As fans, we always complain that managers don't give young players a chance. Benitez has shown he is willing to give youth a chance; so fans can't act in disgust when Rafa names a young bench such as against Spurs. It is just as unfair to the young players, as it is to Benitez. How is the local lad from Toxteth or Bootle supposed to break through in the modern game? It is by being given opportunities such as this to prove their worth!
The well-known financial troubles of the club aren't helping Benitez. Whilst Manchester United are able to sell Ronaldo for £80m and pocket the money for future transfers; whilst Chelsea reportedly offer £40m for Frank Ribery (speculation I know); Rafa has to sell a former 'key' midfielder in Alonso, gets £30m for him, but then is only permitted to spend £20m of it on a replacement.
So perhaps it is to the club's American owners that the blame should be laid? How can Rafa Benitez be expected to develop the squad when he has to sell two former first team players, recoup the money, and then be told those funds are no longer available to him? This would not happen at Manchester United to Ferguson or even at Chelsea to Ancelotti.
It is clear that it is us, the fans, who are going to suffer. We pay money to watch the team week in/week out; and yet it is our owners who have broken a promise and burdened our club with debt. Whilst the team played so well last season, perhaps it is unrealistic to blame Benitez for the 'lack' of transfer activity; the money just isn't there!
The performance against Aston Villa on Monday night showed that there is much need for improvement in not just the performance, but also the depth of the squad. Torres looked frustrated as he always seems to now; is it best to play him upfront on his own when he is continually targeted by the opposition? It is growing concern that Torres is reacting continuously, before long he may start picking up silly bookings, and then we won't have to worry about him being injured, but rather suspended from key games!
So if Torres does get injured or suspended, we are back to last season's situation of having no real striker to replace him. The Club's owners must see that the club is not going to improve if further investment is not made. Benitez can't just conjure a striker from nowhere to replace Torres; he needs the funds to do so.
In the reserves there are strikers such as Dani Pacheco, Krisztian Nemeth, and new first-teamer David N'gog aren't yet ready to carry Torres's mantle. The decision to loan Nemeth out to AEK Athens does have to be questioned however. N'gog has looked promising in the first-team so far however; Benitez hasn't deemed him ready to sit on the bench against Spurs or Aston Villa so far this season; this is despite scoring against Stoke between these games.
So if Rafa doesn't trust these youngsters, further transfer funds must be made to him.
As key players such as Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, and Alberto Aquilani return from injury, the Liverpool bench may look 'strengthened.' However, it is not to be forgotten that there are young players who are ready to make the step up to the first-team. Perhaps the fans should remember this, and remember that Liverpool Football Club stands for. Our history shows that we should be willing to give young players a chance. It is unrealistic to blame Benitez for the 'lack' of transfer activity; the money just isn't there!