Rafa criticism just has to stop

On Saturday night a name rang around the Mastella Stadium in Valencia for the first time since May 2004. That name belonged to Rafa Benitez as the home fans sang in union “Come back Rafa, come back Rafa”.
It says everything about the esteem in which the Liverpool manager is still held [...]

Benitez looks at ‘bigger picture’ in rotation row

Fernando Torres has only been a Liverpool player for three months, yet he has already learned not to attempt to second guess the team selection of manager Rafael Benitez.
[...]

Rafa wants Torres protection talk, not rotation talk

Rafa Benitez insists English football needs to clamp down on the heavy handed approach to Fernando Torres.

The Liverpool manager has been angered by the rough treatment dished out to Torres in the Reds’ midweek Carling Cup victory over Reading.

Torres scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s [...]

Rafa blames England for Gerrard slump

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard is paying the price for his recent outings with England.
Gerrard played in both Euro 2008 qualifying wins over Israel and Russia, despite being a doubt with a broken toe.
And Benitez told the Liverpool Echo: “It could be that playing twice [...]