Amid the celebrations welcoming the completion of Liverpool's protracted takeover this week it has not escaped attention that the team are mired in the relegation zone after their worst start for years.
After seven games the 18-times champions have six points and are third-last in the standings and on Sunday face cross-town rivals and fellow strugglers Everton at Goodison Park in one of the most important derbies for many seasons.
Normally, Merseyside would have been abuzz with discussions about Fernando Torres's lost form, how Liverpool will deal with the aerial threat of Tim Cahill and how much Everton could be hurt by the injury absence of England centre back Phil Jagielka.
But the main talking points this week have been leveraged debt, the jurisdiction of a Dallas court and how much better the new American owners are bound to be compared with the old ones.
Now the sale has finally gone through attention will return to Liverpool's terrible start under new manager Roy Hodgson as hopes of a first title for 21 years have already disappeared.
Everton fans will have been working on their songs all week but are hardly in a position to gloat with their team one place above Liverpool on goal difference after their own poor start.
In Sunday's other match Manchester City can move to within two points of leaders Chelsea with a win at Blackpool.
