£25m Fee for Fabio Coentrao Believed to Be Agreed

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(Bleacher Report) According to Portuguese press and Give Me Football.com, Liverpool have agreed to put out a large splash of cash early on in the summer window after having reached a believed £25 million fee with Benfica for the purchase of left-back Fabio Coentrao.

Coentrao is perhaps the most sought after left sided defender in the world at the current moment. There was supposedly a fee agreed with Real Madrid just two-days ago, but now it seems that the Reds might have pulled off a coup of the summer if the rumors are indeed true.

The Portuguese defender was highly linked with the Reds in the January window, and if he is indeed the first signing of the summer, Liverpool are certainly sending the message that they are going to be pushing for the top of the table as soon as possible.

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Adam Finally in Position to Make Reds Switch

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After a heated transfer debate in January, and continued press coverage and speculation, it now appears that Blackpool captain Charlie Adam is finally in the position to move on he wanted during the middle of the season.


Despite their best efforts Blackpool was relegated on this past Sunday thanks to a 4-2 ousting at the hands of EPL Champions Manchester United.

With Blackpool now in a position to loose loads of capital, Adam will most likely be sold as he will seek to remain in the EPL. The Tangerines main goal threat in DJ Campbell is also expected to make a move this summer.

Adam is viewed by many as the perfect heir to Steven Gerrard's throne in the middle of Anfield's pitch, and is likely to continue to be linked with the club for quite sometime.

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Celtic Left-Back Emilio Izaguirre to Leave Future in Hands of Decision Makers

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(Bleacher Report) Since his arrival last summer, Honduran International Emilio Izaquirre has made quite an impression on Scottish football as a Hoop, and on the world of football in general.

The left-back was highly linked with Liverpool during the January transfer window, and he again is in the press as one of the best choices for the Reds to fill the boots of chronically injured Fabio Aurelio, and out classed outcast Paul Konchesky.

With so much back and forth, it appears that Izaquirre is content to allow his agent and manager to decide his future.

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Veteran Friedel Set for Possible Reds Return

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(Bleacher Report) 39-year old veteran shot stopper Brad Friedel appears to be set for a possible Anfield return. Friedel made 25 appearances for the Reds between 1997-2000 before moving to Ewood Park and racking up 287 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, and eventually moving to Aston Villa in 2008 to make another 113 EPL appearances.

Sources for the Independent claim that the contract on offer is rumored to be a two-year deal with a coaching job attached.

The American would be Pepe Reina's backup and would likely not see a starting role during his time at Anfield. That fact will prompt him to make a careful consideration between Liverpool and his other possible suitors in Tottenham Hotspur and West Brom.

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Champions League Final: Scoring Lionel Messi Vs Wayne Rooney

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(Bleacher Report) In the build up to Saturday's UEFA Champions League final Landon Donovan said that Lionel Messi "plays like I would against 15-year olds." By the end of the match many would agree with him and continue to believe that Messi truly has the skills to possibly be one of, if not the greatest ever.

On the other side of the ball was Wayne Rooney. The hard-nosed Englishman that has been in the press more than the highlights this season was in a position to make himself a hero in front of a national home crowd in many ways.

It was set to be a battle for the ages, a rematch from a final in 2009 that saw Manchester United shackled at all ends by a master class Barcelona side. A performance that saw Rooney, and his then counterpart Christiano Ronaldo, completely removed from the action as the Spanish giants decimated the English Champions.

This 2011 version of the Champions League Final now had the tables turned and it was now the English Champions that had their chance to make amends. Wayne Rooney now had the chance to take up the mantle of United and lift the team to the glory Ronaldo could not.

As the opening whistle blew and the Manchester giants took the opening kick off and took the attack to the Catalans. Rooney had a cross into the box within the first minute of the action and fed in another through ball to Javier "Chicharito," Hernandez, whose position in the starting eleven kick off a controversy of its own.

At the ninth minute it was reported that Dimitar Berbatov, United's leading scorer and the winner of the Premier League Golden Boot has left the match after not even having been named on the bench. At his age it appears that he will be moving on after his best season as a Red Devil as Sir Alex Ferguson appears possibly content with the pairing of Rooney and Hernandez for the future.

With the opening 10 minutes fooling many that Manchester United was going to truly come to life when they needed it to most, Barcelona began to take over control of the match. While Rooney had a great opening 10 minutes, so did Lionel Messi.

The Argentine had already began finding his way through the back line of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and by the fifteenth minute that game was swinging into Barcelona's favor. By now the Blaugrana had amassed 111 completed passes to the Red Devils 51 and were already owning possession at 66%.

Messi had already created two shots on goal, a corner, and his disruption of the defense lead to Pedro Rodriguez missing a sitter served up by Dani Alves and David Villa.

The next 12 minutes were all Messi and company, Rooney had several cameos in the mix but his lack of really tracking back to help his already tiring midfield were already costing the team desperately and he was on the verge of being frozen out much like he was two years ago.

That 12-minute spell of Barcelona dominance led to Pedro Rodriguez opening the scoring as the goal that had been coming finally was notched home, leaving Edwin Van Der Sar helpless.

Statistically and physically the Spanish side was still in dominant form as the stats at the 13th minute showed them still holding 66 percent of the ball while now up to 265 completed passes over the English side's 100.

Rodriguez's goal brought some life to the Red Devils as they tried to fight back into the game and Rooney had a free kick cleared out int he 31st minute. Finally there was a break in the Barcelona back line, and the return pass of Javier Hernandez set up Wayne Rooney with the chance to stake his claim to a heroic opportunity, and he delivered.

Despite having literally no real chance to impact the game in the first thirty minutes, the one opening he had to put his name on the game was grabbed as he blasted home the game tying goal from about 14 yards. A powerful drive that left Victor Valdez wanting would give Manchester fans hope, at least for now.

It was Rooney's first goal against a Spanish team after 600 minutes of match time, and was also the last time you would really see anything from him int he first half.

Messi again asserted himself in the match and his combination play with Xavi Hernandez and Villa controlled the rest of the half.

The second half began much like the first. Rooney tried to get his squad going forward with a great little bit of attacking play for a few minutes that would only lead to pushing Messi and company into all out attack and control once more. The little Argentine ran rampant creating with everyone around him from Gerard Pique to Andres Iniesta, and the results would prove deadly for their English opponents.

As only few people could do so effectively, Lionel Messi erased the memory of Wayne Rooney's goal from the minds of all those in the stadium with a powerful placed shot from 25 yards that had eyes all the way to the back of the net.

Again the game was all Barcelona's to loose and they would continue to push for the final knife in the coffin. Rooney again had a small window of building play around the sixtieth minute with Hernandez but nothing came to fruition.

By now the Red Devils had only managed to get two shots on goal while the Spanish giants had taken 13, and the possession was still just as lopsided.

In true fashion for the match, one chance for Rooney and Manchester United to edge back was met with another furious ten minutes of Barcelona pressure that saw Messi denied his second goal on two occasions and eventually led to David Villa making it 3-1 at the 69th minute.

Once again Rooney tried to bring his squad back with a great curled effort that ended up a few rows deep in the stands, and his two other chances to make a difference in the next 10 minutes failed to do so.

After the third goal Barcelona wrapped up shop and just played the Red Devils to the whistle. Messi's goal and contribution had completely outweighed the efforts of Wayne Rooney. His constant movement and pestering of the United defense assisted in his own goal and the creation of the other two.

While Rooney made a valiant effort to overcome the failings of himself and his former teammate in the previous clash of these two titans. His goal certainly gave much weight to that attempt, but he still was not able to make enough of his prescience felt to truly damage the effect of a masterclass performance of Pep Guardiola's side.

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Liverpool FC: Looking Back on a Season of Ups and Downs, Is Sixth Really so Bad?

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(Bleacher Report) The 2011-12 season started off with great belief and great doubt all at the same time. The Rafael Benitez era had come to a close in a dismal fashion, as the Reds slumped to a 7th place finish after having finished 2nd the season before.

Roy Hodgson, after leading a mid-table Fulham team to the UEFA Europa League final, was installed as the new man at Anfield, but it was a signing that had no real fan belief behind him. Myself included had great respect for Hodgson for what he had achieved with Fulham, but wasn't so sure he was the man for the job.

It became even more apparent that the team was slipping, as more signings continued to come into the club that appeared not on the level needed for the Reds to continue to compete at a top four level. Joe Cole came in as a free transfer, Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky were looked at as unnecessary, but the loaning out of Emiliano Insua and Alberto Aquilani and the eventual sale of Javier Mascherano made it necessary to fill voids.

The eventual bright spots in the signings of the summer would be Raul Meireles and Jonjo Shelvey, though it wasn't Hodgson that they would shine under.

The first game of the season set the tone for how frustrating it would be, as Joe Cole was given a red card in his debut game as a Red against Arsenal, whom came back to take a draw from the home side in the second half. Little did Cole know but he would become the poster boy for Liverpool as the underperformer of the season.

Results continued to go against the Reds, and Javier Mascherano disrespected the club by refusing to play until he was sold to Barca, where he got little playing time might I add. But he did get a small piece of a La Liga title, and maybe a Champions League title that is yet to be decided.

The first bright patch of the season came from more controversy over ownership. As Tom Hicks and George Gillet had spiraled the club's financial situation out of control, the fans were at their wits end to the point of open protestation at any chance they could get. To the rescue of the club came a new set of American owners, Fenway Sports Group under the guidance John W. Henry.

FSG had a proven track of success in professional sports as they had resurrected the Boston Red Sox and led them to two World Series titles and a completely refurbished Fenway Park. If there were some owners that knew how to make a franchise successful from the ground up, it appeared that these guys knew their stuff.

After a knockout battle through the courts, it was finally settled in their favor, and Liverpool was in a new era of ownership.

However, the results didn't immediately carry over onto the pitch. As Hodgson's non-attacking style of sitting behind the ball was failing to make the grade, and Liverpool's stars were continuing to languish in limbo of inconsistency. Fernando Torres looked done, Steven Gerrard and Jaime Carragher were shadows of themselves, and the all-around feeling was despair despite the new ownership.

The Reds were stuck in the lower reaches propping up the table. A team of their class and history should never be there.

Despite some out-of-nowhere performances, such as the 2-0 victory over Chelsea at home, the Reds just weren't in the right place under Roy Hodgson. The new owners had seen enough by January, and with Kenny Dalglish in the wings,, there was only one choice to guide the team through to the end of the season.

The return of King Kenny to the managers post on January 8, 2011 was a blessing to fans and all alike as far as Liverpool was concerned. Hodgson is a great manager for a mid-level team but couldn't match his style to the desires of Liverpool.

The Reds were in 12th place as Kenny prepared to take over the day before a vital cup tie clash with Manchester United that would see Steven Gerrard see a red card in the first half. Eventually, Liverpool would crash out thanks to the poorly called penalty that sent the Skipper off.

Controversy continued as Torres was staying and going, staying and going. Finally, his true colors emerged as he left Liverpool for a £50 million transfer to Chelsea, to a "Bigger Club," and the funds would be used as the cash to acquire both Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Kenny led the team back to their winning ways just days before the Torres debacle, bringing out the true class of Meireles. Meireles took off after his goals against Everton and Wolves, the latter of which Dalglish got his first victory as the first ever second term manager in Liverpool's histroy.

In true fashion, the drama of the EPL pitted the Reds against Torres' new Chelsea Blues in his first match of February. Four days earlier Luis Suarez had scored in his debut against Stoke City, and already, "El Pistelero," was trying to erase the memories of "El Nino."

Stamford Bridge was a cauldron of heated fans as Liverpool fans cat-called their former hero who had claimed he would always be a Red and had utterly disgraced his former team by claiming the Blues a bigger club. Meanwhile, Blues fans hung banners believing he was their newest savior.

The Reds would run out 0-1 winners thanks to Meireles, who was the inform man under Dalglish in his first months back in charge. Meireles scored five goals in a six game period.

Kenny's men would continue to climb up through mid-table mediocrity, and the rise of Meireles and youngster Martin Kelly would accompany the praise heaped onto Dalglish. Suarez adapted quicker than any would have imagined, and he would form a lethal attacking trio with Dirk Kuyt and Carroll once the three of them could all be on the pitch at once.

As the weeks and matches went by, the confidence was being restored in the players, the fans were reuniting behind Dalglish, and Jaime Carragher could not have summed up the affect of the care taker any better than with the words from an interview with the Guardian:

"He's brought the club together as one. The players and the supporters are all together. It wasn't like that at the start of the season, unfortunately for Roy. But I think Kenny coming in has galvanized the support behind the team again and obviously his record as a manager in the past is fantastic. He's one of the top managers around. He's won four championships."

Dalglish failed to keep the team in Europe, but given that he never had the opportunity to really manage any European games in his previous Liverpool tenure, it isn't a total bust, as he will get it right in time.

His valiant charge back to the top of the table was hampered more times than not by injury after injury, but he proved that he could use youth and any and all resources to get the job done, as more academy youngsters in Jay Spearing, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, and Charlton Youth Jonjo Shelvey all played their roles for the new boss.

FSG awarded Dalglish his much deserved contract as they offered him a 3-year deal just weeks ago. The Reds were poised for another season in the Europa League after being counted out, but their final two games ended in disappointment, as two losses allowed Tottenham to grab fifth and keep the Reds in sixth.

In conclusion, despite the sixth place finish and no Europa League, I actually believe grew as a team this season. A lot of young players got time to develop, Lucas finally really came into his own and was perhaps the best player of the season for the Reds, and the fans are behind the owners and the manager again.

To me, the Reds are in a much better position for growth and development than they were last year, and I look forward to an exciting summer transfer season that may or may not be hampered by no European action. I believe the intent of the new owners and the new manager have the club in an enticing new position for players to get excited about.

Shelvey has voiced his belief that next year will be great in his latest interview with LFC.tv stating:

"I believe next season will be a big one for Liverpool. I think with the way we were ending the season, apart from our last two games, the fans have got to be very optimistic about the future."

Jaime Carragher also believes that no European action in the Europa League allows an easier path back to the Champions League next season:

"The main thing for us next season is getting back into the Champions League. Not being in Europe will give us a better chance of doing that. We want to get back in the top four and do well in the cups.

"Playing Thursdays and Sundays isn't ideal so there's a flip side to not being involved."

The players are ready for next season and so am I. Come on you Reds, YNWA!

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10 Reasons Why the EPL Is the Best League in World Football

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(Bleacher Report) There are many many football leagues around the world that offer up some amazing spectacles to watch week in and week out. However, some leagues have more appeal than others.


This article is not meant to knock anyone's favorite league, but it is meant to offer up a personal view of reasoning for why the English Premier League is heads and shoulders above many others around the globe at the moment......Click Here to Start Slideshow.

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£20million Offer Looks on the Table for Eden Hazard

(Bleacher Report) Lille's Belgian winger, Eden Hazard, has been on every teams radar for the past season or so. With Liverpool's new owners now looking to increase the skill of the squad and increase the influx of youth into the team Hazard in one of several high profile wingers rumored to be on the way to Anfield.

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In an article on sports vibe Hazard was quoted as saying: "I want to play at a big club," Hazard admitted. "I have no preference. A major championship, I feel like it. But for now, I am with Lille."

With interest from more than just Liverpool Hazard will have his pick of many teams across Europe as he as at a major cross roads of his career.

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Ashley Young Claims He Will Decide His Future at Season's End

(Bleach Report) Aston Villa's English starlet left winger Ashley Young is claimed to be deciding his future when the season ends. Well, its almost over so he best sit down and decide what he wants to do.

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He has a host of English sides chasing him, and the competition will be steep to sign him with Manchester United, Arsenal, and primarily Liverpool being linked with him.

The appeal of Liverpool might be lessened if they fail to even reach Europe after tomorrow, but he will get to end the season against them since the Reds travel to Villa Park for the most important game of their season, and if anything else Young can get a chance to taste of the faces he might be seeing on the training pitch before the summer is over.

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Aquilani Could Return as a Red or Go Another Way If Juventus Comtinue to Stall

(Bleacher Report) Aquilani was supposed to be the £20million hero under Rafael Benitez in his final season as Liverpool's manager. However, a season that was ripe with injury, despite several masterful showings did not do enough to prove to short term manager Roy Hodgson that he was worthy of keeping.

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During his last pre-match press conference aired on Liverpoolfc.tv, Kenny Dalglish made the following statements about Aquilani:

"There's a distinct possibility he could be back here. He's a quality player. He got off to a bad start here with his injuries and never really got going after missing pre-season."

"He went out on loan and has done very well over there."

"If he was to come back here, for me that would be like a new face coming in. I don't know of any deadline, I wasn't privy to the conversations that were had."

These comments hint the the Italian may still have a chance to make a difference at Anfield as he still has three years left on the five-year contract he signed under Benitez.

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Diego Could Be the Next Playmaker to Be Headed for the Anfield Pitch

(Bleacher Report) The Werder Bremen playmaker did not fare as well in Italy as he had planned as he was quickly sold back to the Bundesliga at the start of this season and Juventus then locked up Alberto Aquilani on loan.

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Considered one of the best midfielders in the world only a year or so ago, at the age of 26 he still has plenty of time to develop and at a cut rate of around £8.8m could see the Reds go after him. The little bit of time that Dalglish has been in charge has shown the affect he can have when it comes to bringing out the best in his players.

The return of Aquilani and the cheap transfer of Diego could see the Reds improve their midfield drastically for a very low price as that would place five world class internationals in the midfield with Diego, Aquilani, Lucas Leiva, Raul Meireles, and team skipper Steven Gerrard.

With the owners looking to make smart business decisions, this could be a way to make a huge injection of midfield quality, while allowing broader investment across the wings, attacking, and defensive fronts.

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England's May 21st Doomsday: Preview the Final EPL Match Day of 2010-11

(Bleacher Report) In what has been a fabulous season of English football, it all comes down to the final weekend for a host of teams. Two teams battle for a guaranteed Champions League spot. Two teams battle for the only English UEFA Europa League spot from the standings. The action then gets more heated as five teams are mixed up in a final day desperate bid for survival as points and goal differentials are neck and neck.

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With all that said, lets start with the battles at the top of the table and work down. Manchester City took the fight to Stoke City yet again on Tuesday in a rematch of this past weekends FA Cup Final, in which Manchester City lifted the cup thanks to a second half goal from Yaya Toure.

A three to nil bashing of the Britannia side saw the Blues push past Arsenal into third place, giving them a guaranteed Champions League spot until at least Saturday. The Gunners take on eighth placed Fulham at Craven Cottage. If the cottagers have anything to do with it, they want to end their season on a high note. Despite their 5-2 bashing from Liverpool last Monday, the Cottage has been a stalwart for them with a record of eight wins, six draws and only four losses throughout the campaign.

Manchester City also are away as they travel to the Reebok to face off against a hard fighting Bolton Wanderers, who have had a great season despite dropping to tenth in the last few weeks due to a dip in form. If the Blues win they force the Gunners to fight through qualifying to make the Champions League, while Roberto Mancini's men have a red carpet to the group stages.

The next big battle in the top half of the table is for the one and only UEFA Europa League spot in this years English Premier League table, rewarded to fifth place. Liverpool had the chance to solidify their claim to it at the weekend, but a 0-2 loss to Tottenham at home saw them be forced into a must win game against Aston Villa at Villa park. If Spurs loose this weekend, and the Reds at the least draw Anfield they will indeed enjoy European nights. If both teams loose or Tottenham win the Reds will face an all domestic campaign for the first time in a long time.

Tottenham, however will have their hands full as their fight for survival to achieve a place in Europe will collide head on with Birmingham City as they fight to keep their spot in the top flight. Spurs need a win, but honestly Birmingham City need one just as badly or worse. The Blues may have won the Carling Cup but their League campaign has been in shambles as they sit in 17th place only above Blackpool and Wigan by one and two goals difference.

Birmingham face a must win or must score at least a few goals in the face of Blackpool and Wigan both loosing. Wigan Athletic face off against a battered Stoke City club that will either be an easy win or will be out for blood in their last match of the season. If the Latics pull off a victory they have to score at least three goals and hope that Blackpool and Birmingham both go down quietly.

Blackpool must travel to Old Trafford on the final day to face this season EPL Champions on their home turf. Manchester United took the all time English lead by the tail as their 19th League Championship takes them one above Liverpool. The Seasiders pushed the Champions to the brink earlier in the year, and it will take that much and more from Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell is the Tangerines wish to stay up.

The last two teams fighting for their guaranteed place in next season's top flight are Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers. It would not have been any more perfect if it had been planned out this way as these two face each other in what will truly be an exciting match at Molineux Stadium.

Mick McCarthy has orchestrated his masterful brilliance once again to help bring Wolves nearly out of harms way, but Rovers have a chance to rue the day if they upset the home team. However, a home victory and loss for Blackburn could equally be as brutal as the two teams sit equal on 40 points just inches from dropping to the Championship next season.

The only two matches not covered are Everton vs Chelsea and West Ham United vs Sunderland. Both Blues will be playing for pride as neither can really move up and would both like to finish strong. On the other hand West Ham are done in the Premier League for next season, and one last home game in the top flight this year at Upton Park could be another showing of player pride as they will hope to send Steve Bruce and the Black Cats back up north with their tails between their legs as a reminder of what they could be seeing again in 2012-13 if the Hammers go up or the Cats fall down next season.

Whomever is your team it is sure to be a weekend of great action as the final weekend draws nearer. I look forward to the summer and many more transfer sagas to follow before we kick off the 2011-12 season in August.

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Liverpool FC: Predicting the Reds Starting Line-Up for the 2011-12 Season

(Bleacher Report) In what has been a reason of heartache and pain for Liverpool, it has also been a season of revived hopes and dreams. New faces, new leadership and new owners with a desire to win have done wonders for the Reds and the club as a whole.

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The January arrival of Luis Suarez has sparked a sleeping attack for the Reds, as his creativity and tenacious attacking desire to get in the mix has pushed the Reds to their best since his regular inclusions began in late February.

Andy Carroll has also had a great effect; he has given the Merseyside club a new dimension to play from with a tall powerful striker to hold up the play and allow the quick-footed Uruguayan Suarez, and the in-form attacker Dirk Kuyt to reap the benefits.

With the loss to Tottenham Sunday afternoon, it is still apparent how much there still is to change around Anfield. The current crop of players truly isn't enough, and there will most likely be a massive exodus during the summer, as well as several more new faces entering the mix.

In the spirit of what the Reds could look like after a successful summer in the transfer market, here is a brief look at what the Reds bench and starting 11 could look like next season......Click Here to Start the Slideshow.

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Lionel Messi and the 20 Best Strikers in Champions League History

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(Bleacher Report) Lionel Messi has stolen the Champion's League spotlight this year as he leads the competition with 11 goals as Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team heads into the final against Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Messi's two goals against archrival Real Madrid in the first leg of their eventual triumph were what allowed the Blaugrana to advance, and he will be keen to continue his success this year and hopefully help his side raise the Champions League Trophy once more.

But Messi isn't the only player to be worthy of accolades in the history of the UEFA Champions League since its creation in 1992-92.

There are many other names worthy of their own time in the limelight, and without any more hold up, here is a list of the 20 best strikers in champions league history......Click Here to View the Slideshow.

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English Premier League: 5 Reasons Chelsea Can Still Win the Title

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(Bleacher Report) The title race was truly blown open today for Chelsea thanks to another stumble for Manchester United.

With only three league games remaining it is looking increasingly more possible that the Blues could pull off a miraculous return to the top and clip the heels out from under Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils.

Despite all the controversial happenings, it doesn't change the fact that the Blues are now on the verge of holding onto their title.

They also stand the chance to assist in preventing Manchester United from earning a single trophy for the first time since 1998 if the Red Devils fall in the Champions League in either the final or their next tie, and the Blues win the league.

But just what are the ways it could play out? Lets discuss the five things that could let the Premier League Trophy stay at Stamford Bridge......Click Here to View Slideshow.

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Liverpool V Tottenham: 5 Reasons Reds Can Win Race for Europa League Place

by Thomas Atzenhoffer on The Bleacher Report

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With another weekend in the books, and another stumble by Harry Redknapp's charges, the pressure continues to mount on Tottenham to hold off Liverpool for the fifth place Europa League spot in the English Premier League.

In their last 10 matches, the Spurs have managed to take only 14 of a possible 30 points, and they have only one win in the last eight of those matches. Hard fought efforts against Arsenal and West Brom in the last two weeks just still have not been enough to produce victories.

Liverpool have collected 20 points from their previously possible 30 points and have managed to achieve victories over Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, all teams in the top four of the table this season.

Despite a hard fought match against Chelsea on Saturday, the Spurs just can't seem to catch a break, and they just keep coming up slightly short at every turn. Their run of bad form and bad luck continues to leave the door open for Kenny Dalglish and his men, and this weekend, they continued to take full advantage.

Sunday morning's inspired victory over Newcastle United continued to show that the Reds mean business about qualifying for Europe next season as they climbed past Tottenham into fifth place thanks to their goal differential being far superior.

Though many have doubted that Liverpool could make it back up the table in time to even think of European competition next season, they are proving that perseverance pays off. Spurs still hold a game in hand advantage, but there are still many reasons to believe that the Reds can slip past their counterparts and nab the final European qualifying spot for England......Click Here to View the Slideshow.


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