Liverpool (0) v Ath Madrid (1):RAFAEL BENITEZ has his own personal tactics to consider. In addition to the reported interest from Juventus he may be a candidate should a vacancy arise at Real Madrid.
The likelihood of such developments is less interesting than the fact that his eligibility for these posts is taken for granted. After all, the Liverpool manager is without a trophy since the 2006 FA Cup, although his other piece of silverware with the club – the 2005 Champions League – was seized in a manner that will preserve his memory forever at Anfield.
The only Premier League managers to have been in their posts longer are Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and David Moyes. Nonetheless, Benitez’s side are currently scrambling on the domestic scene and his reputation is likely to be damaged shortly.
It seems that Liverpool will fail to enter the Champions League for the first time in his six years with the club. He largely enjoys the backing of the support, but the fervour has declined in parallel with results.
Tonight’s match with Atletico Madrid has therefore become highly important and the value of the Europa League had not been in question at Anfield in any case. The best of Liverpool was being reserved for that front when a promising Benfica were eliminated in the quarter-final. Well-executed counter-attacks at Anfield spruced up Benitez’s reputation as coach and strategist.
The renovation had been badly needed. His circumstances are trying, considering the uncertainty over ownership, future funding and the prospect of a new, money-generating stadium coming into being.
Nonetheless, sympathy is not unqualified. It did him no good either that Liverpool were abject when beaten 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon stadium. At times, the players could neither pass the ball nor mark opponents with reliability.
It was a night to bring out all the complaints of supporters who were aghast all over again that attackers such as Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy were sold. With the devastating Fernando Torres injured, Benitez had to turn to David Ngog, a 21-year-old striker who was out of his depth.
Nonetheless, Atletico may still be eliminated and Liverpool would anticipate winning a Europa League final against Hamburg or Fulham.
The reaction is sure to stop well short of delirium if no berth has been booked in the Champions League, but silverware would be a reminder of Benitez’s tenacity.
Liverpool can be more potent than they currently appear. The best XI drawn from his current squad, including a fit Torres, is superior on paper to the line-up that made the astonishing recovery to win the 2005 Champions League.
Benitez’s trouble is a terrible lack of cover. While Arsenal, where transfer funds are also limited, could sustain a Premier League challenge because Nicklas Bendtner filled in unexpectedly well for Robin van Persie, Liverpool were stricken without Torres in Madrid.
It has, of course, hampered Benitez that Alberto Aquilani, the replacement when Xabi Alonso departed for Real Madrid, was first injured and then disoriented in the Premier League, before his impact started to be seen in the 4-0 win at Burnley.
David Ngog is a major doubt with a back problem suffered at Vicente Calderon last week and Dirk Kuyt sustained a calf strain against Burnley on Sunday. Ryan Babel may lead the line should Kuyt and Ngog miss out.
Sergio Aguero, free of suspension, will enhance Atletico’s attack tonight, but this could still be a season in which an otherwise declining club rises to the challenge of seizing a trophy.
