Roy Hodgson will look back on 2010 with incredibly mixed feelings. Taking Fulham on a sensational European tour, he was heralded as the man to arrest Liverpool’s dramatic slump of 2009/10. How the mighty have fallen. After Liverpool’s defeat to Wolves, Hodgson’s side sit 12th in the Premier League although more worrying is the fact that they only sit 3 points ahead of the relegation spots.
It speaks volumes about Liverpool’s performance when in the last 10 minutes, ideally Liverpool’s gung ho period, the most passionate player at Anfield was Wolves’ Ronald Zubar, enraged a foul had been called against him. Sotiris Kyrgiakos was sent up front during the closing stages as a target man but Liverpool fans may see it as a positive for him to be described as ineffectual. The Greek centre back was beaten to a header and then missed an interception as Stephen Ward raced through to score the only goal of the game and to give Wolves their first away win of the season. Liverpool will be wondering what might have been had Raul Meireles scored after six minutes having been put clean through only to hit a tame effort at Hennessey. Meireles was probably still wondering at that point why he’d been placed on the right wing by Hodgson, a mistake later rectified. Fernando Torres appeared a different player to the one who only a few weeks ago demolished Chelsea in superb fashion. Against Wolves, the lack of service gave him a chance to dream about moves to London or Manchester since chances of domestic success look ever so slim for the World Cup winner.
Liverpool’s new owners NESV have their options open now. Entering January, they can give Hodgson funds to buy players of a quality that Liverpool should be buying, not Paul Konchesky. Carlton Cole will slot into that category after recent stories linking him with a move to Anfield. Instead, they can choose to cut ties with Hodgson and bring in their own man.
The red half of Merseyside will hope Rafa’s phone is switched off…
Watch the goals from Liverpool 0-1 Wolves
