Soccer: Dalglish hails ‘‘awesome’’ Reds

Kenny Dalglish is convinced that Liverpool will be ‘‘awesome’’ next season.

The former Anfield manager and Kop legend believes his old club have the strongest squad in the Premiership.

He expects Liverpool to strengthen their pool in the summer and has nothing but praise for boss Gerard Houllier.

‘‘I think they have strongest squad in the country,’’ he said. ‘‘I think Gerard is having a marvellous season. Everything has fallen into place for Liverpool.

‘‘The chairman (David Moores) has given Gerard full support financially and Gerard has spent it very well.

‘‘The Steve Heighway production line from the Academy is starting to bear fruit and the likes of (Michael) Owen, (Jamie) Carragher, (Steven) Gerrard and even (Robbie) Fowler have come through.

‘‘So everything is falling brilliantly into place for Liverpool at this particular moment.

‘‘They do have the strongest squad - but like every team that can afford it, they will be making changes in the summer. It is going to be more awesome next season I would have thought.

‘‘Whether they would get a game I don’t know. But Manchester United will do it, Fergie’s already said he’s going to do it.

‘‘Fergie’s already brought (Ruud) van Nistelrooy in, so if the people at the top are doing it, it’s only natural others will follow suit.’’

Van Nistelrooy has been recruited from PSV Eindhoven for £19million, prompting a debate into Owen’s value after his two-goal winning show secured the FA Cup to follow their Worthington Cup triumph.

‘‘That’s irrelevant because he’s not going anywhere, he is staying at Liverpool, ‘‘ Dalglish told BBC Radio Five Live.

‘‘So the price tag is only relevant if people are going to move. He won’t be moving.

‘‘Over the last four games he’s scored seven goals, the wee fella has been absolutely flying.

‘‘The first one was just a poacher’s goal, although it was a clinical strike.

‘‘The second was a marvellous ball from Patrik Berger. He held off (Lee) Dixon and put it in the only place he could possibly put it - in the bottom left-hand corner.’’

Like Owen, Robbie Fowler’s future has also been the subject of speculation for months.

Fowler had to settle for a place on the bench, but Dalglish said: ‘‘You tell me a player who is not happy if they have won two cups.

‘‘They were losing when he came on and ended up winning 2-1. Gerard got his decision right. They’ve won the match, he can be justified and Robbie proved he wants to play for the club.

‘‘But obviously only 11 can start and it is a difficult thing for people to come to terms with.

‘‘If Robbie is not happy he will tell everybody. But nobody can say from the outside looking in whether he is happy or he isn’t.

‘‘But I know how much he loves the club and I know how much of a wrench it would be for him to leave.’’

Dalglish thought Liverpool were slightly fortunate to win the Cup - and Stephane Henchoz lucky to go unpunished.

‘‘It wasn’t their fault Arsenal couldn’t finish off the chances they had,’’ he said.

‘‘Liverpool dug very deeply into their reserves of courage, strength and determination and will to win.

‘‘It was very disappointing for (Patrick) Vieira and (Martin) Keown to finish on losing side because of the way they played. They were as good as anyone on the pitch.’’

Henchoz appeared to elbow a goal-bound shot from Thierry Henry to safety after 20 minutes.

Dalglish said: ‘‘If the referee or referee’s assistant sees it, it’s a penalty kick and Henchoz is off the pitch.

‘‘Later on when it is 1-0 and Henry went into the box and Henchoz fell again and hit his arm, the referee played the advantage or he may not have seen it again.

‘‘Maybe they (Liverpool) were a little bit fortunate. Sometimes your name is on the Cup and that has proved to be the case for Liverpool.’’

Houllier’s side now take on Alaves in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday before facing Charlton in Saturday when they hope to clinch a place in the Champions League.

Dalglish said: ‘‘Alaves don’t have many stars, but have a very good team ethic. I fancy Liverpool to win, but it won’t be a walk in the park.’’