"Craig has been brilliant," said the Liverpool boss. "He just loves playing football and wants to play all the time. He will make a contribution for us. He's fantastic to have around.
"Craig is a really good professional and doesn't like losing. He's not too bad when he has got the ball, either. He is more mature and better educated now. You have to be fair to everyone but he is happy to be around the place and play his part.
"He would certainly be much happier if he was playing more but he understands the situation maybe more than when he was younger. He knows everyone respects him here and that is a big thing for him. We give everyone the respect they deserve.
"We don't have any qualms playing any of our players in any games. It's great that we have that comfort, belief and confidence in them to be able to do that. You have to be fair to everyone and Craig understands that.
"The teams we have been putting out in the Carling Cup have been strong and I'm sure the team at Stoke will be the same. We will be fair with everyone."
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