Kenny Dalglish defiant despite............

[Dunny]

Dalglish defiant on Liverpool's hopes of reaching Champions League despite collapse at QPR



By Sami Mokbel
PUBLISHED: 23:13, 21 March 2012 | UPDATED: 07:47, 22 March 2012

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Kenny Dalglish stood defiantly by his players despite watching Liverpool capitulate at Loftus Road on Wednesday night.

Leading 2-0 with just 13 minutes left to play, the Anfield club somehow managed to leave Queens Park Rangers empty-handed after a dramatic comeback.

And a feisty Dalglish refused to criticise his side before storming out of a quickfire post-match press-conference.

Capitulation: Liverpool surrendered a 2-0 lead



He said: 'No one has spoken in the dressing room. I can't explain it, it's not lack of concentration, we give QPR a bit of credit.

'There's not much more to say, I don't have answers to what happened but we have to find answers. For most of the game we were dominant.

'We were creative, thoughtful and professional but they've walked away with three points. We did concentrate, there's no need to find something. Our players didn't get what they deserved.'

The defeat leaves Liverpool eight points off a Champions League spot but Dalglish said: ‘It’s not over until it’s over.’


Defiant: Dalglish defended his side



QPR's victory dragged them out of the bottom three and manager Mark Hughes feels it could prove to be the pivotal moment of their season.

He said: ‘This could be a defining moment, so we have to make sure it is. This night is up there with some of the best I’ve had as a manager. We may look back at this and say that was when we turned our season around.

Turning point: Hughes was thrilled with QPR's comeback

‘People have written us off but you do that at your peril because I know the quality of players we’ve got.’

QPR captain Joey Barton was booed by his own supporters when he was substituted in the second half.

Hughes added: ‘Joey wasn’t having the best of times and I felt I needed to make the change. But he is a strong character and is a big part of what we are doing here


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1pqBVKHdu

[Paul Marin]

Dalglish has to do what he's doing...but...credit to QPR....Skrtel uncharacteristically had two goals scored with the ball flying over his head and of course, we wouldn't be KK's Liverpool if we didn't concede from a corner.

[Dunny]

Dalglish has to do what he's doing...but...credit to QPR....Skrtel uncharacteristically had two goals scored with the ball flying over his head and of course, we wouldn't be KK's Liverpool if we didn't concede from a corner.

Time to blood some youngsters now Paul, get Raheem Stirling and the likes in and around the first team squad to give them some experience. Just write off the remainder of your league season and try to win the FA Cup!

[Paul Marin]

Time to blood some youngsters now Paul, get Raheem Stirling and the likes in and around the first team squad to give them some experience. Just write off the remainder of your league season and try to win the FA Cup!

Couldn't agree more. Especially on Raheem and the FA Cup. It would be an amazing dilemma fi a man like Mo to see Raheem on the left wing and Holliet on the right? LOL!!! (And of course, Suarez in the middle). LOL!!! Poor Mo...him woulda dead.

[Mosiah]

Liverpool need to invest in some black players. Yes, I said it!

But with one Suarez there, not sure it will happen any time soon.

A dis fi reach dem.

Sweet mi!

[Mosiah]

HAHAHA!

Yes, fi mi heart nuh strong like Muamba!

(I hope that was not in bad taste.)

[Paul Marin]

Liverpool need to invest in some black players. Yes, I said it!

But with one Suarez there, not sure it will happen any time soon.

A dis fi reach dem.

Sweet mi!

What about chiney? ****** to'...an' t'ro in two arab man fi good measure. The team need to invest in players who can win - me don' care if all ah dem white like flour, black like night, yellow like corn or brown like sand...mix all ah dem up if you want...jes' win FFS!!! Yesterday really pisd me off. Yeesh.

(Now, what if a white man had said that about the LA Lakers needing white players? Don't be racial Mo...not necessary...u betta dan dat.)

And lastly - my favorite subject - Luis "El Pistolero" Suarez...it will be a sad day when he leaves Anfield. Me ago bawl like dis ---> But still, he is the last reason any black player will give for not going to Anfield...players go where they believe they can make the most money and get the greatest glories....look how Eto'o fly gone a Russia chasing $$$$ even doh him know seh dem man ova deh don' like black people too tough...not to mention Nasri and Fab chasing trophies...right Twan? Liverpool won't get good players unless they radically change their performances on field

[Mosiah]

Basically, that is what I am saying. They have been lily-white for far too long!

[Paul Marin]

HAHAHA!

Yes, fi mi heart nuh strong like Muamba!

(I hope that was not in bad taste.)

Bad taste? Well...if him drop dead tomorrow, you ago beg tilla fi delete the post.

[Mosiah]

True!

Heart stopped beating for over an hour! I do hope he recovers fully, but...geez! Over an hour!?!?

[Mosiah]

and if the Lakers were not selecting white players who could help their 3-point shooting, then yes, then I would say the same about the Lakers as well!



I think I should stop now, while I am ahead!

[Paul Marin]

and if the Lakers were not selecting white players who could help their 3-point shooting, then yes, then I would say the same about the Lakers as well!



I think I should stop now, while I am ahead!

Smart. You have a brain in yu head afterall If it was Jangle, well, that's a whole other story.

[Dunny]

Think you're doing a good job, Kenny? You have spent £113.3m and you're 28 points behind United


By Matt Lawton, Michael Walker, Ian Ladyman and Dominic King
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 22 March 2012 | UPDATED: 23:37, 22 March 2012

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Kenny Dalglish has accused his critics of lacking intelligence and not understanding what he is trying to achieve at Anfield, pointing to the success of the academy and Liverpool’s Carling Cup triumph, as well as the FA Cup semi-final to come.

But, after Wednesday’s implosion at Loftus Road, when they lost a Premier League game after leading 2-0 for the first time in 11-and-a-half years, and after buying nearly £115million worth of players in just over a year, the club sit seventh, a place above Swansea (who have spent around £10m in that time). So, we ask Sportsmail’s experts — has King Kenny delivered?
Matt Lawton: Only a top-four finish will be good enough


After spending more than £100million on players, Kenny Dalglish must realise his Liverpool side have seriously under-performed this season. Six defeats in the last 10 Barclays Premier League games, nine in all, as well as eight draws at home, is simply not good enough.
The widely-held view that the Carling Cup would be enough to satisfy the club’s American owners this season is not shared by many inside Anfield. Not even a Carling Cup and FA Cup double will keep them completely happy when the main objective was to qualify for the Champions League.

Kop legend: But with Liverpool 12 points off the Champions League spot, Kenny Dalglish does not seem to know how to turn around the club's League fortunes

But that does not mean Dalglish will be sacked, or indeed should be sacked, particularly when it has never been more difficult to secure a place in the top four and particularly when we are talking about Dalglish here. These Americans are not half as daft as their predecessors.
The pressure, however, will be on next season, with so much more required from those marquee signings.
Andy Carroll has been a disaster so far, while Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam just don’t look like Liverpool players; nothing like as good as Xabi Alonso or Fernando Torres, prior to the latter getting injured, anyway.
Stewart Downing has had his moments but needs to perform with more consistency, especially for £20million.






Dodgy deals: Liverpool spent £55million to secure the services of Andy Carroll (left) and Jordan Henderson


Luis Suarez is the one success story. On the pitch he has been terrific. But he has also been the cause of a situation that has inflicted so much damage on the club, with Dalglish’s blinkered view of the same Patrice Evra race row damaging Liverpool’s reputation further.
On and off the field, the Suarez affair has taken its toll and that is probably another reason why Dalglish deserves a second full season.
But he needs to deliver. The Europa League might just about do for next season but a top-four finish has to follow. Otherwise a decision will have to be made.

Star performer: Luis Suarez has shone on the pitch, but Dalglish's handling of the Evra affair left a lot to be desired

Michael Walker: Fans won’t like reduced status


Late on Match of the Day on Wednesday night, Alan Hansen jokily commented on Liverpool: ‘We are not a cup team.’

But there was feeling behind the words all the same because ‘cup team’ signifies reduced status.

This is the old-school Anfield view of things, and it would be staggering to discover that Kenny Dalglish did not share Hansen’s opinion.


Cup team? Liverpool won their first silverware in six years with victory over Cardiff at Wembley

As things stand, however, the Carling Cup success and an FA Cup semi-final place are offering Dalglish some cup protection and for now he will take it — though that can change if Liverpool lose their Wembley semi-final to Everton or Sunderland on April 14. In the Barclays Premier League, the players brought to the club at such expense have not done it.



Liverpool finished 22 points behind Manchester United last season — the gap stands at 28 points after Wednesday’s casual late collapse at Queens Park Rangers.

Dalglish will be biting his lip in public but he will know this is uncomfortable. Despite all the affection for him in the city, fans can also see what does and does not work.

Had Liverpool held on at Loftus Road it would actually have been a third consecutive win, with Wigan to come at Anfield.


Appetite for destruction: Liverpool collapsed at Loftus Road, shipping three goals in 13 minutes against a QPR side who had not won since January

There would have been the beginnings of a sense of momentum. But critical analysis would merely have been deferred, not binned.

In purely football terms this season has been indifferent. A season in which Arsenal and Chelsea, in particular, have wobbled presented an opportunity to finish fourth.

Yet, Liverpool are 12 points off the riches of Champions League qualification.

A serious question for Anfield is: a year from now, where will Liverpool be —not even in terms of the title, but in terms of fourth place?

That’s reduced status.


Fall from grace: Liverpool were booed off at Anfield after being outplayed by Swansea in November's 0-0 draw


Ian Ladyman: Liverpool's reputation is suffering on his watch


I was never sure Dalglish was the right man for the Liverpool job and said so in print before he was offered it.

Despite his standing at the club and his success as manager first time round, I was not convinced he would be able to handle the scrutiny that comes with top Premier League jobs these days. I also thought Liverpool needed a younger man who could build slowly and steadily for the long term.

Without doubt, Liverpool are in a better position now than they were under Roy Hodgson. Dalglish has restored unity to the club and has reconnected the team with their supporters. That is to his credit.
Nevertheless, I feel that my concerns of 14 months ago have proved valid.
Regardless of the value for money — or otherwise — Dalglish has secured in the transfer market, Liverpool have proved worryingly inconsistent in a modest Premier League.

While Chelsea and Arsenal have struggled, Dalglish’s Liverpool have been nowhere near good enough to take advantage.

Liverpool still rely far too heavily on Steven Gerrard. Dalglish has signed a number of midfield players but the fact remains that when Gerrard doesn’t play Liverpool can look predictable and mundane.

Away from the field, Dalglish’s part in the Luis Suarez saga should not be overlooked.

Results matter, of course, but reputation is important too and Liverpool’s has suffered on Dalglish’s watch.

Rank-and-file Liverpool fans may continue to back him but the outside world looks at Anfield with raised eyebrows these days and it’s sad that one of their iconic figures has played a part in that.
Has this season been a disaster? No. Has it been good enough? An FA Cup triumph would help persuade me.

Dominic King: He's the right man for Anfield


It was on a balmy night in Oslo last August that Kenny Dalglish was presented with his Liverpool mission by owner John W Henry.

Having backed Dalglish’s judgment to the tune of £113million, Henry declared before Liverpool’s 3-3 friendly draw with Norwegian side Valerenga that anything other than a top-four finish would be ‘major disappointment’.

Judging Dalglish strictly on Premier League results, the only logical conclusion is that there is significant room for improvement. Currently 12 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, Liverpool will not be returning to the Champions League.

Contenders: Liverpool will face either Everton or Sunderland in their FA Cup semi-final


For those full of hope when Dalglish was re-appointed manager 14 months ago, the way this campaign has played out — culminating in Wednesday’s preposterous collapse at Loftus Road — has come as a huge shock. But for all that criticism is deserved it must also be tempered.

In terms of silverware, this season has the potential to be Liverpool’s best since 2001. The Carling Cup has been won and they have a great chance of adding the FA Cup. How, then, could it be said that Dalglish is not doing a good job? Liverpool are a club that exist to win trophies and to complete a Wembley double in May would make him the envy of all bar the team eventually crowned champions. It would provide the best possible solace for no top-four finish.

But it should not mask that there is serious work to be done, on and off the pitch. Liverpool’s reputation has taken a battering in recent months and neutrals are finding the club difficult to warm to. This must change.

So, too, must the erratic nature of their performances in the Premier League. Two wins in 2012 is not good enough but Dalglish knows that better than anyone. And he, undoubtedly, is the man to put it right.




More...

• Dalglish defiant on Liverpool's hopes of reaching Champions League despite collapse at QPR
• QPR 3 Liverpool 2: Mackie is in 00-heaven after explosive comeback
• We made mistakes over Suarez, admits Ayre but insists Dalglish was backed by club
• Dalglish backing Suarez to bring Merseyside misery down on Premier League defenders
• All the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1pvF0ctgG

[Jangle]

I swear, I did not read this article before I made my post about Loserfool and KK in the other thread.

[Karl]

A manager comes in after being asked to turn things around and is always saddled with the failures of the previous games

Sure Dalgish was seen as the saviour - (lifting the club to place in next season's Champions League) - but exactly what has been his record since taking over

It may or may not be horrible...but why not lay that out as stand alone set of facts