Hodgson confirms Reds in relegation battle

Roy Hodgson says Liverpool are currently facing a relegation battle, after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Blackpool left them 18th in the table.

The Reds’ awful start to the season has seen them pick up just six points from their opening seven games, and now sit in the bottom three with a tricky Merseyside Derby game next on the agenda.

Hodgson admitted after the defeat to Blackpool that his side’s start to the season was “unacceptable”.

He said, “There are 31 games left but when you are in the relegation zone you are in a relegation battle.

“But I really don’t think my concerns are with relegation, my concerns are we are not playing to our full potential.

He added, “At the moment things look bleak and really bad and it is difficult for me to put a bright face upon it.

“In the first half we were correctly punished for a lacklustre display. We had the ball as much as them but did not do anything with it anywhere near enough to satisfy my, the club’s or the players’ demands.

“We conceded two goals on counter-attacks but in the second half we came out and tried to turn matters around but could only get one goal.”