THEY have clocked up more than 1,200 appearances and 27 years of first team service between them.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have inspired Liverpool to some of Liverpool’s greatest ever triumphs.

They have provided the backbone and a Scouse heartbeat at Anfield.

But it’s what the home grown duo still have to offer rather than what they have achieved in the past which excites Kenny Dalglish.

Gerrard is closing in on a comeback after six months out following groin surgery but won’t be considered for tomorrow’s trip to White Hart Lane. In his continued absence Carragher will retain the skipper’s armband.

Dalglish is relishing the prospect of having the talismanic pair leading the Reds’ charge for honours. And he insists their selection won’t be influenced by either sentiment or reputation.

“Nobody will get picked for their history,” he said.

“The people who have been involved with the club for a long time would expect that. They would not want it.

“They have got extremely high standards set for themselves. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t have had the success they have had.

“I don’t think they would expect to be picked because they have been here for two weeks longer than anyone else.”

Dalglish believes the quality and character of Gerrard and Carragher rubs off on players around them.

“The two boys reflect everything the football club stands for,” he said.

“They are steeped in it. If they can pass on their knowledge and the feeling of the fans to the new players that come in, then we will be all the better for it.

“Maybe unintelligent people need to be reminded about it but our people know what they have done for the football club.

“Jamie is very comfortable with what he has done, Steven is too. I’m sure the people that follow us will be just as happy about their contributions.”

Carragher found himself in the spotlight after last Saturday’s controversial 1-0 defeat at Stoke.

The 33-year-old defender was harshly adjudged to have brought down Jon Walters in the box and the striker picked himself up to net the winner from the spot.

New £7million signing Sebastian Coates is waiting in the wings, but Carragher retains the full backing of his manager.

“Jamie Carragher will do me just fine the way he is,” Dalglish said.

“I’ve got no problem with any of the boys. I don’t know what I can say to you about Jamie because there is nothing that I would like to change about him.”

Liverpool may have been beaten at Stoke but there are plenty of positives to take to White Hart Lane tomorrow.

A stack of chances were created as the Reds went on the offensive rather than looking to negate the threat of the Potters.

Now Dalglish is looking for a ruthless streak in the capital.

“We were disappointed that we never scored a goal,” he said.

“But there are going to be games where you don't get what you deserved – either you play well and get nothing or you play badly and get three points.

“It’s not as if the players haven't played well against Stoke. It came on the back of a great performance against Bolton and then an international break. They have played well at Stoke and have had nothing to show for it other than a bit of praise.

“They have come into training and picked up where they left off. We can only play to the strengths we have.

“We will always be respectful to the opposition. The way we look at them is respectfully but at the same time, the most important people are our people. I think the players we have are pretty well respected in the Premier League.

“My philosophy has never changed at all. I don't know how other people saw it after I left but for me the football club has always been the same whether I was playing managing or whatever.

“I have always had that same understanding of the football club. I can't talk for anyone else but I cannot do other than how I was brought up.”