Benitez takes the blame for ’Pool slump

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez accepts it is up to him to sort out his side’s tactical problems and get their Barclays Premier League title challenge back on track.

Since going top of the table with a 6-0 victory over Derby on September 1, the Reds have struggled to a 1-0 win over Wigan and drawn against Portsmouth and Tottenham in the league. During that time they have also drawn away to Porto and lost at home to Marseille in the Champions League.

Many critics have pointed to the Spaniard’s infamous rotation policy for having caused a number of disjointed performances, while an international break after that Derby victory certainly cost them momentum.