Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kenny Dalglish prioritising results over style at Liverpool

 

Carl Markham
Friday 27 April 2012 17:07 BST
Comments
Some were surprised that Kenny Dalglish did not offer his resignation when the Damien Comolli decision was handed down
Some were surprised that Kenny Dalglish did not offer his resignation when the Damien Comolli decision was handed down

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish would be happy just to see some league victories before the end of the season irrespective of how his side play.

Having dominated throughout and created numerous chances in last weekend's home defeat to West Brom the Scot will gladly swap style for substance over the coming weeks.

There is a danger the Reds could go into next weekend's FA Cup final against Chelsea with a lack of confidence and momentum with more frustrating performances like the one against the Baggies.

And while Dalglish does not intend to abandon his principles he would welcome a few more points to avoid the club's worst league finish for 58 years - when they were relegated.

"We want to win games but it would be nice if we were rubbish and won a game," said the Reds boss, who insists finishing above near neighbours Everton, two points ahead, should not be the primary motivating factor for his players.

"Our incentive is to get as much as we can from every game we play.

"We want to finish with as many wins and points as we possibly can and the incentive we have is just representing the football club as much as anything else.

"We have always set ourselves high standards in terms of the level of performance and there are not too many times when we've let ourselves down on that front.

"But winning is what it is all about and points on the board is what it is all about."

Liverpool have hit the woodwork 30 times this season and have dominated many games without delivering the killer blow to opponents.

That is what makes it so frustrating for Dalglish as he believes his side are doing everything right apart from getting the occasional bounce of the ball in their favour.

"There is no one happy with what has happened in games and we've said that in our post-match interviews.

"But nothing changes in the week to what we have said after the game.

"The less you have to change the easier it is and it is great credit to the players that they continue to get in there and try their best to win the matches.

"They show great resolve and determination - but I am repeating myself.

"We know that they are good players and that is not being arrogant or big-headed.

"There is not much more we can say and there are no answers coming up.

"Their performance level is very high so if they continue to play at that good level then eventually it is going to work for us."

Liverpool's worst season in Premier League history came in 1993/94 when they were eighth, the same position they finished in the 1963 campaign in their first season after winning promotion back to Division One.

The last time they finished outside the top eight was when they finished bottom in 1953/54.

While Liverpool fans may be looking at catching Everton there is a pack immediately below who are clawing at their tails, including tomorrow's opponents Norwich.

Fulham, West Brom, Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke are also all within four points, which makes a win at Carrow Road tomorrow all the more important.

Although after the way the Canaries played at Anfield to secure a 1-1 draw Dalglish knows it will not be easy.

"I think Norwich have been exceptional and (manager) Paul Lambert has been exceptional in the job he has done in getting back-to-back promotions," said the Scot.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in