NOW BENITEZ IS KNOWN AS "THE TERMINATOR"

zocoss SG

BENITEZ "THE TERMINATOR"

IT HAS happened before and it will no doubt happen again. There Chelsea are, tootling along without a care in the world, bowling over all and sundry with their lovely, winning football. And then along comes Rafa Benitez.

He did it to Jose Mourinho, to the Special One’s fury, he did it to Claudio Ranieri, he very nearly did it to poor old Avram Grant and now he has done it to Luiz Felipe Scolari …stopped their teams in their tracks and completely upset the seemingly unstoppable applecart.

No one has the measure of Chelsea quite like Benitez. The Spaniard’s tactical wizardry all too often explodes in his face, especially in domestic games, but not against the men from Stamford Bridge.

Twice he has ended their hopes at the semi-final stage of the Champions League, once turfed them out of the FA Cup, several times frustrated them in the Premier League.

Yesterday in the driving rain at Stamford Bridge, Benitez wrote his name in the record books as he ended the longest unbeaten home league run in English football. Eighty-six games, four years and three managers had gone by since Chelsea last went down on their own turf – on February 21, 2004, when Arsenal won 2-1.

But thanks to Xabi Alonso’s deflected shot yesterday, Benitez confirmed Liverpool’s status as genuine title challengers this season. Not since 1990 have they lifted the trophy, but this win gave them their best start to a Premier League season – and their manager’s first away victory in the league against another top-four team. Of course, it had to come against Chelsea.

Benitez has been grumbling lately that with just two years of his contract left he has heard nothing from the Anfield hierarchy about talks on a new deal. Six weeks ago his team, once again without Fernando Torres, beat Manchester United at Anfield. Now they have beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. His pounding on the boardroom door will surely soon become difficult to ignore.

As for Chelsea? The end of an era. Even Grant never lost at home in the league.

Story Image

WINNER: Xabi Alonso

Medicated Oil SG

It is due to the financial constraints of the american owner that ah ben cannot tinker as he like as in the last four season.

BPL is like a long journey.

I sincerely hope that the spirit of the team can carry the victory forward as the only unbeaten team this season.

As for Ah Ben, it is time that he deliver some cup this season or else he will have to join Ramos back in spain.

Cannot praise the manager too much or else he will get a bigger head.

youyayu SG

a fat 1

limpper SG

lol, terminator?
well, good job for the win over chelsea, im really delighted as a liverpool fan. for the past years, we always lose or draw with the remaining top3 in the league. but for this season and the first time, we WON the devils and the blues. but of course, the title is about a season's performance, not just few matches. good luck rafa!

Chris88110 SG

I'm a united fan and i think its about time for liverpool to win the title, BUT, theres still a friggin long way to go

zocoss SG

I am surprise that Grant is the only Chelsea manager that ah ben couldn't out smart and beat in league and cup... The rest, Ranieri, Mourinho and Scolari all lost to him now...

youyayu SG

I am surprise that Grant is the only Chelsea manager that ah ben couldn't out smart and beat in league and cup... The rest, Ranieri, Mourinho and Scolari all lost to him now...

LOL

zocoss SG

I still think its a mistake to sack Grant... Cos he did a fairly good job and he didn't even had the time to prepare in mid season... His team was rather resilient...

Scania N113CRB l0v3r SG

Y nt call Arsene Wenger " The T-1000" l0lx

Saltiga SG

I still think its a mistake to sack Grant... Cos he did a fairly good job and he didn't even had the time to prepare in mid season... His team was rather resilient...

while i still think Grant sucks big time...

limpper SG

with chelsea's current squard, seriously any top flights manager should do well with it.

zocoss SG

Well, Grant took them to finals they have never been before. And for me, the results is what matters and not the fancy star names coach or managers... And to think Grants salary was like 1/3 of Scolari's.

What I am most impress of Grant was during the pressure period between Feb to May, his side kept it going and even cut United's lead all the way until it became level a few match from the last game of the season...

I know he is not like by many cos he replaced Jose but without a pre-season and thrown in at the deep end all of a sudden... He still did what not every top manager could.

And seriously, had it not been for Terry... He would have lead Chelsea to their first ever Champions League title already.

Saltiga SG

2nd place will never be remembered 10 years from now, so what's the point in saying he did well given what and whatever.. at the end of the day he failed regardless of what he did, bad start doesn't mean Jose can't take them to the title, so many teams had lots of bad start before storming back to take the title, so whatever its said and done, Grant didn't win a single thing during the time he is with Chelsea and thats what it counts.... just like King Kev, no matter what he did and how much Newcastle fans loved him, he will always be remembered for losing out to SAF in their mind game and stormed off during one of the interview....

gunner77 SG

turbanator la

zocoss SG

Indeed 2nd place but more importantly, they got to the biggest final in club football that no other manager previously had taken them to. All these in his first season and without a pre-season to prepare... Did Mourinho or Ranieri despite having good start brought them to that stage with all the pre-season and spending?

And I don't think people will forget they have been to a CL final in 10 yrs time if Chelsea never makes it to another one in the next 10 or 15 yrs... People will still bring it up once in a while that they have been in a European Cup final before. Just like people talk about the Arsenal and Barcelona final too... And have Wenger won anything in the last 4 yrs?

Grant didn't win anything but he could have won the double or the very least, club football's greatest prize the Champions League title. It is no fault of his that Terry couldn't score the winning shot from the last penalty. It was there to be taken but the player couldn't. If he did, Grant would have been credited for the win.

When we talk about Arsenal almost won the CL, what about Chelsea... wasn't it closer... It couldn't get any closer than that one single kick.

So was it Grant's fault that Terry couldn't put it in?

SiMiLaiEh* SG

it is because of terry slipping at the last moment that cause Grant to be sacked

Grant : knn now i no job how to feed my family, u crybaby!

*sobbing* Terry : tiu not my fault la~

reyes SG

chelsea has lotsa injury problems of their own.

without drogba, ballack, essien,joe cole and half fit carvalho.

you can see chelsea lack the penetrative power in the middle of the park.

anyway, it is a good result for liverpool.

dragg SG

chelsea deserved to lose their record considering the way they have played.

not even a decent short at goal. i was surprised reina was still awake at the final whistle.

angelisation SG

but liverpool played really well in spite of me being a man utd fan.. really look up towards big ben.. but we should take into consideration on how was the squad avaliable to grant and scolari..

angelisation SG

but liverpool played really well in spite of me being a man utd fan.. really look up towards big ben.. but we should take into consideration on how was the squad avaliable to grant and scolari..