Kenny Dalglish praises Liverpool after Newcastle win

Last updated : 01 May 2011 By Daily Mail

All the pre-match build-up had centred on the ?35million club record signing, who left St James' Park in acrimonious circumstances in January, facing the Magpies for the first time.

Cameo: Carroll (centre) returned from injury to play a substitute role against his former side

However, he only made a 20-minute substitute appearance having recovered from the knee injury which kept him out of last week's win over Birmingham - although he was targeted for abuse from the travelling fans all afternoon.

But the players on the pitch concentrated on the job in hand as Maxi Rodriguez added to last week's hat-trick with the opener in the 10th minute, although it was not until the second half when the home side finally gained control.

Dirk Kuyt, with his eighth in seven Barclays Premier League matches, scored from the spot after Luis Suarez was pulled down by Mike Williamson and the Dutchman then repaid the favour by laying off for the Uruguay international to score the third.

Get your shirt on it: Newcastle fans reveal their discontent towards former favourite Carroll

'After we took the lead they put us under pressure with set-plays and crosses but I thought we coped with it pretty well.

'Second half we tightened up a bit and we caught them twice for two goals and I think we deserved to win but it was a difficult game for us.

'I didn't expect to get a stroll in the sunshine, we knew they would come here.

'With the Andy Carroll factor as well it maybe added some spice for them.

'I don't think it (the abuse) will be put to bed. When he goes to St James' next season he will get it again.

'He is a young boy but he has broad shoulders.'

Net call: Kuyt (left) doubled Liverpool's lead from the penalty spot

Dalglish said after Carroll's injury, and the team's performance last week, it was difficult to start with the striker.

"He's only had a couple of days training so it was best for us to start with other people," he added.

"He is here for five years so he will get plenty of opportunity to play games and we will help him get back to fitness and the 20 minutes at the end will have helped him."

It was Carroll's fellow January arrival Suarez who again took the plaudits, with Dalglish expressing his delight at the form of the 24-year-old.

"Luis is always getting in there and is always a threat and it fell kindly for him in the box and he stroked away," the Scot said of the forward's third goal for the club.

"It is just reward for the work he put in on the pitch."

Three-sy does it: Suarez scored the third to complete the rout

The win moved Liverpool above Tottenham into fifth and in position to qualify for the Europa League.

Dalglish, however, tried to play down suggestions they could catch Manchester City in fourth.

When it was pointed out the Champions League was not out of reach the Reds boss said: "Neither is the bar but I'm not going to get there right away. We will keep going and see."

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?Explore more:People: Andy Carroll, Kenny Dalglish, Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt Places: Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail