Liverpool lacked edge against Wigan, admits Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool boss claims Reds were drained by last week's international fixtures after 1-1 draw at Anfield
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish claimed his side were lacking their usual edge in their draw with Wigan at Anfield on Saturday.
A first-half volley from Raul Meireles, who has now scored four in his last five games for the Reds, was cancelled out midway through the second half by Steve Gohouri, who found the back of the net from what looked to be an offside position.
“I think it was a game we started well enough,” Dalglish said. “We pushed forward and scored a good goal with Raul again. Luis [Suarez] hit the post, but you could tell a lot of them had played Wednesday night.
“There was just that little bit of an edge missing. If the edge had been there, the final pass would have been better. I think there were three or four occasions in the first half we would have been in, but the sharpness was just missing a bit, which is understandable.
“Obviously we are disappointed not to take the three points and with a wee bit of luck maybe we would have, despite the performance not being as good as it has been in the past.
“I think Wigan may have been a bit aggrieved if they had gone away without a point but Luis hit the post twice and their goal was offside – these things happen.
“We just have to brush ourselves down and get on with it. It’s not been too damaging. We’ll keep going.”
Dalglish added: “The international fixtures took their toll, with Daniel Agger unfit and Raul spewing up at half-time. He had to come off just after that and of course, Steven [Gerrard] wasn’t playing.
“We had some players out but the most important ones are those that are on the pitch.”
Liverpool’s £22.8m signing Luis Suárez made his first full debut for the Reds and saw two of his efforts bounce back of the woodwork. Despite failing to find the net Dalglish insisted he was happy with the performance of the former Ajax man.
“It’s not difficult to warm to him is it? He’s very energetic and skilful,” said Dalglish. “He loves to score goals and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet today.
“In normal circumstances maybe we would have taken him off because he’s not had a game for a wee while. It probably pushed him that bit too far. We were just hoping he might get us a goal.”
