Boss Roy Hodgson admits the Carling Cup defeat at Anfield at the hands of League Two Northampton in midweek was “not acceptable” for a club of Liverpool’s stature (Manchester United 2/1f – Carling Cup Outright).
The Reds’ sluggish start to the season has seen them win just one Premier League game – against West Brom – and pick up just five points from five matches.
Liverpool are now also out of the Carling Cup which was arguably their best chance of a trophy this season to end a drought which goes back to four years to the 2006 FA Cup win.
However, the real prize for the Merseysiders will be a return to the top four and Champions League football which, for financial as well as sporting reasons, is crucial for the club’s future (Liverpool 2/1 – Top 4 Finish).
Hodgson is putting on a brave face ahead of Liverpool’s home clash with Sunderland in the league, however, and insists the latest setback must be put into context (Liverpool 4/9 – 90 minutes).
“I’ve had many disappointments,” said Hodgson. “You can’t work at 35 years at the level I have without having disappointments.
“Any criticism which comes my way and the team’s we have to accept because it is not acceptable to have a home game in the Carling Cup against a team several divisions below you and not come out with a victory.
“Wednesday was a really bad result for the club, it has knocked us backwards, and has put us in a situation where we are heavily criticised – perhaps rightly so.”
He added: “We’ve had some good moments – with five straight Europa League victories – but also some bad ones, like the (3-0) defeat at Manchester City and the one in the Carling Cup.
“It’s been pretty much a mixed bag but we’ll live through the bad moments and over the course of the season we’ll do well.
“We are reading an awful lot into a bad result.”
Hodgson’s sentiments have been echoed by captain Steven Gerrard who is looking for a response now the dust has settled on the Carling Cup shock.
He said: “Football isn’t just about highs. Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows and probably learnt more from the lows because you look at yourself first, look at what went wrong and try to learn from your mistakes.
“Playing for this club there are big games every two or three days and we need to get everyone’s head focused on Sunderland now.
“What I would ask all the supporters is to trust the players and what the players are saying.
“I’ve been reading and listening to what they’ve been saying and they’ve all said we’ll get it right in the end – and we will.”
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Marseille have issued a firm hands-off warning to Liverpool over their interest in boss Didier Deschamps as the Reds look to replace Rafa Benitez (Liverpool 10/1 – Premier League Outright).