Liverpool FC Forum

[account deleted by request]

kopcommando, not rafa

I think that was Pako 

[Leonmc0708]

F**k it - he's on his way.

?? Who

Henry.

spotted in Kensington at ASDA.

[112-1077774096]

Hicks is confident club can qualify for European Cup, but says manager must justify £40m outlay.

Paul Kelso
Friday October 26, 2007
The Guardian

Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benítez, will have to guide his team to the Premier League title to justify the £40m the club invested in new players in the summer, according to the club's co-owner Tom Hicks. Speaking 24 hours after Liverpool's prospects of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the Champions League were severely dented by a 2-1 defeat by Besiktas in Turkey, Hicks said the domestic trophy remained the club's priority. Benítez based his pre-season approach to the American owners of the club on a challenge for the Premier League title, impressing on them the need for more strength in depth if he were to mount a credible challenge to Manchester United and Chelsea.

Hicks and George Gillett acceded to his wishes, investing £26.5m in Fernando Torres and £11.5m on the Ajax winger Ryan Babel. Hicks pledged his support for a coach who has often seemed more at home in European competition than the domestic fray. But in comments that will increase the pressure on Benítez to deliver a title the club have not won for 17 years Hicks implied he and Gillett are expecting a swift return on their investment.

"One of the reasons we made the signings we did in the summer was to create the depth we now have. Rafa explained to George and me that is how you win the Prem, because you have to play every team twice," Hicks said. "We totally support Rafa, nobody wants to win more than Rafa. But I know when we committed the resources for signings in the summer the whole idea was to have a team that could compete for the Premier League. We've not had the depth previously to do that.

"This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."

Benítez demanded extensive investment from Liverpool's new owners after May's defeat by Milan in the European Cup final, a second final appearance in three seasons that he claimed represented an over-achievement for the squad at his disposal. The Liverpool manager said dithering in the transfer market had cost the club major targets in recent seasons - including Daniel Alves at Seville, the former Benfica captain Simão Sabrosa and Florent Malouda this summer - and it was against this backdrop, plus an implied threat from the Spaniard that he would consider his future if finances were not forthcoming, that the Americans eventually acted.

Liverpool's struggles in Europe this season contrast with their success in winning the tournament in 2005 and reaching last year's final but Hicks acknowledged that the supporters crave the Premier League title.

"Our fans, I can tell from just talking to them, want to win the Premier League. They haven't won the top title in 17 years and I know their passions really are that they want to win the Premier League.

Hicks remains confident that Liverpool can qualify for the Champions League knockout round but said failure would not impact on current attempts to refinance the club. The Americans personally guaranteed a loan of £298m from the Royal Bank of Scotland to buy the club but a recent attempt to refinance the loan collapsed. Hicks said he was close to agreeing a deal and Champions League failure would not impact on negotiations.

"The package will be completed within 30 days, but I don't want to comment any further on the details," he said. "In terms of budgeting we've got it covered either way, and we've got our work cut out [to qualify]. If we didn't qualify, it would be terribly disappointing but I'm an optimist and I think we're going to win our next two at home and then we have a big match in Marseille. I think we can get out of the group," he said.

[Bad Bob]

Hicks is confident club can qualify for European Cup, but says manager must justify £40m outlay.

Paul Kelso
Friday October 26, 2007
The Guardian

Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benítez, will have to guide his team to the Premier League title to justify the £40m the club invested in new players in the summer, according to the club's co-owner Tom Hicks. Speaking 24 hours after Liverpool's prospects of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the Champions League were severely dented by a 2-1 defeat by Besiktas in Turkey, Hicks said the domestic trophy remained the club's priority. Benítez based his pre-season approach to the American owners of the club on a challenge for the Premier League title, impressing on them the need for more strength in depth if he were to mount a credible challenge to Manchester United and Chelsea.

Hicks and George Gillett acceded to his wishes, investing £26.5m in Fernando Torres and £11.5m on the Ajax winger Ryan Babel. Hicks pledged his support for a coach who has often seemed more at home in European competition than the domestic fray. But in comments that will increase the pressure on Benítez to deliver a title the club have not won for 17 years Hicks implied he and Gillett are expecting a swift return on their investment.

"One of the reasons we made the signings we did in the summer was to create the depth we now have. Rafa explained to George and me that is how you win the Prem, because you have to play every team twice," Hicks said. "We totally support Rafa, nobody wants to win more than Rafa. But I know when we committed the resources for signings in the summer the whole idea was to have a team that could compete for the Premier League. We've not had the depth previously to do that.

"This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."

Benítez demanded extensive investment from Liverpool's new owners after May's defeat by Milan in the European Cup final, a second final appearance in three seasons that he claimed represented an over-achievement for the squad at his disposal. The Liverpool manager said dithering in the transfer market had cost the club major targets in recent seasons - including Daniel Alves at Seville, the former Benfica captain Simão Sabrosa and Florent Malouda this summer - and it was against this backdrop, plus an implied threat from the Spaniard that he would consider his future if finances were not forthcoming, that the Americans eventually acted.

Liverpool's struggles in Europe this season contrast with their success in winning the tournament in 2005 and reaching last year's final but Hicks acknowledged that the supporters crave the Premier League title.

"Our fans, I can tell from just talking to them, want to win the Premier League. They haven't won the top title in 17 years and I know their passions really are that they want to win the Premier League.

Hicks remains confident that Liverpool can qualify for the Champions League knockout round but said failure would not impact on current attempts to refinance the club. The Americans personally guaranteed a loan of £298m from the Royal Bank of Scotland to buy the club but a recent attempt to refinance the loan collapsed. Hicks said he was close to agreeing a deal and Champions League failure would not impact on negotiations.

"The package will be completed within 30 days, but I don't want to comment any further on the details," he said. "In terms of budgeting we've got it covered either way, and we've got our work cut out [to qualify]. If we didn't qualify, it would be terribly disappointing but I'm an optimist and I think we're going to win our next two at home and then we have a big match in Marseille. I think we can get out of the group," he said.

Ahh, the wonderful world of media spin.  This piece uses the same quotes that Hicks made yesterday but has dressed them up to imply that Rafa must win the title or else.  This particular paper is, of course, not alone.  On football365.com yesterday, they ran these quotes under the headline "Hicks backs Rafa" but today are running these same quotes under the headline "Rafa Must Win League to Justify Spending" (although, when you click the link it becomes "Rafa Must Challenge For Title").  To be clear, I'm not disputing what Hicks said nor am I doubting the concern implied in the Texan's remarks.  What I am doing is disputing the ultimatum that a number of papers/websites seem to be now attaching to Hicks' remarks.

[Leonmc0708]

THIS BELOW USES THE SAME QUOTES WITH A LEON SPIN . . .

Tom Hicks laughs off suggestions of pressure on Rafa
Leon McCowan (Daily Male)

Liverpools American owner Tom Hicks has laughed off suggestions that manager Rafael Benitez is under any pressure at Anfield. The news will come as a bitter dissapointment for lazy hacks and internet forum doom and gloom merchants.

At his Orlando home, Hicks (62) remarked "One of the reasons we made the signings we did in the summer was to create the depth we now have. Rafa explained to George and me that is how you win the Prem, because you have to play every team twice,"

Despite the spurious outbursts of lazy journalists and foolish media whoppers, Hicks has reiterated the total faith Rafa has from the board "We totally support Rafa, nobody wants to win more than Rafa. But I know when we committed the resources for signings in the summer the whole idea was to have a team that could compete for the Premier League. We've not had the depth previously to do that."

Hicks, who also owns the Yankeedoodledandy american soccer team has every faith in the manager and his star studded squad. "This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."

Liverpools fans have also been the subject of some furios media attention, "Our fans, I can tell from just talking to them, want to win the Premier League. They haven't won the top title in 17 years and I know their passions really are that they want to win the Premier League." responded Hicks. Clearly the old addage of bread and butter of hte league lingers in the new American owners.

Liverpool have recently received clearence for funding on a new £44m stadium "The package will be completed within 30 days, but I don't want to comment any further on the details," he said. "In terms of budgeting we've got it covered either way, and we've got our work cut out [to qualify]. If we didn't qualify, it would be terribly disappointing but I'm an optimist and I think we're going to win our next two at home and then we have a big match in Marseille. I think we can get out of the group," he said.

So with a big game on the horizon, and the chance to go 3 points off leaders Arsenal, its all systems go on the good ship Benitez......

[112-1077774096]

there is always some spin by the press mate, but if we take hicks comments alone without the rest of the article.

this one in particular

"This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."  could well be seen as a veiled threat, or it could simply be seen as we will will take stock and give more more for players.

personally i think it is a veiled threat

[Bad Bob]

THIS BELOW USES THE SAME QUOTES WITH A LEON SPIN . . .

Tom Hicks laughs off suggestions of pressure on Rafa
Leon McCowan (Daily Male)

Liverpools American owner Tom Hicks has laughed off suggestions that manager Rafael Benitez is under any pressure at Anfield. The news will come as a bitter dissapointment for lazy hacks and internet forum doom and gloom merchants.

At his Orlando home, Hicks (62) remarked "One of the reasons we made the signings we did in the summer was to create the depth we now have. Rafa explained to George and me that is how you win the Prem, because you have to play every team twice,"

Despite the spurious outbursts of lazy journalists and foolish media whoppers, Hicks has reiterated the total faith Rafa has from the board "We totally support Rafa, nobody wants to win more than Rafa. But I know when we committed the resources for signings in the summer the whole idea was to have a team that could compete for the Premier League. We've not had the depth previously to do that."

Hicks, who also owns the Yankeedoodledandy american soccer team has every faith in the manager and his star studded squad. "This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."

Liverpools fans have also been the subject of some furios media attention, "Our fans, I can tell from just talking to them, want to win the Premier League. They haven't won the top title in 17 years and I know their passions really are that they want to win the Premier League." responded Hicks. Clearly the old addage of bread and butter of hte league lingers in the new American owners.

Liverpool have recently received clearence for funding on a new £44m stadium "The package will be completed within 30 days, but I don't want to comment any further on the details," he said. "In terms of budgeting we've got it covered either way, and we've got our work cut out [to qualify]. If we didn't qualify, it would be terribly disappointing but I'm an optimist and I think we're going to win our next two at home and then we have a big match in Marseille. I think we can get out of the group," he said.

So with a big game on the horizon, and the chance to go 3 points off leaders Arsenal, its all systems go on the good ship Benitez......

"I never thought there was a pundit out there more happy clappy than Tompkins but McCowan puts him well and truly in the shade.  The rose tinted specs are firmly spot-welded to this lad's grill." - Baneet S. Owt (The Doom and Gloomer)

[Bad Bob]

there is always some spin by the press mate, but if we take hicks comments alone without the rest of the article.

this one in particular

"This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."  could well be seen as a veiled threat, or it could simply be seen as we will will take stock and give more more for players.

personally i think it is a veiled threat

Those remarks are definitely open to interpretation but I think it stretches the bounds of credibility to imply that they mean: "win the league or you're out"--as many headlines are now interpreting them.

[112-1077774096]

(Daily Male)

isnt that what judge has

[Sabre]

there is always some spin by the press mate, but if we take hicks comments alone without the rest of the article.

this one in particular

"This squad is good enough to win things. It should be winning things. If it doesn't we'll have to look at the circumstances and have a meeting at the end of the year to understand what happened. I don't want to predict failure, I want to predict success."  could well be seen as a veiled threat, or it could simply be seen as we will will take stock and give more more for players.

personally i think it is a veiled threat

Those remarks are definitely open to interpretation but I think it stretches the bounds of credibility to imply that they mean: "win the league or you're out"--as many headlines are now interpreting them.

I think it just means what they say, that is, if we fail, and they don't want to predict that, they'll have to talk to sort out what's going wrong.

The context of those quotes seemed aimed to give a message of calmness within the storm, so I wouldn't take that as a threat. But as you say, it's a matter of interpretation.

[Leonmc0708]

For the record, if we dont win the leage then I EXPECT people to sit down at the end of the season and work out why, and I expect heads to roll, be they players, managers or directors.

[Judge]

(Daily Male)

thats what i have

   

[Kharhaz]

Linked with Real Madrid

Speculation frequently links Benitez with a management role at Real Madrid. In April 2007 he revealed that he had recently turned down an offer to coach Madrid for considerably more money than his Liverpool salary, because he and his family were happy in Liverpool, and he was very happy with the way the Liverpool project was going: "For me it is not a question of money, this is a project with my team and my club with the supporters behind us, and I am really happy with all those things together. As I said after the meeting with the American owners, I think we are going in the right direction. Everything is okay for me here. It isn't easy to find a club (like Liverpool) where all the supporters, or at least the majority of them, are behind you and you have a good staff and good players and the future can be brilliant. That is the most important thing to me. The owners knew the situation when we were talking, and I'd said before that I am really pleased here, and for me that's it. The atmosphere here in Liverpool is fantastic. You know that at this club you can work and improve. For me, the future looks brighter here than anywhere else." Madrid denied making an offer to Benitez in the following days.

I was looking around various websites to raise awareness to those "fans" looking for rafa to be sacked as to why exactly he has my support, I came across a good few but on reading this I realised I dont need to make a case. The defeat in Istanbul left many devastated but lets not forget we have been blessed in europe since rafa arrived. Many mention pakos leaving the club being the reason why we are failing, I dont buy that but I do believe he needs an assistant to help carry the pressure.To me rafa cannot be blamed for the players not performing. Carragher, Gerrard, Sissoko, Mascherano, Finnan and despite his injury even Alonso all of these players have not been at there best.

Rafa should be slated when he makes awful decisions that cost us games but I look at the Everton game, MOTD highlights I was working that day ! and rafa made a decision to take off Gerrard and bring on Lucas, and we all know what happened after that, we won ! But it was appalling to see supporters booing rafa for taking off Gerrard. What was even worse was seeing members of this forum bitching about his decisions. Another member would prefer that rafa win nothing so hes proved right and another would hate Liverpool to win the league because it would mean more years of rafa being in charge !

My point being, were on a slump at the time being so let the supporters come forward and carry us onwards like we always have done.

[NANNY RED]

If Rafa cannot deliver the league to Anfield, then he has to go. I’m not suggesting he is sacked at the end of this season or the next season either, but if he cannot bring this club into contention in the next few seasons, then he has to go.

Everyone knows that.

There are idiots suggesting we get rid now.

Yes like the Sky news reporters camped outside Anfield now waiting for something big to break.

Tw@ts.

The media may have started the witch hunt but stupid 'fans' will fan the flames. We need to keep quiet for a while and not get involved in phone ins asking for Rafas dismissal, it does the the football club a disservice and even those who want him to leave should be able to see that it would serve no purpose to dismiss Rafa mid-season.

Of the six people on here that actually go to any matches well lets makes sure we drown out any booing, we have a reputation of dignity, assess the managers position at the end of the season.

Unfortunatly we have too many fckwits that consider themselves LFC supporters.

They'll be the first to start crying if rafa's goes , because we'll be well and truly fecked then, i can promise you that.

Spot on Igor

I for one will be gutted and as redtrader has said some fans need to stop ringing all these phone inns asking for Rafas head we have never been a club to air our dirty washing in public and we shouldnt start now . Rafa in 3 years has brought the glory days back to Anfield something which we were starved of for so long . I have witnessed all the old days of europe and league championships and and as far as im concerned there is no better manager around today to bring them back again.

The way some people are posting on here ie its all gone wrong since Pako left you would think he was our - manager and Rafa was his assistant maybe some think it would have been better if he stayed and Rafa left. He was a fitness coach FFS. Ok they were together for 11 years wouldnt you go on a downer if you split up from you missis or girlfriend (and no im not suggesting anything else) but they ate and drank football together of course Rafa needs time to get used to life without his right hand. Hes already said we are the best fans in the world and hes been loyal to us turning down a move back to Spain.
So weres our ingloyalty now to him, alls some fans want to do is slag him off . Dont forget what Rafa has done for this club. Do you honestly believe we would have the likes of Alonso and Torres hear if it wasnt for him. NO so come on reds lets get behind our manager a watch him make us smile again  

[Kharhaz]

If Rafa cannot deliver the league to Anfield, then he has to go. I’m not suggesting he is sacked at the end of this season or the next season either, but if he cannot bring this club into contention in the next few seasons, then he has to go.

Everyone knows that.

There are idiots suggesting we get rid now.

Yes like the Sky news reporters camped outside Anfield now waiting for something big to break.

Tw@ts.

The media may have started the witch hunt but stupid 'fans' will fan the flames. We need to keep quiet for a while and not get involved in phone ins asking for Rafas dismissal, it does the the football club a disservice and even those who want him to leave should be able to see that it would serve no purpose to dismiss Rafa mid-season.

Of the six people on here that actually go to any matches well lets makes sure we drown out any booing, we have a reputation of dignity, assess the managers position at the end of the season.

Unfortunatly we have too many fckwits that consider themselves LFC supporters.

They'll be the first to start crying if rafa's goes , because we'll be well and truly fecked then, i can promise you that.

Spot on Igor
I for one will be gutted and as redtrader has said some fans need to stop ringing all these phone inns asking for Rafas head we have never been a club to air our dirty washing in public and we shouldnt start now . Rafa in 3 years has brought the glory days back to Anfield something which we were starved of for so long . I have witnessed all the old days of europe and league championships and and as far as im concerned there is no better manager around today to bring them back again.

The way some people are posting on here ie its all gone wrong since Pako left you would think he was our manager and Rafa was his assistant maybe some think it would have been better if he stayed and Rafa left. He was a fitness coach FFS. Ok they were together for 11 years wouldnt you go on a downer if you split up from you missis or girlfriend (and no im not suggesting anything else) but they ate and drank football together of course Rafa needs time to get used to life without his right hand. Hes already said we are the best fans in the world and hes been loyal to us turning down a move back to Spain. So weres our loyalty now to him alls some fans want to do is slag him off . Dont forget what Rafa has done for this club. Do you honestly believe we would have the likes of Alonso and Torres hear if it wasnt for him. NO so come on reds lets get behind our manager a watch him make us smile again  

Starting with Arsenal. A victory over them and everything is back on track and better than previous seasons with regards to league form. Arsenal are playing well but like ive said before, whenever were on a downer we always seem to beat Arsenal to get us back on the up !