Analysis: Roy Hodgson's Liverpool FC season of woe

08 January 2011 17:18
SO the stuttering, stumbling era of Roy Hodgson at Anfield has been brought to an abrupt end.[LNB]This morning's annoucement hardly comes as a surprise to millions of Liverpool fans who had lost faith with the manager many weeks ago.[LNB] Show Caption 11th May 2010: Hodgson and Danny Murphy the night before the Europa League Final, his last game in charge of Fulham1st July 2010: Hodgson checks in as Liverpool manager21st July 2010: Hodgson on the touchline during his first game in charge, a friendly v Grasshopper Zurich27th July 2010: New signings are unveiled at Anfield - Cole, Jovanovic and Wilson15th August 2010: Hodgson and Wenger can't look as LFC and Arsenal draw in his first league game in charge29th August 2010: Hodgson claims his first league win as the Reds beat West Brom 1-022nd September 2010: Hodgson on the touchline as LFC crash out of the Carling Cup to Northampton3rd October 2010: LFC fans protest against Hicks and Gillett before Liverpool lose 2-1 at home to Blackpool17th October 2010: New owners John Henry and Tom Werner on the way to see Liverpool lose 2-0 at Goodison Park31st October 2010: Maxi Rodriguez, the man who scored the only goal at Bolton in Hodgson's first league away win4th November 2010: New LFC Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli looks on as the Reds beat Napoli 3-1 in the Europa League7th November 2010: John Henry at Anfield as a Torres double sees off Chelsea 2-020th November 2010: Hodgson offers instructions at Anfield as LFC beat West Ham 3-06th December 2010: Another 3-0 win at home, this time over Gerard Houllier's Aston Villa29th December 2010: Liverpool slump to a 1-0 defeat at home to WolvesArriving at training with rumours over his future growingWith Steven Gerrard at MelwoodThe fans make their views plain The only slight curiosity is that this decision was made on the eve of the Reds big FA Cup Third Round tie against Manchester United tomorrow, and not following the debacles of either Wolves or Blackburn.[LNB]That said, these high-level talks take time, paperwork needs to be signed, and delicate discussions entered into, so we can be sure this move has been in the uppermost thoughts of John Henry and Tom Werner's for some time now.[LNB]In the end, it was an absurdly simple decision.[LNB]For weeks now, Liverpool have been playing with a total lack of belief and passion on the pitch as disbelieving fans have watched the Reds be outclassed by mediocre Premiership sides while sliding further down the Premiership table.[LNB]See the Echo and Post page archive of Roy Hodgson's reign by clicking here.[LNB]Some supporters may have been critical with seventh place last season, but that seems a positivley heady height compared to where the Reds are now - four points from the relegation zone.[LNB]It just never worked for Roy.[LNB]Aside from a stellar performance at home to Chelsea, Liverpool have limped along since August with Hodgson at the helm, turning out dull, anaemic performances that have left fans numb with disbelief.[LNB]Top players have looked shadows of their former selves, the Reds have resorted to predictable, route one football, the defence has continually sat deeper and deeper which has invited attacking teams onto us.

Source: Liverpool_Echo