Finally, if you think the beligerent journeyman Pennant is class and any answer to Liverpool’s quest for a title then there’s really no point in debating with you. He’s average and has a bad attitude (well documented) and won’t last much longer at Anfield.

My article doesn’t favour sacking Rafa, in fact, I believe that would be a big mistake right now and he has made progress. It simply points out the demands the American owners will place on him. This has been highlighted by all the recent hype and speculation surrounding the visit of the yanks yesterday. I believe that staying in the CL saved Rafa’s bacon.
How he spends his money will be key and that is the crux of what I argue.
Vorinin, Kuyt, Pennant, Benayoun. In fact, revisit all the new names over the last 2 seasons and rate who you think will make a lasting impression, has the potential to be a Kop legend? Torres for sure and Babbel has the potential. A couple of younger players deserve more time. But that leaves a long list of names that have either already departed or that most Liverpool fans do not believe are the required quality to bring back the title.

Mourinho might have landed the Champions League or the EPL had Abramovich allowed him to recruit the players he wanted in the January transfer window. But I’ve got a feeling that Abramovich already wanted Mourinho out and so didn’t want him to be too successful. Otherwise, stopping Mourinho from buying players to bolster the club’s challenges on all fronts simply makes no sense. The issue could not have been lack of funds to strengthen.

Benitez might need to prioritise the EPL. Going out of Europe might not be the worst thing ever to happen to Liverpool, although I think they will make it through to the knock out stages.

It is no accident that United’s form tailed off at the end of last season when they simply ran out of players and legs by the time they got to the second leg against Milan last season. United went into that game with only one member of their first choice back four (and he was way off the pace in his first game back after injury) and also lacking fire power up front through injuries. This is why Ferguson and Benitez have invested so heavily in building up the quality and numbers in their first team squads. This is necessary if you are going to make a serious assault on the two big trophies.

Luck with injuries will play a critical part in the destination of this season’s big trophies. Benitez has been criticised for “rotation” and perhaps he might have done this a little too much in the past. But I know what he’s trying to achieve. He wants to make sure that his players are fit and fresh come March and April – the business end of the season. There’s no point in Torres being brilliant in October and knackered and out for the rest of the season by February.

Arsenal haven’t had key players injured the way Liverpool, United and Chelsea have and like Gerrard said it will be a test to their sqaud depth. They would be an extremely lucky side to go up until christmas without a key injury.

Building a championship winning team will take time unless you are able to throw 100s of millions at it like Chelsea. I hold no torch for Liverpool, but there are firmly still in the race this season. Paisley and Shankly understood that you don’t win titles in November; but you do need to keep in touch at the top during this part of the season.

This season will be one of the most exciting in the history of the Premier League. There is going to be a genuine three or four way fight for the title right down to the wire. It’s a high class field: Arsenal, Chelsea and United have extremely good sides. Liverpool may not win it this year (I think United will), but they have every chance of doing so in the next 2 or 3 years. Benitez is putting together virtually a new team and it may take 12 to 18 months before you see this team at its best. He is a football manager, not an alchemist. Benitez’ buys for the most part have been good ones, and Liverpool definitely have a squad stronger than at any time during Benitez’s tenure. Remember also that players new to the Premiership rarely produce their best form in their first season. Look at people like Drogba, Hleb, Vidic and Evra.

Who is better than Benitez out there and would be available to Liverpool? What Benitez has achieved in his career bears comparison with any manager/coach in Europe. Since leaving Valencia, they have become a shadow of their former selves. In his first year with the Pool they won the Champions League; something they had not come close to doing in over 20 years. 2 years later he takes them back to a Champions League final. In between, he wins the FA cup. Message to Liverpool fans: lighten up, show some loyalty and STAND BY YOUR MAN. You’d be mad to tell Benitez to “walk alone” into the sunset.

Secondly, here are some quotes from your article “Benitez letting Liverpool down” posted the other day:
“Rafa has not achieved the necessary balance”
“Babel will be a good player, but it will take time.”
“Liverpool DON’T have time.”
“Sell Kuyt. Voronin……give him another season.”
“Benitez will continue to let us down as far as the league is concerned.”

It seems it is alright for you to have reservations and opinions regarding Benitez’s performance (including the quality of players that have been brought in) but not other people.

Same applies to a number of the other responses that don’t even engage in debate.
I accept some points in realtion to Benayoun, Lucas, Leto. Time will tell.

I’ll be here in 3 months and 6 months and will happily accept if my opinions are wrong.
I’ll always be happy to debate the issues though.