Benitez leaves Liverpool

Soccer Betting Lines

06/03/2010 - Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Liverpool has confirmed that manager Rafael Benitez will leave the club by mutual consent following a disappointing seventh-place Premier League finish last season.

The club lost 11 league games and they also crashed out of the Champions League group stage after falling to disappointing defeats against Lyon and Fiorentina.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have made the decision to bring change to the beleaguered Anfield-based outfit as they look to put pressure on Chelsea and Manchester United at the top of the league next season.

Benitez's big highlight came at the end of the 2004-05 campaign when the Reds sensationally came from 3-0 down at the interval in the Champions League final against AC Milan to tie the score 3-3.

His team then held their nerve and landed their fifth European Cup following a successful penalty shootout.

They also came out on top in another shootout the following season as they saw off West Ham United in the FA Cup final after another memorable 3-3 draw but that was as good as it got for Benitez.

A message left by the departing coach on the club's official website read: "It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC.

"I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.

"I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.

"Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

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Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

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Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

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Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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