Dalglish rues international break

Dalglish is eager to get his squad settled, but after Saturday's home fixture against Bolton, and with their Barclays Premier League campaign just three games old, the group will then split as the players go off to represent their countries.

"It's a fantastic honour to represent your country and you should go and do that, but you get a wee bit of momentum going (at club level), then you're off for two weeks and have to pick it up again and start off," said Dalglish, whose side's next match after Bolton is a trip to Stoke on September 10.

"It's difficult, but it's the same for everybody - and everybody knew the score before we started (the season).

"New boys come in, they're settling down and here for a wee while, and then they've got to go and represent their countries.

"It's not undermining the honour of representing your country, it's just a fact of life - the longer they're here, the quicker they'll settle."

As well as incoming personnel, there have been several departures from Liverpool since the end of last season, with Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani moving to AC Milan for the rest of the season.

"It's a great move for Alberto. He's got his wife and kid over there. It was difficult for him here," Dalglish told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"When he came back his pre-season training was excellent. We gave him a few games, he did well in those games. But the problem for us was trying to get him in the team. We couldn't get him in the team. Obviously everybody wants to play and Alberto is moving over to a fantastic football club.

"He goes there with the best wishes of everyone and we hope it works out for him, because he was never a problem in any way, shape or form."

Source: PA