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• Italian says Liverpool’s spot-kick should not have been given
• Defeat will not affect title hopes, says City manager

Roberto Mancini was left nursing a “sense of injustice” at Anfield after the Manchester City old boy Craig Bellamy inspired Liverpool to victory in the Carling Cup semi-final and their first appearance at Wembley stadium for 16 years.

For Kenny Dalglish Liverpool’s passage was the perfect response to his outspoken attack on the team after the defeat at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and further evidence of progress in his first full season in charge before the watching John

The best images from the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Anfield

Jonny Weeks

• Liverpool manager critical after abject Premier League defeat
• ‘We have to be honest when we’ve been bad’

The 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.

“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.

“When you’ve been critical it doesn’t mean to say you’re getting any pleasure from it because at the end of the day we’re all in it together. It’s not the coaching staff and the players, it’s everybody.”

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

“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. They got a fantastic result on Sunday against Tottenham [winning 3-2) which keeps them at the top of the league, so I’m sure they’ll be well up for it.

“For us it’s important to do our own job, and if we do that then a bit of luck as well wouldn’t go amiss. Hopefully it will be a fantastic occasion for everyone.”

LiverpoolKenny Dalglish
guardian.co.uk