Freedom works for Enrique and Reds

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes the freedom manager Kenny Dalglish gives to the players helps makes them a better team.

The Spaniard has been arguably Dalglish's best summer recruit since joining for £6million from Newcastle, playing every minute of all 20 Barclays Premier League matches. Enrique has rewarded his manager with a string of consistent performances and the 25-year-old believes the Scot's style of football suits him and many others in the squad.

"I prefer to pass to feet. It is more quick touch," he said. "Kenny wants us to enjoy football because if we enjoy it, then so will the crowd. This is very important; that we play in a certain way....on the floor and to have the freedom to make our own decisions."

Enrique added in LFC Weekly: "I think the training is very important because if you don't train well it's difficult to play well at the weekend.

"That is the moment you work towards every week because it is the part you enjoy most; the pitch is bigger, you play in front of a crowd and you are judged on the result.

"Because we train so hard, it can make the game a lot easier."

Liverpool face Manchester City in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at the Etihad Stadium tonight just over a week since they left the same ground with a 3-0 league defeat.

Dalglish insists he does not think that match will have any bearing on their forthcoming encounters.

"We lost 3-0 and so we will look at it but I don't think it will be a reflection on the next two games coming up (against City)," he said.

Enrique is set to return to the side having been rested for Friday's FA Cup victory at home to Oldham. Former Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy, who was introduced as a substitute last week, will be hopeful of a start as they try to avoid a repeat of their defeat.