Sunday, October 25, 2009

Defeat To Manchester United Could Cost Rafael Benitez His Job – Terry Venables

Former England manager Terry Venables has claimed Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could lose his job if his side taste defeat to Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Having lost four games in a row, their worst record for 22 years, the Reds are under huge pressure to get a result in Sunday's clash against their arch-rivals in order to get their season back on track.

Defeats to Fiorentina and Lyon in the Champions League mean Liverpool face a tough battle to qualify for the next round of the competition; whilst domestic losses to Tottenham Hostpur, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland mean their Premier League title challenge is also fading fast.

Writing in his column in The Sun, Venables claims that another defeat tomorrow could spell the end of the Spaniard’s reign on Merseyside.

“It would be extremely difficult for him to stay as manager if his team fails to get a result against Manchester United,” writes the former Spurs boss.

“The Anfield clash is a game Liverpool and, in particular, Benitez simply cannot afford to lose.

“If Liverpool lose again on Sunday, then they will not only wave goodbye to their faint hope of winning their first top-flight title for 20 years, they may also wave goodbye to their manager.”

Whilst many reports have suggested Liverpool cannot afford to sack Benitez, Venables insists that results on the pitch may force the American owners’ hand.

“Ironically, the chaos upstairs may just be the thing that keeps Benitez in a job as the Americans may not want to pay the reported £20m it will take to get rid of Rafa,” he added.

“Another defeat on Sunday, though, and they might not be able to afford to keep him.”

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