Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says there is no hiding place for underperformers ahead of Manchester double

The Scot diverted from his usual defence of the squad before lambasting their attitude and lack of application following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at struggling Bolton Wanderers.

Following arguably the worst display since Dalglish took over for a second spell a year ago the Liverpool manager pulled no punches in telling the group any repetition was likely to result in a swift exit.

“The most disappointing thing for me is I don’t think we were ready to play the game,” he said on Saturday.

“I don’t think the approach was correct, I don’t think the way we went about our work was correct. The foundation of the football club has always been built on respect for other people, built on the philosophy that the next game is the most important one, not the one that’s two or three down the line.

“If they thought they could just turn up and get a result and not match the opposition for effort and commitment then they got a lesson today. If that was what the problem was, if they thought this game was not as important as the next one, then fine - but they won’t be here.”

Speaking on Tuesday ahead of their Carling Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester City, Dalglish explained: "I think what was said had to be said.

"It's a difficult thing to do but I think it was an honest thing to do as well.

"At the end of the day I don't think anyone can object to the fact that we never played anything like we're capable of playing.

"I don't think anybody can hide behind a performance like we had on Saturday and I don't think anyone would try to do that.

"In the past we've rightly praised them when they've deserved it, we've given them plaudits when we've done well and we've congratulated them for the way they've gone about their work.

"We have to be honest in our appraisal when we've been bad as well.

"When you've been critical it doesn't mean to say you're getting any pleasure from it because at the end of the day we're all in it together.

"It's not the coaching staff and the players, it's everybody."

The woeful display at the Reebok Stadium could not have come at a worse time with two potentially season-defining games ahead in the next few days.

Premier League leaders City stand between Liverpool, who hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg, and their first final at Wembley Stadium for 16 years.

Three days later bitter rivals Manchester United visit Merseyside for an FA Cup fourth round tie, an encounter which is always fiery but has been given extra spice in the wake of striker Luis Suarez's eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing United's Patrice Evra.

Dalglish suggested one of the reasons his side were so off their game at Bolton was because they were focusing on these games.

But the Scot, wary of what happened at the weekend, will not entertain any mention of Wembley until their place has been secured.

"Let's not be running away with ourselves, let's make sure we get the hard work done first," Dalglish said.

"We have a slight advantage, we just need to go into the game and compete.

"It's not going to be a game that's going to be anything other than really difficult for us.

"They got a fantastic result on Sunday against Tottenham [winning 3-2] which keeps them at the top of the league, so I'm sure they'll be well up for it.

"For us it's important to do our own job, and if we do that then a bit of luck as well wouldn't go amiss.

"Hopefully it will be a fantastic occasion for everyone."

While they are unbeaten at home this season Liverpool's record at Anfield is disappointing, having drawn seven of 11 league matches.

Those performances have left fans disappointed and Dalglish, having seen a packed away end at the Reebok Stadium empty well before the end, has called on the players to put in a performance which will give supporters something to cheer.

"There'll be loads of support for us but we need to do something that's going to get the supporters on our side," he added.

"We can't always leave it for them to lift us, sometimes we need to lift them.

"We should never assume we're going to get the fantastic support that we do - we've got to earn that.

"They've got to see that we're up to put in a tremendous effort on Wednesday night to get a result for the club."