Liverpool must be careful in rebuilding process
Firstly, let's face it, managers have been fired for less, and I think in a perfect world Liverpool would get rid of Benitez, because his team is not achieving on the pitch and he seems unable to attract the kind of players, Fernando Torres aside, that can change the situation.
But I don't think Liverpool will get rid of him in a hurry because they cannot afford the compensation, and there is not a ready replacement available. Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal are only in the frame because they're failing almost as badly as Rafa in the Champions League, so the Reds may think better the devil they know.
But, rebuilding of sorts is necessary, and this is the time to do it because their only real distraction will come in the battle to make the top-four in the English Premier League to qualify for next year's Champions League.
As much as players pay lip-service to the F.A Cup and Europa League those competitions are peripheral to the real business, at least for a club like Liverpool that believes it should challenge for the top honors. So now would be the perfect time to build for the future.
I'm not sure that selling Torres would be a good idea, even if he did raise $120 million. Spending just that much on a handful of players would only get the kind of mediocre players Liverpool have, with the exception of Torres himself, been buying for the last few years, and that clearly isn't good enough.
Therefore, whether Benitez stays or someone else comes in, he'll still have the same old problem - insufficient money and a general lack of quality players. So selling Torres or even Gerard would be cutting off your nose to spite your face. Better to accept the season as a bust, and look to the next two transfer windows for some bargains, like Arsene Wenger does at Arsenal.
The Gunners have long since accepted that they are NOT Chelsea or Manchester City in terms of finances, and that they are NOT Manchester United in terms of prestige. As a result they can't easily acquire the big-name players. But what they have done is become canny and astute in the players they do buy and in the way they deploy them, which is something Benitez is not. Like I said, it's time for Liverpool to reassess, with or without Rafa.
What separates Arsenal and Man U from Liverpool is this. Both of these clubs have a good farm system (Baseball term used here to mean they develop young talent). The Reds don't have this. Man U and Arsenal have players that are ready to step in and play. Liverpool doesn't. Rafa is short sighted in his approach to the game. Sure Man U is a big name but look at the young players on the Red Devils squad- Anderson, Nani, Welbeck, and the rest.
The Gunners and Red Devils search the world for good young players to develop.The Reds don't. Big names are good but sometimes this just a qucik fix. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
What about the Liverpool ownership situation? It's not even mentioned here and has been the principle reason for Benitez's so-called 'ability to attract top players'...The money simply isn't there.
And the comparisons with Arsenal are laughable... Just remind us what Wenger has won since Benitez took over at Liverpool? Oh, what's that? Absolutely nothing.
Arsenal have a shot at the EPL title or a top -4 finish at the very least; they're into the Champions League knock-out stage; they're playing some of the most attractive football in England; and, while they're no Man. City when it comes to cash, they're cutting their cloth accordingly and staying competitve. Liverpool?....Not so much. Stop being a typical Red and living in the past. NOW is all that matters, and your club and manager are currently second rate.
If Liverpool lets both Benitez and Torre go, they are entering the darkest hour of their problem. Another striker and maybe 2 world class midfielder is their answer for revival this season even if its very late.
All the same Raaf is a coach to recon with. I admire him though this season isnt easy for him may be fore one reason or the other. Raaf is incomparable to Wenger or Sir Alex because of his achievement within a short period of time with Liverpool.
So let this season go and watch him next season before you conclude.
Liverpool is a big name in world football. Players and fans need to be a bit patient. The boys will bounce back. Yesterday's win against Merseyside rivals Everton will do a world of good to the side. Best wishes in the coming campaigns.
Not only this article does not bing any novel analysis, but it eludes the crucial fact that Benitez has faced a deep injury crisis this season (iIn the past 10 games, he had to dig deep into the reserves). Yes, Liverpool is out of the top two competitions at an early stage of the season, but changing manager because this season has not been as good as last year is short sighted (knee-jerk reaction). Since his arrival, the Reds have improved every year. We'll see how the season goes once the 1st team and the bench are healthy.
i think LIVERPOOL should sign tried and tested players like (1)DAVID VILLA
(2) DAVID SILVA
(3)RUUD VAN NISTEROY
(4)MARIO GOMEZ
TO MAKE CLUB VERY STRONG
Liverpool is going through one of the worst crisis in the for the past two decades and i think the management should sit down and conduct a SWOT analysis of what the team is experiencing and also try beef up the team come the January transfer window
I feel that there is a great need for liverpl to strengthen their squad in jan for the rest of the season. Signing the likes of david villa and david silva will never materialise unless a new owner comes in. Instead, liverpool should just focus on securing a top four spot for tis season, which is our top priority. Liverpool shld get van nisteroy to come to boost our strikeforce, add in another quality defender!( Their defence has been crap for gods sake). Most importantly, the likes of fernando torres and gerrard must remain unscath by the rugged nature of the premier league!