Liverpool remain a club in crisis on and off the pitch after a tumultuous week, and their only consolation going into tomorrow's Merseyside derby is that city neighbours Everton have also endured a difficult start to the English Premier League season.
The last time they met, eight months ago, Liverpool were fifth on the table and Everton ninth, but now they are 18th and 17th respectively, seven games into the season. The slippage seen at the two clubs last season - when Liverpool finished outside the top six for the first time in more than a decade and Everton for only the second time in six seasons - has worsened so much that they will do well to match last season's finishing positions.
Liverpool's slump has been more dramatic, but was predictable to some extent, even without the ownership maelstrom swirling around Anfield. They have swapped one defence-minded coach for another in Roy Hodgson and it is no surprise that their play has lacked excitement and expansiveness.
One problem for Hodgson is that he has inherited a team reliant on two star players. And, with Fernando Torres out of sorts, the onus has fallen even more heavily on Steven Gerrard to inspire the team. Rival managers have woken up to the fact that they can outscore Hodgson's team, as Blackpool proved two weeks ago with their memorable win at Anfield.
Liverpool have scored just seven goals in their seven Premier League matches - only three teams have a lower tally - and Hodgson is not the type of coach who will easily turn that form around. Looking at his record with Fulham, it is clear he relied on stifling the opposition on the road in particular, with just 12 goals scored in their 19 away games last season. Hodgson's negative approach brought just one away win but seven draws, a fair level of success for a club like Fulham but far from what is required to get Liverpool back into the Champions League.
In fairness, Hodgson deserves time to put his stamp on Liverpool and that has been far from easy with all the problems surrounding the club. If he has money to spend in January, it will be interesting to see whether he chooses to strengthen the attack or defence.