A black day at Blackpool

That heading may be a little harsh but Liverpool travelled to Blackpool looking for points, not another away defeat.  A bright start ensued as Torres ran on to a useful ball from Stephen Kelly and thrashed the ball home.  Instead of inspiring Liverpool to take charge, the goal ignited Blackpool spirits and the Tangerines fought back from the early goal to equalise and then take a 2-1 lead, which they held to the final whistle.  They were good value for the result and a premiership double over the Reds. 

So where does Dalglish start after this second reversal?  Clearly player confidence is an immediate concern.

"The effort, commitment and desire is there," [said Dalglish]  "But sometimes it doesn't matter how good the player is, you need belief. We'll work hard on giving them that."

"It's all very well being a decent side but every side which has been successful and has ever done anything needs that bit of luck," [he added.]
"At the moment that has turned against us but the longer we stick in and the less sorry we feel for ourselves the better chance we will have of correcting it.

"We'll work away and try to get the confidence we need to produce more positive results but I won't be harsh on my players because they put in the effort and commitment."

"A lot of these players played a large amount of Sunday's FA Cup tie against Manchester United a team-mate short [after Steven Gerrard was sent off]."

In the short term he has to work with what he's got, and I think he's right to believe that the current crop are capable of better.  I doubt that they're capable of a top-four placing, on current performances, and frankly it would be a major and sudden turn-around for Liverpool to play themselves back into ECL contention.


In the longer run, he has issues right across the teamsheet.  The defence is porous, the midfield lacks width and flair, Torres is short of a decent partner and needs to stop dropping his bottom lip.  There are already signs that a change of Manager is lifting Torres and long may that continue.


The defence is a major concern - Reina apart.  Johnson looks top four quality going forward but is not up to that standard going backwards.  Kgyriakos and Skrtel are not top four quality.  Kelly has the makings.  Carragher is injured but nearing the end of his career and vulnerable against pace.  Agger and Aurelio are worth perservering with, as is Kelly.  Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio is probably the pick of the best back four for the next twelve months.  The sale of Glenn Johnson can fund better quality in defence. Left back is the first priority, closely followed by a centre back (or two) and a reserve right back.


Midfield badly needs pace on the flanks, and a consensus on the best central pairing.  Meireles has been amongst the most impressive of the summer signings and Gerrard remains their leading midfield performer.  Joe Cole should get the left flank, where he offers creativity if not true pace, so long as a genuine pace merchant can be found for the right.  Otherwise its Kuyt down the right, bring Joe Cole inside, find some pace on the left (Babel for now) and push Gerrard up alongside Torres.


So I reckon Dalglish's Best XI, bar a January signing or two, looks like this...

Reina

Kelly   Carragher   Agger   Aurelio

Kuyt      Meireles      Cole      Babel

Gerrard    Torres