It's getting Rafa for Liverpool

Blood tests, team bonding and rotation all look good on paper, but Benitez needs to get back to basics and string a few results together.

by Avi Meller on 25 October 2006

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The saddest thing about Liverpool's lame defeat by Manchester United on Sunday was watching Rafa Benitez and gradually realising that the face on the Liverpool manager's seat actually belongs to Gerrard Houllier.

The current state of affairs at Anfield brings back dark memories of the days of the French manager who guided the Reds to the UEFA Cup, League Cup and FA Cups, but could not guide himself to the heart of the Kop, since the only real trophy the supporters were clamouring for, was the long-gone league title.

It has been 16 years since Liverpool last won the league. They have yet to win a Premiership title. And after Sunday's performance, they have got to get used to the new stark reality: at least 17 seasons will now separate their 18th and 19th championships.

The Kop will probably settle for that, but the problem is no-one can guarantee that next year will be any different from this one. And this one is really bad. Liverpool are 11th, 11 points behind Manchester United and Chelsea at the top, before the start of 11th month; it truly reflects the display of its 11 players on the pitch.

I don’t recall a game against Manchester United which was not only so one-sided, but in which the Red Devils needed so little to show such supremacy. Benitez hides behind his amazing Champions League 2005 and FA Cup 2006 medals. One has to admit this is a very good hiding place. But watching Liverpool's current black hole, the feeling is that even such prestigious achievements will not be enough to buy the Spanish manager much more time.

When Liverpool host Reading in the League Cup on Wednesday, it will be the 98th consecutive time that Benitez has tinkered with his starting line-up. He justifies his almost obsessive rotation by claiming that only "small" teams who play 45 matches per season can afford to give key players a long uninterrupted run. But the other side of the coin is that such a policy undermines stability and organisation. Players are not only left in the dark as to whether they will start a game, but are always uncertain as to whom they will to partner. This is not the way to form a functioning unit.

Comments (6)

by annonymous on October 25, 2006

This is the most ridiculous article I've ever read. If you think Rafa should be replaced then obviously you understand nothing of football. And saying that the attacking lineup is not comparable to Chelsea is a joke. When Drogba started off, he was maligned from every angle. Just look at him go now. Give these guys a little bit of time. And Rafa's not stupid. He'll figure out whats best for the team.

by zack on October 25, 2006

The big question is where is the team heading? and what would it take to lead the Premership again, I am not sure it is all the fault of success of the manager.

by Tarik on October 25, 2006

I disagree with you. On Sunday the scousers lacked cohesion, and once they were down by the first goal never looked like coming back. The point being made was that by constantly shuffling the side the manager was destroying the bonds that players need to function at their best.

by jonam35 on October 26, 2006

This is another biased anti Liverpool article which does not represent the common view of Liverpool supporters. There is no argument regarding the team’s lack of form and cohesion at the moment. The big question is what the cause for this lack of form and who is to be blamed? Commentators are putting the blame on Rafa’s rotation policy and Steven Gerrard’s misplacement on the field as the cause for the current situation. The author of this article goes further and states that the squad it self and the strike force in particular are not good enough to compete on top level. This year is the third year that Rafa is in charge of the club. During this period of time the club won more silvers than any other club in England, never mind the respect and esteem the club have won worldwide. This have be achieved with limited resources compare to other big clubs in Europe. This year has promised a better team with a larger squad and more success, though for some reasons things have gone the other way an

by Tarik on October 26, 2006

I think you are stretching things by suggesting that the account is biased. Would Shanks or Paisley be happy with what the scousers served up on Sunday? I doubt it.

by jonam35 on October 26, 2006

My comment is cut leaving my main point out. Any how, i'm not proud of sunday performance. But to be fair ... shanks and paisly lived in another era with a limited number of games and less competition.