That loss followed rare public comments by chairman David Moores that fourth place was the bare minimum the club expected from this season. With leading striker Michael Owen out injured until the new year, Houllier has his hands full in trying to revive his side’s faltering campaign.

Houllier’s position seemed impregnable after the treble cup success of 2001 but opinion among supporters has started to shift.

Lawrenson told the Daily Post: “The backlash following Liverpool’s latest setback against Southampton is understandable. The fact that teams no longer seem intimidated by coming to Anfield is something that needs to be addressed.

“Liverpool actually look vulnerable at Anfield and it is something that is causing concern among their supporters.

“Everyone knows how knowledgeable the Anfield crowd is given the great teams and great players they have seen over the years. And they know five defeats in nine home games so far is threatening to undermine their ability to sustain a challenge this season.

“But I still wouldn’t bet against Liverpool finishing fourth – although the cracks that appeared last year between them and the leading clubs is widening - and that is why we won’t see any knee-jerk reaction from the board over the future of the manager.

“Just nine points cover the fourth-placed side and Portsmouth, who are third bottom.

“And despite their reverses, Liverpool are still very much in the hunt for a place in the Champions League.”

There are also growing fears that Owen may choose to leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of next season. The lack of a new Owen deal, along with skipper Steven Gerrard’s recent statements that he could one day leave the club to pursue his Champions League ambitions, have added to the uncertainty.

Houllier will hope to get the club’s season back on track with games against Wolves, Bolton and Manchester City over the Christmas period. They then need to avoid an FA Cup banana skin at Yeovil before facing a daunting trip to Chelsea on January 7.

Defender John Arne Riise believes the team will rally round and lift the gloom which has descended over Anfield.

Since making their best-ever start to a Premiership season in 2002-03, Liverpool have endured 12 months of indifferent results, the latest disappointments being the Saints loss and the Carling Cup defeat to Bolton.

Yet Riise insists the squad are fully behind Houllier and are determined to turn things around.

The Norwegian told the club’s official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: “The manager is doing everything he can and everyone is right behind him. We are all in this together – the players, the coaches, the staff and the manager.

“The last couple of games have been disappointing for us all but it’s too easy to blame the manager. The players are the ones out there on the pitch and we haven’t been playing our best football lately.

“We’ve got a get a good run of results going and to do that we must work hard and stick together. That is the most important thing right now. We know we can turn things around.

“We are going to turn the corner and we’ll start against Wolves on Saturday.”