The murmurs of discontent grew stronger on a drab Sunday afternoon on Merseyside as Liverpool crashed to a despairing 2-1 loss to Premier League newcomers Blackpool.
Charlie Adam’s penalty and Luke Varney’s strike on the stroke of half-time ensured the online betting outsiders held a dream lead at Anfield.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos halved the deficit with a header to set up a stirring last 35 minutes, but Ian Holloway’s men stood firm to crown a magnificent performance with the desired three points.
But all eyes are now on Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson as his terrible start to life at the five-time European champions continues.
Incredibly, they occupy a place in the bottom three after collecting a measly six points from their opening seven outings.
With detested American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett still at the helm and the club reportedly in masses of debt, the grey gloom looks set for a prolonged stay.
Hodgson, with his idiosyncrasies to boot, appears to be fighting a losing battle as he struggles to get the best out of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres, shining lights of recent seasons.
But what next for the fallen giants? Hodgson’s appointment raised many eyebrows when he joined from mediocre top-flight side Fulham in the summer and, less than two months into the new campaign, there are strong calls for his head.
We will take a look at a couple of names that are being bandied around as possible quick-fix solutions.
Will Liverpool win the Europa League this season? – Latest Football Betting
Kenny Dalglish.
The club legend is the fans favourite to step into the breach and turn the club’s spiralling fortunes around.
But a return to Anfield may prove difficult after his fine spell as boss between 1985-1991.
Dalglish himself may not want to risk tarnishing his sound reputation by taking over a sinking ship.
Martin O’Neill.
The former Leicester City, Celtic and Aston Villa manager could prove to be a hugely popular choice as manager should Hodgson be handed his marching orders.
The charismatic and likeable Northern Irishman, who won the European Cup in his playing days with Nottingham Forest in 1979 and 1980, has succeeded with the
Foxes and Villans in the top-flight, but whether he could handle a club of Liverpool’s stature could prove a stumbling block.
Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman can count Valencia, Real Madrid and Chelsea as his former clubs, but he could be off the radar after recently teaming up with the Turkish national team.
An opportunity to return to club management could be too much of a lure for the 63-year-old who may have one last stint left in him.
Henry, who was born and bred in Wolverhampton, plies his trade in the same manner as Lee Cattermole and Wilson Palacios, and he certainly wears his heart on his sleeve for his home team’s cause, but a line needs to be drawn if his now chequered reputation is to be corrected.
