Everton board divided over future of Rafa Benitez ahead of emergency meeting

Everton's board is divided over the future of Rafa Benitez - but the Spaniard is safe while he still has the full backing of club owner Farhad Mohisri.

The Merseysiders are in freefall after a slump in form that has seen them pick up just two points from their last eight games.

And the midweek thrashing at the hands of rivals Liverpool has cranked up the pressure on Benitez even further, with those Goodison fans who were still there at the final whistle calling for his reign to be ended after just five months.

Everton's board will meet when the Blues entertain Arsenal on Monday night.

But while some members of the hierarchy now believe it was a mistake to have appointed a manager who is an Anfield legend, it is understood that Moshiri believes he has got the right man for the job.

Should Everton sack Rafa Benitez? Have your say in the comments section!

An Everton source said: "Rafa still has the full support of the owner - and that message has been conveyed to him.

"There are reasons why recent results have been disappointing - with so many players out injured it has been a tough period for the team."

Moshiri will hand Benitez the money to strengthen his squad in the January transfer market.

Three of the four players he recruited on his arrival were signed on free transfers, with only £1.8million spent on Demarai Gray.

Everton have spent almost £530million on new signings since Moshiri took control of the club in February 2016.

And after sacking Roberto Martinez, Ronald Koeman and Marco Silva and seeing Carlo Ancelotti quit to become coach of Real Madrid, Moshiri feels Benitez must be given time and money to put his fingerprint on the team.

The Everton owner is aware that Benitez resisted the temptation to quit the club to return to Newcastle as a hero when the Toon were taken over by a Saudi Arabian consortium in October.

And the lack of experienced managerial alternatives also strengthens the Spaniard's position.

Benitez's plans have been disrupted by a constant succession of injuries, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Andre Gomez still missing and Richarlison, Seamus Coleman and Fabian Delph also spending time on the treatment table.

Benitez has also started to run out of patience with some of the players who have been unable to carry out his tactical instructions.

He has informed the club of the strengths and weaknesses of his squad.

And questions are now being asked about the role of director of football Marcel Brands.