Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish insists the players are "hurting" over their poor league form.

Everton moved ahead of the Reds yesterday with victory over West Bromwich Albion.

"The pessimism is all about results in the league and we want to do better in the league," said Dalglish.

"We have to accept the criticism that's going to come our way if we aren't winning league matches. But if it's hurting ­anybody, it's not hurting them as much as it is ­hurting the players and staff in here.

"The most important thing for us is to improve on this season and the ­players expect that as well. If someone comes in, they have to be a lot better than what we've got and that is a huge challenge.

"I don't think there are many people more ­committed than the ­players we have here. If we don't find someone better than what we've got, we don't get them. Simple and straightforward as that."