Blackpool keep Liverpool reeling with 2-1 victory

It had all begun so well for the visitors, looking to bounce back from Sunday's FA Cup exit at Manchester United.  After that game Dalglish had promised to get Fernando Torres back to his best after a laboured season and he was true to his word as the Spaniard struck in quick time from the kickoff.  And the goal came from another of the manager's tactical decisions which saw the returning Glen Johnson lined up in an unfamiliar left-back position after Martin Kelly's impressive display against United. Dalglish was rewarded for keeping faith with youngster Kelly as he set up the opening goal.

When Dirk Kuyt span the ball out to the defender he advanced over the halfway line before rolling a pass into the channel. Torres did not need a second invitation, racing into the area and even from a tight angle he was able to fire a ferocious shot past Richard Kingson and into the roof of the net. It was only the Spain international's second goal in his last nine matches and just his seventh of the season.

The visitors' joy lasted only until the 12th minute, however, as when Raul Meireles carelessly gave the ball away to David Vaughan in midfield he played in Gary Taylor-Fletcher to exact the ultimate punishment by running through the defense to roll a shot under Jose Reina.  The home side stepped up the pressure after the break with Charlie Adam's left-footed drive beaten away by Reina, who then tipped over Vaughan's shot.

Liverpool almost produced an eye-catching response when Milan Jovanovic's left-wing cross to the far post saw Torres volley well over, with the Spaniard also forcing a low save from Kingson this time from the left of the area.  Meireles then cut in from the right to hit a left-footed shot wide while Kuyt's low effort forced Kingson to save at the expense of a corner.

With 21 minutes remaining the Seasiders struck the killer blow when Ian Evatt beat Martin Skrtel to Eardley's deep cross and DJ Campbell headed home.  Meireles' header from Torres' cross at the other end was not as accurate and dropped just over the crossbar.

If Dalglish wants the job on a permanent basis he will have to find a way of eliminating results such as this.