Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish hopes his players will display the intelligence required to win Sunday's 215th Merseyside derby after errors cost the side defeat in his first two matches in charge.
Daniel Agger's misjudged first-minute challenge on Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov and Steven Gerrard's lunge at Michael Carrick ensured the Reds were beaten in Dalglish's first game in charge since he replaced Roy Hodgson. And more defensive slip-ups contributed to a 2-1 defeat at Blackpool in midweek.
"We want to see the players competing but within the rules of the game and if I have 11 players on the pitch we have a chance of winning." said Dalglish.
"The players here know the importance of the derby and sometimes the local lads get carried away and are too motivated and get a bit heated," added the Reds boss.
"Nowadays if you say 'good morning' to someone you've got a chance of getting a red card.
"But you can't blame players for being passionate and committed - they've been highly criticised for not being passionate and committed.
"If there is a bit of understanding from the officials I'm sure it would ease things along a bit.
"You have to be intelligent - the fact it is a derby doesn't change the rules of the game, they are exactly the same.
"But you have to go and compete, just as you have in every other game."
Source: PA
