The 29-year-old signed for the Merseysiders in 2010 and enjoyed a successful debut season at Anfield, leading to claiming the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award.

However, following his former Porto boss Andre Villa-Boas’ move to Chelsea, Meireles made the switch to west London and now, as he readies himself to take on his former team-mates, the Portugal international has insisted that he still holds much affection for both players and fans of Liverpool.

The midfielder told the Football Association’s official website: “I love the supporters in Liverpool. They are enthusiastic about football and they are really amazing. It was my first club in England and I only have good things to say about Liverpool.”

Chelsea to win the FA Cup final and Raul Meireles to score anytime is 13/1 with PaddyPower

However, Meireles was quick to point out that all personal feelings will be left in the dressing room for the duration of the Wembley final.

“For me this is a really important game because it is a final and when I came to Chelsea, I wanted to win trophies. This is my chance to do that,” he continued.

”It was good to see them win a trophy this year, but now I am a Chelsea player and I want to win.

“I have a lot of friends among the players and the staff, but it’s a big game and I want to win for Chelsea and the supporters here.”

（Goal.com）

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Meireles left FC Porto before AVB arrived as manager and switched to fellow BPL club, Liverpool. After a somewhat impressive breakout season, Meireles decided it was best for him to leave in search of more first-team action.

He looked no further than Chelsea FC.

A deadline day deal was on the agenda for AVB as he looked to bolster his midfield and unleash more attacking options. I was never sold on the deal. Meireles didn’t seem like a “playmaker”—or at least he didn’t when compared to Luka Modric.

After 21 weeks of BPL action with Chelsea, he has truly made his mark in trademark fashion. He has been able to retain a starting position—even with AVB enacting a squad rotation policy. When a goal or a quick set up pass is needed, Meireles always seems to be the provider.

This past weekend, he was phenomenal in the Sunderland game!

He was breaking up plays and linking up with fellow players like a true “playmaker” should. No, he doesn’t have the dribbling abilities of Mata or Luka, but he is still the closest thing that Chelsea has to a playmaker in the 4-3-3 formation.

The only worry for Raul is his consistency. It’s no lie that Lampard is being ushered to the bench as a more impact-sub type of player. However, when Meireles has been given the chance to take over Lamp’s position on the left on the midfield, he has failed to deliver.

Torres, Meireles and Mata seem to link up more often than any other trio combination on the field. Meireles’ understanding of Torres from his Liverpool days—and Mata familiarity with the fast pace on the Spanish national team—make theirs an exceptional partnership.

To truly get the best out of these three, I believe a 4-4-1-1 should be played.

Ramires has done an amazing job on the right with Sturridge missing due to injury. If either Malouda or Lampard are playing on the far left, they could pinch in to allow Oriol Romeu/Essien to drop back. That would create a balance in midfield with Mata sitting behind Torres.

Then Sturridge could (finally) get the opportunity to play at center either behind Torres/Lukaku or as the main striker.

Meireles is the future of Chelsea and could provide the spark for Torres to return to his goal scoring ways.

（Bleacher Report）

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The race for the top four in the Premier League has been as fierce as ever during the 2011-2012 campaign. Liverpool sit amongst a four team battle vying for the fourth place in the table.

Surely Liverpool need some inspiration up top at the striker position, but they also must add some creativity and fervor to their midfield. Daglish may be sincere with his club’s intentions during the window, or he may be being coy about his intentions.

Either way, getting back their talisman Steven Gerrard is not enough to fill the creative hole left by Raul Meireles’ departure to rival Chelsea.

The addition of a player like Ki Sung-Yueng could benefit Liverpool for several reasons.

The most pressing issue is a spark within the center of the park. Ki Sung-Yueng has impressed since arriving in SPL.

Sung-Yueng already has experience in Europe and international experience for South Korea.

Success at Anfield for the 22-year-old Korean could provide huge dividends for the Merseyside club as they look to expand their global reach into Asia. Although, the Reds will have to act swiftly, as Aston Villa looks to be closing in on the young Korean midfielder.

Sunderland midfielder could be on his way out after just a year with the Black Cats. Stephane Sessegnon has not enjoyed life in England thus far. His family has yet to move from their home in France.

Liverpool could be in prime position to swoop in for the unhappy midfielder and offer a handsome financial package to stay in England.

The Reds reportedly want to start the bidding process at £8 million to bring the 27-year-old to Anfield. Sessegnon would inject some much-needed pace and grittiness into Kenny Daglish’s midfield.

Ricardo Montolivo has been reportedly “earmarked” by the Liverpool front office to be a replacement for the injured Lucas Leiva. The Reds have readied a £6 million offer for the 26-year-old Italian.

After giving away the promising Alberto Aquilani, Montolivo could be a great fit for Liverpool and scratch the Italian itch left by Aquilani’s departure.

Montolivo plays with an almost callous style that would assimilate easily into the Premier League. His European and international experience also adds substance to Liverpool’s midfield that is currently lacking with the likes of Charlie Adam, Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey.

Liverpool must act quickly if they want to acquire the services of the FC Basel midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Xhaka showed his class in the shocking Champions League victory over Manchester United. The 19-year-old midfielder has drawn the attention of the aforementioned Manchester United, Gladbach, Lazio and Hamburg.

Kenny Daglish’s main competition for the signature would be their Premier League rivals, United. Although it may not be the ideal signing because of the youth already within the midfield, Xhaka could be groomed within Liverpool’s system during his peak development years.

The Portuguese midfielder has accomplished nearly everything a footballer could wish for during his time with FC Porto. Joao Moutinho helped guide Porto to an impressive treble last season, which was topped off by winning the UEFA Europa League.

The flashy Portuguese midfielder would provide exactly what Liverpool needs. His experience winning silverware would provide enormous dividends on and off the pitch.

Moutinho could be the key to unlocking Kenny Daglish’s system into its full potential.

Porto will predictably be hesitant to sell, but the midfielder could be intrigued by the opportunity to succeed in England.

Simply put, there’s no other midfielder that I think Liverpool would benefit greater from signing than Joao Moutinho.

Don’t you just feel like facepalming when you read some of the most ludicrous January transfer rumours linked to Liverpool?

For instance, Kenny Dalglish has managed Liverpool to the second best defence in the Premier League, so why on earth would he want to sign a defender in January?

Especially when he has Martin Kelly and Sebastián Coates ready to step up.

This article will debunk seven of Kenny Dalglish’s rumoured January signings.

（Bleacher Report）

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