Rafa’s job safe – for now

Rafael Benitez’s job is safe following Sunday’s impressive win over arch-rivals Manchester United. There had been speculation that the Liverpool manager faced the axe following four successive defeats (the club’s worst run in 22 years) prior to the United clash. But a win over the reigning EPL champions seems to have bought the Spaniard some time. "Liverpool are on a long-term journey and you do not do that by worrying about short term results," commented Liverpool board member Christian Purslow. "Rafa Benitez is absolutely central to that long-term plan." But with Reds fans desperate for the club’s first league title since 1990, it appears that nothing short of EPL glory this season will be enough to keep Benitez in the Anfield hot-seat.