Beardo: It's like the class of '88

Peter Beardsley has revealed that an acute sense of deja vu has convinced him Liverpool are on the rise once again.

The former Reds striker has been impressed by the way Kenny Dalglish has rejuvenated the club's fortunes and points to the events leading up to the all-conquering 1987-88 campaign as the reason for his optimism.

Back then the Scot rebuilt the team after selling talismanic striker Ian Rush and Beardsley is confident he is in the process of doing it again following Fernando Torres's departure.    

"When you lose a star like Rushie there is a lot of negativity because he was such an icon - and don't forget Kenny was coming to the end as a player himself around that time as well," said Beardsley.

"Luckily, myself, Aldo [Aldridge] and Barnesy were a perfect fit. I knew Barnesy from England, but Aldo was brilliant for us. He just wanted to be in the box and we knew that if we got the ball to him he would score goals.

"It was a great time to be playing for Liverpool - so exciting - and I have great memories.

"It looks like Liverpool have done well again because they have got two really good players in with Andy and Luis Suarez."

He added: "Within football you get the sense that Liverpool are on the rise again, 100 per cent.

"The whole club is stirring once again. The owners seem prepared to spend money and, while no manager gets all the signings right, Kenny knows his players.

"He is a god on Merseyside - the red half anyway. The thing about Kenny is the excitement and passion he has for the game. You can see that when Liverpool score a goal.

"People said, 'Oh, he has been out of the game too long', but the insight and enthusiasm he has stands the test of time."

Few observers are as qualified as Beardsley when it comes to assessing whether Carroll has what it takes to be an Anfield hero.

The former England man worked with our No.9 during his rise through the Magpies' ranks and made a similar record breaking move when he joined Liverpool back in 1987. 

"Andy is capable of everything," he said. 

"He had an opportunity to go to Liverpool and decided he wanted to do it. I had the same choice.

"My fee was a record at the time and Andy's is too. I was delighted to see him score the two goals against Manchester City the other week.

"In my time working with him he was an absolute credit to himself. He knows what he has to do. He was top class and never a problem. There have been one or two things since then but he's a good lad and the Liverpool fans will absolutely love him.

"It took me a while to get going at Anfield, but the fans respected me for the effort I put in and they will love Andy for that as well as his goals.

"He puts himself on the line, he never knows when he is beaten. He'll score a lot of goals but he backs up all that with a great attitude and work-rate."