I had occasion to rock up to the Irish Book Awards before Christmas, a good evening in what used to be known as the Burlington, even if it ended long before the usual evening finish, or even morning finish, you’d traditionally associate with the old Burlington.

The very first manager to have “lost the dressing room”, according to Google, was John Barnes in 1999.

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has come under a withering attack from two of the club’s former stalwarts over his apparent reluctance to sign a reported £100,000 (€139,000) per week contract.

The pipes, the pipes are evidently calling Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling,

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes if his old side win the title it will go down as the greatest Premier League triumph in history.

It was back on August 24, just two games into the campaign, when Ian Rush began to suspect that Liverpool’s stated target of qualification for the Champions League need not be the sum of their season’s ambitions.

The last time Liverpool won a league title, back in 1990, the internet had not yet been invented; but such is the incredible interest surrounding the current team’s bid to win a first title in 24 years it would be no surprise to see the worldwide web collapse under the pressure of their latest victory.

Former Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan believes the current crop of Reds are finishing the season stronger than their rivals and that gives them the best chance of winning the title.

Former Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan believes the current crop of Reds are finishing the season stronger than their rivals and that gives them the best chance of winning the title.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits it would be fitting if the current squad were to take some inspiration from events surrounding this year’s 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Lubo Moravcik didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Having endured a nightmare season under the John Barnes and Kenny Dalglish ‘dream team’, he was underwhelmed when Martin O’Neill entered Celtic Park as manager just 21 days before the Slovakian’s 35thbirthday.

I was very fortunate to be invited to the annual Nordoff Robbins Football Extravaganza at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Tuesday evening.

As Munster rugby celebrated their victory over Leinster in Limerick, at the weekend, a Red of a different stripe was also celebrating after walking down the aisle in the Treaty City.

THE inventor of television, John Logie Baird, was born in Helensburgh near Glasgow 125 years ago today. His invention was arguably the single most important of the past 100 years.

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes Luis Suarez thinks he is superior to his team-mates when he should be accepting a share of the responsibility for the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

When Steven Gerrard made his league debut in November, 1998, Liverpool were a club in transition, trying to recapture the glory days of two decades ruling English and European football.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers begins the task of finding a replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher knowing he will not find anyone who can match up to all the veteran centre-back’s qualities.

Snooker loopy and some other howlers from when sport and music combine.

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has branded talk of Luis Suarez never playing for the Reds again as “ridiculous” after the Uruguay forward’s bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Size, naturally, depends on your perspective.

I see Martin Amis has a new book out.

Former winger John Barnes believes if Liverpool’s owners do not put in place the right long-term plan, the club could be waiting another 20 years to challenge for the Premier League title.

John Barnes has backed Andre Villas-Boas to be the next Liverpool manager.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has talked of his pride in wearing the Red shirt and of the time he almost quit the club — but insists he is still “living the dream” at Anfield.

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia, the club have said.

New Order are to team with Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah for a re-working of 'World in Motion'.

Rio Ferdinand has admitted he is lost in admiration for Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson branded Luis Suarez a “disgrace to Liverpool Football Club” and claimed he should never play for them again following his refusal to shake Patrice Evra’s hand ahead of today’s Barclays Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Rio Ferdinand has launched a passionate defence of younger brother Anton while admitting he has been left disillusioned by the current racism issues blighting football.

It was once sport’s great secret shame, premature celebration.

Former team-mates and current professionals were among the mourners who today attended the funeral of ex-Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett.

A SAD step forward, two obstinate leaps back.

Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen believes Roy Hodgson should have been given more time to turn around Liverpool.

Replacing Roy Hodgson with Kenny Dalglish would not solve Liverpool’s deep-rooted problems, a trio of Anfield icons have warned.

LIVERPOOL and Chelsea may not be the most natural of bedfellows but such are the size of the crises enveloping both clubs, they are inextricably linked in misery as headline writers struggle to decide who go first: Roy Hodgson or Carlo Ancelotti.

Liverpool legends Kevin Keegan, John Barnes and Steve McManaman today insisted Roy Hodgson could survive as Liverpool manager, despite him appearing on the brink of the sack.

Liverpool legend John Barnes has backed Kenny Dalglish or Roy Hodgson to succeed Rafael Benitez, insisting whoever gets the job will enjoy a “win-win situation”.

Former Liverpool footballer John Barnes has been declared bankrupt over unpaid tax.

North Queensland Fury have denied Robbie Fowler has been the subject of an approach my managerless Coca-Cola League One side Tranmere.

Tranmere today sacked manager John Barnes and his assistant Jason McAteer.

The Football Association have announced a five-year sponsorship deal with confectionery giants Mars.

I understand why he did so – all managers defend their players, even on the flimsiest of terms – but I do wish Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce hadn’t offered his support to El Hadji Diouf.