Liverpool FC: Is Rafael Benitez's Time Finally Up?

Rafael Benitez probably symbolizes the new breed of managers coming through the ranks in Europe. His success at Liverpool has certainly been acknowledged by the Liverpool fans. He has got staunch support among the Liverpool supporters but there is something I cannot understand about Benitez.

Why hasn't he been able to challenge for a Premier League title yet?

Benitez has been at Liverpool for four years now. They've never finished in the top two and have not been close to finishing top at any point in those four seasons. Benitez did win the Champions League and the F.A. Cup in the first two years. It has to be remembered though, that the win in Istanbul masked a very poor season for Liverpool in the Premier League, where they finished fifth.

No success has followed since then and strangely enough, Benitez's outlay on average players has been surprisingly high.

Many thought that this would be the year when Liverpool could actually challenge for the title after the signing of Fernando Torres. Benitez did have certain injury worries in the beginning of the season.That said, he made some very strange decisions all throughout the season.

Why did he tinker with the squad so often? Did he lose hope in the fact that his team could win the Premier League in October itself?

Whenever Benitez was asked about his controversial squad-rotation policy, he always replied - you will get your answer at the end of the season. The season ended - and what was the answer?

Liverpool have ended the season trophy-less and have just about qualified for the Champions League.

Liverpool's outlay at the end of last season was next only to Manchester United's. Of course, money cannot be the only barometer to determine potential success but having spent so much money - how can Benitez, after having won nothing say that he doesn't have the owners' backing when it comes to transfers?

Benitez might have been undermined in a certain sense. But, he had lost the Premier League long before that situation arose. All he has done this season is complain, moan and whinge about something or the other.

The truth is that, despite whatever went on at the club, he has only himself to blame at the end of the day.

The season ended in disappointment for Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. While the managers of the former two clubs (albeit that Chelsea's manager was sacked) were looking forward to the next season, what does Benitez do?

He comes out and says that winning the title is an "option". Is he trying to soften the inevitable blow? Or is he playing some sort of mind game?

I, for one certainly don't understand.

Benitez does have a track record of being a manager who quits when he doesn't get the necessary financial backing from the board. After he quit Valencia, he said, "I asked for a table and they bought me a lampshade." - in a reference to his transfer budget allocated by the board of Valencia.

For the past two seasons, he seems to be giving tacit ultimatums to the board of Liverpool that he would quit if he doesn't get the requisite financial backing.

Does a manager always need a heavy budget to work on? Perhaps he does. But, does he deserve similar amounts of money to spend on the likes of Pennant, Voronin (who must have got a handsome signing-on fee), Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun?

Maybe Benitez hasn't got the required support from his Board. I'm sure that he's found it difficult to work amidst all the chaos at Liverpool. But, once the players cross that white line - all of that is forgotten.

If Benitez doesn't win anything next year, it may well be time for him to move on to greener pastures.

If he is being put in a position where he can't work, then why is he staying? I suppose that an amicable separation may be the best alternative for Liverpool.

It might just about be "time-up" for Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.