Dalglish backs Liverpool depth

Kenny Dalglish has backed the strength of his Liverpool squad as the Premier League nears the busy festive season.

The Reds are one of the few clubs with squads big enough to handle the intense fixture list and the 60-year-old has backed his fringe players, including 35-million-pound striker Andy Carroll, to make an impact.

When asked about Carroll’s chances of playing over Christmas, Dalglish said: “Everybody’s got to be prepared and ready to play. They will all expect to play some part in some of the games, and Andy Carroll is no different.”

“The performances in the Carling Cup where we’ve made a lot of changes for all the games, it’s proved to the players and the people who’ve been watching the players who haven’t played as much as they’d like that they’re very capable of stepping in.”

“Everybody will get an opportunity, and Andy like every one of them is ready to step in and play. There is no individual we are not comfortable with putting in.”

Dalglish also dismissed rumours that he would be looking to sign players in January with several strikers being linked to the low-scoring Reds, who have netted fewer times than the likes of Norwich, Blackburn and bottom club Bolton so far this season.

“There will always be speculation but it’s not a Panini sticker book,” Dalglish said. “We’re happy with what we have got.”

“It doesn’t matter what we say, there’s going to be speculation, we have the option to add if we want to but, also the other option, we don’t have to, and we’re more than happy with this squad, they’ve done brilliantly.”

“Everyone keeps throwing up exams for people, but I think they’ve stood the test of time. They’ve done brilliantly, all of them. They’ve got to the semi-final of the Carling Cup, what else can you ask for?”

“They’ve done as much as they possibly could with the opportunities they have had. We have said many times we are happy with what they have done on and off the pitch and that doesn’t change.”