Liverpool FC

Watched ManCity game.....hard to be dissapointed because it was a dominant second half performance in a tough place to play. But, sadly, this really hits the chances in the title race.....

Kuyt should not be allowed to tough the ball in midfield. Him and Benayoun run a lot but can't really be depended on for goal scoring...a healthy and in--form Xabi Alonso and we'd have probably won 1-0.

Good defending by City though.....usually we are the ones doing that.

Again we miss the opportunity to take advantage of Man U slipping up a day earlier. We should have gone there and attacked for the whole game as we did in the last 10 mins. That's why we'll never win the league under Benitez.

Im curious, do Liverpool fans here still back Rafa Benitez? Is it just me or is he being totally unreasonable in asking for yet MORE money.

Yes, I do back Benitez, even if I think sometimes he's just way too stuborn with his rotation and his faith in Kuyt and Momo sometimes feels just wrong. The thing is, no one better than him would take over Liverpool, so I'm glad to have him.

Most still back Rafa, but we're getting more and more annoyed with the fact he hasnt a clue what his first team is.

Tom;2464666 said:

Most still back Rafa, but we're getting more and more annoyed with the fact he hasnt a clue what his first team is.

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But the rotation policy keeps the burglars on their toes!

So, we have signed Squirtle! how long until it evolves into a Wartortle or Blastoise?

Everytime I visit the BBC, or SkySports, website I can;t help but feel that the headline is going to read "Rafa Gone". Sure finishing at the very top the EPL was going to be tough for us, but this has become ridiculous....

Guys - You are not at all good analysts of the game and do not know football well enough to make decent judgements (different to opinions). The main principle and reasonin behing bringin Rafael Benitez, an unknown manager in the UK at that time, was so he could win the premier league with LFC. After great success with Valencia he also thought he could do the same with a team simlar to valencia -Regarded as the top 4 teams in the domestic league but only just in it. The first question we must ask is whether he did that - NO. So he should be sacked - YES. But why isnt he gone to another club - SIMPLE. Rafa Benitez has compensated with not winnin the league by obtaining Big ears (Champions league) for the 5th time, reaching another final 2 years later ad with those sucesses, a handful of other domestic cups and minor runners up performances.

No one questioned his rotation policy when Liverpool won te FA Cup or were Champions League runners up. This is the media trying to fill in their webpages and news pages so that we buy their papers and o onto thei websites. No one gave a damn about Stevie G playing on the right side because they were winning stuff. But now the media is continuing this saga when all this remains is speculation.

Sure his rotation policy is being questioned and his selection of players and the positions he puts them in. Sure his policy of playing two holding midfielders was questioned but have ANY OF YOU THOUGHT HOW HE MUST HAVE FELT when our bloody American owners said when they were looking for his replacement last week?

Rafael Benitez is the best manager Liverpool have ever had. The reason being that he has accomplished so much with a lot less talent than what Shankly did and what Dalglish did. Is reina reall as good as Grobelaar, is Carra as good as Hansen was, is Torres as good as Rush was - SIMPLE ANSWER NO. Liverpool won everything in the 80s because they had the best team. There were never as many fans then as there are now and never was the stadium sooo full in matches. But they did it because of team spirit and unity. We need to stick by him not go against him. WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT???

He is the only manager in the league that can turn good players into great players overnight before a match and he should stay until Liverpool win the premier league.

If these Yanks stay, well, Hicks specifically, then Benitez is gone at the end of the season. If however they can't get refinancing, there is a good chance they could sell to DIC, which would suit everyone.

I'm a ManU fan, but unless they get someone the caliber of a Mourinho, I just don't see how they get rid of Benitez...You guys have too many strikers, and not enough midfield talent....

twosmiths;2470462 said:

I'm a ManU fan, but unless they get someone the caliber of a Mourinho, I just don't see how they get rid of Benitez...You guys have too many strikers, and not enough midfield talent....

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I'd say we have too many midfielders (central mids, that is... Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Lucas, Mascherano...) and not enough attacking talent (Crouch, Kuyt, Voronin are decent at best, not world class, and Babel needs a bit more experience imo)

kramer11;2470024 said:

If these Yanks stay, well, Hicks specifically, then Benitez is gone at the end of the season. If however they can't get refinancing, there is a good chance they could sell to DIC, which would suit everyone.

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http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=499733&cc=5901

Kibe Kru;2470511 said:

(Crouch, Kuyt, is decent

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Hardly, I mean if I wanted to start a hoops team with EPL players, Crouch is the first guy I'd pick, but he sux on the pitch!!! Kuyt, hasn't been all that great either. Torres and Babel, if given time could develop into a good partnership, Hence the need for more midfield talent...

I just wanted to know what other 'Pool fans think of Gillett. Remember he launched his first bid on his own and when that failed came back later with ol' Tommy. I can't really say I have anything against the guy, especially since he's reportedly growing ever more resentful of ever going into business with Hicks. I wouldn't really have minded if DIC bought out Hicks' share and Gillett was still about, seeing as the Montreal Canadiennes have apparently prospered with him at the helm and he's conducted himself very well while at the club [apart from the little 'franchise' mishap]. But obviously it looks as though DIC want a total buyout, so I just wanted everyone's opinions on him. I just get the feeling he is villified through association to Hicks with the whole 'Tom & George', 'G & H' thing.

Gillett owns the Montreal Canadiens, Hicks owns the Dallas Stars......the last time I gave two sh*ts about either of them. They don't know much about this sport BUT are flapping their tongues too much. DIC would be better.....and would probably allow for a transfer kitty, without having the new stadium cripple the books.

Rafa could be gone after the 2nd leg in the CL. Gerrard, Sissoko and Alonso are all we need. 2 half decent wingers would help....Kewell is NOT reliable. Get rid of him, and the rest of the mish mash....Kuyt, Voronin, Benayoun, etc.

'Crouch sux on the pitch'

Ok I don't know why I'm bothering to reply to someone who either can't spell sucks, or finds saving two letters to be a valuable time saver, but don't be a dick. Just how many goals or assists does he have to get before you can look past his frankly irrelevant appearence? I'm not saying he is Pelé, but he is clearly a decent Premiership footballer, who also has a cracking international record. Also, if Rafa had played him in the CL final from the start 'pool might have won 6 now, as he was the only remotely dangerous red player when he came on, and AC Milan were probably very pleased to be facing 'try hard' Kuyt instead for most of the game.

Spot on mate........

Crouch is one of the best players Liverpool and England have. He works hard, always gives 100%, and ALWAYS scores goals. Then look at his assists and hold up play. Crouch is a great player and I find it ridiculous that even though people know it, they will not admit it. Is it simply because of how he looks? If so then thats pathetic.

I'd get rid of Kuyt and Veronin before I even thought about letting Crouch go.

Lads we have the second best squad in the premiership, only Chelsea's is better. Look at our positions and then look at the replacements for each position. Alonso in midfield and his cover-up is Mascherano OR Sissoko. Babel on the left hand side but ifhe doesnt play then we have Kewell, Riise, Aureliio and even Benayoun. Its not about the players we should ne talking about. Its the owners and the manager.

No one has to go. They just need to be mentally fit - RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT. The owners need to F*CK OFF so someone who is interested in the club like DIC can come in and provide Rafa the tools he needs fo the job. Mind Rafa already has many of them but does not know how to use them. If he could scrap his rotation policy and play the best team every team then LFC would win. As for the league title there is only one way to win it and thats why I am aready focusing on next season.

The way to win it is to beat Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea away. Then watch Chelsea beat Arsenal and Utd at home. See Utd and Arsenal play out a draw at Old Trafford and then see ourselves sitting top of the table.

Looks like they're not going anywhere:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7203724.stm