He had the dream start didn't he? Champions League glory in his first season (04/05), FA Cup in his second (05/06) the Champions League final in the third (06/07). Everything seemed right and the red half of merseyside were happy with their Spanish leader.
However, the last two years haven't quite been as good as the initial three but this season, they've been terrible. Having come so close to wining the league last season, a lot was expected out of Liverpool and Rafa this year. But an early exit from the Champions League and a poor string of results in the premier league is hardly what the fans had bargained for.
To be honest, Liverpool have been punching over their weight for quite some time now. They've got a very average squad that relies too heavily on Gerrard and Torres. An injury to either and the team struggles to replace them. Their victory against Manchester United earlier this season, did them more harm than good. "The Comback was on", "Liverpool will rise again", "Bring on the season now", were major headlines that circulated the papers the next day. The expectations were high once again. But Liverpool really were never back in it.
Players like Lucas, Insua, Babel, N'gog, etc aren't quite top four class and their inability to bring in quality players is what is costing them this season. Their 'flukes' are being highly exposed and to add to that, their board room problems aren't helping either.
I see a way out though. And its quite ironic too. For it involves someone not going out who already seems to be on his way out. Confused? Im talking about Rafa Benitez.
Now's the best time to keep the Spaniard at the club. Give him a new contract. Make him feel secure. Lift his spirits first and you will definitely see a positive change. He knows how the league functions and we saw how close he came to domestic supremacy last season and bloody hell, the man even knows how to win The Champions League.
Let this season be treated as a 'detox' period for him and the club. Let the board trouble settle, give Aquilani and Rodriguez time to adapt, get rid of the unwanted players and build the youth system. Bringing in a new manager will not only be a very costly affair but will also further unsettle the existing players and the staff. Now is the time for the players and the fans at the very least to unite and believe in their manager. Rafa's saying he can do it. So why not trust him.
Also, its the only way Torres and maybe even Gerard will stay at the club. Yes, some of you may argue with that but think of it this way - Assuming Liverpool finish 6th/7th, Rafa is sacked, Manchester City come in with a 100mn pounds for Torres and Madrid come in with 60mn pounds for Gerard. Who's to say the board wont sell!
And if they sell, Liverpool will burn. It's that simple.
Disagree on a couple of points.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I think Insua can cut it at Anfield.
Secondly, do you think Rafa has what it takes to rebuild this team? Because it requires rebuilding, and Rafa has not been a wise buyer in past years. Now would be a good time to get rid of him because the new man can come and settle the mess (or start trying anyway) right away. The rebuilding phase needs to being soon and the question is clear - is Rafa the man for the job. I say no.
sorry man dont agree at all..
ReplyDeleteliverpool right now are a team that need serious re-building..their squad is so weak only cos of rafa and know one else..come on selling keane crouch bellamy for god sakes!!..and then spending crazy amounts of money on players who on a good day you would call average..if you are saying to let him rebuild the team from sratch id give it to someone else..cos quite simply rafas fucked it up..there are some really good managers out their who could really do good with that club..i just think rafas been really really lucky..and now thats its run out..he should leave..
Niki & Nishit
ReplyDeleteCrouch and Bellamy were useless at Liverpool. They made no mistake in selling them. Bellamy is only now beginning to shine with Man City. And Crouch has never been a prolific goal scorer. Just look at his record. But yea, selling Keane was a bad mistake. He should have given that time.
Also, nowhere have I stated that he needs to rebuild the 'squad'. What I said was that he needs to get rid of the unwanted players. Liverpool simply do not have the funds to purchase anymore. There 'cannot' be any rebuilding. Which is why i emphasized on developing the youth academy instead.
For a new manager to come into this club with unsettled players and a transfer kitty smaller than that of probably even Hull's, it will be very difficult. And if he gets sacked, he will blame the board again for a lack of investment.
And then they'l appoint a new manager....and the same thing will happen again. Its a loop. See the problem.
And im sure if it comes down to it, every Liverpool fan would rather have Rafa as manager and Gerard and Torres in the squad than lose the latter two for the sake of a new manager.