There needs to be a 24/7 Rafa Benitez channel. All Rafa, all the time.
The minute Torres gets substituted, we look at each other and say, if (or rather when) Lyon equalize, they’re going after Rafa’s head because of this substitution. Forget that it may have had nothing to do with the equalizer, but that’ll be a talking point.
So is it Spain for Rafa “Kool-Aid” Benitez? All good coaches that have extended tenures with teams go through unsuccessful spells. But I wonder if the game has patience for this anymore. Can anyone not named Wenger or Ferguson maintain their jobs through tough times these days?
Exactly…. It certainly allowed their centerback Cris to venture forward because he was not worried about Ngog….Lyon had Cris 1 on 1 with Torres all night and when Torres went off, it allowed Cris to get forward and they got their equaliser. If Rafa was gonna sub him, why not bring on a defender or another midfield to shore up the game and see out the last 5 mins. Simple stuff.
End of the day, Liverpool fans have historically been a patient bunch. if Rafa had been at any other club, any other big club, whether it be Arsenal, Man United or Chelsea as you have mentioned, he wouldn’t be there because I don’t think the supporters at those clubs are like Liverpool supporters.
Another saving grace for Rafa is that Tom and Jerry…. I mean Gillete and Hicks are two lame duck owners with absolutely no knowledge of running a soccer club…..