Liverpool FC Forum

[lakes10]

in my view and its only my view Rafa has 2 games to save his job. Win on sunday can still keep us in touch with Man u, win the Fa cup game and we still have a bit of pride left.

if he dont do this the the club should start looking for a new manager....not sure who they can get, the guy i would like to come to this club could just be about to over take us in the prem, and thats a shame as i dont think he will come now, the other guy i can think of makes me feel sick to even think about him being our manager.

the problem i have is that i still feel that Liverpool Fc need a British manager back at the club to put the spirit back in the team.......Sammy? well not on his own.

[Igor Zidane]

RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged Liverpool supporters to “trust” him as he dismissed suggestions his team are too cautious to win the title.
The Anfield outfit entertain fellow championship contenders Chelsea tomorrow afternoon having slipped below the Londoners to third place in the Premier League table, with both teams two points adrift of leaders and champions Manchester United.
Liverpool have been hampered by a run of form that has seen them draw seven of their last 10 top-flight fixtures, including successive draws in their last three outings against Stoke City, Everton and Wigan Athletic.
Many supporters were critical of Benitez’s team selection and substitutions as they surrendered a one-goal lead late on at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday.
But the Spaniard has urged fans to keep the faith and believes victory over Chelsea would “change everything” for his team.
“The supporters need to trust the team, the team is doing well,” said Benitez.
“I am the manager and I will make the decisions and if the team can continue winning everyone will be happy, if not we will be disappointed.
“This year we have a very good problem. Expectation has gone high.
“Now we need to manage the situation. We have to keep going whether we win or cannot.
“Clearly this kind of game can change everything. If we win everyone will be talking about us being back in the title race, we are fantastic, we have an opportunity.
“The draws have been disappointing. If we win against Chelsea everything will change.”
Responding to accusations his tactics are too safety-first, Benitez said: “119 goals last season, 82 points record in history of club, four trophies, seven finals, you cannot be cautious and have all this.
“We scored more goals last season than any team in England. The problem is we are well organised as a team and when a team is like this it is seen as being less offensive.
“We have a very good balance. But you see the difference between Torres being fit and scoring goals like last season and being injured for three months.
“We would be talking about different things now.
“The difference the other day we had a lot of opportunities two against two with Gerrard and Torres. It is just the timing.”
Benitez has been taunted in the past fortnight by rival supporters chanting “Rafa’s cracking up” but the Spaniard insists he is delighted Liverpool are competing for the championship.
“When you play to avoid relegation you are under pressure, but when you play to win the Premier League, or to progress in the Champions League or FA Cup, I am pleased to be in this position,” he said.
“I don’t feel under any more pressure than when I was at Valencia for example trying to take on Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“We are eight points better than last season which is positive. Now clearly this month we couldn’t win games we normally win, but we have been playing exactly the same.”
Liverpool’s American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are both due to attend tomorrow’s game, but Benitez refused to be drawn of whether a possible new contract will be discussed if any meeting takes place between the trio.
“If the owners want to meet me, I have no problem with that,” he said.
“It will be a private conversation. If we have to talk I don’t have any problem. We can talk about team, club or whether Torres can score more goals.
“I don’t know the agenda.
“It could be about everything, I cannot say we will talk about this (the contract) and maybe we will talk about the game.
“I was clear I am preparing the game properly for Chelsea which is the priority. Afterwards, I can see Tom Hicks and George Gillett together and we can talk about the weather, the club, everything. It is not a problem.”
Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera are likely to return to the starting line-up tomorrow after being rested to the bench in midweek.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpo....2

[lakes10]

RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged Liverpool supporters to “trust” him as he dismissed suggestions his team are too cautious to win the title.
The Anfield outfit entertain fellow championship contenders Chelsea tomorrow afternoon having slipped below the Londoners to third place in the Premier League table, with both teams two points adrift of leaders and champions Manchester United.
Liverpool have been hampered by a run of form that has seen them draw seven of their last 10 top-flight fixtures, including successive draws in their last three outings against Stoke City, Everton and Wigan Athletic.
Many supporters were critical of Benitez’s team selection and substitutions as they surrendered a one-goal lead late on at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday.
But the Spaniard has urged fans to keep the faith and believes victory over Chelsea would “change everything” for his team.
“The supporters need to trust the team, the team is doing well,” said Benitez.
“I am the manager and I will make the decisions and if the team can continue winning everyone will be happy, if not we will be disappointed.
“This year we have a very good problem. Expectation has gone high.
“Now we need to manage the situation. We have to keep going whether we win or cannot.
“Clearly this kind of game can change everything. If we win everyone will be talking about us being back in the title race, we are fantastic, we have an opportunity.
“The draws have been disappointing. If we win against Chelsea everything will change.”
Responding to accusations his tactics are too safety-first, Benitez said: “119 goals last season, 82 points record in history of club, four trophies, seven finals, you cannot be cautious and have all this.
“We scored more goals last season than any team in England. The problem is we are well organised as a team and when a team is like this it is seen as being less offensive.
“We have a very good balance. But you see the difference between Torres being fit and scoring goals like last season and being injured for three months.
“We would be talking about different things now.
“The difference the other day we had a lot of opportunities two against two with Gerrard and Torres. It is just the timing.”
Benitez has been taunted in the past fortnight by rival supporters chanting “Rafa’s cracking up” but the Spaniard insists he is delighted Liverpool are competing for the championship.
“When you play to avoid relegation you are under pressure, but when you play to win the Premier League, or to progress in the Champions League or FA Cup, I am pleased to be in this position,” he said.
“I don’t feel under any more pressure than when I was at Valencia for example trying to take on Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“We are eight points better than last season which is positive. Now clearly this month we couldn’t win games we normally win, but we have been playing exactly the same.”
Liverpool’s American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are both due to attend tomorrow’s game, but Benitez refused to be drawn of whether a possible new contract will be discussed if any meeting takes place between the trio.
“If the owners want to meet me, I have no problem with that,” he said.
“It will be a private conversation. If we have to talk I don’t have any problem. We can talk about team, club or whether Torres can score more goals.
“I don’t know the agenda.
“It could be about everything, I cannot say we will talk about this (the contract) and maybe we will talk about the game.
“I was clear I am preparing the game properly for Chelsea which is the priority. Afterwards, I can see Tom Hicks and George Gillett together and we can talk about the weather, the club, everything. It is not a problem.”
Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera are likely to return to the starting line-up tomorrow after being rested to the bench in midweek.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpo....2

RAFAEL BENITEZ can all that he like but untill he starts winning games the fans are not going to trust him.I dont care if we win game in the top 4, its the smaller games that we has lost points to this year....and most years.

[account deleted by request]

Euro omission raises Hyppia doubts
Jan 31 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

SAMI HYYPIA’S Anfield future could be called into question after the defender was again left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

The Finland international was not part of the 25-man pool for the group stages with UEFA rules limiting the number of foreign players. And Hyypia, a regular starter in the Premier League in recent months, has again been overlooked for the knockout stages with centre-backs Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher already at Rafael Benitez’s disposal.

Sunderland are among a number of clubs are monitoring Hyypia’s situation and could now make an effort to lure the veteran to the North East, although Benitez wants the player to stay.

While Hyypia misses out, Philipp Degen keeps his place in the Champions League squad despite having not yet completed a full game for Liverpool since his summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund. 

Degen has been sidelined by a succession of injuries, and picked up another knock playing for the reserves against Manchester United in midweek. Asked if Hyypia would be in the Champions League squad, Benitez said yesterday: “I don’t think so. It will be difficult.

“We cannot change too much. We don’t have too many options. We need a right full-back just in case. I have told him. It was very positive. He is a good professional and he understands. I want him to stay.”

Daily Post

Its things like the above that wind me up. If Arbeloa was injured would Rafa really bring in an untested and untried Degan or would he move Carra to full back again ? Its no wonder other clubs have renewed their interest in Sami. Even Sami must be wondering WTF is going on. I am not saying give Sami a place because of sentiment, but because he has earned it with his performances so far this season.

[112-1077774096]

so degen can't be trusted to play against stoke when arbeloa was injured but so how the feck could he trusted to play against real madrid if arbeloa gets injured. another strange decision

[Lando_Griffin]

Rafa go now, it´s time for klinsman, he will win the next 8 premier leagues and 4 european cups. Klinsman is the man.

And you are a prat, sarcasm aside.

[Madmax]

so degen can't be trusted to play against stoke when arbeloa was injured but so how the feck could he trusted to play against real madrid if arbeloa gets injured. another strange decision

Silly decision again but mate have faith in rafa he knows more than we know... IMHO i would pick hypia over agger and skrtel at the moment...   

[mart]

I dont think Liverpool can be a real title challenger until we get rid of Rick Parry, and perhaps even the americans. Leave footballing decisions to the manager (within a set economic frame ofcourse).

Rafa might not be the worlds greatest manager, but if he is sacked now we will probably end up with a worse manager.

[Alex G.]

Rafa go now, it´s time for klinsman, he will win the next 8 premier leagues and 4 european cups. Klinsman is the man.

And you are a prat, sarcasm aside.

It seems the irony doesn´t work at the net.
BTW, your mother doesn´t think the same of me.

[Bad Bob]

Euro omission raises Hyppia doubts
Jan 31 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

SAMI HYYPIA’S Anfield future could be called into question after the defender was again left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

The Finland international was not part of the 25-man pool for the group stages with UEFA rules limiting the number of foreign players. And Hyypia, a regular starter in the Premier League in recent months, has again been overlooked for the knockout stages with centre-backs Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher already at Rafael Benitez’s disposal.

Sunderland are among a number of clubs are monitoring Hyypia’s situation and could now make an effort to lure the veteran to the North East, although Benitez wants the player to stay.

While Hyypia misses out, Philipp Degen keeps his place in the Champions League squad despite having not yet completed a full game for Liverpool since his summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund. 

Degen has been sidelined by a succession of injuries, and picked up another knock playing for the reserves against Manchester United in midweek. Asked if Hyypia would be in the Champions League squad, Benitez said yesterday: “I don’t think so. It will be difficult.

“We cannot change too much. We don’t have too many options. We need a right full-back just in case. I have told him. It was very positive. He is a good professional and he understands. I want him to stay.”

Daily Post

Its things like the above that wind me up. If Arbeloa was injured would Rafa really bring in an untested and untried Degan or would he move Carra to full back again ? Its no wonder other clubs have renewed their interest in Sami. Even Sami must be wondering WTF is going on. I am not saying give Sami a place because of sentiment, but because he has earned it with his performances so far this season.

FFS, this is exactly the kind of eccentric decision making that's doing my head in of late.  Hyypia has earned a spot in the CL squad based on his performances over the last few months and it's been pretty obvious for at least a month now that Carragher is our cover at RB should Arbeloa go down.  Unreal.

[Madmax]

Rafa go now, it´s time for klinsman, he will win the next 8 premier leagues and 4 european cups. Klinsman is the man.

And you are a prat, sarcasm aside.

It seems the irony doesn´t work at the net.
BTW, your mother doesn´t think the same of me.

  that made my day..

[Zidane]

RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged Liverpool supporters to “trust” him as he dismissed suggestions his team are too cautious to win the title.

The Anfield outfit entertain fellow championship contenders Chelsea tomorrow afternoon having slipped below the Londoners to third place in the Premier League table, with both teams two points adrift of leaders and champions Manchester United.

Liverpool have been hampered by a run of form that has seen them draw seven of their last 10 top-flight fixtures, including successive draws in their last three outings against Stoke City, Everton and Wigan Athletic.

Many supporters were critical of Benitez’s team selection and substitutions as they surrendered a one-goal lead late on at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday.

But the Spaniard has urged fans to keep the faith and believes victory over Chelsea would “change everything” for his team.

“The supporters need to trust the team, the team is doing well,” said Benitez.

“I am the manager and I will make the decisions and if the team can continue winning everyone will be happy, if not we will be disappointed.

“This year we have a very good problem. Expectation has gone high.

“Now we need to manage the situation. We have to keep going whether we win or cannot.

“Clearly this kind of game can change everything. If we win everyone will be talking about us being back in the title race, we are fantastic, we have an opportunity.

“The draws have been disappointing. If we win against Chelsea everything will change.”

Responding to accusations his tactics are too safety-first, Benitez said: “119 goals last season, 82 points record in history of club, four trophies, seven finals, you cannot be cautious and have all this.

“We scored more goals last season than any team in England. The problem is we are well organised as a team and when a team is like this it is seen as being less offensive.

“We have a very good balance. But you see the difference between Torres being fit and scoring goals like last season and being injured for three months.

“We would be talking about different things now.

“The difference the other day we had a lot of opportunities two against two with Gerrard and Torres. It is just the timing.”

Benitez has been taunted in the past fortnight by rival supporters chanting “Rafa’s cracking up” but the Spaniard insists he is delighted Liverpool are competing for the championship.

“When you play to avoid relegation you are under pressure, but when you play to win the Premier League, or to progress in the Champions League or FA Cup, I am pleased to be in this position,” he said.

“I don’t feel under any more pressure than when I was at Valencia for example trying to take on Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“We are eight points better than last season which is positive. Now clearly this month we couldn’t win games we normally win, but we have been playing exactly the same.”

Liverpool’s American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are both due to attend tomorrow’s game, but Benitez refused to be drawn of whether a possible new contract will be discussed if any meeting takes place between the trio.

“If the owners want to meet me, I have no problem with that,” he said.

“It will be a private conversation. If we have to talk I don’t have any problem. We can talk about team, club or whether Torres can score more goals.

“I don’t know the agenda.

“It could be about everything, I cannot say we will talk about this (the contract) and maybe we will talk about the game.

“I was clear I am preparing the game properly for Chelsea which is the priority. Afterwards, I can see Tom Hicks and George Gillett together and we can talk about the weather, the club, everything. It is not a problem.”

Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera are likely to return to the starting line-up tomorrow after being rested to the bench in midweek.

I want stability in the club over anything else right now really.  He needs a new contract if he doesn't keep doing well with us then sack him next season or something.  But for now a new contract needs to happen it is what is best for the club imo.  Too many risk come with getting rid of him in the summer.

[Effes]

erm weren't you calling for Rafa to be sacked a few short days ago. 

Being honest mate - no I wasn't.

[heimdall]

erm weren't you calling for Rafa to be sacked a few short days ago. 

Being honest mate - no I wasn't.

OK apologies then but you were certainly a lot more critical then you are today. 

[Emerald Red]

Euro omission raises Hyppia doubts
Jan 31 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

SAMI HYYPIA’S Anfield future could be called into question after the defender was again left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

The Finland international was not part of the 25-man pool for the group stages with UEFA rules limiting the number of foreign players. And Hyypia, a regular starter in the Premier League in recent months, has again been overlooked for the knockout stages with centre-backs Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher already at Rafael Benitez’s disposal.

Sunderland are among a number of clubs are monitoring Hyypia’s situation and could now make an effort to lure the veteran to the North East, although Benitez wants the player to stay.

While Hyypia misses out, Philipp Degen keeps his place in the Champions League squad despite having not yet completed a full game for Liverpool since his summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund. 

Degen has been sidelined by a succession of injuries, and picked up another knock playing for the reserves against Manchester United in midweek. Asked if Hyypia would be in the Champions League squad, Benitez said yesterday: “I don’t think so. It will be difficult.

“We cannot change too much. We don’t have too many options. We need a right full-back just in case. I have told him. It was very positive. He is a good professional and he understands. I want him to stay.”

Daily Post

Its things like the above that wind me up. If Arbeloa was injured would Rafa really bring in an untested and untried Degan or would he move Carra to full back again ? Its no wonder other clubs have renewed their interest in Sami. Even Sami must be wondering WTF is going on. I am not saying give Sami a place because of sentiment, but because he has earned it with his performances so far this season.

FFS, this is exactly the kind of eccentric decision making that's doing my head in of late.  Hyypia has earned a spot in the CL squad based on his performances over the last few months and it's been pretty obvious for at least a month now that Carragher is our cover at RB should Arbeloa go down.  Unreal.

I'm in agreement there. I'm starting to think that Rafa seriously now must believe that the players he has are good enough, or think they are of equal class. You know the players I mean. Players that would be regarded as second rate squad fillers such as Benayoun and Lucas, and dare I say it, Dirk Kuyt. I know this is what the man has to work with, but if he seriously can't see that they are nowhere near good enough even as squad/fringe players for LFC, then I despair for Rafa, I really do. I say take the shackles off the man and therefor we will surely find out what he's made of.