Kenny Dalglish: 'Joe Hart still a top goalkeeper'

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has refused to criticise Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The England stopper has been dropped in favour of Costel Pantilimon in City's goal following a string of error-strewn displays for Manuel Pellegrini's side.

However, while Dalglish feels that Hart's understudy will be able to stake a claim for a sustained run in the first team, the former Reds manager said that he still thinks Hart is one of the best around.

"I don't want to offer any more criticism of Hart, as I think he is a fine goalkeeper," Dalglish told The Mirror.

"But Romania international Pantilimon, who played well against Newcastle in the Capital One Cup, will have done the work in the background and he'll know the City defence as well as Hart does.

"If circumstances have dictated that he get this chance, he'll deserve any bit of luck that comes his way."

Hart's error cost City in their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last week.