Dalglish confident despite Cup loss

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is confident in the abilities of the players he has inherited and believes together they will take the club forward.

Despite their 1-0 FA Cup third-round exit to Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday the Scot felt there were many positives to come from the performance.

It gives him something to build on as he begins his first proper week in charge having only been handed the job after Roy Hodgson’s departure was confirmed on Saturday.

“We’ve got to remain positive and the positives for me were how the players went about their job and their commitment to the football club,” he said.

“I’ve seen them many times this year and last year. We’ve got some decent players and I am happy to move forward with this squad of players.

“I thought Martin Kelly was as good as anyone on the pitch. I thought it was a great bonus for us to see him play.

“Everyone has a role to play to take the club forward and if everyone does their role to the best of their abilities we won’t be far away.”

Despite rumours circulating that an assistant manager would be brought in today to help out, Dalglish insisted he had no knowledge of such a plan.

The 59-year-old admitted, in the rush of his appointment, he was not up to speed with what transfer targets director of football strategy Damien Comolli had lined up for the current window.

He also said he was not that bothered as he was just happy to work with the squad he inherited.

“All I would say is if someone had said to me ’There is the squad of players, would you take the job?’ I would have said yes,” he added.

“I have no preconceived idea about anyone that I want to come in. Whether there are other targets in mind I don’t know.”

On the potential arrival of an assistant he said: “I don’t know, I’ve only just turned up.

“Sammy (Lee) did it and up to Saturday morning it was Roy and Mike Kelly.

“I’ve not identified anyone, I’ve not had any time to identify anyone – it took me a bit of time to identify some of the players!

“If there are people who have left positions they are obviously they are going to have to be filled if it is necessary but I’ve had no conversations about players or anything.”

Dalglish admitted he was nervous before he walked out at Old Trafford yesterday, having not managed at any club for over a decade and not for Liverpool for 19 years and 11 months.

“It’s great to be back,” he said.

“You get nervous before the game but I think that is good, you have to have a bit when you are going into a bit of the unknown.

“I’m not psychic so you are going to be a bit nervous but they are nice nerves - it keeps me awake.”

Meanwhile Liverpool forward Ryan Babel could face Football Association disciplinary action despite apologising for comments about referee Howard Webb.

The Holland international used his Twitter account to post a mocked-up picture of Webb wearing a United shirt after the official awarded a first-minute penalty and sent off Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Babel also wrote: “And they call him one of the best referees? That’s a joke. SMH (shaking my head).”

The 24-year-old later added: “My apology if they take my posted pic seriously. This is just an emotional reaction after losing an important game.

“Sorry Howard Webb.”