It seems that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has managed to stave off an axing after a lengthy meeting following the disappointing performance against rivals Manchester United. The question is, how much longer will he last?

Rafa’s Cup record speaks for itself, a Champions League win and a runners-up finish last year an FA Cup win over West Ham in 2006. However his league form has not been quite so impressive as he has seen his side finish well short of the pace in two of his three full seasons in charge. Liverpool are already 10 points off table-topping Arsenal and it’s not even the half-way mark in the season.

Add to this worsening league record the occasional tactical error along with an infuriating need to tinker with the line-up and you can see why some fans have been questioning how long he has in the job. The sum of money he has spent has been well publicised but what is overlooked is the amount of cash he has recouped from sales, around the £40m mark.

'What is overlooked is the amount of cash Benitez has recouped from sales, around the £40m mark'


Some fans have already considered other possible managers should Messrs Hicks and Gillett swing the axe. The name that features heavily is that of Jose Mourinho, but would Liverpool fans really want him?

Off course this is all speculation and I feel Benitez should stay and see where he take us in the next 18 months. But I am sure that if more ground is lost on the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United before the end of the 2008-9 campaign, we may find that patience is wearing thin with most fans.