Hodgson says Liverpool not dead yet

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has hit back at critics who claim his club is in crisis by insisting the Reds aren’t dead yet.

Hodgson’s side are stuck in the Premier League relegation zone after their worst start to a season since 1953 and could be bottom of the table by the time they kick off against Blackburn on Sunday depending on other results.

Speculation is growing that New England Sports Ventures, who completed their takeover of the club a week ago, may opt to sack Hodgson if he doesn’t reverse Liverpool’s fortunes quickly.

But the former Fulham manager, who has already seen his side suffer dispiriting losses to Northampton, Blackpool and Everton this season, is convinced Thursday’s goalless draw against Napoli in the Europa League proved they are back on the right track.

“We showed we are far from dead as a club by going to Naples and doing well as we have in other Europa League games,” he said.

“We did it in a very tough atmosphere because Napoli is a very tough place to come and play at any time – it doesn’t matter whether you are Inter Milan, Juventus or Liverpool.

“I know we are going through a very bad passage at the moment and things have not gone our way for a variety of reasons.

“We are down at the bottom and desperately want to get away from there.

“But the new owners have done a lot for the club, they’ve given the club a lift and they did that before the Everton game (which Liverpool lost last Sunday).

“There was a certain buoyancy and a feelgood feeling and we can start to rebuild, put things right and get ourselves on a good footing once again.

“Of course Sunday is the ideal opportunity to do this.”