Liverpool FC Forum

by **GYBS** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:46 am

Brilliant just brilliant - have a cracking results away to madrid yet some still not bloody happy about it and try to make it out as if ewe only won cause we were playing a sh ite team who wouldnt get into the top 6 in the prem ? the same madrid side that are on a run of 10 victories and last game they played befoer tonight were winning 6-1 at half time ? Feck sake guys lets just hold our hands up and say bloody well done players and manager - you beat one of the best sides in europe last night on their own soil and should deserve all the plaudits this morning - i expected the media to gloss over it but not our own fans

by **mistyred** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:02 am

What a fantastic result well done to all.

The tabloids are bang on it this morning with the Rafa story,
TBH he didn't really say anything as such, i.e No i'm here to stay.

The players will never say anything either, they will not get anything
out of the manager untill he is ready, watched the game on Sky last
night even the panel of so called pundits were stumped for answers.

Bloody happy we took it to the over pampered Madrid players
that will well and truly hurt them this morning.

by **GYBS** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:07 am

BENITEZ OPTIMISTIC OVER CONTRACT

Rafael Benitez is confident of making progress in discussions over his Liverpool contract after Wednesday night's 1-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg victory over Real Madrid.

Yossi Benayoun's late header at the Bernabeu put the Reds in pole position to progress to the last eight and Benitez was swift to dismiss speculation he had been ready to quit Anfield.

The Spaniard said: "My lawyers and advisors have been talking to the club's owners over the past few days about the contract and I believe that problems we have can be overcome.

"I was very surprised to hear rumours that I was going to resign.

"I can assure you that I have not been considering such a move, and it was a shock to hear such suggestions.

"It needs to be clear that I was not thinking of resigning. My aim is to keep working and winning and to tell the owners that on the pitch."

Benitez has been locked in talks with owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks over a new four-year deal for several weeks.

And he strenuously refuted claims he was considering his position, reiterating he is happy at the club.

"I expect talks to continue between my lawyers, my advisors, myself and the owners," added Benitez.

"I am really pleased with my position at the club, I have not been thinking about resigning.

"My aim is to win every game that is possible for this club, and my advisors will continue to talk. We will see what happens then.

"We are still talking, so we will see what happens in the future.

"I was not thinking about resigning, obviously I cannot control other things that I could be fired, but I was just concentrating on the game.

"The club has made it clear this rumour was not true. That is important for everyone. Stability is the key if you want to be successful.

"And the players were able to do their talking on the pitch, not beforehand."

Benitez was thrilled with the victory which gives him the opportunity to lead Liverpool to the Champions League quarter-final for the fourth time in five seasons.

"This was a very important victory," he said. "Particularly as we did not have Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres was troubled by an ankle injury from the first minute.

"But we were able to play them on the counter-attack. We knew how Real play and we were able to organise our tactics accordingly."

Benitez expects Torres to miss Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough with his ankle injury, but believes Gerrard could start the game following the hamstring injury that restricted his involvement against Real to the last few minutes

by **dawson99** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:20 am

kazza wrote:Raffa has made us one of the most feared teams in Europe, how is that not progress? Team always looked under control in this match. Although Real are not the team they were a few years ago they have won a lot of football matches in a row and were full of confidence. A very good performance by the lads, made us proud. Should not get too excited however as we still got a way to go before being crowned champions of Europe.

Sad thing is we'll probably lose to Boro now.

But Kudos to Rafa and the team, fantastic result!!! :buttrock

by **mistyred** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:40 am

The sad thing is GYBS is that someone has to give, Rafa has a very bad
relationship with Parry ang Gillet, Hicks can't stand Parry or Gillet, One
of the owners can't stand Rafa, inturn Rafa has NOT yet signed the dotted line.

I doesn't matter how sugar coated it is made out to be, something is
badly wrong and someone has to give in the made power struggle that's
going on and in my mind their will only ever be one winner.

by **GYBS** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:58 am

And that winner wont be the club or the fans if rafa gets the boot or leaves because of it all and in my eyes that is very sad for us and would start a descent to the uefa cup levels

by **mistyred** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:09 am

Real Madrid dug themselves a hole last night, big mouths humbled and it
couldn't have happened to nicer club.

The best all round would be H&G sell up, Parry fecks off, Rafa has a year
with no pressure at the club with some money and shows if all the aformentioned
was the reason for all the "Blips" wev'e had all over the place this season.

But i doubt this will happen, but it would be the best solution.

by **GYBS** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:17 am

It would be the perfect solution mate of that there is no doubt - but think there is more chance or maureen arriveng (and that is never) than G&H selling up .

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:24 am

A great win yesterday, and one that shows just how different European football is to the prem. I thought Madrid would have shown more creativity than they did, but they looked bereft of ideas and seemed to rely on Roben to provide any spark. (I wouldn't mind him at Anfield next season). Without Huntelaar or Van Nistelroy they didn't look a threat up front and without Van der vaart and Sneijder(why did he not come on ?) no creativity in the centre of midfield.

We on the other hand didn't need to show any creativity, our job was to grind out a result which we did with consumate ease (I never once thought we were in any danger) and then to put the icing on the cake we scored from a well taken free kick.

I thought we perhaps showed Madrid a little too much respect in the first half when the opportunities to get forward were not taken, but no doubt without Gerrard it was all part of the plan.

I think these games where its up to the opposition to break US DOWN, suit us much more than games were we are expected to break the other side down. Because we too have a lack of creativity .........but we also have Gerrard and Torres who can on occasion produce a goal from nothing.

I also expected a late rally from Madrid such as I would have expected from Liverpool under similar circumstances........ thankfully it never came.

I thought Aurelio had an outstanding game for us, defended well (with the help of Riera) and delivered some fine crosses (especially for the goal).

Some of our bookings yesterday were laughable. We win the ball and get booked, for making a good tackle?

by **Roger Red Hat** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:29 am

riera got booked for protecting his face against a crossed ball coming at him at 200mph+ ? wtf?

by **bigmick** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:14 pm

Lee J wrote:riera got booked for protecting his face against a crossed ball coming at him at 200mph+ ? wtf?

Yes he got booked for doing absolutely feck all, then a guy breaks him in half with an absolutely diabolical tackle and gets the same punishment. Masherano's was a joke as well, and although we dillied around a bit I think it's b0ll0cks blowing for half time when it's our corner as well.

by **Judge** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:27 pm

Judge wrote:a thread not started by bernestein has produced a victory - thanks to me

a great win, so great in fact that we have another thread on it ?

listen peasants read the above

by **The_Rock** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:44 pm

Without Huntelaar or Van Nistelroy they didn't look a threat up front and without Van der vaart and Sneijder(why did he not come on ?) no creativity
in the centre of midfield.

Does Sneijder have any problem with one-day (season) ramos ?

If there is any problem there...we should get him.

by **GYBS** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:46 pm

We got a spare 20 mil to get him ?

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:49 pm

GYBS wrote:We got a spare 20 mil to get him ?

We would have but for the Keane fiasco

Liverpool FC Forum

REAL MADRID VS LIVERPOOL - Champions league 1st k/o round

Who is online