Liverpool form delights Kenny Dalglish despite Manchester United draw

Kenny Dalglish says he is delighted with Liverpool's progress this season - despite his side being held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Anfield.

Substitute Javier Hernandez's late equaliser rescued a point for United - who left Wayne Rooney out of their line-up - after Steven Gerrard marked his first start for six months by giving Liverpool a 68th-minute lead.

Dalglish said: "It's a real indication of how far these players have come that they are sitting in the dressing room disappointed they have drawn with Manchester United.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was impressive against Manchester United

"Their attitude, even when United equalised, was admirable as they came back and went for the three points.

"The only thing missing from the performance was that we are not walking away with three points."

United's leveller ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats at Anfield but Dalglish sought solace in the performances of Suarez and Gerrard.

He said: "We are running out of vocabulary to describe Luis Suarez. He is a fantastic footballer and has been so since he has come here. I'm sure he will continue to be that.

"The fact we have got Steven Gerrard playing is a real boost for us and it is fantastic he crowned his first start for a while by scoring.

"He has made a fantastic contribution to this club and will continue to do so. To see him back is brilliant for us but even more importantly brilliant for him."

And Dalglish was also lavish in his praise of Manchester United's young goalkeeper David de Gea, who kept Liverpool at bay with several crucial saves from Suarez, Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson.

"I thought some people said the boy was struggling?" said Dalglish. "He wasn't struggling here and made a couple of fantastic saves.

"I thought it could have been three points for us. It was pretty even and sterile at the beginning of the match with two good teams respecting each other.

"United started the second half better but not for long and we got on top.

"Even after they equalised their goalkeeper made two fantastic saves from Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson - and we had another chance at the end."