Dalglish sweating on Reds future; Skrtel set for new Liverpool deal talks.

Byline: IAN DOYLE

KENNY DALGLISH is sweating over his Liverpool future after returning from summit talks with club owners Fenway Sports Group.

Dalglish landed back in England yesterday after holding discussions in Boston with principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner.

FSG had demanded a written report from the Liverpool manager and his assistant Steve Clarke explaining the team's disappointing Premier League form and their plans going forward.

Rumours sweeping Merseyside yesterday that Dalglish has already been told he is leaving his position are wide of the mark.

But the Scot, who is due to embark on a holiday, must now wait to discover whether he has done enough to persuade the Anfield hierarchy he should be given the chance to continue.

The Americans are undergoing a root-and-branch review of all aspects of the club that has seen director of football Damien Comolli, head of sports science Peter Brukner and head of communications Ian Cotton depart, with more expected to follow.

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel will seek assurances over Liverpool's future direction as he prepares for talks with the club. Skrtel, this week named the club's official player of the season, has two years remaining on his present contract but is reportedly being tracked by several clubs, including Manchester City. And the player is ready to approach Anfield officials to discuss a possible new deal. Skrtel's agent, Karol Csonto, said: "You cannot say Liverpool won't play in the Champions League.

It is a big club and because they haven't made it this year doesn't mean they would not next. "There are expectations on both sides, though. Some changes have been made at the club and the player wants to know what the aims and ambitions are. "We want to discuss with Liverpool what they want and, of course, we will discuss the issue of Martin's new contract." Former Reds defender Sami Hyypia has been named as the permanent manager of German side Bayer Leverkusen. The Finn was appointed caretaker boss of the Bundesliga club in early April and secured four wins and two draws in his six games in charge.

Now Hyypia, along with assistant Sascha Lewandowski, has signed a three-year deal with Leverkusen. "Although we did not know each other beforehand and only had little time to develop a concept, the last weeks for Sascha, the club and I were successful," said Hyypia. "For Bayer to now give us a chance to carry on together is a great show of faith. "We are convinced that, with this team and with these colleagues, we will be able to play a good role both at home and abroad in future."

Leverkusen's sporting director Rudi Voller added: "Sami has played at the highest level in Europe for 10 years and, in his last two years as a player with Leverkusen, he left a very good impression. "He was made to coach a team and he will certainly take Bayer forwards in his new role together with Sascha."

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Uncertain future: Dalglish Sascha." Defender Martin