ANDY CARROLL is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Kenny Dalglish – and admitted Liverpool’s stuttering opening draw to their Premier League campaign felt like a defeat.

The new-look Anfield outfit started the new season by being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland on Saturday.

Having missed a penalty, Luis Suarez gave Liverpool the lead but a poor second-half display allowed Sebastian Larsson to grab a spectacular equaliser for the Wearsiders.

Carroll, who had a goal of his own disallowed before the interval, played the full 90 minutes for only the third time since his club record £35million arrival from Newcastle United in January.

And the striker, now free of injury, has revealed the help being given by Dalglish to help him become a success at Anfield.

“Kenny is a great manager and it is great to know that he has given me all his backing,” said Carroll. “I have just got to give it all back to him, really. In training he is giving me little pointers here, there and everywhere.

“Obviously I need to listen to him and put them into my game. It is nice to know that he has got faith in him and it is a big help.

“Now I have got to do what I did to get myself here and I am out to prove that I can do it here.

“It is a big stage (at Liverpool). I needed a good pre-season. I was injured a long time, so it was nice to play a few games and get my fitness up, as well as getting a few goals.

“Now it is a case of pushing forward and keeping myself fit. I have got to show what I can do.”