http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7143794.eceLiverpool fans burnt American flags and called for the head of Christian Purslow, the managing director, as shock over Rafael BenĂtezâs departure turned to anger at the way the club are being run.
About 500 supporters descended on Anfield last night after confirmation that BenĂtezâs six-year tenure as Liverpool manager had come to an end.
The main targets for their outrage were Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the co-owners, but Purslow was also the subject of fervent chanting as the divisions that have riven Liverpool in recent years spilt out on to the streets surrounding their ground.
Conflict has been one of the key features of the BenĂtez era, the Spaniard having fallen out with a string of club executives, each of whom, he believed, had let him down by breaking promises or by being guilty of tardiness in the transfer market.
The cordial joint statement that ended one set of hostilities by bringing BenĂtezâs time at the helm to a close was significant for so many reasons, not least of which was the fact that it was the first time BenĂtez and the clubâs hierarchy had sung from the same hymn sheet in some considerable time.
It was dated June 3, 2010, but the beginning of the end came on August 24 last year and had BenĂtez not pulled back from the brink, he would have quit on January 20 this year. What happened yesterday was merely the inevitable conclusion to a season that took manager, players, supporters and the entire club through one of the most turbulent campaigns in their history.
The importance of the events that took place on that evening should not be understated. Liverpool were beaten 3-1 at home by Aston Villa and their obvious shortcomings as a team were laid bare. That defeat in itself was damaging to BenĂtez because it indicated that he would not be presiding over a second successive title challenge. Words, though, rather than actions had the biggest impact.
In his post-match press conference, BenĂtez attempted to protect Lucas Leiva, who had scored an own goal and is so often a lightning rod for criticism, but the Spaniardâs defence of one player was to land him in hot water with several others.
âIt is up to the senior players to take responsibility,â BenĂtez said in a very public admonishment that brought about a sudden deterioration in his relationship with a section of the dressing room.
Five months later, BenĂtez had seen his team knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage, embarrassed in the FA Cup by Reading and left well off the pace in the Barclays Premier League. His lowest ebb came when Tottenham Hotspur visited Anfield in January, his morale having plummeted to such an extent that there were fears within the club that he could quit on the day of a game.
Had it not been a match day, he might have walked out there and then, but the realisation of the disarray that such an abrupt decision would have caused helped to bring him back from the brink. A show of support from the fans leading up to kick-off ensured that thoughts of ending his association with the club he took to Champions League glory in 2005 cooled.
If anything, though, the antipathy between BenĂtez and the boardroom heated up from then on, as illustrated by a pre-match conversation between a senior Liverpool official and his opposite number from a rival club.
âDo you know why Rafa is playing two holding midfielders?â the Liverpool figure asked. âNo,â came the reply. âBecause he hasnât got three,â came the answer.
While BenĂtez questioned those above him, they in turn had doubts about him, with concerns expressed privately about his man-management and motivational skills, and his record in the transfer market.
Gillett had a favourite phrase for BenĂtez, describing him as a âserial transactionalistâ, in reference to the high turnover of players at Anfield. It was against this backdrop of infighting that Liverpoolâs season unravelled as spectacularly as it did.
However, only a fool would believe that the removal of BenĂtez will cure all Liverpoolâs ills: their problems â debt and lack of direction â are far too entrenched for that to happen.
The most important job facing Purslow and his colleagues now is to convince some of Liverpoolâs biggest names that a revolution is afoot that will raise the clubâs ambitions and improve their fortunes at a stroke â but with no buyer lined up, that will be no easy task.
Fernando Torres is known to be so disenchanted with Liverpoolâs decline in fortunes that rival clubs have long since been alerted. It is unlikely that a game of managerial musical chairs will be enough to convince the striker that an upturn is imminent and Steven Gerrard will also be looking for reasons to remain at his boyhood club despite the interest of Real Madrid.
The jungle drums that beat incessantly on Merseyside had suggested that Torres and Gerrard would leave if BenĂtez remained but the departure of the manager does not guarantee their loyalty. Only the urgent fulfilment of the promises that have been made to them will do that.
In one respect, BenĂtez has already beaten them to the punch by heading for the escape hatch first. His destination remains unknown but, given his status as a Champions League-winning manager and his standing in European football, he will not be out of work for long, with Inter Milan leading the race for his signature.
âBenĂtez has a certain affinity with Inter fans,â Gabriele Oriali, a director with the Italian champions, has said. âHe is very appealing to us. He has already given us great joy, namely the 2005 Champions League win against Milan. Who does not remember Istanbul?â
The Liverpool fans certainly do, which explains why a section of them took to the streets in protest last night. BenĂtez may have gone but the recriminations look set to continue.
Men in the frame
Kenny Dalglish A Liverpool legend on the field and in the dugout. Won the Double in his first season as player-manager, with two more league titles and an FA Cup to follow, then won another league title with Blackburn Rovers. Less successful with Newcastle United and Celtic, he returned to an ambassadorial role at Anfield last year.
Roy Hodgson Took Fulham to the Europa League final this season with a team assembled on a limited budget, which will appeal to the Anfield owners. Vastly experienced and well connected in the European arena, he has managed big clubs such as Inter Milan as well as international sides.
Mark Hughes Learnt his trade as manager with Wales and Blackburn, where he built a combative team who were difficult to beat. Struggled to live up to expectations with Manchester City and his past as a Manchester United player may count against him, but is known to have met Liverpool representatives when they played Benfica in Lisbon. Plus, he is available and has a point to prove.
Martin OâNeill The Aston Villa manager ticks many boxes â with ambition, passion and big-club experience â and after managing Celtic, he would feel the pressure of life at Anfield less than most. On the other hand, he has spent big money without delivering trophies at Villa Park and the ownership situation at Liverpool would not appeal to him.
Guus Hiddink The Dutchman made an excellent impression when he took temporary charge of Chelsea in the second half of last season and has Holland and Real Madrid on his CV. However, he failed in his attempt to take Russia to the World Cup finals. In any case, he has taken up a position as the Turkey coach and would be reluctant to break his agreement with their FA.
