Roy Hodgson spurred on as he relives Liverpool's Black Sunday to halt away slide

24 December 2010 00:05
Roy Hodgson is ready to use the memory of his darkest day as Liverpool manager in attempt to arrest his side's chronic away form. [LNB]Hodgson, not surprisingly, has not wanted to reflect on the events of October 3, when Blackpool recorded the shock of the Barclays Premier League season and beat Liverpool 2-1 at a disbelieving Anfield.[LNB]With the Kop chanting for the return of Kenny Dalglish at the end of that game, many wondered whether Hodgson would survive, as Liverpool had been knocked out of the Carling Cup by League Two side Northampton 10 days earlier.[LNB]It was a chastening experience, one which opened Hodgson's eyes to what life really entails for a Liverpool manager, but he is prepared to revisit that shambolic performance in order to give his side an edge at Bloomfield Road.[LNB] Chastening experience: Blackppol's Charlie Adam opens the scoring from the spot[LNB]Liverpool have only won two away fixtures during 2010 but Hodgson wants his players to remember how low they felt when the sides last to prevent Blackpool completing their first league double since 1946-47. [LNB]'That game is something I had put out of my mind until now,' said Hodgson, who will restore Steven Gerrard to Liverpool's starting line-up after a hamstring problem. 'It was a low point.  We were expected to waltz all over this new comer.[LNB]'Not only did we not do that but we ended up losing the game after a very good performance from them.  We have improved our play since then and it won't be as easy for Blackpool in this game as it maybe was back then. [LNB]'We gave them a two goal start and found it very hard to pull it back. If we draw or lose the game, they will have taken more points from us than we have from them. That situation won't please us. But I don't talk about revenge. Revenge is a word that belongs in mafia circles.'[LNB] No revenge mission: Roy Hodgson[LNB]Hodgson remains under pressure from a large group of supporters but there is no chance he will be replaced Rafa Benitez, now the former Anfield manager's sacking by Inter Milan is official. [LNB]He is not perturbed by Benitez's return to Merseyside and is continuing to make plans with Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli for the forthcoming transfer window.[LNB]'We need some better players to become a top four team again, and to become a constant top four team again,' he said.[LNB]'But those players are not easy to find and it would be a mistake to buy just because we have had a bad start to this season.' [LNB] Carra is 'nothing': Blackburn star Diouf hits out at former Liverpool team-mateWatch out, Roy! Inter confirm Benitez exit as Spaniard agrees pay-offLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail