Hodgson: we are far from dead

LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson insists reports of the club’s demise have been greatly exaggerated and they are “far from dead”.

A woeful start to their Barclays Premier League campaign has left them mired in 19th place and they could face the ignominy of starting tomorrow’s home game against Blackburn bottom of the table. Having dismissed rumours speculating he was considering resigning because of their poor form Hodgson remains confident that with new ownership – New England Sports Ventures completed their takeover a week ago – the corner can now be turned.

“We showed we are far from dead as a club by going to Naples and doing well as we have in other Europa League games,” he said after a weakened team returned home with a valuable point thanks to a 0-0 draw in a hostile atmosphere at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday night.

“We are going through a very bad passage at the moment and things have not gone our way for a variety of reasons.

“We are down at the bottom and desperately want to get away from there. But the new owners have done a lot for the club, they’ve given the club a lift and they did that before the Everton game (which Liverpool lost last Sunday).

“There was a certain buoyancy and a feelgood feeling and we can start to rebuild, put things right and get ourselves on a good footing once again.

“Of course Sunday is the ideal opportunity to do this.

“Unfortunately Blackburn will have something to say about that. They won’t be lying down.”

Hodgson can at least take heart from the performance of a team shorn of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Raul Meireles and Lucas Leiva – who were all rested – and Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger, unfit and unwell respectively.

It gave the likes of 18-year-old Jonjo Shelvey to start his first competitive game for the Reds while Jay Spearing, 21, got another run out in midfield.

“We have to be satisfied with that result and perhaps more satisfied with a good performance which got a result we deserved,” added the Reds boss.

Meanwhile Sam Allardyce is relishing the chance to take advantage of Liverpool’s confidence crisis and believes Blackburn have a rare opportunity to put the boot into the fallen giants.

Blackburn have takeover uncertainties themselves but Allardyce hopes these will soon be resolved and will tell his players not miss their chance to get a result at Liverpool.

Allardyce said: “It’s a good time to be playing them even though they have got new owners which will dampen down all the off-the-field distractions the players have had.’’