A demoralising 1-0 defeat by basement dwellers Wolves on Wednesday means Liverpool will go into a New Year on their lowest points tally since 1953/54, when Don Welsh’s side was relegated, and the task does not get any easier for under-fire manager Roy Hodgson (11/10 Liverpool – Top 6 Finish).
The Reds entertain Bolton on New Year’s Day at Anfield and defeat could spell the end for the 63-year-old (8/13 Liverpool, 13/5 draw, 9/2 Bolton – match betting).
Hodgson had to endure chants of “Dalglish” and “Hodgson for England” on Wednesday in the biggest show of public dismay by seasoned Kopites since he arrived on a miserable night for the red half of Merseyside (11/8 Wolves – To Stay Up).
It is also worth acknowledging that prior to the Wolves visit Liverpool had not played since December 15 when turning in another uninspiring performance in a drab goalless draw against Utrecht.
Scratch below the surface and the stats paint a grim picture.
The Reds have already lost to two of the promoted clubs this term – Newcastle away, Blackpool at home – and now find themselves just three points off the relegation zone and five points from the foot of the table.
Let us not forget the Carling Cup defeat by League Two outfit Northampton back in September – arguably the most embarrassing home performance since the shock 1959 defeat by Southern League side Worcester City in the FA Cup.
Hodgson has insisted he has not lost the dressing room but the body language of his star men suggests otherwise.
Spain international Fernando Torres, riddled by a spate of injury setbacks and subsequent loss of form, looks like he would rather be anywhere else in the world than embroiled in a potential relegation scrap (18/1 Torres – Premier League Top Scorer)
Steven Gerrard, so often the saviour for Liverpool and undoubted Kop hero, can also no longer be expected to turn in ‘Roy of the Rovers’ performances on a match-by-match basis.
Former Fulham boss Hodgson fired the first shot in the wake of the Wolves reverse by questioning where the “famous support” had gone in an ill-advised move which he has since apologised for making.
He will need all the help he can if he is to arrest a shocking run of form against Owen Coyle’s progressive European hopefuls and restore the standing which saw him mentioned in England circles before he left Craven Cottage.
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