KD pleased with five-star Reds
Kenny Dalglish believes there were plenty of positives for Liverpool to take from their 5-1 FA Cup third round victory over Oldham - but admitted the final scoreline may have flattered his side.
The Reds booked their place in the fourth round draw with a comprehensive victory over the League One side at Anfield on Friday night.
They were forced to come from behind in order to do so after Robbie Simpson's volley capped an impressive opening to the contest from the Latics.
However, Craig Bellamy drew Liverpool level within two minutes before a Steven Gerrard penalty sent the hosts into half-time holding the lead. Goals from Jonjo Shelvey, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing completed the win after the break.
Dalglish told his post-match press conference: "The scoreline is a bit flattering. Oldham did their club and manager proud. They created one or two threatening situations for themselves, especially in the first half.
"Getting back as quickly as we did with the equaliser was a great help to us.
"It's a wee while since some of the players who haven't played as much as the others have had a game, so it was important for us to give them a run out as well."
He added: "It showed they needed games. There was nothing wrong with their application, but they did lose a goal.
"You can train as much as you want, but you cannot replicate what happens on a football pitch. Everybody will be better off for the game."
Dalglish opted to make several changes for the contest, with the likes of Fabio Aurelio, Martin Kelly, Sebastian Coates and Jamie Carragher joining Shelvey in the starting XI.
The boss said: "Fabio (Aurelio) got his first 60 minutes of the season, so for us there were a lot of positives to come out of it.
"Stewart Downing also scored, big Andy got a goal, Jonjo scored and Steven scored with a penalty, so we've had a few positives - but I don't think the scoreline reflects the distance between the two teams on that performance."
Downing's strike was his first for the club, and journalists quizzed the boss on what the game will do for both his confidence and also Carroll's, who netted for the first time since October.
Dalglish replied: "They just need games. The other boys needed games (too), but as we've always said the most important part of the football club is the quality of the squad. We've got to give them games, and every single one of them will be much better for it."
The performance of Bellamy was particularly eye-catching, with the Welsh striker tormenting the Oldham defence all evening with his pace before being substituted late in the second half.
Dalglish quipped: "I don't know what he eats, but I think I need to get some of it! He was flying.
"He gets a wee bit frustrated coming off, but we've got to protect him as well. He'd love to play for 90 minutes and we'd love to have him for 90 minutes - but we'd rather have him for the next game, so we've just got to babysit him."