Benitez first since 1892 to coach both Liverpool clubs

In 1888, the Irishman William Edward Barclay took over Everton, a stay that would only be in 22 games before he left in 1889. Only three years later, a new association would be formed in the same city, one that would become one of the best football clubs in the world. Barclay was involved in building it.

Liverpool FC was founded in 1892 and Barclay then became the club’s first coach ever. Through that, he also became the first coach to train both the city’s elite clubs, something he has been alone with ever since.

But Rafa Benitez crossed the boundary line that has been built up over a century. Benitez’s history in Liverpool is six years long and contains several heavy merits. He was the mastermind behind the “miracle in Istanbul” in 2005 when Liverpool took home the Champions League final after turning a 3-0 deficit into 3-3 against AC Milan and winning the penalty shootout. The Spaniard’s biggest disappointment was that he failed to win the Premier League during his years as coach.

The 61-year-old then took the moving load around Italy, Spain and then England again to take a turn in China for the last time. There he got to train the Swedes Marcus Danielson and Sam Larsson for two years in Dalian Pro.

Now that Benitez is back in England and in the Premier League he is faced with a difficult task. He came to build an Everton that was left by a coach who was supposed to be in charge of the team for many years to come. His predecessor Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid and two completely different philosophies have been exchanged.

For several seasons, Everton have been a club that will challenge the very best in the Premier League, but without reaching all the way. The team parked in the middle of the table and the signings have not been completed.

Last season, the club came only in tenth place in the Premier League. The transfer window before, they had spent heavily with big signings like brass Allan from Napoli and Colombian James Rodriguez from Real Madrid.

Ahead of the 2021/22 season Everton have recruited cheaper. The Englishmen Andros Townsend (free) and Demarai Gray (20 million Swedish kronor) have been picked up as well as the Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Bournemouth (free).

The club has major financial problems and needs to drastically reduce salary costs. Among other things, James Rodriguez, the club’s highest paid player, may now need to be sold.

From the outside, Benitez does not have the best conditions to succeed in lifting the club. It remains to be seen whether the uphill, which he has through his history in the city competitor and lack of stars in the squad, is leveled out in step with success.

Everton start the 2021/22 season in the Premier League by meeting Southampton at 16.00 on Saturday. This is the first time since March 1, 2020 that the team will play in front of full stands at home at Goodison Park.

Before the match, a lot has been about covid-19. Five players isolated, among them star James Rodriguez.

According to the club, the isolation should be seen as just that and not an outbreak in the club, writes TT.

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