Chris Hutchings's jaunt around the managerial learning curve will, no doubt, be swift and torturous and yet even if the journey's end should ultimately come to represent nothing more edifying than a handsome severance cheque it does seem probable he will quite enjoy the experience.
Small, unassuming and with the finely-chiselled features and slicked-back hair of an eighties New Romantic pop icon, the new manager of Bradford City looked very much at home at Anfield on Saturday evening, explaining away defeat with a dash of realism.
In truth, Hutchings is likely be called upon to repeat the speech on countless occasions over the next nine months for while his team is crammed full of game triers who will, occasionally, overturn the apple-cart, he will, eventually be forced to concede that long gone are the days when ceaseless endeavour was the bedrock upon which success was built.
This was hardly the grand flourish, the sweeping, spectacle which the dawning of a new season demanded but with Liverpool - initially at least - cautious and Bradford keeping most of their men behind the ball, we were, perhaps, fortunate to witness even one goal.
It was a gem, though, Emile Heskey turning and sprinting forward before unleashing a fabulous, rising drive which found its target long, long before the Bradford goalkeeper Matthew Clarke had raised a paw in mock defiance.
Heskey's goal was well timed, for it came along at the precise moment he seemed to be attempting to place still more daylight between himself and full acceptance at a club. If the goal shone a beacon of light in the direction of the big lad's true potential it was hardly sufficient to erase the memory of his dismal contribution up to that point.
His manager, Gerard Houllier, is fully aware of the continuing problems Heskey is facing as he seeks to justify an inflated price-tag.
"He is young and he needs our support," said the Frenchman. "We will back him and we will support him. He has many assets - the problem being he doesn't always choose to use them to the full."
Liverpool still resemble a quality, potentially exhilarating, side waiting to happen but they have many admirable qualities and their appeal has not been diluted by the arrival of luminaries like Gary McAllister, Markus Babbel and Nick Barmby.
They were not at their best on Saturday but stage-fright afflicts the bravest of hearts.
There is not a soul in the nation who doesn't wish Bradford well but, whether they like it or not, their grim fight for survival is already well underway.
Liverpool's Czech Republic midfielder Patrik Berger could be sidelined for up to two months after damaging lateral knee ligaments during Saturday's game.
LIVERPOOL: Westerveld, Henchoz, Babbel, Smicer, Heskey (Berger 82), Owen (Carragher 76), Hyypia, Hamann, Gerrard (McAllister 68), Barmby, Traore. Subs Not Used: Murphy, Arphexad.
BRADFORD: Clarke, Nolan, McCall, Wetherall, Whalley, O'Brien, Windass, Sharpe (Beagrie 82), Atherton, Petrescu (Ward 75), Hopkin (Carbone 75). Subs Not Used: Walsh, Myers.
