So then, low morale? mercenary owners? Shite manager? Shite team? Ground in need of development?
Just
how long does a total re-build take under these circumstances?
Here's an Echo feature which juxtaposes Hodgson's starting 11 in 2010 with Klopp's starting 11 as we began the 18/19 season.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-crystal-palace-hodgson-klopp-15041478Everyone whose followed our trajectory closely since that time will know how this evolved. Ousting the Cancers, Torres to Chelsea, Sir Kenny taking the reigns to temporarily stabilize the club and regain the fan-base. Rodgers arriving, the Andy Carroll 'experiment.' Retiring Gerrard and Carragher in order to allow new personalities to 'blossom' as vocal leaders. Suarez arriving under the radar and running rampant. The goalkeeper 'conundrum.' The leaky defense. Poor squad depth. Barca poaching our key 'latin' players. The stadium development issue handled intelligently. Klopp's arrival. Getting good value from our spending and no longer being shafted in the transfer market. Solidifying the defense. More goalkeeper 'conundrums.'
And much more besides....
So what, eight or nine years of development it would be fair to say? On and off the pitch.
We were never going to turn Hodgson's starting 11 into world-beaters after one summer transfer window back in 2010. To a lot of lesser clubs back then, we were there for the taking, especially at Anfield because many of our players were not only 'average' at best, they were also nervous within the shirt.
This is Manchester United right now.
If they do not grasp the size, breadth and timescale of their re-build, and bury their heads, then even more pain awaits them before they even begin to start their re-build. Even once key people start to arrive at their club, it will still be a rocky road. It'd definitely one to watch with interest.