ADIOS RAFA (LEGEND) / The imperfect perfectionist

Rafael Benitez will stand alongside our greats, our legends. He was a man we quickly came to understand. His obsession to detail, whether it be throw ins or the clubs history, he bonded with the club, appreciated the "Liverpool Way”, it was a match made in heaven.

His feat in galvanising a good team to the heights of European glory in Istanbul will never be forgotten. Bitter observers may claim he was lucky, but you don't beat all the favourites on the way, and then return two years later. All was set, with the right investment, the sky was the limit but Hicks and Gillett were a disaster, and Rafa quickly blew the whistle on their lies. Ever since, a civil war has raged at the club.

Fighting a war on two fronts has grinded Rafa down.  His perfectionist approach to the smallest of detail slipped. The man visibly aged under the strain of a co-ordinated press campaign against him. Press, fed by enemies of Rafa inside the club, had a field day.

So a disastrous season has led to his dismissal, some blame must be laid at the managers door it has to be said, the mans not perfect, but tell me who is? The revisionism displayed by the press and professional pundits alike though has been unprecedented.  Presenting his six years at Liverpool as a total failure is not only untrue it's downright insulting to a man who over achieved, considering the mitigating circumstances he had to work under.

Thanks for a wonderful, momentous, emotional night in Istanbul, and all of the other great highs you gave us.

Thanks for the great nights back in the old stadium Rafa and the very best of luck for the future. YNWA.