RAFA BENITEZ TARGETS EUROPE
Winning Champions League more important than Prem
THEY say it because they assume it's what fans want to hear. Steven Gerrard says it, Jamie Carragher says it.
So the bloke in the pub then says it. And his mate. Then someone in a bad shirt on TV. And an out-of-work manager on the wireless.
What really matters is the Premier League. Pundits then expand the cliche. Rafa Benitez will never be judged a total success unless he wins the title.
Well, now, you can safely toss that platitude into the bin. If Benitez lifts the European Cup in Rome on May 27, the debate is over.
If Benitez lifts the European Cup in Rome on May 27, Liverpool can rip up his new contract before the ink has dried. And simply hand him the keys to Anfield and the city.
Having swept aside Real Madrid, the likelihood is that Liverpool will now need to beat Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester United to record a sixth success in the competition. And this is the team that can't beat Stoke City.
The irony is that in an assembly hall in Nyon on Friday lunchtime, United probably clinched their 18th league title - drawing level with Liverpool.
To win every remaining domestic game, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will need to be in permanent harness.
And if the Chelsea quarter-final is in the balance ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge, what chances the pair being rolled out for a bruising league game with Blackburn three days earlier? Slim and none.
No. For all the giddy euphoria following last Saturday's events at Old Trafford, the bookmakers who have already paid out on Ferguson claiming his eleventh Premier League success were spot on.
But the shadow that will stretch down the M62 will be lifted if Rafa pulls off an unlikely Champions League triumph. Some people appear to see it as some sort of consolation. It's nothing of the sort.
Test yourself. What does the Premier League trophy look like? Now what does the European Cup look like? Exactly.
Diluted
Memories of success in this competition are etched on to the memory of every football fan.
Kenny Dalglish lifting the ball over the Bruges keeper at Wembley, Peter Withe's far post header, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's instinctive winner deep into injury-time, Bruce Grobbelaar's jelly legs.
And rightly or wrongly, the importance of actually winning the Premier League has been diluted by the Champions League format.
Sure, Benitez would like to win the Premier League. But he does not NEED to win it. He NEEDS to be in the Champions League.
Sure, the club's American owners would like to win the Premier League. But they do not NEED to win it. They NEED the Champions League money.
The rewards for a top four place have made all of those positions represent a successful season.
That's why no-one questions Arsene Wenger's position. It's why Benitez has been able to command a £5million-a-season deal, five-year deal and total control of his Liverpool fiefdom.
And this is his chance to prove he is worth the money and the power. Because to a certain extent, the jury is still out on Benitez.
He has spent £170million in the transfer market and has a Champions League winners medal, an FA Cup winners medal and a League Cup winners medal to show for it.
That success in Istanbul was memorable. But there was an element of the flukish about it.
There would be nothing flukish about a follow-up.
And for all their insistence on the pre-eminence of the Premier League, I wonder which of these a Liverpool fan would really prefer.
A first league title in twenty years or a run that takes them past the most decorated club in Europe, the richest club in Europe, the most glamorous club in Europe, the champions of Europe and a repeat of those glorious nights in Rome in 1977 and 1984?
I'm not sure. Liverpool supporters can tell me. But I'm dead sure which one Benitez would prefer.
Now get the News of World print edition for more from Andy Dunn
This article has 8 comments
chelsea..chelsea..chelsea!!
By dave. Posted April 6 2009 at 2:49 AM.
People keep saying that Liverpool and their fans would prefer the prem title to the champions league. Sure, that's true. But who says we won't win both?
By joker fin. Posted March 22 2009 at 12:24 PM.
the tide is turning 4 utd. smashed by liverpool. humbled by fulham. get real guys. with a few of the lightweights replaced in summer, rafa will bring in more class. he knows which players want the shirt most. goodbye riera and babbel.
By liam. Posted March 22 2009 at 11:49 AM.
A team that has the likes of gerrard, torres, alonso, mascherano, reina and skrytel are not average!
By Danielle. Posted March 22 2009 at 8:30 AM.
Manchester United v liverpool final would be great liverpool are used to losing finals. Revenge would be so sweat. Rafa should stick to the carling cup, sorry United won that as well. On second thoughts another final against chelsea would be better to watch.
By carl warmington. Posted March 22 2009 at 8:05 AM.
BORING,HAHA,OBVIOUSLY,SPIKE,OR PIKE,DOSENT YET REALISE,LIVERPOOL FC ARE ABOUT WINNING TROGHIES,HENCE WHY THERE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TEAM THIS NATION HAS EVER SEEN,IFF YOU WANT TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT GO AND WATCH YOUR COBBLES STREETS OF CORRIE,I PERSONALLY WANT THE 6TH EUROPEAN CUP,TO ME EUROPE IS FAR AND AWAY THE MOST CHALLENGING FORMAT,JUST ASK CELTIC OR RANGERS,TO WIN THAT CUP IN ROME AGAIN ,PROBABLY AGAINST MANU WOULD BE JUST MIND BLOWING,ALSO I IMAGINE THAT THE WHOLE OF EUROPE WOULD JUST LOVE ITTTTTT
By ANDY LAWSON. Posted March 22 2009 at 3:15 AM.
Rafa does not have a league cup winners medal!!!
By Mekaeal. Posted March 22 2009 at 2:05 AM.
Yet more sad blinkered garbage. Face it. Liverpool are an average cup team, Just as they were under Houllier. Nothing has changed, excpet the names of the journeymen players. Torres and gerrard apart.
The champions league suits the nscousers as they can ply their anti-football as its suited to two legged cup games. Boring and soooo dull.
And, nope, the league is where its at. You are just getting the excuses in early for the duffer rafa when he fails to win anything yet again.
By Spike. Posted March 22 2009 at 1:47 AM.