The People: LFC plan Bundesliga swoop

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is planning a double transfer-window swoop on the Bundesliga.

The Reds have lined up Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin and Borussia Dortmund striker Luca Barrios.

Anfield director of football Damien Comolli identified Marin - German, but of Serbian descent - more than a year ago and Liverpool are understood to have failed in a bid to sign the winger last summer.

Now they are trying to revive the a deal for a fee of around £12million but time is running out before the window closes on Tuesday night.

Marin, 22, played twice for Germany during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and is ­regarded as a promising young talent.

Tottenham are also ­understood to be keeping tabs on Marin but it is thought Liverpool are ahead of them in the race.

The Reds have only one ­recognised winger in Stewart Downing, signed from Aston Villa last summer.

Attacker Barrios, 27, has ­fallen out with the German club's coach Jurgen Klopp and is no longer a first-choice starter, ­despite being one of the Bundesliga's hottest ­properties a couple of years ago.

Dalglish's spies, as well as QPR talent-spotters, have been in contact with Dortmund to ­register their interest to see whether Borussia fancy sending the Paraguayan into the shop ­window on loan for the rest of the season. The asking price is around £10m. Neither Liverpool nor QPR are willing to pay that much now but would take Barrios on a loan basis - with an option to buy him in the summer if he does well.

French giants ­Marseille are also in the mix and ­are ­prepared to pay a fee. But their ­offer would ­become ­official only if they sold Loic Remy, with Spurs still waiting to see whether the striker's price comes down.

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Abidal 'courted by Liverpool and City'

Eric Abidal is a free transfer target for both Liverpool and Manchester City as he approaches the end of his Barcelona contract.

The France international's current deal is scheduled to expire at the end of the season and he is now entitled to speak to other clubs about a summer move.

Barcelona have offered him a two-year contract extension, but with a number of major European clubs interested, the defender has asked for time to think about his future, reports L'Equipe.

AC Milan have already confirmed they are ready to hand the 32-year-old a three-year deal, but there is also interest from England.

Liverpool and Manchester City have apparently made Abidal aware they are keen, although they have not yet made formal offers.

Both clubs signed players - Jose Enrique and Gael Clichy - who play in the Barca star's preferred position of left-back last summer, but the chance to bring in an experienced international who can cover across the back four is still an attractive prospect to them.

Abidal has previously indicated he would like to stay at Barcelona, as he is thankful for the way they stood by him after he was diagnosed with a liver tumour last season.

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Dalglish leads Ablett tributes

Kenny Dalglish has today led the tributes to Gary Ablett who sadly passed away on Sunday night after a 16-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

It was the Reds boss who handed Ablett his debut against Charlton Athletic in December 1986 before the Aigburth-born defender went on to win two league titles and an FA Cup during an Anfield playing career that spanned 147 games.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv on Monday, Dalglish said: "The most important thing just now is to pay our respects to Gary, his wife Jacqueline, the two boys and his wee girl.

"It's a sad, sad day for his family and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club. Obviously he had a long battle and I'm sure it was a lot of suffering and a lot of pain for him, but the only thing you can say is at least he won't be suffering any longer.

"I gave Gary his debut and remember him scoring on his first start at Anfield against Nottingham Forest.

"He was a really good servant to the football club not only as a player, but also as reserve team coach.

"He served the club proudly and credibly. It's very sad for everybody."

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Craig gives us so much quality

Martin Skrtel has hailed the influence to Liverpool of Craig Bellamy after the Welsh international’s two-goal display against Newcastle United in the final game of 2011 on Friday night.

Liverpool's No.39 was a constant menace to his old side and the Slovakian was quick to mention just how important a figure he is for Kenny Dalglish's side.

"Craig put in a really good performance and we were delighted for him to get two goals against his old club. He showed again what a great footballer he is," Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Everybody knows how much quality he has and he shows that in every single game he plays. He's a great player and we are delighted to have him on our side.

"It was a very important win for us, especially after not winning the previous two games, so we got the three points and we are really happy with that."

The No.37 was also full of praise for skipper Steven Gerrard after he netted the Reds final goal of the calendar year against Newcastle.

He added:  "Stevie is special. He has been out for a while but he scored and showed how very important a player he is for Liverpool.

"He has given everyone a lot of confidence. We have a lot of games to play, just in January alone, and his return is a big boost to us. We are all happy to see him back."

Skrtel also made a key contribution during the win over Alan Pardew's side when he made a fantastic goal saving clearance from Demba Ba with the score at 2-1.

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'Craig gives us so much quality'

He said: "I just tried to do my best to clear the ball.

"It was going in and I was happy to help the team and clear the ball."

Dalglish's charges now turn their attentions to the first of three meetings in January with Manchester City.

With the two legged Carling Cup semi-final to follow, the Reds will head into Tuesday's clash at the Etihad Stadium full of confidence.

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Skrtel on amazing clearance

"We played really well at Anfield against them and showed we can compete against them," added Skrtel.

"If we can repeat that performance on Tuesday then we are certainly capable of getting a good result against them.

"We are looking forward to it and we will give our best.

"These are going to be special games as in a short period we play them three times so we hope to be successful."

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