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Liverpool take on Newcastle at Anfield at noon today, and with Tottenham dropping all three points at Stamford Bridge yesterday, Anfield is sure to be bouncing come kick-off time.  If Liverpool notch yet another win under Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool will find themselves level on points with Spurs, having played a game more.  The Daily Mail has also reported that Kenny Dalglish is simply days away from being unveiled as Liverpool’s permanent manager.

Liverpool have enjoyed quite a run under the Scotsman, notching vital wins over Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and that 5-0 trouncing of Birmingham city.  Within the club, Liverpool’s youth system is flourishing, with the likes of Jay Spearing, 22, Jonjo Shelvey, 19, John Flanagan, 18, and Jack Robinson, 17 have all been drafted into the first team by Dalglish, playing vital parts in the Reds revival.  It is that youth policy, one so revered by owners Fenway Sports Group, that is sure to land Dalglish the job.

Granted, Liverpool have in truth been forced to reach into their reserves and youth squad due to a lengthy injury list including Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly (who played fantastic during the first months of the Scots return before injuring a hamstring), Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and captain Steven Gerrard.  However, Dalglish has claimed that the introduction of the players has helped with the change in atmostphere at the club, and has kept the senior players on their toes.

‘It helps the atmosphere to see a couple of local lads, younger boys, come in and do well,’ said Dalglish.   ‘And with the lads that are here, there isn’t any danger of them being carried away. They are pretty sensible young boys who come from good homes and that helps as well.

‘Jay is 22 but he’s still growing. He’s done really well for us. He and Lucas have been fantastic and Jay is probably one of the older generation now when you start getting 17 and 18-year-olds in.

‘We’re delighted for him and delighted with what he’s done on the pitch. He can handle the praise a wee bit more than the younger ones, and if you want to give him the headlines then that’s fine.   He’s been deserving of it since he came back in and it’s not because he’s a local boy, it’s because he has done really well. It doesn’t matter where he comes from.

‘He has got a great character, a bubbly character, so he’s good in and around the place as well, and he transfers that on to the pitch. He has a nice balance about him because he’s not arrogant but he knows when he goes on the pitch he can compete, so that’s good for us.’

Although there are still the specifics to be negotiated in Dalglish’s contract, such as pay and contract length, Liverpool fans can expect to hear, see, or read the announcement of Dalglish’s signing by May 22, at the very latest.  The fans have waited patiently through the announcements of Damien Comolli’s (Director of Football Strategy), and Ian Ayre’s ( Managing Director) long term contract, and it seems owners FSG are merely waiting until the end of the season to avoid hype and distraction.

Dalglish was pivotal in the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, reinstating the “Liverpool way” around Anfield, and has admitted the work of the owners have brought back a feel-good factor around the red half of Merseyside.

‘The supporters have responded very well to them,’ Dalglish said. ‘And the appointments of Ian and Damien have been very positive as well. But the most important thing has been the results we’re seeing and some of the performances as well.’

Dalglish is also appreciative of the way the squad has reacted to his installment as interim manager.

‘What’s pleased me most is the way the players have gone about training and thrown themselves into it,’ he said. ‘They’ve got behind what we are trying to do and the reward they have had for the hard work they have done is there for all to see, and that encourages them.

‘On the whole, we can be very happy with what they have done. They have thoroughly deserved the results we’ve achieved and if they continue doing what they are doing, then I’m sure they will get more rewards.’

Reports surfaced earlier this week showing Liverpool players Pepe Reina, Andy Carroll, Raul Meireles, Glen Johnson and Everton’s Tim Cahill in Madrid, with the media putting a negative spin on the situation, leaving Dalglish unimpressed.  Carroll is likely to miss the clash with his former club, but Dalglish was not worried about his players enjoying a day in Spain to watch the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

‘They’re grown men aren’t they? I’m not here to babysit,’ he said. ‘If they can handle the responsibility then we’ve all got a chance. If they went to watch Real Madrid v Barcelona, I hope they got a good education.

‘I don’t have a problem with it. If they want to go to Real Madrid against Barcelona and it doesn’t interfere with their training, it’s no problem for them.   They can drive down to London and it would take them longer than to go to Madrid to watch a match there.’

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