League Goals Through November 15

2010-11
Games: 13; 4W-4D-5L (16 points; 1.23 per game)
Goals: 13 (per game = 1)
Goals Against: 17 (per game = 1.31)
Difference for/against per game: -.31

2009-10
Games: 12; 6W-1D-5L (19 points; 1.58 per game)
Goals: 27 (per game = 2.25)
Goals Against: 17 (per game = 1.42)
Difference for/against per game: .83
• Liverpool finished 7th with 63 points (1.66 ppg)

2008-09
Games: 13; 10W-2D-1L (32 points; 2.46 per game)
Goals: 21 (per game = 1.62)
Goals Against: 8 (per game = .62)
Difference for/against per game: 1.0
• Liverpool finished 2nd with 86 points (2.26 ppg)

2004-05
Games: 12; 6W-2D-4L (20 points; 1.67 per game)
Goals: 21 (per game = 1.75)
Goals Against: 13 (per game = 1.08)
Difference for/against per game: .67
• Liverpool finished 5th with 58 points (1.53 ppg)

2003-04
Games: 12; 5W-2D-5L (17 points; 1.42 per game)
Goals: 18 (per game = 1.5)
Goals Against: 14 (per game = 1.17)
Difference for/against per game: .33
• Liverpool finished 4th with 60 points (1.58 ppg)

Since NESV supposedly loves statistics...

I bothered to tally the numbers for five seasons: this year, Benitez's annus mirabilis and annus horribilis, his first year, and Houllier's last. Those seemed the most relevant, especially the comparison between Hodgson and Benitez's first seasons and to last year's terrible campaign. It doesn't make for pretty reading.

This season's seen the lowest points total, fewest goals scored, most goals conceded, and largest disparity between goals for and against – despite having played one more game than in '09-10, '04-05, and '03-04. Hodgson's reign is the only with more league goals conceded than scored by this point of the season.

If this season's form holds, Liverpool's on pace for 47 points, scoring 38 goals, and conceding 50. Last season, Fulham had 46 points, scored 39 goals, and conceded 46. Fulham finished 12th. Liverpool currently sits in 11th. These last two matches haven't been a "blip." The blip was the three successive victories, including one landmark win away from Anfield.

After 35 years, a manager simply does not change his stripes. Or, evidently, his tactics.