Definitely Rafa has to be fired. Yes players are very important as they are the one who are on the field once match begin. However, to manage a big club like Liverpool, you can not have a mediocre manager. Rafa is just not good enough for this club. Why?
1. Who is the one who is responsible for player indiction? yes their talent scout maybe the one who source for good players from outside or they can groom and pick within its academy, ultimately, who decide the final squad? Rafa judgement is poor, just look at most of the player he bought during the years, many of them are just mediocre players, some maybe hardworking but mostly got no flair (except for only a handful) The timing and the way he bought also tell, spend 15m to buy a defender when he needed most was a second striker to help Torres. Bought a Italy midfielder who are injured for half a season. Did not have the wisdom to pickup Owen for free when he was available.(at least can backup Torres and Gerald when needed.....)
2. Who is the one who decide strategy to play against their opponent week in week out? team formation, defensive marking system? style of play etc? Rafa is stubborn to insist on zonal marking which lead to so many goals and he still doesn't admit it. Last few years he was famous for team rotation until there were no understanding among players, while this year without fail he has been starting Lucas who has clearly no calibre to put on Liverpool shirt.
3. Who is the one who is responsible for the first 11 fielding and substitution? Some good players were leftout while poor one continue to be starting matches, when substitution needed, he took out good and potential match winner and often lost games in last quarter of match.
4. Who is responsible for bonding the team. yes he is pragmatic but stone cold and does not know how to gel the team. (just look at Xabi and Torres comment about him in the past). Rafa must count himself lucky given his personality, some players still side him but look at Gerald now, he has lost all motivation (and the poor Gerald took the blame for the ineffective manager, no matter how good one or two players are, you can't mold a champion team, you need all players who can hold their own, a star at their respective position, you must have flair, creativity, tough and hardworking team player to put on the shirt of a big club.Most Liverpool players have the last two element but not the first two).
Lastly I don't understand the positive comment for Rafa. He has proven to a certain level, that's it, He can't bring Liverpool to anywhere. (by the way, the Champion league trophy, in my opinion was largely due to Gerald who score the first goal after trailing 3, that goal changed the players spirit and turned the tide and the rest was history, you think is due to Rafa?) Please do not have blind faith, when something is wrong, someone is not up to the challenge, you have to accept the weakness and change, so that Liverpool can one day become mighty again.