Rafael Benitez - Time to Say Goodbye?

With speculation over Rafael Benitez’s future reaching tipping point, is it time for Liverpool to say goodbye to their idiosyncratic manager? Six defeats in eight games and the looming Champions League exit would test the loyalty of most club owners. And it could be argued that current form barely scratches the surface of a multitude of issues at Anfield.

The performance of a football team and indeed a coach should be judged over a period of longer than a few months. So regardless of recent form, the more pertinent question to ask is whether Benitez has been a success during his five years at Liverpool?

Since 2004 the Spanish coach has twice achieved silverware, famously with the Champions League triumph of 2005, followed by the FA Cup the following year. With a consistent Champions League showing over the next four seasons and last year’s title push, it could be argued that Benitez has cemented Liverpool’s reputation as a European force whilst maintaining a domestic challenge.

Unfortunately, this will never be enough for a club of Liverpool’s heritage and pedigree, regardless of how competitive English football has been since his arrival. As talk emerges of five year plans, many Liverpool fans are wondering what happened to last five. The Champions League triumph of 2005 is the obvious starting place.

The worst detractors will argue that the legacy of Gerard Houllier had more to do with the Istanbul triumph than the influence of Benitez. Whilst the development of Gerrard and Carragher owes much to the Frenchman, this grossly undervalues the tactical acumen of Benitez, let alone the importance of Xabi Alonso. Although talented, it is highly unlikely Houllier would have plotted such an unexpected European triumph.

But the incredible victory in Istanbul did much to remove the spotlight from Benitez’s average performance in the transfer market during his first season. Although Alonso was an inspired signing, Nunez, Josemi and Morientes were a more reliable indicator of things to come.

If the assembly of a squad designed to challenge Man United’s supremacy was the long-term aim, then there is no doubt that Benitez has failed. The current squad is arguably worse than that he inherited, failing to personify its manager in the same way Chelsea did under Mourinho and Arsenal do under Wenger. Of the Spaniard’s signings, only Torres, Mascherano and Reina provide any significant building blocks for the future.

Moreover, this season’s glaring lack of a first-class striker to support Torres has been embarrassing. Both Voronin and N’Gog would struggle to get into most Premier League sides. This leaves Steven Gerrard shoehorned into the role of second striker, thus relieving the team of their most potent midfield force. In a roundabout way, Benitez’s poor man management skills are to blame…

The lack of respect shown to Xabi Alonso in last year’s pursuit of Gareth Barry left much to be desired. Alonso’s superb performances last season smacked of an ‘I told you so’ attitude and there was little surprise when he jumped at his deserved move to the Bernabeu. Likewise, the poor management of Robbie Keane completely robbed the striker of his confidence. Yes, the Irishman hardly set the world alight in his brief period at Anfield, but a £20 million outlay surely allows for a period of bedding in and adjustment. Keane didn’t become a bad player overnight.

The handling of Keane left Liverpool threadbare as an attacking force, whilst their much publicised financial issues have meant a lack funds for a world class replacement.

Money is an issue that just won’t disappear for Liverpool and this summer’s spending masks deeper problems at Anfield. On the surface they have spent £17 million on Roma’s Aquilani and £18m on Glen Johnson, but in reality the outlay is far less. The fee for Johnson was closer to £10 million due to an outstanding debt Portsmouth owed on Peter Crouch, whilst the Aquilani-Alonso reversal netted a £13 million profit for the club.

We should remember that Benitez’s spending power at Liverpool has always been closer to that of Wenger than Ferguson. With this in mind success relative to outlay has been more than adequate. But where Arsenal currently have a squad packed with young exciting players, Liverpool are left with the perennially frustrating Babel, Lucas and Riera.

Liverpool are in desperate need of a change and although harsh, it seems Benitez has run his course. The likelihood of this happening however, is massively decreased by Gillett and Hicks dreadful management of his contract negotiations. If they want to fire the Spaniard they will have to shell out £20 million in compensation for the privilege.

This financial implication may inadvertently help the club. Although the clamour for Benitez’s head continues to build, he does have one thing going for him – things can only getter better. If he stays there’s no doubt he has the ability to steer the club towards Champions League qualification once again, which is now an absolute must for next season.

The potential departure of Benitez inevitably leads to consideration of the alternatives. But with Kenny Dalglish currently hailed as the potential prodigal son, you do wonder what more he could offer than the current manager. It’s nearly fifteen years since Blackburn won the title and the game has changed a great deal since Kenny was king… much more than when Rafa wore the crown in 2005.