Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes the defeats against Blackpool and Northampton Town will stain the legacy of his side's performance this season.
Despite a comprehensive win against West Ham over the weekend, Liverpool lost dismally at Stoke the week before in a performance that mirrored their home defeat to Blackpool earlier in the season.
Now Hodgson thinks that, regardless of what Liverpool achieves this season, it will be remembered for the Blackpool loss and the League Cup exit against lowly Northampton.
The 63-year-old has had to cope with a barrage of criticism from the media and sections of the fans and he feels these defeats will be ammunition for his detractors, in spite of their circumstances.
"There are two games this year which have done us untold damage," Hodgson told reporters.
"The first was when a total reserve team - although it does not seem to have been noticed we had 14 first-team players who didn't play - lost to Northampton in the Carling Cup.
"The other was the disastrous defeat to Blackpool at the end of a three-match week when we played in Europe.
"Those two defeats were costly for us because they encouraged people to make bold conclusions but we've lost one defeat in eight."
The Reds boss hopes the victory against West Ham will give the side the confidence to kick on.
He said: "There are still a lot of things to do but what pleased me against West Ham was the shape, discipline and organization of the team.
"If we can keep that going with the quality of players we have got we can have a good season.
"Don't ask me what a good season is because I don't know but after the start we have had where we are now is making us feel pretty pleased."
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