Dalglish throws down gauntlet

LIVERPOOL boss Kenny Dalglish has challenged his misfiring strikers to find their shooting boots against Athletic tonight.

The Anfield giants have scored just 24 goals in 20 Barclays Premier League matches this season and drew a blank despite enjoying long bouts of possession in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Tuesday night.

The banned Luis Suarez leads Liverpool’s goal tally with eight, while Craig Bellamy has five and Maxi Rodriguez four.

Big centre-forward Andy Carroll, who is expected to spearhead the attack tonight, has just three — a disappointing return for a striker who cost the club £35million from Newcastle United.

Dalglish said that the defeat to City — only Liverpool’s second in 18 matches — had taught them valuable lessons.

“I think it was a good learning opportunity for us,” said the Scot. “It only reflects the importance of being clinical — and they were clinical.

“If we want to get to where everyone wants to take the club then we have to be clinical.”

With the first leg of a Carling Cup semi–final against Manchester City next week, Dalglish admits he plans to give fringe players a run–out tonight.

“We’ve always said how strong the squad is and maybe it’s an opportunity for us to give the people in that squad the gratitude they deserve by giving them an opportunity to start the game,” Dalglish added.

“But that’s not to say we’re undermining or being disrespectful in any way. We'll treat Oldham with complete respect.

“League positions don’t matter in cup competitions or in any game. On any one day, any team can beat anyone else.

“If you're not prepared for it mentally and physically, you’re going to make it much more difficult for yourself.”