by RED BEERGOGGLES » Fri Dec 24, 2010 1:57 pm
Liverpool Echo, Christmas Eve
IT WAS a desperate afternoon which underlined just how far the mighty had fallen.
Liverpool were outplayed and outfought as newly promoted Blackpool deservedly toasted an historic victory.
Sunday, October 3 will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons – the day when frustration and despair poured down from the Anfield stands.
Having seen their side slump at Old Trafford and then meekly bow out of the Carling Cup against Northampton, for many it was too much to take.
Supporters vented their fury at owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, while underfire boss Roy Hodgson shuffled uneasily as the Kop chanted for Kenny Dalglish.
Defeat left the Reds marooned in the relegation zone with just six points from their opening seven games – their worst start to a campaign for over half a century.
Twelve weeks on Liverpool face the Tangerines again at Bloomfield Road on Boxing Day and the question is what’s changed?
The takeover by Fenway Sports Group, which was completed 12 days after that defeat, has provided some much needed stability off the pitch but on it Hodgson is still searching for answers.
He may have dragged the Reds up to the dizzy heights of ninth but with his side dogged by inconsistency fans are restless and the pressure on his shoulders has barely eased.
Hodgson doesn’t hide the fact that autumn defeat still hurts but he insists Liverpool are now a very different proposition compared to those dark October days.
“It was certainly a low point,” he said. “We were expected to waltz all over this new comer and not only did we not do that but we ended up losing the game after a very good performance from them.
“It was very disappointing but I’d remind you that it was our third game in the space of a week and our performance reflected that.
“Take nothing away from Blackpool, they beat us fair and square but we went into that game more tired than I gave the players credit for.
“I don’t know if that was anything like a watershed as far as we are concerned but over the course of time we have improved our play.
“I know it won’t be as easy for Blackpool to get their three points in this game as it maybe was in that game. We gave them a two goal start and found it very hard to pull it back.
“The club is more settled since the takeover and I think we have got better as a team since then with all the work we have put in. Results will make a liar or a truthful man out of me.”
Despite the embarrassment of Blackpool’s first win at Anfield since 1967, there will be no mention of revenge in Hodgson’s team talk.
“Some people will use the word revenge because having lost to them at home you want to make certain they suffer a home defeat so you get your share of points from them over the course of the season,” he said. “If we draw or lose they will have taken more points from us than we have from them and that won't be a situation that pleases us.
“But I won't talk about revenge. I’ll just talk about what we need to do to win the game and the word revenge doesn't come into my vocabulary. I think revenge is a word that belongs in Mafia circles.”
Ian Holloway’s side have won many admirers so far this season with their fearless brand of attacking football.
They go into the festive period level on points with Liverpool with a game in hand and Hodgson believes their progress underlines how hotly-contested the Premier League is this season.
“Teams who come up to the Premier League now are ready for the challenges,” he said. “The league is getting tougher and tighter. It’s unpredictable and you are no longer sure who the top four are going to be and who the obvious relegation candidates are going to be.
“That can only be good for football in general but it adds further pressure to those of us working in football, especially if you are at a top club.
“The number of teams you can look at and say ‘these won't make life difficult for us’ has always been fairly small and now it's been reduced to zero.
“Since Blackpool beat us at Anfield I’ve watched them play live twice and on both occasions I’ve been very impressed. It made it more obvious to me that they weren’t fluky at Anfield.
“They play good football and have a lot of good players. Their position in the table is a tribute to what they have done so far this season. They have proved they are capable of beating us but we need to turn the tables on them.”
If the game beats the freezing conditions it will be Liverpool’s first visit to Bloomfield Road since 1970 and Hodgson is desperate to ensure the Reds bounce back from their 3-1 defeat at Newcastle a fortnight ago.
The postponement of last weekend’s clash with Fulham has given the boss plenty of time to dwell on events at St James’ Park which extended their miserable away record.
In 2010 Liverpool have won just two out of 18 league trips and if Hodgson’s side fail to beat Blackpool they will equal the third worst calendar year for away league wins in the club’s history.
“We’re aware that in 2010 the away form has been very poor and that’s something we need to address in 2011,” he added. “As a coaching staff we are very analytical, organised and prepared. We discuss everything. Are travel preparations right? Are we staying in the right place? Are we leaving early enough?
“But it's not an exact science. Players can go out with the right mental attitude and play badly. Being prepared and wanting to do well doesn't always give you the victory.
“We had a good win at Bolton which is a difficult place to win at and we were unlucky not to get a draw or win at Spurs. We have proved we are capable of playing well away.”
