Is the reds defensive midfield problem 'holding' reds back?

Needless to say, 1 point out of that possible nine confirms that a bad start has turned into a total disastrous one. Considering a full quota of points were taken out of these three games last term (For Blackpool take Hull, Pompey or Burnley) the prospects for Roy Hodgson don't look good at all, especially as 2009/10 was deemed way below par. Seventh position was totally unacceptable for Rafael Benitez's Liverpool side, but bettering that this time around already seems an uphill task.

Although the relegation zone is not somewhere Liverpool are used to being, there is no question that they deserve to be there as the harsh truth is, they haven't deserved to win one game. There have been eight matches and the sole victory against West Brom was very unfortunate for the visitors. Yes they were unlucky not to beat Arsenal with ten men on the opening day, but they haven't actually dominated one single game and really deserved the three points and Hodgson has got to change this, quickly.

The defensive midfield position is a major problem for the manager as there just isn't one obvious solution. It's a position that starts the attacks and protects the defence and since Javier Mascherano left, the quality just doesn't seem to be there. Selection headache's are usually something managers welcome, but not when the choice is between Christian Poulsen and Lucas Leiva. The latter's constant inclusion in the the starting line up was a main reason with fans losing patience with Benitez and it is clear that Hodgson, fortunately, doesn't rate the Brazilian as much as his predecessor. Unfortunately, Poulsen is the alternative and it is truly difficult to say who does a better job out of the two.

Many fans are calling for a Raul Meireles - Steven Gerrard partnership and on the rare occasions when the reds have looked decent (short spells against Sunderland, Blackpool and Everton) it is no coincidence that they have been in the middle without Lucas or Poulsen. However, it is also no coincidence that the only times they have been together is when the team has been behind, so it is always likely they will have more of the ball when the opposition are happy to retreat.

Whether or not it would work from the start of the game is a risk that Roy surely has to take, but as both prefer the creative side to the destructive, it is hardly a long term solution. Blackburn could provide the perfect opportunity to test this out, but with Lucas joining the pair on missing the trip to Naples, it looks as though it won't be tried just yet.

If Hodgson gets the chance to spend NESV'S money in January, it will be interesting whether he does purchase a holding player. Obviously, a striker is the main priority but will he be strong enough to admit that him buying Poulsen hasn't solved that position and get someone else in? All good managers have to be stubborn, but sometimes it must be better to admit a mistake and move on as quickly as possible.

Before we start talking transfer targets though, we need to know who will be choosing them, and amazingly that is by no means guaranteed. Never has a Liverpool managers future been in doubt so early into his reign, and some fans have already had enough, placing the blame of the club's position solely on the manager. Whilst no one can deny it's been a terrible start, chanting another manager's name doesn't help, at all. Hodgson, like Benitez had, needs everybody's support at the games, regardless of whether the fans think he is the right man or not. He certainly hasn't helped himself though, especially with his comments comparing Liverpool to Celtic and admitting he's worried about his start striker being a target for Manchester United are not exactly endearing him to his already impatient public.

With a win in Naples looking decidedly unlikely with what will most likely be a Poulsen - Spearing midfield, the pressure will most likely be intensified by the time Sam Allardyce's men come to Anfield. No one could have imagined that a game with Blackburn in October could be such a big one, but if Liverpool continue their abysmal form and fail to win, the likelihood of a new manager come January will undoubtedly increase.