KD on his Oldham selection plans
Kenny Dalglish is set to give players on the fringe of his starting XI a chance to shine when Oldham visit Anfield for the FA Cup third round on Friday night.
The Scot believes English football's premier cup competition has been undermined in recent years - but his policy will be to field strong teams regardless of the opponents.
That said, he could make some changes against our League One guests.
One player hoping to be involved is fit again Fabio Aurelio.
Dalglish said: "The FA Cup has been undermined in many ways and in many quarters, for varying reasons. But we certainly won't ever undermine it.
"It's a competition that's there to be won so we'll go into the Oldham game with the same attitude and desire as we went into the Carling Cup. The Carling Cup is something people have done the same with - undermined and undervalued. But we went about our job as well as we possibly could and we've got our reward for that.
"We've always said how strong the squad is and maybe it's an opportunity for us to give the people in that squad the gratitude they deserve by giving them an opportunity to start the game but that's not to say we're undermining or being disrespectful in any way. We'll treat Oldham with complete respect.
"Fabio is fit and available so we're pretty well off for players."
Dalglish is grateful for an opportunity to get his players back in action after a testing week on and off the pitch, including a 3-0 defeat at the home of Manchester City.
He said: "Obviously we're not happy with what happened at Manchester City. I don't think the performance was too bad on the night but it's a good education for us that we need to be a bit more clinical and a little bit more streetwise.
"It's a work in progress. There were a lot of players who came in at the start of the season so it's a good education for them.
"To get back on the pitch after the week we've had on and off it is the best thing we can do. It'll be a great time too for our people to show support for one another - for the players to show their gratitude towards the fans for the support they've given us recently, and also vice versa."
Friday's fixture is the first home draw Dalglish and co have had in domestic competitions since the Scot returned as manager a year ago.
He added: "Yes, but when we've had home draws before that we've not been too successful, have we? We don't want to rewrite that history. It's going to be difficult because it's a big draw for them to come to Anfield and I'm sure if they lose the game it won't be because of lack of effort. We've got to match them for effort and make sure we come out on top.
"League positions don't matter in cup competitions or in any game. On any one day, any team can beat anyone else. If you're not prepared for it mentally and physically, you're going to make it much more difficult for yourself."