The Rafa Benitez era in numbers

As Rafael Benitez departs Anfield after six years, Liverpoolfc.tv takes an in-depth look at the Spaniard's tenure in numbers.

Overall
Games in charge: 350
Wins: 197
Draws: 74
Defeats: 79
Goals for: 585
Goals against: 302
Win ratio: 56.29 per cent

League
Games in charge: 228
Wins: 126
Draws: 55
Defeats: 47
Goals for: 371
Goals against: 183
Win ratio: 55.26 per cent
Points: 433

FA Cup
Games in charge: 17
Wins: 9
Draws: 3
Defeats: 5
Goals for: 38
Goals against: 22
Win ratio: 52.94 per cent

League Cup
Games in charge: 17
Wins: 11
Draws: 0
Defeats: 6
Goals for: 31
Goals against: 27
Win ratio: 64.71 per cent

Champions League
Games in charge: 76
Wins: 43
Draws: 16
Defeats: 17
Goals for: 123
Goals against: 60
Win ratio: 56.58 per cent

Europa League
Games in charge: 8
Wins: 5
Draws: 0
Defeats: 3
Goals for: 14
Goals against: 7
Win ratio: 62.50 per cent

European Super Cup
Games in charge: 1
Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Defeats: 0
Goals for: 3
Goals against: 1
Win ratio: 100 per cent

World Club Championship
Games in charge: 2
Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Defeats: 1
Goals for: 3
Goals against: 1
Win ratio: 50 per cent

Community Shield
Games in charge: 1
Wins: 1
Draws: 0
Defeats: 0
Goals for: 2
Goals against: 1
Win ratio: 100 per cent

Season by season

2004-05
Games: 60
Wins: 31
Draws: 10
Defeats: 19
Goals for: 82
Goals against: 56
Win ratio: 51.67 per cent

2005-06
Games: 62
Wins: 41
Draws: 10
Defeats: 11
Goals for: 104
Goals against: 44
Win ratio: 66.13 per cent

2006-07
Games: 58
Wins: 32
Draws: 10
Defeats: 16
Goals for: 90
Goals against: 52
Win ratio: 55.17 per cent

2007-08
Games: 59
Wins: 33
Draws: 17
Defeats: 9
Goals for: 119
Goals against: 50
Win ratio: 55.93 per cent

2008-09
Games: 55
Wins: 34
Draws: 16
Defeats: 5
Goals for: 106
Goals against: 46
Win ratio: 61.82 per cent

2009-10
Games: 56
Wins: 26
Draws: 11
Defeats: 19
Goals for: 84
Goals against: 54
Win ratio: 46.43 per cent

Top 10 appearance makers under Benitez
Carragher: 326
Gerrard: 292
Reina: 259
Alonso: 210
Riise: 201
Hyypia/Kuyt: 200
Finnan: 186
Mascherano: 138
Benayoun/Crouch: 134
Babel: 129

Top 10 goalscorers under Benitez
Gerrard: 104
Torres: 72
Kuyt: 51
Crouch: 42
Garcia: 30
Benayoun: 29
Cisse: 24
Babel: 20
Alonso: 19
Riise: 17

Nationalities of players used by Benitez
England: 22
Spain: 13
France: 7
Argentina: 6
Holland: 4
Rep Ireland: 4
Brazil: 3
Italy: 3
Czech Republic: 2
Switzerland: 2
Australia: 1
Chile: 1
Croatia: 1
Denmark: 1
Finland: 1
Germany: 1
Greece : 1
Israel: 1
Mali: 1
Morocco: 1
Norway: 1
Poland: 1
Senegal: 1
Slovakia: 1
Ukraine: 1
U.S.A.: 1
Wales: 1

Total players used
83

-liverpoolfc.tv

LIVERPOOL - The Rafa Years

He was hailed as our Spanish messiah, a genial tactician who restored our reputation as one of Europe's biggest clubs and led us to one of the greatest triumphs in our history.

But after a six-year reign of cup glory, league frustration and rotation, Rafael Benitez Maudes' hopes of leading Liverpool to a record-breaking 19^th League Championship were brought to an end following a disappointing 2009-10 campaign in which the team lost a total of 19 matches.

The Spaniard's first year in England had climaxed like a fairytale, one that was capped by a European achievement that will ensure his tenure will be immortalised and cherished in the annals of Anfield history.

For while even the late, great Bill Shankly took time to establish Liverpool as a force, Benitez made an almost immediate impact, shrugging off the disappointment of a fifth-place finish in the Premiership to defy the odds and lead the Reds to a fifth European Cup success.

To say his legend can be summed up in six minutes would be to belittle his other achievements, but those few precious moments that followed half-time on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, were undoubtedly the most important.

A wave of optimism carried Liverpool into Rafa's second season and although the Reds secured a Super Cup win over CSKA Moscow, a fixture pile-up as a result of a series of Champions League qualifiers and poor Premiership performances saw them struggle early on.

A run of one defeat in 18 matches, in which they set a new club record of 11 consecutive clean sheets, got the Reds back on track, culminating in a third-place finish which at the time saw us notch up our highest points tally since the inauguration of the Premier League.

There was also another final to look forward to. With more than a little sense of déjà vu, the Reds overcame West Ham on penalties to claim the FA Cup and a third trophy under Rafa in just two seasons.

The Spaniard had certainly shown he had the Midas touch, following on from his success at Valencia where he had a developed a reputation as one of Europe's finest coaches.

However, there were still doubts over his understanding of the English game overall, with many supporters and pundits suggesting his rotation policy would continue to hinder Liverpool's bid to end their long wait for the League Championship.

This concern was perhaps enhanced by our start to the 2006-07 season, with the frustration of yet another disappointing Premiership campaign providing a stark contrast to the confident swagger the side had begun to display in the Champions League.

European Champions Barcelona stood in the way in the knockout stage, but Rafa and co produced one the performances of the season to clinch a famous 2-1 win in the Nou Camp and lay the foundations for progress to the next round.

After overcoming PSV and Chelsea respectively, the final in Athens would be another repeat, with AC Milan gaining revenge for 2005.

The arrival of Fernando Torres for a record fee was a firm statement of intent ahead of 2007-08, and with his strongest group of players since taking charge, Benitez made his best ever start in the Barclays Premier League.

The Reds marched to a run of 14 league matches unbeaten but saw their title hopes derailed by a series of disappointing draws.

A shock FA Cup defeat at home to Barnsley heaped further pressure on the Reds boss and a parting of the ways seemed likely before an impressive Champions League victory over Inter Milan proved the catalyst for an end of season surge.

A 4-2 triumph in an all-English quarter-final second-leg at home to Arsenal had supporters dreaming of a third European final in four seasons, but this time it would be Chelsea's turn to advance to Moscow.

A second year without a trophy had raised the heat on Benitez heading into the 2008-09 campaign, but if it hadn't been for injuries to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, a partnership that had terrorised defences home and abroad, the Reds could easily have finished the season as champions after losing just two league matches.

Highlights would include league doubles over both Manchester United and Chelsea, with the 4-1 mauling of Alex Ferguson's men at Old Trafford a particularly sweet moment for fans, players and coaching staff alike.

The Red Devils would go on to close out the championship but Liverpool kept winning right until the end with 10 victories from our last 11 league matches. It ensured we finished the campaign by setting a new personal Barclays Premier League best of 86 points.

Expectation was higher than ever heading into 2009-10, but all was not well in the Liverpool camp.
Xabi Alonso's on-off transfer to Real Madrid was the major theme of a disappointing pre-season schedule and when the Spaniard did finally make the move to the Bernabeu, Benitez's decision to fill the void with Roma's injured midfielder, Alberto Aquilani left many puzzled.

The opening day defeat at Tottenham had proved to be a sign of things to come and once again the injuries to Torres and Gerrard would have a huge bearing on results.

By November any thoughts of a title challenge were over and a group stage exit from the Champions League threatened to completely derail the season.

Rumours of disharmony within the squad and speculation over his own future did little to raise the team's morale and a shock FA Cup replay defeat at home to Championship strugglers Reading left Benitez on the brink.

All hopes of ending the season with a trophy were ended by Diego Forlan's crucial away goal in the Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, while a 2-0 reversal against Chelsea in the final home match of the season quashed a top four hope that Benitez had 'guaranteed' back in December.

The goalless draw at relegated Hull City would not only prove to be the final game of a disappointing campaign, but would also be Rafa's swansong as the club opted to part ways with the Spaniard less than four weeks later after a season that saw his side lose 19 games.

-liverpoolfc.tv

LIVERPOOL part company with Rafael Benitez

Liverpool FC today confirmed that Rafael Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent.

Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would like to place on record their grateful thanks for his services and wish him all the best in his future career.

The Board has now asked Managing Director Christian Purslow, with the assistance of Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish, to begin a formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the managerial position.

No timescale has been placed on the process and Liverpool FC will make no further statement until a new manager is appointed.

LFC Chairman Martin Broughton said: "Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.''

Rafael Benitez said: "It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts.

"I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.

"Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone."

-liverpoolfc.tv

Cristiano Ronaldo's new girlfriend

Irina is Cristiano Ronaldo's new muse.

Yes, the player in Cristiano Ronaldo is hard at work again. This time, he's nabbed himself a super sexy lingerie model from Russia, Irina Sheik.

Apparently, sparks flew when the gorgeous twosome first met each other during the photo shoot for Armani, which both are modelling for.

Just for his lady love, the Portuguese football superstar took a five-day escapade with her and flew her to Italy in his private jet.

The paps have managed to take sexy photos of the couple frolicking on his private yacht - he was in tiny shorts and she was in a tiny bikini.

Neither Cristiano nor Irina has confirmed the status of their relationship.

-dailychilli.com

NBA Playoff 2009/2010

Liverpool Rafael Benitez has been offered a £3m to leave immediately

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been offered a £3m severance deal to leave immediately, BBC Sport understands.

Benitez led the Anfield club to Champions League glory in 2005 but guided the Reds to only seventh place in the Premier League last season.

The 50-year-old has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, with the Italian giants looking for a coach following Jose Mourinho's move to Real Madrid.

Benitez's agent has said he will speak with the Spaniard on Thursday.

BBC Sports News correspondent Dan Roan said: "Members of Liverpool's board were locked in meetings as late as 2330 BST on Wednesday night.

"Benitez is currently on holiday but if he decides to accept their offer he could be out by the weekend."

The manager's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "We don't know anything more than what's being said.

"We're not saying anything."

Liverpool declined to comment on the rumours on Wednesday.

It has been reported that it would cost the club about £16m to pay off Benitez, who joined Liverpool in June 2004. But they are currently pursuing a compromise compensation package worth £3m.

As well as the Champions League triumph, Benitez also steered Liverpool to the European Super Cup in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006.

They enjoyed an impressive Premier League campaign in 2008-09, finishing as runners-up, four points behind champions Manchester United having lost only two games all season.

But they were hugely inconsistent last season, losing 11 times in the league and exiting the Champions League in the group stages. They dropped into the Europa League and reached the semi-finals where they lost to Atletico Madrid.

Several of Benitez's first-team squad have recently been linked with summer moves, including captain Steven Gerrard, Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano and star forward Fernando Torres.

Benitez had suggested he would require in excess of £50m to put the club back in contention for the Champions League places, never mind the Premier League title.

Co-owner Tom Hicks recently said Benitez would have a "substantial" transfer budget this summer despite he and fellow owner George Gillett trying to sell the club, a process which could take 18 months.

It has since been reported that the funds available to Benitez could be as little as £5m, before selling players.
Liverpool were put up for sale in April, with an asking price of between £600m and £800m, and Hicks had claimed there is a large number of "interested buyers".

Parent company Kop Holdings were £351m in the red last summer with annual loan repayments of £40m.
Speaking last week, Benitez told the Liverpool Echo: "I am very happy here in Liverpool. I have always been happy and I want to stay here for a long time - if it is possible."

- BBC Sport

Final 23, ENGLAND Team to World Cup 2010

DAVID JAMES
Caps: 50 Age: 39
Debut: 1997
Club: Portsmouth
Car: Chrysler 300 Pay £50,000 a week Most famous for being very old
Most infamous: for his wacky array of haircuts in many shapes and colours; his habit of panicking at corners
Sound clever: by admiring his collection of Raleigh Choppers

JOE HART
Caps: 3 Age: 23
Debut: 2008
Club: Man City
Pay: £30,000 a week
Most famous: for crucial role helping his loan club Birmingham City to record a 15-match unbeaten run this season
Most infamous: for frustrating opposition strikers. That is about as exciting as it gets
Sound clever: by telling everyone that his real name is Charles

ROBERT GREEN
Caps: 10 Age: 30
Debut: 2005
Club: West Ham
Pay: £20,000 a week
Most famous: for giving Fabio Capello a managerial headache over whom to play in goal
Most infamous: for being the first England goalkeeper to be sent off, in a match against Ukraine last year
Sound clever: by wondering if he will follow Gianfranco Zola by leaving West Ham in the summer

STEPHEN WARNOCK
Caps: 1 Age: 28
Debut: 2008
Club: Aston Villa
Pay: £35,000 a week
Most famous: for being unassuming and hard-working as a full back
Most infamous: for having only 8 minutes’ England experience
Sound clever: by knowing that he was briefly picked for Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League Final squad — in error

ASHLEY COLE
Caps: 78 Age: 29
Debut: 2001
Club: Chelsea
Pay: £120,000 a week
Car: Audi TT, which he donated to charity
WAG: Separated from Cheryl Cole
Most famous: for being one of the best left backs in the world
Most infamous: for the breakdown of marriage after infidelity claims
Sound clever: by suggesting he may follow Mourinho to Madrid

JAMIE CARRAGHER
Caps: 36 Age: 32
Debut: 1999
Club: Liverpool
Pay: £80,000 a week
Most famous: for coming out of international retirement after a call from the manager to go to South Africa
Most infamous: for missing a penalty in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final; more own goals than goals
Sound clever: by casually mentioning that he has no belly button

JOHN TERRY
Caps: 60 Age: 29
Debut: 2003
Club: Chelsea
Car: Bentley
Pay: £160,000 a week
WAG: Married to Toni Poole
Most famous: for leading Chelsea to three Premier League titles
Most infamous: for alleged infidelity with a former team-mate’s girlfriend, and loss of the England captaincy
Sound clever: by knowing that his brother plays for Rushden & Diamonds

GLEN JOHNSON
Caps: 22 Age: 25
Debut: 2003
Club: Liverpool
Pay: £139,000 a week
Most famous: for inheriting Gary Neville’s right-back position for England
Most infamous: for being fined £80 for trying to steal a lavatory seat from B&Q
Sound clever: by saying he might be better going forward than defending

LEDLEY KING
Caps: 20 Age: 29
Debut: 2002
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Pay: £60,000 a week
Most famous: for being the promising Spurs defender who did not break fans’ hearts by moving to Arsenal
Most infamous: for being the “man with no knees”
Sound clever: by wondering if his injury record means that he is a good choice as a back-up defender

RIO FERDINAND
Caps: 78 Age: 31
Debut: 1997
Club: Manchester United
Pay: £120,000 a week
Most famous: for being a stalwart at the heart of the Manchester United defence
Most infamous: for an eight-month ban after failing to show up for a routine drug test
Sound clever: by knowing that his brother Anton is also a Premier League defender

MATTHEW UPSON
Caps: 19 Age: 31
Debut: 2003
Club: West Ham
Pay: £70,000 a week
WAG: Ellie Darby
Most famous: for helping to save West Ham from relegation
Most infamous: for suffering a long list of injuries throughout his career
Sound clever: by knowing that Upson’s No 6 shirt at West Ham was retired in honour of Bobby Moore, who led England to World Cup glory

JAMES MILNER
Caps: 8 Age: 24
Debut: 2009
Club: Aston Villa
Pay: £45,000 a week
Most famous: for becoming the youngest player to score in the Premier League at the age of 16
Most infamous: for being at centre of £25 million battle as Manchester City tried to lure him from Villa
Sound clever: by pretending to be as clever as Milner, who has 11 GCSEs

MICHAEL CARRICK
Caps: 22 Age: 28
Debut: 2001
Club: Man Utd
Pay: £70,000 a week
WAG: Married to Lisa Roughead
Most famous: for graduating with Frank Lampard and Joe Cole from the West Ham academy
Most infamous: for disappointing Spurs fans by leaving for Man United
Sound clever: by knowing that he got married on same day as Gerrard

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
Caps: 31 Age: 28
Debut: 2004
Club: Man City
Pay: £60,000 a week
Most famous: for the lowest centre of gravity in football
Most infamous: for going to Chelsea
Sound clever: by saying he has flair to rival Ian Wright, his adoptive father

STEVEN GERRARD
Caps: 80 Age: 30
Debut: 2000
Club: Liverpool
WAG: Married to Alex Curran
Salary: £125,000 a week
Most famous: for being, at times, a one-man team at Liverpool and, at other times, for his partnerships with Michael Owen and Fernando Torres
Most infamous: for making court appearances on charges of assault and affray, though he was acquitted
Sound clever: by wondering if he will stay at ’Pool after a disastrous season

FRANK LAMPARD
Caps: 78 Age: 31
Debut: 1999
Club: Chelsea
Pay: £125,000 a week
Most famous: for hatfuls of goals
Most infamous: for being “Big Fat Frank”, but hugely fit
Sound clever: by pointing out that Jamie Redknapp is his cousin

JOE COLE
Caps: 54 Age: 28
Debut: 2001
Club: Chelsea
Pay: £80,000 a week
WAG: Married to Carly Zucker, a fitness instructor
Most famous: for superb goal against Sweden in last World Cup
Most infamous: for never being satisfied with a simple pass when an over-elaborate piece of skill would do
Sound clever: by mentioning he has been linked with a move to Arsenal

AARON LENNON
Caps: 17 Age: 23
Debut: 2006
Club: Tottenham
Pay: £45,000 a week
Most famous: for his cheetah-like speed
Most infamous: for his awful hairstyle
Sound clever: by saying Walcott was left out because of his similar style

GARETH BARRY
Caps: 36 Age: 29
Debut: 2000
Club: Man City
Pay: £120,000 a week
Most famous: for working very hard
Most infamous: for moving to City
Sound clever: by sounding thankful that he passed a late fitness test

WAYNE ROONEY
Caps: 60 Age: 24
Debut: 2003
Club: Manchester United
Pay: £110,000 a week
WAG: Married to his childhood sweetheart, Coleen
Most famous: for his arrival at 16 with a superb goal against Arsenal
Most infamous: for breaking his foot before the 2006 World Cup; a stamp with his other foot that got him sent off in the quarter-final
Sound clever: by asking if he can bear to be the only on-form striker

JERMAIN DEFOE
Caps: 40 Age: 27
Debut: 2004
Club: Tottenham
Pay: £80,000 a week
WAG: Formerly dated the glamour model Danielle Lloyd
Car: Black Ferrari Cabriolet
Most famous: for a deadly eye for goal if there is space to shoot from distance
Sound clever: by knowing he played for Senrab, the same Sunday league team as John Terry and Ashley Cole

EMILE HESKEY
Caps: 58 Age: 32
Debut: 1999
Club: Aston Villa
Pay: £80,000 a week
Most famous: for scoring in England’s 5-1 demolition of Germany in 2001, and using his size to create opportunities for fellow strikers
Most infamous: for his poor scoring record for club and country
Sound clever: by pointing out that his middle name is Ivanhoe

PETER CROUCH
Caps: 38 Age: 29
Debut: 2005
Club: Tottenham
Pay: £80,000 a week
WAG: The lingerie model Abbey Clancy
Most famous: for being 6ft 7in
Most infamous: for his goal against Trinidad in last World Cup when he held defender’s ponytail as he jumped
Sound clever: by quoting him. When asked: “What would you be if not a footballer?”, he replied: “A virgin.”

The 'Unlucky' Seven :
Theo Walcott, Darren Bent, Scott Parker, Leighton Baines, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson and Michael Dawson.

For more story click here

BRAZIL World #1 on FIFA rankings

Brazil remained top of the latest FIFA rankings on Wednesday, May 26 while World Cup hosts South Africa jumped seven places after winning two friendly matches.

There were no changes in the top five with Brazil followed by Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy. South Africa moved from 90th to 83rd after wins over Jamaica and Thailand.

The top 10 includes one team, Croatia, who did not qualify for the World Cup. The lowest-ranked of the 32 World Cup finalists are North Korea who climbed one place to 105th. — Reuters
  
Top 30 Lists:
                              Points    +/-Ranking
                               (May10)   (Apr10)

1	Brazil	1611	0
2	Spain	1565	0
3	Portugal	1249	0
4	Netherlands	1231	0
5	Italy	1184	0
6	Germany	1082	0
7	Argentina	1076	0
8	England	1068	0
9	France	1044	1
10	Croatia	1041	-1

11	Russia	1015	0
12	Egypt	967	1
13	Greece	964	-1
14	USA	957	0
15	Serbia	947	1
16	Uruguay	899	2
17	Mexico	895	0
18	Chile	888	-3
19	Cameroon	887	0
20	Australia	886	0
21	Nigeria	883	-1
22	Norway	882	0
23	Ukraine	875	2
24	Switzerland	866	2
25	Slovenia	860	-2
26	Israel	857	-2
27	Côte d'Ivoire	856	0
28	Romania	853	0
29	Turkey	830	4
30	Algeria	821	1