Down the pan

Where did it all go wrong? When the season kicked off there seemed to be a good dose of healthy optimism around Anfield. Rafa Benitez had gone after five years and an anticlimactic season ending in the indignity of having to be content with another season condemned to the Europa League. In came Roy Hodgson from Fulham, the man who could do no wrong after leading the Cottagers to the Europa Leaue final, narrowly losing to Atletico Madrid after vanquishing holder Shaktar Donetsk, Italian legends Juventus, German champions Wolfsburg and the city that would host the final, Hamburg. In light of this success, little was made of the fact that his Fulham side had dropped five places in the league from last year - incidentally, the same slip which cost Benitez his job, though from seventh to 12th is less noticable than second to seventh - and just one away win all season.

Nevertheless, the season got underway after two tedious slogs around Europe and the optimism was reinforced. Joe Cole, who had laughably compared to Lionel Messi, seen as the shining light of moving the club forward by attracting talented British players. He quickly put that to rest with his first red card while wearing his first red shirt, but there were still many positives to take from the game. Liverpool had showed the kind of determination and togetherness that had been an earmark of Fulham's Europa League campaign, only coming undone to a talented Arsenal side after a last gasp howler, despite competing for half the game with ten men.

But, unfortunately, the results didn't get any better than this. A humbling defeat at Manchester City, with a potentially naive 4-4-2 formation coming undone, was followed with a scrappy 1-0 win over yoyo club West Brom. Tehn came the goalless draw at St Andrews in which Liveprool were lucky to get a point - a result perhaps acceptable at Fulham, but not at Anfield. There were again signs for optimism despite defeat at Old Trafford, Steven Gerrard continuing to drag a lifeless side to dizzying heights with two quickfire goals almost grabbing an undeserved point.

Then things desceneded even further - first with the Carling Cup farce at home to Northampton. After seeing David Ngog head Liverpool level at the death, I thought he had spared the manager's blushes. After all, Liverpool had not lost a penalty shootout for umpteen years. Though it would be unfair if Northampton had not been victorious, their couragous display deserving to take the headlines when other high fliers such as Chelsea and Manchester City also exited the competition.

Clutching straws, Hodgson assured fans that things would be better if he could get successive wins in the next two Anfield games - both winnable fixtures against Sunderland and newboys Blackpool. First Steve Bruce was left fuming that the Black Cats had lost at Anfield - that itself a damning indictment of how far Liverpool had fall - after a comical and dishonest goal, finishing the game 2-2. Next up was the game that every side in the Premier League will expect to win, and what followed was an even more depressing result.

Blackpool had already suffered humbling experiences at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates, but that did not dampen their spirits as they won 2-1 at Anfield, with Liverpool fans no doubt thinking the club's positions in the table should be reversed. Ian Holloway has showed attacking ambition since promotion and a casual attitude, a refreshing change to the defensive mindset that many promoted teams display. Their victory was deserved - another damning indictment of Liverpool.

Seven games into the season with just six points to show for it - even Hodgson has admitted that it's relegation form. He asked to be judged after ten games - but with just three remaining to reach that landmark, can he really turn things around? Questions will rightfully be asked and fingers pointed, but it's difficult to establish who is to blame.

Hodgson did not inherit a strong squad - nor did he receive the funds to adaquately rebuild it. Javier Mascherano's departure was ill timed and unhelpful for the club. Joe Cole has promised more than he has shown, Christian Poulson has looked poor, and Raul Meireles is still settling into the league. Other biys looked more forward looking than for the present - Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson are promising prospects, but not particularly helpful in the current plight. And Middlesbrough fans were glad to see tha back of Brad Jones.

Is Hodgson the right man for the job? Marseille boss Didier Deschamps revelation that he was approached for the job certainly implies that other first choice candidates were either unavailable or unwilling. Hodgson does appear to be a stop gap - the mark of a regime who want a man who can manage on a shoe string without complaining or becoming involved in board room politics and who will likely be seen as expendable if and when ownership changes.

Unfortunately, he may also be seen as a small squad manager unable to juggle the large team need to succeed at the top end of the league - the release of Alberto Aquilani on loan to Juventus would suggest that. Another concern is his style of play being far from attractive or ambitious, and if he can handle the expectation of not managing a mid table club - the fact that he has managed Inter Milan would suggest otherwise, but he is certainly not flourishing under pressure.

There has been much amusement from rival fans at Liverpool's decline, and people insisting that the club should not have such high expectations. Some even say Champions' League football is an unrealistic target. But lets be realistic - save for last season, Liverpool have consistabtly finished in the top four. Xabi Alonso was missed after his departure when the club finished just short of Manchester United, but was never the force he was made out to be after he left.

The club has a rich history, and with that comes expectation. It is too early to write them off as the next Leeds - debt may be crippling, but many clubs are under this burden, notable United in England but also Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain. There still are quality players at the club and it will still have the ability to attract a calibre unavailable to other clubs. Yes, Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester City have strenghened, but both looked shoirt of top form last season and have continued to slip up this term, lacking the consistantly to seriosuly challenge. Liverpool should be among them pushing at the top for the top four places at the very least.

Liverpool will not sack a manager after just seven games, and rightly so - not just because it is poo conduct, but because the club can scarcely afford to. Hodgson has made a poor start and, despite his mitigating circumstances, must accept a chunk of the blame. Despite having a thin squad, no money to buy new players and a world class striker desperately short of form in Fernando Torres, it is still a manager's job to inspire and motivate his players and draw up the tactics that lead to success. He is also the one accountable for other's failings. Football is fickle and results talk - if Hidgson can get three wins on the spin then things will look a lot brighter and he may be able to talk more confidently about being judged after ten games.

(Picture - The Daily Mail)