Dalglish: We're excited
Kenny Dalglish admits he's delighted with the progress Liverpool have made over the course of the last year.
The boss celebrated 12 months since returning to the Anfield hotseat last month, and he's pleased with the strides forward the Reds have taken during that time.
"We're excited with what's happening here lately and I think everybody can say they have moved the club on a little bit," said Dalglish.
"We've made good progress. And I don't think we need to look so much at the results against the two Manchester clubs to justify it.
"There was progress all along. The squad's much stronger now than it was last year - which is progress.
"We can't look back on ifs, buts and maybes in terms of dropped points at home, but we've still a lot of football to play."
The recent cup victories over Manchester City and Manchester United added to a growing list of highs Liverpool have experienced during Dalglish's second coming - though a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in September was cause for disappointment for the boss.
Nonetheless, he's convinced his players can draw on the experience of their loss at White Hart Lane when they go head-to-head with Spurs at Anfield on Monday night.
"Nothing is completely forgotten about," said Dalglish.
"Everything that you have learned and experienced you have in the bank and if you have to use it you use it.
"We went there and lost a wonder goal to Modric and Charlie Adam got sent off early on so it was always going to be uphill from there.
"It was certainly not a pleasant trip but there are positives you can take away from anything.
"All the time it is educational and whatever you have learned you use to your benefit as best you can."
Meanwhile, Dalglish admits he is relishing the prospect of teaming Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll together in attack.
The trio are yet to start the same game for Liverpool and have played just 69 minutes together.
"I've been told the three of them have only played just over 60 minutes together," said the manager.
"For various reasons I don't think they've had a great deal of time to play together on the pitch, but the West Brom game away in October comes to mind that Luis and Andy did well.
"Luis played Andy in for a goal that day and so we hope to see more of them together. I am happy we've got all the strikers fit and available at the moment. Within the team partnerships will develop."