Liverpool FC Forum

by **unhappyred** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:21 pm

Harry Kewell today revealed the arrival of Rafael Benitez has generated a new buzz around the corridors of Melwood.
The Australian international admits pre-season work has been tough so far with the players being put through their paces by Benitez and his new backroom staff, but he says everyone is rising to the challenge of proving to the Spaniard they are deserving of a place in his future plans.

Kewell told Liverpoolfc.tv: "The manager has brought new ideas with him and pre-season has been tough so far. You expect it to be hard but I think we're all enjoying it.

"He has really been putting us through our paces and the muscles are aching, but this is an important time of the season because we're all looking to make a good impression.

"It's very exciting to be working with a manager who has the track record he has. What he did at Valencia was massive and hopefully he can bring that kind of success here.

"There's definitely a new buzz around the place. When new people arrive it means it's a new start for everyone and we all start from scratch. It's still very early days but so far I'm really enjoying it."

Just goes to show the players didnt need ralgex under houllier feel the burn baby

by **JBG** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:28 pm

Good to here, especially from Kewell.

Houllier had us fighting fit in his first couple of seasons but am I alone in thinking that other clubs surpassed our fitness levels in the last 18 months?

by **fritzylfc** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:13 pm

good enough for them my heart was aching for 18 months. keep them running bennie

by **Leonmc0708** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:41 pm

I love the irony of a "buzzin at mellwood" thread being started by "unhappyred".

by **115-1073096938** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:57 pm

JBG, you aren't alone at all.

Since we lost Bergues we lost that fitness level which made us so dangerous away from home and so hard to break down wherever we played.

by **JBG** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:01 pm

I think that's a fair point Stu.

I remember in 1999 and 2000 Alex Ferguson commented on how he was amazed at Liverpool's fitness levels and physical strength under Houllier. He claimed back then we were the fittest and strongest (physically) team in the Premiership.

I know since then some of the personel changed and some players got older, but it was embarassing to watch Southampton over run us at Anfield last season.

by **Leonmc0708** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:08 pm

John Barnes' Granny wrote:I think that's a fair point Stu.

I remember in 1999 and 2000 Alex Ferguson commented on how he was amazed at Liverpool's fitness levels and physical strength under Houllier. He claimed back then we were the fittest and strongest (physically) team in the Premiership.

I know since then some of the personel changed and some players got older, but it was embarassing to watch Southampton over run us at Anfield last season.

Embarrasing is not in it.

by **fivecups** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:17 pm

unhappyred wrote:"He has really been putting us through our paces and the muscles are aching, but this is an important time of the season because we're all looking to make a good impression.

Sounds good.

I like the fact that he's assessing the current squad to see what he's got before rushing out and spending millions. There are definitely players who underperformed under Houllier in the squad.

by **zarababe** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:32 pm

of course there's a buzz... there's one of my laptop as I type away.. Benitez has given my deflated Liverpool spirit a real boost..oops "buzz" I mean

by **jimmyb** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:55 pm

I think the players had had enough of houllier,just like us, bored of watching mind -numbing football,it must have been hard playing so defensively,i just hope we see some attacking football at anfield,the last two years have been a nightmare.cant wait for new season.

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