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Liverpool manager apologizes to fans

Other News Materials 1 January 2011 10:34 (UTC +04:00)
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has apologized to his team's fans after he caused offence to them by accusing them of failing to support him, Press TV reported.
Liverpool manager apologizes to fans

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has apologized to his team's fans after he caused offence to them by accusing them of failing to support him, Press TV reported.

"I certainly regret it if I offended the fans in any way, it was no way meant to cause offence, it was a purely defensive comment," Reuters quoted Hodgson as saying on Friday.

On Wednesday, Liverpool lost 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at home. After the game, Liverpool fans chanted slogans against Hodgson and demanded that former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez return.

Afterwards, Hodgson said "the famous Anfield support has not really been there ever since I came here," adding that he hoped the fans "became supporters."

The remarks sparked anger among fans who put unfavorable comments on internet websites, calling on Hodgson to step down.

Hodgson made placating remarks on Friday, accepting responsibility for his team's "poor performance."

"I was taking responsibility and quite prepared to accept it on the chin that I would be the one in the firing line for the team's poor performance. I understand and empathize with them and I'm disappointed if that's been changed into me attacking the fans. There is no way I would want to do that and there is no way that would be justified because they are the best in the country," he said.

"When I say support, I think they support the club and the man who has been given the job as manager of the club but it's been an uphill struggle for me from the start and I don't necessarily think they got behind the appointment and there's no reason why they should. I believe they are very much Liverpool fans and very much behind the club and if we start to turn things around and get the results then they'll be behind us all," he concluded.

Liverpool's Wednesday loss was their eighth league loss of the season, leaving the team just three points above the relegation zone.

In the twentieth week of the English Premier League, Manchester United tops the league's table with 38 points and 18 games played. Manchester City comes second with the same number of points but 20 games played, followed by Arsenal, on 36 points.

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