Rafa Benitez Looks Set To Stay, But Is Torres, Gerrard, Or Masch Going?

In case you didn't know, Liverpool Football Club are in trouble. The foundations of Anfield are starting to crack and a failure at boardroom and ownership level have finally exposed to a wider audience the rot that's been spreading for years.

An alarming number of fans appear oblivious to how bad things are under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillette, failing to realise success on the pitch is not going to happen until the club has got it's house in order.

That starts with something that is still not guaranteed to happen before the start of next season; Hicks and Gillette selling the club.

Ushering Rafael Benitez out of the door to welcome in the next saviour will not change the situation with the owners. Forcing the Spaniard to leave Anfield will not provide money for transfer fees and wages that match Liverpool's rivals. 

Bringing in ex-players who have been absent from football management for over a decade will not get rid of the crippling debt chained to our club, and removing Benitez from power will not suddenly conjure up the league trophy, despite the protests from some quarters.

Love him or hate him Liverpool are in too deep with Benitez and his past transfer history could prove he is the man who can keep the club treading water until the right owners take the reigns.

Said to be playing his hand with the Juventus interest, the integrity of the Liverpool manager has been in question of late, but frankly he has every right to ensure promises from the boardroom that any money raised through player sales will go back in to the squad, and not to pay the club's interest payments.

Benitez also has every right to ensure promises from the boardroom that money given to him for player purchases will not be taken away again at the last minute like they was at he end of last Summer.

And Benitez has every right to ensure promises from the boardroom that he will not have both hands tied behind his back for the next campaign before he contemplates selling his most valuable assets.

Rafa is doing exactly what anyone else would do in his position.

Players need to leave during this window and players need to come in, and the only way the manager can seriously strengthen and keep up with the pack is by selling one or more of the club's best products.

What Benitez needs to do is generate enough money to buy top quality finished articles that can propel Liverpool back to the top of the table, and at the same time instill confidence back in to his followers.

That will require a combination of the owners keeping their fingers out of the transfer kitty, and Benitez selling one of his most prized squad members..

Is now the time for the club to maximise profit on the sale of Steven Gerrard? Is Fernando Torres too injury prone and ready to be offered to the highest bidder? Has Mascherano's family life finally reached the point where a sale to Barcelona is necessary?

Whichever key player leaves Anfield this Summer the decision is going to be a massive one that could make or break both the club and Rafael Benitez.

It's certainly a difficult time to be a Liverpool supporter. But it's an even more difficult time to be the Liverpool manager.