Archive for the 'Rafa Benitez' Category

20
Aug

ROBBED!!

Referee Rob Stiles celebrating with Chelsea following their penalty at Anfield
I don’t need to say this, as it is common knowledge, but Rob Stiles is an absolute wanker. This attention-seeking official has cost us and two precious Premiership points and gifted those dirty Blues a 1-1 draw and a share of the spoils at Anfield.

I can’t believe our luck when it comes to the Premiership. We had complete control of the game, dominated shots, corners and every stat on the day but somehow failed to get that win.

That match should have been a six-pointer but only gave us the one.

A shattered Rafa couldn’t hide his disappointment following the match.

He said: “We created enough chances to have won the game and we would have won it but for an invisible penalty awarded against us,”

“The referee made a mistake and it was unbelievable. Everybody could see it wasn’t a penalty and it’s a pity as it cost us two points.

“We are so disappointed because we played well against a good team but the decision that went against us, you just can’t explain it.

“It is unbelievable. How can you take this decision? It is unbelievable. A team that is working so hard how can you change a game like this?

“Clearly the game was under control but this kind of decision is something you cannot explain.

“Maybe he was under pressure all the time. Anyway I prefer not to say too much.”

Skipper Stevie G added: “I don’t want to say too much because I’ll get into trouble, but the referee didn’t play well today,”

“Whether it was because the Chelsea players were talking I don’t know, but in the end he’s cracked and made a bad decision. It wasn’t a penalty and I hope he comes out and says sorry now. We have to apologise as players if we make mistakes so I hope he does the same.

“There were so many positives from that performance, though, and I really think it shows we can challenge this season.

On a more positive note, Fernando ‘El Ninio’ Torres gave us good reason to smile following his quality finish on his Anfield debut. The boy seems to have settled into Premiership life quite quickly and could be that ‘20 goal a season’ hit-man we have all been craving.

Ryan Babel has also shown me enough to know that he will have a big big future at our club. That right foot screamer he hit in the second half against Chelsea had me jumping before I realised he hit the side netting. He is lightning fast, good with his feet and has a great shot. I can’t wait to see more of this kid.

A win and a draw (which should have been a win) from our first two Premiership outings… I genuinely think we are going to go take the title this season. The boys seem to have a new steal and focus about them which is exciting me.

Sunderland away on Saturday.

31
May

Who will Rafa sign?

TEAM OF 07-08?
OK so we have now we have the cash to compete with those dirty MANCS and Chelsea scum but what are we going to do with it?

We have been linked with various players in various positions as we are every summer, but the difference this time is that we can actually buy them if he want to do so.

STRIKERS: Robbie ‘God’ Fowler is now gone. We will always love you Robbie. That but that leaves us with three recognised strikers. Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy + a fit-again Luis Garcia.

Kuyt seems to be the only one of the trio who is assured of a position next season. Dirk is great at holding the ball up and bringing the midfielders into the game but I think he could be more effective with a fast livewire striker supporting him.

Crouch has apparently been told by Rafa that he still has a future at the club and fair play, his form this season has shown that he will get goals when given solid game time.

Controversial striker Craig Bellamy is the least secure of the three and could be on the way out if we sign a similar style running forward (Owen, Eto’o etc)

I think Luis will still be at the club next season. Haven’t heard anything regarding a move and he is apparently fit and already in training for next season.

We have been linked to numerous strikers including Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Carlos Tevez and Darren Bent. Who would you go for? I think Eto’o is a gem of a player. He has proven it at the top with Barcelona and will get us 20 goals a season. Tevez is the other striker I would purchase. After his slow start at the Hammers showed what he can do in an ordinary side. Imagine what he could do with the proper support.

That would leave Dirk and Crouchy on the bench assuming Bellamy leaves the club this summer.

FLANKERS: Our biggest issue. We need at least two new established ‘World Class’ flankers.

Jermaine Pennant has had a so so debut season at the club, Harry Kewell can be brilliant on his day but is to injury prone to rely on over the length of a season, Mark Gonzalez and Bolo Zenden are going to be sold by Rafa this summer.

The number one flanker I would like to have is the one Rafa is going to get (hopefully). SIMAO. He is quick, tricky, set piece master and is has big game experience. We almost had him at the start of the 05-06 season then he came back to bite us in the Champions league with Benfica that season.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: I am very glad and proud to say that I wouldn’t swap out centre of the park with anyone. We have the best midfield in world football. Stevie, Mascherano, Momo and Alonso. Perfect.

DEFENCE: Rafa could make a few changes here. Carra is obviously safe but the rest is there for the taking in my books. Stevie Finnan, Daniel Agger, John Arne Riise (love’em all) they are all solid consistent performers but is Rafa looking for more?

I know Finnan is being offered a new deal so I assume he is safe. Brazilian Daniel Alves has been linked with us for some time now. He can play both as a right sided flanker and as an attacking full-back. Would give Finnan some very serious competition.

Agger has been another example of Rafa’s mastery. What a bargain. But we are still being linked with other established central defender like Diego Milito (Argentinean defender from Real Zaragoza) so who knows. I’m 100% sure Agger will be with us next term but maybe Rafa wants to keep him on his toes.

Hyppia is another loyal servant of the club who looks like he may be surplus to requirements at the club next season. If he does go, I’m sure every Reds fan will wish him the best.

IN GOAL: Pepe Reina. Enough said.

I AM PUMPED to think about who could be wearing our famous jersey next season

Those dirty Mancs have already made 2 signings (Nani and Anderson).

SO LETS GET CRACKING RAFA

Let us know if you think everything I just said is rubbish or if you were also thinking along the same lines.

YNWA

30
May

Boss Benitez reiterates Reds commitment

OK obviously still SHATTERED about the events in Athens but we have to think about the future, and it is EXCITING.

Master Rafa Benitez is desperate to start signing new players for next season NOW but dismissed and reports saying he would look to leave the club.

KING RAFA

Rafa told the Mirror: “Would I walk away? No, no. no.

“I am really pleased with the club and the supporters, but I just think that maybe the owners don’t know the football market. It is a different market to what they understand in sports in the United States. I say that because if we don’t start signing players - and I mean in the next week - then finishing in the top four will be a big challenge for us.

“The owners want to finish as high as possible because they are winners - that is what I like about them - but they need to understand the situation here.

“It’s about doing the right thing at the right moment. Sometimes football is not about spending £40million on a top striker, it’s about me identifying the player I need and the club then moving in to do the business.”

He added: “I like it here and I’m sure we can be contenders next season if we change things.”

17
May

Boss could play Kewell

The boss has talked about the possibility of including Harry Kewell in his plans for the Champions League finale in Athens.

Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv : “We could see against Charlton how fantastic Harry can be,”

“You could see him trying to beat players, keeping possession and working really hard. He set up one goal and scored the penalty.

“We will now have a week of training - it is not easy to say anything for sure about him now.”

He added: “It will be difficult for him to play from the beginning of the match, but if he improves a lot this week at the training camp, maybe we can consider possibilities.

“He may well be an option for me to use him from the bench, but not from the start. I think maybe he could do it for 60 minutes.”

I know H is not a favourite amongst all us Reds (I would say 50%/50%) but I do think he can add a spark if needed in the final.

I know Charlton is not AC Milan but I still think he can rise to the challenge if called upon by Rafa.

16
May

Rafa: We will challenge

Boss Rafa thinks we will be ready to seriously challenge for the Premiership next season.

He said: “I am happy we finished third - it was the same as last season - but obviously we want to go better than that next season,”

“We aim to be contenders and we know we must improve, especially in our away form.

“I feel, though, that it is maybe only one or two games that make the difference. When you play against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal you must beat them.

“If we can achieve improved results against the best sides, that will make us much closer to the top of the table.

“I have said all along that we are a better squad, but other teams also spend money on new players and we must try also to improve the team.

“We must be closer and we must be contenders.”

10
May

Rafa ‘to test’ Kewell

Rafa says he is going to test the fitness of Harry Kewell.

He said: “We need to test him because right now you could say physically that he is fit but really you need to play, you need to tackle, and to sprint.”

Not sure if he is hinting that he could make a surprise appearance in the Champions League final but I hope not.

I really like Harry when he is fit but think he should sit out the season and get ready for a good solid campaign next term.

Full-back Steve Finnan has expressed his happiness to see a fit-again Kewell: “I don’t know whether Harry expected to play again this season but it is good that he came on and managed to get some minutes,”

“It’s great because he’s been out a long time, so it is like having a new player. He might play his part in the final.

“It has been a difficult season for him with operations, so I just think he has been trying to recover.

“Probably the main objective for him is to get ready for pre-season and if he can play a few games then all well and good.

“He gives us a balance on the left-hand side and gives us competition. He can also play on the right and up front.”

10
May

Agent links us to Italian hot-shot

Agent Mariano Grimaldi says Rafa is interested in his client, Palermo striker Amauri.

He told The Sun: “Benitez is an admirer and considers him to be the best striker in Europe along with Didier Drogba,”

“However, Liverpool are not the only ones after Amauri. There are offers coming from several clubs.

“But Liverpool have kept an eye on him for quite a while now.”

10
May

Gerrard, Carra to pen deals soon

Rafa is hoping to have re-signed stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to new contracts before the end of the week.

“I hope it may be done this week, but we are talking and we are sure it will be done soon,” he said.

07
May

Parry will not rush Gerrard talks

Chief executive Rick Parry says the club will ‘not put a timescale’ on the contract negotiations with Steven Gerrard.

“We’re as keen as ever,” said Parry.

“It’s always been our aim to keep Steven at the club for the rest of his career. In no way has that diminished.

“He’s ambitious and wants us to be winning trophies so the more successful we are and the more finals we are in, the happier he will be in the long term.

“We’re not putting a timescale on it. We’re keen to do it, he’s keen to do it and it will get done. What we’re focusing on now is the final.”

06
Dec

Good experience for our youngsters

Youngsters Lee Peltier, Danny Guthrie and Gabriel Paletta made their Champions League debuts for us during the 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League. I think it’s great that our youngsters can get a taste of top class European football already and I can honestly see some great talent coming through in the years to come.

Boss Rafa Benitez was dissapointed with our defensive errors during the match and though that was the cause of our loss.

“We paid for bad mistakes - you cannot expect to win if you make mistakes like that at this level,” said Benitez.

“I always felt it was going to be a difficult game for the players - they knew they were already group winners and the job had been done.

“So it was more difficult to stage a comeback in such circumstances, as you would in a cup final.”

He added: “I wanted to see my players doing well but also to realise that there are younger team-mates who are waiting for their chance,”

“I have rested some senior players, because we have such a busy next couple of months with lots of games. I wanted to see what futures there are for the young players and to be able to plan for that future.”

It’s a credit to us that we have the chance to play our youngsters in such a high profile fixture while clubs such as Barcelona and the scum united battle for their survival in the competition.

CMON BENIFICA