Dalglish: We don't need Gerrard and Carra

Kenny Dalglish claims Liverpool are now strong enough to cope with the loss of talismanic duo Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Up until last summer, being without their two local heroes, who have been the backbone of the team for the last 12 years, would have been a devastating blow for the Reds.

But Dalglish spent heavily on beefing up his squad in the summer and, following the arrivals of Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Sebastian Coates, he feels the squad can manage without Gerrard and Carragher.

"We would much rather have both of them available, but if they aren't then we can't walk about with self-pity," said the Scot. "We have to brush ourselves down and get on with it.

"The response from the players has been fantastic, and it was a great achievement for the boys to get a result at West Brom last Saturday without them. I think that's a reflection of how strong the squad is now compared to maybe how it was at the end of last season.

"I don't think at the end of last season we'd have coped as well without Carra and Stevie as we have now. We won't be complacent in any way, shape or form. The sooner they are back then the better we will be."

Gerrard, 31, is struggling to be back for the trip to Chelsea on November 20 because of an ankle infection, and has managed just two starts since March because of injury and illness.

Carragher, who will be 34 in January, is recovering from a calf strain.

However, Dalglish rejected any suggestion that his captain and vice-captain are becoming less important to the team.

"I don't think anybody can dispute the role they have played in forming part of the history of this club," he said. "They have both played massive roles and will continue to be a huge part of this football club.

"Talismanic figures like them are always difficult to replace, but that's part and parcel of this club - people move on, they get old and you have to replace them and try and take it forward.

"It happens to everybody. It's how you respond to it that's the important thing.

"But it's also important for us to be respectful and appreciate what they've done.

"It's not an obituary for either of them, they both have a bit more to offer here."

Dalglish insists Gerrard's infection is not particularly serious, even though he needed hospital treatment over the weekend and has been wearing a protective cast over his right ankle.

Liverpool will know more when the England midfielder has his cast removed this weekend.

Carragher could return for Saturday's clash with Swansea at Anfield.

"Unfortunately, they're both injured, which is particularly frustrating for Steven because he was back and felt great last week," said Dalglish. "But then got an infection.

"This latest infection is like flu - he knows where it is, but doesn't know where it's come from.

"The infection isn't the same and it's not related in any way, shape or form to the one he had earlier this year.

"We'll take a raincheck on Carra and see how he is for Saturday.

"If he's not going to be right, he's not going to be right."

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