Will Rafa Still Be The Liverpool Gaffa Tomorrow?

Having lost at Wigan on Monday night, Liverpool have confirmed beyond a doubt that at best this has been a troubling season for them and in particular Rafa Benitez, whose position has come under increased scrutiny as a result of his sides poor form.

An early exit from the European Big Cup and a total of nine league defeats this season has left Liverpool adrift of the leading pack, having played three more games than rivals Villa, which has piled the pressure on the Gaffa.

In many similar circumstances to this where a manager has underperformed at a club with grand expectations, he’s been shown the door in the hope of saving the season or at least some local pride, but will Rafa suffer the same fate?

Ever since the Americans answer to the Chuckle Brothers, Hicks and Gillett took over the purse strings at Anfield, the antics of the quarrelling pair have threatened to overshadow events on the pitch.

In order to make a decision on Rafa’s future, a continued dialogue between the two would have to take place, which seems unlikely if the tabloids are to be believed.

Ultimately though the biggest deciding factor in Rafa’s future at Anfield will surely be the almighty £££.

Having signed a new deal in March 2009 that extends his stay on Merseyside until 2014, it would cost a considerable chunk of change to boot him out.

Plus, Hicks and Gillett had to take out a £350m loan to enable them to repay money borrowed for their initial £218.9m takeover, so it’s looking like it’s going to be a lean summer for Liverpool, one in which they could do without having to pay a large slice of the kitty to a departing manager.

Sat clutching his Champions League trophy, Rafa will highlight his pedigree and past form to the bosses in an attempt to pacify any concerns they may have, although I don’t think he’ll need to.

Supported by his generous contract, his hot seat should be safe for the remainder of the season.

If though Liverpool’s ugly form continues, fan and popular pressure could force him out of Anfield and into another job.

With Juventus reportedly sizing him up as a possible replacement for Ciro Ferrara, before the position eventually went to Alberto Zaccheroni, he could be tempted to make a fresh start away from the passionate weight of expectation and board room name-calling.

Whether Rafa stays put or moves on though, Liverpool are a side in limbo. Miles adrift of the top spot in the league and out of all the major cup competitions (Europa League purposefully excluded), they’re a side devoid of belief, which has been crushed by a crippling start to the season.

Forced into scrapping for European leftovers in the League and whatever pride they can garnish from a run in the Euro Disney Cup, most fans will have surely chalked this season off and are now looking forward to when it all kicks-off again in August.

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Monday March 8, 2010.
Tags: Liverpool, Premier League