Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has criticised Benitez's tenure at Anfield, suggesting the Spaniard would have been "very lucky to be in a job" if he had not reached two Champions League finals...
Allardyce insists Benitez places too much emphasis on European competition instead of launching a sustained bid for the Barclays Premier League title - but believes his success on the Continent could have saved his job...
Allardyce, speaking to Zoo magazine said: "Rafa would be very lucky to be in a job if he hadn't got to two Champions League finals, because they have had some very, very poor finishes in the Premier League.
"While they are a very good Champions League team, they are not a Premier League-winning team yet.
"They don't have that mentality to win that yet.
"Being a foreigner, Rafa doesn't understand it's supposed to be Premier League first and Champions League second."