"not really a dig at Newcastle, I have been a big critic of Benitez for about 10 years due to Liverpool supporting mates"
Aye, right.
Liverpool fans idolise him do they not?
Yep. Champions League winner, numerous seasons where they reached the latter stages, only 2 seasons where they finished outside the top 4, FA Cup win and had all this success under 2 absolute mongs as owners.
Don't get this conception that he isn't great in a league season either. Liverpool should have won the title in 08/09. 2 defeats all season, 86 points. He's s**** though.