TOMMY SMITH: Liverpool FC players should apologise for woeful display at Wigan

11 March 2010 07:00
IT'S just as well Liverpool have got another game tonight so soon after Monday's pathetic effort at Wigan.[LNB]Because at least it means the fans don't have to dwell on it for a week or more and, hopefully, will be feeling a bit better by tomorrow if - and it's a big if - we turn up in France tonight.[LNB]In truth, the performance at Wigan ranks as possibly the worst I've seen from a Liverpool side. In fact it was so lacklustre, the players should be ashamed of it and issue an apology in the Echo to the fans.[LNB]I hate to be so critical or feel so angry. But not managing a shot on target in such an important game was lamentable.[LNB]Where was the energy? The heart? Or the passion for the famous red shirt?[LNB]Nowhere to be seen is the answer. We didn't even manage a spell of sustained pressure and were comfortably beaten by a team fighting relegation.[LNB]Only one or two players came out of it with any semblance of credit. Players left, right and centre were giving the ball away; the midfield was easily outpowered, with Steven Gerrard having a right off day and Lucas - again for me - struggling to reach the standards required in the Premier League.[LNB]Tonight is therefore all about pride - pride in the club, pride in the badge and pride in the supporters who tried so hard to raise the team on Monday but who got no response.[LNB]Never mind the fact the Europa League isn't whetting people's appetitites. We are in it because we don't deserve to be in the Champions League and we must get on with it.[LNB]Energy, togetherness and bottle had better be on display tonight. Because if not, it's Portsmouth next up at Anfield on Monday. And if we go into that one still in a rut, heaven knows what the reaction might be.

Source: Liverpool_Echo