Luis Suarez admits Liverpool’s players are delighted at Kenny Dalglish signing a new three-year contract ahead of the Reds’ chance to secure fifth place against Tottenham.
Dalglish, who had a previous successful spell at Anfield between 1985 and 1991, took charge as caretaker in January after Roy Hodgson was sacked.
And he has helped transform Liverpool from a team with relegation concerns to a side on the brink of a Europa League place, with victory against Harry Redknapp’s team guaranteeing fifth spot.
Suarez’s arrival from Ajax in January has certainly helped transform Liverpool and the Uruguayan striker has contributed much more than his four goals in 11 appearances.
But the forward claims that the signing of Dalglish means that good times lie ahead for the Anfield club.
“It is great news because everyone is very happy with him. He has worked very hard with us and our relationship with him is great,” he said.
“It has been great over the last couple of months. Kenny has given me all my confidence. He trusts me.
“I think all the team feels like this, they all have this confidence because Kenny is the kind of manager that does that.
“We like him very much and hopefully we can keep doing what we’re doing.”
Liverpool have collected 33 points from 16 games since Dalglish took charge at the turn of the year and only Chelsea have won more points over that period.
Dalglish admits that Liverpool have surpassed his expectations in pushing for a European place but maintains that the hard work lies ahead.
“I don’t think anybody would have anticipated that in January when we started, but I think we’ve also got to be realistic and not get carried away,” he said.
“We’ve got a really difficult game on Sunday and Tottenham have been unlucky because it’s being so successful this year that’s maybe cost them.”
Dalglish is hoping to have Andy Carroll back in contention after the striker returned to training following two matches out with a knee problem.
Martin Kelly is training again after a hamstring problem but is not ready to feature, while Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger will not return until pre-season.
Spurs manager Redknapp has come in for criticism from a minority of the club’s supporters for the club’s failure to repeat last season’s top four finish.
‘Tougher and tougher’
But the manager rejects any suggestion Spurs have failed to build on that success and claims his side have outdone last year’s achievements.
“We’ve done better than we did last year,” said Redknapp. “We were in the Champions League this year and beating Inter and Milan was fantastic — we had a great run.
“This is probably one of the best seasons Tottenham have had since I don’t know when.
“We got to the last eight of the Champions League and we were pushing for the top four all year.
“If we finish fifth and we’ve still got a chance, that will be a better season than last year, even though we crept into fourth. It’s getting tougher and tougher.”
Spurs hopes at Anfield have been hit by a calf injury to William Gallas who joins Heurelho Gomes, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jermaine Jenas, Alan Hutton and Gareth Bale in the treatment room.
“We’ve a few out but it gives other players a chance like Danny Rose, he’s done great for us at left-back and I’ve been delighted with him as well,” he said. — AFP