Reality check as Reds revival stutters

AFTER the euphoria generated by victory at Stamford Bridge, this was a reality check.

Liverpool have come a long way under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish over the past month.

Since the King was returned to his throne following the dismal reign of Roy Hodgson he has energised a side in desperate need of inspiration.

The mood at Anfield has been transformed lately but Saturday’s stalemate with Wigan was a reminder that Dalglish is no miracle worker.

Removing Hodgson was never going to cure all Liverpool’s ills. This is a squad in need of strengthening.

Dalglish is a class act and appears destined to be appointed manager on a permanent basis but only a summer spending spree by Fenway Sports Group can provide the quality the Scotsman needs to ensure Liverpool reclaim their place at Europe’s top table.

Four straight wins may have sparked talk of Champions League qualification but Liverpool remain very much a work in progress.

Dalglish bemoaned the midweek internationals for Saturday’s dip in performance levels and undoubtedly fatigue contributed to the lack of spark in their attacking play.

But it also served to underline what Liverpool are so short of. Lucas Leiva, Raul Meireles, Fabio Aurelio, Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt have many qualities but pace isn’t one of them.

When Liverpool broke on Saturday it was pedestrian and relegation-threatened Wigan were able to deal with what was thrown at them.

With Dalglish having opted to revert to a flat back four, the lack of a genuine winger against limited opposition was glaring.

The caretaker boss graciously admitted Wigan deserved their point and Roberto Martinez’s men certainly defied their lowly position with a gutsy display.

But the Latics benefited from a series of circumstances which conspired against the hosts. In recent weeks it has appeared that everything Dalglish touches turns to gold but on Saturday Lady Luck turned her back on him.

With skipper Steven Gerrard having failed to recover from the groin injury he suffered at Chelsea a week earlier, Dalglish also had to do without Daniel Agger after he picked up a knock on international duty.

Another reshuffle was needed just after the break when goalscorer Raul Meireles was forced off due to sickness.

Throw in the fact that Steve Gohouri was a yard offside when he prodded in Wigan’s equaliser and that Luis Suarez was twice denied by the woodwork and Liverpool had good reason to feel hard done-by.

But moaning and groaning isn’t the Dalglish way.

“It’s not been too damaging and no spirits have been dampened,” he said.

Despite dropping two points there were still positives for the manager to ponder.

Top of the list was Suarez who shone after being handed his first start for the club.

The £22.8million signing from Ajax was Liverpool’s most potent threat and was just inches away from getting the goal his efforts deserved.

Having enjoyed a dream debut against Stoke, he narrowly failed to become the first Liverpool player to score in his first two games for the club since Nigel Clough in August 1993.

His movement is excellent and he has the strength to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.