Source: PA
Dalglish impressed by players' attitude
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has no intention of allowing his squad to become complacent or lose their competitive edge.
With injuries leaving the Reds short of key players like Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio, the Scot is operating with a first XI at less than full strength.
That has meant he has had to bring in reserve-team defenders John Flanagan and Jack Robinson to fill holes at the back, while using bit-part players such as Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole to cover absences further forward.
The latter, in particular, has struggled in his first season since joining on a free transfer from Chelsea and there is already speculation the 29-year-old's Anfield career could be a short one with a number of clubs being linked with a summer move. But Dalglish has been happy with the way those who have less first-team action than they would have hoped for have responded when there has been an opportunity.
"You don't get anywhere if you don't work hard but you also don't get anywhere if you think you have arrived," said the Reds boss. "Joe's dedication and application on the training pitch has been superb. This week Joe had a day off but he still came in to train.
"At the moment the lads are not doing too badly so it is difficult to give everybody a game, but if he'd been a defender he might have had a chance with the injuries we have had. But I think you insult the boy if you ask if he has the necessary desire. He came on and scored a goal (on Saturday) and we couldn't have asked for any more from him in training."
