Dalglish looks to future

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists the club will always strive to keep the players who are important to their future.

The £50million January departure of striker Fernando Torres to Chelsea was initially seen as a long-term blow but his sale allowed the Reds to buy Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

"It is important if they are good players," said the Scot. "The longer the deal is the happier we will be but the quality of the player is the important thing. For us we don't want to lose who we think are important people to the club."

Carroll and Suarez certainly fall into that category, having signed five-year contracts in January, and are expected to provide the firepower in the Reds' bid to catch fifth-placed Tottenham.

The pair have both shown, individually, their respective talents in recent games but have yet to have a long spell together in which to hone their partnership.

Captain Steven Gerrard claims they are now the most feared strike pairing in the Barclays Premier League, although Dalglish tried to lessen the expectations around them.

"I don't think he is a bad judge if he thinks Andy and Luis are a very strong strikeforce," said the Scot of his captain's assessment.

"Andy has a bit to go to get himself up to match fitness but he came in here for five and a half years, not a few months.

"As (England coach) Fabio Capello said, he's not going to get fit as quickly as an Aaron Lennon, but we'll be patient and when he's ready he's ready.

"We are delighted with the two players we have. Whether they are the best or not is subjective - everyone is entitled to their own opinion."