The 21-year-old full-back has been tipped to become a Reds star in the future and has already featured in the first team this season.

But manager Rafa Benitez is keen for the youngster to gain regular playing time for the remainder of the campaign and that would not be on offer at Anfield.

League One promotion hopefuls Swindon have therefore moved quickly as manager Danny Wilson aims to add what could prove decisive quality at a critical period.

It is understood that Darby is on his way to the County Ground for talks on Wednesday afternoon, with Swindon keen to reinforce their squad after taking only one point from their last three games.

The former England Under 19 international made his full Reds debut in the UEFA Champions League defeat to Fiorentina in December and marked the occasion with an error that demonstrated his naivety when gifting Alberto Gilardino the wining goal.

But Liverpool-born Darby made an impressive return to the first team in the initial FA Cup draw with Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Liverpool reacted quickly to deny the claim, which followed Gerrard’s booking in the 82nd minute, after which he also mouthed an obscenity, for a heavy challenge on Wigan’s James McCarthy during the 1-0 loss.

The FA, it is understood, accept Liverpool’s version of events that Gerrard was not gesturing at Marriner. Indeed the midfielder was making the point that he had been brought down twice in bad tackles and there had been no sanction while he was annoyed at being cautioned. He was not specifically targeting the official.

Marriner saw the reaction of Gerrard, who captained England last week and could do without being attached to such controversy, and did not deem it worthy of further punishment while the FA have not asked the referee to reconsider the incident after receiving his match report and speaking to him.

While that will be a relief to Liverpool, and Gerrard, the defeat has left them floundering in sixth position and in real danger of failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League. That would leave manager Rafael Benítez, who is still wanted by Juventus at the end of this season, in a perilous position and affect the club’s finances.

The future of players such as Gerrard and, more pressingly, Fernando Torres, who will not want to miss out, and Javier Mascherano, who is unsure whether he wants to sign a new contract, would also be in doubt.

The club’s decline drew a stinging rebuke on Tuesday from Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman.

“Liverpool are in a mess,” he said. “The owners, being American, I don’t think they feel what we [as British owners] feel.

“We went to Anfield earlier in the season and there’s absolutely no atmosphere and no heart at all. The supporters feel that and I think the players are starting to feel it.”

With their season unravelling, Liverpool will now travel to Lille on Wednesday for the first-leg of their Europa Cup last-16 match. They may well be without Yossi Benayoun for Thursday’s game after he missed training with an ankle injury.

Daniel Agger returns while the only positive news from the Wigan game was Glen Johnson’s comeback, after more than two months out with a knee ligament injury.

A solitary strike from Hugo Rodallega was enough to give Roberto Martinez’s side all three points - and the Reds boss cited a below par first-half display as the main catalyst behind the loss.

“I have to be really disappointed and I can’t be happy after losing a game like that,” the boss told his post-match press conference.

“In the first half we didn’t do anything and we kept giving the ball away. We didn’t win any first or second balls and it was difficult to explain.

“We talked about our first-half performance during the break and in the second half our attitude was much better, but it still wasn’t enough.

“We had some chances but we didn’t play well enough. Everybody is really low after the game.

“It was a question of our attitude in the first half. The players showed their character in the second half. Sometimes we were in too much of a hurry with our play in the second half, but at least we showed character.

“Wigan worked very hard from the beginning until the end but we expected this.

“You have some good games and bad games, but especially at this time, at a crucial moment, we could have done better.

“It’s a question of analysing why we didn’t show the character we had to show in the first half.”

The Reds will now turn their attentions to the Europa League and the first leg of their last 16 clash with French outfit Lille on Thursday.

“We have another important game on Thursday and we have to be ready,” added the boss.

“We have to keep going and try to win games.”

On the positive side, Glen Johnson made his first appearance of the calendar year after coming on as a second-half substitute.

“It was good to have Glen back, but it’s no good getting players back if you don’t win games.”

The Reds are currently a point behind Tottenham and Manchester City, although they would need all three points to usurp Spurs into the final UEFA Champions League qualification spot.

Liverpool have an impressive Premier League record over Wigan having won nine and drawn twice from their 11 top-flight meetings, something the Latics will be keen to rectify at the DW Stadium.

Roberto Martinez’s men, who concede on average nearly two goals a game, are just one point above the drop zone and desperate to boost their relegation fight against Rafa Benitez’s side.

Goals could be hard to come by with Wigan failing to score in three of their last four home matches while the Reds have not scored in five of their last seven games on the road.

Wigan boss Martinez will give late fitness tests to Charles N’Zogbia (knee) and Paul Scharner (groin) ahead of the big kick-off.

Should the duo be fit to face high-flying Liverpool then the Spanish tactician will have a near fully-fit squad to choose from for the Monday night clash.

Ivory Coast defender Steven Gohouri is the only major doubt as he continues his recovery from a back problem.

Marcelo Moreno could be restored and play alongside Hugo Rodallega in attack, although the likes of Scott Sinclair and Jason Scotland are alternative options.

Former Portsmouth and Chelsea defender Glen Johnson is set for his comeback against Wigan.

The England full-back has been sidelined with a knee problem since the end of December but is on the verge of a recall.

Daniel Agger’s knee injury sustained against Blackburn last weekend is unlikely to keep him out while fellow centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos returns after his ban for his red card against Everton.

Yossi Benayoun should keep his place ahead of winger Ryan Babel having scored Liverpool’s only goals in their last two league visits to Wigan.

Dutch ace Dirk Kuyt could be the one to watch due to his impressive record against Wigan having scored five goals in five league starts against the Latics.

Possible starting XIs

Wigan: Kirkland, Caldwell, Scharner, Melchiot, Figueroa, N’Zogbia, Diame, McCarthy, Thomas, Rodallega, Moreno.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Rodriguez, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Torres, Kuyt.

Carragher has spent his entire professional career at Anfield and made his 600th appearance for the club earlier this season.

He remains happy with the Reds and the most loyal of servants, but there will only be one year remaining on his present deal when the current campaign finishes.

Negotiations have yet to begin about a renewal, although that could change in the summer as Liverpool are keen to let Carragher focus on playing before looking at his future.

But the 32-year-old has previously admitted that the time might come when he drops out of the starting XI and would have to start considering his options.

And Carragher insists he would not hesitate to join another club if Liverpool decide they no longer want him.

“The club will give me a new contract if they want to,” he told the Sunday Times.

“If not it doesn’t matter, I’ll still play my best and if I have to move then I’ll move, no problem. It wouldn’t bother me.”

Carragher has a history of making bold decisions, having retired from international football after growing frustrated with his lack of opportunities.

He continued: “I made the England decision quickly and didn’t dwell on it, and I’m not scared of making big decisions.

“It’s a club thing. It’s down to them. I’ll keep playing and see where it takes me.”

Source: SkySports

The club has held discussions with both players over new deals – and Benitez believes talks are nearing a conclusion.

Asked if a deal would be struck with Mascherano before the end of the season, the boss said: “I think so.

“I was talking with him and his agent the other day and it is true Javier is happier.

“The conversations were very positive. When you talk with Javier he is very settled and happy.

“Everyone knew about some clubs (being interested in him) but talking with us he was fine.”

On Reina, Benitez added: “Pepe is another key player and it is 100 per cent he will continue with us.

“Everything is very close. I think we will have news about Reina and Mascherano very soon.”

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv

Turkey international midfielder Arda Turan says that he would be interested in a move to Liverpool.

Turan has spoken of his desire to experience football overseas and Anfield would be one of his preferred destinations.

”Of course I want to play abroad but it is our board’s decision,” said the 23-year-old, who has previously been linked with Rafael Benitez’s side. ”As I always mention, Liverpool attracts me because of their tradition.

”In Europe, I am a Liverpool supporter, so if I go to play in Europe, I would like to play for them.”

Turan also told the UEFA website: ”My dream has always been to play for one of the top European clubs, but you shouldn’t make concrete plans in your life because sometimes these plans cannot be achieved. This is my dream, but for now I’m just working on my football.”

Source: ESPN

Rafa Benitez has been desperate to get the future of his influential goalkeeper sorted out and he will be delighted that talks with Reina’s advisors have now reached a successful conclusion.

Signed from Villarreal in the summer of 2005, the Spanish international has been one of Benitez’s biggest success stories and is currently on course to win his fourth ‘Golden Gloves’ – the Premier League award for most clean sheets in a season.

There has never been any suggestion that Reina, 27, was looking to move away from Anfield – on more than one occasion he has reiterated his commitment to the club – but Benitez wanted him to have a deal that recognised his standing.

That is now the case and once Reina returns back to Merseyside following Spain’s friendly with France tomorrow night, the formalities of putting pen-to-paper on the contract that will take him through to the end of 2014/15 campaign.

Despite working under strict financial constraints, Benitez is attempting to safeguard the club’s long-term future and in the past 12 months he has tied up Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger.

Reina will soon be added to that list and the hope is that Mascherano – who has been a target for Barcelona – will do likewise and agree a contract a new two-year extension to end the speculation that has surrounded him.

Mascherano’s current deal expires in 2012 but Liverpool are hopeful that the terms being offered to Argentina’s captain will finally stave off Barcelona’s interest and keep him on Merseyside.

Benitez has been endeavouring to lay lasting foundations and a clear sign of that came at the weekend when Academy Director Frank McParland and Pep Seguera secured the signing of the highly-rated 15-year-old Raheem Sterling from QPR.

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger is facing a race to be fit for Liverpool’s trip to Lille next week after scans showed he severely bruised a bone in his knee during the 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

Agger left Anfield on crutches and was immediately ruled out of Denmark’s friendly with Austria tomorrow night but fears that he had suffered serious ligament damage were allayed after a scan yesterday.

Source: Liverpool Echo

The 15-year-old an attacking-minded midfielder had courted interest from fellow Premier League clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham but has secured a move to the Merseyside club.

Sterling has already represented England at youth level and the Reds were delighted to have secured his signature.

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow said: “The success of our academy is vital to the future progress of the club and we have made clear that we will invest in outstanding young talent.

“Raheem is a very exciting young English player whose progress was being closely monitored by many other leading clubs and I’m delighted he’s joining us.

“Frank McParland (academy director) and his staff have done a great job in bringing him to Liverpool.”

Source: SkySports

Skrtel sustained the foot injury during his side’s Europa League win over Unirea Urziceni on Thursday night

Scans have confirmed Liverpool’s worst fears with the Slovakian breaking a bone in his foot which is set to sideline him for several weeks.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez admitted it was a major blow to lose the big defender.

“We were really disappointed after the game because it was a good result but then we had the bad news about Martin,” Benitez told the club’s official website. “He’s had X-rays today and they confirmed he has a broken metatarsal.

“We have to check over the next couple of days how long it will take to recover.”

Liverpool have been handed a positive piece of injury news with the confirmation that Glen Johnson is back in light training after recovering from a knee injury which has sidelined him since December.

Johnson will not be available for this weekend’s game with Blackburn, but could be back in the reckoning for the trip to Wigan on 8th March.

“He’s doing well. He was training today with the team – a light training session,” added Benitez.

“I was watching him and he was quite sharp. But Sunday will be too soon.”

Source: SkySports