Liverpool are going backwards and it's time for a change at the top - and that includes Rafa Benitez

By Stan Collymore

Published 22:55 18/10/09

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Liverpool have no chance of winning the title this season and I fear the club are going backwards unless drastic changes are made.

I was at Sunderland to see Rafa Benitez’s side slump to their fourth defeat in the Premier League already this term.

And at the risk of upsetting Liverpool fans again, I think there must be huge changes at the top of the club immediately to salvage anything from the season.

Liverpool supporters have been outspoken in their criticism of me after I declared they had only three title-winning players in their side in the shape of Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

But without the latter pair at the weekend, Benitez’s side were appallingly bad at the Stadium of Light.

I don’t ever remember playing as poorly for Liverpool during my time at the club as their front men did on Saturday at Sunderland.

And I take no pleasure writing this as I genuinely would like to see Liverpool win the title this season.

You can forgive players who are out of form but I can barely recall a strike on target or an opportunity created by Liverpool.

The side appeared physically lightweight to me and compared to the likes of Chelsea recently, Liverpool look like skinny boys versus men.

Liverpool FC’s huge success in the past has always been built on pass and move.

Yet their attacking options including Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Lucas just are not good enough technically to play for Liverpool.

I don’t just want to slag Liverpool off as I realise there have been accusations of me being a disloyal former player, who is bitter and jealous.

But such claims are totally unfair as I genuinely believe the only way the club can move forward is by getting rid of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

I am so incensed by the behaviour of the hapless American pair  - they must sell up now.

After trying to flog the club on the quiet following their ill-fated takeover, they should have the guts to come out and say they are too small for the job and without any class.

Crucially they don’t have the money for the job either.

And while we are changing the guard at Anfield, boss Benitez should go too.

As excellent as Rafa was when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, he should make way for a winner.

And that winner is former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is now doing a fine job at Inter Milan.

Liverpool fans are notoriously loyal and believe Benitez is the heir apparent to Kenny Dalglish, Joe Fagan, Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly.

But Rafa is not fit to lace their boots in terms of management ability.

Liverpool played three centre-halves at Sunderland and teams haven’t been doing that for years.

I thought overall Liverpool’s display was the first performance where I can hand on heart see they are going backwards.

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