Liverpool FC: Give Rafael Benitez What He Wants

In recent weeks, Liverpool have been in the sports pages for all the right reasons—and all the wrong ones too.

Off the pitch, manager Rafael Benitez has battled with the club's new owners over transfers. On the pitch, the Reds' 21 goals in the last five games—against only one conceded—have kept the trophy fires burning.

The success has been a team effort. New boy and Denzel Washington look-alike Ryan Babel is fast becoming a fan favourite; Fernando Torres has won over locals by scoring some delightful goals in his return from injury; Yossi Benayoun has delivered as needed; and captain Steven Gerrard has seven goals and more assists than any other player in the EPL in the last eight games.

All told, the Liverpool lineup looks much improved, with old and new hands gelling seamlessly.

So if we're doing so well, why the sudden urge to buy more players?

I've disagreed with Benitez' signings and rotation policy over the years—but I think he knows what he's doing this season. Now that he's got financial backing, he doesn't need to fish for mediocre players in the January transfer window—he can secure the top dogs if he acts early enough.

Rafa's got every right to ask the owners for more money. If the Liverpool brass really want to give the fans what they've been yearning for—a full-fledged assault on the title—they'd do well to give the manager exactly what he wants.

The Reds' central defence has looked precarious at times—and securing Khaka Khaladze from AC Milan or Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander may well be the answer. Rafa's track record of success in signing midfielders and strikers—Babel, Benayoun, and Torres among them—should earn him the benefit of the doubt here.

The club's owners were said to be infuriated with Benitez' comments after the 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at St. James' Park—with rumours even surfacing that Benitez might have talked his way out of a job.

Thankfully, ex-Chief Executive Rick Parry played mediator, and a flattering 4-1 scoreline against FC Porto shored up Rafa's standing with the club

If the unthinkable happened and Benitez were to go, Liverpool would be plunged into turmoil—and the club's title hopes would go up in smoke.

Benitez is scheduled to meet with the owners to settle matters after Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield on December 16th—the most important fixture of the season. Before then, Liverpool pay a visit to Reading and make a midweek trip to France to play Marseille in a must-win Champions League group game.

As I see it, Rafa needs to be allowed to do his job. That's how championship clubs are built.

Just ask Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.