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By JOHN EDWARDS
Head in hands: Hodgson has endured a tough start to his reign as Liverpool bossAn angry protest against Anfield's American owners was in full swing when Steve Bruce delivered a verdict that will do little for Roy Hodgson's prospects of surviving, let alone thriving, as Liverpool manager.
Thousands of fans stayed behind for an hour after the 2-2 draw with Sunderland. They voiced dismay at Tom Hicks' latest attempt to wriggle off the hook by somehow raising funds to beat a deadline for repaying a £237million loan.
Even if he fails to find a compliant lending house, he may well make capital of Royal Bank of Scotland's reluctance to assume day-to-day running of the club.
He is ready to grasp any opportunity to extend a deeply unpopular stay after making it clear he won't go quietly. He will not be staying quietly, either, judging by the abuse that rang around the ground as Sunderland boss Bruce joined the debate about Hodgson's troubled start.
Spot on: Darren Bent scored Sunderland's first with a penalty
Bruce said: 'It's difficult to judge anyone after six games. Liverpool have the right man in charge but, in my experience, if there is instability above you, it always filters down. 'It's unbelievable about this club, because it's never had that. It's been stable at the top and run properly, an institution. At the moment, though, it filters down, so for Roy it's going to be difficult until it all gets resolved.'
Hodgson is under scrutiny after just six points from six Barclays Premier League games and a calamitous Carling Cup defeat by Northampton.
He said: 'We have probably the most passionate fans in the world. I have a lot of faith in them and they know how difficult it can be. But just now it seems the moment we're not flying, people are saying it's not good enough. I'm not saying it is, but everything is still very new here, a lot of new players and uncertainty about the owners. The players are going to find it very hard living up to expectations until they bed in.
'There can be no waving a wand and Liverpool suddenly dominating English football again.'
source: dailymail [endtext]