Clarke: We feel the same
5th Apr 2012 - Latest News
Steve Clarke admits everyone at Melwood shares the fans' frustration at recent results, but insists those within the camp are working tirelessly to secure a return to winning ways against Aston Villa this weekend.
The Reds will play host to the Midlanders at Anfield on Saturday aiming to bounce back following defeats against Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United.
Clarke told Liverpoolfc.tv: "The reaction of the players in training has been good, as you'd expect.
"Everybody understands the disappointment of the supporters - and we're all as disappointed and frustrated as anybody because we know we have good talent here.
"At the moment we're not getting the results that in some games our play has deserved, while in other games we've maybe let ourselves down a little bit.
"We have to address that in training and look to bounce back with a positive result on Saturday."
While the Liverpool camp left the north-east disappointed by their 2-0 defeat against Newcastle on Sunday, Clarke admits no-one has been left dwelling on the result in training.
"Football is a game of highs and lows," said the Reds' first-team coach. "The games come thick and fast, and you very rarely get time to dwell on the game before - and if you have a positive result, it doesn't mean anything because the next game is coming up. It's the same if you get a negative result.
"The next game is coming up and the next game is always the most important, and obviously this weekend we'll try to put things right."
Liverpool will have to do without Pepe Reina for their next three matches following the goalkeeper's red card at the Sports Direct Arena.
The Spain custodian has been an ever-present for the Reds since Kenny Dalglish's return to the helm in January 2011, but Clarke is confident both Alexander Doni and Brad Jones will prove able deputies.
The Scot said: "We've got good back-up goalkeepers. Doni is waiting for his chance and Brad Jones is waiting for his chance.
"When they're asked to go in the team, we've got every confidence in them.
"They work hard day in, day out in training, and we have no problems in that respect.
"Alexander has trained 100 per cent since the day he came to the club. He's a top professional and both he and Brad Jones have worked very hard this year.
"It's difficult in that position because Pepe has been the number one. They haven't had a chance to play, but now the opportunity arises for one of them to play at the weekend. You see them working in training, and you know they're ready for their chance."
Either Doni or Jones will don their gloves for Saturday's visit of Villa, and despite their position of 15th in the Barclays Premier League table, Clarke is anticipating a tough test.
"They've got good players and we know from when we played them away it was a difficult game," he said. "Any team in the Premier League is competitive.
"They're not safe yet if you look at their points total, but they are only two or three results away from being safe and I think Alex is doing a decent job there."
Clarke continued: "At this stage of the season, all the games are difficult. They're certainly difficult for us.
"We're not in the best of moments and it's something we're trying to work on in training and in matches, and we'll look to put it right at the weekend."
Following Saturday's game with Villa, Liverpool will take on Blackburn Rovers before contesting the FA Cup semi-final with Everton.
The clamour for tickets for Wembley has already begun, but Clarke insists the game has yet to enter the Reds' thoughts.
"We're not even thinking about the semi-final - we have to think about the game on Saturday," he said.
"For confidence, it would be a good thing if we could beat Aston Villa at the weekend. We'll work from now until the game on Saturday and try to give the players that little bit of confidence.
"We know they've got the ability to win the game, maybe we need a little bit of luck or a refereeing decision to go our way.
"But certainly come Saturday at three o'clock we'll be there, we'll give 100 per cent and we'll try and put things right."
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