Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benitez
A master of the tactical game and of winning pressure one-off games, Rafael Benitez has the pedigree to be a great manager. Made his name with Valencia before moving to England to manage Liverpool and has led them to 2 Champions League finals in 3 years. That’s more than Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and SAF, so that’s saying a lot.
Valencia won La Liga under him, but Liverpool have been off the pace in the league so far as Rafa in my opinion still has to get his tactics in line with the demands of the Premiership.
Subcategories:
No categories Featured Articles
Rafael Benitez Archives:
-
2010 February (1)v open
- The Premier League - The TV Series by Scullion David - (0) - 07/02/2010
-
2010 January (6)v open
- Three key battles ahead for Liverpool by alexblackcap - (0) - 18/01/2010
- Benitez' failing a social one by willvdw - (6) - 15/01/2010
- Two Princes, Goodbye Benitez and Lady Luck by Joe Marshall - (3) - 14/01/2010
- Batting for Rafa and Liverpool by Ahmed Bilal - (0) - 14/01/2010
- Rafa for Life? It's more like a life sentence for Liverpool by Ahmed Bilal - (1) - 14/01/2010
- England's World Cup Chances: 23 into 11 Doesn't Go by BD Condell - (3) - 11/01/2010
-
2009 December (6)v open
- Rafael Benitez is Scrooge by Zan Rathore - (1) - 22/12/2009
- Liverpool FC is Tiny Tim by Zan Rathore - (0) - 22/12/2009
- The Biggest Losers of 2009: Ranieri, Referees, Ireland and More! by BD Condell - (4) - 21/12/2009
- The Biggest Winners of 2009: Barca, Blanc, Benitez (?) and More by BD Condell - (7) - 21/12/2009
- Arsene Wenger drags Arsenal back in the title race by Gurjeevan Malhi - (1) - 14/12/2009
- Liverpool fans aren't happy after shock Arsenal defeat by Ahmed Bilal - (8) - 13/12/2009
-
2009 October (3)v open
- Fact: Benitez will NOT get the sack from Liverpool owners by Ahmed Bilal - (2) - 23/10/2009
- Podcast: Liverpool's / Rafa's short-term future and Manchester United in the 90s by Soccerlens - (2) - 22/10/2009
- What to do with Liverpool FC (and Rafa)? by Matthew - (20) - 21/10/2009
-
2009 September (3)v open
- Fan Loyalty: In Rafa We Trust! by BD Condell - (11) - 28/09/2009
- Liverpool 1-0 Debrecen - Battling Debrecen undone by Kuyt by Dan Cooper - (0) - 17/09/2009
- Gerrard & Torres? How about Yossi & Dirk? by Neil Jones - (3) - 14/09/2009
-
2009 August (1)v open
- Tuesdays have never been so exciting in football by Neil Jones - (0) - 31/08/2009
-
2009 July (2)v open
- Liverpool and Manchester United rivalry to heat up this season by Shivam Kumar - (6) - 14/07/2009
- Love and football. It hurts. by Neil Jones - (14) - 06/07/2009
-
2009 June (1)v open
- The transfer merry-go-round- somebody make it stop! by Neil Jones - (2) - 07/06/2009
-
2009 May (5)v open
- Liverpool's Big Step Four-ward by Russell Wall - (7) - 21/05/2009
- Learning from history: How Benitez must avoid the mistakes made by Houllier by Neil Jones - (2) - 18/05/2009
- Gerrard benefits from Benitez's tactical eye by Neil Jones - (6) - 15/05/2009
- Manchester United on the brink after Tevez adds to his CV by Neil Jones - (6) - 14/05/2009
- Soccerlens Podcast - El Casico, Chelsea's anti-football and all about La Liga by Stephen Darwin - (4) - 01/05/2009
-
2009 April (9)v open
- The League may have gone for Liverpool, but what a way for it to go! by Neil Jones - (4) - 22/04/2009
- Naught Schoolboys Ferguson and Benitez told off by Headmaster by Ben King - (2) - 21/04/2009
- Has Benitez ruined Ryan Babel? by Liverpool-Kop.com - (14) - 21/04/2009
- Did Rafa's mind games put Liverpool in a sticky situation? by Russell Wall - (4) - 20/04/2009
- Football's Laurel and Hardy team up for ridiculous public rant at Rafa Benitez by Liverpool-Kop.com - (9) - 18/04/2009
- Alex Ferguson is a naughty old man by Ahmed Bilal - (8) - 17/04/2009
- Was Stevie G's absence merely a smoke screen by Liverpool? by Ben King - (2) - 16/04/2009
- Chelsea v Liverpool - Bravo! by Neil Jones - (0) - 15/04/2009
- Hiddink does the business as Chelsea take control by Neil Jones - (3) - 09/04/2009
-
2009 March (4)v open
- Rafael Benitez is king of Anfield till 2014 - but will Liverpool sign the right players? by Neil Jones - (10) - 19/03/2009
- Done Deal: Rafa Benitez signs contract extension at Liverpool through 2014 by Russell Wall - (12) - 19/03/2009
- Liverpool can win Premier League AND Champions League by Soccerlens - (4) - 16/03/2009
- Liverpool take note - Atleti show up Real's deficiencies by Neil Jones - (6) - 08/03/2009
-
2009 February (3)v open
- Primetime Football - Rafael Benitez, 48, from Liverpool, the quiz-show contestant by markwithoutspin - (1) - 27/02/2009
- Liverpool Fans: What is Rafa Benitez playing at? by Guest Authors - (22) - 27/02/2009
- Ups, Downs & Torres - A Week With Liverpool by Neil Jones - (28) - 10/02/2009
-
2009 January (4)v open
- Football fork - January 2007 - Liverpool bought by the DIC group by markwithoutspin - (5) - 29/01/2009
- The Curious Case of Rafa Benitez by Andy Sammons - (8) - 29/01/2009
- Robinho's a Trouble Magnet, Old Man Becks Playing Like the Becks of Old, England Submits World Cup 2018 Bid, and more by Eddie Griffin - (0) - 29/01/2009
- Rafa's Cracking Up... by Scott the Red - (30) - 17/01/2009
-
2008 December (5)v open
- Liverpool beware - Madrid make their first move on Rafa by Subhankar Mondal - (0) - 16/12/2008
- Rafael Benitez Signs New Liverpool Deal At Long, Long Last by Subhankar Mondal - (1) - 10/12/2008
- Rafael Benitez To Swap Liverpool With Juventus? by Subhankar Mondal - (3) - 09/12/2008
- Rafael Benitez: Robbie Keane Will NOT Leave Liverpool For Tottenham! by Subhankar Mondal - (0) - 09/12/2008
- Kaka Unhappy, Manchester United Midfielder to Inter Milan, Real Madrid Rule Out Move for Striker, and more by Victor Li - (1) - 08/12/2008
-
2008 October (5)v open
- Man in a corner shop nails Liverpool impressions by Rob Parker - (4) - 14/10/2008
- Juventus want Rafa and co from Liverpool by Ahmed Bilal - (1) - 14/10/2008
- Liverpool owners want Rafa to prove his worth by Ahmed Bilal - (24) - 08/10/2008
- Julian Dicks cost Liverpool more than Robbie Keane did by Rob Parker - (11) - 07/10/2008
- Liverpool fightback proves they mean business this time by Rob Parker - (11) - 06/10/2008
-
2008 September (4)v open
- Liverpool's best formation and form by Soccerlens - (19) - 27/09/2008
- Egg and chips - por favor grasos by Gerry McDonnell - (8) - 06/09/2008
- Rafa's army for Liverpool's Premier League domination by Eddie Griffin - (10) - 04/09/2008
- Don't blame Rafa, blame Liverpool's 'stars' by Ahmed Bilal - (6) - 01/09/2008
-
2008 August (6)v open
- Liverpool appoint Mrs Redknapp as assistant manager by David Green - (0) - 25/08/2008
- Liverpool owners get it right for once by Ahmed Bilal - (45) - 19/08/2008
- Liverpool start without style but at least have 3 points in the bag by Neil Jones - (1) - 18/08/2008
- Rafa: Parry responsible for Barry by Ahmed Bilal - (0) - 15/08/2008
- Safe or Not? The 08-09 Manager Sack Race by Ahmed Bilal - (24) - 14/08/2008
- Note to Rafa: Leto doesn't deserve a work permit by Ahmed Bilal - (11) - 05/08/2008
-
2008 July (2)v open
- Arsenal youngest, Manchester United oldest? It's all relative... by Victor Li - (53) - 29/07/2008
- Hypocrite Spurs mad at losing Champions League tickets by Ahmed Bilal - (98) - 19/07/2008
-
2008 May (2)v open
- Liverpool fans deserve better. Stevie Gerrard deserves better. Will it get better? by Graham Fisher - (15) - 19/05/2008
- Everyone except sourpuss Benitez picks Manchester United as league champions by Ahmed Bilal - (0) - 03/05/2008
-
2008 April (7)v open
- Sage advice for Rafa and Grant (Chelsea v Liverpool preview) by Graham Fisher - (6) - 21/04/2008
- Can Jose and Rafa catch up with Fergie? by Ahmed Bilal - (8) - 21/04/2008
- Déjà Vu – Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions League by Shaun Daley - (18) - 17/04/2008
- Liverpool fan exposes media bias for Arsenal's transfer record by Ahmed Bilal - (48) - 08/04/2008
- How Rafa has solved Liverpool's wing problems this season by Arvin - (0) - 06/04/2008
- Fergie, Wenger, Benitez, Grant move over, I could do that, give us a job by Graham Fisher - (5) - 04/04/2008
- Is Rafa nearer to getting Liverpool back to top of the league? by Arvin - (2) - 02/04/2008
-
2008 March (2)v open
- Rafa Benitez Interview - Liverpool manager talks rotation, tactics, winning titles and more by Ahmed Bilal - (1) - 31/03/2008
- Rafa Benitez - extraordinary calm in face of extreme stupidity from Liverpool owners by Ahmed Bilal - (1) - 29/03/2008
-
2008 February (11)v open
- Do Football Managers need to do an 'Apprenticeship'? by Graham Fisher - (6) - 27/02/2008
- Are Liverpool In Denial? by Guest Authors - (28) - 25/02/2008
- The Soccerlens Daily - Arsenal v Usmanov, Tottenham v Chelsea, Manchester United v Newcastle United goals, Liverpool scared and more by Ahmed Bilal - (15) - 24/02/2008
- The Soccerlens Daily - Rafa's Email Address, future Manchester United coaches, Game 39 and more by Ahmed Bilal - (1) - 23/02/2008
- Champions League Video Roundup: Liverpool 2-0 Inter, Roma 2-1 Real Madrid, Olympiakos 0-0 Chelsea, Schalke 1-0 Porto by Eddie Griffin - (0) - 20/02/2008
- Liverpool overwhelm Inter with tactics, aggression and simulation by Ahmed Bilal - (26) - 19/02/2008
- Liverpool Need A Miracle by Graham Fisher - (6) - 18/02/2008
- FA Cup Fifth-Round Roundup: Gunners get shot down, Reds left red-faced, and Lamps lights it up for Chelsea. by Eddie Griffin - (1) - 17/02/2008
- Liverpool v Inter Milan - Champions League 2nd Round Preview by Eddie Griffin - (18) - 11/02/2008
- Weekend's Talking Points: Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Blackburn, Reading, Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Wigan by Neil Jones - (2) - 05/02/2008
- The Liverpool jigsaw is no closer to completion by Neil Jones - (11) - 01/02/2008
-
2008 January (4)v open
- Liverpool need DIC to match the Big 3 by Ahmed Bilal - (5) - 21/01/2008
- What is Liverpool's best XI? by Arvin - (49) - 09/01/2008
- Transfer Gossip: Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Barcelona, AC Milan by Eddie Griffin - (2) - 03/01/2008
- Should Liverpool Buy Mascherano Now or Wait Till Summer? by Ahmed Bilal - (11) - 01/01/2008
-
2007 December (6)v open
- Transfer Gossip: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Napoli, Reading by Eddie Griffin - (7) - 30/12/2007
- Football Quotes of the Year - 2007 by Steve Amoia - (15) - 29/12/2007
- Soccerlens Match of the Week Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester United by Eddie Griffin - (11) - 15/12/2007
- Can Liverpool Rescue Their Season By Beating Marseille On Tuesday? by Subhankar Mondal - (1) - 11/12/2007
- Are Liverpool Going Into Another Takeover? by Subhankar Mondal - (3) - 02/12/2007
- Champions League Matchday 5 Review: Celtic and Olympiakos eye round of 16, Liverpool and Werder still alive and kickin'. by Eddie Griffin - (2) - 01/12/2007
-
2007 November (6)v open
- 'Round and 'Round and 'Round We Go, on the EPL Managerial Carousel - Who's Getting Thrown Off Next? by Eddie Griffin - (6) - 29/11/2007
- Trouble at Anfield: the Battle of Benitez vs. Hicks/Gillett by Shaun Daley - (11) - 29/11/2007
- England Job: Likely Candidates to Succeed McLaren by Marco Pantanella - (12) - 24/11/2007
- Benitez, Hicks and Gillet - Power Struggle at Liverpool? by Arvin - (29) - 24/11/2007
- Benitez letting Liverpool down by Arvin - (9) - 04/11/2007
- Liverpool View: It’s Either Good Buy! or Goodbye! for Benitez by BD Condell - (35) - 02/11/2007
-
2007 October (5)v open
- Are Liverpool good enough to beat Arsenal / Qualify for the 2nd Round / win the Premier League? by Ahmed Bilal - (50) - 26/10/2007
- Exploring the Rotation Myth and Liverpool's Real Problem by BD Condell - (18) - 15/10/2007
- It's A Fickle Old Game by Shaun Daley - (4) - 12/10/2007
- Are Liverpool Battling Rafa's Conservatism or the Players' Lack of Confidence? by Ahmed Bilal - (5) - 11/10/2007
- Are Liverpool missing Pako? by Guest Authors - (21) - 05/10/2007
-
2007 September (5)v open
- Premier League Headlines: Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and more by Jason Pereira - (2) - 29/09/2007
- How many 'match winners' do Liverpool have? by Ahmed Bilal - (31) - 28/09/2007
- The Liverpool Tinkerer Irritates Me by Jason Pereira - (36) - 26/09/2007
- Liverpool are finally under Rafa's Revolution by Ahmed Bilal - (8) - 14/09/2007
- No conspiracy against Liverpool but Rafa has a good point by Ahmed Bilal - (15) - 14/09/2007
-
2007 August (2)v open
- Rafa is unwise | Manchester United right to investigate Liverpool by Ahmed Bilal - (35) - 24/08/2007
- Liverpool and Benitez finding conspiracies everywhere by Ahmed Bilal - (37) - 23/08/2007
-
2007 July (2)v open
- Liverpool boys still settling in by Arvin - (28) - 28/07/2007
- Liverpool's problems lie with Rafa by Ahmed Bilal - (65) - 10/07/2007
-
2007 May (4)v open
- Liverpool can buy the Prem just like Chelsea and Manchester United by Arvin - (46) - 25/05/2007
- Why Liverpool won it the 5th time by Jonesy - (20) - 23/05/2007
- Liverpool can beat Milan at their own 'control' game by Arvin - (23) - 17/05/2007
- Liverpool need consistency of selection to challenge for the Premiership title by Arvin - (29) - 10/05/2007
-
2007 March (2)v open
- Wenger and Benitez criticize Euro 2008 qualification - and they're right by Ahmed Bilal - (2) - 31/03/2007
- Striker Quest Not The Holy Grail For Liverpool by tda - (7) - 08/03/2007
-
2006 November (1)v open
- Liverpool...oh my god, what has Benitez done! by Ahmed Bilal - (16) - 19/11/2006
-
2006 October (1)v open
- Manchester United vs Liverpool - Picking a combined team by Ahmed Bilal - (42) - 02/10/2006
-
2006 August (1)v open
- Liverpool Are Under Pressure To Match Expectations by Ahmed Bilal - (7) - 18/08/2006








