Positive attitude gets results for Dalglish

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish praised his team’s attitude after their comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield on Sunday.

Goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez helped the Reds move above Tottenham and into fifth place in the English Premier League, and Dalglish was pleased with his team’s performance, particularly in the second half.

“It was a difficult day for both sets of players,” Dalglish said.

“It was really hot for them and after we took the lead they put us under a bit of pressure through set plays and crosses but in the second half we loosened up a little bit, got two goals and I think we deserved to win.”

“I didn’t expect to get a stroll in the sunshine. They’ve been playing well of late. They got a good draw at home to Manchester United and maybe the Andy Carroll factor added a wee bit of spice for them but as I say, it was a tough game but I think we were deserving winners.”

“Some of the passing and movement has been better than what it was today but their determination and effort was the same as it has always been.”

The Scot praised 18-year-old defender John Flanagan for his battling performance on both the right and left sides of defence.

“I think he won the test against (Jonas) Gutierrez and against (Joey) Barton. He made the first goal and then he’s been moved over and it worked out well for us,” Dalglish said.

“Flanagan has done brilliantly. He has surpassed all of our expectations and it’s great credit to him. He got booked but he kept trying and kept playing and he’s been a great credit for us.”

The win moved Liverpool within four points of fourth-placed Manchester City, who occupy the last Champions League spot, but Dalglish sees Europa League qualification as more likely.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew rued Kuyt’s 59th-minute penalty that put his side two goals down and came about after defender Mike Williamson fouled Suarez.

“I thought the second goal was crucial in the game. We took the game to them after the first goal but couldn’t quite find a moment in the box before half time. We had a good chance with Joey (Barton) just after half time and I would expect him to score that,” Pardew said.

“If we had scored that would Liverpool have been able to break out of the slumber we have got them in?'”

“Unfortunately for us Mike Williamson made a mistake which cost us the second goal, albeit outside the box by the looks of it.”