HEADS will roll, said Kenny Dalglish. But it’s what sits atop the Liverpool manager that has come under most scrutiny in the wake of last weekend’s Reebok debacle.

Is the King’s crown slipping ever so slightly?

When Dalglish made his triumphant return to the hotseat last January, the fanbase were reeling from the turbulent and traumatic reign of Roy Hodgson.

Dalglish steadied the ship, rebuilt confidence, restored belief and reinvigorated a disillusioned Anfield faithful.

The only way was up. Now, though, comes his first real test.

Defeat at Bolton Wanderers had been on the cards for a while. The signs had been there, not least during the dire goalless draw at home to Stoke City the previous weekend when, for the second game in succession, Liverpool’s confused players were left gesticulating to the bench for tactical advice.

Too many players underperformed, too many players demonstrated a lack of desire. As Dalglish pointed out, it appeared some had their minds on the cup double header against Manchester duo City and United.

Those games will shape the remainder of Liverpool’s season in knockout competition.

But it’s Champions League qualification that arguably remains the greater priority, certainly in terms of proving a catalyst for what principal owner John Henry hopes is the next stage of progress both on and off the pitch.

Three wins from the last 10 Premier League games has prompted a slide down the Premier League table to seventh, behind Chelsea, Arsenal and, once again, Newcastle United.

Standing six points adrift of fourth place, there is no need for panic just yet. Indeed, it could be argued that in and around the scrap for the final Champions League berth is exactly where Liverpool would have been expected to be at this stage of the season.

But Dalglish must address his team’s glaring shortcomings if a return to European football’s top table is to remain a realistic target.

It’s telling that the only players whose values have increased amid the misgivings haven’t been playing.

Luis Suarez has two more games to serve of his eight-match suspension and the Uruguayan cannot return quickly enough to inspire a lacklustre attack.

But perhaps the greatest loss has been Lucas. While back at Melwood this week, the Brazilian won’t play again this season and has thus far proven irreplaceable.

Dalglish has been guilty of some confusing messages. When, last Friday, the Liverpool manager saluted £20million summer arrival Stewart Downing as being even better than he thought, it could only be from evidence on the training ground; Downing’s top-flight record this season remains no goals, no assists. All the more bizarre, then, that the winger promptly found himself dropped to the bench at Bolton.

Downing’s not the only Dalglish signing to hit the wall in recent weeks. Charlie Adam, after an impressive start, is becoming a concern in midfield while even Jose Enrique showed signs of struggle at the Reebok.

Jordan Henderson’s quiet consistency and occasional flashes of inspiration suggest he is worth persevering with, but Andy Carroll is now surely testing the patience of even his most staunch supporter Dalglish.

The heads that roll, though, may ultimately come from elsewhere, with age counting against Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez, despite the duo having contributed greatly during Dalglish’s honeymoon period. That, though, has long gone.

Reality has bit the Liverpool manager – now the hard work really starts.