Rafael Benitez again leapt to the defence of his selection policy as he denied suggestions he fears the sack as Liverpool boss.
Benitez's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks and the rumours are unlikely to subside after his team were taken to an FA Cup third round replay by lowly Luton yesterday.
John Arne Riise's 76th-minute own goal gave the cash-strapped Hatters a money-spinning replay on Merseyside after Peter Crouch had opened the scoring against the run of play.
A 1-1 draw was no more than administration-hit Luton deserved against a disjointed Liverpool side that showed eight changes from their last outing, with Fernando Torres and Jose Reina both rested.
Asked about his team selection, Benitez said: 'What is my strongest team? Do you think our goalkeeper was troubled too much today?
'When you play Crouch, who is the centre forward for England, (Yossi) Benayoun, who is an international player, (Dirk) Kuyt, who is an international player and (Andriy) Voronin, you give the other team the message that you have a very strong side. The other players were injured.
'I think the team scored a goal and need to use their experience to control the game.
'But it's the FA Cup. Look at what happened to Everton, Blackburn and Bolton - that's the FA Cup.'
On the speculation over his job, the Spaniard added: 'I love the club and the fans and want to stay.
'I have two years left on my contract and if I could stay for two years more, I would be very happy.'
Asked if the club's American owners wanted him to stay, he replied: 'The people who own the club? I think so. But every day do I need to ask them that question?
'I love the club, fans. I want to stay. We are working together trying to improve the squad now and for the future.
'All I think is that we scored a goal today and should have controlled the game, I don't need to answer questions about anything else.'
For Luton, who have been unable to fully pay their players since being plunged into administration three months ago, the result meant a vital pay day in the replay.
Manager Kevin Blackwell said: 'I wanted to be talking about the football, but in terms of all the things that are going on, yes, it's the perfect result.
'But I'm disappointed because I thought we could have won the game.
'We asked the players to do certain things and we edged them in terms of chances.
'A bit more guile in the final third and we would have won. Our passing, invention and movement was just as good as theirs.
'We showed terrific heart and terrific fitness and when we needed a special save from Brilly (Dean Brill), he pulled it off.
'But in terms of the survival of this football club, it's a fantastic result.'
Two things
1) I'm glad that Rafa finally admits that Liverpool aren't really any better than "Everton, Blackburn and Bolton." To be honest, he's spot on.
2) I'm going to be sad to see him go. Rafa has beaten SAF only once, and drawn once i think. The stats are massively skewed in United's favor in any case.
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Last edited by GocartMozart : 01-07-2008 at 08:23 PM.
It would be a massive mistake for Hicks and Gillet to fire Rafa.
Sure Rafa has wasted a lot of money on subpar players (hands up who think Kuyt, Sissoko, Pennant are good players?), but he has shown he can get his team deep into CL finals. His teams are built for that.
Liverpool however, are not built for the EPL. Again, players are shite.
Can Liverpool find a better manager than Rafa? Sure, but in truth its few and far between. He is a quality manager with very good man management in matches. Only fault would be rotation of players. He seems to have settled down with this lately.
The in house fighting between the owners and Rafa surely haven't helped... along with the prespection that Rafa cant' get any money for the January transfer window (he's spent 30.7 net so far this season vs Manchester United 25 net). Plus EPL teams seeming to have itchy fingers with manager firings. Add this all up and I won't be surprised to see Rafa gone. But again, huge mistake.
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liverpool are too average imo and rafa is overated by thier fans too.
some of his decision making is bizarre and he is too patriotic. He only ever buys Spaniards and washed up average players. Some signings have been good but i think his success rate with his signings is low.
its a stupid idea to do it mid season though. Wait till the summer and be patient. That way you dont disrupt the stability and also give him a chance.
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The truth is Liverpool aren't a threat to win the Premiership. In this decade, unless I'm forgetting a season, Liverpool have only been pretenders. It's Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea for the title, and all the other clubs fight for the scraps.
Would anyone be worried if they had ten grand riding on a bet wherein they would lose their money if any club other than Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea won the title in the next 3 years? I know I wouldn't be anywhere near remotely worried.
@Funk: In part you're right, it's the in house bickering that's absolutely daft. In Liverpool's shoes I'd normally keep him, however it has to be understood that they have had success.
In fact, you could have a strategic goal, from a business perspective mainly, that the Champions League is your medium to expand the fan base internationally. What's for certain is that they are shit otherwise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by losangeles
The truth is Liverpool aren't a threat to win the Premiership. In this decade, unless I'm forgetting a season, Liverpool have only been pretenders. It's Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea for the title, and all the other clubs fight for the scraps.
Would anyone be worried if they had ten grand riding on a bet wherein they would lose their money if any club other than Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea won the title in the next 3 years? I know I wouldn't be anywhere near remotely worried.
you must be loaded!
depending on the spread, I'd probably agree with you and make the same bet
Quality of Posts > Quantity of Posts
There is a reason I bleed red. United until I die.
he may be a good coach, but Liverpool isn;t a good team so..sorry Rafa, you can't understand them...nobody does...if he realy will leave it would be a great mistake. Like that one when Mourinho was sacked...not that i miss him or sthin. Just sayn'
you think so? On one hand to improve you need a significantly better coach with better tactics. On the other hand, there would be significant unrest at Anfield. It's a tough balance and it would take a class managerial replacement. Eitherway I see this is all good news if you're manchester united.
Quality of Posts > Quantity of Posts
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Liverpool Ready to Sack Rafa? ***SPOILERS***
Liverpool Ready to Sack Rafa? ***SPOILERS*** -
01-07-2008, 04:04 PM
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