howard h. Unfortunately you are correct about the comparatively poor rail connections from BLK to LPL airport. However, you did not take the quickest route.
If you use LPL again, then the options are from Lime Street:
500 express Route - every 30 mins, takes about 25/30 mins direct to airport.
Rail from Lime st - All Trains to Birmingham and some to Crewe and Manchester stop at Liverpool South Parkway (Several trains per hour), where you can catch a dedicated bus to the airport. Total time for train/bus around 20/25 mins. (If you can get a lift to Southport you can also get direct trains from there (every 20 mins) straight through to Liverpool South Parkway.
Alternative rail routes/express route 700 connections are available via Warrington.
It appears that you got on one of the many local stopping buses instead. Perhaps a lack of advertising is the problem.
As for a tram route, there is one proposed from central liverpool via liverpool south parkway to the airport, however the Government transferred all the money from this scheme to fund the extension to Manchesters tram system (this is a common theme). Therefore unless totally privately funded it is unlikely to go ahead. Unless of course they can borrow some from BLK!