Under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has apologised to fans for any offence caused by his comments after the 1-0 home defeat by Wolves on Wednesday.
The club's eighth league defeat of the season to the relegation scrappers was greeted by a chorus of boos, prompting Hodgson to call for more backing.
"I'm disappointed and I certainly regret if I have offended them in any way," Hodgson said on Friday.
"It was meant as a defensive comment. I was taking responsibility and prepared to accept that I would be in the firing line. I'm very disappointed if that has been transformed into me attacking the fans."
In the closing stages of the defeat to Wolves, who had not previously won away all season, fans sarcastically chanted "Hodgson for England" and sang the name of former boss Kenny Dalglish.
Following the match, Hodgson appeared to suggest that their energy would be better directed to getting behind the team.
"I have to hope the fans will become supporters because we need support. We are not deliberately losing games," he said.
But speaking at a scheduled news briefing ahead of Saturday's crucial home match against Bolton, Hodgson said he understood why fans were so unhappy with the team and their manager.
"Fans always have the right to show their anger and disapproval - we've got fantastic fans but you have to give them something to be passionate about and we didn't do that on Wednesday," he added.
"I don't think they were happy with anyone and as manager you are first in the firing line.
"The Anfield support will always be there and what's more it's better in times of crisis."
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