Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish defended Fernando Torres after another below-par performance in their FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.
Dalglish also explained the absence of fullback Glen Johnson.
"We couldn't have got any more from Fernando in terms of effort and commitment. He ran himself into the ground. It's a great sign he's determined to get himself back and silence any critics he's got. He did everything that was expected of him on the day.
"When you look at the lads, it doesn't matter how good a player you are - you've still got to have a bit of confidence. And we've got to get that confidence back in him.
"We've got to get the players confident and believing in themselves. Once we get that then we'll move forward."
The Reds had to do without Glen Johnson, whose wife fell into labour.
"The lads were thrown into a wee bit of turmoil yesterday with Glen Johnson's wife going to have a baby and it's 100 per cent proper that he wants to be with her," said Dalglish.
"Young Martin Kelly comes in and he's as good as anyone on the pitch. That's great encouragement for Martin and for all the young boys out there. Jonjo Shelvey came on and was a wee bit ambitious with his free-kick, but at least he's looked up and noticed something."
