Kenny Dalglish happy with England treatment

Carroll netted the goal against Ghana (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has praised England for their handling of Andy Carroll and Glen Johnson but refused to be drawn into a row with coach Fabio Capello over his £35m striker.

Carroll scored his first international goal in the 1-1 friendly draw with Ghana on Tuesday.

However, much of the pre-match discussion concerned Capello's advice to the former Newcastle forward to concentrate on football and cut out potentially bad drinking habits and also his possible involvement in this summer's Under-21 European Championships.

Dalglish brushed aside any potential controversy by reaffirming his belief that the 22-year-old was fully focused on improving himself and his game.

"Is that not his job, football?" said the Scot.

"I would expect him to focus on it to get to where he is. He has done fantastically well.

"I think Andy Carroll is focused on his football."

And on the Under-21s issue he added: "We'll wait to see if he is picked first but I can't answer the question until it has happened so I can't see the point in discussing it."

The Reds boss thanked Capello for using Carroll and Johnson sensibly in midweek.

England's last friendly at Wembley in November against France saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard sidelined for a month having sustained a hamstring strain after playing longer than the club believed they had agreed he should.

That was under the tenure of former manager Roy Hodgson, who Liverpool will meet on Saturday when they come up against his new club West Brom, but there were no complaints from Dalglish.

"The way England treated our players was fantastic," he said.

"They gave Andy the hour knowing it wouldn't have been beneficial to play him any longer.

"They gave Glen 45 minutes because he has a slight problem with an Achilles.

"I though they were very professional and respectful with the way they treated our players."

Dalglish also hoped Carroll's England goal would spur him on to his first for Liverpool since joining in January.

"It is a great milestone for Andy to score his first goal, especially at Wembley," said the 60-year-old.

"It is a great reward for his recuperation and it will give him a lift and kick him on further.

"I think everyone can be proud but obviously Andy will have been happy."