The reign of Rafael Benitez at Anfield was encapsulated by the events of the last week. Firstly his Liverpool side beat Real Madrid at the Bernabau, then fell out of the title race at Middlesbrough and struggled to overcome Sunderland at Anfield.
Benitez is an excellent tactician
While statistics and the last 10 days would suggest otherwise, I cannot adhere to the theory that Benitez is only capable of constructing effective game-plans for European nights. If Benitez is an excellent coach, which he has demonstrated on numerous occasions, he is surely capable of adapting his methods whatever the league or opposition. Evidence of this was his brilliant tactical planning in the Premier League defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where his perfectly designed game-plan was implemented superbly by his players.