Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has defended his very public criticism of the players after insisting there can be no hiding place from failure.
The Scot diverted from his usual stout defence of the squad to lambast their attitude and lack of application in Saturday's abject 3-1 defeat at struggling Bolton.
Because the 60-year-old is usually so protective of his players, the hard-hitting comments carried far more resonance and attracted plenty of headlines, but he does not regret speaking out, and said: "I think what was said had to be said."
He added: "It's a difficult thing to do but I think it was an honest thing to do as well.
"At the end of the day I don't think anyone can object to the fact that we never played anything like we're capable of playing.
"I don't think anybody can hide behind a performance like we had on Saturday and I don't think anyone would try to do that.
"In the past we've rightly praised them when they've deserved it, we've given them plaudits when we've done well and we've congratulated them for the way they've gone about their work.
"We have to be honest in our appraisal when we've been bad as well.
"When you've been critical it doesn't mean to say you're getting any pleasure from it because at the end of the day we're all in it together.
"It's not the coaching staff and the players, it's everybody."
Source: PA
