While Liverpool is having something of a slow start to the season under Andoni Iraola, it only takes a look across to Manchester United to see how much worse things could be

Liverpool hasn't exactly been at its fluent best so far under Andoni Iraola, as the manager looks to stamp his identity on the team's playing style while dealing with a whole host of issues.

From the team's general lack of attacking cutting edge to the mix-and-match of profiles that the head coach will need to fit into a cohesive whole, there is work to be done. That is reflected in the start to the Premier League season so far, with Liverpool sitting ninth in the division with nine points from six games so far, sandwiched between newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town.

While defeat to Manchester City at the weekend was just the first of the Iraola reign, just two wins from five matches before that simply cemented the idea that this was a work in progress, and there wouldn't be a magical upturn in form from last season.

For now, there is a recognition that Iraola has been put in a tough spot, asked to find a solution to the problems created by a scattered transfer policy over the past few years that has led to a mismatch of players and roles within the team.

There may be questions about how Liverpool got here, whether more could have been done in the summer to support the new head coach, and where the team will go from here.

While those reflections are clearly necessary, a comparison between the project may be made against others in a similar position, which could give some guidance as to where the team is really at. And if the Reds needed any belief that things could actually be going far worse, they need only to look over at Manchester United.

The Red Devils have endured a dreadful start to the campaign, winning just one of six matches in the league this season, including two games where the team had a man advantage due to red cards and failed to win. While a return to the Champions League offered some potential respite, a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid only plunged Michael Carrick into further concerning times.

While criticism of the manager has continued, Man United ace Lisandro Martinez has come to defend him, instead taking aim at the club's hierarchy in an explosive interview with Amazon Prime.

"We did a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well. Atletico have an amazing team, and they deserved to win today. I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].

"I have to be honest, as players we have to do more, but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night. Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas."

It's an early indication of where Man United is at, having already been thrown into crisis and creating these existential questions about the way the club is operating.

For Liverpool, it perhaps puts the start of the season into context. The difficulties on the pitch have yet to reach that stage so early on, suggesting at least some time and patience for things to turn around progressively as the campaign pushes on.

That could change, of course, and the Red Devils could be a reflection of what is to come for the Merseyside outfit if things don't improve, showing that things could always be worse.

But for now, the goal for Iraola and his team will be to avoid such a fate, and to continue putting the building blocks in place for a competitive season across all competitions.