Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to the professionalism of Maxi Rodriguez after his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with Blackburn.
The Argentine scored a 53rd-minute equaliser as Liverpool once again failed to convert their dominance into a win against unheralded opposition at Anfield, instead having to settle for a sixth home draw this English Premier League season on Monday.
Rodriguez, 30, has failed to hold down a regular starting spot but has still scored 11 goals in his last 12 appearances for Liverpool, and Dalglish singled out the attacker for praise.
"Maxi is a very intelligent footballer," Dalglish told reporters.
"He knows how to play, he loves to play but he is not going to play in every game and the same goes for Maxi as every other member of the squad."
"We have to manage him the best way we possibly can and when he plays he doesn't give you too many bad performances."
"He is a real credit to himself and if he was a bit younger we would have someone in our squad who would be top drawer."
Monday's setback leaves Liverpool sixth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and Dalglish said the race for the top four will be fiercely contested.
"There could be more than three teams involved (in the battle) for fourth spot but as long as we are involved and give ourselves a chance then we will be happy with that," the Scot said.
"Our target is to build on the work that we've already done. As we keep saying there's an awful lot of the work we have done that we've been very pleased with."