Benitez "must give Kewell the flick"
From a Sydney Newspaper!
http://blogs.smh.com.au/sport/archiv...ell_the_f.html
Liverpool will be reeling after the weekend's games.
Ten points behind leaders Arsenal, a first title since 1990 is already looking beyond them - and we're not even half way through the campaign yet.
And hopes were so high at Anfield at the start of the season. New owners, a host of new signings, a new stadium in the pipeline - Liverpool were on the up.
So where has it all gone wrong?
The buck always stops with the manager and Rafa Benitez has to shoulder the majority of the blame.
The Spaniard deserves credit for guiding the Reds to two Champions League finals. He has also sorted out the mess left by Gerrard Houllier.
But the Premier League title is what Liverpool fans crave and, now in his fourth season at the helm, he looks further away than ever from winning it.
His rotation policy has not helped. The Man United clash was only the third match since Benitez took the reigns that he has played the same team in consecutive games.
Yes, football is undoubtedly a squad game, but there has to be a limit to the tinkering.
Ferguson and Wenger have shown over the years that consistency in selection breeds consistency in winning and Benitez needs to heed this.
He cannot afford not to pick his best team every week. The league table proves that.
But it doesn't stop with simple team changes. Benitez keeps tinkering with his best player - Steven Gerrard.
This season we have seen him play in central midfield, on the right wing and in a free role just behind the striker.
Just as it does no good to keep changing the make-up of the team, it does no good to keep moving your best player around.
He is the best in Europe in the centre (you tell me who's better?) so Benitez must play Gerrard there every week and build the team around him.
He can dominate a match like no other midfielder (yes, before you say it, I know he was poor in the centre against Man United, but everyone's allowed the odd bad game - even Gerrard). It is a crime that Benitez is not getting the best out of him for Liverpool.
Other selections continue to baffle. Harry Kewell continues to falter, but Benitez continues to pick him.
He's been luckless with injury, but nonetheless, he's clearly not Liverpool's best option on the left wing.
Benitez believes he provides balance, but Kewell has to provide more than that.
He needs to service his attackers, but not once did he skin, or look like skinning, Wes Brown on Sunday. And remember, the United defender was playing out of position. He is a centre-back by trade. Injuries have robbed Kewell of his pace.
The winger also has a languid style about him which means he doesn't endear himself to the fans. I'm sure he is giving his all, but it doesn't always look that way.
You could argue that Kewell should be given a few more months to prove himself after all his injury woes, but regardless, for me Ryan Babel is clearly a better option.
The Dutchman was much more of a threat against Man United and the difference when he came on for Kewell was telling. Quicker, more skilful, two-footed, fresher, and younger, Babel has proved what an exciting prospect he is on numerous occasions this season.
Benitez would not only be a fool to continue to select Kewell, but would also be making a mistake to offer him a new contract come the end of the campaign.
Dirk Kuyt is another odd one. He's a willing worker and if you study the statistics he covers more yards than most during the course of the game.
That's all well and good, but with all due respect, Liverpool will not win the league with the Dutchman up front.
They need more than effort and strength. They need subtlety, guile and goals and Kuyt provides not one on a consistent enough basis.
He doesn't strike fear into the Premier League's top defenders. Benitez must dispense of him and give Voronin a go.
Benitez must take responsibility for his signings. He has added depth to his ranks, but he hasn't signed enough truly world class players. Torres is one (although at times I wonder about his first touch), but still needs more time.
Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal all have more world class players than Liverpool - and the league table is proving it.
Slagging off the clubs owners in public hasn't helped either. A happy club off the pitch usually leads to good football on it.
Benitez is used to being in control and the new owners are not giving him everything he wants. As a result, he has taken his eye off the ball.
Despite a "successful" meeting with Tom Hicks and George Gillett, it is still unlikely Benitez got what he wanted - to be at the table when transfers are negotiated.
Chief executive Rick Parry handles the nitty gritty, Benitez wants more involvement, but the new owners won't give it to him.
They are right. Benitez must concentrate on results and the rest will take care of itself.
In Benitez's defence though, it must have been disconcerting to see the American pair renege on their promises in the last few months.
The financial crisis in the US is hitting them hard and Benitez is unlikely to have big funds to play with in the January transfer window like he did in the summer.
This is a big blow to the Spaniard, who was keen to buy a defender, perhaps a left winger, and secure the services of Javier Mascherano on a long term deal. Manchester City are monitoring the Argentinean's situation closely.
The stadium plans have also run into difficulty and the mega project could now be scaled down. Things are not going as Benitez envisaged.
Is Benitez on borrowed time? Should he be sacked? Has he had long enough to win the league? Who would replace him? Does Harry Kewell deserve a new contract? Is Babel better? Do you rate Kuyt? What do you think of the American owners? Can Liverpool still win the league? How much do you love football?
http://blogs.smh.com.au/sport/archiv...ell_the_f.html
Liverpool will be reeling after the weekend's games.
Ten points behind leaders Arsenal, a first title since 1990 is already looking beyond them - and we're not even half way through the campaign yet.
And hopes were so high at Anfield at the start of the season. New owners, a host of new signings, a new stadium in the pipeline - Liverpool were on the up.
So where has it all gone wrong?
The buck always stops with the manager and Rafa Benitez has to shoulder the majority of the blame.
The Spaniard deserves credit for guiding the Reds to two Champions League finals. He has also sorted out the mess left by Gerrard Houllier.
But the Premier League title is what Liverpool fans crave and, now in his fourth season at the helm, he looks further away than ever from winning it.
His rotation policy has not helped. The Man United clash was only the third match since Benitez took the reigns that he has played the same team in consecutive games.
Yes, football is undoubtedly a squad game, but there has to be a limit to the tinkering.
Ferguson and Wenger have shown over the years that consistency in selection breeds consistency in winning and Benitez needs to heed this.
He cannot afford not to pick his best team every week. The league table proves that.
But it doesn't stop with simple team changes. Benitez keeps tinkering with his best player - Steven Gerrard.
This season we have seen him play in central midfield, on the right wing and in a free role just behind the striker.
Just as it does no good to keep changing the make-up of the team, it does no good to keep moving your best player around.
He is the best in Europe in the centre (you tell me who's better?) so Benitez must play Gerrard there every week and build the team around him.
He can dominate a match like no other midfielder (yes, before you say it, I know he was poor in the centre against Man United, but everyone's allowed the odd bad game - even Gerrard). It is a crime that Benitez is not getting the best out of him for Liverpool.
Other selections continue to baffle. Harry Kewell continues to falter, but Benitez continues to pick him.
He's been luckless with injury, but nonetheless, he's clearly not Liverpool's best option on the left wing.
Benitez believes he provides balance, but Kewell has to provide more than that.
He needs to service his attackers, but not once did he skin, or look like skinning, Wes Brown on Sunday. And remember, the United defender was playing out of position. He is a centre-back by trade. Injuries have robbed Kewell of his pace.
The winger also has a languid style about him which means he doesn't endear himself to the fans. I'm sure he is giving his all, but it doesn't always look that way.
You could argue that Kewell should be given a few more months to prove himself after all his injury woes, but regardless, for me Ryan Babel is clearly a better option.
The Dutchman was much more of a threat against Man United and the difference when he came on for Kewell was telling. Quicker, more skilful, two-footed, fresher, and younger, Babel has proved what an exciting prospect he is on numerous occasions this season.
Benitez would not only be a fool to continue to select Kewell, but would also be making a mistake to offer him a new contract come the end of the campaign.
Dirk Kuyt is another odd one. He's a willing worker and if you study the statistics he covers more yards than most during the course of the game.
That's all well and good, but with all due respect, Liverpool will not win the league with the Dutchman up front.
They need more than effort and strength. They need subtlety, guile and goals and Kuyt provides not one on a consistent enough basis.
He doesn't strike fear into the Premier League's top defenders. Benitez must dispense of him and give Voronin a go.
Benitez must take responsibility for his signings. He has added depth to his ranks, but he hasn't signed enough truly world class players. Torres is one (although at times I wonder about his first touch), but still needs more time.
Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal all have more world class players than Liverpool - and the league table is proving it.
Slagging off the clubs owners in public hasn't helped either. A happy club off the pitch usually leads to good football on it.
Benitez is used to being in control and the new owners are not giving him everything he wants. As a result, he has taken his eye off the ball.
Despite a "successful" meeting with Tom Hicks and George Gillett, it is still unlikely Benitez got what he wanted - to be at the table when transfers are negotiated.
Chief executive Rick Parry handles the nitty gritty, Benitez wants more involvement, but the new owners won't give it to him.
They are right. Benitez must concentrate on results and the rest will take care of itself.
In Benitez's defence though, it must have been disconcerting to see the American pair renege on their promises in the last few months.
The financial crisis in the US is hitting them hard and Benitez is unlikely to have big funds to play with in the January transfer window like he did in the summer.
This is a big blow to the Spaniard, who was keen to buy a defender, perhaps a left winger, and secure the services of Javier Mascherano on a long term deal. Manchester City are monitoring the Argentinean's situation closely.
The stadium plans have also run into difficulty and the mega project could now be scaled down. Things are not going as Benitez envisaged.
Is Benitez on borrowed time? Should he be sacked? Has he had long enough to win the league? Who would replace him? Does Harry Kewell deserve a new contract? Is Babel better? Do you rate Kuyt? What do you think of the American owners? Can Liverpool still win the league? How much do you love football?
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