Dalglish happy with strength of squad

14 March 2011 15:30
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes he has a squad strong enough to cope with the recent run of injuries which have struck key players. Captain Steven Gerrard was the latest to be affected after he was ruled out for a month having undergone surgery on a troublesome groin problem on Thursday. He joins defenders Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio, both out for four weeks with hamstring tears, on the sidelines where centre-back Daniel Agger and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey are both recovering from knee injuries, although the latter is not expected back until late April after surgery. On a positive front, record signing Andy Carroll has made his successful return from a thigh problem to make two substitute appearances in the last eight days. The depth of the squad has been tested with Liverpool's involvement in the Europa League and although the stand-ins have not always impressed - Thursday's 1-0 first-leg defeat in Braga a case in point - Dalglish recognises the importance of being able to call on those fringe players. "Everyone in the squad is capable of playing in the first team," he said. "Those that haven't played as much are very important to us and their attitude in the games they have played in the past has been superb. "We wouldn't expect any less, although we don't take it for granted. When you look to a club and try to get success, the strength of what lies behind [the first team] and their application when they do get an opportunity is the important thing."

Source: PA