A Season on the Brink: A Portrait of RAFA Benitez's Liverpool
by Guillem Balague

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Book Reviews of A Season on the Brink: A Portrait of RAFA Benitez's Liverpool

Book Review: Guillem Balague
Summary: 5 Stars

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I must admit to having a vested interest in the fortunes of Liverpool. For the past twelve months I have followed them closely for a book I have been writing.

It's called 'A Season On The Brink' and it's about Rafael Benitez's first year at Anfield - what he's changed at the club, his relationship with the players and how they accepted him, how he managed to reach the Champions League Final in Istanbul and what happened along the way.

Basically, it's the inside story of what was the most exciting club of last season.

I'm a big admirer of Rafa. I've known him for a number of years now and the relationship I have with him works well. It's very professional and full of respect.

When I reflect on the amazing success he has achieved I must say I am not surprised. I said as soon as he arrived that he was going to be very special, that he had the ambition, knowledge and confidence to take this club forward.

I also felt, and it's actually in print, that initially it would be easier for him to make an impact on the Champions League rather than the Premiership because he knows the European game very well and had already won the UEFA Cup with Valencia.

At the same time he's got the football intelligence to realise what is still missing at Liverpool and he's applied this in the signings he has made during the summer. I feel they are stronger now and I don't think we will see them losing as many matches away from home this season.

Whether they can win the Champions League I do not know. That is going to be a tall order. Not many teams in recent history have achieved this - AC Milan being the last to do so in 1990 - and I don't think many people are expecting this.

Saying that there weren't many people who expected Liverpool to go so far in the competition last season. Even less thought they could come back from three goals down against AC Milan in the final, so with Liverpool you can never say never and only a fool would write them off.

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