Rafa shouldn’t go, but he should be accountable

By Matt Ladson On · 152 Comments · In Opinion

I’ll cut to the chase early on, I completely support the manager and the bigger picture is that there are two other people in the club who need removing as a matter of urgency rather than Rafa.

I’ve supported Rafa’s spending in the past, his transfer record and numerous other media-produced criticisms which are thrown his way.

Some of the less intelligent fans seem to be moaning about the following things today;

a) that Aquilani didn’t come on earlier last night; We were winning, why would you take off a defensive midfielder to replace one with an attacking midfielder for their European debut for the club when 1-0 up in a must-win match?

b) that Dossena came on for Aurelio; Seriously, get a grip. It was a time-wasting tactic, as was Aquilani coming on when he did, and was like-for-like. Those who think Aquilani should have come on instead would have been well justified if we’d have gone and conceded after changing our shape to accommodate him.

I’m not saying Rafa shouldn’t be accountable for our ‘demise’ though and there are a few things seriously wrong.

The biggest example of what I feel is wrong with Benitez and his mentality is the deployment of two defensive midfielders against the likes of Debrecen – a team who have never won in the Champions League and struggled to string two consecutive passes together on the night.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

I’m not having a go against Lucas here either, who has been improved this season, but as well as he may have played lately, he adds nothing positive to the side – especially going forward. He doesn’t actually create anything or inspire the team, and on the odd occasion he does get in the box he either fluffs a header or a shot. He doesn’t add anything to the team. He isn’t required against a team of Debrecen’s quality (nor against lower sides in the League).

Rafa needs to show some some guts and actually make some ruthless decisions – something he was so good at in his first few seasons at the club. Thesedays even the under-performing players (Kuyt) are assured of their place. The Dutchman has been undroppable despite adding nothing, much like Lucas, in the shape of goals or assists. Our side has too many grafters, waterboys, call them what you like, we simply lack creativity in every department. Our most creative player last night was probably Agger – our bloody centre back.

Looking at the Aquilani situation, I can understand why he hasn’t started yet, but I just don’t agree with it. He’s not going to gain match fitness any other way. Fair enough, a game as important as last night (could have been) isn’t ideal to give the lad his first start.

It’s the derby on Sunday, another tough match I doubt we’ll see Aquilani start in. Although I’d be pleasantly surprised if he did start, it would send out a signal not only to the opposition but also our players – give some of them some inspiration and maybe the kick up the backside others need.

It seems Rafa, given that he won’t drop Kuyt, cannot accommodate Aquilani at the moment as he is too scared to drop Lucas or Mascherano and leave our fragile back four even more exposed. The solution for me would be to drop (rest) Kuyt, move Gerrard to the right – with the freedom to interchange with Benayoun on the left – and Aquilani in his natural position behind the forward. That attacking trio inspires me much more than those we’ve been fielding of late.

I’d also like to see Insua rested and give Aurelio back at left back but that’s another story.

I don’t expect any of that to happen though, Rafa’s stubbornness is becoming his ultimate downfall so he’ll continue with Kuyt and two defensive midfielders. Hopefully we’ll grind out a win against Everton, that’s all we can hope for thesedays – grinding out wins as we won’t be dismantling anyone until Torres returns and Gerrard gets his act together.

The thing is though, even if we won the Europa League, the FA Cup and finished fourth – it would still be the first time under Rafa we hadn’t progressed from one season to the next.

  • About the author

    Matt Ladson

    Matt is the co-editor of This Is Anfield. He grew up on a diet of Roy Evans football and yearns for the glory days to return to Anfield. Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattladson.

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  • SM

    Great article!

    Don’t get me wrong Rafa’s had the odd blind spot before Luis Garcia being the main one that comes to mind (although that wasn’t exactly a complete disaster was it?). But he really does seem to have lost that ruthless streak that has served us so well in the past. The one I really can’t understand is Insua. Rafa used him perfectly at the end of last season, bringing him in every other game. Given how well he performed I can appreciate why Rafa might have felt his was his time for a regular run. However his performance levels at the moment are so poor we need to revert to last season’s policy if not taking him out of the side altogether. Against City he had the best seat in the house as he watched the game totally pass him by. He has been at fault for many of the goals we’ve conceded this year and his shaken confidence seems to be influencing his previously good forward play. He looked like a really good prospect when he broke on the scene but his defensive fralities are causing a real problem. What worries me most is that we’ve become locked into this kind of situation before and didn’t turn out well. James, Jason Mac, Matteo (to name but a few) I regarded these players to be good footballers or at least to have the natural assets to make them capable of succeeding. As a result, I was always prepared to put down their failings of postional sense or concentration down to inexperience (I daresay this is what Rafa is doing with Insua at the moment) However, the problems persisted throughout their Liverpool careers. I hope this is all down to current injury crisis because I really don’t want to have to wait in vain for another generation of players who just don’t cut it.

  • SM

    Great article!

    Don’t get me wrong Rafa’s had the odd blind spot before Luis Garcia being the main one that comes to mind (although that wasn’t exactly a complete disaster was it?). But he really does seem to have lost that ruthless streak that has served us so well in the past. The one I really can’t understand is Insua. Rafa used him perfectly at the end of last season, bringing him in every other game. Given how well he performed I can appreciate why Rafa might have felt his was his time for a regular run. However his performance levels at the moment are so poor we need to revert to last season’s policy if not taking him out of the side altogether. Against City he had the best seat in the house as he watched the game totally pass him by. He has been at fault for many of the goals we’ve conceded this year and his shaken confidence seems to be influencing his previously good forward play. He looked like a really good prospect when he broke on the scene but his defensive fralities are causing a real problem. What worries me most is that we’ve become locked into this kind of situation before and didn’t turn out well. James, Jason Mac, Matteo (to name but a few) I regarded these players to be good footballers or at least to have the natural assets to make them capable of succeeding. As a result, I was always prepared to put down their failings of postional sense or concentration down to inexperience (I daresay this is what Rafa is doing with Insua at the moment) However, the problems persisted throughout their Liverpool careers. I hope this is all down to current injury crisis because I really don’t want to have to wait in vain for another generation of players who just don’t cut it.

  • SM

    Great article!

    Don’t get me wrong Rafa’s had the odd blind spot before Luis Garcia being the main one that comes to mind (although that wasn’t exactly a complete disaster was it?). But he really does seem to have lost that ruthless streak that has served us so well in the past. The one I really can’t understand is Insua. Rafa used him perfectly at the end of last season, bringing him in every other game. Given how well he performed I can appreciate why Rafa might have felt his was his time for a regular run. However his performance levels at the moment are so poor we need to revert to last season’s policy if not taking him out of the side altogether. Against City he had the best seat in the house as he watched the game totally pass him by. He has been at fault for many of the goals we’ve conceded this year and his shaken confidence seems to be influencing his previously good forward play. He looked like a really good prospect when he broke on the scene but his defensive fralities are causing a real problem. What worries me most is that we’ve become locked into this kind of situation before and didn’t turn out well. James, Jason Mac, Matteo (to name but a few) I regarded these players to be good footballers or at least to have the natural assets to make them capable of succeeding. As a result, I was always prepared to put down their failings of postional sense or concentration down to inexperience (I daresay this is what Rafa is doing with Insua at the moment) However, the problems persisted throughout their Liverpool careers. I hope this is all down to current injury crisis because I really don’t want to have to wait in vain for another generation of players who just don’t cut it.

  • Knight, Malaysia

    Kuyt was great last year but looks tired and should be rested. It is remarkable Rafa kept fielding him. WOuld love to see Aqualani start for the Everton game. He would have recovered fully by now, surely. About time he does.

  • Knight, Malaysia

    Kuyt was great last year but looks tired and should be rested. It is remarkable Rafa kept fielding him. WOuld love to see Aqualani start for the Everton game. He would have recovered fully by now, surely. About time he does.

  • samuel asfaw

    This is wat’s on every liverpool fan!I just couldn’t understand why rafa refuse to see it! however this article works if only rafa decides to throw lucas away for good!other wise if rafa put lucas on the bench and when the time comes and we realy need to play 4-2-3-1 imagin wat a disastor it would be! so if rafa is stron onkeeping him he should keep on playing but if his sitting down we can push back gerrard next to masch and put yossi behind toress we might not even want alberto to return back on field1

  • samuel asfaw

    This is wat’s on every liverpool fan!I just couldn’t understand why rafa refuse to see it! however this article works if only rafa decides to throw lucas away for good!other wise if rafa put lucas on the bench and when the time comes and we realy need to play 4-2-3-1 imagin wat a disastor it would be! so if rafa is stron onkeeping him he should keep on playing but if his sitting down we can push back gerrard next to masch and put yossi behind toress we might not even want alberto to return back on field1

  • t.somethang

    rafa must go still.i agree with u mate that kuyt is nonsense. he plays becoz he is rafa’s son.dod u know that we lost crouch becoz rafa preferred to change the system to accomodate kuyt frustatting crouch?as for lucas,i have said enough,he is not liverpool material.rafa must hev gotten sneijer in the xavi deal,hemust have gotten cover for torez like owen,negredo or even bent.but he chose to stick with voronin and ngog.i am surprised u are saying rafa must not be fored but u admit that he has caused our downfall.why not sell kuyt and get aron lenon?why not sell lucas,dosena,degen kygiakos,riera and get us ashley young or silva.anyway i am dreaming here.rafa wont do this.he prefers square pegs in round holes the likes of kuyt,lucas,degen,voronin.its an insult that voronin wears the number 10 jersey.an insult to such greats like barnes,owen etal who have won it in the past.

  • t.somethang

    rafa must go still.i agree with u mate that kuyt is nonsense. he plays becoz he is rafa’s son.dod u know that we lost crouch becoz rafa preferred to change the system to accomodate kuyt frustatting crouch?as for lucas,i have said enough,he is not liverpool material.rafa must hev gotten sneijer in the xavi deal,hemust have gotten cover for torez like owen,negredo or even bent.but he chose to stick with voronin and ngog.i am surprised u are saying rafa must not be fored but u admit that he has caused our downfall.why not sell kuyt and get aron lenon?why not sell lucas,dosena,degen kygiakos,riera and get us ashley young or silva.anyway i am dreaming here.rafa wont do this.he prefers square pegs in round holes the likes of kuyt,lucas,degen,voronin.its an insult that voronin wears the number 10 jersey.an insult to such greats like barnes,owen etal who have won it in the past.

  • livefromnyc

    i thought i would seek out a liverpool sight after getting a head ache on the newspaper blogs, but i see doom and gloom here to. There are lots of glaring holes, the main one being the team needs shape and balance to perform and we havent had that as so many players are not fit or injured – to be where we are at the moment is a an achievement in itself. everyone keeps speaking of Aquilani and we havent even seen him play yet? he may be crap. and as many have mentioned before we dont have the luxery of dropping fit players – players that while maybe not shining are carrying the team, ie lucas and kuyt. As players return to form i see things changing.

  • livefromnyc

    i thought i would seek out a liverpool sight after getting a head ache on the newspaper blogs, but i see doom and gloom here to. There are lots of glaring holes, the main one being the team needs shape and balance to perform and we havent had that as so many players are not fit or injured – to be where we are at the moment is a an achievement in itself. everyone keeps speaking of Aquilani and we havent even seen him play yet? he may be crap. and as many have mentioned before we dont have the luxery of dropping fit players – players that while maybe not shining are carrying the team, ie lucas and kuyt. As players return to form i see things changing.

  • livefromnyc

    i thought i would seek out a liverpool sight after getting a head ache on the newspaper blogs, but i see doom and gloom here to. There are lots of glaring holes, the main one being the team needs shape and balance to perform and we havent had that as so many players are not fit or injured – to be where we are at the moment is a an achievement in itself. everyone keeps speaking of Aquilani and we havent even seen him play yet? he may be crap. and as many have mentioned before we dont have the luxery of dropping fit players – players that while maybe not shining are carrying the team, ie lucas and kuyt. As players return to form i see things changing.

  • lin

    i will have to remind u that 5-3-1 or 4-2-2 still remains the same afrais but what we need in our beloved players:

    1.
    mental and physical connection to have full understanding of communication…….this is what have been shattering our team needs.

    2.
    however, we should also consider that we have only one life in terms of striker.rafa can bring in the likes of the following:
    Alecsandro – international
    Diego Souza – palmerias
    Obina – palmerias
    Dejan Petkovic – flamengo.
    he can bring in one of these outstanding talents to boost the team capacity.remember that a powerful striker in a team brings in a lot of hope,trust,appropriate/needed physical condition and mental health/body/reasoning condition.more goals when things works out as planed and more win.

    3.
    if feel that rafa need to start playing lberto Aquilani to gain fitness and breathe in fresh air into the team because everyone in that teams is going down morally but it is our jobs to push to positivity.

  • lin

    i will have to remind u that 5-3-1 or 4-2-2 still remains the same afrais but what we need in our beloved players:

    1.
    mental and physical connection to have full understanding of communication…….this is what have been shattering our team needs.

    2.
    however, we should also consider that we have only one life in terms of striker.rafa can bring in the likes of the following:
    Alecsandro – international
    Diego Souza – palmerias
    Obina – palmerias
    Dejan Petkovic – flamengo.
    he can bring in one of these outstanding talents to boost the team capacity.remember that a powerful striker in a team brings in a lot of hope,trust,appropriate/needed physical condition and mental health/body/reasoning condition.more goals when things works out as planed and more win.

    3.
    if feel that rafa need to start playing lberto Aquilani to gain fitness and breathe in fresh air into the team because everyone in that teams is going down morally but it is our jobs to push to positivity.

  • lin

    i will have to remind u that 5-3-1 or 4-2-2 still remains the same afrais but what we need in our beloved players:

    1.
    mental and physical connection to have full understanding of communication…….this is what have been shattering our team needs.

    2.
    however, we should also consider that we have only one life in terms of striker.rafa can bring in the likes of the following:
    Alecsandro – international
    Diego Souza – palmerias
    Obina – palmerias
    Dejan Petkovic – flamengo.
    he can bring in one of these outstanding talents to boost the team capacity.remember that a powerful striker in a team brings in a lot of hope,trust,appropriate/needed physical condition and mental health/body/reasoning condition.more goals when things works out as planed and more win.

    3.
    if feel that rafa need to start playing lberto Aquilani to gain fitness and breathe in fresh air into the team because everyone in that teams is going down morally but it is our jobs to push to positivity.

  • JayOne23

    I totally agree with this article Matt – I was giving up on Liverpool fans from all these articles I read online! The problem with Liverpool fans at the moment is that we’re typically split into extremes. Either those refuse to accept Rafa is to blame for anything going on at the club and point fingers at the American’s for any and everything instead, or those that have given up and want Rafa replaced.

    You’re the first I’ve seen to write a balanced article just requesting that the man be held at least accountable for his mistakes, while not being overly reactionary or negative (the team is capable of a LOT better than it has shown this season and always seems to play better when the pressure is off and we’re not considered really title contenders – unfortunately…)

    Good on you Matt

  • JayOne23

    I totally agree with this article Matt – I was giving up on Liverpool fans from all these articles I read online! The problem with Liverpool fans at the moment is that we’re typically split into extremes. Either those refuse to accept Rafa is to blame for anything going on at the club and point fingers at the American’s for any and everything instead, or those that have given up and want Rafa replaced.

    You’re the first I’ve seen to write a balanced article just requesting that the man be held at least accountable for his mistakes, while not being overly reactionary or negative (the team is capable of a LOT better than it has shown this season and always seems to play better when the pressure is off and we’re not considered really title contenders – unfortunately…)

    Good on you Matt

  • Mag

    What Rafa needs is support in the transfer market.That’s all!

  • Mag

    What Rafa needs is support in the transfer market.That’s all!

  • Mag

    What Rafa needs is support in the transfer market.That’s all!

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