A Loss on Sunday and Rafa is Gone

By Brian Lofrumento | 21st October 2009

A Loss on Sunday and Rafa is Gone | read this item

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Lyon’s 2-1 Champions League victory at Anfield on Tuesday night sparked mass hysteria amongst the Liverpool faithful. While almost everyone points the finger at the absence of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in recent weeks, even more people are blaming manager Rafa Benitez. There is no doubt about it: people are calling for Rafa Benitez’s head. Rafa is without a doubt on the verge of being the first manager to get the sack in the 2009/10 Premier League season. A loss against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday will surely seal the Spaniard’s fate, and Liverpool find themselves stuck in a bad run of form.

Last season

The first reason why Rafa must go is last season. Liverpool sat atop the Premier League table for the majority of the season, but following Rafa’s public bust up with Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils easily overcame Liverpool and took home the Premier League crown. All of this happened in a season where it looked like Liverpool would finally win a title, but they fell short on all fronts.

Consider the squad that Rafa had at his disposal last season. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were in full flight, and the dynamic duo of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso in central midfield was full of both beauty and bite. Instead of taking the Premiership by storm, Liverpool lost their grip on the title and disappointed in Europe. Zero trophies reflects not only on the players but on the manager, especially when everyone was claiming it was Liverpool’s year.

This is his team!

Besides going trophyless last season, Liverpool’s owners must realize that the squad out on the pitch is entirely made of Rafa’s signings. Benitez has had plenty of time to make this squad his own, and he has definitely put his stamp on the players. Even if supporters claim it’s not Rafa’s fault that the players are underachieving, but it was Rafa who brought those players in! Additionally, the odd buying and selling of Robbie Keane suggests that Rafa has lost the plot in the transfer market, and millions of pounds have been wasted on mediocre players.

This season

Finally, and most importantly, Liverpool have started this season extremely poorly. Sitting outside of the Premier League top seven, Liverpool have already lost twice as many games this season as they did in all of last season. Keep in mind, we’re less than 10 games in to the season.

Even if we ignore their position in the table, Liverpool have now lost four straight matches. It’s been over twenty years since this last happened, but Rafa is breaking records one match at a time. The upcoming match against Manchester United is a must win. Liverpool need to get out of their awful run of form, and a win over their rivals is imperative to save face.

Rafa Benitez has been heavily reliant on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Without these two in the side, we all get the chance to see his poor decision making and lack of motivational skills. Without the inspiration of captain Gerrard, the Reds look flat and depleted. Rafa is the man to blame here, and if Liverpool want to produce results then Benitez must go.

Should Rafa go? Have your say below!

Kirk says:

October 21, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Sorry, long night at the pub.

I was mentioning Keane as an example for Rafa in the transfer market. I think all in all Pool lost 8 million or so. Great, we scored a bunch of goals last year, but we dont have any depth. IMO Rafa should have at least tried to get something out of tottenham. That team has players moving in and out all the time. He maybe should have shot for Lennon, or idk…all im saying is it seemed as though he addressed a major need in the offseason by signing keane-only to have it blow up and get nothing out of it. Forward to next big move-Aquilani. Could be great, addressed a huge void in the midfield, but still hasnt played.

All im saying with Torres and Gerrard out. Imagine a liverpool team that maybe replaced Keane with a comprable forward/wing and then had a midfielder from the start of the season that could link up a create like xabi did. Pool might not be 9-0 but if the last yr of transfers, imo were played a bit differently. I think an extra two points might have been had last yr and this year the reliance of torres and gerrard might not be as big of a deal.

As far a Lucas, hes one of the best tackling midfielders in the premiership. Crazy-I know. Which is great, but we have Mascherano as well. I can see the justification of lucas and masch if pool didnt let in any goals but thats not the case. Moving forward in the midfield and creating isnt really going to happen with the two of them there. The partnership is great for tackling, but what else???

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Mike says:

October 21, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Nice of the author to have the bottle to respond!

As for Kirk – are you for real?

Spearing for one, played against Sunderland – did you not know?

Lucas has been the best tackler in the midfield this season (opta). And to drag up the sale of Keane is so old news. We scored over 100 goals last year so the argument is pointless. Keane missed far more than he scored anyway.

As for a run of 4 defeats – big deal. It was bound to happen sooner or later. It happened in 1987 – a team that featured Dalglish, Rush, Hansen and so on. Did fickle fans suggest Kenny to be sacked – no. They got behind their team.

I suggest some of the people here – think what Rafa has done for the club (e.g. a record points hawl) and get off his back after this short bad run. You may also consider, he has raised expectations so much that some ‘expect’ to win the league this year. This is same guy you are accusing of buying rubbish players.

Please try to think logically and beyond your personal perception. Look at the facts. Consider the bad luck we have had. Consider why Rafa could walk into the Madrid job tomorrow. And also consider WHO would replace him. Liverpool have no money to compensate Rafa his contract, which right minded manager would want to walk into the situation of no funding and two owners that don’t get on. Most of all, Liverpool could not afford a top manager.

In all folks, have some respect.

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Kirk says:

October 21, 2009 at 11:08 am

Im not even going to talk about Babel, Dossena, that big greek guy who ive never even see since he came over the summer when the back four was injured, Riera, Vorinon (who should go with golem and fight in lord of the rings 4), Ngog, Inzogbia lucas etc Is there anyone even coming up in the ranks? Saw Spearing for what? 15 minutes against Real Madrid last year when we were up 4-0. Look at utd, arsenal, chelsea, just look at the depth. You never hear of liverpool players going out on loan and doing well. Vorinon is the closest we got. F’ing Vorinon

Hes mystifying and needs to be mystifying elsewhere> Im tired of it. Excuse my lack of punctuation. To quote jamie foxx “I blame it on the alcohol”

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Kirk says:

October 21, 2009 at 11:01 am

I am in complete agreeement for the most part. Rafa had his chance. His UEFA and FA wins were done largely with a team he inherited.

“Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were in full flight, and the dynamic duo of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso in central midfield was full of both beauty and bite.”

I dont know the statistics but Torres was barely around last year. Both he and Gerrard were injured a lot. Think they only started like 12 games together. Dont quote me, but the if you research it you will see how little gerrard and torres were around. So the excuse about them not being there this yr doesnt really hold water. As i remembered Masch wasnt that hot either. Didnt nearly have the form of the year before. So both points made in that sentence are mute as far as im concerned. Ill give you xabi but the rest is just incorrect.

Rafa is a mystery. I just dont get him ie today taking of yossi and putting in benayoun (only player doing anything). Why??? Then the whole keane thing. Push for lennon. Try to get something out of it. Anything. Then you have the Aquilani situation. What?! Did you really think Lucas was going to become half of what xabi was last yr when gerrard and torres were out. Did you see Lucas last yr. Ill give it to him, hes improved, but hes still lucas. I saw aquilani today for the first time on FIFA 10 for PS3. With a team that has lil depth. What would make you sign a guy who cant play til November.

Im a die hard liverpool fan and the last yr was the last straw for me. From the Keane Sale to Now. Im done. I hope they lose and get Rafa the fuck out.

Bring Back Dalglish!!!!!!!!!

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Tony says:

October 21, 2009 at 8:10 am

BENITEZ MUST GO… NOW!

He won the Champions League with a squad that was 95% Gerrard Houllier’s
He got rid of quality players and bought so much rubbish it ridiculous.
Babel is quality but, constantly sitting on the bench and playing out of position is only going to hinder his progress. Why not play 442 put Babel and Torres up front and Gerrard Just behind them. (Awesome)

I read that he has spent over £220 million on players. He’s won nothing in 3 season’s. Lets face facts, he doesn’t understand the premiership and he can’t win it. (Sack him)

Benitez has lost the plot with his massive EGO and the players don’t want to play for him. Bring back Rick Parry and let Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush manage us back to the glory days.

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Mr. Khan Mauritius says:

October 21, 2009 at 6:58 am

In my hunble opinion, benitez cycle is over now. He hasnot been able to muster a team a such. His outcry rotation policy has left his down.

We cannot put the same old blame on the owerners only. Lets us be realistic. Every fan has diagnose that we need a strong stricker to parner torres. What was the result?

Do we need Dossena, babel (whom benited dubbed as the new thierry henry), reira, Mr. Lucas, to name but a few.

Since his reign at Anfield, Benitez brought 67 players. All he labelled as “match-winner mentality”. What has we seen last nignt????? How he can put the blame on only Torres & Gerrard for their absence.

The immediate solution:

(1) Sack Rafa the sooner possible
(2) Bring Dalglish as caretaker manager
(3) Bring AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Guss Hiddink!

And the problem is solve…..

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Mike says:

October 21, 2009 at 1:52 am

Brian I believe you are wrong on several counts.

First, a loss on sunday would compound things but losing to the reigning champions and forcing Rafa out would be a huge mistake. This team is not firing as yet, Torres, Gerrard and Johnson are out and Aquilani is yet to feature.

Second, sacking Rafa would result in a HUGE payoff from the club which I am sure funding for they do not have at present.

Third, who would replace Rafa? Some argue Mourinho – but could Liverpool afford him? Would the club have a transfer budget to work with? Would the fans put up with another 5 year project?

Fourth, you can argue that ANY club misses their 2 or 3 most important players. I’d ask that you go and check the statistics – there is evidence that Liverpool have beaten big teams without Gerrard and Torres before.

Fifth, Liverpool have been unlucky this season and as a result lack confidence. The beach ball, own goals, a penalty, refereeing decisions – it’s all been there (And I have seen every game).

Sixth, Liverpool drew 11 league games last season thus dropping 22 points from draws and 2 losses = 28 points. The losses this season so far equate to 12 points – with about a quarter of the season gone. It would be foolhardy to suggest this ratio will remain constant when the team hits form.

Seventh, I think just saying to get results Rafa must go is a very basic and ill thought out response to what the team is going through. It adds to petty speculation amongst bookmakers and ‘phone in’ fans. I’d ask that you consider the points above and revise your article with a less one sided agenda.

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noel larkin says:

October 21, 2009 at 1:28 am

Benitez has to go, 5 1/2 of mostly dross and terrible football.He should be sacked before sunday.

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Shiraz says:

October 21, 2009 at 1:17 am

If Rafa goes who would replace him?

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mohd says:

October 21, 2009 at 12:59 am

rafa needs to go now,technically he is the worst coach i have ever seen.
the owners must act now if they have liverpool in their heart.no matter what the result is against man utd,rafa has to go.pliz bring back kenny daglish & steve nicol

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