Liverpool FC legend Mark Lawrenson believes Rafa Benitez’s six year tenure at Anfield should come to an end after this season even if the club finish inside the Premier League’s top four.
The former Anfield stalwart suggests Liverpool FC have gone backwards under Rafa Benitez, and the Spaniard’s record in the transfer market, particular those in the £10 million bracket, has been poor. Lawrenson dismisses the idea that the club’s American owners have played a crucial role in Liverpool FC’s demise; instead singling out Benitez’s “revolving door transfer policy”.
Lawrenson believes the Liverpool FC side Rafa Benitez inherited from Gerrard Houllier is now better than the one he has constructed, suggesting the likes of Lucas Leiva, Emiliano Insua and Dirk Kuyt are not good enough for a side that have won five European Cups.
The Liverpool FC hero told Mirrorfootball.co.uk: “Rafa Benitez must be shown the door at Liverpool at the end of the season.”
“It is time for change and the Spaniard should go, even if Liverpool somehow manage to finish in the top four.”
“Benitez has had six years at Anfield and, if anything, the club has gone backwards during his reign.”
Despite winning the European Cup in his first season, Lawrenson suggests Liverpool FC have gone backwards under Rafa Benitez.
The former Anfield stalwart continued: “Benitez’s record in signing players around the £10million mark is appalling.”
“Look at the likes of Albert Rieira. Decent in his first season, but has flattered to deceive. Dirk Kuyt works hard, looks decent in a good team, but decent isn’t enough for the five-time champions of Europe. Emiliano Insua looks like little boy lost. Lucas will never be a top player.”
“Frankly, you can go right through Rafa’s team and most of them are found wanting.”
“Just compare the Liverpool side that lost to Wigan and now Lille to Gerard Houllier’s team in his final game in charge, a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in May 2004.”
“This was the final line-up: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Heskey, Owen. You cannot tell me that team, that squad of players, would not have beaten the Liverpool team which lost at Wigan. So, in six years in charge, Benitez has gone backwards.”
“It’s ridiculous to suggest that the Spaniard has not had money to spend, either. He’s had a lot of money. In fact, there’s been a revolving door transfer policy at Anfield.”
“Benitez spent £18m on a right-back, Glen Johnson, in the summer. Good player, but Liverpool needed another striker. That’s bad judgement.”
“Alberto Aquilani is supposed to have cost £20m and replaced Xabi Alonso. Has it worked? No chance.”
“So please spare us the sob stories about no money. Yes, the feud between the Americans has been a distraction, but it comes down to the manager and the players he has brought in and allowed to go.”
“The supporters have been fiercely loyal throughout. They have been remarkable, in fact. But I went to Wigan on Monday night as a spectator.”
“I sat with a group of fans who go home and away and now even they have turned. They won’t go again while Benitez stays in charge. Liverpool needed to really go for it at Wigan. To get that fourth spot, they need to get results away from home.”
“While I’ve always been a Benitez supporter and great defender of his, even for a large part this season, the time has come for change. And it should come even if Liverpool scrape into fourth.”
“Even if the Anfield men pull off a remarkable end to the season and scrape in, this season has taught us that Benitez has had his time. He’s had six years and now, after going backwards, it’s time for change.”
“Whether that change comes because Liverpool decide he has go, or Benitez gets offered another job at Real Madrid or Juventus, enough is enough.”
The former Anfield stalwart suggests Liverpool FC have gone backwards under Rafa Benitez, and the Spaniard’s record in the transfer market, particular those in the £10 million bracket, has been poor. Lawrenson dismisses the idea that the club’s American owners have played a crucial role in Liverpool FC’s demise; instead singling out Benitez’s “revolving door transfer policy”.
Lawrenson believes the Liverpool FC side Rafa Benitez inherited from Gerrard Houllier is now better than the one he has constructed, suggesting the likes of Lucas Leiva, Emiliano Insua and Dirk Kuyt are not good enough for a side that have won five European Cups.
The Liverpool FC hero told Mirrorfootball.co.uk: “Rafa Benitez must be shown the door at Liverpool at the end of the season.”
“It is time for change and the Spaniard should go, even if Liverpool somehow manage to finish in the top four.”
“Benitez has had six years at Anfield and, if anything, the club has gone backwards during his reign.”
Despite winning the European Cup in his first season, Lawrenson suggests Liverpool FC have gone backwards under Rafa Benitez.
The former Anfield stalwart continued: “Benitez’s record in signing players around the £10million mark is appalling.”
“Look at the likes of Albert Rieira. Decent in his first season, but has flattered to deceive. Dirk Kuyt works hard, looks decent in a good team, but decent isn’t enough for the five-time champions of Europe. Emiliano Insua looks like little boy lost. Lucas will never be a top player.”
“Frankly, you can go right through Rafa’s team and most of them are found wanting.”
“Just compare the Liverpool side that lost to Wigan and now Lille to Gerard Houllier’s team in his final game in charge, a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in May 2004.”
“This was the final line-up: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Heskey, Owen. You cannot tell me that team, that squad of players, would not have beaten the Liverpool team which lost at Wigan. So, in six years in charge, Benitez has gone backwards.”
“It’s ridiculous to suggest that the Spaniard has not had money to spend, either. He’s had a lot of money. In fact, there’s been a revolving door transfer policy at Anfield.”
“Benitez spent £18m on a right-back, Glen Johnson, in the summer. Good player, but Liverpool needed another striker. That’s bad judgement.”
“Alberto Aquilani is supposed to have cost £20m and replaced Xabi Alonso. Has it worked? No chance.”
“So please spare us the sob stories about no money. Yes, the feud between the Americans has been a distraction, but it comes down to the manager and the players he has brought in and allowed to go.”
“The supporters have been fiercely loyal throughout. They have been remarkable, in fact. But I went to Wigan on Monday night as a spectator.”
“I sat with a group of fans who go home and away and now even they have turned. They won’t go again while Benitez stays in charge. Liverpool needed to really go for it at Wigan. To get that fourth spot, they need to get results away from home.”
“While I’ve always been a Benitez supporter and great defender of his, even for a large part this season, the time has come for change. And it should come even if Liverpool scrape into fourth.”
“Even if the Anfield men pull off a remarkable end to the season and scrape in, this season has taught us that Benitez has had his time. He’s had six years and now, after going backwards, it’s time for change.”
“Whether that change comes because Liverpool decide he has go, or Benitez gets offered another job at Real Madrid or Juventus, enough is enough.”
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