Kenny Dalglish has accused his critics of lacking intelligence and not understanding what he is trying to achieve at Anfield,

Kenny Dalglish has accused his critics of lacking intelligence and not understanding what he is trying to achieve at Anfield, pointing to the success of the academy and Liverpool’s Carling Cup triumph, as well as the FA Cup semi-final to come. 

But, after Wednesday’s implosion at Loftus Road, when they lost a Premier League game after leading 2-0 for the first time in 11-and-a-half years, and after buying nearly £115million worth of players in just over a year, the club sit seventh, a place above Swansea (who have spent around £10m in that time). So, we ask Sportsmail’s experts — has King Kenny delivered?

After spending more than £100million on players, Kenny Dalglish must realise his Liverpool side have seriously under-performed this season. Six defeats in the last 10 Barclays Premier League games, nine in all, as well as eight draws at home, is simply not good enough.

The widely-held view that the Carling Cup would be enough to satisfy the club’s American owners this season is not shared by many inside Anfield. Not even a Carling Cup and FA Cup double will keep them completely happy when the main objective was to qualify for the Champions League.

Kop legend: But with Liverpool 12 points off the Champions League spot, Kenny Dalglish does not seem to know how to turn around the club's League fortunes

But that does not mean Dalglish will be sacked, or indeed should be sacked, particularly when it has never been more difficult to secure a place in the top four and particularly when we are talking about Dalglish here. These Americans are not half as daft as their predecessors.

The pressure, however, will be on next season, with so much more required from those marquee signings.

Andy Carroll has been a disaster so far, while Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam just don’t look like Liverpool players; nothing like as good as Xabi Alonso or Fernando Torres, prior to the latter getting injured, anyway.

Stewart Downing has had his moments but needs to perform with more consistency, especially for £20million.