Source: Daily_Mail
Rafa Benitez: The highs and lows of his Liverpool reign
HIGH Appointed Liverpool manager in June 2004 on a five-year deal. [LNB]HIGH In December, Steven Gerrard scores with just four minutes remaining as Liverpool come from 1-0 down to beat Olympiacos 3-1 at Anfield and secure the two-goal margin they need to reach the Champions League knockout stage. [LNB] Fresh face: Benitez on his first day as Liverpool manager[LNB] [LNB]LOW Liverpool are knocked out of FA Cup in Benitez's first taste of the competition in January 2005. Benitez is slammed for fielding a weakened line-up after Djimi Traore scores an embarrassing own goal in 1-0 third-round defeat at Burnley. [LNB]LOW The following month, Liverpool lose the Carling Cup final 3-2 to Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium. [LNB]HIGH In May, Liverpool avenge their Carling Cup final defeat against Chelsea with a controversial 1-0 aggregate Champions League semi-final win on one of the greatest nights Anfield has witnessed. [LNB]LOW Five days later, Liverpool lose 3-1 at Arsenal in their penultimate game of the season to end their hopes of finishing fourth in the Premier League and guarantee Champions League football the following season. [LNB] [LNB]HIGH Surprise finalists Liverpool stage the greatest comeback in European Cup final history to stun AC Milan on penalties and become European champions for the fifth time. [LNB] HIGH UEFA bend their own rules to allow Liverpool to defend the Champions League by allowing five English teams to compete in the competition to following season. [LNB]HIGH Liverpool beat CSKA Moscow 3-1 after extra-time in August's UEFA Super Cup in Monaco. [LNB]LOW In October, Benitez comes under fire again for his attitude to domestic cup competitions as an understrength Liverpool are beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup third round. [LNB] Glory boys: Steven Gerrard and Benitez after the Champions League final victory over Milan[LNB] [LNB]LOW Two months later, Liverpool are beaten 1-0 by Sao Paulo in the final of the FIFA Club World Championship in Yokohama. [LNB]HIGH In January 2006, Liverpool resurrect memories of Istanbul by comingfrom 3-1 down to beat Luton 5-3 in an FA Cup third-round tie atKenilworth Road. [LNB]HIGH The following month, Liverpool beatManchester United 1-0 at Anfield in the fifth round, their first FA Cupwin over United for 85 years.[LNB]LOW Liverpool are beaten 2-0 at Anfield by Benfica in March to lose their Champions League last-16 tie 3-0 on aggregate. [LNB]HIGH Two weeks later, Liverpool win 7-0 at Birmingham in an extraordinary FA Cup quarter-final. [LNB]HIGH Benitez signs a new four-year contract in May 2006, effectivelyending speculation he could quit the club for Real Madrid. [LNB]HIGH The same month, Liverpool win the FA Cup in one of the competition's great finals against West Ham. [LNB]HIGH In August, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium to win the Community Shield. [LNB]LOW The following month, the Reds suffer their heaviest Merseyside derby defeat for 42 years, going down 3-0 at Goodison Park. [LNB] Putt out: Craig Bellamy celebrates scoring a goal against Barcelona by pretending to swing a golf club[LNB] [LNB]LOW In January 2007, Benitez faces the most severe criticism yetof his selection policy as Liverpool crash out of both domestic cupcompetitions to Arsenal inside three days at Anfield. A 3-1 FA Cupthird-round defeat is followed by a 6-3 Carling Cup quarter-finalthrashing. [LNB]HIGH The same month, Benitez finally records aPremier League victory over Chelsea with a 2-0 win at Anfield. It endsa run of five successive league defeats to the Londoners. [LNB]HIGH A month later, George Gillett and Tom Hicks complete their takeoverat Anfield, promising to give Benitez the money to end Liverpool'stitle drought. [LNB]LOW/HIGH Later that month, team-mates Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise are reported to have had a bust-up in the build-up to Liverpool's Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona. Both then score as Liverpool record a remarkable 2-1 win at the Nou Camp. Liverpool go on to win the tie on away goals. [LNB]HIGH In May, Liverpool beat Chelsea in a repeat of their 2005 Champions League semi-final. [LNB] Absolutely Fabio: Aurelio scores Liverpool's third goal in the 4-1 victory over United[LNB] [LNB]LOW Later that month, AC Milan gain revenge for Istanbul with a 2-1 win in the final in Athens. [LNB]HIGH In November, Liverpool beat Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield, the biggest winin Champions League history and the club's biggest victory underBenitez. The result keeps alive the club's bid to reach the knockoutphase after a disappointing start to their group left them on the brinkof elimination. [LNB]LOW Later that month, Benitez has a verypublic falling out with the club's new owners after becoming frustratedat their decision not to discuss funding for January transfers untilmid-December. In a spat which runs for days, Benitez claims the pair donot understand football's transfer system, while an angry Hicks tellsthe Spaniard to focus on coaching the club. [LNB]HIGH Liverpool romp to an easy 4-0 victory in their must-win Champions League group game at Marseille to qualify for the last 16. [LNB]HIGH The Reds hammer league leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford to keep alive their faint title hopes. [LNB]HIGH Finally signs new contract to keep him at Anfield until 2014. [LNB] [LNB]
