On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, FIVE GOLD RINGS, four colly birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
Ate the birds. Sold the rings. Bought more birds with the money. Ate them too.

I think it's a natural defense mechanism, especially on the back of the "you're getting sacked in the morning" chants from the scousers. It's been obvious this drop off was going to happen sooner rather than later with the poor recruitment, baring a few exceptions, over the last few windows.