Manchester United Dugout: Rafa Benitez

Showing posts with label Rafa Benitez. Show all posts

Should Liverpool sack Rafael Benítez?

Rafael Benitez has been under the knife recently for the poor performance of Liverpool. Four consecutive defeats in the league and Europe have made a serious impact on their title hopes. But as he prepares to face Manchester United at Anfield today, he must be thinking of his future.

Last year he was constantly locking horns with Sir Alex Ferguson by making stupid comments about the Old Trafford boss. This year he has been warned by FA about his comments about the match officials. Also, the sale of Xabi Alonso and his dependence on Torres and Gerard have shown the loopholes in the Liverpool team.

So will sacking Rafa be a good option? Its your call folks, so please vote.

Manchester United poised to knock Liverpool out of Title Race.

Manchester United travel to Anfield tomorrow to face a Liverpool side that is struggling with injuries and poor results. The importance of this game is known to both teams and the only result each of them will hope for would be a win.

Last season the Reds completed a double over United that included a 4-1 hammering of the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson has refuted suggestions that his side go into Sunday's trip to Liverpool with a point to prove after last season's defeats against the Merseysiders.

A victory for the visiting side will help them strengthen their lead at the top of the table and put more pressure on Chelsea who play Blackburn Rovers. However, this result would put more pressure on the shoulders of Benitez whose side have lost the last 4 games in all competitions. To make matters worse for him, star players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are nursing injuries and will have until match-day to prove their fitness for the clash with Manchester United.

Even Red Devils are concerned with injuries as JS Park has been ruled out and Darren Fletcher along with Wayne Rooney look doubtful. The wonder kid has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a calf injury sustained while playing for England in Ukraine on Oct 10. Recently, Fergie too admited that Rooney - whose wife Coleen is expecting the birth of the couple’s first child on Sunday - could yet miss the traditionally explosive clash with the club’s age-old rivals.

Rooney's absence will mean that Michael Owen will partner Dimitar Berbatov upfront leading United's attack. It will be a treat to watch Owen score against his old club at Anfield but to be honest, I don't see that happening at least tomorrow. He will definitely be jeered and boo-ed by the Kops, but Sir Alex feels that Owen will deal with Liverpool fans.

No matter who scores or who plays or what happens tomorrow, I am only relishing a great game of football. Manchester United and Liverpool games are always intense and the results of their last 10 meetings at Anfield show the same.

13-09-2008: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
16-12-2007: Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
03-03-2007: Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
18-09-2005: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
15-01-2005: Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
09-11-2003: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
01-12-2002: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
04-11-2001: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United
31-03-2001: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
11-09-1999: Liverpool 2-3 Manchester United

As you can see, this derby does not see too many goals, but it certainly promises to deliver a result. So what will happen tomorrow? Will Liverpool be able to return to winning ways or will Michael Owen break their hearts as he did in the Manchester Derby.

Watch out for the live action between the two biggest clubs with massive fan following at 14:00 hrs UK time.

United go down at Anfield.

Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-1 for the first time in Rafa Benitez's Anfield career. The Liverpool boss had never beaten United in nine previous league games.

A game that was looking very promising for United after Tevez put them ahead in 3 minutes, did not materialize as they conceded 2 goals and saw Vidic being sent off (meaning he will not play against Chelsea next Sunday). All eyes were on US$60 million striker Dimitar Berbatov on his first appearance for the Red Devils. He brought instant joy to the manager after his pass was netted by Tevez. United played well in the first 15-20 minutes of the game, but then succumbed to the relentless presure form Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson said, "We were simply outplayed." He admitted that his side were simply outmuscled by Liverpool and not surprisingly, Ferguson was quick to vent his anger. He came down heavily on his defenders for both the goals, as first one was deflected by Wes Brown as an own goal and then Ryan Babel scored a winner after tricking his marksman.