Negative fans aren’t helping says Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson after defeat to Wolves
ROY HODGSON last night hit back at Liverpool’s supporters after the Kop called for his dismissal following another Anfield humiliation.
Stephen Ward’s 56th-minute goal sent Hodgson’s men tumbling to an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat against rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers while further increasing the pressure on the beleaguered manager.
Ironic chants of “Hodgson for England”, along with renewed calls for Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, boomed around the ground after a result that ensures Liverpool go into the New Year with their worst points tally at this stage of a season since the relegation campaign of 1953-54.
And a riled Hodgson believes the negativity from the stands is having a detrimental effect on his team while claiming the much-vaunted Anfield support has been missing ever since his arrival in the summer.
“We have had to live with that negativity for quite a long time,” said the 63-year-old. “Ever since I came here the famous Anfield support has not really been there.
“There was problem with the owners and Kenny being so popular and not getting the job and it being given to me. I’ve had to live with that from the start.
“I can only hope we do have good supporters and those fans become supporters again because we need their support.
“We aren’t deliberately losing games. We aren’t playing to our ability. They are just not playing like they have done in the past so I think it is time for the fans to really help as well.
“It is not for lack of trying that we are not winning matches. Maybe we are lacking quality and lacking confidence and the negativity doesn’t help.
“The players are not getting on the ball for fear of making mistakes. We did have a good spell a while back but it seems a far and distant memory now.”
Of the chants for Dalglish, which were first heard during the home defeat to Blackpool in October, Hodgson added: “I’m getting used to it. That’s just the way it is. He was a rival for the job and it was given to me. He is a Liverpool legend.
“I don’t like hearing those things. I’m trying to do the best I can do and working as hard as I can.
“It’s not something I really appreciate but I can’t control that – it’s the Kop’s and Anfield’s way of showing they aren’t happy with what the team is doing.
“As manager, you have to accept responsibility for that and take it on the chin.
“I’ve seen times like this before, my belief I can turn it around is belief in my own ability. I know the players are working hard to give me and the club success but at the moment we aren’t succeeding.”
The Kop’s ire had initially been sparked by the decision of Hodgson to substitute David Ngog shortly after Liverpool fell behind, despite the Frenchman appearing the most likely home player to score.
“I don’t know if they were suggesting if God forbid that Fernando comes off,” said the Anfield manager. “Most people would agree that if you have a player like Torres and even if he is not playing well you don’t bring him off if the team is losing.
“But when things aren’t going well fans tend to do those things. I didn’t read that much into that.”
Hodgson allayed fears of a fresh injury to Steven Gerrard by revealing the skipper, making his first appearance in six weeks, was suffering only from cramp when clutching his calf during the closing stages.
The Liverpool manager also dismissed claims Daniel Agger had been offered to German side Wolfsburg, with the Dane having returned to the bench for his first senior involvement since September.
Meanwhile, Damien Comolli appears set to make his first major signing since becoming director of football strategy at Anfield.
Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux was in the crowd and is thought ready to join Liverpool during the January transfer window if a fee can be agreed between the two clubs for the 24-year-old.
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