Will Rafa finally get the backing as deal is finally struck?

Football FanCast columnist Lewis Doe thinks that Liverpool can finally move forward as a club, now the refinancing deal has finally been struck.

When Liverpool's new owners first walked into the club there were two opinions that emerged from football lovers all over the country. One group thought it would propel the club to success, it was a hope that so many scousers had been hoping for, a chance to finally topple their great rivals, Manchester United. The other group saw danger, lights started flashing and they predicted the events that nearly saw Rafa Benitez walk away from the club.

Well the good news is that Mr. Gillett and Mr. Hicks have finally sorted out their off field problems, refinanced the debts, meaning the focus will be entirely on Liverpool and their manager. Benitez has had to put up with a lot and his achievements are remarkable when you take into account the lack of faith that has at sometimes been shown.

Liverpool had a blinding season last year and pushed United closer than they ever have done since the Premier League's inauguration in 1993. The 4-1 thrashing that they handed out to the champions at Old Trafford offered up a small taster of what can be achieved by Liverpool on a regular basis.

The formulae to get this success is quite simple; whatever Rafa wants he gets. There is no doubt over the fact that the owners owe it to Benitez to give him an extended run in charge of the side and they should bust a gut to give him whatever he asks for. They owe it to him for the way they treated him when journalists were hanging around Rafa's house, trying to get a response to the speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann had been lined up as his possible replacement.

It is a little confusing why they have at times not shown him full support. When Rafa and his side are happy they are clearly the best football team in England and could rival anyone else in the world. The club have never had the money to spend that the likes of Real Madrid or United can but when Rafa's state of mind is good, his tactics and team follow suit. If in any doubt then go and ask Carlo Ancelotti about what happened a few years ago in the Champions League final.

In a world where Manchester City are constantly upping the ante there is a genuine air of expectation surrounding Liverpool and everything seems to be coming together at the right time. Refinancing the debt, settled. Rafa's future, settled. Steven Gerrard in trouble, settled. Fernando Torres' future, settled. There is only one way this club can go with Rafa at the helm and supporting him now has to be the focus from the American owners.

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