Danny Murphy has claimed Rafael Benitez’s time at Everton could be coming to an end after shocking run of recent form.
Benitez has still yet to be universally accepted by Blues fans because of his legendary status at fierce rivals Liverpool.
During a six year stint at Anfield Benitez wrote his name in the Reds’ history by winning the Champions League in the 2004/05 season.
The Spaniard got his tenure at Goodison Park off to a good start, winning three of his opening four Premier League games.
However, Everton have won just one of their last 10 league matches, and Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace left them 14th in the table.
PHIL KIRKBRIDE: Seamus Coleman reaction said it all as Rafa Benitez and Everton face glaring problem
ADAM JONES: What Everton fans did should concern Rafa Benitez more than Richarlison reaction
Former Reds midfielder Murphy fears Benitez’s time on the blue half of Merseyside could be up.
“He’s doomed,” Murphy told talkSPORT . “He doesn’t have the squad to pull it round.
“He can’t take Everton to a level he needs to for the Evertonians to be happy with that squad.
“When he first went in there I thought from a footballing perspective, what he’s done before, it looked like a decent appointment.
“I forgot, not living in the area and not thinking about it, about the Liverpool connection and the things he said about Everton, it was always destined to end in turmoil.”
Benitez has a history of clashing with players throughout his career and there are concerns history is repeating itself at Goodison Park.
The Spaniard has recently omitted Lucas Digne from his squad, and was forced to defend his substitution of Richarlison during Sunday’s defeat at Palace after the Brazilian’s petulant reaction.
Murphy added: “Rafa’s got a history of falling out with players who don’t tow the line.
“Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, John Terry, at Real Madrid you had Ramos, Ronaldo and Alonso being the obvious one at Liverpool.
“What he’s done with Digne, he’s cut his nose off to spite his face. Maybe he’s not playing because he’s questioned him.”
