Dalglish Continues To Echo The Old Values At Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish has pledged that his commitment to "the Liverpool way" will not falter whatever setbacks the club encounters this season. Since his return to Anfield in January, the Scot has re-embraced all the values of his first spell on Merseyside – whether it is a reluctance to criticize squad members publicly, however shaky their hold on a first-team place, or a commitment to the pass-and-move football that made Liverpool the greatest force in the English game.

During Liverpool's first defeat of the season, at Stoke City last Saturday, there was no attempt to meet the home side's physical challenge, as Roy Hodgson's side had vainly tried to do last November.

"We will always try to entertain, we will always do our best," Dalglish said. "I can only follow the philosophy I was brought up with. I cannot be anybody else." He sidestepped the question of how that philosophy had changed after his resignation in 1991. It was not always evident under Graeme Souness, or in the more pragmatic methods employed by Gérard Houllier.

"I don't know if that philosophy has ever left Liverpool," he said. "I have never changed at all. I don't know how other people saw it after I left but for me the football club has always been the same, whether I was playing, managing or just watching. I have always had the same understanding of the football club. I cannot talk for anyone else but I cannot do other than how I was brought up – and if it's not going to be right, it's not going to be right."

Nevertheless, Dalglish's commitment to the past is not all embracing. White Hart Lane, where Liverpool play on Sunday, has been an unhappy venue for Jamie Carragher. He dislocated a shoulder at Tottenham last season and conceded an important own goal there in November 2008. There are some who believe that at 33 Carragher may have to adapt his game to continue as the linchpin of Liverpool's defence. "Nobody will get picked because of their history," Dalglish said. "The people who have been involved with the club a long time would not expect that. They would not want it. But Jamie Carragher will do fine for me just the way he is. I don't know what I can say about him because there is nothing about Jamie I would like to change."

The remark by one of his successors as Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, that a season without European football at Anfield is "like a banquet without wine" still carries resonance with Dalglish. Unlike the Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, Dalglish would have unequivocally welcomed the place in the Europa League that was denied him by Tottenham's 2-0 win at Anfield in May.

However, Dalglish remarked that Liverpool would gain no advantage playing a Spurs side who played in northern Greece on Thursday night, saying he expected to face only one member of Redknapp's team that forced a goalless draw against PAOK Salonika.

"Spurs are going to be right up there at the end of the season," Dalglish said. "I don't know who else will be, but Spurs will be there. They may have faced both Manchester clubs and lost but I don't think they were at full strength either time."

Dalglish Insists Steven Gerrard Can Still Be A Force

Kenny Dalglish insists that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can still be a force in the Premier League.

The club skipper has been sidelined since March, but is getting ever closer to full fitness and could make his return from injury as soon as this weekend against Tottenham.

With Dalglish refusing to rush his star man back from a long stretch out of the game, Gerrard has had to wait a long time to come back into the frame at Liverpool and with such an absence from football, some have suggested the club’s skipper may have lost his touch.

However Dalglish disagrees, telling reporters: "If you have got someone like Steven in your squad, it is going to raise the profile and the standard.

"We want to have a really strong squad and his being in makes it much stronger.

"A fit Steven Gerrard strengthens this football club, no question.

"There is no player that will ever be taken for granted here.

"There are players who you will always appreciate for what they have done for the football club and he has done as much for the club as anyone else."

Carra Still Has Plenty To Offer Kenny's Reds

Jamie Carragher came in for criticism after Liverpool's 1-0 loss at Stoke but TEAMtalk's Sam Nightingale feels he still has plenty to offer.

Carragher brought down City striker Jonathan Walters as the two battled for the ball at the Britannia Stadium and referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot before Walters fired in the penalty.

Granted Carragher, 33, is in the latter stages of his career but for some Reds fans to call for the player to be axed after a couple of recent mistakes is premature.

Has Carragher ever been blessed with natural pace? No, but what Carragher lacks in pace he more than makes up with his tough tackling, combative style and leads by example.

The defender is a role model to the club's younger players and will no doubt be passing on his experience.

Ahead of the clash against Stoke, Carragher had spoken about his place in the team and told The Times: "Young players at the club say, 'I have to be like Carra in training' because they can see that I put in a shift in every session."

"But why should I rest on my laurels just because I have been in the top flight for so long?

"I am always looking to up my game because I feel that I still have something to prove. Even today some Liverpool fans are asking questions about my age and how long I will last.

"The club has just signed a new centre-back who will be knocking at the door. There is no room for complacency."

Carragher isn't taking his place for granted and still has an important role to play for Liverpool in a key season for the club.

Adam: There's More To Come

Charlie Adam has spoken about how at home he feels in Liverpool and claimed the best from him and the team is still to come.

The Scotland international has been an influential member of Kenny Dalglish's new-look team so far this season and is eager to help the Reds in their quest for silverware in 2010-11.

"I'm happy with my form so far but obviously you want to do better," Adam told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"The manager makes that decision on whether he thinks you are doing well and deserve to stay in the team. He gives you the confidence when it's needed and a rollicking when it's not.

"I'm happy so far but I think the results maybe could have been a wee bit better in terms of a couple more points but we have had a good start.

"We had a disappointing result at Stoke but overall I think we have done okay and can get better."

The Reds head to North London on Sunday hoping for some good fortune after three straight 2-1 defeats at White Hart Lane in the Barclays Premier League.

Spurs edged out Dalglish's side in the race for a Europa League place last season and Liverpool's No.26 is hoping the Reds can show their true quality against Harry Redknapp's side.

"It's going to be a difficult match. Obviously Liverpool and Tottenham were both challenging for a place in the Europa League at the end of last season and Spurs nicked it at the end," he added.

"We know we will be in for a tough game because they've got good players. I played against them for Blackpool last season and at times they were unplayable, but we've got good players here and hopefully we can cause them problems.

"You always expect to see Tottenham challenging for the top positions because of the quality they have in the squad.

"They have people like Modric, Bale and van der Vaart who are top players. It is going to be difficult but we've got good players who are ready for it.

"We were disappointed last weekend at Stoke because we created a lot of chances and probably could have come away with something.

"Maybe a point would have been nice, we thought we should have had three but that's the way football goes and we'll get on with it and get ready for Tottenham."

Redknapp Rues Not Landing Luis

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp regrets not beating Liverpool to the signing of Luis Suarez, who he felt was too similar to Rafael van der Vaart.

The Reds secured Uruguay striker Suarez's signature last January and soon after added Andy Carroll to their squad following the £50million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

Suarez quickly became a fans' favourite following a good start to his career at Anfield and he has continued to impress this term, scoring three times in Liverpool's opening five games.

Redknapp was desperate to sign a frontman in January after he realized Peter Crouch could not provide him with the goals his team needed to qualify for the Champions League again.

The Spurs boss launched bids for Sergio Aguero, Fernando Llorente and Diego Forlan and he was also interested in acquiring Suarez from Ajax.

But Spurs balked at the £30million-plus fee they were quoted and Redknapp was worried that Suarez was too similar to van der Vaart, who the Tottenham manager likes to deploy in the hole just behind a targetman.

Having seen Suarez star up front on his own, Redknapp admits he probably should have pushed harder to bring him to White Hart Lane.

"We looked at Suarez," said Redknapp, whose side take on Liverpool on Sunday. "That was a player who we probably should have took, looking back on it now. The fee was £30-odd million and that's a lot of money.

"We thought he played a bit like Van der Vaart as well.

"We were looking for a targetman but I have seen him play up on his own and he can do that. He can play anywhere. He can do anything. He is a top-class, fantastic player."

Redknapp also revealed he was seriously interested in signing Carroll before he left Newcastle for Anfield in a £35million deadline-day move.

The England striker has struggled to make an impact at the Merseyside club due to lack of form and fitness and national boss Fabio Capello recently criticized the 22-year-old's lifestyle.

Redknapp is a big admirer of the player, though, and is wary of the damage he can cause to his patched-up defence on Sunday if selected.

"He is a real handful," Redknapp said. "He is a great header of the ball.

"When you go up against him you know you have had a game, that's for sure.

"We thought about signing him but we weren't in to spending £35million on one player."

Suarez and Carroll are just two of a number of players Kenny Dalglish has signed since he replaced Roy Hodgson as Reds boss halfway through last season.

The Scot has spent over £50million this summer on the likes of Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates.

Spurs just pipped Liverpool to fifth place last year, but Redknapp thinks Dalglish's spending spree means their rivals will be challenging for a top-four position come the end of the season.

"This is a big game for us," Redknapp said. "It will be them, us and Arsenal scrapping it out for the Champions League this year.

"They have spent a lot but they got £50million for Torres.

"They have wealthy owners and they want to be back where they were .

"Liverpool is one of the greatest football clubs in the world and they don't want to be out of the Champions League. They want to be back in there. They have invested trying to do that."

Pacheco Fears Benitez Sacking Has Wrecked His Liverpool Dream

Liverpool striker Daniel Pacheco believes the sacking of Rafa Benitez has hampered his progress at Anfield.

Kenny Dalglish has sent the Spain Under-21 international on loan to Atletico Madrid but in a strange twist - and without playing a single game - he has been loaned out further to Rayo Vallecano.

Pacheco joined Liverpool's youth ranks from Barcelona in 2007, but the 20-year-old has made just five league appearances in his time on Merseyside and it seems increasingly apparent that his future lies elsewhere.

"I did not get tired of Liverpool and I hope I have not ended my time there because it is a good competition," he said.

"But with Rafa Benitez's departure I felt my progress has been held back and I wanted to go somewhere I was at ease and could show my strengths.

"There were no opportunities and that is why I have had to leave. I want to progress to do that. I needed to change."

Clarke: The Kids Are Alright

Steve Clarke has admitted he has been encouraged by the performances of the club's talented youngsters since he came to the club.

Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson have been regular members of the first-team squad since the return of Kenny Dalglish to the Anfield hot seat, and Clarke insists they are there on merit.

"I think all the young boys have done well and I have been really impressed with them since I came to this club," Clarke told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Martin and Flanno on the right, Jack Robo on the left, Jay Spearing in midfield - they have all impressed me a lot.

"It's a little disappointing maybe for them that they are not playing every week at the moment but they are young, they have got time on their side and they are really good to have in the squad.

"We've got plenty of options all over the pitch this season which is a big plus for the manager.

"It obviously makes his job and team selection a bit more difficult, but the fact we have got competition for places should encourage healthy competition among the players to try and be in the team."

LFC Foundation Director Joins

Liverpool FC today announced the appointment of Gary Adlen as the club's first Foundation Director.

Gary will oversee the expansion of the existing LFC Foundation charity to incorporate all of the club's community work into one body - encompassing all the programs currently delivered under the Community, Health and Education banners.

He will provide strategic direction to expand the Foundation's portfolio of initiatives, working with Head of Community Bill Bygroves and his team and, more significantly develop a program of fund raising activities. He will introduce a philanthropic fundraising plan and drive the development of relationships with corporate partners and individual donors, in addition to leveraging other funding streams.

Gary has worked in both the public and private sectors, most recently for the Mersey Partnership where he was Head of Corporate Sales - leading a team bringing inward investment to Liverpool, and managing strategic community projects including a sustainable city initiative with the UK's leading energy groups.

He also has considerable international experience having worked in the private sector in France, Spain and Ireland and has led collaborative projects with the UN and EU Aid agencies, local authorities and central government.

Managing Director Ian Ayre said: "I have known Gary for several years and been extremely impressed by his drive and commitment and his outstanding work on behalf of the city region.

"The ability to attract major investment in our Foundation and associated projects will be paramount in ensuring that Liverpool Football Club and its community team can continue to build upon the amazing work they have done thus far in the community. I look forward to welcoming Gary into the team."

Gary Adlen commented: "As a lifelong Liverpool fan I've experienced the highs and lows of supporting the greatest club in the world and I'm delighted to be taking up this new challenge. The club already does some fantastic work in the city which I have seen first-hand and I want to build on this by putting Liverpool at the heart of the community while continuing our programs in international markets as well.

"I will bring my experience in both the public and private sector across the city region to ensure that we are engaged at every level and look forward to making the Foundation a great success."

Boss Eyes London Double

Kenny Dalglish admits he has been delighted by Liverpool's overall form this season and is confident they can bounce back from their Stoke disappointment when they lock horns with Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds have taken seven points from their opening four Barclays Premier League matches so far this term, but slumped to their first defeat when they went down 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium last time out.

The Scot maintains that his side was unlucky to come away with nothing against the Potters and feels his players will be ready to give a response in North London.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "The performances have been very, very good so far.

"It's only 45 minutes in the second half against Sunderland - that is the least effective we've been. But it was by no way, shape or form a bad performance by us though. We've been happy with the way the players have gone about their work.”

A first-half penalty from Jon Walters was enough to secure a narrow win for Stoke in a match that saw Liverpool denied what appeared to be two clear-cut spot-kicks themselves.

Dalglish insists the Reds did not get the rub of the green in the Potteries and believes that his team will play worse this season and still pick up points.

"I have the same impression as what I had there and then. We played very well and had a lot of possession," he said.

"But we didn't score and if you don't score, you are not going to come away with the three points.

"No-one can say we didn't play well, apart from scoring. We aren't happy at losing a game but you have to accept that at some stage in the season you won't get what you deserve.

"Other times we'll not play well but get the three points. They say it evens itself out over the course of a season, so we've got a lot to look forward to I think."

Asked about his meeting with the General Manager of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, Mike Riley earlier this week, the boss said: "If you understand we have a meeting and have read the quotes on Liverpoolfc.tv, then I don't think we need to add to that.

"Everybody can speak to Mike Riley. He was coming here anyway so it didn't make any difference. Mike is very approachable and will speak to any manager who wants to speak to him. It's not as if we got preferential treatment.

"Mike will visit all of the clubs and so he should. We should work together.

"That's all we have to say on the matter. We'll continue to treat them with respect and dignity and I don't think we've failed on that point."

Liverpool head to Tottenham with the knowledge that their opponents' preparations have been disrupted by a Europa League clash on Thursday.

However, Dalglish is adamant it will have no bearing on Sunday's game and claims that it remains to be seen whether the Reds will benefit from an absence from Europe this year.

"They have a game tonight but he's (Harry Redknapp) only taken one player who played last Saturday, so they will still be at their strongest on Sunday," said Dalglish.

"Harry has done a fantastic job there. They are a very exciting and attacking team. They had a fantastic year last season when they did well in the Champions League. Maybe getting into the Champions League acted against them last season in trying to get back in this year. They finished fifth which was just one spot away.

"We know what Spurs and Harry stand for. We know what type of game we will be in for and we know it will be a good game."

He added: "As I've said, Harry has only taken one player who played last Saturday, so nobody is going to get any benefit from being in or out of Europe.

"It depends what type of team you want to put out. Each team will run it and see the importance of it in their own way. For us, we want to do as well as we possibly can in every game that we play in. We'll go into every competition and try to win it. If we had been in the Europa League we would have put out a strong team and we will do the same in the Carling Cup.

"I don't know if it will be beneficial or detrimental to us not being in Europe. It's a long time since this club has been out of Europe so we'll have to wait and see what happens. Only time will tell."

Tottenham have endured a difficult start to the season, suffering heavy defeats against both Manchester United and Manchester City.

The Londoners have seen a number of key personnel ruled out through injury so far, but Dalglish insists that they remain a tough proposition on their own patch.

He said: "I don't think they were at full strength were they? If you look at it in realistic terms, going to Old Trafford is a difficult place for anyone to go. And regarding the home game with Manchester City, they are capable of putting in top class performances and unfortunately for Harry, that day they did turn one in.

"They were both very difficult games, but I don't think they were at full strength. I don't think they are at full strength even now, so it's great credit to them that they went to Wolves last week and won 2-0."

Asked if he felt the trip to White Hart Lane was the toughest match of Liverpool's season so far, Dalglish added: "If you look at the stats, Arsenal finished above Spurs last season and we've already been to Arsenal and won. That was a really difficult place to get a result but we did it. So going to Tottenham is going to be equally hard. We'll see what we can do. If we do as well as we possibly can then we'll take our chances.

"They've got quality players throughout the team. There won't be a team in the Barclays Premier League that we come up against who don't have quality. Tottenham are the same as everyone else. Maybe they have them in different areas but certainly Adebayor is formidable and Defoe is a decent player.

"There is a lot of good in their side but I don't think we are too bad either."

Dalglish Happy With Progress And Squad Unity

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has stated he is delighted with the progress the club are making under his tenure.

The Scot took over in January after the sacking of Roy Hodgson and has turned the fortunes of the Reds around in his time at the club, bringing players such as Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing.

Dalglish is confident the club can bounce back from their defeat to Stoke last week and is confident the team can recover from any poor results due to the cohesion of his playing squad.

"There are always lots of things for everybody to be happy about," Dalglish told the club's official website.

"The supporters, the staff, the players - everybody. As we always say, if we stick together we are going to be a formidable unit.

"That's the important thing, for everybody to stick together. If we lose a game we have to stick together. There is a disappointment which is good, but no-one is walking around with a petty lip feeling sorry for themselves."

The Scot is unsure whether being out of European competitions will benefit them this season as he believes he would have been able to field a strong side no matter who his team were playing.

He added: "If we had been in the Europa League we would have put out a strong team and we will do the same in the Carling Cup.

"I don't know if it will be beneficial or detrimental to us not being in Europe. It's a long time since this club has been out of Europe so we'll have to wait and see what happens. Only time will tell."

Jon Flanagan Ready To Take On Tottenham

Jon Flanagan insists he’s ready to shine if Kenny Dalglish calls upon him for Liverpool FC’s clash at Tottenham on Sunday.

The 18-year-old LFC defender could earn a recall for the trip to White Hart Lane as Glen Johnson is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Flanagan is vying with fellow Academy graduate Martin Kelly, who returned to full training this week, for the right-back slot.

Alternatively, Dalglish could opt to persevere with Martin Skrtel on the right after playing the centre-back there to handle Stoke’s aerial threat last Saturday.

Flanagan, who hasn’t featured in the Reds’ last three league games after starting on the opening weekend against Sunderland, would relish a first team return.

“Hopefully I can get back in the team – that’s my target,” Flanagan said.

“We’ve got a few injuries at the moment so maybe I’ll get another chance soon. When I do get back in there I’ll have to show what I can do.

“Kells is back in training so it all depends what Kenny wants to do but if he needs me at Tottenham I’ll be ready.

“All I can do is keep working hard in training and keep listening to the coaches.

“Kenny has massively helped me and shown a lot of trust in me. I need to keep repaying that faith.”

Flanagan enjoyed a hugely impressive start to his Reds career after Dalglish handed him his debut against Manchester City back in April.

The tough-tackling Childwall youngster kept his place for the last seven games of the season and got the nod to start this campaign.

He’s been out of the team in recent weeks but Flanagan, who joined the Reds’ Academy at under-11 level, is rightly proud of his rapid rise through the ranks.

“Last season everything went great for me,” he said.

“To get a run of games like I did towards the end was amazing. I’m a Liverpool fan and I was originally from Anfield but we moved to Childwall when I was about 10.

“This season hasn’t gone as well as I hoped so far but it’s still unbelievable what I’m doing at such a young age.

“It’s every kid’s dream to play football in the Premier League. I’ve already played nine games for the club I support and I want to play more. I just need to ensure I keep progressing.”

Liverpool Linked Again With Transfer Move For Everton Star

Everton utility man Seamus Coleman is once again being linked with a surprise move to bitter rivals Liverpool by fanatix.co.uk.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish worked hard throughout the summer to strengthen his squad and it had appeared as though there would not be anymore transfer activity at Anfiield this season.

However, with the news that Everton are struggling financially and have admitted that they may be forced to sell star midfielder Marouane Fallaini, it seems Liverpool could heap further misery on their neighbours.

Coleman had been linked with the Reds during the summer and it seems Liverpool are once again prepared to make a move for the Irishman and could even offer as much as £10million.

Everton have already lost Mikel Arteta to Everton and striker Jermaine Beckford to Leicester with some suggesting that there could be an exodus from Goodison Park.

Everton owner Bill Kenwright has admitted that the finances at the club are in dire straits and that they may be forced to sell in January.

Coleman has impressed since making the move to Everton and has an ability to play either at right-back or as a right sided midfielder.

The 22-year-old would certainly keep in line with Liverpool's current policy of buying young players that still have plenty of time to learn and develop.

Bellamy Addition Stirs Liverpool Fans

Craig Bellamy was Liverpool's last signing of an expensive summer after he landed at Anfield from Manchester City on a free transfer.

But the Welshman's return to his former club was disappointing as the Reds registered their first loss of the season to Stoke City, who are now a point above Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League table in fifth place.

Liverpool fans are divided over whether the 32-year-old will get going this year, and more still are unsure whether this year will see the Merseyside club break it's five-year trophy drought.

Short of a handshake and a shirt holding ceremony, John O'Keefe got proceedings under way with an official salutation for the returning Welshman, saying: “Welcome back Craig.”

Mike Kemp spoiled the party, saying: “He will be a bench player - nothing more, nothing less. After this season he'll be past it.”

Tame Taba disagreed. He argued that Bellamy has a youthful exuberance that belies his age. He countered with: “He's 32 but got the pace of a 21-year-old player!”

David Siggs agreed that “he will do well”, while others urged Kenny Dalglish to give Bellamy plenty of chance to get going.

Stefan Da Silva said: “Bellamy is a fantastic player and he must be given a chance to play a full 90 minutes because he dominates the game very well.”

Ashlin Adams agreed: “Once Bellamy settles in it's going to be a dangerous strike force.”

But a few held unhappy memories of the striker who made 27 appearances for Liverpool between 2006 and 2007 and scored seven goals.

Edward Dempsey asserted: “He better do better this time around.”

Philip M Kemp-Bell went one further, adding: “He's pants! Utter crap, it didn't work first time, why would it work now.”

While Kieran Hurley, referring to an unconfirmed incident with former Reds left back John Arne Riise, said: “Hope he's forgot his golf clubs!”

Altangerel Enkhtur was more sympathetic. He said: “He does give as a lot of options going forward, doesn't waste chances, and he has pace. All this adds up to one thing. It was a really good signing!”

Grant Mercado wanted to talk about Liverpool's general form and saw Stoke as just a blip. He said: “I'm sure Liverpool will turn in a performance that will match the result against Tottenham.”

But James Morgan was dubious: “You think so?”

Mercado responded: “James Morgan, I know so.”

Morgan added: “See dear, I love Liverpool so dearly but since their failure in getting trophies as they used to, man, I am withdrawing myself, but never the less, we will never walk alone.”

Grant Mercado was patient with his fellow fan, whose faith was clearly wavering. He said: “James Morgan, you have to be positive. The team they have now will give Manchester United and the rest of the top flight a game and come out with a lot of points. As for trophies, we will get one this season and be in the top three.”

Dalglish: Skrtel An Example To All

Kenny Dalglish has saluted the attitude of Martin Skrtel following the defender's impressive displays in an unfamiliar right back role.

The Slovakia international assumed the position following an injury to Martin Kelly in the recent win over Bolton and gave another solid showing in the defeat at Stoke.

The Reds boss acknowledges it isn't a natural fit for the No.37 but feels it illustrates the squad's overall desire to put the team first.

Dalglish said: "He's been playing out of position but it's been no problem for him. He came on against Bolton and was very, very comfortable.

"One of the benefits of this group of players is that they are prepared to play wherever they can get a game.

"They will do their very best and if it is not right, then it is not their problem, it is ours.

"There is no way Martin Skrtel is ever going to let you down through lack of commitment. He's played right-back in the last two games and done brilliantly. He doesn't look out of place to me. If we have to keep him there, then we will keep him there.

"Martin's been given the opportunity and he's done the best that he can. He'll continue to do that and I'm sure if somebody else gets the opportunity they will be exactly the same. I don't think too many of them will put their hands up to play in goal though!"

Dalglish's business in the summer transfer market means competition for places is now as fierce as ever at Anfield.

The Scot admits it gives him plenty of options when selecting his starting XI and insists that his players are aware that rotation will be necessary as the Reds battle for honours on three fronts.

"It's important people understand that there aren't many times that a player gets dropped now. There are going to be changes made at every football club," he said.

"You won't have the same sheet that says the same this August as last August. You just make your decisions and you can judge what you see.

"You also take into account the opposition and your own players. As I said last week, we don't have a team, we have a squad. And we have a very strong squad. That's the most important thing.

"It's logical to think that there will be different faces every week. But not just for the sake of doing it. It is for the benefit of the football club.

"The players get to grips with it better than maybe some other people do. It's just a fact of life that there will be changes."

He added: "If you look back I did it when I was here first (as manager). It was only when someone said there would be rotation that there were objections. Football fans fully understand it and they want to see us play the best we possibly can and get the best results we can."

Dalglish Refusing To Rush Steven Gerrard’s Comeback

Kenny Dalglish is relishing the chance to unleash Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard again – but says he will not rush his comeback.

The Liverpool captain is unlikely to be passed fit to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday despite coming through a training match this week, with the midweek trip to Brighton in the Carling Cup now a more realistic target.

Dalglish says LFC must remain cautious over the timing of Gerrard’s return to first team action following his lengthy lay-off because of a serious groin injury and be careful not to raise expectations by naming the date for his comeback.

Having the England international back will be a significant boost for the rest of the squad says Dalglish but ensuring his return is for good rests on Liverpool showing “common sense”.

“We have just got to be careful,” said Dalglish.

“We are not going to get ahead of ourselves here and start talking Steven up for him not to play.

“That would then be seen as a disappointment. We will just take our time.

“Steven will be back for us when he is fit and well, when the timing is right for everyone. We just need to put the brakes on a wee bit. It sounds like people expect him back (to start) on Sunday. There is no date set for Steven to come back. No date whatsoever.

“He will only play when he is fit and well and when it suits us. That will be it. When he is at that stage, it will be fantastic for everybody but mainly for Steven himself. He loves playing and has been out for a while. The sooner he is back, the happier he will be.

“If you have got someone like Steven in your squad, it is going to raise the profile and the standard. We want to have a really strong squad and him being in it makes it much stronger.

“A fit Steven Gerrard strengthens this football club, no question. There is no player that will ever get taken for granted here. There are players who you will always appreciate what they have done for the football club and he is certainly one of them. He has done as much for the club as anyone else.

“That’s it in a nutshell.”

Gerrard is not the only Liverpool player having to be nursed back to full fitness with Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio also on the sidelines.

Martin Kelly is back in training following his slight hamstring injury and Dalglish says it is vital all the sidelined players are afforded time and patience, no matter how desperate they may be to play.

“We have always said that we have got to manage the situation, not just with Steven but for everybody. Fabio has had a lot of problems and he is totally frustrated that he cannot play. Everybody wants to play.

“But if you have been out that long, you may as well wait until it is right. We are not trying to be anything other than totally realistic and honest in our appraisal with Steven, Fabio and anyone else.”

Agger Slams Rafa And Roy

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger believes the club's current squad is "miles apart" when compared with last season's crop, most of whom were recruited by Roy Hodgson and Rafa Benitez.

The Reds endured a difficult time in the 2010-11 campaign under former manager Hodgson, who was ultimately sacked in January and replaced with current boss Kenny Dalglish.

The Scot guided the club to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League and over the summer Dalglish bolstered his squad with a number of recruits, including Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique and Craig Bellamy.

"The coaching staff are helping," Agger told liverpoolfc.tv. "If you look at the squad now, it looks really, really strong with so many good players so I think it is good for us to have the belief to go forward and win games. We definitely have that now and if you compare it to last season, I think we're miles apart."

Reds Proud To Have Suarez

Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher believes the Reds are lucky to have a player of Luis Suarez's ability within their ranks.

The 24-year-old has made an instant impact at Anfield following his arrival from Ajax back in January, scoring seven goals in just 18 appearances for the club thus far.

It's his all-round performances that have been earning rave reviews on Merseyside this season though, and Carragher believes the Uruguayan striker is quickly become a crucial ingredient in the Reds' side.

"For me, to say you've started well you have to have performed well over the first 10, 20 or 30 games for your new club. One game - good or bad - doesn't mean anything," the central defender told LFC weekly magazine.

"Luis has already shown how good he is by playing well in lots of games. I think he's already done enough to prove that he's a top player. Hopefully he'll be here for a very long, long time."

Kenny Dalglish's fear of potential burnout this summer appear to have been unfounded, with the forward returning from the Copa America sharper than ever on Merseyside.

Suarez scooped the player of the tournament for his international exploits, helping Uruguay to win the competition, and Carragher admits that his club team-mates’ performances in the tournament were simply superb.

"I watched the highlights of their games and Luis was brilliant, the player of the tournament," the defender continued.

"I'm just delighted that we've got him because he's one of the best in the world. We should be proud of the fact that he's here at Liverpool."

Reds Wait On Johnson Fitness

Assistant manager Steve Clarke is not prepared to speculate on the fitness of Glen Johnson and expects Liverpool to have a point to prove against Tottenham at the weekend.

England full-back Johnson suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat to Stoke last Saturday having only made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute.

The 27-year-old had been sidelined with a thigh problem and his latest setback therefore represents a frustration for manager Kenny Dalglish.

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Spurs, Liverpool is waiting to discover the extent of Johnson's injury and Clarke does not want to guess before medical assessments are complete.

Dalglish's right-hand man told Liverpool's official website: "We are still waiting on the results of Glen's scan so until that comes out there's no point in speculating about it.

"We will just see how he is when we get the scan and see what the timeframe is."

On top of Johnson's injury, the loss to Stoke came has a huge annoyance to Liverpool in a game in which they dominated, but lost to Jon Walters' controversial penalty.

It was Dalglish's side's first defeat of the season and Clarke is expecting the squad to bounce back when they take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.

"When you've been in football as long as I have you know these things can happen. You can completely dominate the game, create many chances and not manage to get a goal that would have given us some reward for the hard work we put in," said the Scot.

"Stoke got a soft penalty which gave them an undeserved lead and I think that was the first time they had been in our penalty box.

"Once they got themselves in front they proved to be very difficult to break down and they were difficult opponents on the day.

"Everyone was disappointed in the dressing room after the game because we lost the game. We as the coaching staff have to try to put forward the positives.

"We played well and we created enough chances to have won two games so we have to give the players the positives and understand their disappointment at the same time.

"It's a long season and you know you will get setbacks but it's how you react to those setbacks. The mood in training has been fine and the players know they performed to an acceptable standard obviously without the required result against Stoke.

"We have to make sure when we go to Tottenham on Sunday that we put in an acceptable performance, only this time make sure we get the required result."

Raul Meireles To Chelsea Was A Fantastic Deal For Liverpool

Former Liverpool skipper Phil Thompson believes that the sale of Raul Meireles, who was bought for £11 million, to Chelsea for a fee of around £12m was a “fantastic deal” for all the parties involved.

Meireles, who impressed and became a fan favourite in his one and only season on Merseyside, was sold at the eleventh hour on the final day of the transfer window.

The Portuguese played a key role in Liverpool’s revival in the latter half of the season and made his disappointment with the Anfield club known in his first interview as a Chelsea player when he expressed “surprise” over the fact the Reds wanted to sell him in the first place.

The 28-year-old showed what he is capable of over the weekend by providing the assist for Daniel Sturridge’s goal in the 2-1 win over Sunderland, as did Alberto Aquilani, who was shipped away on loan to AC Milan despite being one of the side's best performers in pre-season, by playing a part in the two goals scored against Lazio.

However, Thompson feels his old club made the right choice in getting rid of the duo, who he feels did not fit in.

“I think it's decisions and you have to make decisions. Alberto Aquilani spends last season on loan and he came back in the summer. Yeah, he was [the best player in the pre-season] but you have to look at the quality of the opposition as well," Thompson told Goal.com.

“The two players are quite similar in many ways – Meireles and Aquilani. Both are central midfield players, both are forward midfield players, so it’s a forward midfield player of a three (up front). They would have to fit in to how you are going to play the game.

“I think the way Kenny [Dalglish] has probably looked at it at the time, he has not seen them fit in."

The 58-year-old also stated that there was a slight change in the attitude of Meireles before the season started as he realized he had gone down in the pecking order with the arrivals of Jordon Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing in the summer.

“Raul, I think, had a real good purple patch last year when he scored vital goals, good goals - him and Maxi Rodriguez," Thompson continued.

“But when the season was starting and the transfer signings were coming in, I think he’s looked at it and not being in the team [got him] thinking. He didn’t look happy. Let’s put it that way. That’s just me looking from the outside and around since I have the privilege.

“But I have seen the games, I have seen the way he was, his attitude. And I think once Chelsea’s interest came in, and of course Fernando Torres was down there, and he then wanted to leave.”

He added that had Liverpool not sold Meireles in the summer, they possibly would not have got the same fee for him later and hence could not let the opportunity to sell him go away.

“I think it was a fantastic deal because £12m for Raul was great," Thompson added.

“And I think if he wasn’t going to be playing a major part in the team, if then come January and he wasn’t too happy, would you have got £6m for him? I think both things suited both parties.

“Alberto and Raul got what they wanted, because Alberto knew his results weren’t needed to go and play (for Liverpool) and Raul was not going to be in the first team – he wanted to leave.”