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Rafa Benitez knows the clock is ticking at Liverpool
After losses to Spurs and Aston Villa in the Premier League, the Anfield side have now lost as many times this term as they did all of last season
The Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun may have tried yesterday to put some much-needed context on the 3-1 defeat at Anfield by Aston Villa on Monday night, pointing out that Aston Villa are strong enough this season to trouble the Big Four, but for beleaguered Kop boss Rafa Benitez the inquest goes on.
"Villa have proven they can beat anyone and I'm sure Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal will have tough games against the likes of Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham. Hopefully, at the end of the season, we will still be there," the Israeli winger suggested. "I feel the big four will lose more points than expected because there are other teams that are much stronger this season."
However, the bald facts about Liverpool's abortive start to the season state that they have now lost as many times in three games as they did in 38 last term, and have also surrendered a near-two-year, 31-game unbeaten home record. That they spent most of the evening on Monday laying siege to Villa's goal is little consolation for Benitez, the Big Four manager in the shakiest position at the start of this season.
Now in his sixth season, the Spaniard is under pressure to break a 19-year title drought at the Merseyside club, which is so proud of its glittering heritage. That arch-rivals Manchester United could overtake Liverpool in the overall title race should they win the Premier League this season - the clubs are currently tied on 18 trophies apiece - is not lost on the 49-year-old.
After the embarrassment of Monday night, Benitez let rip at his senior players, accusing them of tactical naivety. "It is up to the team to improve, not just some names, but it is also up to the senior players to take the responsibility and take us forward," he said, naming no-one but leaving fans and players in no doubt that he was targetting such Anfield favourites as Jamie Carragher and even Steven Gerrard.
Taking on club captain Gerrard, who gave away the penalty that made it 3-1 to Villa, would be spectacularly risky for Benitez, who has a respectful relationship with the fans without being truly loved. He has gone out of his way to remind everyone who is boss at the club by insisting on playing the hated Brazilian Lucas Leiva and allowing Xabi Alonso to leave the club for Real Madrid in the close season.
Indeed the exit of the personable and talented midfielder Alonso is seen to have deprived the club of an important factor of their relative success last season, when they ran Manchester United closer than they had for years in taking second place in the Premier League, ending just four points behind the champions. The clock is ticking for Benitez. ·
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Rafael Benitez deserves to have the clock ticking against him at Anfield. He has committed numerous blunders in the transfer market. He himself cannot justify some of the strange dealings he has done ,bring in very mediocre players like Lucas Leiva.
Nobody doubts the talent that Brazil offers to the world of football but Lucas Leiva is TNT- Truly Not Talented!. I do not know why Benitez insists on playing this joker who has no clue whatsoever as to what he is doing on the ball-park. Liverpool teams of old had Kenny Dalglish,John Barnes, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley ,Bruce Grobelaar and Ian Rush. These were and are still world class players ,going by current standards.Tom Huddlestone,
Jermain Jenas(England), Stephen Appiah & John Mensah(Ghana),Felipe Melo Luis Fabiano, Luisao(all real Brazil star players) ,Fernando Meira, Costinha ,Jorge Andrade(both Portugal) Stephan Mbiah & Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) and Kagiso Dikgacoi(South Africa). These are players that are almost readily available to provide the much needed grit and finese to Liverpool. Benitez must find other match winners besides Gerrard and Torres in order to win the title. His over-reliance on these two is not good for football and Liverpool as a club.
If the powers -that -be wield an axe on Benitez's neck soon, he will have absolutely no one to blame except himself. I rest my case.
Andrew B.Kamanga
Liverpool fc are in a sorry state of affairs. One just has to look at their pre - season friendlies and you will note it was disastrous, no matter what. What wrong did Arbeloa do last year that he had to be transferred, I do not know. Although Glen Johnson has been a very exciting signing. Why he did not sign Michael Owen I do not know, yet he wants to hang on to Veronin. You cannot compare Michael Owens scoring prdigree to any of the Liverpool strikers. I think Benitez tactics and game plan is now gone stale. It is time for LFC to get another manager, Mr. K Dalglish himself. I will not be surprised that Benitez if not fired will leave LFC in this year to join Real Madrid. The change must come now before it is too late. Why was the youngster Ayala dropped from the team to play Aston Villa is also something that also mystifies me. He had a flawless game. Watching him play against Stoke City, his coolness and reading of the game, tackling and passing reminded me a lot of Alan Hansen and a bit of Sami Hypia. Why was Sami Hypias contract not extended also mystifies me. He only left the club because he was not given an extention to his contract. Benitez has spent another 18 million pound on Aquilani a player that is injury prone. His come injured to the club, how many games he will play is anybodys guess. He keeps on talking about developing the youth yet he is not prepared to put his faith in them, Jay Spearling is one that comes to mind. I think with the right opportunities he would have developed in the mould of Steve McMahon. Please Mr. Benitez stop ranting and raving at referees and other managers. Lets get our act together.