Kenny Dalglish rates his new Liverpool squad the best he's "inherited" in his managerial career.
The Scot has dismissed the assessment of critics that the current playing staff was not up to the required standard.
"I think it is the best squad of players I have inherited as a manager since the first time I came here," said Dalglish, who also managed at Newcastle and Celtic.
"We don't have much time to get things up and running so the most important people for us are the people here and we will concentrate on them first and everyone will be given an opportunity.
"As far as I can see, the players are 100% committed to what they want to do - to move onwards and upwards. There are no splits or divisions.
"The desire is there in abundance so we will graft as hard as we can and we probably need to work harder in getting things right than some other clubs who are in a better position than us.
"But we won't lose out because of lack of hard work. We will devote as much time to it as we possibly can.
"At the end of the day it is about players, about people, and your relationship with those players and trying to impart your experience and knowledge on them.
"It is looking after players, getting relationships with players and getting the respect from the players."