Dalglish welcomes back Spearing

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will not urge midfielder Jay Spearing to curb his aggressive style of play.

Spearing is available for selection again after completing a three-match suspension.

The 23-year-old was red-carded in the 1-0 defeat at Fulham earlier this month, and Dalglish is delighted to have him.

“There was no maliciousness in his tackle,” Dalglish told The Mirrror.

“He was totally focused on winning the ball. He did win the ball but his momentum came through and made contact with (Moussa) Dembele.”

“It was maybe over-enthusiasm but that is not something you’d complain about in football – at that age you’d expect him to be (enthusiastic).”

“I’m sure he’ll be more knowledgeable for his experience but there is nothing he needs to change greatly.”

“Everybody’s character is different but character is what makes you successful – and the wee man has certainly been successful here.”

“We don’t intend – or need to – change the boy’s character. He just needs to be a bit more mature and I’m sure the three games (out of contention) has taught him that.”

With Liverpool facing a testing spell of nine matches in 36 days between now and the end of January, having Spearing back is a boost to the squad, especially as they are without fellow midfielder Lucas Leiva for the rest of the season following surgery on damaged cruciate knee ligaments.

Dalglish acknowledged Spearing’s contribution when he added: “It was disappointing to lose him because he was doing really well. He’s served his punishment and maybe that’s an advantage with the games coming quite quickly.”

“But he’s got nothing to prove to us – we know what Jay can do, we know what he’s about and he’s done very well for us in the past.”

“There is no reason to think he’s not going to do well in the future.”

The Reds were held to another frustrating draw in their last game – this time at battling Wigan – and Dalglish is eager for his team to start picking up maximum points again during a demanding period of the season.

“Every game is a pivotal point and for us it’s important we get as much as we can from every game, whether that comes within three days or 10 days of each other doesn’t make any difference,” said the Reds’ boss.

“We have a busy schedule of games which demands a very strong squad and I think we’ve got that.”

“We take every game as it comes and we look at the last one to see how the lads have recovered from it.”

“The quicker they recover the better chance they have of playing and not every player recovers at the same time as everyone else.”

Dalglish reiterated: “I think we have got a strong squad and I think we may be a bit [more] fortunate than others with regards to team selection.”

“If we can get a little bit of fortune on the pitch we will get good results.”