Kenny Dalglish thinks that it is "important" for Liverpool to be challenging for a top four spot in the Premier League.

The Reds sit sixth in the league table, three points adrift of fourth place, level on points with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Despite Manchester City's surge to the top of the table, Dalglish is not 'surprised' at the current standings.

"Apart from the positions of the teams, I don't think there is much of a surprise," said Dalglish. "It is only Newcastle that you would have said, which has been a pleasant surprise for the Geordies. They will be delighted they are up there in the hunt for it.

"It's good to see us up there, that's the most important thing for us. I don't care how many are involved. As long as we are involved that is all that we are concerned with. Whatever any other club is going to do, we can't do anything about it until we play them.

"I think we are moving in the right direction. Whether Sunday is a positive result for us or not, it won't be a determining factor in the progress of the football club."

The Merseyside club take on Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.