Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has spoken out about the perceived criticism of Rafael Benitez and claimed that the Spaniard continues to make correct decisions when it really matters.
Liverpool came from behind against Portsmouth to secure three vital points with Fernando Torres coming off the bench to score the winner in injury time. Despite the win, fans and pundits were quick to question the decision to leave the influential hitman on the bench for so long.
Benitez’s decision to rotate his Anfield squad has often been the subject of intense controversy but Dalglish believes that the decision to rest key players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard is always done with the best intentions at heart.
Speaking to LFC magazine, Dalglish made clear:
"To be fair to Rafa Benitez, in the face of yet more ridiculous nonsense, I think the formation he chose to play at Fratton Park was excellent.
"Everyone looked happy with their role in the team and when that happens you've always got a chance."
"The one thing people seem to be missing with Rafa's selection is the influence it had on Portsmouth.
"I don't know how much work Rafa was able to do with the players with this idea in mind, but by the time the players kicked off on Saturday night they all knew what it was they were supposed to be doing.
"In contrast, Pompey didn't have a clue and were taken off guard. Imagine you were Tony Adams and you saw that team - you've spent all week working on a formation and then you're up against something new and unexpected.
"If we'd taken our chances then Rafa's decision would rightly have been hailed a masterstroke. It took Pompey an hour and a sub before they got into the game.
"The two goals they got were avoidable but there was little the boss could do from the touchline to prevent those.
"The media are hailing it as a lucky result. Even if he'd picked the team they clearly believed to be the best, would we still not have needed a wee bit of luck?
"Of course we'd still have needed a slice of luck, but would anyone really argue that we didn't deserve to win that game? I don't think so!"
Liverpool came from behind against Portsmouth to secure three vital points with Fernando Torres coming off the bench to score the winner in injury time. Despite the win, fans and pundits were quick to question the decision to leave the influential hitman on the bench for so long.
Benitez’s decision to rotate his Anfield squad has often been the subject of intense controversy but Dalglish believes that the decision to rest key players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard is always done with the best intentions at heart.
Speaking to LFC magazine, Dalglish made clear:
"To be fair to Rafa Benitez, in the face of yet more ridiculous nonsense, I think the formation he chose to play at Fratton Park was excellent.
"Everyone looked happy with their role in the team and when that happens you've always got a chance."
"The one thing people seem to be missing with Rafa's selection is the influence it had on Portsmouth.
"I don't know how much work Rafa was able to do with the players with this idea in mind, but by the time the players kicked off on Saturday night they all knew what it was they were supposed to be doing.
"In contrast, Pompey didn't have a clue and were taken off guard. Imagine you were Tony Adams and you saw that team - you've spent all week working on a formation and then you're up against something new and unexpected.
"If we'd taken our chances then Rafa's decision would rightly have been hailed a masterstroke. It took Pompey an hour and a sub before they got into the game.
"The two goals they got were avoidable but there was little the boss could do from the touchline to prevent those.
"The media are hailing it as a lucky result. Even if he'd picked the team they clearly believed to be the best, would we still not have needed a wee bit of luck?
"Of course we'd still have needed a slice of luck, but would anyone really argue that we didn't deserve to win that game? I don't think so!"
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