Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has praised Raheem Sterling's mental strength.

Dalglish wrote in the Mirror: "Raheem Sterling showed his class in midweek, scoring twice for Liverpool after his missed chances in the defeat at Manchester United.

"If you're a striker, you're obviously happier when you score than if you miss. But I don't think the wee man's confidence has been affected in any way, shape or form.

"I think the goals he scored at Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup reflected the fact that it didn't faze him that he missed so many chances against Manchester United last weekend.

"Raheem had three chances and Mario Balotelli could have scored three too. Liverpool had six really good opportunities - how many times can you say that when you go to Old Trafford?

"So the fact he came back straight away in midweek, and got himself back on the scoresheet, is credit to him. The first goal, he was determined to get in there first and he created the opportunity to score."