverpool Live

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