With Man U Coming Up in the FA Cup, This May Be the Perfect Time To Sack Roy

Liverpool's season has been a constant stream of mediocre performances and up-and-down results. The win over Chelsea in November was followed by a draw at Wigan and a loss at Stoke, and the Reds more recently followed up a win over Bolton with a rather humbling loss at Blackburn. 

The loss at Ewood Park, in which Rovers were without eight first-team players, once again highlighted the team's inefficiencies and may be the final stint in Roy Hodgson's managing tenure.

The Reds have a huge FA Cup tie at bitter rivals Manchester United coming up on the weekend, and an interim or new manager may be just the thing to rev up the team. Don't forget, United lost at this stage last season to Championship-side Leeds United at Old Trafford as well.

But given that Leeds United is a club covered in former glory that was taken down by financial and boardroom woes and eventually relegated because of them, that's not really a side Liverpool will relish being compared to. 

Hodgson has refused to make any comment on his future and says he is fully committed to the club and just as disappointed as everyone else with Liverpool's season. Some of his summer signings, like Joe Cole, have said that the team is behind the gaffer and they know they need to improve. Much easier said than done apparently.

Roy isn't helping his own cause much. His tactics and team selections have come under the same criticism all season long, yet they haven't changed. The Reds' away form is just inexplicable. A team that so soundly beats the reigning champions, Chelsea's loss at Anfield was the beginning of its recent slide, was just as easily beaten at Stoke a week later. That just does not add up.

There aren't a whole lot of managing options if the owners decide to go for the ax apart from former Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill. Or perhaps a shock return of Rafa Benitez, but seeing as he's just been relieved of his post at Inter Milan for leading such a talented squad into seventh place in Serie A, he doesn't make much sense.

The man most Liverpool fans want to see back at the helm is without a doubt King Kenny Dalglish. He would certainly light a fire under the players, which is really all many of them need. He would especially be good for Fernando Torres, who has looked just miserable most of the season. 

It's unlikely Hodgson will be sacked, but if it is going to happen this season, it should be now so the new boss can still get some new players in before the transfer window closes. What is certain is that Hodgson simply cannot stay on at Liverpool. Steven Gerrard missed a penalty at Blackburn for goodness sake! This cannot be allowed to continue.