Former Liverpool midfielder Nigel Spackman insists Kenny Dalglish knows what he's doing.

Spackman has dismissed suggestions that Liverpool's slump is down to Dalglish's long isolation from involvement in the game.

"I have heard it said that he has lost touch," Spackman told the Sunday Mirror. "Absolute rubbish ! They must be joking. I doubt very much if there are any managers or football people who see more games than him. He is always at games - and not just first-team ones.

"He will be watching the reserves, the youth team - and lower division ones.

"Very few people have better contacts than Kenny Dalglish in the game. If a player is recommended, he will go and watch him.

"Maybe he is not a great coach, but he is an excellent man-manager. He spots details in someone's game that other people miss. He is very thorough.

"He will have pointed out adjustments to improve their game. If they listen, he will make them better."