Kenny: Spirit vital to success

Kenny Dalglish is convinced Liverpool's team unity has been the catalyst for individuals to shine.

Maxi Rodriguez stole the headlines with a treble in the 5-0 triumph over Birmingham City last weekend but the boss reckons it is the collective spirit within the Anfield camp that is allowing his players to express themselves.

Dalglish said: "The strength of the football club is going to be in the quality and desire of the players and I don't think you could ask for more of them than what we did against Birmingham.

"We gain success as a team; within the framework there are always going to be individuals who shine from time to time but there are a lot of people who are getting the benefit.

"There are a lot of people scoring the goals and that is even better for us.

"We don't mind who scores. We had Maxi and Joe Cole - who have not played that often - come in and score four of the five goals so there is nothing wrong with their attitude or commitment."

Kenny Dalglish hails 'fantastic servant' Jamie Carragher as he prepares for Liverpool milestone

The Reds defender, if he plays against Newcastle, will clock up his 665th appearance for the club to share the second highest appearances total in their history.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has praised defender Jamie Carragher as he approaches a landmark 665th appearance for the Merseyside club.

If selected at the weekend, Carragher will join Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence sitting second in the club's all-time appearances list, and Dalglish had several kind words to say about the Champions League-winning defender.

"Carra has been a fantastic servant to this football club. I don't know how far short he is of Cally's [Ian Callaghan's] record - I think he's got a wee while to go before he reaches that, but he's been great," he said to the club's official website.

The defender, who rose through the ranks at Liverpool, was also praised for his versatility and commitment by his manager.

"He's filled in loyally and comfortably in many positions for the football club and he's someone who has been very pleased to be associated with Liverpool - and we're pleased to be associated with him," he added.

Dalglish also offered advice to emerging young defenders Jack Robinson and John Flanagan, who will be looking to follow in Carragher's footsteps.

He said: "It wouldn't be bad for them to model themselves on Jamie or Steven [Gerrard].

"There are a lot of things a local lad coming through has to endure and the ones who might experience that in the future could do a lot worse than having a word with either of them because they know what lies ahead."

'Let's maintain Anfield tradition'

Kenny Dalglish is hoping Liverpool can maintain their unbeaten Anfield record until the end of the season as they chase European qualification.

The Reds have won five and drawn three of their matches on home soil since Dalglish returned to the helm in January - and the boss is eager for that statistic to continue.

"It has always been a difficult place for any team to come and get a result," he said.

"We'll just continue on that tradition and hopefully we can stretch it even further and go on and get some more wins."

Liverpool's latest home success came at the expense of Manchester City on Monday night as they clinched a dominant 3-0 victory over Roberto Mancini's men.

While the likes of Andy Carroll may have grabbed the headlines with his imperious two-goal showing, Dalglish is eager to highlight the performances of Jay Spearing and Lucas Leiva in helping the Reds to an important three points.

"As well as passing it well, Jay and Lucas in the middle of the pitch got in amongst it," he said.

"Wee Jay had a couple of crunching tackles and that doesn't do anybody any harm and helps to set the tempo.

"Gareth (Barry) and (Yaya) Toure are two fantastic players, but on the night I don't think you could have been disappointed with the performance of our two.

"They did a great deal of work and showed a lot of effort. They were very disciplined - and we got the benefit of that.

"We were really pleased with the way those two played."

Lucas is England's top tackler

Lucas Leiva has made more tackles in the Barclays Premier League than any other player this season.

Eight challenges against Manchester City took the Brazilian's total to 139 for the 2010-11 campaign, according to Opta stats.

WOW!! AMAZING?? DO YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE IT.. HAHA

Andy Carroll reveals text exchange with Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart prior to netting first Liverpol goals

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has revealed that he told Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart that he would score against him before Monday night’s game – via text message.

Carroll scored twice in a 3-0 win for Liverpool that boosted their European hopes for next season.



The England striker said after the game that he had exchanged words with his England team-mate before kick-off.

"I gave Joe a message before the game and told him I was going to score - it was unbelievable,” Carroll said.

"He was giving me a bit of banter but I'm just happy we got the three points and I got my first goal.

"I'm really happy with that.

"All the lads played well but obviously I got the goals I've been wanting, although the hat-trick would have been nice."

Carroll's brace marked his first goals for his new club since signing from Newcastle United for £35 million deal, and the 22-year-old knows what he was bought for.

"I'm here to score goals," Carroll added.

"Everyone has been having a good bit of banter and we were really looking forward to playing City.

"The team spirit here is great.

"I'd like to think there is a lot more to me than just that.

"I think I create a lot of goals and chances.

"I work hard, I'm not selfish in front of goal, and I can play different styles."

Liverpool rookie John Flanagan hails Kenny Dalglish after positive debut against Manchester City

Liverpool youngster John Flanagan hailed manager Kenny Dalglish for his contribution to the development of the defender.

The 18-year-old made a strong debut in the 3-0 victory over Manchester City, in a game that also saw the club's record signing Andy Carroll bag his first goals for the team.

Flanagan worked under Dalglish during his time with the youth team as the Scot helped the youngsters back when Rafael Benitez was boss, and the youngster revealed the impact that the legendary former player has had.

"Kenny has been a big help to me and the other young players," he said, according to The Guardian.

"He's been working at the club for the last two years and he was at the academy so he knows all of the youngsters well. He's always a big help to us, telling us what to do. It helps us just the fact that we already know him well from the academy because it means that he knows us well too.

"It gives all the young players a boost because we all know that Kenny is looking at us and is willing to give us our chance so that gives us confidence. The thing for us is that when we do get a chance we have to take it. There is a great bunch of lads at the academy, we were unlucky in the Youth Cup but we've got great teams in the academy and the reserves."

Flanagan also revealed that his father used to play for the club as a youngster but was unable to make the cut, and the teenager intends to use it as a source of inspiration to become a first-team regular.

"My dad was here when he was younger but unfortunately he didn't make it," he said. "But even that is something that can help me because he's able to speak to me about what worked and what didn't work for him and that means I can learn from his mistakes.

"He keeps telling me he used to clean Kenny's boots! My dad wants me to go all the way and so do I."