Liverpool could be wearing B&W stripes in 2012/13

And so we have become Newcastle United.

The torrid summer most fans predicted is still coming true in stages, with the latest being the appointment of 'true gent' Roy Hodgson. Here we have a man who will no doubt bring respectability back to Anfield, the kind of dignity not seen since pre-2007, and the kind of post-match interviews not laden with irony, sarcasm or political intrigue. I like Roy Hodsgon as a man and will sing and cheer his name from the Kop next season, but only because that is what Liverpool fans do - support. As soon as the verse finishes though, daggers will be cast at the Board in retribution for where they have placed us. The problem is not the manager, it is much bigger than that.

With all due respect to Mr Hodgson, he exudes the quality of a Top 10 manager - still one of the best in the country - but not the Top 2 manager that Liverpool fans wanted. I also don't believe that he will have the real determination and 'pull' to keep Steven Gerrard at the club for another 2 seasons. And once the leader has gone, so might the others follow namely Torres, Kuyt and potentially Johnson (given that Masch is almost certain to leave). So we could be left without Champions League football, Gerrard Torres and Mascherano, Jovanovic and Ngog upfront and the kind of desperation etched on Newcastle United faces back in 2004 when Sir Bobby Robson was relieved of his position.

My biggest problem with Hodgson being named manager has very little to do with the man himself. His appointment (no doubt short term as reflected in his previous roles and whilst the club is being sold) is symptomatic of the DIRE state our club is in. Kop Holdings Ltd are shedding 110k per week in interest payments, whose only asset (LFC) maintains an unrealistic valuation by greedy owners wanting to recoup other losses though a huge profit on the international brand of Liverpool Football Club.

The best thing about Hodgson's appointment is that is is very likely a short term option. He had a rolling 12 month contract at Fulham and kept them afloat at very difficult times. His career is littered with stand-in, bridging jobs, and for me that can only mean he is more than happy to help Liverpool out when we need his most. Any new owners are bound to have a new manager in their sights (and indeed may have influenced this 'temporary' move) as has been seen at Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid over the years.

So let's write off next year as a time to blood promising youngsters, play exciting football and perhaps win a cup. Let's focus on the long-term and accept that Roy Hodgson may well be helping Liverpool FC out in more subtle ways that we could ever imagine. Let's not be England and Newcastle and look at panicky short-term fixes - getting rid of the current board is the real job, the big job and the only job I care about.

And it's everything Manchester United have around the corner as well ;)