Posted in other threads , but think it dreserves its own thread ? From Times Online October 21, 2009 Rafael Benitez cannot be blamed for crisis at Anfield, says Tony Barrett Times Liverpool reporter delivers his verdict on the key issues facing Rafael Benitez and what is going wrong at Anfield. He talks to Ben Smith How have Liverpool come to this point? There is a growing feeling of despair that Liverpool's season is hanging by a thread and it is not even November. Everyone has their own view on who is to blame, whether that be Rafael Benitez, the players, or even the injury problems, but it was only a matter of time before the ongoing ownership saga off the pitch lead to a crisis on it. With Manchester United arriving at Anfield on Sunday that has just brought everything to a head but at the moment the squad is clearly some way short of the standard required of a club that expect to be challenging for trophies. Who is to blame for the current problems? Primarily the owners, but Benitez and the players do have to take their share of the blame. The walls are closing in on the manager but it is not fair to rest the blame for this squarely with Benitez, not when his reign has been undermined by the continuing lack of stability in the boardroom. George Gillett Jr was at Anfield last night to see a team that suddenly looks weak and vulnerable. Yes, Benitez could have done a better job in the transfer market and could have done a better job in motivating the players and getting the best out of them so far this season. But the lack of activity during the summer transfer window was as big a wasted opportunity as the club have had in many years. After finishing second last year the hope was that there would have been investment in the playing staff to strengthen from good foundations. But the owners told Benitez to balance the books - he was only able to spend what he brought in and that has resulted in the squad lacking the strength and depth that it should have. Manchester United would have been a big game regardless but the current problems have just raised the stakes still further. How big a game is this for Liverpool? United is always a massive game for Liverpool regardless of form or league positions. It is the one game every season that the fans want to win more than any other. Defeat on Sunday is unthinkable for most Liverpool fans but should it happen it would really set alarm bells ringing. Last season Liverpool beat United at Anfield without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard but their form is so precarious this year that they will need to get at least some of their big guns on the pitch or they are not going to be able to compete. United will, as Lyons did last night, smell blood and they will relish the opportunity to put Liverpool out of the title race and send the club into an even deeper crisis. Benitez was booed for replacing Yossi Benayoun last night. Is there any hint he is losing support among the fans? A result often changes the way people recall a game. When Liverpool were 1-0 up the Kop were singing his name and there is nothing new in the crowd showing their disapproval at a substitution at Anfield. If the crowd don't like it they will let you know about it and there have been quite a few occasions when that has happened in recent seasons. Having said that, last night's booing was much more vociferous and was clear there was genuine anger being shown towards Benitez. Come Sunday the fans know the team will need all their support to have any chance of beating United. Liverpool are likely to be missing some key players and now is not the time to turn against the team or the manager. Tom Hicks and Gillett are both likely to be at the ground so the crowd may well direct their anger towards them if things start to go against Liverpool. Throw Michael Owen's return to Anfield into the mix and it could be an even more volatile atmosphere than usual. Are the owners still 100 per cent behind Benitez? Their position has changed and they insist Benitez is still the man for the job. As we know from previous experience, often what Gillett and Hicks say is not what is going on the background. The problem for Benitez is that the men who are at the root cause of Liverpool’s problems are the ones that will decide his fate. What would defeat against United mean at Anfield? Winning the Premier League title this season is already the longest of long shots with so many big games to come and so many doubts surrounding the side. Defeat by United would certainly put the final nail in the coffin of Liverpool's title hopes but I have a suspicion that Benitez, despite everything that is going on, will feel confident of defying the odds and getting a victory that could turn the tide. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6883920.ece