Steven Gerrard has described criticism of Kenny Dalglish following Liverpool's defeat at Bolton as "absolutely ludicrous" and said he harbours no ill-feeling towards Roberto Mancini before Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.
Liverpool go into the game with a 1-0 advantage courtesy of Gerrard's penalty but also on the back of their worst performance since Dalglish returned as manager 12 months ago. Saturday's 3-1 defeat at the Reebok prompted an uncharacteristic verbal attack on the team from the manager and questions have been asked of his ability to lead the club back into the Champions League after a run of six points from six league games.
An incredulous Gerrard said: "Change happens at football clubs year in and year out because everyone is desperate for success. Change happens all the time. But the few whispers about a change of manager after one defeat is ludicrous to me. It's absolutely ludicrous and I take no notice of that at all. The thing that needs to change is the people who are here need to try and not put in performances like the one against Bolton and get back to the way we've been 95% of the time under Kenny, which has been very good."
Liverpool's first leg with City, two weeks ago, ended with Gerrard confronting Mancini while the Italian was in the middle of a radio interview. The City manager claimed Glen Johnson should have been sent off for a two-footed challenge on Joleon Lescott and was accused of hypocrisy by the Liverpool captain, having previously condemned Wayne Rooney for calling for Vincent Kompany's dismissal against Manchester United in a Cup tie.
But Gerrard said: "It was more of a heated conversation. It wasn't an argument or a head-to-head duel or anything. I'd read his comments where he was criticising Wayne Rooney for waving cards and he was waving the cards at Glen Johnson. It wasn't an argument, I just thought I'd tell him that he was wrong.
"These things happen but I've got total respect for Mancini for what he achieved as a player and for the job he's doing at Man City. I'm not really interested in myself and Mancini. I'm just interested in getting a result. But there are certainly no hard feelings between me and him."
Despite Liverpool's lead and City's problems in attack, Gerrard admits the home side cannot risk a containment policy against the Premier League leaders. "That is the danger – going into the game thinking that we're 1-0 up and that we need to protect that lead. We need to start at 0-0 in our minds and go out to try and win the game. Against Bolton we probably had one player, Craig Bellamy, who could be satisfied with his performance. Against City we need 11, otherwise we won't be going to Wembley."