It looks like Liverpool supporters will have to be content with the Europa League. Despite defeating Hungarian club Debrecen last night 1-0, a win by Fiorentina solidified the Italian club's passage to the Round of 16 and ended all Champions League hopes at Anfield.Lyon also advanced from Group E to the next stage of Europe's elite club competition.
Liverpool have now been eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages for the first time since 2002-2003. The form of the club in the English Premier League has also been a concern. Manager Rafa Benitez has come under fire for making poor substitutions and winless streaks. Tuesday's defeat of Debrecen broke a five-game slide in all competitions.
In brief: he's been on the hot seat for a while now. Despite this, according to Liverpool's club managing director Christian Purslow, his job is, "under no threat."
But just how long will Liverpool be able to maintain this sentiment? If the club finish out of the top four in the Premier League, and miss a Champions League spot, it surely should be the end of Benitez's reign. This possibility looks extremely likely with the strides Manchester City and Tottenham have been making this season.
It hasn't all been his fault. Injuries to important players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have limited the attacking power of Benitez's squad.
After the elimination from the Champions League, it makes sense that the club directors would want to publicly declare support for their coach. But when Liverpool ends the season looking up from the table at about five or six clubs ahead of them? Something will have to give. Let's just wait six more months and see if this public backing holds true. My money is on "no."
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