RESPECT IS EARNT .. and all Liverpool Managers either have it and retain it or lose it and move on !
It got me thinking and wondering whether Hodgson is being offered the same level of respect and patience as Benitez was.
I did some digging. When Liverpool appointed Benitez in 2004 he was left with a team flooded with poor buys and growing discontent by Liverpool supporters who were angry with the mediocrity of the standard of football (see this Hansen interview). Bear in mind also this was when Houllier had just sealed CL football by finishing 4th in the league.
Benitez first season (2004/05) with his new side, he spent £18m in the first transfer window (Alonso 10m, Garcia 6m, Josemi 2m, Nunez Free) and 6m in the second (Morientes 5.5m, Carson 0.75m, Pelligrino Free) totalling 24m.
In his first 12 league games his record was 6 Wins 4 Losses 2 Draws (20 points). 6th in the league. That season we miraculously finished 5th! Even after losing 14 times in total! Our final stats were 17 Wins 14 Losses 2 Draws (+11GD)
So I guess it brings me back to the original question, is Hodgson being offered the same level of respect and patience.
Clearly not. Hypocritically in fact.
The similarities between Hodgson's appointment and Benitez's is stark. Both inherited poor squads, both struggled in their first 12 games. Yet the respect Hodgson is given is appalling from some on here and at Anfield.
Benitez came to Liverpool with a La Liga and a UEFA cup under his belt, spent close to 25 million in his first season, lost 14 times and failed to finish in a CL place. Yet he was given complete support by Liverpool supporters on the priviso it was work in progress, and rightly so.
Isn't it time the hypocrisy stopped and we offer Hodgson the same support that Benitez was offered?