The questions after Liverpool had been outplayed by Luton Town in the FA Cup were all about Rafa Benitez. You suspect that’s how he likes it.

A few weeks ago we had the unedifying sight of Rafa’s image in a gilt frame being paraded around the streets of Anfield, as if he were Mother Theresa. It was part of the protests and hysteria at the perceived undermining of the Liverpool manager by a couple of American big-shots who happen to own the club.

But it was embarrassing to watch. Before a ball had been kicked at Kenilworth Road yesterday, the Sunday papers were full of insider information about Benitez fearing for his future. And before indignant Scousers go blaming the hacks again, it was clear there was only one place those stories could have come from. It can’t be coincidence that “dead man walking” was the phrase that resonated from most of the reports.

'At least the brinkmanship between Benitez and Liverpool sugar daddies Tom Hicks and George Gillett is usually more interesting than the football the team play'

At least the brinkmanship between Benitez and Liverpool sugar daddies Tom Hicks and George Gillett is usually more interesting than the football the team play.

Behind it all is Benitez’s lust for more and more money to spend – and the Americans’ reluctance to hand it over until they see something for their already considerable investment. Then there’s the small matter of £500m to be found for a new stadium.

From the outside, Liverpool look like a club in danger of imploding, with Benitez spitting out his dummy every five minutes and constant talk of him decamping to the Bernabeu at the drop of a sombrero. Last April, during one of his regular hissy fits, Benitez claimed Real Madrid had approached him to become their manager. He boasted: “They offered me more money than I get here, even though there maybe greater expectations.”