The stats aren’t looking good for Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool side.

Liverpool find themselves in seventh place in the Premier League, a massive 12 points behind leaders Chelsea. Failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League and there were lucky to get a replay in the third round of the F.A cup.

Reading V Liverpool match stats.

Benitez admitted it was a difficult game for Liverpool, he was relieved that Liverpool have another chance in the replay at Anfield because, at times, it looked like a shock was on the cards.

More posts on Liverpool…

Liverpool Meltdown

‘The Champions League is vital for Liverpool going forward and I fear for them. If they don’t qualify for the Champions League next year then the banks will come down heavily on them because that’s a big income stream gone. ‘
With the kind of debt that they are carrying at this time, the banks will say that you need to get some money in. The obvious choice is your biggest assets. The biggest asset they have right now is their centre forward (Torres).

‘Liverpool need to forget about the Europa League and the FA Cup to concentrate all their efforts on finishing in the top four because that’s imperative for their future.

‘I fear they are in meltdown. If they don’t reach the Champions League next year, the best players won’t want to play for Liverpool.

‘They are hundreds of millions of pounds in debt and they need a new stadium to keep up with the rest and just stand still.
‘All those scenarios are frightening for Liverpool supporters.’

‘He’s the main man, he’s our top scorer and we need him back firing. If that happens I’m sure we’ll get in those top four places.’

Alberto Aquilani also made his first start since his summer move.

He said: ‘It’s a difficult time for me to come into the team, because we are in a difficult place at the moment.

‘That makes it harder for any player to start with a new side.
‘It’s not the season I was expecting when I signed for the club, that’s true. I was expecting to play in the Champions League, to find ourselves competing for trophies.’

Rafael Benitez on Liverpool Meltdown

“meltdown” at the club this week but Benitez said: “There is always criticism but I don’t listen. I turn off the volume on the TV.”

He added sarcastically: “Both have fantastic records as managers, so the fans ignore what they say.

“We have to win, we have a responsibility and we must concentrate on our job.

“If someone talks too much, it is their problem, but the fans know the record they both have as managers, fantastic.”

Gerrard on Liverpool Meltdown

Gerrard said: “Meltdown is for him to say, I can’t predict that far ahead. But for me, as captain, I’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“We’re up for the challenge – there’s no time for hiding.

“We need to get out there, roll up our sleeves and get this football club back where it belongs – that’s as far up the league as possible.

“We’re the players that are responsible for where we are in the league so we need to get it right. We must play better. We need to get back into a top-four position as soon as possible. It is the No.1 priority now.

“At the start of the season we had intentions of being in the title race, especially after finishing second last year.

“That was a big confidence boost. It gave us the belief we could fight all the way, but we’ve had a bad start. The idea now is to get people back fit, get back to full strength and start moving up the League.

“I’m confident we can do that if we get everyone back fit.”

Are Liverpool in danger?

Have your say below.