Kenny pleased with Reds' character

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish believes his players deserved to win their FA Cup semi-final for handling a season of criticism.

The Reds came from behind to beat Merseyside rivals Everton 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday to book a return to the stadium next month and have the chance to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet following the Carling Cup triumph earlier in the campaign. Their cup form has been impressive but in the league Liverpool have been frustratingly inconsistent and Dalglish's side sit eighth in the table, a long way off challenging for a top-four finish. The poor league form has led to plenty of criticism being aimed at Dalglish's squad - particularly expensive signings Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll - and the manager himself, but the Scot believes how they have bounced back proves they have a strong mentality and bodes well for the future. Everyone has been battered," said Dalglish. "Maybe that is what we need to get ourselves going forward. "Everybody is entitled to their opinion but if you want to be a top player, you have to go through most of the emotions you get in football. "Part of that is how you come back from criticism." The Reds now must try to finish the season on a high while preparing for the Cup Final and Dalglish knows there is plenty of work still to do before they can claim what appeared to be a disappointing season has been a success. "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," he added.