Source: Daily_Mail
Cheer up Rafael Benitez: Sportsmail remembers his top five Liverpool moments - and his worst
The sky above Anfield is thick with vultures and Stanley Park is full of hyenas and wolves.[LNB]The scavengers are out in force to pick the carcass of Rafael Benitez clean in the wake of yet another nightmare Liverpool result.[LNB]Out of the FA Cup after a home defeat to Conference-bound Reading, well outside the top four of the Premier League, ousted from the Champions League by second-rate French and Italian teams - and even the League Cup will have to wait until next year.[LNB] Waiting for his moment: A vulture hopes Rafa Benitez comes a cropper now that he's finally decided to get on his bike[LNB]The much-maligned Europa League - or UEFA's equivalent of the Sherpa Van Trophy - is all Benitez has to look forward to now.[LNB]But the Reds boss still has the unyielding support of the Kop faithful.[LNB]After three decades reaping trophy after trophy, the past 20 years have been thin gruel for Liverpool - but Rafa gave them their finest hour since 1984 when winning the Champions League in 2005.[LNB]Those fans don't forget and are happy to blame all the ills of the team on American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks - even though it's them that gave Rafa the £220m or so he's spent on players so far.[LNB]So lest we all think of Rafael Benitez's time at Liverpool as one of non-achievement, Sportsmail pitches his five highs against his five lows - using Anfield terrace chants as a guide.[LNB]We've Won It Five TimesWinning the Champions League Final in 2005. THAT recovery from 3-0 down against Milan in Istanbul has kept him in a job for the past five years. Liverpool's fifth European Cup win is not a bad thing to have on your CV...[LNB]Liverpool Lou[ser]Not even making the knockout stages of the 2009-10 Champions League, finishing third behind Fiorentina and Lyon and twice narrowly beating a side - Debrecen - that looked like they would struggle in division two of the Crawley and District League.[LNB] :) What a night as Steven Gerrard hoists aloft the Champions League trophy[LNB] [LNB] :( Pepe Reina looks on as Stevan Jovetic's shot beats him and Fiorentina team-mate Adrian Mutu follows up[LNB]We'll Win It 6 TimesGetting to the Champions League Final in 2007 where they lost to Milan despite playing than two years before. Also beating Chelsea in the semi-finals and quarter-finals as well as hammering Arsenal 4-2 in the 2008 quarter-finals.[LNB]Ferry Cross The Mersey [and don't stop until you reach Ireland]Home Champions League defeats to European 'minnows' Fiorentina and Lyon.[LNB] :) Liverpool's Luis Garcia (right) celebrates his Champions League 'goal' that beat Chelsea in 2005[LNB] [LNB] :( Tamed by Lyons as Maxime Gonalons scores at Anfield [LNB]You'll Never Walk AloneThe thrilling FA Cup Final defeat of West Ham in 2006, Steven Gerrard wonder strike et al. Another 3-3 draw and another penalties win.[LNB]The Reds Are Coming Up The Hill [then falling down it]Shocking home FA Cup exits at home to Championship strugglers Barnsley and Reading in 2008 and 2010 respectively. And let's not forget THAT Djimi Traore comdey own goal that gave Burnley victory as well. [LNB] :) Steven Gerrard with the FA Cup in 2006[LNB] [LNB] :( Brian Howard scores the winner for Barnsley at Anfield two years ago[LNB]Bring on the Manchester UnitedThree successive Premier League wins against the champions, including THAT 4-1 victory at OId Trafford last season when even Andrea Dossena scored.[LNB]We're Gonna Win The League [if the others all go bust]Failing to mount a serious title challenge in six years at the helm - except last season when they dissolved with the winning post in sight.[LNB] :) Andrea Dossena scores the fourth goal at Old Trafford[LNB] [LNB] :( Steven Gerrard rues two dropped points at Stoke[LNB]Torres bounceSigning Pepe Reina, Fernando Torres and Xavier Mascherano, keeping Steven Gerrard at the club - and sealing that watertight, huge money contract of his own.[LNB]Anfield Rap [sorry, Anfield c***]The list is almost eternal but Alberto Aquilani, Robbie Keane, Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin and Lucas to name but five. And don't forget Gillett and Hicks breezing into the ranch in 2006 as well. And Ryan Babel.Again[LNB] :) Stick with me Fernando and you'll go places ..[LNB] [LNB] :) Stick with me Robbie and you'll go places ... back to Tottenham, hopefully[LNB] Liverpool star Fernando Torres issues owners with ultimatum: Buy big or we'll fail again!Rafa Benitez looks a broken man... just like his ragged Liverpool teamAndy Townsend: This bunch at Liverpool are just so mediocre!Benitez debate: Liverpool icons on whether Rafa should goHiddink closes in on Liverpool as Dutchman admits he would jump at Kop jobLiverpool crisis: No Torres for six weeks as Gerrard and Benayoun outLIVERPOOL FC
