Liverpool in Shock Carling Cup Defeat: Is Roy Hodgson's Time Ever Decreasing?

Over the past few days the feeling has been mixed concerning the possibility of a managerial switch at Anfield.

Many have expressed their worries about Roy Hodgson's lack of excitement and motivation for the team. He seems content upon enforcing a damage limitation season as opposed to thrusting the team back into the top four.

When you compare him to the rumoured alternative, Martin O'Neill, those discussing Hodgson's shortfalls can confidently back up their ideals.

Last night's Carling Cup tie proved even further that Roy Hodgson, for these fans may just never be enough.

Fair enough the trophy is a "mickey mouse cup." It is a throwaway triumph and its only current purpose is to offer a relatively small financial value for those who reach the latter stages.

Yet if you are a Premiership team playing a League two side then there is an expectation, and really a requirement that your outfit must instate themselves as the number one.

A team three divisions higher than their opponents should assert their authority in a manner that yields respect from their rivals and admiration from those who are just happy to be on board a bus en route to a high fliers ground.

So what was Roy Hodgson thinking with his team choice last night?

Their game against Sunderland at the weekend is obviously crucial in kick-starting the clubs 2010/11 campaign. From yesterdays team choice it became clear that Roy Hodgson has seen Sunderland as a tricky and additionally as must win fixture.

With three days in between their cup and league fixtures however was it really necessary to rest almost all of the whole first team at the expense of an embarrassing defeat?

With no Reina, Carragher, Gerrard, or Torres various spectators were left bewildered.

And when the game came to penalties the Northampton side actually had the better opportunity. Their finishing eleven would have been composed of tired players, but essentially of first team players. These are players who based on appropriate training should be accomplished in practising penalty kicks.

The Liverpool starting eleven alternatively was full to the brim of relative unknowns.

Nathan Ecclestone and Thomas Ince would have been privileged to start a match for Liverpool. Sadly they were way out of their depth when it came to the tense and nail biting shoot out finale.

Northampton will see the result as a heroic subversion of the form book. They are the giant killers of this season. For that they should at least be commended.

Roy Hodgson on the other hand needs to take a long hard look at himself and his team.

It may have been the least warranted trophy at the start of the season, but ultimately it could have provided the team with their only shot at silverware if their further cup campaigns do not go according to plan.

A public apology has been made to the fans. So now the stuttering, whilst not disastrous opening to the clubs league campaign takes on a greater importance if Hodgson wants to remain at Anfield.

He has one task, and one task alone; to reverse the misfortunes of the previous twelve months and to accomplish this as quickly and as confidently as possible.

Some supporters after all will not be as sympathetic as others have been towards his current situation. He will therefore need to be prepared for an increasing backlash for a continuation of failure.