Tony Barrett The Times
Liverpools owners are running out of patience with Roy Hodgson. The Fenway Sports Group (FSG) wants to see a revival in fortunes on the field or the manager may face the consequences.
While sympathetic with the challenges that Hodgson has faced since taking over as Liverpool manager from Rafael Benítez last July, FSG is concerned that the 63-year-old has yet to deliver.
While the Americans remain reluctant to make a managerial change halfway through the season, they are believed to have been far from impressed with Hodgsons suggestion that he hoped the clubs fans would become supporters after the dismal 1-0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.
Hodgson will face the press again today ahead of Liverpools home match with Bolton Wanderers tomorrow. He must produce a much improved performance from his side to stop his position becoming untenable. Liverpool already have their lowest points total going into the new year since the 1953-54 season, which ended in relegation.
Since their takeover of Liverpool in October, FSG has placed great store by its relationship with the clubs fans and have demanded that the lead they have taken on this front is followed at all levels. The managers reaction to chants calling for his removal has put him at odds with his employers and their direction.
John W. Henry and Tom Werner, the FSG founders, have not wavered in their public support of Hodgson despite him not being appointed by them. Their backing, however, has been put to its most serious test by almost total breakdown in the former Fulham managers relationship with the Liverpool supporters.
In the immediate aftermath of the loss to Wolves, Hodgson made plain his dissatisfaction at the lack of support he is receiving from the Liverpool fans chants of Hodgson for England resounded around Anfield during Liverpools fourth defeat in their last six Barclays Premier League matches stating that he has had to make do with the backing of his players.
I have been lucky the support I have had has been from the players and within the club, Hodgson said. I havent had a lot of support from the fans ever since I came here.
The fans have not been happy with what they have seen in the whole of 2010 and since I came here we have not won enough games to keep them happy.
That is understandable in the sense that they were hoping when I came here the latter part of last season would be forgotten and we would start flying again. That hasnt happened and as a result, as manager, you are the one in the firing line, but of course it doesnt make the job easier because it makes the players more nervous.
I can only say as a manager you have to understand that fans care for their club and want it to do well and when it is not doing well they voice their disapproval.
One departure from Liverpool has already been confirmed with Eduardo Macia, the clubs chief scout, leaving by mutual consent.
Macias exit is not unexpected and has been seen as a formality after the arrival of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy in November.