The start to Roy Hodgson’s tenure at Liverpool has suggested he may not remain in the hot seat at Anfield for too long as he’s presided over the Merseyside giant’s worst start for 57 years – a season that ended with Liverpool’s last relegation – as they currently lie 18th with just six points.

While it seems unlikely that the Reds will go the same way as the 1953/54 team they have almost certainly ended any chance of returning to the Champions League next season with no side in the 18 previous Premier League seasons finishing fourth having earned fewer than 10 points at this stage, with 17 fourth place finishers having had at least 11 points and 13 at least 13 at this stage. This term’s table shows that only six teams have more than 10 points at this stage, one of which is promoted West Brom.

Moreover, with the top four spots more competitive than they’ve been in several years due to the improvement of Man City and Spurs – both of whom have made decent starts to the season – Liverpool may be reduced to chasing sixth spot.

Since 1995/96 seven teams have finished in the top-eight the previous season and the top-four the season prior to that and then found themselves in the bottom-half after seven games, with each team gaining at least six places over the remainder of the season (average of 9.5 positions). Furthermore, the four of these sides that had 6-9 points at this stage finished 5th-7th with total points of 56, 57, 61, and 61. With Liverpool arguably the best side to find themselves in this lowly position in the Premier League era and given that their main rivals for sixth spot – Everton and Aston Villa – have troubles of their own, they should still reach sixth, which in 10 of the 15 seasons since 1995/96 has meant a team finishing with 58-62 points.

Recommendation: Liverpool to finish top-six at 2.52, Betfair
                                   Liverpool to finish with 58-62 points at 2.75, Victor Chandler