FOR much of this season, Liverpool supporters will have felt as though their club have been counting the cost of the decisions to bring the likes of Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson to Anfield.
It is something in the region of £50m, for anyone in need of reminding.
Yet those same fans will be finding it hard to put a price on their side reaching the FA Cup final, with the maligned pair making a major contribution to the semi-final victory over city rivals Everton on Saturday. Henderson's energy and unstinting effort brought praise from Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, while Carroll's goal minutes from full-time was lauded by a boisterous support. And Dalglish.
The Scot has come under scrutiny for his signing policy – although it was Damien Comolli who was punished when he was sacked as director of football last week – but Saturday offered a chance for some respite. Dalglish seized on the chance to offer his signings some rare praise.
"As long as they are giving everything they have got, I will always support the player," he said. "They will make mistakes but they are only young and they are trying to play in one of the top leagues in the world, in a new environment, which is getting more comfortable week after week. For them to adjust to that as quickly as they have has been quite rewarding and very encouraging."
After failing to capitalise on a Carling Cup final win earlier this term, Liverpool will now need to take advantage of such a dramatic semi-final win over their rivals.
"Everyone has been battered," said Dalglish. "These players have shown they are capable of coming back, but it is not finished. We have to try and do as much as we can over the remaining games of the season, one being the FA Cup final."
Everton will need to be similarly robust as they look to recover from the defeat. The Merseyside club had been in rude form but were undone by defensive errors, one of which led to Luis Suarez's equaliser.
Nikica Jelavic had put Everton ahead early on, and the former Rangers striker continues to build a formidable reputation in England. "We took the lead but we never really built on it. Once they got the goal they built on it," said Leighton Baines, the Everton full-back.
"If you give Jelavic chances he has shown he will score, but we didn't give him many opportunities. He got a slice of fortune and was 'Johnny on the spot' for the opening goal and made a chance for himself."
With Everton ahead of Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League there is still incentive for the remainder of the season.
"We need something to focus on and that will be it," said Baines. "It will take a few days for the dust to settle on this one and then we will go again."
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