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. 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. Fresh face: Benitez on his first day as Liverpool manager 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. LOW The following month, Liverpool lose the Carling Cup final 3-2 to Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium. 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. 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. 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. 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. HIGH Liverpool beat CSKA Moscow 3-1 after extra-time in August's UEFA Super Cup in Monaco. 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. Glory boys: Steven Gerrard and Benitez after the Champions League final victory over Milan LOW Two months later, Liverpool are beaten 1-0 by Sao Paulo in the final of the FIFA Club World Championship in Yokohama. 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. HIGH The following month, Liverpool beatManchester United 1-0 at Anfield in the fifth round, their first FA Cupwin over United for 85 years.LOW Liverpool are beaten 2-0 at Anfield by Benfica in March to lose their Champions League last-16 tie 3-0 on aggregate. HIGH Two weeks later, Liverpool win 7-0 at Birmingham in an extraordinary FA Cup quarter-final. HIGH Benitez signs a new four-year contract in May 2006, effectivelyending speculation he could quit the club for Real Madrid. HIGH The same month, Liverpool win the FA Cup in one of the competition's great finals against West Ham. HIGH In August, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium to win the Community Shield. LOW The following month, the Reds suffer their heaviest Merseyside derby defeat for 42 years, going down 3-0 at Goodison Park. Putt out: Craig Bellamy celebrates scoring a goal against Barcelona by pretending to swing a golf club 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. 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. HIGH A month later, George Gillett and Tom Hicks complete their takeoverat Anfield, promising to give Benitez the money to end Liverpool'stitle drought. 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. HIGH In May, Liverpool beat Chelsea in a repeat of their 2005 Champions League semi-final. Absolutely Fabio: Aurelio scores Liverpool's third goal in the 4-1 victory over United LOW Later that month, AC Milan gain revenge for Istanbul with a 2-1 win in the final in Athens. 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. 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. 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. HIGH The Reds hammer league leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford to keep alive their faint title hopes. HIGH Finally signs new contract to keep him at Anfield until 2014.