Having lost at Wigan on Monday night, Liverpool have confirmed beyond a doubt that at best this has been a troubling season for them and in particular Rafa Benitez, whose position has come under increased scrutiny as a result of his sides poor form.

An early exit from the European Big Cup and a total of nine league defeats this season has left Liverpool adrift of the leading pack, having played three more games than rivals Villa, which has piled the pressure on the Gaffa.

In many similar circumstances to this where a manager has underperformed at a club with grand expectations, he’s been shown the door in the hope of saving the season or at least some local pride, but will Rafa suffer the same fate?

Smiling through gritted teeth and forcing an unconvincingly contented smile, reminiscent of Tony Blair’s during the Iraq war; Jamie Carragher looks to be a man who’s had his heart and soul ripped out by Liverpool’s horrendous start to this season.

Before Tuesdays clash with Depression in the big boys European League he attempted to put a gloss on the turd of the season that he has found himself buried in.

In a vain attempt to add a shine to a dark and gloomy couple of months the defender fibs that winning the Europa League would “put a different gloss” on a so far disappointing season, despite the fact that it would actually be a great smear on their season and be the signifier of their lack of success in the big boys competitions.

Anfield has rarely been a place of good fortune for Aston Villa, so ahead of the tie on Monday; I was in a mood dominated by hope more than belief that we could get a result.

A draw would have sufficed, especially after a poor opening day performance against Wigan and defeat against the powerhouse of European football Rapid Vienna, but an unexpected 3-1 win is rarer than an energetic and assured away performance in which we subdue the home side into a comprehensive defeat.

Many Liverpool fans will point to the absence of Xabi Alonso as a reason, or even an excuse for their poor performance, but his replacement in midfield Lucas, is a player of great danger when he pops up in the box and he showed this by latching onto a hopeful free-kick and expertly guiding the ball inside Pepe Reina’s near post in the 34th minute to give Villa the lead.

Searching for success can be arduous, if at first you don’t succeed you attention can be drawn away from the prize you had originally set you sights on.

Take Ryan Babel for example. After signing for Liverpool in 2007 from Ajax, big things were expected of him and Liverpool, as the Merseysiders looked to win their first league title since 1990, but unfortunately for both of them, they are still waiting.

Distracted and disillusioned by his failure to shine at Anfield and help bring home the league title, he seems to have taken his eye of the ball and decided that his best route to success is as a rapper.

Where’s the referee in this picture? Where’s the ball? Is a headlock a legitimate tackle?