It all started just over a week ago when a Liverpool side travelled to Reading on a six match unbeaten run, with nineteen goals scored and only one conceded. The trip to the Madjeski wasn't even a problem, I mean we were talking about a Liverpool side that had just beaten two Champions League sides, scoring 12 goals in the process and had picked up 17 points on their travels so far this season. Then Benitez stepped in.
After such a run, surely all Benitez had to do was pick a fairly strong Liverpool side, maybe rest Jamie Carragher, one yellow card away from a ban against Man United in what would be a crucial game, and say, "Same again lads." Liverpool had already beaten Reading 4-2 earlier in the season in the Carling Cup and surely this could be easier again. Not under Rafa. Instead he opted to play three forwards, put reserve Jack Hobbs in for the 'rested' Sami Hyypia, not Carragher and play a midfielder who has struggled for form and confidence all season in Momo Sissoko. Now I don't what to completely dismiss Momo, but after such a bad period why not play the in-form Lucas in his place, and save Sissoko for a fairly 'safer' home game. Inevitably Liverpool looked out of synch and were completely out of look as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat.
Admittedly I thought the response to the defeat was harsh, some people on these boards acted like it was our 10th straight defeat of the season, never mind our first, but surely Rafa set himself up for this fall. What was he thinking? Why play a strange formation with Voronin wide right and Crouch left? Then there were three central midfielders and the duo of Carragher and Hobbs didn't look like winning a header all night. The players looked confused, and Crouch just about confirmed it by admitting that they had not practiced the formation in training.
Now you can tell me that the game against Marseilles in the week was crucial, and so it was, but if he wanted to rest personnel that so be it, but why change the formation? As it was key players, Gerrard, Torres and Carragher all played. The answer, I believe is that Rafa has a very bad habit of trying to out-think and prepare for the opposition before he thinks about his own Liverpool team.
If we had been at home that day, there would be no change of formation or style, Liverpool would have just gone out and rolled over Reading like that had done to Bolton the week earlier, so why when we play away from home does Rafa insist on changing the style? There is enough talent there to beat a mid-table side like Reading home or away.
However what made me really annoyed was then at 3-1 down Benitez substituted Gerrard, Torres and Carragher and basically admitted that he had written the game off as a defeat and was simply concentrating on the next game. I might not be a trophy winning coach but personally I believe that you NEVER give up on a game at 3-1 down, Rafa the man who masterminded the miracle of Istanbul should, of all people, should know this.
Next up Marseille and the Dr. Jekyll of the Liverpool team and of Rafael Benitez decided to turn up, crushing Marseille 4-0, with confidence, swagger and flair. The team that night was arguably Liverpool's strongest, the formation back to 4-4-2 and the win secured with ease, at 3-0 after 47 minutes surely a chance to rest Gerrard, Carragher and Torres? No, actually, out of the three, only Torres was brought off.
Still we were through, and in style. So on we went, full of confidence into the Man Utd game, those who had called for Benitez's head had disappeared from the forums and the red (and Rafa) tinted glasses were back on, I even read one prediction of a 3-0 victory.
Now I cannot really find fault in our manager for this defeat, he picked the team we all said he should. It was a typical United win, one shot on target, one goal, and crucially, three points. However I can take the opposition's manager and, love him or hate him, use him as an example of how it is done. United came to Anfield, no five across midfield, no out of form players selected, just their pure and simple best eleven available, and although they did not outplay Liverpool, they didn't fear Liverpool and the luck went their way. You see, I believe that sometimes you make you own luck, and sadly that is what United did. I wait with anticipation for the formation Benitez chooses when we travel to Old Trafford.
So with Liverpool, according to Ray Wilkins, 'out' of the title race (Chelsea, on the other hand, four points ahead, with a game more played, are still very much in the thick of it) a place in the Carling Cup semi-final was still up for grabs as we travelled to Stamford Bridge. Benitez selects a fairly second string Liverpool side, fair enough, the 'Genius' Arsene Wenger does just that. Liverpool go one nil and one man down, a plan B? Go figure, instead Nabil El Zhar was trusted to come on and change the game for Liverpool. Now my dad reminded me of the days when you had to earn the right to come on and change a game, and although some would argue that this was the perfect chance, Nabil El Zhar ain't no Fernando Torres when it comes to changing the game at Stamford Bridge.
The result was inevitable. The point I am making is Benitez is beginning to confuse everyone with his over-analysis. Not just the fans or the press but even the players. Crouch for me is like a spent force because his role changes with every game, and the verve and tenacity that Voronin displayed on his arrival have gone with roles on the right of midfield. Maybe this is where Paco helped? We will never know.
But with time running out for Benitez, it may be the mirror and not the Americans that he should be looking at as the architect of his downfall. Recent performances have left my faith, somewhat, confused.