Kenny's Brighton verdict
Kenny Dalglish hailed the impact of Craig Bellamy after the forward marked his first start since returning to Liverpool with a goal in the 2-1 Carling Cup win at Brighton.
The Welshman netted the opener at the Amex Stadium with a stylish finish on seven minutes and also had a hand in Dirk Kuyt's winner, leaving the Reds boss delighted by the striker's overall contribution.
Dalglish told his post-match press conference: "I thought he was fantastic. When he came in we said he'd make a contribution and it's not taken him long.
"He just loves playing football. He's enthusiastic and very fit. He loves this football club. He's a supporter of this club, which sometimes sounds a bit sickly, but he actually is a supporter and wants to go out and do his best for the club.
"I thought all of the forwards linked up well; Suarez, Maxi, Kuyt and Bellamy.
"Craig's a good footballer, an intelligent player, and they all linked up well with him. It looks like they will get on together."
Substitute Ashley Barnes netted a late consolation for the home side to set up a nervy finale, but it could not dent the positivity surrounding Liverpool on a night that also saw Steven Gerrard make his comeback following a six-month absence.
On the subject of his skipper's return, Dalglish said: "It was fantastic for everyone connected with the football club to see him back. I'm more pleased for Steven than anyone else. He's worked very hard to get here.
"He's had disappointments along the way and that 15 minutes will have given him a lift.
"We'll monitor the situation as diligently as we have done to get him this far. We need to be careful with him."
He added: "We don't know when Steven will be at full pelt but it certainly makes our squad a lot stronger.
"We said when the transfer window shut that we were happy with the business we had done and getting Steven back would be like a new signing considering he's been out for six months.
Click on the image below to watch Kenny's post-match thoughts
"For us it's a real, real addition to get your talisman back. It's great for us and fantastic for Steven."
Liverpool produced what could arguably be described as the best football of their season so far in a one-sided first 45 that should have seen them go in at the interval more than the one goal to the good.
Dalglish was delighted with his team's showing and saluted their response following Sunday's heavy loss at Tottenham.
"I thought the first-half performance was fantastic by the players," he said. "I think we responded to the disappointment that everyone saw on Sunday. They were a great credit to themselves and the club with the way they went about their work.
"Some of the football - the passing and the movement - was exceptional. It's obviously very difficult to keep that going for 90 minutes."
He continued: "It was a difficult game and a positive result for us. It was also positive news that Steven got 15 minutes for us.
"Jack Robinson got 90 minutes, as did Sebastian Coates. Maxi got a game and played well. Craig had a great game and scored. Martin Kelly almost played a full game too, so it was a good night for us.
"We've got a stronger squad than what we had last year and that's reflected in the team we picked. We can only pick from the squad we've got."
Quizzed about his thoughts on the season so far, Dalglish added: "Like everyone else, other than Man United who are sitting at the top of the table with 15 points, we'd have liked to have done better.
"But we are realistic enough to know that we are in a better position than we were this time last year."
Watch all the action from last night's Carling Cup victory over Brighton on LFC TV at 10am, 2pm and 8pm today. LFC TV is available on Channel 434 on Sky and Channel 544 on Virgin. Highlights and goals will be available on LFC TV Online from 10pm.