Liverpool slipped to yet another defeat in the Champions League last night against Fiorentina as their doomed Champions League campaign finally came to an end, the loss means that it is the first time ever that Liverpool have lost two successive home games in European competition. The performance was a limp one as the team struggled to get up for a match which was effectively a dead rubber, although there were some plus points for Benitez with summer signing Alberto Aquilani starting his first match and Fernando Torres making his comeback from injury and looking in good shape.

The perfomance against La Viola was indicitive of Rafa’s season so far with a mixture of bad luck and nothing performances from the team has mean that results have failed to improve, no more so than in the Champions League with just two wins in the Group stage against whipping boys Debrecen and only five goals scored in six matches which is perhaps the biggest worry for Rafa.

Liverpool once again conceded a last minute goal in the Champions League through a loss of concentration which meant that the Reds have slipped so low that they have not even been seeded for the Europa League when the draw is made soon, Rafa will not worry too much about that but it is an interesting sign of the troubles at Anfield this season. Benitez has stated that he hopes the season will really start now with a fully fit squad available to him for the huge match against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, The Gunners are rivals for a top four spot and a win for the Reds will give them a huge boost for the rest of the season.

Paddy Power have slashed Rafa’s odds on being the Next Premier League Manager to be Sacked following the defeat to Fiorentina, the former Valencia Manager is now as short as 9/1 to be the next Manager to walk the plank. A defeat against Arsenal at home on Sunday would be devastating for Rafa and would only serve to crank up the pressure on the under fire boss, he will also know however that he is in a strong position at Anfield having not long signed a new five-year contract and the rumours coming out of Anfield are indicating they cannot afford to sack Benitez even if they wanted to.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tweet