Source: Daily_Mail
Roy Hodgson bemoans Liverpool squad's lack of quality and looks forward to return of his big guns
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopes to gain some encouragement from his first-team stars when they return to action in the Barclays Premier League against Sunderland. [LNB]The 62-year-old has had a testing six days, having seen his side allow a point to slip through their grasp against Manchester United last weekend. That was then followed by the disastrous midweek Carling Cup exit to League Two side Northampton. [LNB]The only consolation he can take from that performance is that none of the players on show at Anfield that night are likely to be on the pitch this time around after he made 11 changes for the knockout tie. [LNB] Not good enough: Roy Hodgson (second left) watched his reserves crash out of the Carling Cup against lowly Northampton Town on Wednesday night[LNB]He will recall all his big guns - the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Joe Cole and Jose Reina - in the hope they can lift the gloom against the Black Cats. [LNB]Liverpool's first XI are a match for most sides in the top flight but Hodgson admits the weakness is in the back-up players. [LNB]Asked if his squad was not strong enough to accommodate the sweeping changes he made in midweek the Reds boss replied: 'I suppose the answer to that is yes.[LNB] 'Basically there are 12 or 13 players, if you take Fabio Aurelio who didn't play against Northampton, and they are the more famous names. [LNB]'Outside that 13 the ones on the field were the ones we had and I thought it was a good opportunity for them to really show what they could do at Anfield. [LNB] Back in contention: Steven Gerrard and co are set to face Sunderland[LNB]'There was not any lack of desire or determination to try to do well but we didn't play well enough in possession of the ball. [LNB]'The fans know we took a risk playing a totally different team and I don't think they will see it any differently to the way I saw it. [LNB]'There is nothing I can say which will make them feel any better. We didn't lose against Northampton because we were casual in our approach or we were lethargic in our play, we lost because we defended poorly and we didn't use the ball well enough with the large amount of possession we had.'[LNB] No chance! Gerrard eyes fourth as skipper says Liverpool won't win titleI've failed at Liverpool! Anfield flop Babel downbeat as Dutch ditch himRed-faced, in the Red.... Red alert! What is wrong with Liverpool?LIVERPOOL FC
