Kenny Dalglish has insisted all his Liverpool team lack is belief after seeing them lose to Blackpool for the second time this season.

The 2-1 win moved the Seasiders above a Liverpool side that have won only one away league game all season and sit four points above the relegation zone.

"The effort, commitment and desire is there," said the Liverpool manager.

"But sometimes it doesn't matter how good the player is, you need belief. We'll work hard on giving them that."

That confidence initially appeared to be present as Liverpool grabbed an early lead thanks to Fernando Torres's fierce third-minute strike.

But they were soon on the ropes when Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored a superb equaliser before DJ Campbell popped up with the winner after the break.

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And with Blackpool perhaps unfortunate not to win by a bigger margin, Dalglish admitted he faced a sizeable task to turn round the club's fortunes.

The defeat left them 13th in the table, with only one win from their last seven matches in all competitions. They also face the pressure-cauldron environment of the Merseyside derby on Sunday, taking on an Everton side that have beaten Manchester City and Tottenham in their last four league games.

But Dalglish, whose first match after succeeding Roy Hodgson was Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Manchester United, insisted that a change of luck was every bit as important as any attempt to bring in new players during the January transfer window.

"It's all very well being a decent side but every side which has been successful and has ever done anything needs that bit of luck," he added.

"At the moment that has turned against us but the longer we stick in and the less sorry we feel for ourselves the better chance we will have of correcting it.

"We'll work away and try to get the confidence we need to produce more positive results but I won't be harsh on my players because they put in the effort and commitment.

"A lot of these players played a large amount of Sunday's FA Cup tie against Manchester United a team-mate short [after Steven Gerrard was sent off]."

Dalgish, who previously played and managed Liverpool, said he needed to develop relationships with the players in order to restore their confidence.

"I've only had three days' training with them, but I'll get to know them better over the next few sessions. You only get to know them by being closer to them," he said.

And asked whether he would be dipping into the market during the January transfer window, Dalglish commented: "I don't know if there are players coming in or out. I haven't inquired about anybody."

Meanwhile, Holloway, whose side were praised by Dalglish, was delighted with the way his players acquitted themselves against Liverpool, with Blackpool achieving their first league double over the Reds since the 1946/47 season.

"It feels big, it feels fantastic," said Holloway.

"The hype was all about Kenny [Dalglish]. We let a goal in after three minutes so you think that's it. But my lads then go and show their spirit again. I'm delighted for them, they played really well.

"I've got some fantastic players here. We've managed to beat Liverpool and we've taken six points off them this season. I can't believe it."

Holloway also paid tribute to his match-winner, Campbell.

"He's scored seven goals now and I'm delighted for him. I always knew he'd score at this level, he was born to do it," said Holloway.

He added: "I'm proud of the way they play. The side were going to be tested this season but they keep showing what great people they are."

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