Tag Archive for rafa-benitez at The Red Half

Tag Archive for 'rafa-benitez'

Oct

Have Barcelona rumours affected Mascherano performance?

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Gutted!! Just when I thought we had put our slow start to the season behind us we suffer back-to-back 0-2 results to put us on the back foot again.

After our great results against our main rivals last season I was expecting more from the lads at Stamford Bridge but it wasn’t to be.

Question. Was I the only one who was screaming at Mascherano to release the ball?? Not sure what he was doing there but I’m hoping he picks up his performances soon. He has been well below par so far this season for me and I am getting frustrated.

It seems to me that since he was linked to Barcelona in the summer he has an attitude. He looks a little stroppy and disinterested…. Anyone agree?

I really hope this is not the case cause we all know how good he can be when he is on song. The least he can do is put it in for Rafa. He saved his career and put him on track again.

I agree with Rafa, teams will drop more points than last season. Heads up guys, long way to go yet.

CMON YOU REDS YNWA

Oct

Rafa still confident

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Categories: Rafa Benitez and Latest News Tags: Latest News, Rafa Benitez, Rafa still confident.

Boss Rafa is still optimistic of achieving title glory this season despite our loss to rivals Chelsea today.

Rafa said: “We have to focus on the next game, get three points and see what happens.

“This year the top sides will lose points against other teams, so we just have to try to win every week.

“We will try to win against Sunderland and see. It’s a long race and we have to think about the next game, that’s it.”

“The performance wasn’t bad against a good team. We worked hard and had some good play,” he said.

“I was really pleased for 90 per cent of the game but you have to do almost everything perfectly to win here.

“Defensively we were good enough. We defended much better. They didn’t have many chances, which means we were defending better, and we didn’t have many chances, which means they are a good team.

“When you make a mistake against a good team, you pay for it. We lost the ball and they scored.

“The game was open after the goal. We had some chances but you have to take your chances if you want to change the situation.

“I cannot blame any one of the players because they were working really hard. You have to be pleased with the team effort and disappointed with the result.”

“We played against Chelsea. Do you expect any team to play here and have 20 attempts? I don’t think so.

“We had some chances but we couldn’t score because their defenders are good defenders.”

Sep

Rafa praise for Ngog

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Categories: Rafa Benitez, Latest News and David Ngog Tags: Carling Cup, David Ngog, Latest News, Leeds United, Rafa Benitez.

Carling Cup hero David Ngog has received praise by boss Rafa Benitez following his performance against Leeds.

“He is a young player, but he has quality,” said Benitez.

“That is something we knew. He showed character.

“He was trying to keep the ball and get into positions. He was really tired at the end but he did a fantastic job.

“He knows the Premier League is very difficult but here he showed he can do it.

“Cup competitions are always very difficult. You have to win, everyone is working so hard.

“He is still a young player, he has quality.”

May

Big Sami thanks his adoring LFC fans

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Categories: Rafa Benitez, Latest News and Sami Hyypia Tags: Latest News, Rafa Benitez, Sami Hyypia.

  Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia was brought onto the field for the final six minutes of the season and was welcomed by a standing ovation from the faithful fans.

Skipper Steven Gerrard handed the captains armband to an emotional Sami who has given us a brilliant 10 years.  Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, Sami said, “The boss told me beforehand he would put me on at the end of the game but I think the fans helped me a bit by singing my name and I got on earlier.

“It was a great atmosphere and the fans were great to me and I would like to thank them a lot because from day one they took me as one of their own and it has been the same ever since.

“It is a great feeling to hear them sing your name like they did and maybe if they would have stopped singing my name at any time over the last ten years I would have known straight away that I had done something wrong or wasn’t performing on the pitch.

“That’s why I’m so happy that they are still singing my name after all this time.

“Part of my football life is ending now,I have a new challenge now and it is one I am looking forward to.”  We all wish you the best of luck a Leverkusen Sami. I know one day you will be back in some capacity. YNWA

Aug

ROBBED!!

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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.

May

Who will Rafa sign?

By admin 109 Comments

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

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