Kenny: He's hungry to impress

The Wales star spent a year on loan with Championship side Cardiff last season prior to his emotional return to Anfield.

The diminutive striker capped a sensational display with a goal on his first start for Dalglish's men against Brighton on Wednesday night, leaving the boss even more convinced that the 32-year-old will make a big impression in L4 second time around.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "We knew what we were getting when Craig came in. We've said many times before what Craig brings to this football club.

"He had a year out last year when he played at Cardiff rather than in the Barclays Premier League and I think we are getting the benefit of that because he has got a hunger to come in and impress.

"He's got a desire because maybe he went away with a wee bit of unfinished business the last time he left here. So he's got a desire to relight that and we'll get the benefit of it.

"He'll make a contribution to the football club over the length of his contract and hopefully last night was just the beginning for him.

"He loves playing football and is really enthusiastic. He wants to do well and we'll help him to do that all that we can."

Click on the play button below to watch Bellamy's best moments v Brighton

Bellamy was instrumental in all of Liverpool's best moves in the Carling Cup triumph against the Seagulls, linking up superbly with Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez.

Dalglish feels their exciting combination play was the result of the hard work they have put in on the training pitch and is hoping for more of the same in the months that lie ahead.

He said: "They train together every day and they get that understanding there. They then look to transfer it into the match.

"We have a look at them every day and work out who does well together. If you get intelligent footballers playing together you have a good chance of getting a good performance from them and certainly last night we got that."

The inclusion of Bellamy and Kuyt saw Andy Carroll drop to the bench following Sunday's defeat at Tottenham.

Dalglish insists that he was satisfied with his No.9's display at White Hart Lane and reaffirmed his desire to make the most of his impressive squad.

"Andy is a professional footballer who understands what goes on in football," he said. "He worked really hard at Tottenham. It was a bad performance and a bad day for us.

"We don't have a team, we have a squad. There will be times when someone will play and others won't. Sometimes you'll be lucky and sometimes you'll be unlucky.

"But the football club is more important than one individual, including myself. I'm sure the players realise that. Although there will be a disappointment if you aren't playing, I think there's an understanding as well."

The victory over Brighton means Liverpool have booked their place in round four of the Carling Cup and retain their hopes of a first ever trip to the new Wembley.

The Reds have not featured in a showpiece final since the 2007 Champions League encounter in Athens, but Dalglish refuted the suggestion that the strength of his line-up at the Amex was due to a desire to end that run.

He said: "I didn't pick the team because we haven't reached a cup final for a few years. I picked the team because we wanted to win the game and we want as many players fit, up to speed and available for selection as we can.

"I think they did everything last night to help themselves and make it difficult for myself to pick the team. That's what we want. The boys have given themselves the best possible chance for selection by the way they played."

Asked if he felt the victory over Gus Poyet's charges was the perfect response to the 4-0 loss at Spurs, Dalglish added: "We know it was not acceptable (at Tottenham). But the good thing is that the players realise it is not acceptable.

"We don't get carried away with the victories we have and we won't get suicidal over the defeats we have either.

"At the same time we have to address the problems, if we have them, and we will do. We'll do it properly and professionally.

"We'll try and get ourselves back up and running on Saturday."

Click on the play button below to watch the Brighton highlights

Liverpool host Wolves at the weekend looking to get their league campaign back on track following two defeats on the spin.

Mick McCarthy's side claimed a shock 1-0 triumph at Anfield last term and Dalglish is determined to avoid a repeat this time around.

He said: "I think Mick will be a bit disappointed at the moment. They had a great result against Millwall but they've lost two league games back-to-back, like us, after a very good start.

"They came here last year. They played very well and went away with a 1-0 victory. I think he'll be encouraged by that and he'll be looking for more of the same from his players.

"It will be a difficult game for us. Mick made a few changes to his normal team for the game against Millwall, and I think he'll go back to his tried and trusted team for Saturday.

"He'll look to repeat what he did here at Anfield with regards to how he sets his team up."