The 19-year-old won November's award after scoring four goals in five games.  "I have got to try to force my way into the Liverpool team and stay there," Shelvey said. "I feel this is a good chance for me to kick on. "Being at Blackpool has helped get me back into Liverpool's plans."Shelvey was recalled by the Reds at the end of November after a season-ending injury to Lucas Leiva and played for three minutes as a substitute at the end of Saturday's victory over QPR.

With Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard still on the sidelines and midfielder Jay Spearing missing the next two games through suspension, Essex-born Shelvey is keen to make the most of the opportunity. The former Charlton man, who joined Liverpool for an initial £1.7m in May 2010, added: "There is only so much I can do on and off the pitch - selection is down to [manager] Kenny Dalglish but, if he does come calling, I will be ready - and hopefully I can take my chance.

"I think that going out on loan has helped me get my confidence back up and I think I am showing that in training back here."Shelvey made the loan move to the Seasiders at the end of September after asking Dalglish if he could leave Anfield temporarily in search of first-team football.

"When you are not playing at Liverpool it gets you down, and you sometimes need to go away and play games," he said. He scored six goals in 10 games during the full spell, including a hat-trick in a stunning 5-0 win at Leeds. And he is adamant his spell at Bloomfield Road also helped him sharpen his match fitness after finding his route to the first team at Anfield blocked.

Shelvey said: "Every time you play you get sharper - it brings you half a yard closer to the ball and you no longer feel sluggish. "Blackpool is a great club to play for and the attacking way they play suited me down to the ground."

Seasiders boss Ian Holloway said Shelvey's performances for the Championship club had given everyone at the club a lift. "He was fantastic," Holloway said. "He had a lot of frustration when he first came. "I think he has all sorts of talent and will never lose that. Hopefully he will get the chance to use that and shine because he really suited us.

"The boy is good enough to play anywhere and in our system floating in off the right he was dynamic. He has gone a long way to giving us some confidence and making us realise we can win some games.

"I hope his career goes from strength to strength."Liverpool play Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, marking the start of a sequence of five top-flight games in 16 days over the festive period.

Shelvey's only appearance this season prior to his loan move was as a late substitute in the 3-1 Carling Cup win at Exeter on 24 August. He made 21 appearances during the 2010-11 season, but just four were starts and he failed to score.

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"I went as Usain Bolt the runner," Toure told Football Focus on a visit to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. A number of City players were pictured in national newspapers attending the party at a top west London night club.

Striker Mario Balotelli was dressed as a cowboy and goalkeeper Joe Hart went as an American footballer, while Toure braved icy conditions to turn out as Jamaica's Olympic sprint gold medallist. "It was too cold, but I was OK," added the 28-year-old Ivory Coast player. "It was just nice to meet some of the fans after the game."

City's 14-match unbeaten run came to an end at Stamford Bridge with a 2-1 defeat. They had led 1-0 and been denied what looked a clear penalty for a foul on midfielder David Silva by full-back Jose Bosingwa.

"It was difficult because we controlled the game in the first half," Toure explained. "The second half was different because Chelsea controlled the game. They played better than us and deserved to win."

Toure was among a group of City players bringing some Christmas cheer to sick youngsters. The club have supported the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for a number of years.

Roberto Mancini's side hope to get their title challenge back on course when they entertain revitalised Arsenal on Sunday. The big games are coming thick and fast, and the giant midfielder is clearly enjoying life in England.

"That's why I signed for City. I love it playing in the Premier League. Until the final game of the season every game will be tough," he said. "All the teams want to beat us and we want to beat all the other teams. It's not like Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona. In England, you have five or six clubs at the top."

Manchester City face a number of crunch games in January which could decide the destiny of the Premier League title, but Toure will be missing for most of the month on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. He remains a key member of the Ivory Coast squad contesting this season's tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

"My mind is divided," he admitted. "It will be difficult. This time is special for the club and for my country. After the war the people need all the big players in this competition."

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DONATIONS are coming in for the Liverpool Unites Christmas appeal. ECHO readers are helping us towards our target of £500,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Last year about 14,000 children were in the hospital during December and about 200 were so unwell they needed to spend Christmas Day in Alder Hey.

The ECHO’s charity Liverpool Unites has launched a Christmas appeal to help towards our fundraising target. The cash will be used to build the play areas in the new children’s health park. Play is an important part of children’s healthcare as it helps doctors to see how a child might be responding to treatment. And it can also be a useful distraction therapy tool to help children come to terms with a difficult diagnosis.

Katie Harrison, Liverpool Unites fundraising manager, said: “Letting children play and forget their illness is so important and it is even more valuable at Christmas time. Your donation will help us on our way to providing fantastic play areas.

“When the target is reached and the play areas are built the children will be able to have fun with their families during the festive season and all year round.”

Emily Coventry, 15, spent last Christmas in Alder Hey and has rarely been home since. She stayed in one of the transplant suites in the hospital’s cancer unit for Christmas 2010. She said: “There was a lot of activity in the run-up to Christmas with different celebrity and Santa visits and I tried to make my room more festive by having a tree and I made my own decorations with the play specialists.

“It was horrible not being home but my family were allowed to stay for a few hours on Christmas Day and bring me presents. When they left it was just me and mum.”More than £1,000 has been raised so far. If you would like to make a donation you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/liverpool-unites-christmas-appeal. Or call 0151 285 8400 or send a cheque made payable to Liverpool Unites to Liverpool Unites, Liverpool ECHO, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

Toy Appeal

The Liverpool Unites Toy Appeal draws to a close on Friday. Kind ECHO readers are donating toys to our collection points to bring a smile to the faces of thousands of underprivileged children across Merseyside. They will receive presents thanks to your generosity. Donate a new, unwrapped toy at any participating Greggs store and you will receive a free sausage roll or mince pie. Presents can also be dropped off at the ECHO reception in Old Hall Street. For a full breakdown of all drop off locations go to www.liverpoolunites.co.uk

Carol Concert

The ECHO concert will take place at the Liverpool Cathedral at 7.30pm on Monday. Tickets are £10 for adults or £7 for concessions. Call 0151 285 8400 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Tickets can also be purchased from the Liverpool ECHO reception.

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For the second time in 48 hours, he and his club found an unlikely ally in their fight against football’s authorities. The QPR manager, Neil Warnock, is as popular at Anfield as a Manchester United season ticket (Warnock still blames Liverpool for his demise at Sheffield United four years ago) so his eulogising of Suárez as a “potentially £70 million player” and defence of his right to show the middle finger at abusive fans triggers complex emotions. Given his murky history with disciplinary boards, for many on the Kop having Warnock endorse their opinion causes the kind of unease a liberal would feel after a standing ovation from Nick Griffin.

Perhaps Warnock sees some of his own divisive personality in the Uruguayan, or maybe as a prolific assembler of players who provoke as much bitterness as they do applause from rival supporters, the QPR manager was underlining his tendency to use his clubs as a care home for the greatly detested.
After suffering defeat because of the South American’s 47th-minute header, Warnock said he would love to manage Suárez. There are plenty in the QPR side who, like Suárez, spend their weekends trying to prove that their football skills should be noted more than their off-field misdemeanours.

The difference is that rather than being a serial offender, Suárez gives the impression trouble keeps pursuing and catching him. He is a definer of games, a player who creates enduring memories out of humdrum fixtures, just as he did here. Watching him twist, turn and cause the kind of havoc that should have secured him the match ball, he performed like a personality to be cherished rather than ostracised. Paradoxically, as the misconduct charges pile up, Suárez cuts the figure of a bemused passer-by, confused as to why each appearance in front of rival fans prompts a baying mob to start chucking rotten vegetables at him, until he becomes the one under attack for throwing a few back.

Every provocative incident in which he has been involved, both positive and negative, is rooted in the kind of passion supporters see as compulsory from those in their own shirt but despise seeing in others.
Raising a finger to opposing supporters taunting you because you have lost is childish; whatever the outcome of the racist language charge; Suárez handled the ball in the World Cup to enable his side to reach the semi-finals; and even when he inexcusably bit an opponent playing for Ajax it was in retaliation to being stamped upon rather than because he could not wait for the post-match toasties. Of course we still have to see how the charge of racist language in the Manchester United match will
unfold.

“The stick he gets, it is about time the FA and Premier League did something about it,” said Warnock. “He has got everything and gives 100 per cent every game. He never lets the defender settle. Whatever they paid for him it was worth every penny.

“His finishing wasn’t so good, but he still won the match. If he scored every chance he would be worth £70 million wouldn’t he? He was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch.”Conclusions on whether Suárez is misunderstood or crafty are determined by club loyalty. What is not subjective, as everyone inside Anfield confirmed on Saturday, is his class as a footballer. As the taunts continued from the away end — the QPR fans’ (and Barton’s) sledging about the striker’s physical appearance was creepy rather than scandalous — Suárez simply continued to launch another Liverpool attack.

But for 37-year-old QPR goalkeeper Radek Cerny, Liverpool would have been out of sight at half-time. Suárez and Maxi were marvellous in their build-ups, but their conversion rate is weaker than that of the Euro. By the 90th minute, Liverpool were anxiously smashing clearances upfield for Suárez to chase having carelessly failed to extend their advantage.

Kenny Dalglish was typically non-committal when asked if his side’s wastefulness would prompt a striker signing next month. Liverpool’s lack of a natural finisher means an adventurous style of football under Dalglish is not being consistently rewarded. “Performance wise, we don’t have any problem whatsoever,” said Dalglish. “Goals? Yeah, we’d love more, and we’ll get more.”At the moment, everything at Anfield is focused on Suárez. If the FA decides to impose an unwanted rest on him, Dalglish will desperately need another striker to shape the narrative.

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Liverpool received a further blow at the heart of their midfield with the straight card shown to Jay Spearing against Fulham, meaning he faces a three-match ban. The 23-year-old looked to have earned his spot as a replacement for the injured Lucas Leiva but an enforced midfield reshuffle may now see Jordan Henderson in his more natural position inside.

Despite his stuttering start to life at Anfield, Andy Carroll could partner Luis Suarez in attack with the success of their partnership a must if Liverpool are to consign their recent lack of goals to the past. For the visitors, Radek Cerny will continue in goal in the long-term absence of Paddy Kenny.

Neil Warnock has been known to favour a back five away from home in the Premier League so far and, given he has few injury worries in that area, could field a strong defensive wall. Heidar Helguson has earned his right to lead the Loftus Road outfit’s attack with six goals in nine Premier League appearances.

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Liverpool is one of 11 cities which will hold a referendum on the issue in May 2012, following the introduction of the Localism Act in November. Liam Fogarty, from A Mayor For Liverpool, said the people of the city "want what London has got".

However, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce's Jack Stopforth said a mayor may not have "the power to deliver". The passing of the Localism Act into law means that England's largest cities, including Manchester and Leeds, will hold referendums on the issue of elected mayors. Mr Fogarty said: "The cities in England that have an elected mayor have done much better, by and large, than those that have stuck with the old council leader system.

"There are hundreds of successful cities in Europe and across the world who have directly elected city leaders.""They have a proper mandate from the voters. "We think it would be great if Liverpool went down that route so that we, the people of Liverpool, choose who speaks for Liverpool.

"We feel if we give someone in Liverpool the clout to improve things, the city can really take off."Mr Stopforth said that he had concerns about elected mayors, particularly if they were "a single-issue politician". "The beauty of the system of the moment is that the leader is supported by a cabinet of capable people," he said.

"If he suddenly became a campaigner for a particular issue, there are others there to rein him in. "The worry is that if you get a powerful single-issue politician, too many things get neglected."Liverpool council leader Joe Anderson said the job of an elected mayor would need to be given "more powers than I currently have, otherwise I won't support it".

"What I've always argued is that I don't need a badge to call me mayor," he said. "If the powers remain the same, then why do it? "If the powers are different and give us the opportunity to benefit the city of Liverpool, then [the council] would be interested."

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London: United States midfielder Clint Dempsey brought Liverpool's eight-match unbeaten run in the Premier League to an end on Monday, pouncing on a late error by goalkeeper Pepe Reina to earn Fulham a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage and ease his team's relegation worries. The Spain keeper failed to hold a speculative shot by former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy in the 85th minute, and Dempsey slotted home the rebound from close range for Fulham's third win of the campaign to lift the London club five points clear of the bottom three.

The visitors had been reduced to 10 men by that point after defensive midfielder Jay Spearing was sent off in the 72nd minute for an overzealous tackle on Moussa Dembele, at a time when they were on top and threatening a win that would have lifted them above Newcastle to sixth.

Liverpool hit the goal frame twice, through Jordan Henderson in the first half and substitute Stewart Downing just before Dempsey's winner, while Luis Suarez had a goal harshly disallowed for offside in the 67th.

But Spearing's dismissal was the turning point in a fractious match. There was nothing wrong with the youngster's initial full-blooded tackle but he followed through by catching the Belgium forward's leg, leading referee Kevin Friend to brandish the red card.

"He has won the ball but he has probably upset the referee with his follow-through," said Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, whose team lost for the first time since Sept. 18 to dent its hopes of keeping pace with its rivals for the Champions League positions.

Fulham manager Martin Jol said the sending-off was the pivotal moment in the game, which threatened to boil over a number of times — particularly when Dempsey went forehead-to-forehead with Craig Bellamy at the start of the second half. "After the sending-off, we had a little bit more space and took advantage of that," Jol said. "I thought it was a bad tackle. I thought it was a sending-off."

Dempsey's 37th goal in the Premier League made him the most prolific American scorer in England's top division, surpassing the record he shared with former Fulham striker Brian McBride. He nearly gave Fulham the lead minutes prior to eventually grabbing the winner, curling a shot against the bar before Downing went up the other end and smashed a fierce drive that was touched onto the post by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in the 84th.

"I think we would have taken something from the game if we had been left with all our men," Dalglish said. "I think we did enough to come away with something."Spearing was only playing because Liverpool's first-choice midfield anchorman, Brazil international Lucas Leiva, was ruled out for the season last week with knee-ligament damage. He took his enforcer role too far, though, leaving his team with an uncomfortable final 20 minutes to see out and spoiling an otherwise impressive display at the heart of a Liverpool midfield that dominated the second half.

With the match featuring two of the five meanest defenses in the league, the shortage of goals came as no surprise although Liverpool had come away from Craven Cottage with a 5-2 victory last season.
Maxi Rodriguez, the scorer of a hat trick in that match, was left out as Dalglish opted adventurously for a front three of Andy Carroll, Bellamy and Suarez. However, it was only in the second half that the trio came to life.

While Carroll was largely anonymous, Suarez was again lively and was denied a penalty when he tangled with Brede Hangeland. That incurred the wrath of a home crowd already unhappy with what it considered as playacting by the Uruguay striker on a number of occasions in the match.

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FATHER Christmas himself landed in  Liverpool city centre to lead the city’s  annual Santa Dash. Flanked by two elves, Saint Nicolas flew in by helicopter to the Pier  Head’s Atlantic Stage to the amazement of  children and parents. He then stepped into a white Bently classic  car and led more than 7,000 Merseysiders  around the opening strecth of five-kilometre  circuit.

Santa told the ECHO: “It’s nice to see so  many Liverpool people take part. From the air  is was fantastic to see everyone. I like the way  the people take care of each other in Liverpool. "It’s great to see Liverpool during daylight and  I wish everyone in the city a very Happy  Christmas.”Queenie’s Christmas charity, set up by  hairdresser Herbert, flew in Santa and his  elves Alfina and Karelina from Lapland. Herbert said: “It’s been magnificent. So many emotional people saw the helicopter  land.”

A turnout of 7,411 people took part in the fun, beating last year’s figure of 7,312. Organisers hoped to beat the world record which was set in Las Vegas last year, but the  official count for the Amercian Santa Dash  won’t be known until later this week.

Yvonne Rothwell, co-organiser of the  Liverpool Santa Dash, said: “It’s neck and neck  with Las Vegas but I just hope that we have  nicked it.”A further 9,000 onlookers cheered on loved  ones and drivers beeped car horns as crowds. Some runners took their dogs along while  others wore Santa-Elvis costumes.

Thousands of pounds were expected to be  raised for the event’s two official charities –   Cash for Kids and the ECHO's Liverpool  Unites. Ritchie Robinson, 58, said:  “Our friend David Carr sufferred  from bipolar so we wanted to do it for  him.”

Tracey Rimmer from  University Academy of Birkenhead was raising money for Claire House.  She said: “We brought 30 people and  we’ve raised £1,000. It’s been fab.”Several celebrities and public  figures also ran, including  inaugural Big Brother winner Craig  Phillips and Liverpool boxer David  Price.

Walton MP Steve Rotheram was with his son Steven, and both ran for Liverpool Unites.  Liverpool FC legend Alan Kennedy raced  for Cash4Kids. Liverpool-born Royal Family actor Ricky  Tomlinson, said: “I’m delighted with the  response. Seeing all the red and blue takes me  back to when I was a boy – we are united.”

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KENNY DALGLISH has intimated Liverpool FC will not delve into the January transfer window following Lucas Leiva’s injury – and is confident the Brazilian has the mental strength to make a full recovery.

The Anfield outfit – who play at Fulham on Monday – were handed a devastating blow this week when it was confirmed Lucas will miss the remainder of the season having injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Tuesday’s Carling Cup win at Chelsea.

Liverpool immediately recalled Jonjo Shelvey from his loan spell at npower Championship side Blackpool to bolster their midfield options, although Dalglish revealed yesterday the club are unable to do the same with Alberto Aquilani, who is spending the season in Italy with Juventus.

But with Steven Gerrard back in action “sooner rather than later”, Dalglish is confident the squad can absorb the loss of defensive midfielder Lucas for the foreseeable future. “We don’t need to make a decision about January at the beginning of December,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We have a really strong squad and have to cater for suspensions, injuries, loss of form, fatigue, whatever. That’s why you have a strong squad. “We’d much rather have Lucas fit and well but we don’t have that. It’s up to us to accommodate that and make sure that we can handle it.

“We’ve said we’ve got a strong squad and things like this are unfortunately when you get tested. We’ve been happy with the squad – I think the results so far reflect that. “That’s one of the tests you get at a football club. Someone’s always going to be missing. We feel sorry for Lucas, not for ourselves.”

Jay Spearing would appear the most obvious replacement having played in a similar role towards the end of last season, although Jordan Henderson could move into a more accustomed central midfield role.  And Dalglish added: “Wee Jay has done really well since I came in. We trust in him and believe in him. Hopefully Jay will continue as he has done.”

Liverpool have yet to determine where and when Lucas will undergo surgery on the knee, although they have resigned themselves to being without the player for the remainder of the season. Dalglish, though, has no fears over the Brazilian’s ability to cope with such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“Being out for a season is a rough estimate,” said the Liverpool manager. “It could be better, it could be worse. When he has the operation, we’ll have a better idea. “But Lucas is very strong mentally and that will help him during his rehabilitation.

“It never does you any harm to have good mental strength, but you need that for a lot of things in life. “At this moment of time, he will be strong because he is strong. I’ve seen him, and while it’s obviously not the happiest time of his career, he’s not moping about or feeling sorry for himself.

“The sooner he is back the better.”Lucas was one of only four Liverpool players to start both Sunday’s home draw against Premier League leaders Manchester City and the trip to Stamford Bridge barely 48 hours later.

But despite having criticised the scheduling of two such important fixtures, Dalglish does not believe it contributed to the Brazilian’s injury. “It was innocuous,” said the Scot. “His studs stuck in the ground and resulted in his knee going. I don’t think it was as a result of the two games coming quickly.

“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. No-one could have foreseen that. He’s just unlucky. “I have been delighted with what he has done for us. It is a disappointment for him as he was enjoying his football. But we just need to get on with it.

Of skipper Gerrard, absent since October 22 following an ankle infection and missing from Monday’s Premier League trip to Fulham, Dalglish added: “We are delighted with his progress but we don’t have any date for him to come back. It will be sooner rather than later, though.”

Meanwhile, the Anfield derby against Everton, which takes place on Saturday, February 25, is now a 12.45pm kick-off and will be shown live on Sky Sports. The game will be rescheduled should Liverpool reach the Carling Cup final.

Fulham v Liverpool FC team news

Fulham: Schwarzer, Etheridge, Baird, Riise, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Dembele, Briggs, Kasami, Duff, Murphy, Gecov, Etuhu, Ruiz, Dempsey, Frei, Johnson, Zamora, Sa.

Liverpool FC: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Henderson, Adam, Spearing, Downing, Kuyt, Suarez, Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Shelvey, Coady, Rodriguez, Carroll, Bellamy.

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LIVERPOOL will have to get past Manchester City if they are going to secure their passage to Wembley in the Carling Cup. The Reds were left cursing their luck after last night's semi-final draw pitted them against the unbeaten Premier League leaders. After watching Crystal Palace dump out Manchester United, Kenny Dalglish's men would have been hoping to meet either Palace or fellow Championship club Cardiff City.

However, once again the Carling Cup, which has seen Liverpool have to overcome four successive away ties to reach the last four, did them no favours. The Reds at least have the benefit of home advantage for the second leg to be played in the week commencing January 23. The first leg will take place at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight earlier.

The winners will face either Palace or Cardiff at Wembley on February 26. It means Liverpool face two visits to City in the space of a week as the sides also meet in the Premier League on Tuesday, January 3.

Dalglish will take heart from the way his players performed against big-spending City in last Sunday's 1-1 league draw at Anfield. The clubs haven't met in the League Cup since 1995 when the Reds won a third round tie at Anfield 4-0.

They also clashed in the semi-finals in 1981 when Dalglish's strike in the second leg at Anfield secured a 2-1 victory on aggregate. The Reds went on to beat West Ham in the final.

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