Kenny Dalglish and Steve Clarke have flown to Boston for summit talks with Liverpool owners John Henry and Tom Werner to complete the end of season review.
Fenway Sports Group, are believed to be deeply unhappy with the failure to challenge for a Champions League position.
Dalglish is likely to argue the foundations are now in place to build on for next season, and point to Liverpool’s success in the Carling Cup, but it’s uncertain whether that will be enough to appease FSG.
The Reds finished eighth in the Premier League, and were closer to relegation (16points) than they were to Tottenham (17pts), who took fourth and claimed the last remaining Champions League spot.
FSG have already acted ruthlessly by sacking director of football Damien Comolli, who they deemed to have squandered £110million on players who have disappointed at Anfield.
Liverpool were also widely criticised for their public handling of the Luis Suarez racism saga, which brought the club into worldwide disrepute, and communications director Ian Cotton was axed last week.
In the new age of US ownership in the Premier League, names, history and reputations matter much less it would seem if Dalglish returns from Boston unemployed. Or even just ask Alex McLeish at Aston Villa who is on his bike after only making the short cycle across town top work for US owner Randy Lerner.
An unusual choice in the first instance perhaps, given Mcleish was under contracts with midland rivals Birmingham City, the US owners now face a new search for their third manager in four years following the departure of Martin O'Neill two seasons ago - and then his replacement Gerard Houllier following illness.
And if the statement from the Villa board is any indication then the future looks tougher for traditional football loving managers.
"The club has been disappointed with this season's results, performances and the general message these have sent to our fans.
The board wishes to assure supporters that we are conscious in every sense that Villa expects and deserves more and we will strive to deliver this.
Villa chairman Randy Lerner said: "We need to be clear and candid with ourselves and with supporters about what we have lacked in recent years. Compelling play and results that instill a sense of confidence that Villa is on the right track have been plainly absent.
"The most immediate action that we can take is to look carefully at our options in terms of bringing in a new manager who sees the club's potential and embraces our collective expectations."
Not much interest in 4-4-2 formations in those words it seems, or whether the team should play three at back when defending the ball. More like a business brief seeking a manager who can make the product compelling and marketable, in a very immediate time frame.
Something that Roy Keane found hard to do also once the Irish based Drumaville group lost their hold at Sunderland, and were replaced by American private equity expert, Ellis Short. In fact Keane's replacement and former Manchester United colleague Steve Bruce found it even less rewarding as he lasted only eighteen months before seeing his long term plans ended also by the Sunderland board.
Currently Martin O'Neill is the Stadium of Light hot seat and so far so good.
At Old Trafford it will be a selling year no doubt for the owning Glazer family once they review their budgets for the 2013 season, filled with the knowledge that there will be no cash windfalls from the FA Cup, Europa League or Champions League this season. Albeit their place in the elite UEFA Champions League trophy so assured after finishing second - behind their noisy neighbours Manchester City.
Although by United standards it will be a tight year no doubt.
But perhaps the more intriguing thought will be however, when will a US manager make his or her way into these plum Premier League jobs, just as the players have been doing over the years - moving both ways across the Atlantic.
The likes of David Beckham and Robbie Keane going state side to join LA Galaxy for instance, and USA International stalwarts like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Brad Friedel coming the other way to earn their keep in the premier league.
Aston Villa could be the first with former USA Soccer manager Bob Bradley a very likely option for Randy Lerner at Villa Park.
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