Brendan Rodgers' current predicament at Liverpool is very similar to that faced by Sir Alex Ferguson at the beginning of his tenure at Manchester United, Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich says.
"It’s very difficult when you come in as a new manager at a big club, you’re trying to work out what’s going on, who’s with you, who’s against you," Bosnich said.
"When Rodgers came in he had a lack of signings, and then had to offload a few people before he could bring anyone in.
"It’s been a very difficult job for him as a young manager.
"I remember when Alex Ferguson first came to Manchester United it was quite similar. There were huge expectations, United were always living in the shadow of Liverpool then, and it took him five years to win his first major trophy."
"Even if you compare the teams player for player, you'd have to say they’re very similar."
However, there is one quite significant difference off the field.
"Fergie probably had a bit of larger chequebook than compared to what Brendan Rodgers has right at the moment – taking into account inflation and the economic situation at the time."
Despite Liverpool’s lack of goals - they’ve scored just three from four league games, with Luis Suarez coming in for criticism for his profligacy - Bosnich still believes they can get all three points this weekend.
"I think Liverpool can win, they showed that last year, especially at Anfield.
"You can’t say Man United’s league form has been absolutely red hot.
"Liverpool have got to believe they can win. We saw against Man City what a good team Liverpool can be."
Bosnich also believes the momentum both teams will bring into the game following their mid-week European successes - United’s against Galatasaray in the Champions League and Liverpool’s against Young Boys in the Europa League - will count for little on Sunday night.
"Momentum is a good thing to have, but trust me, when the whistle blows you don’t start thinking about the last game - it doesn’t give you a free pass so you can just turn up and win."
"It’s very difficult when you come in as a new manager at a big club, you’re trying to work out what’s going on, who’s with you, who’s against you," Bosnich said.
"When Rodgers came in he had a lack of signings, and then had to offload a few people before he could bring anyone in.
"It’s been a very difficult job for him as a young manager.
"I remember when Alex Ferguson first came to Manchester United it was quite similar. There were huge expectations, United were always living in the shadow of Liverpool then, and it took him five years to win his first major trophy."
"Even if you compare the teams player for player, you'd have to say they’re very similar."
However, there is one quite significant difference off the field.
"Fergie probably had a bit of larger chequebook than compared to what Brendan Rodgers has right at the moment – taking into account inflation and the economic situation at the time."
Despite Liverpool’s lack of goals - they’ve scored just three from four league games, with Luis Suarez coming in for criticism for his profligacy - Bosnich still believes they can get all three points this weekend.
"I think Liverpool can win, they showed that last year, especially at Anfield.
"You can’t say Man United’s league form has been absolutely red hot.
"Liverpool have got to believe they can win. We saw against Man City what a good team Liverpool can be."
Bosnich also believes the momentum both teams will bring into the game following their mid-week European successes - United’s against Galatasaray in the Champions League and Liverpool’s against Young Boys in the Europa League - will count for little on Sunday night.
"Momentum is a good thing to have, but trust me, when the whistle blows you don’t start thinking about the last game - it doesn’t give you a free pass so you can just turn up and win."
