Liverpool FC Forum

by **metalhead** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:02 pm

bavlondon wrote:For those who didn't hear Rafa post match.

Rafa upbeat on Carra-Arbeloa clash

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has said he is proud at the way his side held off a strong fight from West Brom today to earn three points, secure 2nd place in the league and finish with the club’s highest ever points tally in the Premier League.

Talking about the second half bust-up between Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa, Benitez said the situation showed a great mentality to keep a clean sheet and win the game, even though the title is now out of reach.

He told press, “You could see Carragher and Arbeloa because we wanted a clean sheet and they were a little bit nervous. I don’t like what I saw, but I am trying to see the positive side of things.

“Arbeloa was going forward and then we had some problems in defence. We wanted to protect Pepe Reina because now I think he has 20 clean sheets - van der Sar has 21.

“It’s a positive message in terms of the mentality of the team. We wanted to show character and a winning mentality.

Good response to be honest, he will have a word with carra.

by **NANNY RED** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:12 pm

Anyway never mind this little handbag thing there was more imortant things happening on that pitch, Xabi with his shirt off , i want that pic, :nod

by **RedBen** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:18 pm

Here you go nanny:

Why am I posting this

by **Bad Bob** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:18 pm

Still stand by what I said--it was my gut reaction when I saw it happen and I still feel that it shows tremendous passion in a game where we might have otherwise been excused for being complacent. With that said, I can understand why some people have expressed concerns. The media will no doubt twist this into something sinister and deep-rooted but, feck em...they're vultures looking for good copy not fair and balanced reporters. Others will worry that it signals an existing dressing-room rift or a potential for one. IMO, that's unlikely. The lads always seem to should good spirit and all the interviews I've read point to a happy dressing room full of professionals. I expect that Carra and Arbeloa will shake hands and get on with it, like professionals do. Some will say that it's reminiscent of Dyer v. Bowyer or other such unseemly displays but, again, I think that's blowing the incident a bit out of proportion. At the end of the day it's a bit of handbags and nothing more--the kind of stuff that happens on training grounds up and down the country, I suspect, and while I wouldn't want to see it happening during the match very often, I think that an isolated incident like this can be a positive.

Let's put it this way, I had some doubts about what team would show up today on several levels. First off, would Rafa style it up, knowing the league's gone? Turns out no...he put out his strongest available team and, in so doing, sent a message to the players, the supporters and our competitors alike that we've still got pride and we'll still fight hard until the final kick of the ball next weekend. Second, I had a question about what kind of commitment the lads would show on a day when they had very little to play for besides pride. Well, didn't Carra and Arby provide us all with a crystal clear cameo about passion and commitment? I've been proud of the fight the lads have shown these last few months and I'm happy to see that fighting spirit continue even after the Mancs got their grubby hands on the trophy yesterday.

BTW, in response to Maypax's question...that's football mate. You judge always judge your own players differently than you do those of your hated rivals. Anyone telling you otherwise is lying. With that said, I wouldn't have called Giggs, for instance, a disgrace last weekend if he had decided to get in Ronaldo's grid for spitting his dummy when the sub's board went up. :;):

by **Greavesie** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:23 pm

RedBen wrote:Here you go nanny:

Why am I posting this

Seriously tho its good to see Rafa and Carra coming out and putting this to bed quickly, the press should given as little as they can to make a big deal out of it.

Hopefully thats all there is to say. Lesson learned, situation blown over rather quickly

by **NANNY RED** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:31 pm

RedBen wrote:Here you go nanny:

Why am I posting this

Bl.oody hell Ben i want face an all :laugh:

that could be anyone

by **RedRoots** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:32 pm

Carra has said before that he loses it sometimes on the pitch and does be a bit harsh on his own teammates, it's just the way he is and i wouldn't have him any other way. I'm sure he sorted it out with arbeloa after the match.

by **RedBen** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:34 pm

If I find a picture with his face on, I'll make sure you get it nanny...
Wrong, this is so wrong

by **NANNY RED** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:35 pm

Just a little note here im going the bingo now so get buzy on looking for my pic eh lads :laugh:

im expecting it when i come back

An no Bob dont you go looking for it your :censored:

at finding me one :laugh:

by **Alex G.** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:53 pm

In my opinion Carragher was wrong, when you are there out with 150 beats a minute and someone comes shouting at you like a possessed, it´s normal for Arbeloa to react like that.
Carragher is the boss at back but it doesn´t mean that Arbeloa hasn´t his own pride.
Anyway that´s all part of the job, a hug after the game and end of history.

by **Scottbot** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:14 pm

Bad Bob wrote:Still stand by what I said--it was my gut reaction when I saw it happen and I still feel that it shows tremendous passion in a game where we might have otherwise been excused for being complacent. With that said, I can understand why some people have expressed concerns. The media will no doubt twist this into something sinister and deep-rooted but, feck em...they're vultures looking for good copy not fair and balanced reporters. Others will worry that it signals an existing dressing-room rift or a potential for one. IMO, that's unlikely. The lads always seem to should good spirit and all the interviews I've read point to a happy dressing room full of professionals. I expect that Carra and Arbeloa will shake hands and get on with it, like professionals do. Some will say that it's reminiscent of Dyer v. Bowyer or other such unseemly displays but, again, I think that's blowing the incident a bit out of proportion. At the end of the day it's a bit of handbags and nothing more--the kind of stuff that happens on training grounds up and down the country, I suspect, and while I wouldn't want to see it happening during the match very often, I think that an isolated incident like this can be a positive.

Let's put it this way, I had some doubts about what team would show up today on several levels. First off, would Rafa style it up, knowing the league's gone? Turns out no...he put out his strongest available team and, in so doing, sent a message to the players, the supporters and our competitors alike that we've still got pride and we'll still fight hard until the final kick of the ball next weekend. Second, I had a question about what kind of commitment the lads would show on a day when they had very little to play for besides pride. Well, didn't Carra and Arby provide us all with a crystal clear cameo about passion and commitment? I've been proud of the fight the lads have shown these last few months and I'm happy to see that fighting spirit continue even after the Mancs got their grubby hands on the trophy yesterday.

BTW, in response to Maypax's question...that's football mate. You judge always judge your own players differently than you do those of your hated rivals. Anyone telling you otherwise is lying. With that said, I wouldn't have called Giggs, for instance, a disgrace last weekend if he had decided to get in Ronaldo's grid for spitting his dummy when the sub's board went up.

Good post, pretty much my sentiments mate. I like to see a bit of passion, we'll certainly need it next season, and sometimes it boils over. Carra was a bit O.T.T but Arby gave him a decent shove back. Handbags at ten paces really.

by **Number 9** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:22 pm

NANNY RED wrote:Anyway never mind this little handbag thing there was more imortant things happening on that pitch, Xabi with his shirt off , i want that pic,

Hormomes!

by **SundanceKid** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:36 pm

I was more concerned with Xabi shoving Carra off of Arby. I hope they understood each other, I'd hate to see the team crack up over that

by **DrPepe** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:55 pm

SundanceKid wrote:I was more concerned with Xabi shoving Carra off of Arby. I hope they understood each other, I'd hate to see the team crack up over that

xabi knows his onions

he spent quite a while after the game talking to ( a clearly :censored:

off ) carra on the pitch

It should be water under the bridge by now

by **tubby** » Sun May 17, 2009 8:02 pm

People are blowing this way out of proportion. The manager and player himself have both come out and said it was all just to do with getting a record for Pepe so why is everyone thinking the team is going to crack up?

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Carragher vs arbeloa - Lets ger ready to ruuuuuummmmmbbblllle

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