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Rafa Benitez: Liverpool don't have to win trophies to be a success - MirrorFootball.co.uk Rafa Benitez has claimed success at Liverpool should not be measured in trophies. The Merseysiders pride themselves as being the most successful club in England, with 18 titles and five European Cups. But Benitez, who takes Liverpool into a week that could decide their Champions League fate after Saturday's shock 3-1 defeat at Fulham, said: “I don’t agree when people say that you have to win trophies.“I always say you have to be there, you have to be close, you have to create a group of players who can fight for trophies. “We got 86 points last season, yet some people were saying that it wasn’t good because we finished second. “I think reducing the gap between the top team and Liverpool to four points was a massive achievement. “Trophies mean a lot to everyone. But the most important thing is to see progression and evidence that you are improving and able to fight for trophies.“It’s not just about one year. It is about what we can achieve in the future. “People say that I have now been here five years. I say, look at the differences here now. “Look at the value of the club before compared to the value of the club now. “Look at the value of the squad before compared to the value of the squad now. You can see the progression.” Benitez’s words will come as a surprise to followers of a club with an insatiable appetite for silverware. As legendary Anfield boss Bob Paisley once famously said: “First is first and second is nowhere.” Spaniard Benitez won the Champions League in his first season at Anfield, but the Reds have not lifted a trophy since the FA Cup in 2006. He was given assurances about his future last week by managing director Christian Purslow. Hours later Liverpool resurrected their Premier League challenge by beating Manchester United 2-0. But they travel to Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday night with their hopes of progression hanging by a thread following the French club’s 2-1 win at Anfield and a defeat at Fiorentina. Benitez believes he will still have the backing of Purslow and the club’s two American owners, even if Liverpool suffer an early exit from Europe’s premier competition. But he is aware that such a scenario would have serious consequences when it comes to his New Year transfer budget. Benitez said: “Christian Purslow made it very clear that when I signed a new contract for five years it was so that I would be at this club for a very long time. “Now I can control the Academy, I can control the young players we produce and build something very good for the future. “We have analysed the squad together, looking at plans for January and also next season. “My belief is that we will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, but of course, you have to have plans based on whether you have more money or less money available. “The more money you have, the easier it is. “If you have less money then you have to manage in a different way and find other solutions to improve.”

Apologies if this has been posted before, but there seems to be a lot of unnecessary baying for Rafa's blood on here at the moment. All our manager's critics might want to look at the respective figures of the gentlemen in the thread title before trying to hound one of our most successful helmsmen ever out of the club... Benitez finds comfort in Kop loyalty - Premier League, Football - The Independent "Tomorrow is the Spaniard's 200th league game as manager and his record in that time surpasses every other Liverpool manager of modern times bar Dalglish. While Benitez has won 113 of his 199 games – a 56.8 per cent success rate, Bill Shankly achieved 106 of 200 (53 per cent) and Houllier 101 (50.5 per cent). Ferguson's 87 wins (43.5 per cent) are a reflection of his six initial years of toil at Old Trafford. "The numbers are not bad," Benitez said." And... BBC - 606 - - A58721952 - You think Rafa is bad? take a look.... "Benitez has won 113 of his 199 top-flight clashes since taking charge of Liverpool in 2004 - an impressive 56.8 per cent. "This compares favourably to the records of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger in their first 200 league games. "Ferguson won just 87 from 200 (43.5 per cent) after joining Manchester United in 1986 - and it took the Scot almost seven years to collect a league title. "Wenger triumphed in 110 (55 per cent) of his first 200 league matches following his appointment at Highbury in 1996 - a stat which was good enough at the time to win him a championship trophy in 1997-98."

Or the lack of them. Stealing goals and plaudits from Nando should be an offence punishable by hanging. Their scoring chart also has Rooney top with 5, however, the club stats has Torres listed as 8 league goals.

We have signed him anyone know anything about him.

West Ham Untd. Vs. Liverpool EPL 08/09, Week 36 Upton Park Stadium GOALS 1st goal for Liverpool by Gerrard 2' Click Here for Video 2nd goal for Liverpool by Gerrard 38' Click Here for Video 3rd goal for Liverpool by Babel 84' Click Here for Video EXTRAS Dangerous mistake by Carragher 43' Click Here for Video

Looks like he'll get sent back to Chelsea who clearly don't want him. So, would you?