Dalglish admits climb back to top will be tough

The Scot enjoyed a hugely successful career as a player at Anfield and continued that into his first spell in charge as Reds boss.

One of the most damning statistics which highlights the decline of a club so dominant at home and abroad from the late 1970s through to the late 1980s is that Dalglish is the last Liverpool manager to win the league championship 22 years ago.

Since then Manchester United have taken their place at the top of English football and, with Manchester City having flexed their considerable financial muscle to become genuine title contenders and Tottenham adding their name to the so-called ‘big four‘ Liverpool’s — and Dalglish’s — task has become even tougher.

The Reds are now eighth in the table, enduring their worst run of form since 1953, and are 16 points adrift of fourth place, with the relegation zone (12 points) closer.

“It is always difficult to get back to where they were because they were so high up,” admitted Dalglish.

“But it [the method for success] has not changed too much really — it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of effort.

“We have good players who can get there but you need confidence and belief and you need a bit of luck.’’

Morale within the squad has taken a knock after six defeats in seven league matches as the expected uplift from their Carling Cup victory in February has failed to materialise.

With confidence visibly ebbing away with every loss, the players will find themselves tested at home to Aston Villa today as ever-present goalkeeper Jose Reina begins a three-match suspension after his red card at Newcastle on Sunday.

The Spain international is likely to be replaced by Doni, the summer signing from Roma who will be making his competitive debut having played 57 minutes of an October friendly against Rangers before dislocating a finger.

The Brazilian has been an unused substitute for every fixture this season and Dalglish accepts it may be hard for the 32-year-old to slot straight in, although he has every faith in Reina’s deputy.

Dalglish said: “It will be difficult for him but it is difficult for everyone. He has a better command on the language now and he has been patient but has been unfortunate he has such a good goalkeeper in front of him.”