Source: PA
Dalglish - Reds can't afford to focus only on Rooney
Kenny Dalglish is wary of the threat Wayne Rooney poses to his side when Manchester United visit Anfield - but the Liverpool manager accepts he cannot afford to put special plans in place to contain the former Everton striker as their arch-rivals have plenty of players who can cause them problems.
Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win at Old Trafford back in September - before Dalglish's time in charge - and also won the penalty which Ryan Giggs converted to clinch FA Cup victory in January.
Rooney, whose record against Liverpool is not great with just two goals in 12 appearances, has scored five in his last five Barclays Premier League matches with three in three games. Dalglish needs no reminding of the 25-year-old's talent but will not focus entirely on stopping the England international.
The Scot said: "I don't think Wayne Rooney has to justify his abilities as a footballer to anyone. Anyone involved in football would know he's a top-class player. He has the ability to do all the things you talk about - and we hope he doesn't do them Sunday.
"It's difficult to keep players like that quiet at times but it's not difficult to lay plans. It's our job, whether it works or not remains to be seen. If you can't have an idea about what you want to do in a game then you've got a problem.
"But it's not just Wayne you need to concern yourself with - it's Manchester United. They are a top team and that's why they are top of league at the moment."
