The Scot's problem does not revolve around solving issues in relation to improving the way the team plays. For him, at the moment, it is letting down those players whose displays probably warrant inclusion but who cannot be accommodated. Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is the prime example. The Argentinian has started just one Premier League match this season and that was at Chelsea a fortnight ago when he scored the opening goal in the 2-1 victory. A week later and the 30-year-old did not even get off the bench in the 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City as Stewart Downing returned on the left of midfield. However, he was back in the team on Tuesday for the Carling Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge and was again on target. Two goals in his last two starts, and 10 goals in his last nine starts dating back to last season, would normally give any player automatic selection but that is not the case for Dalglish. "It's never easy to leave anybody out - it's the hardest part (of management)," he said. "They train all week and want to play but until somebody allows us to put 20 on the pitch we're going to have a problem. "I don't think they really understand (being left out) but that is football, you have to pick a team. "I don't get any enjoyment out of leaving anybody out of the team. "Every individual is different and you can sympathise with them if they feel disappointed but you would be disappointed if they weren't disappointed." Dalglish does have sympathy with many of his players - Craig Bellamy is another example - who are not making the final cut, especially when they played so well against Chelsea in midweek. But he takes positives from the depth of talent he has, which is becoming increasingly important with the on-going absence of captain Steven Gerrard as he recovers from an ankle infection and the loss of midfielder Lucas Leiva for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage. "The strength of your squad is the ability of the ones who don't play as often as the others," he added. "There are some of the lads who started the other night who would like to have played more often than they have done but there is strong opposition here for places. "It's great credit to them they can go out and put in a fantastic performance like that. "It does make it more difficult (to select a team) but it makes it more pleasant as well when you watch them play. "All they can do - and they've done it to their great credit - is keep themselves fit and prepared. "If they keep themselves prepared, they give themselves the best opportunity of impressing and they certainly were impressive on Tuesday night." Jay Spearing, one of those players who has been on the fringes this season, looks like being given his chance as the one to replace Lucas on Monday at Fulham - where Maxi scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win May. The 24-year-old has been restricted to Carling Cup starts this season, having made one league appearance as a substitute, but Dalglish has plenty of faith in the former reserve team captain. "We trust every one of them. Everyone will make a mistake, we ourselves make mistakes and we've got a week to prepare for the game," he added. "They've got a spontaneous decision to make - they won't always make the right one but as long as their heart is in the right place, we'll stand by every single one of the players. "For some of the lads who haven't played as often as the other boys it's more difficult than the ones who are playing all the time so for them to keep their spirits and desire up is a great compliment to them."
