Home form continues to be a Pool puzzle

It was another frustrating afternoon for Liverpool on Sunday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United.

That means the Reds remain in the uncomfortable region of the bottom half of the table and have recorded just one win in six Premier League matches.

While games against last season’s top three to begin with were a tough start at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers knows that this area needs to improve. In fact, it is becoming quite a puzzle.

This was another game that was dominated by the Merseysiders. Apart from Arsenal, most sides visiting have been outplayed but often come away with some form of result.

Yohan Cabaye’s 42nd minute opener was a stunning strike to break the deadlock, coming after several minutes of extended home pressure.

Cabaye ended the visitors’ jink of failing to score at the home of LFC. He became the first Magpies player to net here since Patrick Kluivert found the net in a 3-1 Premier League defeat back in December 2004.

Same old story

Once again, chances were being created by the hosts but not being taken. It took a long ball approach and some classy skill from Luis Suarez (pictured) to draw the sides’ level.

Even a late red card for Fabricio Coloccini couldn’t provide the crucial breakthrough for the frustrated home supporters.

A phlegmatic Rodgers told BBC Sport afterwards: “I said to the players at half-time you just have to keep calm.

“I thought we were brilliant today (Sunday) – the message at half-time was to keep dominating in the second half.

“I thought we were very unlucky not to win.”

Although empathy has to be felt for the Reds boss as this project continues, it is a sluggish start.

Liverpool have only won three of their last 15 Premier League matches at Anfield – a statistic that is akin to a relegation side, not a club with so much prestigious history.

Chelsea is next in the league at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, so it doesn’t get any easier for a transforming Liverpool side.

Hope is there and the performances can’t be questioned but the lack of results can and must improve.

The feeling of Liverpool supporters celebrating a home win in 2012 has not been a frequent one.

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88