Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's new Reds model has style... but little else
Kenny Dalglish stepped backinto the Barclays PremierLeague last night for the firsttime since 1998 and Sportsmailwas there to see if the old magicremained.[LNB] Plenty to ponder: Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish [LNB]TACTICSA big criticism of Roy Hodgsonand Rafa Benitez was thatLiverpool had become safetyfirst rather than setting agame's pace. Dalglish had hisown ideas on how to deploy thesame players last night.Christian Poulsen was theanchorman in a 4-1-4-1formation and full backs MartinKelly and Glen Johnson hadlicence to push forward. [LNB]STYLELiverpool under Hodgson werenot a team who endearedthemselves to purists. WhileDalglish was not afraid to godirect when he was previouslyat Anfield, he advocates passand move and his side playedmore short passes at BloomfieldRoad than had been the casebefore.It was also noticeable howDaniel Agger was encouragedto carry the ball out of defence.[LNB]Steps forward: Fernando Torres look to be regaining some form[LNB]IMPACT After almost three years of civilwar, absent owners, bickeringover the manager andbecoming fed up with analarming slide, Liverpool fanshave been lifted by the return ofDalglish, who was given araucous ovation from the awayend.The manner in which themanager celebrated Liverpool'sgoal arms raised and flashingthat smile as he did as a player showed his enthusiasm is asstrong as ever. [LNB]DEFENSIVE DILEMMASWhile Agger is comfortable inpossession, a defender's first jobis to stop goals and Liverpooltoo often lookedvulnerable. GaryTaylor-Fletcher'sequaliser was a badgoal, and the markingwas poor for thesecond.Dalglish is aware thatkeeping clean sheetshas been a problem, sobringing in Steve Clarke as hisassistant looks all the moreshrewd. The former Chelsea andWest Ham No 2 has plenty to gethis teeth into. [LNB]THE TORRES QUESTIONDalglish was asked before thisgame whether he needed amagic wand to get FernandoTorres firing and maybe he hasfound one. Torres looked sharpand reinvigorated, taking hisgoal from Kelly's pass like an 'A'list performer. This was notTorres at his best but it was astep in the right direction. [LNB]WHERE NEXT?Liverpool will not leap straightback into the top four afterDalglish's return, and he will beeven more acutely aware of thedepth of Liverpool's problemsafter last night. Heading intoSunday's Anfield derby againstEverton, there is little margin forerror if they are to improve theirunflattering League position.[LNB] Blackpool 2 Liverpool 1: King Kenny is all at sea after diving DJ Campell sinks RedsSouthampton kid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain favours move to champions ChelseaDalglish lines up Blackpool's Adam in bid to reignite Liverpool's season[LNB] Explore more:People: Kenny Dalglish, Christian Poulsen, Glen Johnson Places: Liverpool
