Provided by 7DAYS.ae
by BARRY KING
RAFA BENITEZ is a bigger fan of rotation than the bloke who invented the game musical chairs. But like an old-fashioned dad at his 14-year-old son's birthday party, he's the only one interested, and it's becoming embarrassing. Soon the only thing rotating at Anfield will be the exit door ready for his departure. And after his latest pick and mix turned sour, that exit could be sooner rather than later.
Against second division Barnsley in the FA Cup on Saturday, Rafa's rotation meant it was time forA Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard - the only two Reds players to have scored more than ten goals this season - to rest their 'weary' legs. Understandable, considering Liverpool have a crunch Champions League clash with Inter Milan tomorrow and some seriously well-paid replacements ready to step in.
But as we saw at Anfield, Benitez's bench strength is virtually non-existent.A Despite the millions of pounds spent, Liverpool minus Torres and Gerrard aren't even good enough to beat Barnsley, never mind Wigan or West Ham. Of course, any team in the world would be weakened by the loss of their two star men.
Manchester United aren't as fearsome without Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, AC Milan would start to look a little toothless without Kaka and Andrea Pirlo.
But the difference between them and Liverpool is that both Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti can count on big performances from their stand-in players. United were without Ronaldo and left Carlos Tevez on the bench on Saturday, against Arsenal of all teams. They drafted in Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-Sung - hardly star quality - and still won 4-0.
United could rely on a dynamic display from Wayne Rooney, while Fletcher and Park knew exactly what was needed of them. Liverpool, however, seem to have no idea how they are trying to play, except whenA defending. If it's back-against-the-wall stuff, like it will be against Inter, they shine. But when trying to dispose of an inferior opponent, like Barnsley, they stutter. And the confusion over selection only serves to baffle the players even more.
At times, it's almost like Rafa's spent the pre-game night rolling round in bed pondering his selection, before letting his wife decide. So much so that his players turn up on a match day not knowing if they need their boots or an extra pair of gloves and a hat.
It's nonsense to suggest Saturday's lot was a 'weak' team. They had a back four that any team in the Premier League would crave and still had more than $100 million worth of talent, players Benitez has bought, on the pitch. Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch and Yossi Benayoun have been in and out more than a slalom skier, but still should have had enough to beat Barnsley, a team with an on-loan goalkeeper making his debut.
Benitez refused to blame his players for the defeat however, saying: A"It was a very strange game. We had a lot of chances, then we conceded in the last minute so it's very difficult to explain. A"But I can't fault the work-rate and performance of my players.A" So if he's not blaming the players, Rafa must accept the blame. And now the pressure really is on.
Defeat tomorrow and even the most blind Benitez backers will surely be asking if it's time to say 'adios'. Those outrageous claims by fans that the American owners have not backed Benitez in the transfer market just don't wash. He spent $90 million in the summer. Stubborn rotations had already seen their title hopes disappear before January 1, yet he was still given another $14 million to spend on defender Martin Skretel, after public foot-stamping, in the transfer window.
Needless tinkerings may be all forgotten with a result tomorrow. Defeat and surely the only rotating he will be doing is the ink cartridges
in his printer as he updates the old CV.
Stars who fail to shine for RedsA
LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez has had more than enough money to try and turn Liverpool into a trophy winning machine. There was more than $100 million worth on show against Barnsley, but who have been rotating worse than a broken helicopter propeller?
RYAN BABEL ($27 million)
Big things were expected of this Dutch flyer when Benitez coughed up the cash and the player claimed himself to be better than Thierry Henry. Has hardly been given a fair crack of the whip, but at times he has looked more like Lenny Henry.
YOSSI BENAYOUN ($9 million)
Benitez fought West Ham all summer to get his man, but once he got him, the boss thought Benayoun's best position was on the bench. Appeared in fits and starts and looked the part on occasion, just hasn't been given enough occasions to perform.
DIRK KUYT ($20 million)
Another player Rafa rumbled with other managers for in 2006. After one season to adjust, Kuyt was tipped to fly like a kite, but has failed to get off the ground in England, scoring just eight times in all competitions this season.
PETER CROUCH ($14 million)
The beanpole striker has shown what a good asset he can be, to both Liverpool and England. But Rafa's rotations simply haven't helped his confidence, highlighted by missed chances in the recent game against Chelsea and also Barnsley.
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