Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has defended his very public criticism of the players after insisting there can be no hiding place from failure.

The Scot diverted from his usual stout defence of the squad to lambast their attitude and lack of application in Saturday's abject 3-1 defeat at struggling Bolton.

In arguably the worst display since Dalglish took over for a second spell a year ago the Reds boss pulled no punches in telling the group any repetition was likely to result in a swift exit.

Because the 60-year-old is usually so protective of his players the hard-hitting comments carried far more resonance and attracted plenty of headlines but he does not regret speaking out.

"I think what was said had to be said,'' Dalglish explained. "It's a difficult thing to do but I think it was an honest thing to do as well.

"At the end of the day I don't think anyone can object to the fact that we never played anything like we're capable of playing.

"I don't think anybody can hide behind a performance like we had on Saturday and I don't think anyone would try to do that.

"In the past we've rightly praised them when they've deserved it, we've given them plaudits when we've done well and we've congratulated them for the way they've gone about their work.

"We have to be honest in our appraisal when we've been bad as well.''

The woeful display at the Reebok Stadium could not have come at a worse time with two huge matches ahead in the next few days.

Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City visit Anfield on Wednesday as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

Three days later arch-rivals Manchester United arrive for an FA Cup fourth round tie, an encounter which is always fiery on and off the field but has been given extra spice in the wake of striker Luis Suarez's eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing United's Patrice Evra.

Dalglish suggested one of the reasons his side were so off their game at Bolton was because they were focusing on these games, the first of which could present Liverpool with their first trip to Wembley since 1996 and a first final since their FA Cup triumph six years ago.

But the Scot, wary of what happened at the weekend, will not entertain any mention of Wembley until their place has been secured.

And that is no easy task against a City side who are averaging almost three goals a game in the league this season.

"Let's not be running away with ourselves, let's make sure we get the hard work done first,'' Dalglish told liverpoolfc.tv.

"We have a slight advantage, we just need to go into the game and compete.

"It's not going to be a game that's going to be anything other than really difficult for us.''

Defensive midfielder Jay Spearing could return to the squad having missed the last two matches with a hamstring problem.

Winger Stewart Downing could get a recall having been dropped to the bench at the weekend while Dalglish will have to assess striker Craig Bellamy's ability to play twice in four days.

Manchester City assistant boss David Platt believes Howard Webb saw Mario Balotelli tangle with Scott Parker during Manchester City's win over Tottenham on Sunday.

Although it is not anticipated there will be any announcement until Wednesday, City are unlikely to appeal against the violent conduct charge the Football Association brought against Balotelli on Monday.

That would mean the Italian immediately beginning a four-match suspension, ruling him out of Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield.

As City do not have to respond until 6pm on Wednesday, it would seem logical to wait until the last possible moment. However, Platt has acknowledged the futility of an appeal, whilst questioning how the charge was brought in the first place.

"What we think as a football club has no relevance whatsoever,'' he said. "You have to take everything into consideration if you want to go for an appeal because there is a sanction in place that dictates they can increase it if they consider it to be a frivolous appeal.

"I don't think anybody thought we would win an appeal with Vincent Kompany, even though the majority of people didn't feel he deserved a red card or a four-match ban. It shows the futility of an appeal sometimes and the negative is that we are likely to be without a player for four games.''

Kompany completes a four-match suspension for his sending-off in the FA Cup loss to Manchester United.

Midfielder Yaya Toure and defender Kolo Toure are on international duty but boss Roberto Mancini has no fresh injury concerns.

Match

line ups>>> hand shakes>>>

,

erm what is your other name?

you'll never walk alone

you'll always walk alone liverpooool

,

yeah just saw it.

unbanning you now.

was wondering where you dey lol

game on!

gerrupjor

liverpool should try and score jor

na$iru lol sowwy

hmm i laff you and you want to score.

good effort though

poor corner . .

phew charlie adam . .

still banned or banned again rather .

pls, whr can i watch it online  

liverpool and corners so early hmmm

hahahahaha see that midget suarez nonsense boi!

haa good run bellamy . .wasted . .

end to end madness here lol

Now i believe there are forces working against man city. Why should mario's four match ban start with this game? No chance of an appeal

sowwy dzeko  

can someone be kind enough to share the link?

na Arabsat i get for house

^
try al jazerra sports +3 e suppose work

lovely ball bellamy , joe hart see am lol

would have been a cool goal

@ muki, yes ma. message received. Thank you.  

Liverpool the king of England ,let go there and destroy the world,

on which site can i watch it online? pls ooo

Babamide:

Now i believe there are forces working against man city. Why should mario's four match ban start with this game? No chance of an appeal

There is no demon fighting man city, they have the chance to appeal but they decide not to because this is just a calring cup moreover i think if they appeal  and lose they will lose some important matches

CommonS:

@ muki, yes ma. message received. Thank you.  

slow game . , lemme go watch Afcon

brb

otooro:

on which site can i watch it online? pls ooo

lol sorry search google na

goooaaal!!!!!

dejong for citeh

mukina2:

lol sorry search google na

GOOAALLL!!! citeh!