Kenny Dalglish insists Liverpool will be focused solely on maintaining their impressive form at Chelsea – regardless of who the Blues have in their starting line-up.
Article from LFCTV.
The Reds could face former teammate Fernando Torres within days of his deadline day move at Stamford Bridge but the boss is more concerned with seeing his side continue their upturn in fortunes.
"We'll wait and see what happens," Dalglish told reporters when quizzed about the prospect of Torres partnering Didier Drogba.
"I don't know who Carlo (Ancelotti) is going to pick. Until he comes out and tells us who he is going to pick, then we'll be guessing.
"We'll play against whoever they put on the pitch. We are more important than any player they have."
He added: "Our ambition is to get as much as we can from the next game. It's the way I've been brought up. I don't see any need to change it. If it was good enough for two of the greatest British managers that ever lived, I think it is good enough for me to adopt that principle as well.
"We've got our reward for the hard work we have done. It's been a difficult week for them as well. Some people forget that they also have emotions and feelings. We've been in the newspapers a lot all week. That puts an extra bit of strain on them.
"It's to their great credit that they have put all that behind them and put in such a determined performance to get a result against Stoke.
"We've been delighted by the attitude and the approach since we came in. If we continue to work hard and get points, then we'll have more points to help us finish higher in the league. That's all we are trying to achieve."
A run of three straight wins has moved Liverpool into seventh place ahead of a mouthwatering encounter in the Capital.
Dalglish accepts they will face a stern test of their credentials against the reigning Barclays Premier League champions but insists they will hold no fears at Stamford Bridge.
"Of course it's a difficult game," he said.
"They had a great result at Sunderland the other night. They have picked themselves back up after going through a run of games when they couldn't buy a victory. But they are back on song now.
"They are a good side but I don't think we are too bad either. They will be looking at us and see that we are on the up. They will be as concerned about us as we are about them.
"They have some great players. They are strong, quick and move it quite well. We know what they have. It's up to us to try and do better than them on the day.
He added: "To have won three on the spin with three clean sheets will give us a lot of confidence.
"Chelsea have a different style to what Stoke and Wolves have had so we've got to compete against that. It's a game away from home, so I suppose the responsibility is on Chelsea to push forward.
"But we have a responsibility as well, to compete as well as we possibly can. We can only go there and try our best. We must make sure we are prepared properly and see how it goes."
Since returning to the Anfield dugout Dalglish has helped to reinvigorate Liverpool's season.
He admits he has enjoyed every moment so far and feels the manner in which both goals were celebrated in the victory over Stoke illustrates how the club is now moving forward.
"It's a football club that means an awful lot to myself and all of my family members," he said.
"I'm only doing what millions of others who care about this club would do - and that's to try and help them. If we can turn the corner a little bit, improve our league position and play a small part in the future, then fine.
"I'm enjoying myself. It was very pleasing for me on Wednesday night, when we scored both goals. Every player celebrated and that's important for us. If we have a good dressing room then we have a better chance of being successful.
"I think it showed that the dressing room is pretty united."
Asked if he felt the presence of Torres could act as further motivation for his players come Sunday afternoon, the boss said: "I think the players relish a battle against every player they come up against. Since I've come in they have competed brilliantly against every player that has been on the pitch for the opposition.
"I don't think there is anyone we wouldn't compete against. Our lads don't have a problem and I think they will be competitive irrespective of the opposition."
Reporters also suggested that Liverpool fans now equate the rivalry with Chelsea to that of the passion they reserve for clashes with Everton and Manchester United.
Dalglish responded: "I've not heard them say that.
"When you had the so-called top four and Liverpool were part of that - as Chelsea were - they were all rivals. For me, anyone in the opposing team is a rival that you compete with.
"I don't have a pecking order in terms of games you want to win. I want to get three points in every game.
"For me, we are more important than the opposition.
"Yes, we have to compete with the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and everybody else. And we'll try our best to do that. But there's no special opposition as far as I'm concerned."
Dalglish could opt to recall Jamie Carragher for the clash with Chelsea following his recovery from a long-term shoulder injury.
The vice-captain was an unused substitute in the midweek win over Stoke and the Scot admits it could act as a huge lift to have him available again.
Dalglish said: "He's delighted to be back. Carra's a very strong character. He's very important in the dressing room and when he's fit he'll be very important on the pitch as well.
"For us it's a bonus to have Jamie Carragher back in amongst the squad."
While the return of our No.23 has given the Reds a significant boost, Dalglish did reveal he has two doubts for the weekend trip to London - including ex-Blue Joe Cole.
He said: "Christian Poulsen was on the bench against Stoke but I think he tried to tie his boot lace and his back went into spasm.
"So, we didn't want to take a chance, it could have stiffened up on him. We removed him and put Danny Wilson on the bench instead.
"Joe Cole just tweaked his knee a bit in training earlier in the week. We don't know whether he will be fit enough for Chelsea. It's nothing serious. He could be fit but there's a chance he might not be."
YNWA
Article from LFCTV.
The Reds could face former teammate Fernando Torres within days of his deadline day move at Stamford Bridge but the boss is more concerned with seeing his side continue their upturn in fortunes.
"We'll wait and see what happens," Dalglish told reporters when quizzed about the prospect of Torres partnering Didier Drogba.
"I don't know who Carlo (Ancelotti) is going to pick. Until he comes out and tells us who he is going to pick, then we'll be guessing.
"We'll play against whoever they put on the pitch. We are more important than any player they have."
He added: "Our ambition is to get as much as we can from the next game. It's the way I've been brought up. I don't see any need to change it. If it was good enough for two of the greatest British managers that ever lived, I think it is good enough for me to adopt that principle as well.
"We've got our reward for the hard work we have done. It's been a difficult week for them as well. Some people forget that they also have emotions and feelings. We've been in the newspapers a lot all week. That puts an extra bit of strain on them.
"It's to their great credit that they have put all that behind them and put in such a determined performance to get a result against Stoke.
"We've been delighted by the attitude and the approach since we came in. If we continue to work hard and get points, then we'll have more points to help us finish higher in the league. That's all we are trying to achieve."
A run of three straight wins has moved Liverpool into seventh place ahead of a mouthwatering encounter in the Capital.
Dalglish accepts they will face a stern test of their credentials against the reigning Barclays Premier League champions but insists they will hold no fears at Stamford Bridge.
"Of course it's a difficult game," he said.
"They had a great result at Sunderland the other night. They have picked themselves back up after going through a run of games when they couldn't buy a victory. But they are back on song now.
"They are a good side but I don't think we are too bad either. They will be looking at us and see that we are on the up. They will be as concerned about us as we are about them.
"They have some great players. They are strong, quick and move it quite well. We know what they have. It's up to us to try and do better than them on the day.
He added: "To have won three on the spin with three clean sheets will give us a lot of confidence.
"Chelsea have a different style to what Stoke and Wolves have had so we've got to compete against that. It's a game away from home, so I suppose the responsibility is on Chelsea to push forward.
"But we have a responsibility as well, to compete as well as we possibly can. We can only go there and try our best. We must make sure we are prepared properly and see how it goes."
Since returning to the Anfield dugout Dalglish has helped to reinvigorate Liverpool's season.
He admits he has enjoyed every moment so far and feels the manner in which both goals were celebrated in the victory over Stoke illustrates how the club is now moving forward.
"It's a football club that means an awful lot to myself and all of my family members," he said.
"I'm only doing what millions of others who care about this club would do - and that's to try and help them. If we can turn the corner a little bit, improve our league position and play a small part in the future, then fine.
"I'm enjoying myself. It was very pleasing for me on Wednesday night, when we scored both goals. Every player celebrated and that's important for us. If we have a good dressing room then we have a better chance of being successful.
"I think it showed that the dressing room is pretty united."
Asked if he felt the presence of Torres could act as further motivation for his players come Sunday afternoon, the boss said: "I think the players relish a battle against every player they come up against. Since I've come in they have competed brilliantly against every player that has been on the pitch for the opposition.
"I don't think there is anyone we wouldn't compete against. Our lads don't have a problem and I think they will be competitive irrespective of the opposition."
Reporters also suggested that Liverpool fans now equate the rivalry with Chelsea to that of the passion they reserve for clashes with Everton and Manchester United.
Dalglish responded: "I've not heard them say that.
"When you had the so-called top four and Liverpool were part of that - as Chelsea were - they were all rivals. For me, anyone in the opposing team is a rival that you compete with.
"I don't have a pecking order in terms of games you want to win. I want to get three points in every game.
"For me, we are more important than the opposition.
"Yes, we have to compete with the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and everybody else. And we'll try our best to do that. But there's no special opposition as far as I'm concerned."
Dalglish could opt to recall Jamie Carragher for the clash with Chelsea following his recovery from a long-term shoulder injury.
The vice-captain was an unused substitute in the midweek win over Stoke and the Scot admits it could act as a huge lift to have him available again.
Dalglish said: "He's delighted to be back. Carra's a very strong character. He's very important in the dressing room and when he's fit he'll be very important on the pitch as well.
"For us it's a bonus to have Jamie Carragher back in amongst the squad."
While the return of our No.23 has given the Reds a significant boost, Dalglish did reveal he has two doubts for the weekend trip to London - including ex-Blue Joe Cole.
He said: "Christian Poulsen was on the bench against Stoke but I think he tried to tie his boot lace and his back went into spasm.
"So, we didn't want to take a chance, it could have stiffened up on him. We removed him and put Danny Wilson on the bench instead.
"Joe Cole just tweaked his knee a bit in training earlier in the week. We don't know whether he will be fit enough for Chelsea. It's nothing serious. He could be fit but there's a chance he might not be."
YNWA
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