Dalglish turns guns on Liverpool critics

Kenny Dalglish is on the warpath against Anfield doubters who question their progress despite being on the brink of a double.

The Liverpool boss, whose side are now on the FA Cup trail after capturing the Leage Cup, has been irritated by suggestions they are still struggling to make an impact this season.

He has advised critics to take a reality check as Liverpool look to book a swift return trip to Wembley.

The accusations have been made since Liverpool are unlikely to better last season’s sixth-place finish and may well end up lower.

Ahead of the FA semifinal clash against Stoke City at Anfield, Dalglish insisted: “I think people should take an intelligence check.

“All we have said is we want to move the club forward. Everybody will have a different perspective and will move the goalposts to judge whether we’re moving forward or not, whether it’s points, position in the league or trophies.

“The most important thing for us is the progress the football club has made on the pitch and off the pitch.

“You can see the way supporters are starting to enjoy life again,” said Dalglish, who will continue his policy of selecting strong sides in the cup competitions, knowing that his Potters counterpart Tony Pulis will do likewise.

Dalglish said: “We played them in the league here a few weeks ago. It was 0-0.

“We were quite happy with the way we played apart from not getting a goal to win the match.

“If we can control the game and keep it away from set-plays, dead-ball situations, we will have a better opportunity.”