Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has accepted there are problems within his side after they slumped to a sixth defeat in seven English Premier League matches at Newcastle United.

But the 61-year-old Anfield great has insisted he will stay calm in a bid to get the Reds back on track ahead of their FA Cup semi-final date with Merseyside rivals Everton on April 14.

Dalglish will have to make do without goalkeeper Pepe Reina for that game after the Spain international was sent off in the closing stages of the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Sunday.

It was a troubled afternoon for Liverpool, who ended up with former Newcastle defender Jose Enrique in goal and another ex-Magpie, striker Andy Carroll, direct his frustration towards his boss before disappearing up the tunnel after his second-half substitution.

Dalglish, whose side face Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday and travel to Blackburn Rovers before their Wembley clash with Everton, said his players had to use their frustration to their advantage.

“We’ve got to try and remain calm and sort out the problems that we have to get ourselves back to the way that we want to be playing,” said Dalglish of a Liverpool team who’ve already won the League Cup this season.

“I don’t think it’s a problem with confidence. We’ve got to stick together and believe in what we’re doing,” the former Liverpool and Scotland striker, now in his second spell as Reds manager, said.

“It’s not as if they don’t work hard.”

Carroll’s annoyance was symptomatic of a shambolic afternoon for the visitors as his replacement on Tyneside, Papiss Cisse, scored both goals for United.

The Senegal striker made it seven goals in as many Premier League games for Newcastle with a 19th-minute header and a close range-finish just shy of the hour mark to boost their challenge for a Champions League place.

Cisse’s display was in marked contrast to that of Carroll.

Carroll, who has scored only five league goals since arriving at Anfield, was booked for diving when, with the game still goalless, he went to ground after rounding Magpies’ keeper Tim Krul rather than shooting.

Dalglish refused to criticise that incident or his reaction to being brought off 10 minutes from time.

“When Andy came off and went up the tunnel he was disappointed with the way the game had gone, not necessarily for himself but for the team,” he said.

“The frustration took him up into the dressing room. We don’t have a problem with people showing their disappointment, desperation of frustration.

“If we don’t stick together and have trust in each other it is going to be a lot more difficult.”

Delighted Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said: “If we keep playing like that and working hard then anything’s possible.”

In Sunday’s other game, Tottenham Hotspur went level on points with third-placed north London foes Arsenal and five clear of both Chelsea and Newcastle after they beat Swansea 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Emmanuel Adebayor sealed victory with two late headers after Swansea had levelled at 1-1.

“Swansea are doing great this season and made it difficult for us today, but we showed our true class,” said Tottenham and Wales winger Gareth Bale.