Could there be a better way for Liverpool fans to cap off a great week than seeing their boss finally put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him at the club until 2014, well there could be but it might not be legal!

Rafa has clearly won the clash of the titans and come out on top after an at times bitter power struggle at Anfield which has left Chief Executive Rick Parry heading for the exit but still leaves the Spaniard having to deal with Messrs Hicks and Gillett who are still not the best of buddies.

Annihilating both Real Madrid and Man United in the space of days must have left Benitez in a good mood and the 48 year old has now committed his immediate future at the club. This news should at least allay some of the rumour mongering journalists from yet again linking him to the as yet not-vacant spot at the Bernabeu (by the way people should realise that Juande Ramos, 4-0 Scouse drubbing aside, has done a pretty good job at the La Liga champions).

Mr. Benitez has done a steady job at the Merseyside outfit since taking over from Gérard Houllier in June 2004 and he did of course bring them the Champions League title in his first season, and boy what a way to do it, but clearly he longs for the Premier League crown which is still within reach this term.

The club has proved it is at its when in European competition, evidence that former Valencia manager tactical genius is at its most effective when battling teams on the continent. Now the fans will be hoping that the club can push on from this announcement and look to strengthen its domestic form and challenge the all dominant Man United side that Sir Alex has honed.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to the gaffer's desire to sign a long term deal at the club was that he wanted to be fully in control of every aspect of the management game, most notably he wanted total control of the purchasing of new players. Now those in the England would consider this to be part and parcel of the management portfolio but of course elsewhere this job has been handed down to ‘Director's of Football' or such like, Rafa Benitez quite rightly wanted to redress this imbalance not least because he had seen Rick Parry ‘Mastermind' the signing of Robbie Keane, a player Rafa never wanted. Harry Redknapp had a similar problem when he took over at Spurs, he too wanted to do business the old fashioned way and quickly removed those in positions that in effect undermined the job he would do at the club.

Liverpool fans will be hopeful that this deal will further cement the club on the road to recovery. A road that has left the club without the treasured possession of a league title in 19 years, a length of time made all the more unbelievable when coupled with the clubs rich history. This week will live long in the supporters memories and when all is said and done the contract that has been signed will in effect give a far more longer lasting feeling of pleasure to those who follow the club than the two fantastic victories achieved.

Live coverage of the Liverpool vs. Bolton Wanderers match on Boxing Day, Friday, 26 December, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Reds host the Trotters at Anfield in the week number nineteen of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

'Pool has had a quite deal of luck with Chelsea dropping important points which kept the Reds at the top of the table so far. But I'm still not convinced that the team has what it takes to win the EPL this season and Bolton could surprise them at Anfield.

Yes, I said it. Bolton can shock the leaders. The Trotters have been improving and last weekend's win over Pompey was a classic example of quality and determination. 

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: What about a shocker on this one? Bolton wins 0-1

Live coverage of the Liverpool vs. Hull City match on Saturday, 13 December, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Reds host the Tigers at Anfield in the week number seventeen of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

'Pool went to Ewood Park and put up a good performance to maintain their top spot at the table. Now the Reds will host Hull City and  to maintain the lead Benitez boys will have to work a little harder to overcome the Tigers enthusiasm and solid campaign.

Yeah you heard me right. I said that the Tigers  are having a solid campaign. And I wouldn't be too shocked if they come back from Anfield with a point. Three would be too much enthusiasm.

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: Liverpool win 2-0

Live coverage of the Blackburn vs. Liverpool match on Saturday, 06 December, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Rovers host the Reds at Ewood Park in the week number sixteen of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

I like Paul Ince. I honestly do. But the time for the excuses is over. He keeps saying "we were a better side today" or "we dominated the actions in the first half". That's just not good enough. Dominate matches and sit at the bottom part are simply two things that don't go well together.

And I don't believe Liverpool will be giving the Rovers as much space as Portsmouth did. The Reds lost the opportunity to open a three-point advantage to Chelsea but I don't think they will take the risk to see the Blues come back to the top.

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: 'Pool win and put Ince's job at risk; 0-2

Live coverage of the Liverpool vs. West Ham match on Monday, 1 December, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Reds host the Hammers at Anfield in the week number fifteen of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

What I just wrote about Chelsea missing out the chance to open to points over Liverpool apply here for the Reds too. They lost two precious points against Fulham at Anfield last weekend and are still behind the Blues in goal differential. They will have a second chance this Monday when they face West Ham. On sunday I'm sure they will hope for a draw between Chelsea and Arsenal.

The Hammers, on the other hand, finally made peace with lady victory last weekend. Zola's side didn't play well against Sunderland but the most important were the three points. Now, playing agsint Liverpool at Anfield will be a total different story for the Hammers. Can they win? Yes, everything is possible in football. Do I think they will win? Not at all. 

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: Liverpool win 2-0

Live coverage of the Liverpool vs. Fulham match on Saturday, 22 November, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Reds host the Cottagers at Anfield in the week number fourteen of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

Just like Chelsea, Liverpool didn't have a lot of problems to beat their opponets last weekend. Bolton tried but 'Pool controlled the match and left the Reebok Stadium with the three points and are now more confident than never that they are the ones that will challenge the Blues in the race for the tile.

Fulham did their job with competence at home and stop Tottenham's winning streak with a 2-1 win. The result did not only send Tottenham back to the relegation zone but launched the Cottagers to the 10 place on the table. Staying there will be a totally different story. 

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: Liverpool win 3-1

Live coverage of the Bolton Wanderers vs. Liverpool match on Saturday, 15 November, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Trotters host the Reds at the Reebok Stadium in the week number thirteen of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was the man who saved Bolton in the last match against Hull City and guaranteed the team's precious win. It was the second win in a row for Megson's lads but repeating it against Liverpool will be just a dream.

I predicted correctly the 3-0 win for 'Pool last weekend which is not too much of a deral since the Reds are playing very well this season. They might not have too many problems to run over the Trotters and they'll count on the return of Fernando Torres.

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: Liverpool win 1-4

Live coverage of the Liverpool vs. West Brom Albion match review. Catch all the action when the Reds host the Baggies at Anfield in the week number twelve of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

All right, all right, Liverpool lost one. It was against a ascending Tottenham, a desprate Tottenham and playing without Torres does make a lot of difference. Well, enough excuses as I'm not even a 'Pool fan. But I can't see the Reds having any problems against WBA at Anfield, do you?

The Baggies draw with Blackburn at home. A result that didn't quite help them a lot. They are second to last just two points above the Spurs. The Coca-Cola Championship is waiting for you with open arms Baggies.

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: Liverpool easy win 3-0

Tottenham Hotspur  (also known as Tottingham Hotspurs) did what no one thought it would be possible (maybe with the exception of Harry Hotspur) THEY BEAT Liverpool!!!

And it was in an extraordinary fashion. I'll write more about it on my next match preview posts. But for now I have to pay the bet I made with all my readers (do I have any?) 

Here is my picture wearing the Spurs strip. And it will be kept on until they lose again. 

 

Oh, and should I mention that Arsenal got stoked by Stoke City?

If I'm not wrong Arseblog said it would be the opposite. HAHAHAHA!!! 

It was funny to hear all the Stoke Hooligans hugging and kissing each other in the mouth after the match. 

Live coverage of the Tottenham vs. Liverpool match on Saturday, 1 November, 2008. Live commentary and blogging, live score, match result, match review. Catch all the action when the Spurs host the Reds at White Hart Lane in the week number eleven of the 2008-2009 English Premier League. Chat and discuss the match live with other fans on OleOle. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE MATCH CENTRE.

I knew it. Tottenham got rid of the Juande Ramos virus and things already improved at White Hart Lane. The dramatic draw with Arsenal was ... hmm... dramatic! Incredible last minute goals by Jenas and Lennon. This result was not enough to get the Spurs out of the last place of the table but is certainly a good sign. If Tottenham can manage to give Liverpool their first loss I will change my Hull City strip in the picture for a Spurs one (until they lose again).

Gerrard scored the lonely goal from the penalty spot to give Liverpool another important win. The Reds are now isolated on the top of the table and looking confident towards their objective. The first EPL title! For this match against the Spurs Rafa Benitez won't count once again on his striker Fernando Torres who's in treatment for a hamstring injury.

GOBSMACK PREDICTION: Liverpool make sure the Spurs continue down there. 'Pool win 1-3.