3 goals in 4 matches under new manager Kenny Dalglish, tends to suggest that the problem with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was not only confidence but more down to the limitations inherent in previous manager Roy Hodgson’s tactics. Of course, one of the main reasons behind both Torres and the team’s return to form had to be down to the boost in team spirit. In this, Kenny Dalglish must take all the plaudits for his ability to lift the side’s confidence. I don’t agree with a lot that Jamie Redknapp says but one of the things I do agree with him about is the fact that Kenny is not over-training, or over thinking tactically, something that both previous managers, for better or worse, did at times. The players are enjoying their football again, and the smiles have returned to the player’s faces helped by the infectious enthusiasm of King Kenny.

Certainly however, despite the undoubted ability of the players at his disposal, the long run of poor form was definitely not solely down to confidence. Torres may have needed an arm round his shoulder from Kenny but the facts are, that over the previous few months, he has been starved of support and opportunities up front, and Roy Hodgson’s style tended to not play to the Spaniard’s strengths. A comment from Christian Poulsen is pretty enlightening:

“A little difference is that we’re playing more through the middle and it worked pretty good at Wolves. Kenny is a manager who wants to play with the ball, we keep the ball on the floor.”

A suggestion by the Danish international that Hodgson preferred the long ball perhaps? In any case, a change in style under Kenny has been evident already and although many of the players have credited Dalglish for his man management skills, they have been mainly coy behind why the team’s form has improved. Pepe Reina, Lucas Leiva and Dirk Kuyt have all said the same when it comes to life under Dalglish. It is early days and a wait and see approach is necessary.

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