Just in case you've been living under a rock, Liverpool have lost their past four matches. Tonight they face a Ludogorets side that, in Sofia, gave Real Madrid troubles and beat FC Basel. If Liverpool lose tonight it will be their fifth loss in a row. And if the last time they lost five in a row was in 1953.
For a bit of extra fun, 1953 was the season in which Liverpool were last relegated from England's top flight. Avoiding the inevitable comparisons—not to mention keeping their fading Champions League campaign alive—seems a good enough reason to desperately want to win tonight. Jordan Henderson says it's also about the fans.
"We have got to start taking responsibility and picking up results for the fans, the club, and for ourselves as well," Liverpool's vice-captain told the club's official website. "We need to get points on the board and put in good performances. We'll keep working hard and digging deep, and hopefully we can turn the corner soon."
It might be too early to start talking about relegation battles, but another month or two of poor results could begin to make such conversations unavoidable. There's still time for the manager and players to turn their season around, but the results and performances of the past few months have been unacceptable.
So far, at least during the matches, Liverpool's supporters have stuck with the side, refusing to give in to the frustration that quickly became apparent during Roy Hodgson's tenure. Eventually, though, that too will change if the results and performances don't. But for now, when the games kick off, support remains for this struggling side.
"One of the really good things about Liverpool fans is that when things are going well they are amazing," added Henderson, "but when things are not going so well and we need them more than ever they are always there and right behind the team."
Hopefully, the fans who have travelled to Sofia today will get something to cheer for. Hopefully, for everybody's sake, this Liverpool side can begin to turn things around while there's still patience and support left. And still room to hope they can make something of their season.