Blackburn dent Liverpool's top-four hopes

Charlie Adam of Liverpool scores an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Monday in Liverpool, England. (GETTY)

Published Tuesday, December 27, 2011

By AFP

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish admitted that his players need to believe in themselves more after their hopes of securing a top-four finish were dented by a 1-1 draw with struggling Blackburn.

Dalglish's men wasted a chance to move above Arsenal in the table after being held by the Premier League's bottom club at Anfield on Monday.

Liverpool remain sixth but after enduring a goalless stalemate at struggling Wigan in the previous game, Dalglish's side have dropped four points against teams in the bottom three in the past week to leave the manager deeply frustrated.

"We just need a bit more belief in ourselves and maybe a goalkeeper coming here and having a nightmare," said Dalglish, whose side have scored just four times in the last five league games.

"It is the same thing I've said after quite a few of the games here - we had more than enough chances to have won the game.

"The performance could have been a touch better but there are no complaints about the number of chances we created.

"Their goalkeeper has made a fantastic save at the end - and a few others - but most of the things we did we did very well.

"The most important thing for us is our attitude. We are still determined to get stuck in there in the final minute we were still pushing up there for a victory.

"That attitude has always been associated with this club and it hasn't done us any harm in past years.

"The team's performance wasn't faultless but there was a lot about it we were happy with."

It required a header from Maxi Rodriguez to spare Liverpool's blushes after Charlie Adam's own goal on the stroke of half-time had sent Blackburn into a surprise lead.

There were some positives for Liverpool, not least Steven Gerrard's first appearance since October 22 following an ankle infection.

Gerrard, who had missed his team's previous 10 league and cup games, could start Friday's home match with Newcastle after coming on as a second half substitute against Blackburn.

"Steven's done really well in training," added Dalglish. "He looks really fit but now he needs some time on the pitch to get to full fitness."

Blackburn remain in trouble at the foot of the table, but under-fire manager Steve Kean hopes they can use the Anfield result as a springboard to climb the table in 2012.

Rovers face a daunting game at Manchester United on Saturday yet Kean says his players are relishing the challenge after their battling point at Liverpool.

"I think the spirit has always been there for everyone to see," said Kean, who has defied calls from angry fans to resign after a poor season.

"If anyone says otherwise they would be pulling the wool over their own eyes. We are a young group but a tight group.

"We have come back many times after falling behind without quite getting the job done.

"If we can just get our noses in front at home, the frustraion of the fans wouldn't be vented so publicly and they would cheer us like they did at the end today.

"They are going home happy. We showed we were willing to put our bodies on the line."

Kean is hoping to strengthen his struggling side when the transfer window opens next week.

"I think we need at least four signings in January," he added. "If we get them and the lads who are injured come out of the treatment room, we can climb the table quickly."

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