KD: Andy nerves could be good
Kenny Dalglish hopes reunion nerves will help Andy Carroll put in a match-winning performance when he returns to St James' Park on Sunday.
Our No.9 came through the youth ranks at Newcastle United, making his debut aged 17.
This weekend's encounter between the teams placed sixth and seventh in the Barclays Premier League could see Carroll perform at his old haunt for the first time since signing for Liverpool in January of last year.
Dalglish thinks nerves could be a good thing for both his record signing and another Newcastle old boy, left-back Jose Enrique.
"It's not a bad thing, is it?" said the boss. "If you weren't nervous you'd have a wee bit of a problem.
"In my case it was always best to be nervous rather than totally laid back.
"I don't think anyone can be laid back when they go and play at the club that gave him his opportunity in football and turned him into a professional footballer.
"For him and Jose it will be an exciting time to go back."
Dalglish spent 20 months in charge of Newcastle in 1997-98 and has fond memories of the city.
He also had words of praise for current Magpies manager Alan Pardew.
"It's not the first old club I've been back to," said Dalglish. "Every club I've been at I've enjoyed. It was no different there.
"I enjoyed the people I worked with, the people I worked for, and they've got fantastic supporters. They get right behind their side and it's a fantastic place to go and play football.
"It's a great city that should be proud of its football club.
"This year Alan Pardew has done a fantastic job getting to where they are in the league.
"I'm looking forward to going back."
Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Dalglish was quizzed on 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, who he handed a debut as a substitute when Wigan visited Anfield last weekend.
The boss said: "We need to have common sense and make sure we do a professional job on any of the kids coming in.
"Anybody who comes here must have a chance of being a professional footballer, but he's got a much better chance if we face reality. We've got to be realistic with him.
"At the same time we've got to be appreciative and realise it doesn't matter what age they are if they're good enough.
"But there is a bit of time to go yet on all of the kids. Last year we threw in Jack Robbo and Flanno and it never fazed them, but physically they were a bit stronger than Raheem.
"Every case is going to be different so we've got to look at them all individually and manage them, because we want them here for a long time."
Dalglish was also asked about Enrique's interview with Liverpoolfc.tv this week in which the Spaniard labelled Martin Skrtel the best centre-back in the league.
"We're happy with the way Martin has performed, and he's done particularly well," said the manager. "But you can't sit here and pass comment on what one of our players has said about another one of our players! It seems a wee bit long winded, but Martin has been fantastic."
On injuries, Dalglish reiterated his comments from earlier in the week on Charlie Adam's knee.
"Charlie will be analysed in a couple of weeks and we'll know better then," he said.
Asked about Craig Bellamy, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger, the Scot added: "They're better than they were but we don't play until Sunday. With a week you get a few people back you didn't have last week."