Gerrard, who has played only five matches this season having recovered from a March groin operation, has been sidelined for the last two months with an ankle problem. Carragher was injured at Stoke in October and, although he has returned to full fitness, he has found himself on the bench and has missed a total of seven Premier League matches. Liverpool have taken 14 points from those fixtures and, while Dalglish knows the pair add undoubted strength, he believes the other players have more than made up for the absences. "They (Gerrard and Carragher) have played a few games but we always said the strength of the club is how good the squad is and we are delighted with the quality in it," said the Reds boss ahead of the trip to Wigan. "If Jamie and Stevie are fit we are even stronger but the lads have done very well. "In someone else's eyes some people may have made a greater contribution than others but they all have a part to play and we look forward to everyone being fit and then we have a problem picking the team. "For us we just come into work, practice what we preach and try to carry it on to the pitch and every single one of the lads in the squad have made a contribution. "Their contribution will be needed over the coming weeks because the games are coming thick and fast and that is when you get your squad tested. "We know every single one of them is capable of playing games, and we just need to chose the right games to pick the right teams and with a bit of luck we will get the points we deserve." Dalglish admits it is difficult leaving anyone out of the starting line-up let alone Carragher, who has made 681 appearances in a red shirt. "When you respect people - and we have the utmost respect for Jamie - then it is difficult to leave someone out," he added. "[It is difficult] because of what he has done for the club, what he is at the club, but he is also an intelligent boy and will understand, even though he wants to play." Suarez, meanwhile, was on Tuesday evening given an eight-match ban and £40,000 fine after an independent regulatory commission found him guilty of abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. However, Liverpool, who have fully supported the 24-year-old ever since the issue came to light after the 1-1 draw with United on October 15, have come out fighting in their response to the punishment. And there is a feeling within Anfield that there has been a witch hunt to punish Suarez, who defence was based on claims he was unaware language that is acceptable in Uruguay is viewed as racist in Europe. "It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November," said a club statement.
