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My Say: It's Now Or Never For Rafa Benitez's Liverpool

Jigar Shah looks at the prospect of Liverpool in the European competition...

24-Nov-2009 11:18:00 AM

Rafael Benitez - Liverpool (Getty Images)

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Rafael Benitez - Liverpool (Getty Images)

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Rafael Benitez acknowledged just before the clash with Manchester City that it’s a ‘make or break’ tie for the Liverpool, and I am sure that he will be very frustrated after the game, as they managed to get only a point against their rival’s Manchester City.

A match neither side could afford to lose and they didn’t. Benitez will be at a losing end in comparison to his confrere, Mark Hughes, as Liverpool now have only a single win from last 10 matches, in all competitions and a point behind their nearest rival’s Manchester City.

It is a hard truth to swallow for the Reds, but they are not playing well in last six to eight weeks, especially after Hull City’s six goals thumping victory that has cost them to drop few points. They are currently 13 points adrift from the league leaders Chelsea and have been very poor going forward and in defence.

In their last 10 matches, they have scored only 10 goals, and have conceded 18 goals. It was surprising the amount of time and space given to Emmanuel Adebayor, a free header, when the Sky Blues scored their first goal. It’s a difficult time for the Spaniard, least to say, as Liverpool is currently the most vulnerable club from among ‘Big Four’ to lose their vital fourth spot to the ambitious Mark Hughes side.

Right now, the most important thing is to focus on the Champions League, as the weekend is over and a difficult task lies ahead of the mid-week clash against the Hungarian side Debrecen. The Reds have an outside chance of making it into the final 16 and for that a win is necessary or else it will be all over this season for the Merseyside club in Europe’s elite club competition.

If Fiorentina wins at home to Lyon, then it will be the Italian anf French clubs progressing at the expense of Liverpool. The Spaniard knows that the situation is grim, and he will be praying that both results, the one in Hungary and in Italy are in the favour of the Anfield club. It will be a big blow for the former European Champions, to be knocked out of UEFA Europa league, as there are a lot of expectations from the Mersey side Club.

The last time Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League was back in 2002-03 season when the Anfield club finished fifth, under the era of French manager Gerard Houllier, since then they have consistently qualified in the premier European Competition every year.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson in a recent press conference reckons that Champions League failure could harm Liverpool prospects this season. He said: “It’s a big disappointment they have to cope with and it can have an adverse effect for the rest of the season.”

Since taking charge in 2004 by Rafa Benitez, this is the second time the Merseyside club is in serious jeopardy of losing a berth in last 16 knockout round of the Champions League, as during the 2004-05 season, it was their Captain Steven Gerard dying minute’s long-range effort against Olympiacos which helped them to secure their place in the next round. The Spaniard will be expecting the same, a miracle this year, as he is still upbeat that the club will qualify.

Liverpool will be without their ace striker Fernando Torres, but apart from that, many are back for the injury table. You can expect Rafa Benitez to put up his strongest team and will order them to attack the ball, right from the kickoff against underdogs Debrecen.

It will be an interesting encounter as the fate of the Liverpool season, especially the Champions League is up in the air, and if they manage to turn around the fortune, then their season revival will surely be on the cards. Remember last time when they overcome such turbulent period, they went on to win Champions League, so watch out if Liverpool can pull the miracle.

It’s difficult, but not impossible!

Jigar Shah

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