Benitez is a Must for the Reds' long term progress; Phone-in callers who miss point.

Byline: PRENTICE DAVID 

IT takes a lot to wipe the smile off the face of always genial Radio Merseyside commentator, Gary Flintoff.

But Wednesday night's phone-in genius, Mustapha from Virginia, couldn't have done it more effectively if he'd slapped a wet fish in his face.

For those who missed it, or headed straight for a darkened room with a bottle of the strong stuff, Mustapha spoke with an accent exceedingly rare (like something from the Shaft movie - the original) and espoused opinions almost as outdated.

In a nutshell, Mustapha moaned that Lucas is rubbish, Rafa must go, then concluded: "I've supported Liverpool since 1990 but I'm considering switching to Manchester United now." The unfailingly cheerful Flintoff spluttered incredulously into his microphone.

Now radio phone-ins aren't the place to go for reasoned or balanced reflection.

But judging by our letters page, there are some out there who agree.

Happily the majority will look at the bigger picture.

Liverpool's season has been undeniably flawed, but not as fatally as in seasons gone by.

For the fifth season in succession Benitez has delivered palpable progress.

Maybe not a trophy, but we've reached mid-April now and that fact is still not a certainty.

Once again Liverpool have reached the later stages of the Champions League, and for the first time in what seems like an eternity, are still involved in the Premier League title race at Easter.

Wednesday night was undoubtedly disappointing.

But Benitez is clearly inching towards the ultimate goal.

That will mean less soul searching nights like Wednesday's - but sadly less phone calls from Mustapha..