Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has accepted full responsibility for Liverpool’s stuttering run of form.
Last season’s runners-up slumped to a third straight Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace, losing 3-1.
Rodgers admitted it was “a difficult moment” and that he needed to fight hard and find a solution.
He said: “We are very disappointed with the performance and the result, and as the manager it is something I need to take full responsibility for.”
Rodgers’s side have only won once in their last five league games and are 18 points behind leaders Chelsea.
And, with a crucial Champions League group game against Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria on Wednesday, Rodgers made no attempt to hide what improvements are needed. He said:
- His players’ passing is too tentative
- There is not enough intensity and togetherness
- Confidence is low and the team is conceding poor goals
- They are not aggressive and not playing as a team.
Rodgers added: “We need to find a solution quickly because this is very disappointing, and we have no one but ourselves to blame.
“We had to make changes in the summer and are near enough entering a transition phase. But whatever phase, we have to be better than that.
“This is the worst run my team has been on and the only way out is working together. We have to improve and very, very quickly because the games come thick and fast.”
MOTD2 in-depth analysis |
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Philip Neville: “Because of what Liverpool did last season, I think some people came into this campaign with unrealistic expectations of what they could achieve this time. Rather than under-achieving, their current position is probably a more accurate reflection of this team’s level at the moment, especially while Daniel Sturridge is injured.” |
The departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and an injury to Daniel Sturridge has deprived Rodgers of a strike force that scored 53 league goals between them last season.
New attacking signings Mario Balotelli, Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana have not filled the void and there have been problems in defence, with just two clean sheets in 18 league and Cup games.
Asked about his future after the defeat at Palace, Rodgers said: “I’m not arrogant to think I’ll be in a job through anything. You have to win games.
“I’ve got a great communication line with the owners – we are honest and open with each other. But we have to get results and perform.
“I will only ever do my best – I need to fight even harder and take responsibility.”
Rocky Reds in choppy waters |
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Liverpool have only had fewer points at this stage of a Premier League campaign on one occasion – 1992-93, when they had 13. |
The Reds have only managed eight shots on target in their last three league matches. |
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They have conceded 21 goals in their last 10 league away matches. |
Liverpool have failed to win in four league games for the first time since September 2012. |
Rodgers confirmed Balotelli missed the Palace game with a groin injury sustained on international duty with Italy and said he had no problems with the striker attending Saturday night’s fight between Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly at the Liverpool Arena.
“He was free and not involved. It was local, not too late. so it’s not a problem,” said Rodgers. “We will assess his injury over the next few days.”
