Agger, Gerrard & Carroll latest

Kenny Dalglish today provided an update on the fitness of Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger - but insisted speculation Andy Carroll is on the brink of his debut is wide of the mark.

The boss expects to have Agger available for Thursday's Europa League last 32, second-leg clash with Sparta Prague at Anfield after the defender recovered from an adductor injury.

However, Dalglish will not rush Gerrard back into the fold with the skipper having missed Liverpool's last two matches due to a groin problem.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Daniel is fit now, so he's up for consideration.

"Steven is almost there. Whether he gets there in time or not remains to be seen, but we're not going to push somebody into a game that's not quite ready.

"As much as Steven would love to play and we'd love to have him, I think we've got to think a bit longer term than just one game.

"But if he's fit and well, he'll come under consideration like everybody else.

"I think it's important we adopt the same philosophy as we've had before with the likes of Jay Spearing, who could have carried on a little bit longer with his injury but we wanted to get it done and dusted and get him looked after.

"Daniel Agger was the same, Martin Skrtel got a rest last week (against Sparta), Martin Kelly got a rest, so I think we've got to be consistent in our approach to things and if there is any doubt whatsoever, if we can get by without Steven then we will do."

Meanwhile, Dalglish played down media suggestions Carroll could be in line to make his Liverpool debut against West Ham United this weekend.

The club's record signing has stepped up his recovery from a thigh injury this week, and though pleased with his progress, the Reds will not risk rushing the England striker back into action too soon.

Dalglish said: "He has done everything that has been expected of him up to this time. The medical people and ourselves on the football side are delighted with his progress.

"He's still got a bit to go before he'll be considered for a match, but he's probably a little bit ahead of schedule rather than behind schedule.

"It's great for him and it's great for us. He wants to get a game but obviously patience is again a word that we need to adopt for him and for us."

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It's been just over three weeks since Carroll sealed his switch to Liverpool.

Dalglish admits he's delighted with the way in which Anfield's new No.9 has integrated with the squad since arriving from Newcastle on January's transfer deadline day.

"He seems very happy with himself," added the boss. "Obviously it is a big move having been born and brought up in Newcastle to move away from there, but he's settled in fine.

"He got in and amongst the boys last week in Prague and is doing the same now, so I think he feels a lot more comfortable than he did two or three weeks ago, which is very important for us because he's come away from his home town and it's up to us to try and make him feel comfortable.

"He's got to help himself as well, so between the two of us I'm sure it will be a happy relationship. With regards to playing, we've just got to be patient and make sure that he plays when he is fit and well to play."

Away from the pitch, Dalglish and Carroll were photographed enjoying a Boyzone concert at the city's Liverpool Echo arena on Monday night.

"Well, it wasn't a date! He just happened to be there," joked Dalglish. "I was with Marina and her mum, so I wasn't the oldest person there!

"It was a good concert. Ronan (Keating) came yesterday morning with his little boy and we fixed him up with a shirt, he watched training for a while and then they went to rehearse.

"I think Andy might have enjoyed it a wee bit better than me!"

Such is his meticulousness, Thursday's Europa League tie with Sparta Prague will doubtlessly have been at the back of the manager's mind as he took in the concert - and it was a case of back to business at Melwood this morning.

The match holds special significance for Dalglish as it will be the first time he's managed Liverpool in continental competition at Anfield.

Nevertheless, progression into the last 16 is all he's concerned with.

He said: "I think you always look forward to the (European) nights. It's a special place when you have a European tie at Anfield under the lights. The lights make a big difference, and obviously the occasion and the history and tradition of the football club in Europe.

"It's a game we're looking forward to and if we're in a competition, then we want to do our best in it. I know the competition is undermined in many quarters, but that's probably because they're not in it and when you look at the teams that are left in it, there are some good sides in there.

"We'll have a go, see where it takes us and see if Thursday night is going to be special for everybody. We could do with the support from the people because I think we need to be patient on and off the pitch because I don't think they will give too much away and anything we get from the game, we'll have to earn it.

"As we've always said, collectively we've got a better chance and I'm sure they'll (the fans) be right behind us."

Today marked the 20^th anniversary of Dalglish's shock resignation as Liverpool manager.

It is with great sadness the Scot looks back on that bleak February afternoon he brought his first stint as Reds boss to an end in 1991 - but the 59-year-old's mood could not be more different two decades on.

Dalglish said: "I feel a lot better today than I did then! I'm much happier being here than leaving.

"It was unavoidable at the time, but I am a very lucky man to be back here - to be offered the opportunity to come back unfortunately due to circumstances which meant we weren't doing too well. There's not many people who get that opportunity and there was no way I was going to be disrespectful to the football club and say no.

"If we get smiles on people's faces and a few results then everybody will be happy. It was a sad day when I left and a great day when I came back.

"As I've said before, there were close shouts a few times but it never quite happened. For me, I'd have preferred the circumstances to have been better, but they are what they are and were what they were, so for me just to be given the opportunity to come back, I was very fortunate."

Elsewhere, Dalglish also took time to wish Happy Birthday to legendary stadium announcer George Sephton, who turned 65 today.

The Scouser's dulcet tones have been a fundamental part of Anfield's matchday experience over the past four decades, during which time he has missed just one game due to his daughter's wedding.

Dalglish said: "George is part of the furniture here. The football club has a great many traditions and great history as well, and George is part of that.

"If he retired it would be more relevant than if I retired! You can always get another manager, but you might not get a voice like George Sephton's on the announcer.

"Happy Birthday and we hope you're here for a long time to come, George."

Click here to watch Kenny on Stevie, Agger, Carroll and Boyzone>>