Sometimes playing extra games in Europe can stimulate league form and boost confidence, other times it just makes things worse.
It is hard to tell which category Liverpool's draw with Utrecht will fall into.
On one hand they top Group K after a hard earned point away to a side unbeaten at home and who called the game the biggest in their history.
On the other it was yet another stuttering and disjointed performance from a side who were in the Champions League final just three years ago.
Hodgson rested Steven Gerrard for the tie, which shows where the competition lies in his priorities. But by picking a strong line up Hodgson was also showing his desire for his out of touch first-teamers to play their way into form.
One of those is most definitely Fernando Torres, who missed a glorious opportunity to win the game for the Reds in the second half and the Europa League odds suggested they should have won anyway.
Hodgson was quick to defend the misfiring Spaniard but it is clear Torres is not yet match fit and is perhaps becoming disillusioned with what is going on at the club. But such is his quality he should be taking greater responsibility in leading the Reds out of their current mess.
He wasn't alone in not performing though, Pepe Reina aside it was another average performance and one that will only sharpen the media glare on events at Anfield. Maybe the extra games in Europe are just making things worse? Should Hodgson return to his policy of resting his key players in order to concentrate on the league?
The former Fulham boss has dampened expectations in a bid to ease the pressure on his players, but despite the off-field troubles Liverpool should be performing better than they are. The Premier League betting reflects this.
Blackpool are up next, a defeat in that game and things really will get serious.
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