Dalglish to bolt back door on neighbours

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish knows there is still defensive work to do within the team after just one clean sheet this season.

So far their only shut-out has come in the 2-0 win against 10-man Arsenal in the Reds’ second match of the campaign.

Even League One strugglers Exeter and npower Championship side Brighton have breached Jose Reina’s goal in Carling Cup.

But although lapses at one end have been masked by goals at the other, Dalglish’s fifth-placed side currently have a goal difference of zero.

That is worse than eighth-placed Aston Villa and Sunderland, in 14th.

The Liverpool defence is certain to be tested in the 216th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in today’s early kick-off and while Dalglish is not overly concerned he accepts there is work to do.

“I wouldn’t say we’re worried about it,” said the Scot. “It’s something we’ve got to continue working on but if we keep scoring more goals than the opposition then fine. But it’s always nice to have your opposition with a nothing after their name, isn’t it?

“Last week against Wolves [a 2-1 win] we might have been under pressure a little bit and got a couple of tackles in around the box but for me we had by far the greater and most chances in the game.

“It looked more likely that we would have extended our lead than lost it.

“If you keep scoring goals, it makes it more difficult for the other team, but certainly not losing goals makes it a bit easier for ourselves as well as scoring at the other end.

“If you want to get points, then it’s helpful not to lose any but I wouldn’t say we’ve got a problem with it.”

Everton may be below their near-neighbours in the Premier League, having played one match fewer, and coming off a defeat at Manchester City but Dalglish knows that will make little difference today.

“[Everton manager David Moyes] Moysie has done a fantastic job and we’ve got a great deal of respect for David Moyes and also for the football club,” he added.

“They have done well and were unfortunate to have to go to Manchester City last week having played extra time on the previous Wednesday night, not having the benefit City had of making wholesale changes.

“They put on a veryresilient performance even though they lost but last year they won 2-0 so we know they will be competitive.

“They will play to their strengths and we will play to our strengths.’’

For his part, Moyes has admitted to frustration, but not envy, at the spending power of Dalglish since he took charge at Anfield earlier this year.

“It’s always been a tough game for us because we’re up against good opposition, and Liverpool have always had a level of finance which has allowed them to buy a different level of player than us,” said Moyes.

“Over the years we’ve tried to be competitive, tried to get as close to them as we can.

“We know it’s a big rivalry in the city, and I’m aware of that, but most people are aware there have been differences over the years between Liverpool and Everton, and all of it has been financial.”

Suggested to Moyes there was a touch of frustration in his remarks, he replied: “Yeah, only because we got really close last year, and things have changed very quickly for Liverpool.

“Last season we had a really good side at times. I think we showed that, although not come the end of the season because our league position wasn’t good enough.

“But with a little bit of help then we could have been up there competing.”