Dalglish: Meireles’ goal spree no tactical miracle

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish insists midfielder Raul Meireles’ impressive goalscoring form of late is entirely down to the player’s talent and his adaptation to English football.

The Reds boss said he was no “tactical wizard” and the Portugal midfielder’s four goals in his last five matches were all a result of the 27-year-old’s hard work.

Meireles had not found the target in his first 21 matches after joining from Porto in the summer for £11.5m €13.6m but has suddenly burst into life in front of goal and will hope to add to that tally when Wigan visit Anfield this afternoon.

He has been deployed in an advanced midfield role, occasionally alongside captain Steven Gerrard and sometimes on his own, and has been a revelation in the last month.

“Raul has always had the ability he has shown recently,” said Dalglish.

“Maybe he’s settled down a little bit and is more comfortable and confident because he is playing well but there’s been nothing drastic (tactically) for any of the players really.”

Meireles has undoubtedly benefited from being given a role he is more accustomed to, having been played deeper and even wide on the right during Roy Hodgson’s six-month reign.

When Dalglish took over early last month many questioned whether a man who had not managed for more than a decade was equipped to deal with the demands of the modern game. The 59-year-old Scot has always insisted football has not changed that much and their recent success, as he has sought to return the pass-and-move philosophy prevalent during his time at the club as player and manager more than 20 years ago, demonstrates as much.

However, having brought in coach Steve Clarke, Jose Mourinho’s assistant at Chelsea, Dalglish has shown he is also capable of making significant tactical decisions.

In their last two matches of a four-game winning spell against Stoke and Chelsea he has fielded three centre-backs in 3-4-2-1 and 3-5-1-1 formations.