It's Best It Ended When It Did for Liverpool

Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Braga on Thursday as the Reds failed to overturn a one goal deficit which they suffered in Portugal last week. I say "crashed out" - it would be far more suitable to compare the failing to a slow, tiresome burning out and eventual gentle stop rather than eventful, action packed full car chase ending in an exploding and manic "crash". I watched the match, and in hindsight I wished I hadn't.

If Kenny Dalglish's long term future relies on the upcoming performances and results in matches, then this was indeed worrying for him and his future. Of course he is probably the best choice for Liverpool as long term manager - having the full and undying support from the fans is and will be vital - but this performance, much like all of Liverpool's European performances this season, have been uninspiring and just plain boring. Fair enough if you get the end result, but when your not even getting a goal against the 6th place Portuguese League side, you know there are problems.

The fact that Andy Carroll started for Liverpool had pundits and commentators alike, excited beyond belief with the idea that long balls would be expertly nodded down by the big man for either Cole or Meireles to smash home. It actually conspired that Joe Cole was woeful as he has been during his short Liverpool career so far. I hesitate in blasting Cole who is obviously a quality player, but he did pretty much nothing against Braga to warrant £90,000 a week. This is, after all, a player whom Steven Gerrard compared to Lionel Messi when he first signed for Liverpool.

Carroll started his first game for Liverpool and couldn't get into the game. The team lacks the ability to cross from the wings, with Johnson often being the main provider. Johnson was coincidental swiftly closed down whenever he received the ball in a dangerous position as if to emphasise the danger of his and Carroll's combination. Carroll did what he does though - getting his head on anything he can and occasional holding the ball up well when he found it at his feet. He ran and ran, copying the template of the tireless Dirk Kuyt, but in this case, it was to no avail.

It was best it ended here though. Lets face it, Liverpool with this team had no chance of winning the competition when other teams in the competition have far more creativity and spark than the Reds do without the very important but cup-tied Luiz Suarez. It was a toothless display from Liverpool who can now concentrate on their domestic and far more important competition of the Premier League. They will be fighting for a place in the Europa League next year so they can bore us all over again. Joy!

Watch: Suarez Scores on Debut for Liverpool

Below you can see the two goals scored by Liverpool to propel them to seventh spot in the Premier League as they continue their inspired revival under the returned Anfield legend, Kenny Dalglish.

Their new number seven, Luis Suarez ,would have been dreaming of the perfect start to his Liverpool career and try to emulate his manager's time wearing the iconic seven shirt. The Uruguayan may not have struck the cleanest strike as he grabbed his first Liverpool goal in front of his now adoring fans, but if he continues to show his obvious quality, he will have chances in abundance to slot a clean strike into the oppositions net and win games for Liverpool.

In the absence of a scruffy haired, sulking Spaniard moping slowly around the pitch looking utterly disinterested and waiting for the game to finish without contributing a thing - apparently worth £50 million, the teams morale was not brought down, as instead of the grumpy Torres, they saw they enthusiasm and hard work of Dirk Kuyt ad Raul Meireles up front. Suarez joined them in the second half.

Liverpool however, will face a bigger test on the week end when they face Chelsea and the £50 million man himself. But for now: Torres who? Enjoy:

 



Wolves 0 - 3 Liverpool: Watch Match Goals

Wolves 0 - 3 Liverpool: Watch Match Goals Here

Fernando Torres scores two tap-ins and Raul Meireles scores a wonder goal to seal Kenny Dalglish's first win since his return to management with Liverpool.

As you would expect, Kenny Dalglish was delighted at his teams performance - an obvious improvement from the previous meeting between the two sides, when Wolves left Anfield with a shocking 3 points as Roy Hodgson headed for the exit:

"The feeling is elation because we won 3-0. Everyone is happy - the defence, the forwards. We got the success because we played as a team. Hopefully we can build on that.

"Wolves have been in a good vein of form and have beaten Chelsea here. For us to come along, play like that and go home with three goals and none against is a fantastic effort. It was not a flattering result. The players got what they deserved. It was a credit to their belief, hard work, effort and determination throughout the game."

“If you don’t compete at Molineux, you will walk away with nothing but a defeat. The players showed a lot of pride in their performance and pride in the football club. The way they have responded to Stevey Clarke, myself and Sammy Lee since we came in is great credit to them.”

The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy told of how the influence of Liverpool legend Dalglish played a big part in his sides disappointing loss, especially when Wolves won the previous fixture under Roy Hodgson, whom McCarthy has sympathy for:

"We beat them when Roy was there. He is such a great guy and a top coach but it is Kenny Dalglish coming out of the stand.

"I think he is enjoying a support and a warmth Roy didn't. He has garnered and nurtured that and they are on a better roll than they were because of it."

Liverpool still have a lot of work to do to get his side back to their best, as Wolves aren't exactly the hardest opposition as they languish in the relegation zone, but Meireles' improvement over the past few games as well as Fernando Torres getting back on the score sheet can only be good for the Reds. The transfer window remains open, and Liverpool look keen on both Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam and Ajax striker Luis Suarez - both of whom would strengthen the Liverpool side. However, Ajax have warned Liverpool to get on with negotiations, as they won't sell at the last minute because they need time to find a replacement.

A good game for Liverpool, but will it continue?

£16 million man: "Manchester United is the club of my dreams"

Despite being an apparent £16 million target for Liverpool, 20 year-old defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila has revealed his love for club rivals, Manchester United. This may be a big blow for Liverpool, who have reportedly been scouting the Rennes player for a while through their Director of Football Strategy, Damien Comolli, and it perhaps shows a sign of the times at Liverpool. The Mersey side club have dropped out of the top four, haven't won a trophy for a couple of years, and have suffered utter turmoil both on and off the pitch in recent times having trouble with both their owners and managers.

The French player M'Villa, who has been described as a player who possesses "excellent defensive abilities" and "impressive physical strength" said:

"Manchester United is the club of my dreams. It's a very prestigious club and I dream to play for them."

Since losing Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in 2009, Liverpool have never really replaced him with a quality central midfielder to partner Steven Gerrard, who can create for the attack, whilst holding the team together in the middle of the park. They tried with Alberto Aquilani - look where that ended up. Raul Meireles hasn't had an immediate impact on Liverpool, and doesn't look as if he has the authority to command the midfield like Alonso used to. M'Villa would certainly add to the squad at Liverpool.

Manchester United on the other hand, have not been linked to the player as heavily as Liverpool have, but will soon be looking for some midfielders themselves as Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs will be looking towards retirement in the near future. The problem with transfers at United is mainly about both the price, and the preference of the player. If the player wants to join you, you have a great chance of signing him, but if you are in hundreds of millions of pounds of debt... well there lies the problem.

United have been linked to Belgian central midfielder Steven Defour, as well as German play maker Bastien Schweinsteiger for the central position, while players such as Michel Bastos and Fabio Coentrao have been tipped to replace Giggs - despite both being defenders.

Liverpool have far bigger problems on the pitch than top of the League, unbeaten Manchester United, but both teams can easily be improved. By who, we will have to find out.

Liverpool Bag Defender and Midfielder

£10.7 Million Replacement

Roy Hodgson moved quickly to strengthen his squad after the departure of Javier Mascherano by quickly using the funds from his sale to invest in a replacement. A more attacking one at that, but one who will give good support to the attacking players like Torres, Gerrard and Cole in Raul Meireles.

The Portugese midfielder played well in the World Cup alongside fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, so he is no stranger to playing with quality players. And now he has the chance to prove his worth at Liverpool, as he tries to live up to the £10.7 million that Liverpool have splashed out on him. The Portugese came from FC Porto who wanted to make some money out of him now, worrying that, with only two years left on his contract, that he could go for a free in two years time.

Konchesky

The spending for Liverpool doesn't stop there, as Paul Konchesky will undergo a medical to join Liverpool over the week-end. Hodgson confirmed that he had spoken to his former player earlier in the week, and with Fulham already prepared to let him go after bringing in a replacent yestarday in Carlos Salcedo, the move seems inevitable.

All Liverpool need now is a striker. With the only real established striker at the club being Fernando Torres, with David N'gog still learning, Liverpool still need a quality finisher in backup for some extra fire power. Reports suggest that this could be Carlton Cole of West Ham.