Time up for Rafa? ...Your views

Another two points dropped for Liverpool. This time at home against Birmingham City, a team struggling at the wrong end of the table. But in truth, it would have been a defeat had David Ngog not conned the referee with a dive Tom Daley would have been proud of.

But Liverpool fans are keeping faith with Rafael Benitez, who still has the Champions League 2005 triumph acting as his shield. But surely that won't be enough to save him from getting the bullet?

In his sixth season in charge, Liverpool are no closer to winning their first Premier League title than when Gerard Houllier was in charge. It's not as if Benitez hasn't been backed by the board.

Since taking the Anfield reigns, the Spaniard has spent close to £250m - over a fifth more than Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.

Yet one team are the Premier League champions and already in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The other are still chasing their first title since 1990 and are set to join the likes of Fulham in the Europa League.

Liverpool fans defend that they are not a two-man team. But without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, they look a very ordinary side, especially in the final third of the field.

It's not as if Benitez hasn't had other strikers at his disposal. Craig Bellamy, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane were signed and then sold and now with Torres injured, the choice to play up-front is between Ngog and Andriy Voronin. Now there is a dilemma. Would either of those players make the bench at at Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Spurs, Villa?

The decision to sell Xabi Alonso has left them seriously hampered. The only reason he joined Real Madrid was because of the way Benitez lusted after Gareth Barry, only to see the midfielder turn down his advances in favour of a move to Eastlands. That left Rafa with the most unBrazilian of Brazilians - Lucas Leiva - and a crocked Alberto Aquilani who cost the Reds close to £20m.

Liverpool's remaining three games in November are H Man City, A Debrecen, A Everton. What odds that Benitez is gone by 1 December?

What do you make of Liverpool's faltering season? Is is time for Benitez to go or should he be given more time? And what were your thoughts on Ngog's dive against Birmingham? Start the debate in the boxes below.

Comments

[Yash]

If Mr.benitez has any dignity
he will resign now or he will be another Mark Hughes before long ( Hopefully )

[old salt]

The answere to all you thick scouse fans problems is,sack benetez,and give the job to that arragant,big headed motormouth called ALAN HANSON.He thinks he knows every answere to every question.The crap he keeps spouting on M O T DAY,should put you were you want to be.He thinks he is GOD,give him a go.

[Johnty, Newcastle]

Sorry Rafas Fact, but it will be a while yet as I'm only four. You see, we do have something in common after all.

[ken]

perhaps if benitez starts chewing gum like fergie every match they might win something
it is like watching a cow in a field .

[Slowcooker]

Who you gonna replace him with? And don't say Mourinho. It's time you scallies took this seriously. That'd be like asking The Pope to pack it all in and run a small country parish!!!!

[rs]

if liverpool dont let torres get surgery before march torres will probaly get it himself cos he wants to play in the world cup

[rs]

send liverpool to spain benitez will love it hell be able to buy more spaniards. also keep benitez gerrard and torres get surgery now then they can play in the world cup and liverpool will be in the relegation scrap.

[TRUTHMEISTER]

Sorry Lee but its virtually guarenteed that the special one is going to United !!

[Rob]

look at what rafa has been doing torres and gerrard injured and getting them to play through pain and risk serious injury just so he doesnt lose torres one of the most fearfull strikers in the world and he is risking him big time is he insane

[simon]

I am a city fan and we have been down the same road as liverpool and rafa is taking them to the bottom half of the table.This is not the same liverpool we are all use too,Its time he went on his way before its to late to regain the fight back.

[Brian Wylie]

When looking at Benitez's record I remember the late lamented Bobby Robson who, after a losing run of four games, was sacked in the carpark at St James by the board. Liverpool's manager sems to bear a charmed life. On Ferguson, it is difficult to tell who runs the FA these days. He seems to be able to do no wrong.

[Gazza]

LFC supporter for more years than I can remember but for gawdsake stop blaming the yanks - they didn't buy the likes of Voronin and Lucas. Rafa's decision making in general is crap and he is stubborn to a point where he is would damage our team rather than change his mind. I'm all for him going - but who do we replace him with??

[Lee]

I think we are getting a bit carried away. The media is trying to destroy a good manager. In this country we love to build people up and then knock them down. In stevie G book they were thrilled to get a manager of his class....lets remember rafa might get the boot but who is going to take over. I say give him time. Buy a couple of decent strikers and we will be ok. If he does leave give KING KENNY in till the end of the season then bring in the special one!!! All UTD fans be wary, they are scrapping results, they will be found out as the season comes to the end...my tip for the title is the Arsenal...

[Kurt]

You cabt go from being a great manager finishing 2nd with 86 points to a bad manager in a few months. This is a bad patch but we'll get through it and come out better next season. The real problem is the yanks!!! If they backed rafa i have no doubt we'd be running for the title this year!

[yash]

remember Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, unfortunately we don't have any Managers of their integrity or calibre and loyalty any more.
It's all about money and more money,
Both Bill and Bob would not have entertained multi-millionaire Players and their agents.

[blue is the colour, football is the game, lol]

Babel to leave in January so he can get 1st team football, Dont blame you mate, All Liverpool keep remembering is the past, Yes we know is was good, But when are you gonna think about the now. As im a loyal chelsea fan it breaks my heart to admit it, but the only way Liverpool will acheive anything is if they sack Benitez and get The Chosen One Mourinho on board and then we will have a title to defend.. BRING IT ON... The priemership is coming back to London this year you Liverpudlian Scum....LOL LOL

[Rafas Fact]

Thanx for the vote of confidence Johnty but its not all doom and gloom for you you know.

As soon as you make a big boys decision and decide to leave the crayons and colouring books alone then you might, just might, be able to progress and start reading a few little words.

Can't promise you though.....but good luck.

[Jameson]

Benitez has tinkered about with the Team so much & left himself short of world class strikers...Confidence is now shot through & some diving is
becoming apparent !...Who is going to replace him ? Since
Benitez has 6yrs under his belt he may feel he needs to move...but who will have him now ??

[Johnty, Newcastle]

You sound like a well educated person Rafas Fact

[Alan Layng]

LFC has game in hand over Everton and only 4pts ahead of them, Moyes is 10 times better person and manager, Moyes has more injuries and yet you don't hear him cry all the time, Rafa is so childlike, complaining all the time, spends money to little affect and treated Robbie Keane with no repect, he has no class, should never has been hired in the first place, aside froo odd LFC fan no-one has any respect for him, not man enought to bench Ngog for also been classless, just like his manager, bye LFC

[Rafas Fact]

Huh !

Whats the title on this sports blog ?

Oh yeah,

"Time up for Rafa?...Your views

So then, why on earth does someone have to throw a wobbler about Ferguson and the FA ??

Grow up pal and stick to the topic instead of being an ABU !!

[Samuel]

Virtually every manager has had a poor run at some stage or another. I say give him more time to salvage the situation, before showing him the door. I will say though,Liverpool haven't done themselves any favours with zonal marking.It causes indecision and confusion in the defenders ranks, and makes it too easy for the opposition. Man to man marking is a much more proven and reliable system in my opinion.

[Johnty, Newcastle]

The FA have shown once again that there is one rule for Ferguson and another for everyone else. They had the chance to sort this man out once and for all and as usual flunked it. Ferguson is a disgraceful example to the youth of today who unfortunately have to watch his constant rantings at match officials week in and week out. The sooner he retires the better.

[john lloyd]

Raffa should have gone 2 years ago .we would have been top of the premiership by now if he had. He is like a phoenix rising from the ashes every season

[TRUTHMEISTER]

re; the kid

quote
" it,s just a blip "

FFS .... just how long is this blip gonna carry on for ??

another 19 years and another £250 million ???

LMFAO

[Brian Wylie]

Foreign Owners, foreign manager, massive debts on the edge of bankruptcy. Poor Results. Am I experiencing the destruction of one of our best teams?

[Rafas Fact]

Re ; russ ingham

quote -

"players like lucas,insua,skertle,vorinin
are not liverpool class for god sake raffa get rid of them now sell them to scum fc cause thats all there good for"

Lmao

Have you forgot who signed them you muppet ???

Yeah by all means, send the boys over......

The cleaning ladies could do with a few extra hands polishing all of our NEW silverware.

[Rafas Fact]

Absolute pure genuis and master stroke by Sir Fergie !!

Let Rene ...

er ...... sorry ......

Lets Rafa win .....

Fans and owners beleive they are the greatest team in the land (AGAIN zzzzz) and Guarentees his job is safe for another season !!

FACT !!

Just brilliant !!

[steve, bedworth]

dont matter to me how much they lose, Liverpool have lived on their past for too long. when will the fans realise they have no automatic right to being the best. sadly for some they are average..

[foreign guy]

foreigners?i see majority of this country are made of foreigners start with the english ppl and thier queen and her husband. being forigner myself i feel at home with my foreign english friends. tara now

[solly]

will you please leave us alone we dont need your help loosers nothing wrong with our LFC

[solly]

i feel its not us liverpool supporters who aer concerned about our team its people who are trying to desturb our team by influence of sucking our Rafa for their good tough nothing is wrong about him get lost leave us alone scavengers

[gillian]

while i think that yes, he's not doing his job as manager, i'd love him to stay in charge, as it gives man utd one less team to worry about, lmao!! oh yeah, man utd were beaten by them, that's liverpool's 1 win in 9 games, and probably one reason he is still in his job just now, but the difference here is, sir alex is a great manager and a loss like that doesn't put pressure on him, like it does other managers. liverpool are 1 of the big 4, but i have no idea why. they've never won the premier league, it should be blackburn who are in the big 4!! liverpool will not win the league in the next 5 years... if they actually ever do!!!

[thomas norman]

half of the lfc players arnt fit 2 wear the liverbird ,veronin aint fit 2 wipe the anfields toilet seats ,until the yanks go we ar gunna struggle ,rafas hands are tied we need cash the yanks avent got it ,go now b4 u relagate us

[Phil]

Before i start i should state that i am not a LFC fan.
Rafa is struggling, but it is not his fault.... LFC have got some serious problems. the owners are struggling with finance and this is causing bad atmoshere throughout the club. rafa is the captain of a stricken ship which is bad news for all....unless a new lease of life is pumped back into the club (via new owners)the club is only heading one way

[Adekunle Akande]

I think everbody should understand that, its easy to manage any club with mouth and pc. But when it come to reality, its not an easy job.Managing LFC is difficult already, leave RAFA alone to do his job. If you sack a top manager like him, where do you find a right one to replace him. A.Ferg. whet through similar situation in the 80's despite all the calls for his sacking, see how good he is now. Rafa will turn it round soon, have faith, in Rafa We trust, Rafa YNWA.

[Mike]

Where does Raffa fit in? Liverpool are the most loyaly supported club in the world but as a team they are weak get a manager who wants to inject new blood, get some strength in depth and get some support from its owners. if they dont have the passion get owners that do and they can be great again. Forget this season it will not happen plan for the future now

[Steve]

I think this is just a bad run.Poor pre season hasnt helped.if he goes now it will be detremental to the team.Have faith until xmas then re-think..Aquilani looks quality and may be a better player than alonso once he gets going..

[Brian]

When your namesake scores for the opposition, and when one of your players has to take a dive to get a draw, it may be time to call it a day.

[russ ingham]

players like lucas,insua,skertle,vorinin
are not liverpool class for god sake raffa get rid of them now sell them to scum fc cause thats all there good for

[james]

like said before liverpool are nothing special without gerrard and torres.and last night against brum-what a lucky draw all because ngog cheated .benitez should be sacked!but as im a utd fan i hope they keep him there.

[dave ritson]

As i posted last time we debated liverpool if you remove Gerrard & Torres you are left with a relegation team. Half of them can't play the otherhalf dont want to play only here for the money.Gerrard & Torres should get out if they want to win anything.I am a liverpool supporter.

[big bun]

tut tut what a sorry state of affairs poor rafa poor scousers get the real facts liverpool are a sub standard team who rely on steven gerard and torres without them they are lost its like watching paint dry boring keep up the good worrk rafa your worth your weight in gold hasta la vista

[cfc4eva]

Now now - don't be counting MUFC chickens

[Chris Leeds United]

Time to go Rafa - selling Alonso was your biggest mistake !

[fran]

sacking raffa would be taking a step backwards, all people seem to think about is how bad liverpool are doing at the moment but forgetting what he has done for the club soo far.

[paul051]

its time for benitez to go he is ruining lfc most of the players he has bought are rubbish hes managed to get rid of most of the good players that he had,without torres and gerrard we are awful, watching the team is like watching paint dry, time to go rafa

[yash]

Liverpool fc can not afford to sack Rafa Benites ( approx. £20 Million )

as for bringing in likes of Jose Mourino will need a further £100 million .

and for new players another £200 million.

unfortunately we are stuck with Benites for a long while.

[arsenal4eva.com]

i think he should stay on as manager and take liverpool down to a division they can cope with lets say the 2nd all liverfool sorry liverpool fans do is reminice on past glorys memories dont win trophies

[Its just MASS IMMIGRATION.]

How many British football teams are nearly all made up with FOREIGN players??????

Its just MASS IMMIGRATION.

Send them all back and start a TRUE BRITISH football league with British players and managers.

[He is a foreigner]

He is a foreigner.

WHY should ANY foreigner be in charge of any British football team??

Even the England football team was run by a foreigner???

All they are doing is importing all their foreign bad tempers and thuggery
into the game.

[ron]

benitez is a good manager but tinkers to much with team and some of his so called big money signings havent pulled their weight time to off load

[bARRY]

2007 champions league final one up front getting beat thats when i lost faith in rafa his way or the highway the man has lost the plot

[TRUTHMEISTER]

LMFAO @ Ryan......

WAS obsessed with history

NOW obsessed with UNITED.......

[tim]

Liverpool fans are so fickle. If they win, Rafa's god. If they lose or draw, they want him out.

[Stevie]

Rafa has lost the plot. We have no decent strikers for when Torres is injured. He put all his eggs in one basket and now it's backfired. I don't think we'll make the top four.

[Ryan]

Bye bye Benitez. Will never forget what you did in Istanbul but we are going backwards. Another season will drift by and it won't be long before United win their 19th title.