Liverpool fighting back – will it be enough to save Rafa?

Rafa Benitez showed the first signs of uncertainty around his position at Liverpool at the weekend when he said, “If I decide to stay here it will be because of the fans.” Much was made of the word ‘if’ but it could, of course, have been a simple slip of the tongue.

With rumours growing about his possible sacking or resignation and former Liverpool stars queuing up to say that he should go, Benitez must have been looking to the club’s beleaguered owners to show him some support. He may have been somewhat surprised, albeit pleasantly, to see that support given.

Speaking to a radio station in Canada, Liverpool co-owner George Gillett said,

“We believe if you were to put a list together of the top five coaches, managers in the world, he would definitely be on that list for us. And we think he’s been tossed a curve ball by circumstance, injuries and so forth. I think that’s been a real challenge to the coach. He’s had to really make some innovations and play some players out of position and so forth. And notwithstanding that, they’ve generally played with a lot of passion. I really believe it’s a blip.”

The reasons for the clamour surrounding Benitez are well known to all. Liverpool have been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage and the FA Cup at the first hurdle. They are out of the Carling Cup and after their disappointing draw at Stoke on Saturday found themselves in seventh place in the Premier League some fourteen points behind the leaders Chelsea.

Danger

As a result of their Champions League exit Liverpool are still in the Europa League, but Benitez is in real danger of leading his side to a trophy less season for the fourth time in a row.

Things have got progressively worse recently with the FA Cup defeat at home to Championship strugglers Reading and injuries to their three star men, Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun.

Resign

Benitez has said that he is not going to resign, but he has apologised to the fans for the run of results and performances and admitted feeling sorry for them. He has dismissed rumours of dressing room unrest, insisting that he and the entire squad are united in their desire to get things right.

Last night the team showed in the best way possible that they have the ability to sort things out. Against Tottenham, one of the favourites to replace Liverpool in the top four, they produced a battling performance to win 2-0 and close the gap to fourth place to just one point.

One of the players who is much criticised as simply not being good enough to play for a top team, Dirk Kuyt, scored both of the goals.

Supportive

Whilst a vote of confidence from a chaiman or owner is usually regarded as something of a bad sign for a manager, on this occasion it is just what Rafa must have wanted to hear. It is no secret that Gillett is the less supportive of the two owners to Benitez and these comments may show that there is indeed just a little unity returning to the club.

On the other hand it might be that history will repeat itself and shortly after a vote of confidence the manager will be on his way.

Difficult

As has been well documented, Benitez signed a five year contract in 2009 and that very fact may be enough, in these difficult financial times, to ensure that he isn’t sacked, but surely another trophy less season would see an end to his tenure in charge of the club.

Last night showed that it would be a foolish person who placed a bet against Liverpool qualifying for next season’s Champions League. If they do, I wonder if that would be enough to save Rafa’s job?

What do you think? Should he stay or should he go?