Dalglish happy with stay-at-home Stevie

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish believes Steven Gerrard’s omission from the England squad will benefit all parties.

The midfielder has been sidelined for over six months because of a groin injury and has not made a Premier League start yet this season as the club nurse him back up to full fitness.

The 31-year-old was not included in Fabio Capello’s squad for England’s Euro 2012 against Montenegro on Friday, and Dalglish is happy his fitness will not be risked.

The Scottish manager told LFC magazine: “I think it’s beneficial for everybody that Stevie hasn’t been called up by England.”

“He’s got back to where he is right now because of the people that have been working with him. He’s said himself that he has great faith in those people.”

“I don’t think it would have been helpful for Stevie – or us or England – if he had gone away for the game against Montenegro. I think it’s a sensible decision for all concerned.”

Injuries to Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson have also blighted Liverpool’s start to the season and Dalglish is hoping no other players will return from international duty carrying knocks.

“These few weeks also give some of the lads who are returning from injury – Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson – more time to get back,” he said.

“Time is a great healer so hopefully the lads will benefit from the break. We’ll cross our fingers and hope that nobody comes back from international duty with an injury.”

The manager reiterated his happiness with the way his side performed against rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby, where they won 2-0 only their second clean sheet of the season.

He added: “It was good to keep a clean sheet. We haven’t had one for a few weeks. We’ve been unlucky not to get more because some of the goals we’ve conceded have been right at the end of games.”

“Whenever you do keep a clean sheet it obviously gives you a great chance of getting something.”

“If you do stop the other team scoring it’s good for everybody, the defenders in particular.”

“I thought all the lads at the back dealt with everything. (Jamie Carragher) was superb again.”