Liverpool fans are not used to watching their team struggle, especially at the hands of Wolverhampton, who sits at the bottom of the Premier League standings. And when Reds’ fans are upset, they’ll let you hear it.
Liverpool head coach Roy Hodgson has heard enough jeering, however, and he’s asking the fans to lay off, according to the Associated Press.
“Ever since I came here the famous Anfield support has not really been there,” Hodgson said. “I can only hope we do have good supporters and I hope these fans become supporters as well because this is a time when the club needs support.”
According to Hodgson, the Reds are still trying to adjust to a new style of play, and the players are starting to feel pressure from the fans’ high expectations.
“We are not deliberately losing these matches or deliberately not playing to the best of their ability,” Hodgson said. “Now is the time for people to really try to help us along because it is not through want of trying.”
The Reds have posted just two wins in their last six games and are 12 points behind Champions League places. If they fall against sixth-place Bolton on Saturday, Liverpool could drop into the bottom three in the Premier League standings.
With more than half of the season left to play, Liverpool has time to make up for their losses, but the fans have been calling for a leadership change. During the match against the Wolves, Reds’ fans chanted for Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish to replace Hodgson at the helm.
Though he’s urging fans to set aside their hostility, Hodgson understands that the pressure comes with the territory.
“I don’t like hearing those things of course because I want to do the best job I can do, I’m working as hard as I can, so I can’t say it’s something I really appreciate but at the same time I am not in control of those things and it’s the Kop’s way, the Anfield way, of showing that they are not happy at the moment with what the team is doing.
“As the manager, you take responsibility for that, so I have to take that criticism on the chin.”
