KENNY DALGLISH believes Jamie Carragher “understands” the situation as the Liverpool vice-captain prepares for further bench duty at the weekend.

Despite having recovered from the calf injury that ruled him out of the previous two games, Carragher was an unused substitute in the dramatic 2-1 win at Chelsea last Sunday.

Whereas in the recent past the 33-year-old would have been thrown straight back into the team, Dalglish has been impressed by the form of centre-back pairing Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.

The duo are expected to retain their places for Sunday’s Anfield showdown with Premier League leaders Manchester City.

And Dalglish said: “Carra has only been back a week after his calf injury. He’s an important part of this football club and of this squad, now and going forward. He knows that and we know that.

“It’s always a positive for anyone who is selected and it’s a disappointment for those who aren’t selected. You have to make decisions.

“We know what he’s done for the football club. The respect and admiration he has here from myself and everyone else connected. He understands.

“We do whatever we think is necessary for the team. For us we pick the team which is best on any particular day against any particular team.

“If we hadn’t have won (at Chelsea) it would have been a bad side. If you win, people say it was a good decision. We don’t have hindsight to work with.”

Carragher had made an instant return in the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in February having recovered from more than six weeks out with a shoulder injury.

And Dalglish, who is again without skipper Steven Gerrard at the weekend, added: “We did it the time before. When we went to Chelsea last time we threw Carra straight back in when we played with three centre-backs. He was brilliant.

“If we had played the same way he might have been thrown back in.”