Kenny pleased with response
Kenny Dalglish today revealed how he has been delighted by the reaction of the Liverpool players in training this week as they aim to secure a return to winning ways at Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Reds have had a week to prepare for the trip to the Sports Direct Arena and the boss has been pleased by the manner in which his squad have gone about their business at Melwood following last Saturday's defeat to Wigan Athletic.
"No-one here is happy when we lose a game, no matter what competition it's in," said Dalglish.
"And if you are losing games then you aren't going to be praised are you?
"We need to get things in perspective and analyse it professionally.
"We all have to look after each other - supporters, players and the staff. We have to pick ourselves up because if we aren't right for the game on Sunday then it's going to be more difficult for us.
"The players weren't happy after Wigan but they came back in on Tuesday and trained brilliantly. They showed their quality.
"When you get a week off it's always beneficial. Those who felt the fact we had three games in six days have had the chance to rest and get themselves recharged.
"We just have to keep believing in what we're doing and keep playing. There isn't a magic wand but what we do have is a great desire to get there.
"We have to manage that desire and make sure they don't put themselves under too much pressure."
Liverpool have won two of their six fixtures since lifting the Carling Cup at Wembley last month, but Dalglish refutes any suggestion the Reds have suffered a 'trophy hangover'.
Indeed, with an FA Cup semi-final to come, the gaffer senses a steely determination amongst his squad to add further silverware to the trophy cabinet.
"Winning the Carling Cup was fantastic and the players deserved to win it," he said.
"We said after that wasn't us finished and that we wanted to continue and progress the club as far as we possibly can.
"We haven't stopped since we won the Carling Cup. It hasn't got in the way of anything.
"I don't think anyone got carried away. If you look at the games since then I think you are undermining them to say they have played quite well. You can view the performances quite highly apart from maybe one - Wigan wasn't as good as it could have been.
"They have tasted success and they want to taste more. There's a difference between confidence and complacency. I don't think we will ever be complacent.
"They have shown with their performances that they believe in what we are trying to achieve here.
"What hasn't changed at this football club is the desire of the players and everyone at it to move the club forward. It won't be done overnight."
Liverpool will aim to cut the gap on Newcastle to five points with victory in the north east tomorrow.
Dalglish knows the Magpies will present a difficult test, but he's hopeful of a repeat of the Reds' 3-1 Anfield win over Alan Pardew's side in December.
"They have players who can get you goals," said the manager.
"At the start of the season they had Ba scoring goals and then in January they brought in Cisse and he has started scoring goals for them as well.
"They have done really well and Alan Pardew has had a fantastic season. But we beat them here at Anfield and hopefully we can repeat that."