Daniel Agger disgust at Liverpool's performance

Agger: Liverpool's 'headless chickens' can forget Champions League if we carry on like this

Daniel Agger delivered a withering assessment of Liverpool’s latest wasteful Anfield performance and has warned their Champions League ambitions will evaporate with further repeats.

The Denmark defender is usually economical with his words but he did not hold back following a 0-0 draw with Swansea, a result which means Liverpool have already squandered eight points on home territory from six games this season.

‘Sometimes we looked like headless chickens running around after the ball,’ said Agger, before cryptically adding: ‘I think everyone was angry and disappointed, some more than others, but that is the way it is.’

Certainly there was no disguising Agger’s fury. Kenny Dalglish selected the same side that had dismantled West Brom seven days earlier but the display was far removed from the one they had produced in the Black Country.

Therein lies a key point. Despite the significant overhaul that took place this summer, all the old problems that have stymied Liverpool in recent years remain. They fall down against sides they should beat, there is an over-reliance on certain individuals and consistency is frustratingly elusive.

Faces may change in the dugout and on the pitch but everything seems to stay the same at Anfield. The more Liverpool fail these type of examinations, the more restless the crowd becomes. Teams arrive at the fabled old ground sensing their hosts are vulnerable.

‘We were really, really bad,’ said Agger. ‘When we got the ball we lost it straight away. We were not sharp enough. We did not press well enough. There were so many things that were really disappointing, especially after we played okay last week.

‘We have to win these types of games, no matter which kind of team we put out. We are Liverpool Football Club.

‘If we play like this, we won’t (get back into the top four). We have got to move up a level or two. I won’t say it is not possible, because it is but it is up to the players. We are the only ones who can make a difference. We definitely have to do a lot better.’

While Liverpool were poor, it would be wrong to overlook a terrific effort from Swansea. They played the better football, should have won the game had Mark Gower shown some composure when he had the Kop goal at his mercy and never flinched in the face of a late rally.

‘This is a difficult place to come, so for us to play how we played, get a clean sheet and a point was a fantastic,’ enthused Swansea’s impressive manager Brendan Rodgers. ‘I like my teams to be technical and tactically organised and understand their job, but psychologically this was important.

‘To stand there when You’ll Never Walk Alone was going around the ground was a real tear-jerker. Ultimately, I am judged to do a job and I thought psychological this point was a step forward to us.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2058304/Daniel-Agger-Liverpools-headless-chickens-forget-Champions-League-carry-like-this.html#ixzz1d0PiLzhc

Can't disagree with him. 

 Well said Agger every player should be having the same thoughts.

Agger echoes our thoughts.

He is dead right. I think the line some people will be more disappointed than others is very interesting.

Well said Danny , not afraid to say it as it is .
Seem to recall he criticised Hodgson's style of football last season.
It wasn't  good enough , it isn' t good enough and he's right to say it.
Hate the international break , especially after a game like that.

He is dead right. I think the line some people will be more disappointed than others is very interesting.

Was indeed a little controversial!

Although he did say everyone was angry and disappointed so I suppose that is a little bit more positive than the types of similar comments we have had in recent years.

Just about!

On the field he looked piss off as hell with his midfield and attackers. He was our biggest threat from midfield simply because he kept bombing forward and urging others to follow him.

He's brilliant.

I think it's something we all know, nice of Agger to confirm that the players know it too. Made a few good comments over the years Agger, especially the one about Torres leaving. Top man.

As for the  "some more than others" comment, I think we all know that some players don't always put a full shift in, even if we may disagree on who they are.

To think some people would consider selling Agger, He's not only a top footballer but he's a top bloke too, stright talking and you can see from the comments how desperately he wants us to be competing at the top of the table.

Do you not think the comments would put  pressure on kenny and may even cause one or two ripples in the dressing room?

Do you not think the comments would put  pressure on kenny and may even cause one or two ripples in the dressing room?

Not so much Kenny, but I would hope it may cause one or two players to take a long hard look at themselves, Agger is right especially with this comment "‘We have to win these types of games, no matter which kind of team we put out. We are Liverpool Football Club.",

Do you not think the comments would put  pressure on kenny and may even cause one or two ripples in the dressing room?

I don't think so as Kenny has already said the performance wasn't good enough. Also if some of the players are not happy with what Agger says then perhaps they should look at themselves and how they react to poor performances.

I think it is good when a player speaks like this from time to time as it lets us know that, Agger in this case, they know that they didn't play well and they haven't just switched off after the game.

Can't see it being a problem.  Kenny admitted the performance was sh*t and Agger did say all the players were angry and disappointed.

It's not like he said some of the players couldn't give a sh*t.

spoken like a leader, a scouser really. well said danny here's to you in our side as we get into the top two by christmas

Surely players seen not pulling their weight should spend some time not being selected, until their attitude clearly changes, after all the side cannot afford to carry any passengers, if they are going to achieve european football in the near future.

Well said, Danny.

He was probably one of the better players that night.

Don't see it as a problem because Kenny did say our performance was unacceptable.

Well said Dagger. There are a few that need some time to reflect on the bench. Big decisions needed by Kenny. Mind you we have the Internationals to stew over it all.

He was our biggest threat from midfield simply because he kept bombing forward and urging others to follow him.

I noticed that too crouchy. It was only when he joined in that we gave Swansea something to think about in that area.

The malaise he speaks of can't be allowed to creep back in and good players (like Daniel) shouldn't allow it to. They should act to rectify 'problems' quickly on the park and have the confidence and freedom to do so. If they can't, or won't; replace them with players who can and will.

Well said Danny.

God I hope we have him at our club for many more years.

I am really scared of the situation if we don't make champions league, how many players will want to leave again.

Agger is a top player. He could play at any club in the world in my opinion, and I'm so glad we have him. I hope that we get back to the top so we can hang on to him.

On the note of this interview, he is 100% right. He shares the same view as the fans, and from his position on the park it must be even more frustrating. You could see that in the way that he was eager to get forward whenever he could.

Completely agree here with Danny.

Read  between the lines and the fact the lad was making 30-40 yard dashes up field with the ball and the frustration can be pin pointed to the static midfield.

Really glad about his attitude. This kind of performance should not be accepted, no need for sweet talks, say it as it is. I am bored of the usual politically correct talks all the managers and players use in modern football.

This is how it should be. Straight talking and no excuses.

Get out there, pull up your socks and put a full shift in.

Like it Agger lad.