Three matches doesn't make a season, but if you were assessing Liverpool after 270 minutes of Premier League football, the report would not make comfortable reading.
The optimism that engulfed supporters after the Reds' 3-1 Community Shield victory has evaporated inside three weeks as Jurgen Klopp's injury-ravaged team struggles to get their new campaign up and running.
Unexpected draws against newly-promoted Fulham and a home tie with Crystal Palace fell short of expectation, but an abject 2-1 defeat to a Manchester United side who didn't have a solitary point before the crunch fixture as left the Merseyside club winless and with only two points from a possible nine on their opening three matches.
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Hardly the type of form that's going to Pep Guardiola awake at night.
Such is the success of Klopp, supporters could be forgiven for thinking that this Liverpool's worst ever start to a Premier League season. But 10 years ago they actually made an even worse start in the league, that stretched beyond a three-game spell.
Despite winning the League Cup and reaching the FA Cup final, a disappointing eight-placed finish led to Kenny Dalglish being relieved of his duties in his second spell of Liverpool manager, during the summer of 2012. In his place came young but highly-rated manager Brendan Rodgers from Swansea City.
The Northern Irishman had been selected to bring in a fresh approach as part of a new era for the club, but he could hardly have got off to a worse start.
Liverpool opened up their 2012/12 season with an away trip to West Bromwich Albion, who were by now managed by Steve Clarke, Dalglish's Liverpool assistant until he was sacked along with the legendary Scot.
Clarke wasted no time getting his own back on his former employers, with the Baggies clinching an emphatic 3-0 win that could have been even bigger. A stunning Zoltan Gera goal, Peter Odemwingie penalty and late Romelu Lukaku strike did for Liverpool who had Daniel Agger sent off after conceding another spot-kick that Shane Long missed.
A first home game of the season was next, with Premier League champions Manchester City the visitors. Things appeared to be getting better for the Reds when Martin Skrtel headed them in front before a defensive mix-up gifted Yaya Toure an equaliser. Luis Suarez thought he had clinched the three points for Liverpool when he dispatched a superb free-kick with 24 minutes to play, but having given the hosts the lead, Skrtel turned villain in the 80th minute when a negligent back-pass was played straight into the path of Carlos Tevez who gleefully turned it into the net for his 100th goal in English football, tying the game at 2-2. One point each.
Having squeezed past the mighty Heart of Midlothian with a late Suarez goal in a Europa League qualifier, the Reds headed to the Emirates in search of their first win. Arsenal were also winless after their first two matches but that was about to change. Maiden goals either side of half-time from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla gave the Gunners a comfortable 2-0 win, leaving Rodgers with one point from a possible nine.
The new Anfield boss now had the unwanted accolade of presiding over the Reds' worst start to a league campaign since the 1962-63 season.
Surely things would get better against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light? Not really. Italian striker Fabio Borini missed two good chances before Steven Fletcher tapped home from close range to put the Black Cats ahead after Craig Gardner had taken Liverpool's defenders on a merry dance.
It was left to that man Suarez to salvage a point, finding the net at the second time of asking in the second half, but a 1-1 draw left Liverpool without a league win in their first four matches for the first time in over 100 years.
After such a torrid start what better way to end the win drought than a home match against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. United fans will agree on Monday night, there is no better way, but there was no win for Liverpool.
When Steven Gerrard volleyed the Reds in front early in the second half, Jonjo Shelvey had already been given his marching orders for a rough tackle on Johnny Evans. United took advantage of their extra man in the second half, first equalising in spectacular style through Rafael Da Silva, before Robin van Persie converted a spot-kick nine minutes from time to leave Liverpool winless after five matches and floundering in the relegation zone.
Fortunately for Rodgers and Liverpool, the rot was finally ended with a 5-2 away win at Norwich City and the Reds went onto finish seventh in the table - one position and nine points better than the previous season. Unremarkable progress in the domestic cup competitions and Europe completed a season of solid mediocracy.
With two points from their first three matches, Klopp's Liverpool are not quite in the depths of averageness witnessed under Rodgers in his first season at Anfield, but a win against Bournemouth on Saturday will not be easy, even it is the minimum expectation, as Anfield tries to kick-start a season that has began in reverse, let alone with the handbrake on.
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