Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish claims critics questioning the success of their campaign have been "disrespectful".
Liverpool boss adamant Reds are improved on last term
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish claims critics questioning the success of their campaign have been "disrespectful" for overlooking their cup form.
The Reds have already secured the Carling Cup, their first trophy in six years, and face Stoke City in an FA Cup quarter-final at Anfield on Sunday.
However, Liverpool languish in seventh place in the Premier League table, 10 points adrift of their fourth place target, with only 10 games remaining.
While Dalglish accepts their league form has been below par, the Scot refuses to believe that their season can be branded a failure on that basis and insists the team have improved on last season.
"People should take an intelligence check," said Dalglish, who guided the team to a sixth-place finish last term having taken over in January 2011.
'Disrespectful'
"Judging our progress by league positions alone is disrespectful.
"Why do I think we have progressed? Because it's not necessarily true that you look only at the league table. There's a bigger picture.
"Whether it's points, positions in the league or whether it's trophies, some people have their own agenda.
"All we have said is that we want to move the club forward. When a cup final is played at Wembley, you don't get the 90 other clubs saying they're glad they're not there.
"In 30 years' time it will be recorded that Liverpool won the Carling Cup - and maybe the FA Cup in 2012. If that happens, the league position will be overlooked."
