Winger Albert Riera admits that nerves have got the better of Liverpool during their poor recent home run.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hull was the third league stalemate in a row at Anfield against unfancied opposition – and Spanish winger Riera thinks the weight of expectation of going after the first league title for 19 years could be playing on their minds.
“I think we’ve been more nervy than usual at Anfield,” he said.
“We’re going out to win but maybe because people are expecting us to do it and that’s affected us a little bit.
“Maybe there’s been a lack of precision in some of our passing and maybe we’ve been trying to play quicker than we need to.
“We have to think about those things and improve.
“We are the first people to be disappointed and we understand why the supporters are.
“The only thing we can do now is continue working and make sure we win our next matches.”
After draws 0-0 draws against Fulham and West Ham, Liverpool failed to open a gap on Chelsea, which remains at one point.
And Rieira admitted that the recent home form hasn’t been good enough.
“It’s clear we’re not happy drawing another match at home,” he said.
“Obviously it’s a regret dropping points at home. If we hadn’t drawn three successive games here maybe we’d be four or five points clear at the top, but we have to be positive.
“Against Hull I thought we started well but then found ourselves two goals down. We created a lot of chances and tried to score but it didn’t work out.
“We were unlucky, because we could have gone in at half time winning despite going 2-0 down.”
Liverpool now turn their attention to inconsistent Arsenal.
Riera said: “We’ve beaten United and Chelsea already this season so if we could now beat Arsenal maybe it would send a message out.
“It would be a good response to go and win against Arsenal after these draws.
“If we do that some might say we’re doing it the hard way – beating the top teams and not those we might be expected to win against – but people forget this is a very competitive championship.
“We’re still in a good position.”
Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hull was the third league stalemate in a row at Anfield against unfancied opposition – and Spanish winger Riera thinks the weight of expectation of going after the first league title for 19 years could be playing on their minds.
“I think we’ve been more nervy than usual at Anfield,” he said.
“We’re going out to win but maybe because people are expecting us to do it and that’s affected us a little bit.
“Maybe there’s been a lack of precision in some of our passing and maybe we’ve been trying to play quicker than we need to.
“We have to think about those things and improve.
“We are the first people to be disappointed and we understand why the supporters are.
“The only thing we can do now is continue working and make sure we win our next matches.”
After draws 0-0 draws against Fulham and West Ham, Liverpool failed to open a gap on Chelsea, which remains at one point.
And Rieira admitted that the recent home form hasn’t been good enough.
“It’s clear we’re not happy drawing another match at home,” he said.
“Obviously it’s a regret dropping points at home. If we hadn’t drawn three successive games here maybe we’d be four or five points clear at the top, but we have to be positive.
“Against Hull I thought we started well but then found ourselves two goals down. We created a lot of chances and tried to score but it didn’t work out.
“We were unlucky, because we could have gone in at half time winning despite going 2-0 down.”
Liverpool now turn their attention to inconsistent Arsenal.
Riera said: “We’ve beaten United and Chelsea already this season so if we could now beat Arsenal maybe it would send a message out.
“It would be a good response to go and win against Arsenal after these draws.
“If we do that some might say we’re doing it the hard way – beating the top teams and not those we might be expected to win against – but people forget this is a very competitive championship.
“We’re still in a good position.”
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