Liverpool FC Forum

[Leonmc0708]

THERE are certain things in life you should know by the time you reach your forties.

Never get your hair cut in a place called Kutting Kabin or you will end up looking like a Komplete Klown. The tight T-shirt which looks good on the 21-year-old shop assistant? Put it back on the rack unless you want to look like the only gay in the village.

And never write off the ability of a proven winner with youth on his side and a raging appetite to succeed.

Many did with Rafael Benitez. In Spain they called him a fool who'd been lured by money into leaving champions Valencia for a sleeping giant that had dropped into a coma. Here they said he was Gerard Houllier in disguise, an over-hyped one-trick pony who had simply replaced poor Frenchmen with poor Spaniards.Alan Hansen went as far as to call his team "the worst Liverpool side I can remember." A quote which could very well do for Liverpool what his "you'll win nothing with kids" did for Manchester United. And him in his forties too.

I've always thought Benitez's critics were as off-target as a Vagner Love penalty and on Wednesday at Deportivo he proved it. Because only a born motivator with an outstanding coaching brain could have coaxed that victory from a such a depleted squad.

Let's not forget he began life at Anfield like a Judaean baby with Herod hovering over the crib.

He was promised a fortune to bring in the three world-class players that would keep Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard happy, but never received it.

Mainly because Gerard Houllier had already spent £14million of his budget on Djibril Cisse, who has yet to begin the repayments.

From day one it was sell to buy. The problem was, Danny Murphy apart, nobody's services warranted a cheque.

The confusion wasn't helped trying to persuade Gerrard and Owen to stay, the latter doing a runner days before the transfer window shut, with the winger he got in return, Antonio Nunez, crocking himself on day one.

Plus he couldn't recruit any of his old Valencia players as he was in contractual dispute with the club.

The promised new investment at Anfield never materialised, although the cost of the new stadium and the expectations of success-starved fans never ceased to spiral.

Which might have made some men blame a wife unable to go shopping in the rain as an excuse to scuttle back to Spain, especially when critics demanded to know why his revolution wasn't complete by the end of August. Instead Benitez declared he was here for the long haul, took the stick, and got on with the job. He spent what money he had on three Spaniards, all of whom have impressed in various ways (and one, Xabi Alonso, is destined to be world class). He has turned Jamie Carragher into one of the best central defenders in the land, revitalised John Arne Riise's attacking game, made Djimi Traore and Igor Biscan look like footballers, given Milan Baros the confidence he so desperately needed, blooded youngsters never seen under Houllier, and brought back an attacking style that befits the club's legacy.

Liverpool have the only 100 per cent home record left. For the first time in five years they've turned around a first-half deficit at home and for the first time since 1991 turned round a half-time deficit away from home.

And this week, with Cisse joining a long injury list, they won in Spain for the first time in 20 years.

Which meant that despite a thin squad coming to terms with a tactical overhaul, they have comfortably beaten two of last season's Champions League semi-finalists (Monaco were the other), and were unlucky not to draw away with a third (Chelsea).

They're one win away from the Champions League knock-outs and a game-in-hand victory (home to Portsmouth) away from the top four.

All achieved with two strikers unable to pass to each other, the only player who's scored goals for six years now in Madrid, and the only one who turned up last season, Steven Gerrard, out injured.

Kopites have had too many false managerial dawns these past 15 years to get carried away, but Benitez looks the real deal. A proven winner who can spot talent, puts players in their natural positions, knows how he wants to play and where he wants to go.

And any critics who doubt his ability or who scoff at his progress should hang around Anfield before 3 o'clock today and watch Liverpudlians turning up with something they've been leaving at home for the past couple of years. A smile.

Meaning if this truly is the worst Liverpool team in living memory their fans are either all on Prozac or Benitez is actually quite good at his job.

Brian Reade Article

[fivecups]

Brilliantly put.

[laza]

Great read, thanks for sharing that

[Ciggy]

great post Leon

[Paul C]

Fantastic post Leon, said what I have been trying to explain to other footie fans since Rafa joined

[Ciggy]

Liverpool have the only 100 per cent home record left.
Lets hope it stays that way at 5 o clock tonight.

[Leonmc0708]

Liverpool have the only 100 per cent home record left.
Lets hope it stays that way at 5 o clock tonight.

It will, I reckon you should lump on the following bets:

Riise (each way) top score first goal @ 16-1 stanley bet (half the odds 123). If Risse scores one of the goals in a 3-0 win then you win at 8-1.

Heskey to miss a penalty (Blackburn last year enyone?) at 8-1 with Bet365.

Liverpool to win (with Birmingham receiving a one goal start) on the handicap, 9-4 with sporting odds.

[Redrider]

There's no doubting that Rafa came to the table and picked up a cr#p hand of cards, which he has played well beyond their immediate strength. My only concern is how long he can keep on performing his miracles without some help.
As you can see from our perilous financial fortunes, qualification for the next round of the CL is essential.
I feel that we desparately need a 'Morgan' style intervention on the management front to give Rafa the financial support to lift us into the position where we are truely competative at the top level.

[Gareth G]

Good read, thanks Leon.

I was just thinking about this earlier, and how so many of the members on this board slated Benitez...WERE ARE YOU NOW?

And if my memory serves me well, i think stu_the_dick was one of 'em!!

[azriahmad]

Good article, Leon.

[L-type]

wow talk about a jinx ...... "Only perfect home record" and "One win away from 4th place"  good article tho

[Ciggy]

anno good job i didnt do that bet aswell Leon  

[115-1073096938]

KOP-1892, if you're reffering to me, presumably you are,
I STRONGLY suggest you check you facts lad. Drag up every single post in it where i mention Benitez, drag up everyone after Houllier left, drag up the ones which stated who i'd want in charge IF Houllier left.

If you can quote me one time i've slagged Benitez or said he wasn't the right choice, i'll give you £200 cash in hand.

Just because i don't agree with the signing of Josemi doesn't make mean i don't support the manager of the club i love. I just hope you have the bottle to support OUR manager WHEN we hit a bad patch.

[Redrider]

I think Benitez had his weak hand exposed today !! The exercise from now on in, will be damage limitation until we can establish a strong core for the team. Return of Gerrard, purchase of a new striker etc.

[The Canadian Red Army]

look im really sorry but could you plz change your font to black or blue
its really annoying trying to read it in red