Dalglish: We can do better

The Reds have struck eight goals in their last two matches on home soil thanks to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United and the 5-1 FA Cup third round success against Oldham Athletic.

Nonetheless, Dalglish is sure his charges can perform even better.

"The last two games (at home) we've won by three and five, so that is rewarding for us, and probably both those performances were worse than the ones we got draws in," he told his pre-Stoke City press conference at Melwood. "As somebody once said, it's a funny old game!"

Liverpool will head into Saturday's home clash with Stoke buoyed by Wednesday's 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final, first-leg success over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Reds had to dig deep in the second half in order to grind out the victory, leaving Dalglish delighted with the spirit on show from each of his players.

"Everybody sacrificed themselves for the team," he said. "The way they went about their work was fantastic - everybody that played in the game came under the same banner.

"We're not going to sit here every week and go through individuals, the same individuals, and try to be original and come up with a story. What we've said about all of our players individually still stands."

Stoke will travel to Anfield occupying eighth position in the Barclays Premier League table, five points behind Liverpool.

Dalglish has been impressed with the manner in which Tony Pulis's side have performed this season, and in particular by the way they have adapted to life in the Europa League.

The Scot said: "Being in the Europa League was a big challenge for them, but they got through their group and I think they might be sitting in one of the highest positions they've held in the Premier League.

"Tony has done a fantastic job there and it's great credit to everybody at Stoke they have done as well as they have.

"The Europa League is difficult to manage, and every game they've had back in the Premier League after it has been away from home. They've done fantastically well."

He added: "Every team brings a different problem and we have to deal with the problems we anticipate they'll bring.

"But they've also got to deal with our strengths and we've got a lot of them. It'll be a good game, a difficult game - they're on a good run at the minute."

Stoke recorded a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League meeting at the Britannia Stadium earlier this season.

Asked by journalists what he learned from that contest, Dalglish responded: "If you don't score any goals, you don't get any points if you lose one at the other end!

"It's going to be a different game because every game is different. At Stoke we played really well, but they won 1-0. But we went back in the Carling Cup and won 2-1, so we do have a victory against them this year as well as a loss."

Dalglish could be without the services of Jay Spearing for the visit of the Potters after he picked up a hamstring injury in the midweek victory over City.

However, the manager is confident it's not too serious.

He said: "Jay's not as bad as what we thought at first. He might be touch and go for tomorrow, but he should be okay for next week."

Meanwhile, journalists quizzed Dalglish for his thoughts on the recent media debate regarding slide tackling.

He responded: "There are laws within the game that are as clear as mud - it's interpretation from the referees. I would doubt very much that there is a great deal of problem, but there is always going to be inconsistency. It's human error.

"As we keep saying, they (referees) can only give what they see. But there's no way you can go into a sliding tackle without showing your studs.

"Somebody needs to show me that one because I've never seen it before - if you slide in, your studs must be up. It's the intent that is the most important thing, but how do you gauge the intent?"