Rafael Benitez rocks Liverpool boat

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has publicly shaken up a team which needs shaking.

Comments today make Benitez’s frustrations clear that he doesn’t feel he is getting the effort he needs from his team, and he is not. The latest game against Birmingham was a performance that should have seen the players return their salaries for that week.

I’d been thinking for a long time that the reason for Liverpool’s inconsistent play has been the non stop injuries pecking at the side. While that surely exists there seems to be a bit of a work ethic problem as well. This problem is not down to a single player, string of bad buys, a past coach or a current one, the problem is the mentality that’s set in from years of mediocrity and the team does just enough to stay at that level and no more. Thus you get two good games and then take one off.

"I don't want to spend time here without trophies. It's not enough for me to see my side play well in one or two games. I want consistency and that means everyone working harder. I told the players this week that when I decided to join this club I took it on as a challenge. I have not come to Liverpool to earn money.”-Benitez

And Benitez correctly noted:

"It shouldn't be like this. If you want to win trophies and play for a big club, you have to play important games all the time. Whether it's for the national team or Champions League, you have to reach a level and stay at it.”