Liverpool: A Club in Crisis?

So, Liverpool are finally out of the UEFA Champions League at the Group Stage. This time last year things looked considerably brighter for Rafa Benitez's side as they were pressing for the Premier League title, and doing a convincing job of it. They were also going strong in Europe, with an unbeaten run in the Champions League that saw them beat Marseille in the Stade Velodrome and get a draw in Madrid against Atletico. How Benitez must be wishing it was the same this year.

They have lost five already in the league this year, including defeats to Champions League hopefuls and potential "big-four"replacements Tottenham and Aston Villa. It makes grim reading for those associated with Liverpool. Although the doom-merchants should remember that they have lost just once at home in the Premier League. At the moment, however, they lie a poor seventh in the table. In the newspapers, they have lapped this issue up speculating on the future of Rafa Benitez and players alike. It is common consensus that performances and results have not been good enough this season but changing a manager at this stage in the season can be hazardous. After all, Chelsea waited until February to say goodbye to Luiz Felipe Scolari despite a run of poor results against teams such as Hull City so could this talk be premature? The plus sides for Liverpool are they can still win the Europa League in its inaugural season and qualify this season for the Champions League in 2010/11. Going back to history, Benitez did guide Liverpool to the Champions League crown in 2005 and to the final in 2007. He also helped Liverpool to second place in the Premier League last season with just two defeats (this is also a record as no team has ever only suffered two defeats and failed to lift the title) and he won the FA Cup in 2006. So his reign is not unsuccessful but the main question is has he now achieved all he can with Liverpool? I'll tell you in May if he's still around!