Dalglish Hails 'Fully Deserved' Victory

31 December 2011 12:16
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was full of praise for goalscorers Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard after the 3-1 win at home to Newcastle.

Kenny Dalglish: "It's not the first time we've praised him (Bellamy) and it certainly won't be the last.

"He took the first one well because it was tight in the area and the second one was a free-kick.

"The defender ran back on the line for some reason and Andy (Carroll) ran back with him.

"It went between the goalkeeper and the full-back - it was a good free-kick and may have gone in any way.

"We are delighted for him. We just hope his cut eye isn't too bad. As he came off I just said congratulations to him.

"When Steven's not playing he's influential so I suppose you can add the word hugely influential when he is in the team.

"He's getting back to fitness which is fantastic reward for him and everyone who has worked with him to get him back to the level he's at now.

"He's always been a huge asset for the football club and he's got a lot of years to go yet and we'll look forward to that.

"I think we were pretty much in control any way (before Gerrard's arrival).

"They had a bit of possession at the start of the second half without really threatening but obviously, him scoring the third goal helped us.

"He's put the pressure on himself now, scoring a goal but it's great to see him getting his reward.

"He's worked really hard to get where he is. It was a freak injury really, so the boy deserves a bit of luck in 2012.

"I thought it was a fully-deserved victory.

"We showed great courage, commitment and desire to get back into the game after losing a goal.

"We equalised, Martin (Skrtel) had a great clearance off the line and I think we deserved to win.

"It's probably the game where we've created the least chances as well, but we've scored three goals. It's funny how that happens.

"I'm not relieved, just satisfied that we got what we deserved. If we got what we deserved in every other (home) game I don't think it would have been unreasonable." 

Source: FOOTYMAD