Liverpool FC Forum

[JamCar05]

The captain speaks about the forthcoming game against Porto, but doesn't directly comment on the Rafa-saga:

Steven Gerrard’s warning for team-mates Nov 27 2007




by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

 


STEVEN GERRARD today ordered his Liverpool team-mates not to be distracted by the ongoing crisis at Anfield.

The Liverpool captain is acutely aware of the dangers of players losing their focus – particularly with tomorrow night’s crunch Champions League meeting with Porto coming at a time when manager Rafa Benitez and the club’s American owners are at loggerheads.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry held two hours of talks with Benitez last night and those talks were described as “amicable” by club insiders – but the rift between the manager and Tom Hicks and George Gillett is still to be healed.

Despite the ongoing speculation, Gerrard is confident Liverpool will retain their professionalism on the pitch and believes they can continue their good form against the Portuguese champions.




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He said: “It’s important that the players keep their focus.


“We realise that there is stuff going on behind the scenes but as a player you have just got to blank that out.


“As players we get judged on results so it's vital that we don't get distracted from what is going on on the pitch and keep on winning.


“The match against Porto is crucial so we have to take our form into it and make sure we perform on the night.”


Gerrard admits the Liverpool players were shocked when Benitez wore a tracksuit rather than one of his trademark suits for the Newcastle game at the weekend – but joked that he would like to see him wear one more often if it helps get results like the 3-0 win at St James Park.


He said: “The manager is usually in a suit, it’s not like him.


“But he can keep wearing a tracksuit for away games if we keep getting results like the one at Newcastle.”


Gerrard delivered one of his best performances of the season so far against Newcastle, scoring one fantastic goal and playing a key supporting role in the other two, but was happy to play down his own contribution and hail that of Brazilian youngster Lucas.


He said: “The manager has got a lot of faith in Lucas and so have his team-mates. He has got fantastic talent and he has just got to keep his feet on the ground.


“He had great players around him at Newcastle, the likes of Harry Kewell, Fernando Torres and Carra and Sami Hyypia behind him, helping him and talking him through the game.


“But he did really well and now he just needs to take the confidence from that performance and build on it.”

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liv....ge.html

[JamCar05]

I don't know how to highlight things, but there is not much in it though. It does somewhere say, that Rick Parry talked to Rafa for two hours yesterday, and that the talk was "amicable". Also Gerrard tells about his surprise of Rafa wearing a tracksuit, but besides that nothing really. Would have liked to hear some support from our captain, but clearly this is also a difficult situation for him and the team, as they desperately need to focus on the next game and are somewhat "stuck in the middle".

[Sabre]

The use of the tracksuit is nothing but the same point he made in the press room, and if you will, a bit childish

Tracksuits are normal in traditional coaches in Spain. Aragones only uses a suit when he's forced to use one. So if Rafa's told to focus on the pitch, he'll put the tracksuit, as that's the proper thing to wear in a pitch, not in an office. Just Rafa making that point

I didn't expect the captain to back Rafa now. He has done the right thing. No need to add more fuel to the fight, but just cooling it down. I'm sure that if he scores, he will run to Rafa to celebrate the goal or something like that, but it's ok in my view he avoids to enter the controversy.

[Leonmc0708]

excellent article:

http://sports.setanta.com/en....Benitez

Somehow, and by logic maybe only two loaded American businessmen understand, Rafa Benitez finds his position as Liverpool manager extremely precarious as we head into December.

Despite the fact Rafa's Reds have made their best Premier League start for years, co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are threatening to play the role of Ebineezer Scrooge as the festive period approaches.

When Kopites wrote their Christmas lists a month ago, the majority would have asked for three points at Derby on Boxing Day and maybe the capture of Lionel Messi in their Christmas stockings. Now they merely hope Benitez will still be manager.

Here are three reasons why:

Master tactician:

When Gerard Houllier named his final team-sheet at the end of the 2003/04 season, it listed the following back four: Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise.

I know what you might be thinking. Those players are all still major factors in Liverpool’s squad of today, so Benitez inherited his good defence.

Wrong.

Remember that bandwagon that the less-educated sports pundit likes to jump aboard? You know, the one about zonal marking? I believe it was Rafa who introduced that at Anfield.

Indeed it is Rafa’s Liverpool who have broken club records for clean sheets kept in a season.

When was the last time they conceded from a set piece using this ‘dodgy’ zonal marking system? Seven months ago – when already 2-0 down at Arsenal. Let that bandwagon role on.

Signings:

Supposedly the reason causing the current bad blood in the Anfield boardroom, Benitez wants his bosses to move now to secure cheap bargains. They are not responding, telling him he has had enough money.

One might argue that, after splashing out £40 million in the summer, Liverpool’s co-owners have a point. But then how many times has Benitez actually wasted the shiny gold of the Anfield coffers on big-money signings?

Fernando Morientes? (£6.3m) Who would have predicted such a class player would not adapt to life in England? As a counter, who would have predicted £7 million Peter Crouch would be a bigger success?

Craig Bellamy? (£6m) Whether he was Liverpool class is debatable but the Wales international played a big part in helping Liverpool to a Champions League final – plus they recouped their £6 million outlay.

Now look at the successes of Benitez's big money captures: Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina, Luis Garcia.

Dirk Kuyt , Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel are also fashioning growing reputations.

Should the co-owners bow to Benitez’s demands? What reason have they got not to trust his judgement?

Unrivalled success:

Fast forward on from Houllier’s last game to 5th April 2005, Juventus at home, Champions League quarter final first leg.

Still with a squad barely showing the mark of Benitez, the Spaniard managed to mastermind a 2-1 victory over one of European football’s giants.

Why is this so significant? How many other managers could have coached a team including, Djimi Traore, Igor Biscan, Antonio Nunez, Anthony Le Tallec and Milan Baros to such a triumph?

It was one of several glorious European nights that season for Liverpool, as Benitez guided The Reds to their first European Cup in 21 years.

Two years and an FA Cup triumph later, Liverpool would return to another Champions League final, this time only to be undone by the cruellest of deflections.

But can he do it in The Premier League? 13 games unbeaten this season would suggest yes.

Liverpool also tend to finish the season stronger than their closest rivals under Benitez, thanks to another myth surrounding the much-maligned rotation system.

Last season The Reds amassed 37 points after the turn of the year, more than any other side. (Chelsea 36, Manchester United 36, Arsenal 32).

Bearing in mind Liverpool’s current game in hand over United, an identical run-in this season would see Benitez’s men finish second – a point behind The Gunners. An improved run-in sees the title return to Anfield.

Can he do it in The Premier League? I think so.

Do Kopites across the country agree? Let 45,000 of them give you a spine-tingling answer when they protest Benitez’s potential departure during Wednesday’s clash with Porto

[nobybob]

excellent article:

http://sports.setanta.com/en....Benitez

Somehow, and by logic maybe only two loaded American businessmen understand, Rafa Benitez finds his position as Liverpool manager extremely precarious as we head into December.

Despite the fact Rafa's Reds have made their best Premier League start for years, co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are threatening to play the role of Ebineezer Scrooge as the festive period approaches.

When Kopites wrote their Christmas lists a month ago, the majority would have asked for three points at Derby on Boxing Day and maybe the capture of Lionel Messi in their Christmas stockings. Now they merely hope Benitez will still be manager.

Here are three reasons why:

Master tactician:

When Gerard Houllier named his final team-sheet at the end of the 2003/04 season, it listed the following back four: Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise.

I know what you might be thinking. Those players are all still major factors in Liverpool’s squad of today, so Benitez inherited his good defence.

Wrong.

Remember that bandwagon that the less-educated sports pundit likes to jump aboard? You know, the one about zonal marking? I believe it was Rafa who introduced that at Anfield.

Indeed it is Rafa’s Liverpool who have broken club records for clean sheets kept in a season.

When was the last time they conceded from a set piece using this ‘dodgy’ zonal marking system? Seven months ago – when already 2-0 down at Arsenal. Let that bandwagon role on.

Signings:

Supposedly the reason causing the current bad blood in the Anfield boardroom, Benitez wants his bosses to move now to secure cheap bargains. They are not responding, telling him he has had enough money.

One might argue that, after splashing out £40 million in the summer, Liverpool’s co-owners have a point. But then how many times has Benitez actually wasted the shiny gold of the Anfield coffers on big-money signings?

Fernando Morientes? (£6.3m) Who would have predicted such a class player would not adapt to life in England? As a counter, who would have predicted £7 million Peter Crouch would be a bigger success?

Craig Bellamy? (£6m) Whether he was Liverpool class is debatable but the Wales international played a big part in helping Liverpool to a Champions League final – plus they recouped their £6 million outlay.

Now look at the successes of Benitez's big money captures: Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina, Luis Garcia.

Dirk Kuyt , Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel are also fashioning growing reputations.

Should the co-owners bow to Benitez’s demands? What reason have they got not to trust his judgement?

Unrivalled success:

Fast forward on from Houllier’s last game to 5th April 2005, Juventus at home, Champions League quarter final first leg.

Still with a squad barely showing the mark of Benitez, the Spaniard managed to mastermind a 2-1 victory over one of European football’s giants.

Why is this so significant? How many other managers could have coached a team including, Djimi Traore, Igor Biscan, Antonio Nunez, Anthony Le Tallec and Milan Baros to such a triumph?

It was one of several glorious European nights that season for Liverpool, as Benitez guided The Reds to their first European Cup in 21 years.

Two years and an FA Cup triumph later, Liverpool would return to another Champions League final, this time only to be undone by the cruellest of deflections.

But can he do it in The Premier League? 13 games unbeaten this season would suggest yes.

Liverpool also tend to finish the season stronger than their closest rivals under Benitez, thanks to another myth surrounding the much-maligned rotation system.

Last season The Reds amassed 37 points after the turn of the year, more than any other side. (Chelsea 36, Manchester United 36, Arsenal 32).

Bearing in mind Liverpool’s current game in hand over United, an identical run-in this season would see Benitez’s men finish second – a point behind The Gunners. An improved run-in sees the title return to Anfield.

Can he do it in The Premier League? I think so.

Do Kopites across the country agree? Let 45,000 of them give you a spine-tingling answer when they protest Benitez’s potential departure during Wednesday’s clash with Porto

is fookin right

[skatesy]

I think that there is far too much support for Rafa coming from the fans and the media for G & H to have any ground to fire him. If the support was not there for Rafa then it would be much easier for them to do so.

[Sabre]

I think that there is far too much support for Rafa coming from the fans and the media for G & H to have any ground to fire him. If the support was not there for Rafa then it would be much easier for them to do so.

Plus, as soon as the hired another manager, what, that manager wouldn't want to have an amount of freedom for signing ups?

I'm not being too nervous so far because quite simply I don't expect the americans will be that idiots. But if they really are thinking of another manager, like Mourinho, do they think that manager won't ask them money and a freedom to deal with signing ups?

If Rafa's sacked for saying and demanding what he has demanded, then the least of our problems will be Rafa being away, the real problem will be the americans, and possibly some people inside the club that hinder more than help the club.

[Reg]

If in their eyes he is endangering their investment, he will have to go.

How exactly is he endangering their investment?

The Hicks and Gillett empires are highly leveraged based on high capital investment and working capital requirements. Their income is dependant upon the successful marketing of the product (solid brand image, success orientated, no smears) as well as success on the field. Take the CL 05 victory and everyone immediately wanted to dump Carlsberg and go for a better paying deal etc.. Conversely, the capital worth of the club and its access to capital is impacted by bad publicity and fall outs that - in this fickle world - affect fan and sponser expenditure and  its ability to pay the wages and service debt. Rafa losing games is less damaging to the club finances than bad publicity. G&H have a premium image product on a par with RM and Barca and cannot allow a public spat to endanger the volatile image rights which would cost us time - and them more money, to rebuild. Any image based organisation is the same - hence government ministers resign to contain damage.

If one person should move aside as a result of this debacle it should be Foster as he is failing to manage the local business and/or communicate effectively with the owners.

[THEBARON]

Perhaps the views of the fans are being taken into account.
All the Sunday paper talk was of Benitez being sacked on Monday. Here we are 2 days later and thankfully Rafa is still in charge. Hopefully the Bascombe article was complete - Mourinho ?
On Wednesday night we can all show our support for Rafa and show our American friends that we have an opinion that has to be respected. Sure Rafa has made a few mistakes since 2004 and maybe he miscalculated when he chose to air his views but he is totally committed to Liverpool and is the best person to be in charge.
I have read a few threads suggesting that Stevie G should say something about the situation - I disagree , that is not for the players to discuss.
However I am concerned by the silence from Rick Parry.

[tubby]

a rafa interview was just on and all he will talk about is porto, the next match, like always

he certainly looked a lot more relaxed than last week though.

Calm before the storm perhaps

[account deleted by request]

rafas press video

WORKS NOW 

[nobybob]

A message to G+h
                          You know there are some here who have disagreed with Rafas tactics on certain games, his rotation policy etc but lets get one thing straight here-- this is Liverpool not chelski or some other no passion no history club we ask , no we demand that our manager be allowed to do his job and manage . He is not asking for additional funds for transfers but only to be allowed to sell players make enquiries and get players on bossman's as he sees fit now not in December when it suits you.
There is talk of Rafa being show the door and another man coming in, well guess what i don't care who you bring in -what difference does it make if you guys are there in the background saying do this and don't do that, like i say maybe at chelski but not here. Rafa is the boss here not you guys and he stands and falls by hisdecisions.
This club has given me and many many others  nights never to be forgotten some of the best times of my life ,heart pounding, total elation, feelings like no other and i want my kids to know those same feelings in the future. And you fellas sitting in America think you can take this away from us think again.
Look i am not trying to attack you just defend our manager and our ways here, if money is tight okay i can live with that, but please someone once said of football here "its not a matter of life and death its more important than that" well i would like to say to you that to us LFC is not just a business its more important than that! come down talk to Rafa and be apart of the magic that is LIVERPOL FOOTBALL CLUB

[NiftyNeil]

A message to G+h
                          You know there are some here who have disagreed with Rafas tactics on certain games, his rotation policy etc but lets get one thing straight here-- this is Liverpool not chelski or some other no passion no history club we ask , no we demand that our manager be allowed to do his job and manage . He is not asking for additional funds for transfers but only to be allowed to sell players make enquiries and get players on bossman's as he sees fit now not in December when it suits you.
There is talk of Rafa being show the door and another man coming in, well guess what i don't care who you bring in -what difference does it make if you guys are there in the background saying do this and don't do that, like i say maybe at chelski but not here. Rafa is the boss here not you guys and he stands and falls by hisdecisions.
This club has given me and many many others  nights never to be forgotten some of the best times of my life ,heart pounding, total elation, feelings like no other and i want my kids to know those same feelings in the future. And you fellas sitting in America think you can take this away from us think again.
Look i am not trying to attack you just defend our manager and our ways here, if money is tight okay i can live with that, but please someone once said of football here "its not a matter of life and death its more important than that" well i would like to say to you that to us LFC is not just a business its more important than that! come down talk to Rafa and be apart of the magic that is LIVERPOL FOOTBALL CLUB

well said mate.

[redtrader74]

I just remembered Rafa sitting cross legged in the CL semi against Chelsea 6 months ago, he did it so a handful of fans would have a better a view, the man is absolute top class, he cares about the Club, its fans and its history. I hope the owners have the foresight that will allow them to see the guy is building towards domination. Anyone who believes Rafa is engineering a move is deluded.

[Ciggy]

Wish these two would just sell us to someone who is going to put the club first investment 2nd.

If these two sack rafa well theres no way back for them is there?