´Important we hung in there´, says Dalglish

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was delighted to see his side secure a battling Carling Cup win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Visitors Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 on Wednesday, booking their place in the last eight of the competition after a Luis Suarez brace rubbed out Kenwyne Jones’ opener for the hosts.

Dalglish was impressed with the goals but equally happy with the desire shown by his side to secure a positive result at a tough venue.

“Every win is important but I think the most important thing was that we hung on in there,” Dalglish said.

“In the first half I think we missed six chances you normally expect us to put away – at least one or two of them anyway – but then they got one in front.”

“In the second half the boys dug deep and defended really well for us. The wee man (Suarez) scored a fantastic goal and then a good header as well.”

“It was important that we finished off some of the football we have been playing, especially in the last two games we had not done that well enough.”

“You are not going to come here and go away unscathed – they normally get a goal from somewhere – that is why they have been successful.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis felt Liverpool were good value for their victory, but also took issue with several decisions that went against his team.

According to Pulis, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher should have been sent off for a bad tackle on Matthew Etherington in the 21st minute.

Stoke later had a goal disallowed from a Rory Delap long throw, and Peter Crouch was denied a penalty against his former club.

“The disappointing thing is … Liverpool, first half, fair play to them and to Kenny, were a better team than us, they played much better than us, created good chances and Thomas (Sorensen) made some very, very good saves,” Pulis said.

“Second half was more even-stevens, the disappointing thing is we’re sat here talking about three incidents again that are very, very contentious that have gone against us and gone for Liverpool.”

“You can’t have rules in one box and not the same rules in the other box.”