Dalglish: It's not the right time to play Liverpool's kids

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists he is not ready to throw in the towel in the chase for the Champions League – and that means he won’t be throwing in the kids either.

There have been suggestions the Anfield boss should start building for the future by introducing some of the club’s youngsters in the remainder of the Premier League season.

Liverpool are 12 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, but Dalglish believes his side can finish in the top quartet, meaning the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson will have to wait for their chance.

Dalglish said: “Maybe if fourth place had gone, it would be right to play the youngsters. But we don’t think it has so we’ll keep playing as we have been.

"We have to maintain their progress and for some of the younger boys in our squad - Flanagan, Robinson, Shelvey - if we were in a better position with injuries they could have gone out on loan playing somewhere.

"But at the same time if they are going to play they have to educate themselves for this football club not another one.

"There comes a time when you have to take the nappies off them and see if they have got it.

"If we have to do that we will do it but at all times the most important thing for us is to maintain the thought that we are protecting them for our and their benefit.

"People can shout and bawl about young kids doing well and of course they are doing well.

"But they have done well because they have come here and been looked after in the management and guidance they have had.

"Just trust us to guide them through if they are going to get to the next step and if they are good enough to get there."