Kenny Dalglish demands focus from Liverpool in Carling Cup

Dalglish does not want any slip-ups (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish wants to see his players giving their all in tonight's Carling Cup second-round tie at Exeter as they look to avoid a repeat of their shock exit from the competition last season.

The Reds - managed by Roy Hodgson at the time - suffered elimination at the hands of a lower-league side in the third round just under a year ago when Northampton triumphed in a penalty shoot-out at Anfield.

Dalglish has confirmed he will make changes for the tie this evening following Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League victory at Arsenal.

However, the Scot is mindful of what happened against the Cobblers and insists neither he nor his team will be taking their npower League One opponents lightly.

"We want to do the very best we can in this competition and although there will be some changes in the personnel we put out, the attitude should be exactly the same as it was on Saturday at the Emirates," Dalglish told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"We'll give people an opportunity to play. The training has been superb, as has their attitude and commitment, so they deserve a game.

"But it's not a game we just want to go through the motions for and fulfil our obligations in playing the fixture - we want to make sure we have a chance.

"We're not getting them (other players) involved because we're undermining the competition or we're undermining the football club at Exeter.

"We had a bad result last year against Northampton at home, and we'll do our best to avoid another bad result."

Dalglish succeeded Hodgson in January to begin what is his second spell in charge of Liverpool and the team's results have improved markedly.

The Reds are looking to reclaim a place in the top four this term, although Dalglish is keen to keep things in perspective after the Arsenal win.

"This time last year there was a lot of disappointment because the club hadn't started so well," Dalglish said.

"Fortunately we've changed a little bit - but let's not get carried away or be running before we can walk. Let's just take our time.

"The boys were brilliant at Arsenal on Saturday, but we're not going to get carried away with one result - and neither should anybody."