http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/john-cross/Rafa-Benitez-must-stop-hiding-behind-Hicks-and-Gillett-and-start-taking-Liverpool-forward-article183301.html
<- a good read.
Rafa Benitez bought himself some time and patience by winning
the Champions League in his first season.
But Liverpool fans are an incredible bunch for sticking by Rafa
ever since, showing loyalty beyond compare in the Premier League.
They are magnificent supporters.
You hear this argument that Benitez has only had £12million net
to spend during his reign at Anfield. That is some defence, bearing
in mind that Benitez seems to thrive on a boom-and-bust
philosophy.
Buy one dodgy full back, sell him and get another. Andrea
Dossena was bought for £7million, given the number two shirt and
has now been relegated to 38 after the arrival of right back Glen
Johnson.
Now, who's fault is that?
Then you have Xabi Alonso, one of the best midfielders in
Europe. Benitez falls out with him, sells him and buys in Alberto
Aquilani, an injury prone Italian who has yet to make his debut
because he's, er, injured.
Is that good management? No.
Every summer, Benitez's revolving door transfer policy rarely
shows much sign of building on the foundations of Reina, Carragher,
Gerrard and Torres. Yes, he's added Skrtel, Johnson and, er,
Lucas.
It's little wonder that George Gillett this week openly
questioned Benitez's methods. Shame him and the other half of the
American comedy act have made such a complete mess of running the
club themselves. People in glass houses, George...
But this has to be a pivotal season for Rafa. I'll be honest, I
wanted Liverpool to win the title last season. I think it would
have been good for the Premier League.
Manchester United were worthy champions in the end, but it's
great to have competition. United will be pushed all the way this
season. But by Chelsea and not Liverpool.
Benitez has proved to be a good manager. But after that
Champions League glory, we thought he was going to be a great
manager.
Only Liverpool fans with all their loyalty and passion for their
club could defend him quite so vigorously.
But Liverpool fans deserve more and it's time that Benitez
stopped hiding behind that net spend and the ownership issues and
got on with pushing the club forward.
Otherwise he might lose the backing of those amazing fans.
