Kenny's New Year target
Kenny Dalglish has outlined his New Year targets for Liverpool in 2012 as they strive to try and make the top-four.
The boss admitted he has been delighted with the effort and application of his players in the first part of 2011-12, and wants them to build on that in the final part of the season.
"Our target is to build on the work that we've already done," Dalglish told a press conference at Melwood on Wednesday morning.
"As we keep saying there's an awful lot of the work we have done that we've been very pleased with. There was a big turnaround of players since the start of the season and that includes Andy (Carroll) and Luis (Suarez) from last year.
"There's a couple of younger ones like Jonjo (Shelvey) and Jay (Spearing) that have stepped forward as well.
"We've brought a few players in as well so when you consider the progress they have made since August we are pretty pleased with it.
"We want to move on and everybody wants the reward for the fantastic play they have produced. We need to improve the goals for column so we'll continue to pursue that goal and I'm sure next year they will be better for the experience they have had this year.
"I think we deserve to be higher up the table than we are but you've got to earn that right and not talk about it - but to be fair they have done a lot of talking on the pitch for us.
"As long as we are in there somewhere, continue to do the right things and give ourselves a chance (come the end of the season) then we'll be happy with that."
For the second game in a row Dalglish will lead his side against a former club he managed, as Newcastle United visit Anfield in the final game of 2011.
The Toon Army are just one place and one point behind the Reds in the Barclays Premier League table and Dalglish is well aware of the quality Alan Pardew's side possess.
"I think Newcastle have done very well this season," added Dalglish.
"They collected a lot of points early doors and I know it's tailed off a wee bit now but that's because they probably have had a harder run of fixtures than they did at the start of the season, but they are up there and have done fantastically well.
"They were active in the transfer window and brought a few people in. Demba Ba would obviously be the one who has been the big success. They took a chance on him after he failed a medical at Stoke City. Alan Pardew took that chance which was brave of him and he has been rewarded by that.
"Ba would be the pick of the signings but they have made some other good signings as well. Tiote has done well and Cabaye, but then I don't think we are too shabby either."
Dalglish also reported there are no fresh injury worries ahead of Friday's clash.