The Official Soccer/Football/Futbol/Calcio thread

[TheRiddick]

2005/2006 wasn't really Benitez's team, he inherited most of the players. Now that Liverpool are stretched financially, he will need to sell before he buys. Should be interesting. Yes, I know they bring in the money from TV and other competitions, but as is, unless a miracle happens on Tuesday, they only have one to play for this year (EPL) and it won't depend on them, either. Kuyt is another Tevez, huge charge of energy, but I'll take someone with football smarts (Benayun in 'Pool) any day of the week.

Still, for a 200M+ pounds outlay, Benitez has to show much more than he has so far. Imagine Moyes with that much cash available. Or O'Neill. Or Bruce. I would bet any of them would show much better results. There is no way in hell I would be signing Benitez to a 5 year extension without certain guarantees and pay for performance written in. His entire team and season depend on just 2 players, way too little to show for that 200+M expenditure.

Let's see what happens in Arsenal game, although they are without 2 central defenders now. If they draw or loose to Arsenal with United having 2 games in hand, its a done deal (and season for Liverpool) whether United loose to Arsenal or not.