Families hail Bettison resignation

Bettison, then a South Yorkshire Police chief inspector, sparked fury in 1989 when he said supporters made policing "harder than it needed to be".

Now the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, he announced he will step down in March next year amid an investigation by the police watchdog.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "Obviously I'm very, very pleased. I'm absolutely delighted that he's going.

"But then he'll be going on his full pension, and I'd like to know the full reasons why he's choosing to retire as soon as this."

A complaint was made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) that Bettison - who was off duty on April 15 1989 and went to the match in Sheffield as a spectator - had supplied misleading information after the disaster.

The IPCC also said there was a second element to the referral, which related to a statement the officer made last month following the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died in the tragedy, said: "Why didn't he stay, then, until the IPCC came out with their investigation?

"But he's decided to leave. I'm not arguing against it, because I'm thrilled that he is going, but if he's got nothing to hide, why is he retiring?

"The man has got something to worry about."

There were calls for Bettison to resign after his comments about the behaviour of Liverpool fans in 1989, but he responded with an apology and said his role was never to "besmirch" the fans and added that the Liverpool supporters were in no way to blame for the disaster.

Later, he was involved in an internal inquiry held by the force in the aftermath of the tragedy.

He has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the disaster.

Questions about Bettison's role in the investigation of the tragedy have dogged him as he has risen through the higher ranks of the police - most notably when there were protests from the families of those who died when he became Chief Constable of Merseyside in 1998.

Bettison said in a statement: "Recent weeks have caused me to reflect on what is best for the future of policing in West Yorkshire and I have now decided to set a firm date for my retirement of 31 March 2013."

In a message posted on the West Yorkshire Police website, Bettison said he hoped his departure would assist the IPCC in its inquiry.

"I hope it will enable the Independent Police Complaints Commission to fully investigate allegations that have been raised about my integrity. They need to be fairly and fully investigated and I welcome this independent and formal scrutiny," he said.

The damning report on the Hillsborough disaster laid bare a shocking cover-up which attempted to shift the blame on to its 96 victims.

The inquiry found that 164 police statements were altered, 116 of them to remove or alte r "unfavourable" comments about the policing of the match and the unfolding disaster.

Bettison previously defended his role in the aftermath of the tragedy, saying: "I never altered a statement nor asked for one to be altered."

He also said: "I really welcome the disclosure of all the facts that can be known about the Hillsborough tragedy because I have absolutely nothing to hide."

Anne Williams, whose 15-year-old son Kevin died on the Leppings Lane terrace, said the findings of the recent report left Sir Norman with no choice but to retire.

She said: "I think the whole lot of them who have been involved for these 23 years should all go for the hurt that they have caused us for 23 years.

"I don't think he would have retired if it wasn't for the Hillsborough report."

Rodgers tips Wisdom for success

Wisdom is the latest product of the Anfield academy system to make his mark in the senior set-up, with a debut goal in a Europa League clash with Young Boys Berne announcing his arrival in style.

The 19-year-old is now looking to earn a regular run in the side, with it possible that an unfortunate injury to Martin Kelly could play into his hands.

Rodgers believes the talented teenager is destined for big things and is confident he can shine at right-back despite spending much of his career to date turning out at centre-half.

"When I came Andre had been at centre-half but he has the physical and technical capacity to play full-back," he said.

"The modern day full-back has a lot of the ball and has to have strength, pace and power - well Andre has that."

Rodgers is also looking for a number of other academy graduates to make the breakthrough this season, with the likes of Wisdom, Raheem Sterling and Suso having benefited from a lack of summer transfer activity on Merseyside.

He added: "The plan between now and January is to see how many of the young players are going to be able to come into our squad - and I have been very, very pleased by the impact they've made."

Agger to play on with fracture

The Danish centre-half was forced from the field during the closing stages of Liverpool's recent defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United and appeared to be heading for another prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Agger has, however, suffered only a minor fracture to his kneecap and was fit enough to make his return to action in a 5-2 mauling of Norwich City on Saturday.

"I feared the worst when it happened," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"When I tried to get up the muscle in my knee just didn't work. I felt really unsteady and the medical staff thought I had done my ligaments.

"I thought it was a bad one and that I would be out for months. But, thankfully, it was just a really hard knock to the knee.

"I've got a small fracture in the bone but it's only a minor thing. It's not a problem. I only started training again last Friday but I was fine for the Norwich game.

"I felt really comfortable and I'm enjoying it. I think I deserved a bit of luck after the problems I've had in the past."

Agger could soon find himself lining up alongside Joe Cole, with the midfielder closing on a first-team comeback after turning out for Liverpool's U21 side.

Cole picked up a hamstring injury in August but could be welcomed back into Brendan Rodgers' plans for a UEFA Europa League clash with Udinese at Anfield on Thursday.

"It was nice to get out there and play and I felt okay fitness-wise," he said after completing an hour-long run-out in a meeting with Fulham.

"It's always nice to score but I think the main thing for me was really to just get through the game and test myself to see how my fitness is and how my sharpness is.

"I was happy and it's a case of onwards and upwards now and hopefully I can be available for the first team.

"I think the manager will probably assess my fitness and we'll go from there. I need to get back in the first team. I want to be out there playing."

Borini promises goals...but not yet

The Italian has scored only one goal in ten appearances for Liverpool - against FC Gomel in the Europa League - and was dropped to the bench for Saturday's visit to Norwich.

He has struggled to make an impact since his move from Roma but Borini is not worried because apparently he always leaves it 'late' to start scoring.

"It's just a matter of time for me. The same thing happened last season," said Borini. "I scored one goal before October, then got injured for three months and after that I scored my second goal in January. From January until March I scored ten goals. I know from past experience that the goals will come.

"In Swansea I scored six goals from March until May. I am always late. The position I have been playing at Liverpool has been different as well. It hasn't been as the main striker.

"I know I have been bought to score goals but I don't feel the pressure. I don't need to rush my performances. I'm working hard every day in tr aining and the goals will come. I feel good."

Borini is expected to return to the starting line-up against Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday night with Luis Suarez likely to be rested.

Borini vows to hit goal trail

The 21-year-old Italian, signed in the summer from Roma, so far has only one goal to his name from 10 appearances across all competitions for the Reds - the opener in a 3-0 Europa League qualifying victory at home against Belarusian outfit FC Gomel.

He will be looking to boost his tally when Liverpool, now on their second match in Group A, welcome opponents from his native country to Anfield in the form of Udinese.

And Borini is confident it will not be long before he is properly into his goalscoring stride.

Reflecting on the strike against Gomel, Borini said: "It meant a lot because it was my first game at Anfield, so that was really nice.

"With the (first) Premier League goal, it is just a matter of time. As a striker, if you get into the right positions and you keep getting there, they (goals) will come."

He added: "At Liverpool the expectations are always high because it is a top club and it has to be this way.

"If I have come here, it is because I also have big expectations - that is why I chose this club."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is convinced Borini will be a success for the Reds.

"He is a young player I know very well and over time he will only get better and better," Rodgers said.

"He is a good kid who wants to work and there is no doubt over the coming years he will prove to be a very good player for the club."

While Borini has struggled to make an impact, a clutch of youngsters have certainly caught the eye in a Liverpool shirt this season, with 17-year-old winger Raheem Sterling, 18-year-old forward Suso and 19-year-old defender Andre Wisdom chief among them.

There has been talk of the trio being rewarded with new contracts and asked about the matter, Rodgers said: "I always believe you have to earn it, but there is no doubt that these boys have done well.

"It is something that we will look at over the next few months. There have been di scussions between the club and representatives, but it is at an early stage."

Sterling received his maiden England Under-21 call-up yesterday, although Rodgers feels the teenager's current form would fully justify a recall to the senior international squad, which he was a part of for the first time last month.

Rodgers said: "In terms of whether he deserves a place (in the senior England squad), then of course - in terms of his performance level, he has been outstanding."

Liverpool v Udinese preview

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will be able to call on midfielder Jonjo Shelvey for the game against the Italian outfit.

Shelvey, who scored twice as a substitute in the Reds' Group A opener against Young Boys a fortnight ago, is serving a domestic suspension following his sending off in the Premier League defeat to Manchester United, but is still available to play in European games.

Joe Cole could make his first-team return after a hamstring injury, but the match looks to have come too soon for Jose Enrique (knee), while Martin Kelly (knee) and Lucas Leiva (thigh) remain sidelined.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Jones, Gulacsi, Johnson, Agger, Coates, Wilson, Carragher, Skrtel, Wisdom, Robinson, Sahin, Gerrard, Cole, Henderson, Downing, Allen, Sterling, Shelvey, Suarez, Assaidi, Pacheco, Borini, Suso, Yesil, Morgan.

England U21 call-up for Sterling

Liverpool winger Sterling, 17, was a shock late addition to the senior party for last month's World Cup qualifying Group H draw with Ukraine and was being tipped to be selected again for the October 12 clash with San Marino and trip to Poland four days later.

Instead, he has been added to the under-21 squad for their two-legged European Championship play-off against Serbia on the same dates.

Young Lions boss Stuart Pearce considered calling up Sterling for last month's final Group Eight qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Norway but was convinced to leave him with the under-19s by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

Sterling, who has made eight appearances for the Reds this season, was joined in a 26-man under-21 squad by fellow newcomers Nick Powell and Andros Townsend ahead of the first leg of their play-off at Norwich's Carrow Road.

Manchester United youngster Powell hit the headlines last month when he scored on his Premier League debut again st Wigan following his summer move from Crewe, while fellow midfielder Townsend was rewarded for his performances for Tottenham this season.

Pearce said: "For Raheem, to have an insight into the senior team, is fantastic.

"He's been in our development squads and has done extremely well for Liverpool, and credit to Brendan, who has given him his chance. We are pleased to have him.

"Andros Townsend has also done well and has been around Tottenham's first-team squad consistently this year.

"Nick Powell got his move from Crewe, to a massive club at United, and has made his first team bow. He has a really bright future.

"I'm really looking forward to bringing them into the squad to give us a lift. They couldn't come in at a more crucial time.

"Roy [Hodgson] and I have had a long conversation, last night being the last time, and he is more than aware of the under-21s' key players. What's certain is the players are at the centre of the deci sions both Roy and I make.''

Pearce selected Jack Butland - despite the goalkeeper having been a regular in the senior party under Hodgson - emphasising the importance of the do-or-die Serbia matches.

Manchester City's Jack Rodwell and Nottingham Forest's Henri Lansbury were also called up having returned from injury, while there was a recall for Liverpool's Andre Wisdom, who last featured more than a year ago, but made his first-team debut for his club a fortnight ago.

Pearce added: "We have to put as strong a squad as possible out.

"If you don't do that at this stage of the competition, then you can make life

very difficult for yourself.

"In the side for our play-off against Romania two years ago, we had nine

players who have all gone on to play for the senior team.''

Squad in full: Ben Amos (Hull City - loan from Manchester United), Jack Butland (Birmingham City), Declan Rudd (Norwich City), Jason Steele (Middlesbrou gh), Ryan Bennett (Norwich City), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion), Tom Lees (Leeds United), Jack Rodwell (Manchester City), Danny Rose (Sunderland - loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Smith (Tottenham Hotspur), Andre Wisdom (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Tom Ince (Blackpool), Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest), Jason Lowe (Blackburn Rovers), Josh McEachran (Middlesbrough - loan from Chelsea), Nick Powell (Manchester United), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Nathan Delfouneso (Blackpool - loan from Aston Villa), Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Connor Wickham (Sunderland).