Friday, February 11, 2011

Agger Hails Dalglish Impact

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has hailed the impact of Kenny Dalglish and says his side have an outside chance of finishing in the Premier League's top four.

The Reds have been resurgent under club legend Dalglish following the departure of Roy Hodgson and last week secured a 1-0 win at champions Chelsea.

This came following a devastating blow after Fernando Torres left Anfield for the Blues in a deal worth £50million.

Agger, 26, claims Dalglish and new assistant Steve Clarke have instilled belief in the players and the Denmark international is happy with the spirit in the camp.

"I played the last game against Bolton under Roy Hodgson and I think that is where it started and we began to play really well," he said.

"A big part of it is Kenny and Steve Clarke. They have made a major difference.

"But it is also something to do with confidence, because it is the same footballers as before.

"Confidence can win you games and somehow Kenny and Steve have put the confidence back in the players and the belief.

"I think we have shown that definitely in the last four games. It is looking good, although there is still a long way to go."

He added: "What has Dalglish done? He is a positive guy. In football terms, he is positive.

"First of all because he likes to play positive football, going forward, and keeping the ball on the ground and I think he is good among the players.

"The training sessions have been really good and I think everything starts at the training ground.

"If you can get that right you have a big advantage in the games."

Liverpool suffered a poor start under former boss Hodgson but now sit sixth in the table ahead of Saturday's clash with Wigan.

Agger admits it will be a tall order to break into the UEFA Champions League places this term, but says anything is still possible with momentum.

"It is going to be really, really difficult. It is a six point gap and we have played a game more. I don't know if we can get in there," he remarked.

"But, if we can have a good run, and we are on a good run already with four straight wins, and if we can continue playing the same way, with the same confidence, I think we can get close.

"Everybody at Melwood agrees, and it sounds simple and stupid, but we have to take every single game and see where it takes us.

"I know that is the standard answer, but if you start to look ahead and count the games left and how many points you can get, you lose your focus. We do have momentum."

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