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Up for the Cup - After losing ground in the top four hunt, this is the week that defines Liverpool's season
After faltering in the Premier League, Kenny Dalglish's side face Manchester City in the League Cup on Wednesday, before entertaining United at Anfield this weekend
25 Jan 2012 07:52:00
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COMMENT
By Greg Stobart | Northern Correspondent
The strain is starting to show on Kenny Dalglish as the Liverpool manager prepares for two potentially season-defining games this week against the Manchester clubs.
On Saturday evening, Dalglish diverted from his usual staunch defence of his players to warn them about their attitude, to tell them they have no future at Anfield if they show such a lack of application.
The Scot’s comments came shortly after Liverpool’s worst performance of the season as they lost 3-1 at struggling Bolton, a result that leaves the Reds seventh in the league and six points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
It was a display that harked back to the doomed era of Roy Hodgson, and Dalglish, for the first time since his return to the dugout, is facing questions. The Kop legend remains untouchable in the eyes of Reds supporters but he will know that his side is badly underperforming this season.
Liverpool have scored just 25 goals this campaign and look increasingly unlikely to fulfil the stated aim of the owners, Fenway Sports Group, to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
It makes Manchester City’s visit to Anfield on Wednesday night all the more important as Liverpool go into the second leg of the League Cup semi-final with a 1-0 advantage.
With the players struggling and Dalglish appearing to be feeling the pressure, this is an absolutely critical stage of the season for Liverpool. They simply cannot afford to crash out of the League Cup and the FA Cup within a matter of days, both times at home against rival teams.
There is an edginess and nervousness around Liverpool at the moment. That will turn to a feeling of catastrophe should their season unravel in the coming days. A home defeat to United, with the rivalry heightened between the clubs following the Luis Suarez race row, would only make matters worse for the Merseysiders.
John W Henry and Tom Werner - Liverpool’s principle backer and chairman respectively - are rumoured be in England after flying over from the United States to discuss, among other issues, a solution to the club’s stadium issue.
But they will also want to know why the team is underperforming after more than £100 million of investment in new players since their takeover of the Merseyside club in October 2010.
Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have arrived in the past year at a combined cost of around £80m but none have settled at Anfield as had been hoped.
Carroll, in particular, has been in wretched form at a time when Liverpool have needed him as the focal point of their attack. Without Luis Suarez, still suspended, the Reds have lacked an attacking thrust in recent games while they have badly missed Lucas' influence at the base of the midfield.
Dalglish accused his players at the weekend of being pre-occupied by the two upcoming cup matches - so he has put the pressure on them to make sure they produce the goods.
The worst case scenario would see Dalglish’s side out of the League Cup and out of the FA Cup in addition to their struggles to finish in the top four.
It could even be the Reds’ biggest match since their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2009. A win on Wednesday would represent progress, whereas successive losses to sides from the other end of the East Lancs Road would suggest further stagnation.
One thing is for sure: Anfield will be rocking when the teams walk out of the tunnel on Wednesday night. While Champions League qualification is vital to the club’s financial and footballing blueprint to challenge for titles, fans want to see their team competing for major honours.
Dalglish was quick to transfer the blame onto his players on Saturday but he will also be wondering what he himself can do to prevent Liverpool's season from heading into the abyss. Being a club icon is not enough.
The murmurings of dissent over performances and transfer policy will only grow if the next week turns into a catastrophe. Dalglish will want to make sure that Liverpool are on course for at least one trip to Wembley this season.
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By Greg Stobart | Northern Correspondent
The strain is starting to show on Kenny Dalglish as the Liverpool manager prepares for two potentially season-defining games this week against the Manchester clubs.
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On Saturday evening, Dalglish diverted from his usual staunch defence of his players to warn them about their attitude, to tell them they have no future at Anfield if they show such a lack of application.
The Scot’s comments came shortly after Liverpool’s worst performance of the season as they lost 3-1 at struggling Bolton, a result that leaves the Reds seventh in the league and six points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
It was a display that harked back to the doomed era of Roy Hodgson, and Dalglish, for the first time since his return to the dugout, is facing questions. The Kop legend remains untouchable in the eyes of Reds supporters but he will know that his side is badly underperforming this season.
Liverpool have scored just 25 goals this campaign and look increasingly unlikely to fulfil the stated aim of the owners, Fenway Sports Group, to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
It makes Manchester City’s visit to Anfield on Wednesday night all the more important as Liverpool go into the second leg of the League Cup semi-final with a 1-0 advantage.
Low point | Liverpool were terrible in defeat at Bolton on Saturday
Thanks to Steven Gerrard’s goal at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago, Liverpool have a superb chance of winning silverware for the first time since their FA Cup triumph in 2006. It is a huge game for a club that has been built on success.With the players struggling and Dalglish appearing to be feeling the pressure, this is an absolutely critical stage of the season for Liverpool. They simply cannot afford to crash out of the League Cup and the FA Cup within a matter of days, both times at home against rival teams.
There is an edginess and nervousness around Liverpool at the moment. That will turn to a feeling of catastrophe should their season unravel in the coming days. A home defeat to United, with the rivalry heightened between the clubs following the Luis Suarez race row, would only make matters worse for the Merseysiders.
| CUP CRISIS |
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| REDS' RECENT LEAGUE CUP RECORD |
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| THIRD ROUND FOURTH ROUND FOURTH ROUND FIFTH ROUND FIFTH ROUND |
2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 |
John W Henry and Tom Werner - Liverpool’s principle backer and chairman respectively - are rumoured be in England after flying over from the United States to discuss, among other issues, a solution to the club’s stadium issue.
But they will also want to know why the team is underperforming after more than £100 million of investment in new players since their takeover of the Merseyside club in October 2010.
Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have arrived in the past year at a combined cost of around £80m but none have settled at Anfield as had been hoped.
Carroll, in particular, has been in wretched form at a time when Liverpool have needed him as the focal point of their attack. Without Luis Suarez, still suspended, the Reds have lacked an attacking thrust in recent games while they have badly missed Lucas' influence at the base of the midfield.
Dalglish accused his players at the weekend of being pre-occupied by the two upcoming cup matches - so he has put the pressure on them to make sure they produce the goods.
The worst case scenario would see Dalglish’s side out of the League Cup and out of the FA Cup in addition to their struggles to finish in the top four.
It could even be the Reds’ biggest match since their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2009. A win on Wednesday would represent progress, whereas successive losses to sides from the other end of the East Lancs Road would suggest further stagnation.
One thing is for sure: Anfield will be rocking when the teams walk out of the tunnel on Wednesday night. While Champions League qualification is vital to the club’s financial and footballing blueprint to challenge for titles, fans want to see their team competing for major honours.
Dalglish was quick to transfer the blame onto his players on Saturday but he will also be wondering what he himself can do to prevent Liverpool's season from heading into the abyss. Being a club icon is not enough.
The murmurings of dissent over performances and transfer policy will only grow if the next week turns into a catastrophe. Dalglish will want to make sure that Liverpool are on course for at least one trip to Wembley this season.
Follow Greg Stobart on
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