I usually enjoy your column, and tend to agree with most things you write about – but this article wound me up. I’m astonished that you can come to such profound conclusions about Rafael Benitez, when offering precisely nothing logical to back up your opinions. Opinions - or facts: “The fact is that Liverpool need a change of manager.” It’s not a fact.

Looking in some context; surely a sample of five years is better than a sample of 10 games. What Benitez has achieved in his time in charge is nothing short of brilliant. Bear in mind the useless squad he inherited from a disparaging Gerard Houllier, the fact he had to build an entire squad from nothing – to achieving an average of 78 points per season, an FA Cup, two European Cup Finals, officially ranked #1 in Europe over the last 5 seasons, a runner up spot in the league last term, and with a 60% winning record to his name (equal to that of both Paisley and Dalglish).

Man Utd and Chelsea are the only ones doing the title-chasing this season – any coincidence that they have wealthier owners, bigger squads, and a much higher wage bill? Man Utd can afford to keep squad players such as Anderson sitting on the bench four weeks on the bounce. Liverpool can’t.

Benitez has to shift players every time he buys. People forever slate him for spending £200 million on players which have amounted to nothing. They fail to mention he has had to recuperate over half of that money to progress the squad. I.e. selling Bellamy to help fund the Torres move – whereas Utd or Chelsea could easily afford to keep both. Similarly with Crouch – Utd or Chelsea could afford to keep him sitting on the bench for when Torres is injured – Liverpool can’t. The other half of the money spent has bought key players such as Torres Mascherano, Benayoun, Agger etc.

Also, it must be taken into account that Pepe Reina (arguably Liverpool’s best player this season) has already stated he will leave if Benitez does. Torres, Aquilani, Reira, Agger, Kuyt and Aurelio have all claimed Benitez was the deciding factor in them joining Liverpool. He can obviously attract world class players. He has undoubtedly got the best out of Steven Gerrard, and had the confidence in Jamie Carragher to play him in the centre of defence, when he had become accustomed to playing full-back under Houllier.

I fail to understand what a change in manager would achieve at this stage of the season. The depth of the squad is clearly not strong enough – and this will not improve until further funds are given to whoever the manager is. Yes, he has been given (taking the money from sales out of the equation) around 120m to spend on players, but very few have been given as large funds all at once. For example, failure to back Benitez when he wanted Barry, Tevez, and Villa. £25m was wanted for Tevez; the owners were willing to give this – but only in gradual payments over the course of two years. He wanted around £28m for Villa – but was only given £20m – therefore the arrival of Robbie Keane.

In certain positions, the gradual development is obvious too. For example, Josemi – swapped for Kromkamp. Kromkamp – sold for 2m which bought Arbeloa. Then Arbeloa for Glen Johnson (funded for by the Crouch sale the previous year).

Also, if Benitez leaves, the chances are that he would take the vast majority of his backroom staff, it would cause disruptions within the squad, it would upset the majority of the Kop, and long-term plans which have been in the pipeline (the youth set-up/the changes at Melwood/the players in which the squad is being built around) will be completely diminished.

I think there should be a little consideration and/or backing up of statements which are going to be influential to people reading.