Why we must all get behind Rafael Benitez and the team to prevent history repeating itself

Well it seems that this season is almost a mirror of that one, or should it be a smashed mirror because the luck that Liverpool have had so far is something that no one can argue with. Injuries to the two best players with Gerrard and Torres both missing at the same time. Injuries to the two big summer signings with Alberto Aquilani yet to start and Glen Johnson struggling to put a run of games together. Add to that casualties such as Agger, Aurelio, Skrtel, Riera, Benayoun and now Babel and it would be fair to say that Liverpool have suffered a seasons worth of injuries in four months. Late goals conceded, ridiculous red cards and goals scored by beach balls really do sum up the way things have been going.

It's not all down to luck of course. There have been below par performances from players that we really would expect more from. The reliable Gerrard and Carragher have both admitted they had slow starts whilst Javier Mascherano's mind seemed elsewhere, most likely in Buenos Aries or Barcelona. in all fairness to Mascherano, his performances have improved since Argentina's World Cup qualification was confirmed and he was simply excellent against Manchester City last Saturday - hopefully this will continue.

The manager must take some responsibility for Liverpool's plight too. Although his signings are nowhere near as bad as Houllier's capture of Diouf, Diao and Cheyrou - Aquilani and Johnson will both prove to be excellent long term additions - his decision to replace Alonso with Lucas could be on par with the decision to replace Nicolas Anelka with Diouf. Yes, Aquilani was signed as the direct replacement for Xabi but Benitez knew that for at least some time of the season, the Italian wouldn't be available so Lucas would have to partner Mascherano.

Now before i get labelled a Lucas basher, i think his performances have improved beyond recognition from last season and he has had many a decent game, he just doesn't fit in as the ball player of the holding midfielders and it should be an automatic choice between him or the Argentine, particularly against the lesser teams.

Getting knocked out of the Champions League is something of a shock to the system and the next few weeks will show a lot about this squads ability to bounce back from despair. In 2002, Houllier's team couldn't do this after the Basle fiasco and failed to get that last Champions League place in May. This time, we simply can't afford this to happen for many a reason deeper than just wanting glamour teams coming to town. Everyone must get behind the team and even the manager, because like him or not, he's not going anywhere. So lets all work together and help our club do what it does best - great revivals - starting with Everton on Sunday.