Rafa

[Kenneth]

Is he forgiven by all now, or are there still people wanting him out?

It'll all change if we miss out on 4th and go out against Chelsea. A manager's position is a fickle thing.

[Shaggy]

Yeah, the bloke's a genius and I love him so much. He's provided us with an incredible amount of wonderful nights in Europe. Compare the last 3-4 years to the European dark days under Souness and Evans. Even under Houllier, we would've killed for regular nights like this.

3 semi-finals in 4 years and possibly 3 finals in 4 years. It's the stuff dreams are made of and an enviable record.

[friedk]

There is not a single follower of football throughout the world who could have predicted that Benitez, after taking over from Houllier, would turn Liverpool into the best performing team in European football.

[lfc1394]

It'll all change if we miss out on 4th and go out against Chelsea. A manager's position is a fickle thing.

Sad but true.

[Nic83]

The man needs to be funded. he's never going to change his rotation policy therefore the board need to give him quan to bring in back up players almost as good as the first choice ones or we will never win the league. Rafa and quan = success on all levels, Rafa and no quan = 4th place battle every year with good cup runs

David Villa and Robbie Keane will do the trick.

[Kev_81]

he has made us a force in world football once again. manc and blue mates still tonight are telling me we were lucky again. i mean how the **** can you fluke the past 4 seasons in the CL? We're blessed, not lucky.

Under Houllier toward the end we were a UEFA cup team and looked average in that, no matter what happens to Benitez from now on he has done a great job in restoring us back to the top table properly, everyone in Europe treats us seriously again, All the 'your not famous anymore' chants creeping in to league games under Houllier were doing my head in.

I remember watching the Champions league on tele when it got to the quarters and got good, watching the inters, valencia and Real Madrids, thinking how much i wanted us to be there,

Like Carragher said a while ago these are glory days, despite the poor league form.

[Kenneth]

The man needs to be funded. he's never going to change his rotation policy therefore the board need to give him quan to bring in back up players almost as good as the first choice ones or we will never win the league. Rafa and quan = success on all levels, Rafa and no quan = 4th place battle every year with good cup runs

David Villa and Robbie Keane will do the trick.

[Matt]

A smile every now and then wouldn't hurt.

[Roboklopp]

A smile every now and then wouldn't hurt.

[Matt]

Made my day. Rafa take note.

[bigfooty]

Is he forgiven by all now, or are there still people wanting him out?

For me it does matter where we finish this season. If we don't win a trophy and finish 5th then the season has been a failure and Rafa should walk. 4th is the minimum acceptable achievement for any Liverpool manager and you build from there in one (or more) of the cups or, if possible, the league.

Back on Koptalk when I first said Rafa wasn't the man for us I specifically said that he could go on to win many cups for us - including the Champions League again - but that for me the league was the priority and I just didn't think he understood that. This was around early November last season, so I was almost proved right in Athens, and may yet be proved right this season.

[RedProf]

Personally, I would hand Rafa a 10 year contract. Bollox to those who want him out. His record in Europe speaks volumes for his ability and nous. He might not win the Prem next year or the year after, but he is a winner, he learns, he will get better in the Prem, eventually he will build a dynasty - given stability and enough funding to let him achieve his plans. Long term for me all the way, I'll take the bumps during the ride, let him get on with it. Who else can come in and challenge with the top 3. And don't forget, in about 2 years time Fergie goes, so we may well be in pole position to dominate then.

[Roboklopp]

Made my day. Rafa take note.

I'm sure that's something he'll put down in that famous notebook of his.

[bigfooty]

Who else can come in and challenge with the top 3

At the moment we're not challenging the Top 3, we're lead Everton and Pompy in the race for 4th spot.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed last night and Rafa deserves a huge amount of credit for bringing these sorts of nights to us on a consistent basis but the league is the priority and should always be the priority.

[JermainePennant]

Rafa is a legend,we may not have won the league under him so far but he has put us back up with the elite clubs.

He has given us so many highs in his time here and nights we will remember for ever.I really beleive he is the best manager in the world and would not want to swap him with anyone.Lets hope he is backed in the summer and is here for years to come.