Agger: We were like headless chickens

IT was merely a month ago when Wayne Rooney said Anfield was still the most daunting place to go to in the Premier League.

In Liverpool’s glory years, it had such an aura that opposition players would crumble in front of the Kop.

Now it seems to be an inspiration for them as Swansea proved by emulating Rooney’s Manchester United and fellow newly-promoted Norwich in taking a crucial point from their visit.

With four draws – three now in succession – from their six home games this season and the loss of eight priceless points towards their challenge for a Champions League place, the Anfield faithful have grown increasingly frustrated.

They are not alone as manager Kenny Dalglish was critical of his team’s performance on Saturday. So too defender Daniel Agger, who is concerned they could miss out on the top four unless they show improvement.

“If we play like this, we won’t do it,” he said. “We have got to move up a level or two. I won’t say it is not possible because it is, but it is up to the players.

“We are the only ones who can make a difference. We definitely have to do a lot better.

“It was far from good enough and I don’t know how we can drop that far from last week when we won at West Brom. It’s puzzling.

“Sometimes we looked like headless chickens running around after the ball. We were really, really bad.

“We are Liverpool Football Club, we have to win our home games.”

They probably would have done had striker Andy Carroll not struck the bar from close range in only the seventh minute.

Anxiety crept into their play after that and they became wasteful with possession and opportunities.

A late charge in a dramatic finale was thwarted by the magnificence of Michel Vorm, who pushed away a Luis Suarez strike and then followed that with a wonder save to tip over Glen Johnson’s volley.

Dalglish will be aware they cannot afford to be as below-par in their next two games, against Chelsea and Manchester City.

For Swansea, this was an indication of their potential and vindication of manager Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy.

Their stylish approach earned them a warm round of applause from the home supporters at the end.

Winger Wayne Routledge said: “I’ve played here before and had good experiences, but to be honest I’m still a bit stunned.

“My family is from Liverpool and I’ve been coming here since I was five and I’ve never seen an away team clapped off.

“That says everything about the team performance because the fans here know their football and they knew what they saw.

“We’re not little old Swansea City no more.

“Teams are seeing the way we play football and our beliefs and giving us respect.”

Routledge was among those who stood out, along with Vorm and Joe Allen, whose combative display alongside Leon Britton helped his side take command of a midfield where Liverpool’s £18m summer signing Jordan Henderson disappointed once more.

Rodgers has high hopes for the 21-year-old Allen.

“Joe can play for one of the top four teams,” he said.

“I spent four-and-a-half years during Chelsea’s really successful era so I have worked with big talents and he has got the lot.

“He can pass, run, is physically strong and can deal with the ball. He is tough mentally.