It is in these moments that the firing squad is summoned. When something goes wrong for Fenway Sports Group or when they feel aggrieved, someone always pays.
Miss out on qualification for the Champions League? Marching orders for Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers. Expensive signings not working? Jettison Damian Comolli. Up roar over plans to introduce £77 tickets to Anfield? Accelerate the departure of Chief Executive Ian Ayre.
Receive flak for taking advantage of the furlough scheme? Don't renew the contract of Ayre's successor Peter Moore. FSG have possessed a ruthless streak, a statement to which other former employees at the club would attest.