Dalglish refuses to put Suarez and Carroll as headline act

West Brom 0 Liverpool 2:KENNY DALGLISH was just finishing his press duties, satisfied that he had praised the way Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez had linked up while at the same time avoiding the slip of the tongue that would make for a nice headline, when he was asked if the pair could develop into one of the best partnerships. "Steady, deary me," the Liverpool manager said, as he headed down the corridor with a look of disbelief on his face. Then Dalglish stopped, turned on his heel and added: "You never know."

These are still early days for Carroll and Suarez and it does not bear thinking about how the Liverpool manager would have reacted had he heard the names Dalglish and Rush, or Toshack and Keegan, mentioned in the same breath as two strikers who have started only 10 Premier League games together in as many months and are developing an understanding of how the other likes to play.

Although Carroll’s injury problems have contributed to that statistic, the 22-year-old’s indifferent form since arriving at Anfield and Dalglish’s tactics have also played a part in restricting the opportunities Liverpool supporters have had to see their €63 million forward line in action. This was one of their rare joint outings and Dalglish was entitled to be pleased with the way “the wee man” and “Big Andy” combined to help Liverpool to a comfortable victory against a disappointing West Bromwich Albion side.

“There’s always been signs it will be a good partnership. The more time they spend playing with each other, the more they’ll get accustomed to each other and the better it will be for everybody,” Dalglish said before singling out Carroll’s contribution in particular. “I think that’s big Andy’s best game for us. (He was) strong, powerful and technically good.”

Carroll, whose goal was his fifth in 20 Liverpool appearances, hinted at being a little frustrated of late. “I have been disappointed to be on the bench,” he said. “I have been working hard to get my place and I think I have earned it. I played well last week and today, getting a goal as well, was even better.”

The partnership impressed Billy Jones. “They were a threat,” the West Brom defender said. “There were balls which got knocked in which Carroll wasn’t favourite to win. But he turns those half-balls into good balls by getting it down and releasing other players like Suarez, who is already on his bike making good runs.”

It was no surprise Carroll’s goal was set up by Suarez, who was a constant menace with his footwork and fluid movement. “He is a great player,” Carroll said. “He works hard for the team, so it is nice to have him up top with me – it makes it a lot easier. He makes chances and can score goals, he can drop off and get the ball to his feet to dribble with it and slip people in.”

The Uruguayan also has an uncanny knack of being at the centre of controversy and that trait resurfaced when he went down in the area, in the eighth minute, after Jerome Thomas stepped across him. There was contact, although Charlie Adam, who converted from the spot, admitted Albion were entitled to “feel a bit aggrieved” with the penalty that Lee Mason, the referee, was reluctant to award until his assistant, Gary Beswick, raised his flag.

Paul Scharner was furious and accused Suarez of simulation. “It was a nice dive for the penalty,” said the Albion midfielder, perhaps a little harshly. “He’s very good at winning penalties. He’s one of the best on the planet. If that’s a penalty, then you will find 1,500 penalties are given in every match.”

Roy Hodgson was also upset with the decision, although the Albion manager admitted he could have no complaints with the result.

Albion never imposed themselves on a Liverpool team who were without the injured Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. The home side were toothless up front and looked vulnerable defensively whenever Suarez and Carroll attacked.

“We are delighted with the pair of them and I think they’ll get better,” said Dalglish, without referring to any legends from the past.

Guardian Service

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