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29 March 2024

Liverpool lack killer instinct, says Dalglish

Published
By AFP

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has demanded his shot-shy squad develop a ruthless streak in front of goal after losing more ground in the race for a top four finish in Saturday's goalless home draw with Stoke.

A seventh draw in 11 games at Anfield has left Liverpool seventh in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and facing up to another season without Champions League football.

Attacking weaknesses, with Luis Suarez suspended and Andy Carroll having thus far failed to deliver a year on from his big money move from Newcastle, has been the key failing with the Reds, scoring just 24 goals in 21 league matches.

Suarez, half way through his ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, is top scorer with only five league goals this season, veteran Craig Bellamy has notched four, but no other player has managed more than two.

"Deliveries into the box have got to be a lot better than what they were and we have to be more decisive when we get up there," said Dalglish.

"We had plenty of possession but there was nothing to finish it," added the Scot, who bemoaned a lack of "a bit of creativity."

Carroll insists that despite just six goals in 33 appearances he can live up to Dalglish's belief in his ability to deliver.

"The supporters have been brilliant to me ever since I came here and it was great to hit the back of the net (in the recent FA Cup win over Oldham)," he said.

"Hopefully I can now go on a goalscoring run.

Media reports Monday suggested that the Merseysiders may make a £10 million offer for Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, who has been overshadowed this seaosn by Emmanuel Adebayor.

Liverpool's Spanish defender Jose Enrique told liverpoolfc.tv meanwhile that "we have to improve our home form, because we have lost too many points at Anfield this season."