Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopes this weekend's FA Cup action will bring some welcome relief from the pressure which has built up on him and his players because of their poor league form.
But even a win at the home of arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday may not be enough to persuade owners New England Sports Ventures he remains the man to lead the club forward into a new era.
In many respects a trip to Old Trafford may, strangely, be the best thing for the beleaguered Reds boss as no-one gives his side a chance considering their recent form.
But Hodgson describing a potential win against a team who have also been short of their best this season as a "remarkable coup" highlights why he has alienated many supporters, who have been highly critical of his perceived unnecessary negative demeanour and his style of play.
The 63-year-old's six-month reign at the club since taking over from Rafael Benitez in the summer has come under increasing scrutiny after a ninth Barclays Premier League defeat of the season at Blackburn on Wednesday.
Pressure was already building on Hodgson after it was reported NESV were already considering potential replacements after last week's home loss to Wolves.
A last-gasp win over Bolton and defeat at Ewood Park have hardly helped his cause and although he dodged more questions over his future when the club cancelled his pre-match press conference to try to limit further speculation, it will be only a short respite.
However, Hodgson hopes a change of competition will bring a change of luck.
"It gives us a chance in a really high-profile game to get back and put the bitter defeat against Blackburn behind us," he said.
"It was a poor, poor defensive performance to let in the goals we did and we're all very disappointed about that.
"This game against our fiercest rivals gives us the chance to show we are better than we were on Wednesday.
"I don't think it's difficult to get the players focused on a team like Manchester United.
"I'll be preaching to the converted. They don't need to be told that.
"We've got quite an experienced bunch of players here and they know as well as I do how important this game is - in particular for the supporters of the club, who'd take enormous delight if we could knock Manchester United out of the cup on their home ground.
"It would be a remarkable coup.
"The important thing for me to do is make that point clear but also to emphasise that to win it will require a lot of intelligent football.
"We're not going to do it through heart alone. It needs to be a combination of endeavour and desire, but also people using their heads to play well tactically, negate Manchester United's strengths and take advantage of some of their weaknesses."
Having struggled to build a relationship with fans, with his now infamous comment of not having "the famous Anfield support" after the Wolves defeat last month, Hodgson has tried his best to empathise with those coming through the turnstiles, whose numbers have been markedly fewer in recent weeks.
He apologised for any offence his "famous support" remarks may have caused and after the Blackburn defeat insisted he and his players were hurting as much as the fans.
And having been the subject of sarcastic "Hodgson for England" chants the former Fulham boss has taken the criticism on the chin.
"It's very painful when it's not happening and the fans make their views felt. We're all hurting in this situation," he told liverpoolfc.tv.
"It's very important the fans realise that we understand they have high hopes, expectations and ambitions for the club and the team.
"We have high hopes, expectations and ambitions as well. Every time we go on to the field we desperately want to see those dreams materialise and to produce the performances which bring you results."
