After the end of Benitez's far from harmonious spell at the club, which lasted six years, there was a new wave of optimism around Anfield with the American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, reportedly ready to sell the club whilst Roy Hodgson arrived in the dug-out fresh from completing an astonishing turn around at Fulham, having led the London Club from the relegation places in the Barclays Premier League to a Europa League final in Hamburg last May.
Hodgson's gentlemanly approach and illustrious CV meant he was the perfect man to turn the Reds fortunes around as, after all Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League last term, and Hodgson's exploits in the Europa League speak for themselves.
Unfortunately for Liverpool their 2010/2011 campaign has gotten off to an atrocious start culminating in a home defeat at the hands of Premiership new boys; Blackpool. The sale of midfield anchorman Javier Mascherano to Barcelona and the poor form of Fernando Torres has heaped yet more pressure on Captain Steven Gerrard, who has struggled to find his sparkling best this season. The Reds have only managed one win so far this season whilst scraping draws with Arsenal and Sunderland at home.
Liverpool's poor league form, resulting in the Anfield club languishing in the relegation zone, incorporated with an embarrassing home defeat to Northampton Town in the Carling Cup has raised old questions over the way the club is run as Liverpool fans desperately seek for excuses over the team's poor performances.
The Kopites have once again began protesting before and after home games, in a desperate attempt to dislodge the American Owners who they feel have ruined the club. In May the club released a statement that said Liverpool was in £350 million of debt, which sparked outrage amongst the fans. Outrage which was exacerbated when the American pair refused to listen to offers to sell the club from Boston Red Sox owner John W Henry. The Owner's refusal to tolerate any offers prompted Liverpool's Chairman Martin Broughton and the club's creditors, The Royal Bank of Scotland,to take the incident to the High Courts. After it looked as if the sale of the club may go ahead, it became apparent that Tom Hicks had received a temporary restraining order from a Texas court to block the sale of the club.
However following the a return to the high courts an injunction was granted and the attempts of Liverpool's co-owners to halt the sale of the club were blocked. So perhaps the sale of the club will go through. If the wait between the sale and takeover of the club is too long, the Reds will run a serious risk of entering administration which brings with it a nine point penalty, which would result in Liverpool sitting at rock bottom of the table. Up next is a fierce Merseyside derby against Everton, who go into the game after breaking Birmingham's hugely impressive unbeaten home run with a 2-0 win. The toffees are perhaps slight favourites given the numerous and well documented off the pitch headaches that the Liverpool players have had to contend with, not to mention Dirk Kuyt has sustained an ankle injury which will keep him out of action for weeks to come.
For Liverpool the derby is bigger than ever, a win could completely transform their fortunes and have them looking up the table rather than down. If the Merseysiders are to make a push for Europe this season, they will have to get some points on the board immediately, otherwise they could run the risk of finishing the season in mid-table mediocrity or perhaps even worse, Liverpool loving Sky presenters cover your ears, in a relegation battle. The clock is ticking.
