Blackpool vs Liverpool preview - Top four target not pie in the sky - Hodgson

Posted Sunday, December 26, 2010 by PA

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes his side can still be regarded as challengers for the Barclays Premier League's top four but admits their situation will only improve with new signings.

The Reds are currently nine points adrift of one-time leaders Chelsea, who now occupy the final position for Champions League qualification.

With matches against Blackpool - on Boxing Day - Wolves, Bolton and Blackburn to come over the festive period there is a real chance to close the gap.

But what will be equally significant is what transfer activity there is next month.

"If the players are available that we have targeted and think could make us a better team then it would help us shape the team a lot quicker than maybe will be the case otherwise," said Hodgson.

"We are anxious any players we bring in are the right ones and the right ones for the long-term future.

"It is important they are better than the players we have got, because I think the players we have got are better than they have shown on occasions.

"But I fear the type of player we feel we need to improve our team will not be available in January, even if money was available."

Despite Liverpool's top-four hopes being written off by most people outside Anfield, the 63-year-old manager remains cautiously optimistic his side can prove their doubters wrong having recovered from the worst start to a season since 1953/54.

"We are in a position to strike for the top four but we are a good few points off," Hodgson added. "Some people would say it is pie in the sky to suggest we can do it but I don't think there is such a thing as pie in the sky in terms of football.

"I have seen so many times in the past teams who have been doomed to relegation not get relegated and teams like Leeds United many years ago who were so obviously going to win the first division and didn't do so.

"Everything is possible and while things are possible we will play for them but we are realistic and we are not making any vain promises.

"We know we have given ourselves a severe handicap but we will work to bring in that handicap."

One of the handicaps which has affected Liverpool season - namely injuries - appears to have lessened significantly with only defender Jamie Carragher (dislocated shoulder) and midfielder Jay Spearing (broken ankle) sidelined.

Captain Steven Gerrard will return from a six-week absence at Bloomfield Road. The 30-year-old midfielder's comeback from a hamstring tear sustained on England duty was delayed at the weekend after snow forced the postponement of the Barclays Premier League game at home to Fulham.

Centre-back Daniel Agger has also finally recovered from a complicated calf problem which has sidelined him since September 25.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has vowed the club will not being doing anything "crazy" to persuade players to stay at Bloomfield Road.

Among the members of Holloway's squad who are out of contract in the summer are midfielder David Vaughan and goalkeeper Matt Gilks, both of whom have made notable contributions to the Seasiders' impressive start to the season.

The manager is keen for the pair to sign new deals but has stressed that no agreement with any player will be allowed to threaten the club's current structure.

"I had a phone call the other day from an agent I've got two players with," Holloway told the Blackpool Gazette. "Neither of them is playing at the moment, but he was very nice to me, talking about their future and what they might want.

"If they had longer contracts, like their agent wanted them to have, they could be moaning now, and they could be causing all sorts of trouble because they're not being picked.

"If that was the case, I might have a mutiny on my hands, like some managers have. But I haven't got that, because I have the power.

"My chairman (Karl Oyston) very cleverly gives me that, because he holds out for what he wants and he isn't going to change.

"Takes the likes of David Vaughan and Matt Gilks, both out of contract at the end of the season. We have made them offers and we want them to stay. But are we going to go crazy? No, because if we push it for one or two, we will have to do it for them all eventually, and that is something my chairman won't do.

"What we have to do is run the club efficiently and successfully for the fans, for the future."

Blackpool will be without their captain Charlie Adam. He picked up his fifth booking of the season on December 11 at Stoke and is yet to serve the resulting one-match suspension as the Seasiders' scheduled game against Tottenham last weekend was postponed.