Liverpool FC Forum

[bunglemark2]

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.

What does "take the shackles off him" mean ? Let him sign who he wants ?
I don't get your point - explain please...

[The_Rock]

What ? After how hyppia has performed this season (he has been our best CB)..?

Gosh....whats happening ? 

[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.

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

"Sarcasm aside".

It seems you are not too bright.

My mother thinks you're a loser who can't get it up unless he watches sheep sh*gging one another.

Must be why you like it so much on here...

[dawson99]

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.

"Sarcasm aside".

It seems you are not too bright.

My mother thinks you're a loser who can't get it up unless he watches sheep sh*gging one another.

Must be why you like it so much on here...

If theres more than 2 sheep though surely he'd fall asleep 

[account deleted by request]

Rafa Benitez turns into Gerard Houllier

By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 31/01/2009

WHEN Rafa Benitez’s name was first put to the Liverpool board in October 2003, one director objected.

“He looks a bit like a Spanish Gerard Houllier to me,” said the cautionary voice.

Once he had arrived at Anfield the following summer, Benitez proceeded to dismantle any such fears, providing a welcome antidote to the erratic, paranoid ramblings which undermined the last two years of Houllier’s reign.

Deep into his fifth season on Merseyside, there are worrying signs of Benitez’s gradual transformation into the Houllier who departed Liverpool.

You could be forgiven for thinking there’s an Anfield script for under-siege bosses. Talk of ‘five-year plans’ carries a déjà vu warning, while the old ditty about how long it took Sir Alex Ferguson to win his first title has become a timeless classic.

Like Houllier, the pragmatic, likeable and brilliant coach who won silverware in his first two seasons, Benitez has now become a perplexing figure, a man struggling with a persecution complex.

It speaks volumes when the most lucrative managerial deal in Anfield history is presented as an act which undermines rather than reassures him.

Naturally, he has found ammunition thanks to the behind-the-scenes shambles, although he’s as much a beneficiary as victim. Four of Liverpool’s six-man board wanted Benitez’s position as manager reviewed last summer, and the same individuals believe there should be serious discussion about his future this May if he doesn’t sustain a title challenge.

A defeat to Chelsea today may even test his alliance with the fickle Tom Hicks, who must agree to his co-owner’s wish to shelve Benitez’s contract offer. That would undoubtedly signal the beginning of the end of his reign.

Boardroom dissenters felt compelled to agree to Hicks’ demand for a contract extension while Liverpool were top of the league last December.

They also felt they were serving the will of The Kop and herein lies one of the reasons Liverpool managers are vulnerable to an ascent into presumed dictatorship. The Anfield dugout is acclaimed unlike any in world football. Once he has won the hearts and minds of the people, a Liverpool manager inspires religious devotion.
Sacrilege

Houllier enjoyed this for a time between 2001-02 and post-Istanbul Benitez was afforded the same status. Both have learnt to milk it during times of stress. Benitez has played ‘the fan card’ so much lately he could enjoy a profitable poker career.

On the back of such affection, the affable, intelligent, quietly-spoken modesty which typified their early years gives way to an erratic, megalomaniac pursuit of self-preservation and self-congratulation — but not enough self-assessment.

Criticism used to be brushed off but is now viewed as an act of sacrilege. Houllier used to go through Press cuttings with a highlighter pen in order to dress down detractors. Benitez has appointed his own media watchdog, Juan Francesco, to report to him on every critical sentence uttered in print, TV, radio or on Liverpool websites.

The disintegration of Houllier’s regime was traced to the departure of his right-hand man, Patrice Bergues, after the 2001 treble.

Again, the parallels are unavoidable. Rafa’s chief scout Paco Herrera and assistant manager Pako Ayesteran were voices of wisdom who have gone, replaced by backroom devotees who react to every Benitez decision with gushing applause rather than analysis.

“There’s no one there to say ‘no’ to him any more,” said one Anfield source.
Expectations

Add to this a cautious tactical approach. Houllier used to order print-outs of the number of shots on goal and corners Liverpool won to distribute to disbelieving journalists. Benitez trotted out a statistic about the number of goals Liverpool scored last season when asked if he was ‘too defensive’.

His press conferences are also becoming an echo. In November 2002, Houllier stated: “We have been a victim of our own success after doing so well last year. But it is good people had greater expectations this season.”

This month, Benitez said: “Everyone thinks this is the year because expectations are so high. We are where we are because we’re doing things right.”

Rafa would be wise to learn from Houllier’s fate. Anything but victory over Chelsea and a vast improvement in body, mind and behaviour will ensure the attention switches away from the boardroom and stays on the dugout.
Analyst

That may assist the players who admit the pressure appears to be focused elsewhere. For Xabi Alonso, Liverpool have been talking the talk but not walking the walk this year.

“Playing well is what gets you respect,” he said. “If anyone talks too much and doesn’t perform, he is danger of losing respect from other professionals.”

After his rants against Ferguson, Everton and contract dissatisfaction, Benitez should listen to such sage advice. It would be a good start for Rafa to ask his media analyst to find cuttings of how he managed the club between 2004-2006. That was when he made a habit of overseeing miracles to win trophies.

If he’s going to end Liverpool’s wait for the title, he needs another one.

[Kharhaz]

After his rants against Ferguson, Everton and contract dissatisfaction, Benitez should listen to such sage advice. It would be a good start for Rafa to ask his media analyst to find cuttings of how he managed the club between 2004-2006. That was when he made a habit of overseeing miracles to win trophies.

Then I read this:

Chris Bascombe.

Then I remember he sold out and therefore his opinion is as valid as Mr Hanky telling Dirk Kuyt hes sh!t !

I hate the sunday press ! 

[lakes10]

On thing that has stuck out for me from Sky sports today i about the meeting Rafa is going to have with the owners.

It seems the contract talks are going to be 2nd on the list, the first thing on the list to talk about is Rafa talking to the press about his contract, Rafa talking about Keane to the press and Rafa having a pop at the Ref and other teams in the press.

I wonder if we will see another "my job is to get the team ready for the next game, my job is to get the team ready for the next game," interview after the meeting?

[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.

What does "take the shackles off him" mean ? Let him sign who he wants ?
I don't get your point - explain please...

Yeah, more freedom over signings. More backing. You know, the kind of sh*t Fergie takes for granted, while the likes of Mourinho and Rafa get fed up with and walk when getting none.

[tubby]

This season he has himself to blame by throwing the club out of focus with his contract business. If it were a player he would say wait till the summer to discuss it yet he maks a point to let everyone know he has rejected it midway into a season. You could argue that he he knew that would destabalise the team and he is showing the owners what happens if he doesnt get his way. Sounds like a crazy idea doesnt it but Rafa is a calculating man so I think he knew this would happen and wanted it to happen this way.

Don't you get it? Rafa has done what he set out to do - take the pressure off the players and put it on him.

Was it you who lauded Mourinho a genius when he did the same thing at Chelsea?

I didn't laud him a genius but it was a good thing to do. However it worked better there as they won the league. If anything it has had a negative effect here.

[GYBS]

well for someone supposed to be having a nervous breakdown and cracking up he seemed pretty cheerful before and after the match

[Madmax]

well for someone supposed to be having a nervous breakdown and cracking up he seemed pretty cheerful before and after the match

I think he looks like his lost it.. His always smiling and looks abit retarded       joking
Anyways lets just hope we keep this going a notch some more victories

[Zidane]

Double over Chelsea and a win against the Mancs this season, to me that is a big big deal.  Not long before we have the league and a good run at remaining champions as well.  As frustrating as he is he's a good manager overall, everyone has their faults.

[Leonmc0708]

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. 

Even the fickle people can see the fickleness of other fickle people.

[GYBS]

Oh look the numbers for his sackin have gone up again - is that the keane lovers voting now

[paul_777]

This is been our best chance of winning the league for the last 10 years a least, not because we have improved by a huge amount, because Chelsea, Aresenal and Man U have not been palying well, its a simple as that. Now Man U have stepped up to there usual form we are sinking fast, Rafa can only take the club so far in the league with his style of play, we can't break down teams that put 10 men behind the ball. Manu pile players forward against the lesser teams, we are way to cagey, our style suits european football, thats what will keep him in his job for the next two years i'd say, I hope i'm proved wrong and we will win the league but i'm just saying what I see...