Big Sam blast for ´lucky´ Rafa

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has criticised Rafael Benitez´s tenure at Anfield, suggesting the Spaniard would have been "very lucky to be in a job" if he had not reached two Champions League finals.

Allardyce insists Benitez places too much emphasis on European competition instead of launching a sustained bid for the Barclays Premier League title - but believes his success on the Continent could have saved his job.

Allardyce, speaking to Zoo magazine, said: "Rafa would be very lucky to be in a job if he hadn´t got to two Champions League finals, because they have had some very, very poor finishes poor finishes in the Premier League."

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