Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has criticised Rafael Benitez's tenure at Anfield, suggesting the Spaniard would have been "very lucky to be in a job" if he had not reached two Champions League finals.
Allardyce insists Benitez places too much emphasis on European competition instead of launching a sustained bid for the Barclays Premier League title - but believes his success on the Continent could have saved his job.
Liverpool have finished fifth, third and third domestically under Benitez as well as winning the European Cup in 2005 and reaching the final last season.
Allardyce, speaking to Zoo magazine, said: "Rafa would be very lucky to be in a job if he hadn't got to two Champions League finals, because they have had some very, very poor finishes in the Premier League.
"While they are a very good Champions League team, they are not a Premier League-winning team yet.
"They don't have that mentality to win that yet.
"Being a foreigner, Rafa doesn't understand it's supposed to be Premier League first and Champions League second."
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