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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish satisfied with first full season...........

Manager Kenny Dalglish said it had been "not a bad" first full season back at Liverpool after their home campaign ended with victory over Chelsea.

Dalglish's team won the Carling Cup, securing a place in the Europa League, and reached the FA Cup final.

"We've got a bit of silverware back in the cupboard after six years; we're back in Europe at the first time of asking," said Dalglish.

"We were near to winning the FA Cup final. Not a bad first season."

Dalglish returned for a second spell as Liverpool manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson in January 2011 and signed a three-year deal last summer.

However, his team won just six of their 19 home games in the Premier League this campaign and did not win a league fixture at Anfield between 30 December and 13 March.

They went into Tuesday's match at Anfield on the back of two successive defeats, but triumphed 4-1 against a Chelsea team much-changed from that which won Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley.

"I think the players will be happy to finish on a high at Anfield," said Dalglish.

"That performance was on a par with a lot of other performances where we've not had the result. Against Chelsea we got that."

Michael Essien's own goal gave the hosts the lead, with goals from Jordan Henderson and Daniel Agger making it 3-0 in a first half that also saw Stewart Downing hit the post with a Liverpool penalty.

Ramires bundled in early in the second half to reduce the arrears, but Jonjo Shelvey restored the three-goal margin by firing in from long range after being gifted possession by Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull. 

Liverpool's 24 goals at home equals their lowest tally for a season, which they recorded in 1903-04

With the score 0-0, Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic hit the post with a header and Fernando Torres struck the bar later in the half, while Downing was also denied by the woodwork.

"I have said many times this season how well we've played but not had the break to win it," added Dalglish.

"On this occasion, maybe with Branislav Ivanovic hitting the post for Chelsea early on, we thought we might have got that bit of luck.

"I don't think it was luck that got us the victory, though. It was a fantastic performance from everyone.

"The two young lads, Shelvey [20] and Henderson [21], in the middle of the pitch were fantastic with the work-rate they got through and both of them scored too.

"It was the same with Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll up front, and I don't know how neither of them scored. Luis was fantastic for our first goal but so was everyone.

"We had a good day and it was an excellent performance."

The win lifted Liverpool up to eighth in the Premier League table, and ensured they have the chance to climb further up the table - and overhaul local rivals Everton - when their season ends at Swansea on Sunday.