Dalglish expects Carroll focus

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says Andy Carroll will not be overwhelmed by facing former club Newcastle United on Friday.

Carroll, who joined Liverpool for 35 million pounds from Newcastle in January, will come up against the club he supported as a boy in a much-anticipated Premier League clash.

The 22-year-old has scored just four times since arriving at Anfield.

“In my mind he (Andy Carroll) is going to play against Newcastle in a game at Anfield,” Dalglish said.

“If it’s his former club or not it doesn’t really make a difference when considering what the team should be.”

“The most important thing for him is to play for us and that’s what he’ll be concentrating on. He’s a Geordie and will always be a Newcastle fan but when he plays against them he will always give his best.”

Dalglish paid tribute to Newcastle, who have impressed this season and sit seventh after a 2-0 win at Bolton on Saturday.

But before that they were without a win in six matches, something Dalglish believes was because of a tough run of fixtures.

“They collected a lot (of points) early on in the season and it’s tailed off a tiny bit but that’s only because they have had a harder run of games,” he said.

“But for them to be up there they have done very well.”

Dalglish also confirmed that Steven Gerrard is fit but that he will take a cautious approach instead of rushing the Liverpool legend back into action.

“We know he is fit and he just needs game time. But we won’t be irresponsible and throw him in and take a chance on him.”

“We’ll monitor him in the same way as we did last time, with the same number of minutes and games, but he looks superb at the moment.”