Dalglish happy with Liverpool progress

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has defended the club’s progress this season insisting that too much focus is put on ‘trophies or points’.

The Reds lifted the Carling Cup in February, their first trophy in six years, but have since slumped in the Premier League and look unlikely to secure a top-four finish.

However, their Scottish manager believes that the work done off the pitch indicates that the Merseyside outfit are moving forward.

“The club is now where it was before – each one for each one, everybody in it together,” he told reporters.

“There are many ways you can judge a season and the best way is progress at the football club as a whole. I don’t think it necessarily relates to trophies or points.”

“You can measure it by how the club has progressed and where it is, from the first team to the kids.”

“Off the pitch, especially, the club is a lot stronger than what it was. You go off the pitch and see how much money we are getting through sponsorship and kit deals.”

“You look at the academy and see how much better it is. You look around here (at Melwood) and most of the people have got a smile on their faces now. The squad is stronger than it was last year. What other areas are there to improve on – apart from points?”

The 61-year-old also dismissed suggestions from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger that Luis Suarez dived to win a penalty in the Gunners’ recent 2-1 win at Anfield.

“He never said that to me,” Dalglish said.

“He (Wenger) said it was a fantastic performance by us and that they were fortunate to win. I am sure the FA will look into that and take him to task for it.”

“If you can’t comment on the position of England manager, then you can’t comment on someone else’s player, can you?”