All Change

Despite a 1 -1 draw against Arsenal today, Rafa Benitez continues to be criticised for his rotation policy.

Nowadays of course with such busy playing schedules it would be unrealistic to think that a team would remain almost the same week in week out. Injuries force changes for one thing. But Liverpool have not started a match with the same line up in any two games this season. Even when star players like Gerrard and Lampard are fit, available and playing well, he rests them.

Benitez argues that with seasons so long and full he wants to keep his whole squad as injury free as possible. If he is right, as the season progresses and other teams start to struggle when they lose their best players he will still have good teams to put out and Liverpool will really come into their own. He also says if the squad is good enough it allows him to play the best team to beat a particular team depending on their strengths, style of play etc.

It is a risky strategy though. Despite not losing a game all season, Liverpool are already 6 points behind the leaders Arsenal and struggling to qualify in the Champions league following their 0 - 1 defeat at home earlier this month by Marseilles.

The other criticism levelled at such a mechanistic approach to rotation is that it is demotivating for players. The incentive of keeping a place in the team for the next match if you play well disappears.

I guess we will have to wait until the end of the season to see if his approach is justified. In the meantime his "Everything Must Change" philosophy will continue.

Still, whatever criticism Liverpool fans and others may lay against their manager at least they have got one. Which is more than can be said for us.