Liverpool FC Forum

[Ciggy]

BENITEZ CRISIS BATTLE-CRY
David Maddock 02/02/2008 - Mirror

Rafael Benitez insisted last night he will lead from the front as he demanded character to end Liverpool 's depressing fall from grace.

The Anfield boss believes any change must start with him, as he looks for the win he believes will re-ignite a desperately disappointing campaign.

Liverpool have not won in the Premier League for five matches, and the Spanish coach admitted that the underperforming aristocrats have a duty to their fans to end such a dismal run.

His team have taken just four points from their last 15, and since early December, 10 points from 27. Over the same period, leaders Manchester United have accumulated 27 points from a possible 30.
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That, Benitez knows, is nowhere near good enough, and last night he stood up and accepted the blame.

"It starts with me, I know that. How can a side improve if their manager isn't positive? If the manager's head is down, he can not see anything," he said.

"Liverpool's history is as a city of fighters, and that is what I will do, fight. I will fight on for as long as I can - maybe for 10 more years!

"It is time to show character now, but not just for the players.

The staff have to take responsibility and give our supporters what they deserve, just as much as the players."

Liverpool entertain Sunderland today in a game Benitez knows is a must-win if he is not to be engulfed in a full-blown crisis at Anfield.

And he knows too the time for analysis and tactical tinkering is over, because instead, good old-fashioned bottle and character is required to get the team out of the mess they have been in.

Yesterday Benitez showed his spirit by insisting that he is the man to get them out of their current troubles.

"When in a difficult situation you always need strong characters, and that can be the difference between a winning team or not," he explained.

"We need to show this, and I'm sure we have players of that mentality. But the staff need to show this too, because in times like these you need to have the courage to understand that you must trust your players and push them.

"I will try to find the solution.

I will work hard with my staff and players and you need the commitment of everyone. I think I have that commitment." Benitez has indulged his side over the past month, often to no avail, but after the midweek embarrassment at West Ham he has told them exactly what is required - and he expects them to respond.

"It would be easy to say we don't have the character or desire throughout the team.

But I am expecting something from the players," said Benitez.

"The players know they have a responsibility. There are a lot of people behind them and we need to improve our performance. We need to give 120 per cent now if we can.

"As a manager, you must support your players if they give you and the club 100 per cent. It is sometimes hard to judge if they are doing that, but the players and the staff know everyone needs to improve."

Should he lose to Sunderland today, then the Liverpool manager's job would surely be on the line. But he insisted last night that he has no thoughts of ever quitting Anfield.

"If I think it's impossible here, maybe I could look at other options. But I'm not thinking about that. I think we can win titles, and win the Premier League.

"Not this year, it would be almost impossible, but in the future. We have got through to finals and won trophies. I am positive we can improve as a club and win more."

Benitez will make changes today, with Javier Mascherano and possibly Peter Crouch coming into contention.

[Cables]

Oh well, though im a Liverpool fan, and no longer can get to any matches, well only the odd few, im off to watch Stevie G's birthplace club, the mighty Prescot Cables play Ossett Town today.  Prescot's fans took over the running of their club 3 years ago, but with only about 160 fans, they don't have much money to spend on players.

If you're bored and not going 2 the match, and live close by Prescot, get your ar*e up to Prescot, no football lover should be at home on a Saturday at 3pm.

We have a few younger lads watching us now, this is them at a game they posted on youtube. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iRFcVd5YTH8

Here is a funny one, a ref coming to referee Liverpool soon:laugh: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iRFcVd5YTH8

[112-1077774096]

rafas comments are too little too late, its his football and tactics that have put is in this situation, all talk now from him

[Cables]

Oops, I put the same thing on twice, here is the referee who is coming to referee Liverpool soon http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=86AJje3ElDc

[Seano Kop]

Why isn't everyone calling for Torres to be dropped, he's hardly banging in the goals of late is he? No of course we're not asking for him to be dropped because he, along with Reina, Carra AND Gerrard should be on the team sheet for every single game to give us half a chance of winning.

What's your point?

the point is people are calling for Gerrard's head, but why not Torres, when neither has exactly been firing on all fronts of late.

Gerrard should be dropped because of his attitude towards the manager, plus we have a lot of cover in that area.

Gerrard should be dropped 4 his attitude and we have cover? hmmmmmm are you seriously trying to tell me Alonso, Mascheranho or Lucas can do what Gerrard does?

You don't drop star players whatever happens, because he is 1 of very few players in the world who can make something out of nothing. Without him we struggle to put two passes together never mind win a game.

Lose the manager before Gerrard.

You cannot be serious, we've played very well a number of times this year without him in the team.  Right now I believe Gerrard is doing more harm than good by playing in the middle.   His lack of creativity and poor attitude is really hurting the team.

If you loved a club the way Gerrard loves Liverpool, you'd feel hurt, alls he is doing is expressing how every genuine Liverpool fan feels. He knows we're not going to win the league and it's disheartening him, along with the rest of the Liverpool following. And the reason we're not winning is it because of Benitez, so I'm all in favour of Gerrard telling the spanish cu.nt to fuc.k off because it's Benitez who is hurting this club along with the yanks, not Gerrard.

If Gerrard loves Liverpool so much, then why did he almost join Chelsea?  Why does he show disrespect for the manager that allowed him to play in the middle, when it's clearly not his best position? 

I feel sorry for Lucas who had to play wide because Gerrard didn't feel like playing there.  What kind of a captain does that?  I agree that Gerrard is a passionate guy but he should concentrate on motivating his teammates, that's what captains do.

Are you seriously questioning Gerrard's leadership abilities and love for the club? Do we need to roll you the tape of all the games that have been Gerrard-motivated, causing Liverpool the win? In particular obviously the FA Cup Final vs West Ham abd the Champions League Final vs AC Milan?

[ruskiy playmaker]

rafas comments are too little too late, its his football and tactics that have put is in this situation, all talk now from him

Yeah, I'm sure it's not the owner's or the player's fault.

[Thinkpad]

I got a bad feeling about today's match..
I think the score will be 3-0
Who is the victor? Now that is where the bad feelings come from..

[ruskiy playmaker]

Thank God Kewell is not in the squad!

[tubby]

Is it at Anfield?

[lakes10]

Is it at Anfield?

yes mate

[tubby]

Thanks Lakes mate im too lazy to open up a new page.

Thinkpad why do you have a bad feeling? This is sunderland we should ue this match as a confience booster.

[hello_red]

We will win very comfortably.

We need to for the league and our confidence.

[tubby]

Spurs are winning at Utd. Apparantly a dodgey goal haha fecking Fergie you .

[dawson99]

important 6 pointer for us? its getting that way. massive game. need a win, any win id take.
and i think we might get a big one, we got to perform at some point right?

[Ciggy]

edit.