"Every time I meet a new person, I figure out how I'm gonna fight 'em - you have a gimpy left knee, right?"

As “sources” continue to spread their half-truths to the British media, who gobble it up like lamb vindaloo, more pundits are referring to Rafael Benitez as a “dead man walking” or as the commentator of Monday’s draw with Aston Villa put it “wounded man bleeding”. This has spurred many to ask the question, “Is Liverpool Football Club really going to suffer if the manager is changed?” and also, “Is Rafael Benitez really taking this club in the right direction?” My response to both of these questions is an emphatic YES! Not only will the club suffer massively, but Rafael Benitez has done ever so much in the last two seasons to formulate his football ideas and also to find the personnel to carry them out.

More often than not, the contention that Rafael Benitez has not improved the squad is justified through statistics or opinion based on the performance of the squad in parts of a game or in pockets of the season. Some reasonable examination seems necessary at this point.

First of all, many contend that Liverpool’s defense has been getting weaker. Ignoring the injury to Daniel Agger allows this kind of generalization to pervade. Without one of their starting centre-backs, and with an early season injury to Jamie Carragher, Liverpool’s defense ranks second only to the league leaders Manchester United in terms of goals conceded (all this with a 34 year old playing the bulk of the games, including multiple games in a week during cup competitions. This is extremely impressive in a game where 32 year olds are considered “on their last legs” and is a shining example of why Sami Hyypia is already a Liverpool legend). The most improved defensive statistic, in fact the most improved statistic, is the Reds’ away form. Conceding the fewest number of away goals in the league is a tremendous achievement made even more poignant by the fact that Liverpool have only lost two matches in the league this entire season. Only Arsenal outshines them in this category, with Man. U and Chelsea each having suffered three losses away from their respective strongholds (both have yet to suffer a home defeat, however). The most worrying statistic is that Liverpool have failed to defend their home ground in a similar fashion to the Red Devils, Blues, and Gunners. With only one loss at home, they should be in a better position. However the Redmen have drawn six, count ‘em SIX, times at “fortress Anfield”. Indeed, the most disappointing statistic is the number of times LFC have managed only one point from a fixture. They have drawn an astonishing 10 games in total during the Premier League campaign, which explains their current position in the table. This is down to a lack of goal production from the “rest” of the squad.

So far, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have accounted for a vast majority of the Reds’ offensive prowess. With young starlet Ryan Babel finding his way around the left wing and often in a substitute role, and Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, and Yossi Benayoun getting the odd goal every now and then, the rest of the squad have accounted for the same number of goals as the MBE, Steven Gerrard. Many attribute this to Rafa’s “defense first” approach to the game. While partially true, other factors expound on this style. For instance, Liverpool have revamped nearly their entire squad at the behest of Benitez and his staff.

Many of these new signings are young players, which explicates both the supposed style and character of the squad. What I mean is, with so many young players in a new country and vastly different pace of play, it is understandable that Rafa would employ defensive tactics first and foremost. Once their defensive roles have been ingrained, the ability to move forward into attacking positions will come more naturally. In a recent interview, John Arne Riise expounded on this fact. He justified his goal drought by saying that he has been focusing almost 90% of training on defending and reading plays as they develop in front of him. If an established veteran is doing so, surely the younger/newer members of the squad are doing the same. As the squad becomes more familiar with their own roles and also their teammates around them, the fluidity of passing moves and the accuracy of the shots will improve drastically. Another factor in all this is how Rafa has ignored price tags on these players and focused their attention on adapting to the English game and perfecting their craft.

An example of this is Ryan Babel. The young Dutchman has impressed in his first season on Merseyside despite playing in the unfamiliar position of left wing, and often in a substitute’s role. During an interview with LFC.TV, Babel was quoted, “"He [Benitez] tells me that even though he paid a lot of money for me I must not think about that. He says I am still young and will improve with time. This is good for me to hear and gives me the confidence that I can train and work without worrying too much. I developed as a striker at Ajax but also have the ability to play as a winger. It is an important part of developing my game and is a good way for me to get minutes on the pitch right now.” This type of player management is reminiscent of the “good ole days” at LFC, when Ian Rush was the record transfer signing from Chester in 1980. When asked about what it was like to have garnered such a high fee, but play only in the reserves for the first season, Rush had great hindsight. He stated that he understood that this development was necessary. It wasn’t just about ability or price tag, but learning the craft of being a footballer. He said the dressing room atmosphere was different, the style was a bit different, and learning to play with members of an already established squad was a bit unnerving at first. Though football has changed significantly since the Welsh wonderboots first donned the Red shirt, these aspects of the game really have not (minus of course some of the ridiculous situations modern footballers put themselves in, i.e. Stan Collymore in the car park, United’s recent “spit roast” incident, or that Rio/ Lampard/ Dyer beer bottle/sex tape incident). Here is a list of the young players (under 26) Rafa has brought in:

• Fernando Torres
  
• Xabi Alonso
  
• Alvaro Arbeloa
• Lucas Leiva
• Ryan Babel
  
• Pepe Reina
• Javier Mascherano
• Jermaine Pennant
• Peter Crouch (who turns 27 on the 30^th of January)
• Daniel Agger
• Martin Skrtel
• Charles Itandje
• Momo Sissoko (whose future with the club is still uncertain)

This group, combined with Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt, and Andriy Voronin, make up the vast majority of the current squad, and have all shown promise. Once they have fully settled into the style and the tempo of the English game, they all have the potential to be studs. This is an impressive list of talented and disciplined players, many of whom exemplify quality characters and hard work. These factors should not be overlooked, nor underappreciated in a world where instant results are becoming the standard by which all managers are measured. It took a shitload of time to build some of the “successful” squads so idealized by the British press. United had their core of players already established by the time Rafa took over in ’04, while Liverpool’s squad barely resembles the one he inherited from Houllier’s time. The main point of interest is that this squad has turned many losses into draws, a step forward in my book. While they have conceded some silly goals this season, the defense has often been undermanned and exhausted because of on/off injuries to Steve Finnan, Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger, Alvaro Arbeloa, and even the ironman Jamie Carragher (Hyypia even took a few knocks, but missed only one game, if I’m not mistaken).

I, like so many, have been disappointed with the way this squad has dropped points. However, I think looking solely at league statistics and generalizations of the team’s performance does not give an accurate picture of all the external factors. The youthfulness of the squad accounts for so many things. Once acclimated, I see this squad going on to great things. All this nonsense about Rafa being sacked, the owners placing debt on the club, etc. just detracts from and distracts the players. Given some time to adapt to the game and each other, this squad can contend for the league title. Just reference how much closer this squad is to the top than in previous campaigns. In this light of adaptation and education, the ceiling gets higher...nay...is destroyed altogether. This squad needs Rafael Benitez to continue his work developing and strengthening them into what I hope they will be – title contenders every season. Hopefully the owners will not allow their own opinions of the man, Rafael Benitez, to supercede the knowledge that The Boss, Rafa, is most certainly the right man for this job. His record should speak for itself.

Chelsea

2005 Premier League Winners, League Cup Winners, Charity Shield Winners
2006 Premier League Winners, Charity Shield Runners-up
2007 FA Cup Winners Winners, League Cup Winners, Premier League Runners up, Charity Shield Runners-up

6 trophies
3 runners-up spots


Liverpool

2005 European Champions League Winners, European Super Cup Winners,
FIFA Club World Cup Runners-up, League Cup Runners-up,
2006 FA Cup Winners, Charity Shield Winners
2007 European Champions League Runners-up

4 trophies
3 runners-up spots


Manchester United

2005 FA Cup Runners-up
2006 League Cup Winners
2007 Premier League Winners, FA Cup Runners Up, Charity Shield Winners

3 trophies
2 runners-up spots


Arsenal

2005 FA Cup Winners, Charity Shield Runners-up, Premier League Runners-up
2006 Champions League Runners-up
2007 League Cup Runners-up

1 trophy
4 runners-up spots

Side Note: On the topic of youth, Lady’s sister just gave birth this morning to a baby boy. You’ll be pleased to know that although there were some complications, Mama and Baby are doing just fine, though Mama is in some PAAAIIIN (no kidding, right). I’d like to welcome Brayden Cole to this world and tell all of you that he already has a “My First Liverpool Kit” sleeper suit, and a cap and booties with the crest on them (gotta start ‘em young) from his favorite Auntie and his excited Uncle-by-Proxy.

Post-Posting: Let us not forget that Rafa is the brain behind putting Jamie Carragher permanently in the central defensive role, when his predecessor used him more as a utility back. It can be argued that since this change, Jamie Carragher (now over 500 appearances for the club) has gained a reputation as one of the best centre-backs in the WORLD, let alone Europe. Thanks also for that one, Rafa.