Nightmare start for Kenny Dalglish as Blackpool complete a rare double
The dream return of Kenny Dalglish to his former club turned into a nightmare when Liverpool lost to a low-lying Blackpool in the Premier League.
It was Dalglish’s first league match, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 stood up to give his side the lead just 3 minutes into the game. However, the lead was equalized in no time as Gary Taylor-Fletcher levelled things for the hosts.
Ian Holloway employed a bold 3-man attack against Liverpool and it paid off when newly signed DJ Campbell scored in the 70th minute to record a historic win over the English Giants. It was Blackpool’s first league double over Liverpool since 1947 and the entire 16000-strong crowd could not stop celebrating. The win has granted the side a place in the Top 10 of the Premier League whereas Liverpool slipped to 13th spot, with just 4 points between them and the relegation zone.
Dalglish decided to play an interesting line-up, following the suspension of skipper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martin-Kelly-c24395 on the left and right back positions respectively. The goal by Torres was a reflection of his past self, as his pace and finesse proved too much for the hosts. It seemed like a fairy tale return for Kenny to the Premier League, but those hopes were shattered when Taylor-Fletcher equalised.
DJ Campbell would have taken the side into the lead only moments later, when he was found by Neal Eardley on the cross. However, the striker missed the target by mere inches. The first half remained wide open until the whistle, but it was Blackpool who enjoyed possession and chances. Liverpool’s back line crumbled under pressure when a poor back-pass by Agger was intercepted by Taylor-Fletcher. The player tried to lob Reina but miserably failed in the end. The hosts really took the game to the visitors and the Reds were always caught off guard on the break. An impressive save from Reina denied Charlie Adam the chance to score, which was followed by a Luke Varney effort that was tipped over the bar.
Torres and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Richard-Kingson-c31087. However, it was Blackpool, who had the last half when Campbell scored just 20 minutes from time. Liverpool’s clearance was not decisive from the corner and the ball fell for Ian Evatt. The player managed a good cross across the goal and the ball was met by a diving header from Campbell, who gave Reina no chance to react.
It was Campbell’s 5th goal in 5 games and was treated like royalty by the teammates, who put him on their shoulders following the goal. The Liverpool manager brought in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonjo-Shelvey-c19081 as a substitute, but nothing could be done. Blackpool were the deserving victors of what was a historic double over their stronger opponents.
Undoubtedly, things need to change drastically for Liverpool if they want to turn the season around. A Top 4 finish has now become extremely difficult, if not impossible, and the side would at least want to finish 5th or 6th in order to have a better chance of playing in the Champions League next season. Kenny Dalglish needs to offload players who are of no good to the club and needs to approach the game with more flair.
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