Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says Kenny Dalglish stands alone as a football icon. The defender is hoping a second cup win in as many months might persuade those critics of boss Dalglish to give it a rest.

Carragher believes Dalglish deserves more respect, adding: "For me, he is the most iconic figure in British football. You have great players and you have great managers - he is in both camps.

"Stein, Busby, Ferguson, Paisley, Shankly, Clough, Dalglish. All great managers and he is in there.

"And he is in with all the great players as well. None of those people you mention are in both camps."

Carragher believes that Liverpool's past glories make it easier for critics to stick the boot in.

But he warned one thing inspires Liverpool players more than anything.

"I don't think there is a better sight in football than Kenny Dalglish celebrating a Liverpool goal," he said. "His smile, his reactions, we all like to see that.

"We have all had criticism, but the manager gets it more than most. That's the price on the ticket.

"But we have to remember where we were when he came in."