RAFA BENITEZ faces a fight to save his Liverpool career following a catastrophic run of results.
The Reds crashed to a fourth consecutive defeat against Lyon — their worst string of losses in 22 years.
Spanish boss Benitez has been criticised for failing to sign big-name stars to ease the pressure on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres' shoulders.
The summer exit of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid left the team short of creativity and Benitez has copped the blame for making a series of blunders in the transfer market.
He has signed an astonishing 76 players since taking over from Gerard Houllier in June 2004.
The likes of Diego Cavalieri, Albert Rieira and Mohammed Sissoko have all failed to impress during their time on Merseyside.
However, none have flopped as spectacularly as the 11 men who make up Rafa's worst-ever team.
The French flop was signed as cover for Jose Reina in 2007, but set his sights on becoming the club's No1 stopper in the FA and Carling Cups.
However, his appalling behaviour at a memorial service to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in April left a sour taste in the mouth.
The 26-year-old was seen laughing and behaving inappropriately throughout the ceremony and was forced to apologise to the grieving families and Reds fans for his conduct.
He was later suspended by the club and shipped out on loan to Greek side Kavala in August.
The Spaniard became Rafa Benitez's first signing when he ditched La Liga for the Premier League.
Played 15 games before a sending off in a 4-2 away win at Fulham marked the end of his Anfield career.
The subsequent ban led to Steve Finnan re-establishing himself as the club's right-back and Josemi was traded for Villarreal's Jan Kromkamp in January 2006.
The Italian was signed as a direct replacement for departed fan-favourite Jon Arne Riise last season.
Yet despite having carved himself a strong reputation in Serie A, Dossena struggled to adapt to the demands of the English league.
He moaned: "I am not fully happy with my level. I must now get to a high level and maintain that, but first I have to battle to win selection. I am learning all the time".
The 28-year-old failed to impress after being given a string of chances to cement his place in the side.
Has been ousted by Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua and to add insult to injury, his No 2 shirt was handed to Glen Johnson when the England man joined Liverpool in July.
The former England international had already failed spectacularly at another big club — Arsenal — when he became the country's most expensive teenager after joining from Notts County in 1999.
Arsene Wenger farmed him out to Watford, Leeds and then Birmingham in a bid to get his ability — and attitude — up to scratch for the Gunners' first-team.
But the Frenchman lost patience and Birmingham signed Pennant in 2005. He did enough in the 38 games he played for the Blues to earn a switch to the Reds, but his patchy form saw him become only a bit-part player.
Joined Real Zaragoza in the summer and blasted his old boss' 'robotic' managerial approach.
Pennant said: "When I was on the touchline, all I could hear was Benitez giving me directions. At times I'd think 'why don't you just put the batteries in and turn me into a robot'.
Looking at Lucas's CV, you'd think Liverpool had unearthed a gem when they signed him from Gremio two years ago.
A former Brazilian Under-20 team captain, part of his country's Olympic bronze-medal winning squad and the youngest player ever to receive Placar magazine's Golden Ball — an honour previously won by the likes of Zico, Falcao, Romario and Kaka.
Yet Leiva has had a disastrous time in England.
Critics have raised doubts as to whether he has the quality to play alongside Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park.
His own fans booed him after a dire performance in Liverpool's lacklustre draw against Fulham last term and he did little to ease their disdain for him by getting sent-off in a cup tie against bitter rivals Everton.
Merseyside's Mr Inconsistent. Arrived amid huge fanfare two seasons ago with Reds supporters claiming he would be the man to add much needed width to Benitez's team.
But despite a handful of scintillating performances — most notably when he came off the bench to destroy Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final — Babel has failed to live up to expectations — and his hefty price tag.
Despite his denials, rumours continue to circulate he could return to his homeland on loan in the January transfer window in a bid to salvage his chances of securing a World Cup place with Holland.
Michael Owen's move to Real Madrid saw Morientes' chances of first-team football at the Bernabeu limited and the Spaniard jumped at the chance to team up with his compatriot Benitez on Merseyside.
But Raul's former strike partner failed to shine, bagging a paltry eight goals in 41 league appearances.
Was bombed out to Valencia following a dismal year in the Premier League after struggling to adapt to the pace of the English game.
