HEADS will roll, said Kenny Dalglish. But it’s what sits atop the Liverpool FC 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, with the Carling Cup final a fantastic achievement. 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.