Dalglish seemed unconcerned that some home fans booed their
own team on the final whistle
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish seemed
unconcerned that some home fans booed their own team on the final
whistle, preferring to reserve their applause for their
slick-passing guests from Wales.
Three home draws in succession were too many for a
significant number of irate fans. And although Dalglish can play
down the crowd's reaction all he likes, the nononsense Scotsman
knows this is not Champions League form.
'How many booed? Two? Three? I didn't hear it. I bet
less booed than never booed. So there you go. If you're in
government, you're out.'
Yet Dalglish could not ignore Liverpool's
uncharacteristic performance.
The Dutch frontman, still awaiting his 50th Premier League goal,
was rightly adjudged offside on a frustrating afternoon for his
boss Kenny Dalglish.
Andy Carroll was the biggest culprit, with the £35million
club-record signing side-footing an early sitter against the
crossbar from just six yards.
It set the tone for the rest of the match as, just like against
Norwich a fortnight ago, the home side failed to capitalise as the
visitors left with a well-earned point.
Kuyt replaced the ineffective Jordan Henderson for the start of
the second half as the Reds resumed their pressure on the
visitors.
But Swansea were starting to ask more questions of the
Liverpool defence and in the 64th minute Dyer's diagonal
right-to-left allowed him to collect a through-ball but Reina
deflected his shot behind off his body..
Suddenly the Spaniard was the busier of the two goalkeepers and
when he only half-saved Dyer's shot he had to react swiftly to
block what looked like being a certain goal from Graham on the
follow-up.
Carroll's hopes of redeeming himself for that first-half miss
were ended in the 74th minute when he was replaced by former
Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy.
The big striker did not hang around to see how the Wales
international would do as he headed straight down the tunnel.
Taylor's last-gasp clearance denied Kuyt a sight of goal and
Agger headed over when Vorm weakly punched Adam's corner, with the
Scotland midfielder also having a free-kick deflected wide.
Kuyt thought he had scored the winner with an 88th-minute diving
header but he was correctly flagged offside from Agger's header by
assistant referee Sian Massey.
Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty in added time when
Suarez went down in the area, but referee Phil Dowd waved away
appeals.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose
Enrique, Henderson (Kuyt 46), Lucas, Adam, Downing, Carroll
(Bellamy 74), Suarez. Subs Not Used: Doni, Maxi,
Coates, Spearing, Kelly.
Booked: Adam, Agger.
Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Taylor,
Gower (Agustien 90), Britton, Allen, Routledge (Sinclair 74),
Graham, Dyer. Subs Not Used: Tremmel, Lita, Moore,
Richards, Moras.
Booked: Taylor.
Att: 45,013
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
