The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed that former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison would

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed that former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison would have a case to answer for gross misconduct regarding his dealings with his police authority following the publication of a damning report on the Hillsborough disaster if he was still a serving officer.

Sir Norman Bettison has always denied any wrongdoing

Sir Norman, who has always denied any wrongdoing, attempted to influence public perception as the West Yorkshire Police Authority was deciding whether to refer him to the IPCC following the Hillsborough Independent Panel report last year, the commission concluded.

The IPCC said: "While it was evident Sir Norman made no attempt to prevent the referral happening, the IPCC investigation concluded that he attempted to manipulate the public perception of the referral process for his own self-interest.''

Experienced Liverpool pair Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher are both in contention for a return to action against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Experienced Liverpool pair Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher are both in contention for a return to action against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina both missed Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Southampton

First-choice goalkeeper Reina has missed the Reds' last two games with a calf problem while veteran defender Carragher was ruled out of the defeat at Southamptonearlier this month with a shin injury.

Reina has since been on the bench for Spain's internationals against Finland last week and France on Tuesday.

First-team coach Mike Marsh told the club's official website: "They're both available for selection, so it's a possibility.''

Jamie Carragher insists he has proved his doubters wrong

Jamie Carragher insists he has proved his doubters wrong by becoming a Liverpool regular under Brendan Rodgers.

Jamie Carragher joined Liverpool as a youngster in 1990

Carragher, 35, faced a fight to win a place in the side after Rodgers arrived as manager in June, and made just one Premier League start before Christmas.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel were the first-choice central defensive partnership during the first half of the season, with Carragher restricted largely to starts in the Europa League and Capital One Cup.

There were questions raised as to whether the former England defender would fit in under the Rodgers regime, but he has responded positively.

Carragher has been a regular in the starting line-up since January, and is looking to continue his run in the side through to the end of the season, when he will retire.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "At the start of the season I was aware that some people were saying I wouldn't suit Rodgers' style of football. But I think I have put that to bed in the last few games I have played.

"I think I've played well this season, without blowing my own trumpet. Even earlier in the season when I was playing in Europe and in the Capital One Cup, I was quite pleased with how I performed. Hopefully I can carry that through to the end of the season."

Brendan Rodgers has given Jordan Henderson reassurance

Brendan Rodgers has given Jordan Henderson reassurance by insisting that can always rely on the Liverpool midfielder.

Jordan Henderson is under pressure for his place

Henderson is fighting to win back his place at Anfield after being left out of Rodgers' starting line-up for the last four league matches. The England Under-21 captain's form has picked up in recent months, having made a slow start to life on Merseyside following a £16 million move from Sunderland in the summer of 2011.

At one stage, he looked to be on his way out of Anfield, having been offered to Fulham last summer as part of an unsuccessful bid to bring in Clint Dempsey.

Brad Jones has said he has played in more Liverpool first-team games

Brad Jones has said he has played in more Liverpool first-team games than he expected this season - as he prepared to return to the bench.

Brad Jones: Has deputised for Reina this season

Jones, 31, has played in the Merseysiders' last two Premier League games because first-choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina has been out with a calf injury.

Those appearances took his tally for the season to 15, a huge increase for a 'keeper who played only four times in his first two years at Anfield after arriving from Middlesbrough in August 2010.

Lucas Leiva has said he nearly left Liverpool in 2010

Lucas Leiva has said he nearly left Liverpool in 2010 and believes former Anfield boss Roy Hodgson signed Christian Poulsen to replace him in midfield.

Lucas Leiva: A vital cog in Liverpool's midfield

The Brazil international, bought by Rafa Benitez in 2007, felt his days on Merseyside were numbered after the Spaniard left and Hodgson arrived to replace him.

Hodgson brought in Poulsen, who had played for him at Copenhagen, but the Dane only lasted a year at Anfield - whereas Lucas was named Liverpool's Player of the Season in 2010-11.

Daniel Sturridge has admitted he did not fulfil his ambitions at Chelsea

Daniel Sturridge has admitted he did not fulfil his ambitions at Chelsea, even though the Blues won the Champions League last season.

Daniel Sturridge has become a first-team regular at Liverpool

And the England international said he now feels at home at Liverpool and has stopped worrying about his future.

Sturridge was a regular for Chelsea during Andre Villas-Boas' reign but lost his place after Roberto Di Matteo took over and was an unused substitute in both the FA Cup and the Champions League final.

Much of his first-team football came either as a substitute or a right winger whereas he has been an automatic choice as a striker for Liverpool since his £12 million move in January.

He told the club's official website: "I had success [at Chelsea]. We won trophies and I have medals but in terms of my own individual ambitions, I didn't get to fulfil them.

"Hopefully here, now I'm at a club that believes in me with a manager who believes in me, I can give the fans something to smile about."

Sturridge explained that manager Brendan Rodgers had told him that playing for Liverpool is special.

He added: "What the manager said to me when I first joined is that words don't describe it. You have to be here and be a part of it to understand. When I joined I immediately realised what he meant.

"I don't think I could tell someone - you just have to be here and a part of it to understand the feeling. I've enjoyed every minute since I joined the club. It's been a great time here for me and I'm enjoying part of the future here.

"I get on with every player - everyone's been great. I feel like this is my home now. I don't have any worries about the future."

Philippe Coutinho has set his sights on staying at Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho has set his sights on staying at Liverpool for a long time and making a major impression for his new club.

Phillippe Coutinho has made an instant impact at Liverpool

Coutinho feels believes his time in Italy and Spain has helped him adapt to the Premier League so quickly. The Brazilian winger joined Liverpool from Inter Milan in the January transfer window and has made an immediate impact with two goals and two assists in his last four league games.

And while he is finding English football faster than the continental game, he believes his time at Inter and a loan spell at Espanyol last season prepared him well for life at Liverpool.

"Things have gone really well for me here so far," Coutinho told the Liverpool Echo. "Maybe because I played in Italy and spent six months in Spain last season that has helped me adapt more quickly to English football.

"Also I must thank my team-mates as they have helped me a lot with my first few games. Everyone has made me feel so welcome.

He added: "The games are quicker and more physical but I like that. I am learning all the time.

"Every player wants to improve and get better and I am the same. I am still young and have so much still to learn.

"I hope to be here for many years and become a big player for Liverpool. I will continue to work hard and do my best to improve my performances and help Liverpool."

England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick believes Raheem Sterling

England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick believes Raheem Sterling is benefiting from Brendan Rodgers' decision to rest him at Liverpool.

Raheem Sterling has committed his long-term future to Liverpool

Sterling, 18, has enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season and made his senior England debut in November, before signing a lucrative long-term deal at Anfield the following month.

He has already made 35 appearances for the Reds to date this campaign but has not featured for over a month after manager Rodgers noticed the teenager was becoming jaded.

It was a move that has seemingly paid dividends, with the winger looking rejuvenated in England Under-21's 3-0 defeat of Romania on Thursday night.

Steven Gerrard believes that youngster Raheem Sterling has everything he needs to become a great at the club.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes that youngster Raheem Sterling has everything he needs to become a great at the club.

Raheem Sterling scores for Liverpool against Reading

Sterling, 17, who has become a first-team regular this season, scored his first senior goal as Reading were beaten 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday.

It was the latest step in the remarkable rise of the teenager, who has become one of the most exciting prospects in English football since making his debut for Liverpool in March.

He is also making rapid strides at international level. Having started the season in the England Under-19 set-up, Sterling made his Under-21 debut less than two weeks ago, and is in the frame to win his first full cap in a friendly against Sweden next month.

Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Luis Suarez despite the striker's failure to convert one of his myriad chances against Reading.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Luis Suarez despite the striker's failure to convert one of his myriad chances against Reading.

Luis Suarez was guilty of missing a glut of chances against Reading

Suarez, 25, provided the assist for Raheem Sterling's winning goal in the 1-0 victory at Anfield but was guilty of missing several opportunities, with nine of his ten attempts on goal not even hitting the target.

However, Rodgers refused to criticise his forward, insisting that there is nothing wrong with Suarez's strike rate.

"He's not perfect but he has got a great return if you look at his stats, when he was at Ajax and since he has come into here," Rodgers said.

Suso has committed his future to Liverpool after signing a new long-term contract.

Suso has committed his future to Liverpool after signing a new long-term contract.

Suso Santana (l) is mobbed by his team mates after scoring for Hearts

The Spaniard, 18, moved to Anfield in 2010 from hometown club Cadiz and has impressed this season after being promoted to the first-team squad by Brendan Rodgers.

After signing the contract, Suso told the club's official site: "I am really happy. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and this is the right place for me.

"I am happy Brendan has shown trust in me. I had no questions about signing a new deal and I am really glad to have done so.

Brendan Rodgers insists the club can qualify for next season's Champions League

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists the club can qualify for next season's Champions League if they cut out their defensive mistakes.

Brendan Rodgers is confident in his side's ability

Rodgers accused his players of losing concentration and becoming lazy after the 3-2 defeat at home to Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Reds have also suffered a stuttering start to their Premier League campaign, sitting 14th with just one win after six games.

However, despite their setbacks, the former Swansea boss has echoed captain Steven Gerrard's claims that they can finish in the Premier League's top four this season.

Tony Pulis believes his Stoke City side are in for another stern examination at Liverpool on Sunday

Tony Pulis believes his Stoke City side are in for another stern examination at Liverpool on Sunday, despite the Reds' Europa League defeat on Thursday.

Tony Pulis takes Stoke to Liverpool

The Potters manager watched the game against Udinese and will return to Merseyside with a squad containing Liverpool old boys Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam.

He said: "I thought they were very unfortunate last night. They were in complete control and played really well. But scoring just after half-time gave Udinese a real lift.

"We have a job to do in a difficult game. Liverpool have top, top players. We will show the people of that great football club total respect.

Daniel Agger has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Daniel Agger has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Daniel Agger says he never entertained thoughts of a move away from Liverpool

Agger, 27, had been linked with a move away from Anfield in the summer but has now committed his future to the club he joined from Brondby in 2006.

He told the club's official website: "It means everything to me. This is where I want to be and I'm happy the club want me. I am really happy right now. I've never wanted to go anywhere else. I feel I am a part of this club - and I want to be a part of this club in the future.

Geoff Cameron hopes to upset mates back home this weekend by helping Stoke win at Anfield

Geoff Cameron hopes to upset mates back home this weekend by helping Stoke win at Anfield for the first time in over half a century.


United States international Cameron is from Massachusetts and has friends in Boston, the home of the Fenway Sports Group, owners of both Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

The 27-year-old has seen interest in Liverpool grow in his native country because of the John W Henry connection but will be aiming to cause disappoint in New England when the teams meet on Sunday.

"Most of the Liverpool games are shown in Boston these days, so I am sure a bunch of my buddies will be watching," he said. "Being from Boston, I have some affiliation with them but I don't care about that. My focus is here."

The football fan who sent an abusive Twitter message to Premier League

The football fan who sent an abusive Twitter message to Premier League referee and cancer survivor Mark Halsey following last weekend's Liverpool v Manchester United game has been cautioned by police.

Mark Halsey sent off Jonjo Shelvey last Sunday

Liverpool supporter John Wareing, a 27-year-old man from the north-east, tweeted: "I hope Mark Halsey gets cancer again and dies", after the official sent off Reds midfielder Jonjo Shevley and handed United a late penalty that gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side a 2-1 win at Anfield.

Commenting on the incident, DS Tony Lunt of Greater Manchester police said: "Clearly the victim and his family were very distressed by the extremely offensive comments posted on Twitter. We take all reports of abuse on social networking sites very seriously as these remarks can and do have a devastating impact on people's lives.

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher has told the club's young players

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher has told the club's young players to keep pushing in order to ensure their make the most of their potential.

Carragher, 34, captained a youthful Liverpool side to a 2-1 victory at West Brom in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night and the centre-back believes that the hopefuls on the fringes of Brendan Rodgers' first-team squad have the potential to carve out successful careers if they put in the work.

Rodgers fielded three teenagers in the starting line-up at the Hawthorns - defenders Andre Wisdom and Jack Robinson, plus German forward Samed Yesil - with four more on the bench.

Spain Under-19 international Suso came on later in the game, as did schoolboy Jerome Sinclair, the youngest player in the club's history at 16 years and six days.

In addition, Rodgers had former youth-team captain Conor Coady and Cameroon-born defender Stephen Sama among his unused substitutes.