I
The question has crystallised since Monday night: is Rafa Benitez the ‘right man’ for Liverpool FC?
Many fans now seem to be saying that he isn’t. I’m hoping in this article to pull together the different strands of argument that these fans are using and, in doing so, attempt to get somewhere closer to the ‘truth’ of the current situation.
II
First things first: the idea that there is a ‘right man’ for our club is a fallacy. I’ve used the term before, and many others do every single day, but there are no ‘right men’ for any situation, anywhere. Putting a man in a job and charging him with winning the Premiership is based on the assumption that he can do it, but what is that assumption based on? In Benitez’s case, he was employed due to winning two Spanish league championships and a UEFA Cup, and possessing, I daresay, a vast knowledge of footballing knowledge, be it historical, tactical or statistical. Just because a man can win league titles in Spain does not mean that he can do it in England; if you put Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho in charge at Liverpool I don’t necessarily believe that they would win the league within the next five years, but the ‘right man’ logic means that surely they would, purely because they have had success in the past in similar situations.
But no two situations are ever the same. People have to be careful in saying that Benitez is ‘no longer’ the right man for the job because, really, he never was. He was simply a guy who got given a job. He has never won us the league, but he did win us the Champions League. Does his victory in Europe justify keeping him for years to come, on the logic that if you can win ‘the big one’, you can surely win a domestic league title? Was Benitez the reason we got so close to the title last season, or was he the reason that we lost it?
Remember the rant, the team selection that day at Middlesbrough, the purchase and sale of Keane, Dossena and many others, the shocking home performances against Fulham, West Ham and Hull which cost us the league title. But also remember the brilliance of our displays against Chelsea and United, the pulverising effect our team had on Newcastle, the purchase of Torres, Reina, Alonso, Mascherano, the infinite improvement of Gerrard.
III
Until this season, that is. Gerrard has gone backwards and is probably as worried about his own form as we are. Without Torres, we’ve been horribly short up front, despite the purchase of Crouch, Bellamy, Morientes, Babel, Keane. And Alonso left, as he himself has admitted, as a direct result of Benitez’s behaviour. It shows for me a lack of awareness of Xabi’s importance last season that Rafa thought we could cope without a direct replacement whilst Aquilani recovered from injury; Lucas and Mascherano is a million miles away as a partnership from Mascherano and Alonso, or Lucas and Alonso. Gerrard gets no service, and his own comments about Alonso’s departure foreshadowed what has been a dire campaign for the captain.
What I would suggest is that, whilst pointing to last season as proof that Benitez can put together a side capable of a title challenge, it is also possible to point to many decisions, made by him, which cost us points, or cost us squad depth. And, as I pointed out last week, the treatment of Aquilani this year has been absolutely baffling.
IV
So, he nearly won us the league, maybe he lost it for us - but is he the ‘right man’? The question, when you really think about it, makes no sense.
People often argue that Benitez’s transfer decisions in the past have been poor. Some have, some haven’t. Keane, Aquilani, Babel, Riera – these players have had big money spent on them and haven’t come good for various reasons, whilst a player like Warnock could well be going to the World Cup. All managers make mistakes. Does this mean that Rafa can’t go on managing Liverpool? Francis Jeffers, Seba Veron, Jo, Robinho, Darren Bent, Gio Dos Santos, Djemba Djemba… the very best managers in the world make errors in the transfer market.
V
Now to the players who we love – Carra, Gerrard, Torres. Carra has been up and down for a season and a half, whilst the latter two are routinely accused of moaning. Some see the moaning as justified because they have to carry a poor team – but should the likes of Benayoun, Maxi, Riera, Mascherano actually need carrying? It isn’t Smicer and Cheyrou anymore. So are they moaning for that reason, or are they unhappy for other reasons? Are they both unfit? Do they believe in the manager? As for Carra, at 32 years old he is no longer in his peak. It’s as simple as that.
VI
Most people see Torres as our new Gerrard – the man we’ll always rely on. In my own mind, I admit that I despair when he isn’t on the team sheet: how will we score, how will we scare defences?
But, Torres has never been responsible for us winning anything. Before he came, Rafa won us an FA Cup, a Champions League. Before Torres, we were capable of playing against top teams, incredible teams, and beating them, sometimes by two or three goals. Why do we no longer believe that we can win without Torres? Why have we not won anything since having Torres as our lone striker?
Has the squad got that much worse? Is that Rafa’s fault, or was he just selling players in order to buy players? Or has the system that Rafa has built around Torres come to be completely reliant on the outstanding talents of one man, to the extent that when he doesn’t play, the team cannot play?
I believe that Rafa’s tactical system is too rigidly based on Torres. We should have a plan B, but we don’t.
VII
Would Rafa ever walk away from this job? I don’t think he would. Can we afford to sack him? I don’t think so.
What options do we therefore have open to us? Pressure the manager to leave? How? By booing him, booing the team, willing the team to lose? That’s a funny kind of logic for supporters to have.
So is our only option to keep Benitez and back him and hope for a return to last season?
VIII
Back to the question of the ‘right man’:
We have to ask, what are the new objectives of Liverpool FC. Just as Tottenham were looking to avoid relegation last season, now our aim is to finish above seventh or eighth. Things change very quickly in football.
But there is a more immediate objective, far more important than the league table: we must learn how to play football again. Benitez needs a new system, one which does not need Alonso, Gerrard and Torres so desperately. He needs to decide how to play: this season, he looks to be forgetting exactly what it is he wants from our players. The consensus is that a new man would provide fresh impetus, a new way of playing; after Houllier and Benitez back to back, everyone would like less caution, more passing and attacking. But that could all go horribly wrong. Which managers in the world could provide that for us? Would they be willing to come to a club in financial turmoil, with a clouded future such as ours?
IX
The American Owners. Some see them as the reason for our downfall – everything was OK when they arrived, apparently. But no. They have broken promises and the ownership question is going to be a problem until they leave, but they don’t decide the team, don’t buy players (I think) and they don’t ever cross the white lines. They weren’t there for any recent trophy successes, but they were there for last season, and they were there to allocate funds to buy Mascherano and Torres. They didn’t cost us the league, they’re just businessmen whose world of debt is crumbling, desperate to squeeze every last penny out of the assets that they still possess. This damages LFC: but I don’t see how we can blame them for Monday night, or any performance this season.
X
How many good performances have there been this season? United, Everton… not many others. Even victories have been hard-won. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed our football at any point this season. That is very worrying.
I wrote not long ago that sacking Benitez would be a grave mistake. He cares about our club and offers stability in the face of great change (behind the scenes). But the football – and that is the important bit – has plummeted before our very eyes this past few months. No Champions League dreams to make up for a bad season in the league, no league challenge to make up for the lack of silverware. Humiliation on every single front – every single front!!!
I still admire him as a manager, and I don’t want to see him sacked now. I’m concerned that he has no idea how to make his team play well again, and that’s why my general opinion on him has changed this year. But I won’t be a turncoat. He needs to have another go next season. Not because he’s the right man, but because I believe he deserves the opportunity.
I suppose it’s a matter of opinion, but what I’m trying to say is: it’s never as simple as you think.
Epilogue
Taking the armband from Gerrard is a bad idea, by the way. Even if he isn’t performing now, think about what he’s done for this club, and for YOU.
Rafa MUST Stay!
I agree with every thing you said. And the reason
I think we have strugled apart from the loss
of Alonso is all down to our gloriouus past
every game our players have to play is a cup
final to the oposition . they still think we are
the 70’s team they have to beat and at all cost.
Great article. For me Rafa needs to start being too cautious and, let the players play. Gerrard needs to start earning his massive wages and, show some leadership, instead of looking as he is out on a Sunday stroll in the park!. Aquilani should be ahead of Lucas, why did we pay all that money for?, if you are not going to play him. Insua and G.Johnson are great going forward but, lousy defenders. Even Torres needs to stop getting frustrated and, just concentrate on playing football…..Other than that and, if Rafa lets the players play, we will be fine…..We have got the qualty players, they just need to start playing football!!!
Alfred Wynne…..You are quite right……that too is another problem but, the players should know that too, and should raise thier game accordingly, right?.
I think the phrase “the right man for the job” is understood to be a person who has the rights skills to take a particular set of circumstances and succeed (or succeed more) as compared to others, not implying that they are fated or destined to be the only one can succeed. When you have a team under-performing against another team with equal set of resources or tools, you have to identify why that is. The manager often has the greatest influence in this matter. If Arsene Wenger consistently builds teams with perform better with the same amount of money you would have to conclude that he may be the “right man for the job”, all things being equal. Perhaps you would be more comfortable with using “righter man for the job”?
Simply Rafa’s time is up. The very fabric of what made our club great is disappearing.
1. We are far too cautious especially at home, one striker u[p front against teams in the bottom half and we still struggle to break teams down and control mdifield.
2. His treatment off players and staff such as Alonso is shameful (being that trying to sell him behind his back the year before and then being stubborn in his transfer). His assistant Pako left due to problems with Rafa, Pako was the man who teh players trusted and the tactian.
3. Majority of his transfer have been poor. Especially this summer.
4. Our style of play is not the Liverpool way, we have alwys been brought up on ‘Pass and Move’. That is our history and legacy which he has taken down bit by bit.
5. It nots about Rafa letting the players play, this is his team he has built over 5 years they play to his style and his way.
6. We are a big team so smaller teams will be pumped up to play aginst us. This has been the same for decades its nothing new. Its shouldn’t be used as an excuse. We have better players so should be able to play them off the park. No team now fear us and believe they have a chnace to beat us.
7. We have lost to many smaller teams, i.e reading, portsmouth (who couldn’t buy a win yet beat us), wigan need i go on.
8. We wont win fourth place.
9. Other tams have debts too yet have managed to win the league 3 years in a row.
10. We have signed outless number of youth players, all promising but how many will make it thru.
Simply Rafa’s time is up. I respect him but he is not good enough to be Liverpool Manager. Those who argue against him leaving our entitled to their opinion. However come out with a some proper reason why he should stay and not teh dribble that keeps coming out about excuses. Dont forget who we are…Liverpool FC…we deserve and expect better than we are getting this rests on the shoulders of the manager. Its his team after 5 years his, his tactics and his style of play. The buck stops with him. Taxi for Rafa!!!
Well said Raiza. I have supported Rafa in the face of heavy criticism for a long time, but as the club slides further down the table and closer to financial ruin, the biggest single factor that I can attribute that to is the manager.
Rafa has made some great signings but none of them are playing to their potential and the rest of the team are poor to middling.
I would nominate Mourinho to come in if I could get anyone. Many don’t like him, for good reason, but his record speaks for itself and its not just working with mega bucks. Don’t forget he won the champions league on a shoe string with Porto. A while ago yes, but still worth remembering.
Anyway. I would like to say, thanks for the memories Rafa (the good ones at least) but you should go to pasteurs new, to regain your form and allow us to regain ours.
Post script: If Rafa turns it all around then I will happily eat my words, but I dont think he will.
He should have been sacked after Burnley FA Cup defeat. I’ve said since day 1 to family & friends he’s the spanish houllier.
Big boot football and negative tactics for TWELVE years now with houllier and benitez.
Enough is enough. We are LIVERPOOL FC!!
I love to watch Liverpool play in the good times but when it turns bad..everything will mess up..why is it so?as i can see..liverpool is not really FOCUS during the games.Most of the time depending on torres,s.gerrard,benayoun,mascherano all the time..when they injured..no one could ever replace. Blaming each others on the pitch and show no character at all..Liverpool must show how they strike back when ruins, move on and try their best way to win the game for the sake of the club..the fans all around the world..last session can only b history,not for this session…the major problem is do train more?only some of the players are very consistant fitness..only some…the rest..sory to say only to fill the 1st eleven…if the manager wants the games plyaed in the way they should be but the players could do it?what can we do?don’t blame the manager…because he studied most of the games than they’re on the pitch..
The way some of the back room staff were treated in the ’shake up’ of the accademy shows more about rafa than his treatment of alonso one was foolish the other shameful, we are in a mess pure and simple, whether or not anyone else will be able to turn this around i have my doubts but if we dont get that 4th spot (is that really what we are about?) i think it will be adios rafa anyway!
some great ideas but Rafa`s time is really up. It has been up for me for quite a while. I remember games lost because of tactic errors, Reading 3-1 and pompey 1-0 in 07/08 are the best example. Last year beginning from the match against Stock he made mistakes which could have been avoided.
Where I donot want to comment on Rafa`s abilities he should remember from time to time that “attack is the best form of defence”. But now sadly it doesn`t matter because as you say, the owners might be unwilling to pay for him to leave and he doesn`t seem to want to go away willingly.
So it will just be him for the next 3 seasons to come and no trophys for LFC as Man City and the like go from strength to strength.
Albert Riera….Another Liverpool player quoting the faulty’s in Rafa’s managerial style. Player interaction is Zero with Rafa.
For all I wanted Rafa to succed like all Liverpool fans its clear he isn’t up to the job. Were playing Lille to tonite at Anfield needing to score at least once, i bet he’ll play one striker, two defensive midlefielders. At home to Lille needing to score. I hope I’m wrong, but fear i wont.
Sevilla have just sacked their manager after a few indifferent results. No wonder Benitez stays where he is - no matter how dreadful and shameful the performances his job is safe. He’d be crazy to leave Liverpool - the softest option in fotball. Fan expectation is zero and that’s what Benitez delivers - nothing. Will he bring Voronin back for next season? I wouldn’t be surprised.
aloha….i was thinking that…this session,the players n the manager are really testing the passion of the fans…they really does…i was very upset for the performances, i don’t care we’ve won,draw o loss the game…i just can tell that…to became a very good team is to have a very good imagination players and manager…they can get into the game,creating more chances,creative rather than just long pass which is very low probability to win the ball…loss possession,and everything is went wrong…I’m afraid that benetiz already exhausted study the games..all the game over the world…and the players did not trust in each other capability…and the club keep wasting the quality players.
i believe this session is only a trial…but at this very poor…so weak..S.G are you thinking only to get famous by previous marvelous session?if there’s players representing the their country for world cup with this level..they will surely not win the world cup…even to touch the golden world cup..the Argentine players does very well,lucas also done very well just as benetiz thought, the dutch also done very well..we don’t need to change the manager(in my opinion)because, arsene wanger and alex.f for example, as long as they stay the club still manage to reach the top..and win some trophies,and win the situations? let the Spaniard get rid of it..and see what he can do to prove that whether the players and the manager are really something or really nothing.
what if they watch and learn from the other clubs..and think why and how do they manage to be so consistent and make the game not to get bored like we’ve always see…we can make a change at anytime..but its too late…maybe its a little later than it seems..try to recheck from the top striker to the goal keeper in every standard.. players brought in and out doesn’t matter,can they improve in every single mistakes they’ve done?or maybe its just the bad luck wind blow on our ways…
I’m always be a Liverpool fans…till i die…