Liverpool Fc @ Anfield - Reds Supporters Gatherings

[coolfire69]

RAFA DEFENDS TEAM SELECTION
Paul Eaton 10 January 2007

Rafael Benitez last night defended his team selection after watching Liverpool crash out of the Carling Cup.



Arsenal triumphed at Anfield for the second time in four days as they became the first team since Sunderland in the 1930s to hit Liverpool for six on their own ground.

Benitez was naturally disappointed with the size of the defeat but he has no regrets about fielding a much changed line-up against Arsene Wenger's men.

"We used a lot of players from the first team squad and they also changed a lot of players," he said.

"The difference was each attempt they had was a goal. They had quality and played good football and we tried to do the same but it's not easy to do the same when they are scoring the goals.

"The goals are difficult to explain. It was the same the other day, we were controlling the game but they had three attempts and scored three goals.

"We can talk about players and tactics and everything but in football it's about scoring goals and they scored the goals.

"It's easy to talk about a lot of things but the difference is we conceded a goal each time and the game changed.

"We used some senior players and some young players so I can't point the finger at any one player.

"For defending against a team of quality you need to use all the team - attacking is the same. But we need to improve our defending against teams like Arsenal."

He added: "It's a bad game but with a lot of years managing and training, I think you need to accept these things and put them behind you as quickly as possible, which we need to do for the Champions League and Premier League.

"We tried to do our best but we conceded goals so you can't change the score now.

"The only thing I can do is say sorry to our supporters because they were the best in the game."
(Extracted from www.liverpoolfc.tv)


Well, we just have to accept that we lost, and move on... Take this as only a setback. As true fans, we should support the team and Rafa even more during this setback, rather than start start to sling them off...

IN RAFA WE TRUST...

[rahl]

Originally Posted by coolfire69

RAFA DEFENDS TEAM SELECTION

Well, we just have to accept that we lost, and move on... Take this as only a setback. As true fans, we should support the team and Rafa even more during this setback, rather than start start to sling them off...

IN RAFA WE TRUST...

Dont get me wrong bro. Im not using this opportunity to take a crack at Rafa for rotation etc. But at the same time, lets not whitewash the facts. We had a very poor game defensively and many of our players were simply outplayed by a young Arse side.

I have lotsa hope still this season. Its an exciting season. But also frustrating how we seem to go to pieces once we concede. That's surely not good enough.

[canthaveenuf]

Originally Posted by coolfire69

The difference was each attempt they had was a goal. They had quality and played good football and we tried to do the same but it's not easy to do the same when they are scoring the goals.

"The goals are difficult to explain. It was the same the other day, we were controlling the game but they had three attempts and scored three goals.

"We can talk about players and tactics and everything but in football it's about scoring goals and they scored the goals.

That is exactly the problem. We were not such a lousy team attacking or defending really. The 6-3 scoreline was too flaterring to the gunners.

The biggest problem was that we are not taking our chances well. And when that happens over a long period, the team gets frustrated and holes begin to form at the back. And that is where teams like Arsenal with their clinical finish can score goals. We can get away from minnow teams but against Arsenal, the backline has to be water-tight. And once we concede silly goals like that, it is a mountain to climb to come back again and then, frustrations start to build again.

I think Rafa needs to solve this problem of not scoring first despite all the many chances the team created. And when that fails, Rafa needs to get the team composed and focused.

Easier said than done of course. But he is paid to win. Hopefully we will come back stronger from this setback.

Liverpool all the way. YNWA. Rafa, we support you.

Cheers

[Frankiestine]

Originally Posted by SpaceAce

People like me suffer cos i support them since Ian Rush days!!!! Sigh Sigh

then i lagi worst been a pool supporter since Kevin Keegan days..

[rahl]

Originally Posted by canthaveenuf

That is exactly the problem. We were not such a lousy team attacking or defending really. The 6-3 scoreline was too flaterring to the gunners.

I think Rafa needs to solve this problem of not scoring first despite all the many chances the team created. And when that fails, Rafa needs to get the team composed and focused.

Cheers

What you said is only half right. We did well attacking but defensively we were shocking. Case in point the last Arse goal when Aliahdare (sp) took a long ball out of defence, accelerated past Paletta and left him flat on the ground and squared the ball for Baptista to tap in.

Surely it can't be just abt making sure we score first. We are rapidly seeing 2 Liverpools - one that wins when we score first and the other that loses when we concede. The ball is round and shit always happens. No matter how much you try to score first, we can always find ourselves going behind.

The real problem is to find the composure and character to come back and win the game. That's what champions are made of.

Rafa's pt about our youngsters and Arse's youngsters is a good one. Ours are just good for the reserves. This is a big problem in the long run and we got to splash on the talent of the future. We have a young first team but we need good youngsters in the reserves as well.

[mocha33]

Although the loses to Ars is a big blow to liverpool, i still strongly believe that they will pick themself up again on the next matches.

TOTAL FAITH IN THEM!!

[canthaveenuf]

Originally Posted by rahl

What you said is only half right. We did well attacking but defensively we were shocking. Case in point the last Arse goal when Aliahdare (sp) took a long ball out of defence, accelerated past Paletta and left him flat on the ground and squared the ball for Baptista to tap in.

What I meant was that in general our defence was generally OK, although sometimes lose concentration. This time it wasn't dat good I admit but prob becos the lineup was not the usual strong and regular one.

Originally Posted by rahl

Surely it can't be just abt making sure we score first. We are rapidly seeing 2 Liverpools - one that wins when we score first and the other that loses when we concede. The ball is round and shit always happens. No matter how much you try to score first, we can always find ourselves going behind.

Like U say loh, the ball is round. So anything can happen. To improve the odds of winning, must try to score first successfully. Only then we can be more confident and play better. In our last matches, you see how the floodgates open once we start scoring? We were lucky then that we managed to score first, albeit very late. But once we dun start scoring, we increase the risk of losing dramatically.

Originally Posted by rahl

The real problem is to find the composure and character to come back and win the game. That's what champions are made of.

Agree totally. We are still not made up of that stuff yet.

Originally Posted by rahl

Rafa's pt about our youngsters and Arse's youngsters is a good one. Ours are just good for the reserves. This is a big problem in the long run and we got to splash on the talent of the future. We have a young first team but we need good youngsters in the reserves as well.

Rafa just complained that the board hasn't release enuf funds for him to get players ....... is he preparing a way out for himself, given the recent talks of him leaving Anfield?

Cheers

[rahl]

Originally Posted by canthaveenuf

Rafa just complained that the board hasn't release enuf funds for him to get players ....... is he preparing a way out for himself, given the recent talks of him leaving Anfield?

Cheers

Hope not. I think it's good he has the guts to make a point to the board. He is speaking with the investment in mind.

Liverpool, U never walk alone, we fans stand by u in faiths, trash Arsenal next meeting !!!

[coolfire69]

Originally Posted by Warlord1919

Liverpool, U never walk alone, we fans stand by u in faiths, trash Arsenal next meeting !!!

Yup bro, And that is when it really matters... in the EPL!

[coolfire69]

RAFA: OUR SEASON IS STILL ALIVE
Paul Eaton 11 January 2007

Rafael Benitez today declared Liverpool's season is still alive, despite the recent Cup disappointments against Arsenal.


The Reds are preparing for this weekend's visit to Watford on the back of two defeats which have led some people to suggest the club has no chance of winning any silverware this season.

Benitez is remaining upbeat, however, and insists there's still much to play for with Premiership points to be won and a two legged tie with Barcelona to come in the Champions League next month.

"I am sure when we play teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal later in the season, it can be a different result," said Benitez.

"If we have all our players available, and have no more bad luck with injuries, I know how strong our first team can be.

"People are talking about how strong Arsenal were in the last two games, so maybe this shows how well we've done to finish above them in the Premiership last season and to be third at this stage now.

"Last season I remember Manchester United losing early in the Champions League and losing to us in the FA Cup. People were saying things about them, but now they are at the top of the table.

"We are sure we can progress from here in a similar way, and remember we are still fighting in two competitions."
(Extracted from www.liverpoolfc.tv)



Hmmm.. Somehow I get the feeling that Rafa really didn't wanna waste too much effort in both the FA And Plastic Cups, and concentrate on consolidating our position in the EPL & preparing better for progression in CL...

But it's really heart-wrenching to know that Garcia will be out for the rest of this season...

IN RAFA WE TRUST... YNWA!!

[GongCB]

Originally Posted by Frankiestine

then i lagi worst been a pool supporter since Kevin Keegan days..

U guys really r old timers man..But the Liverpool of old was the best..You had the trickery of John Barnes..the shimmer of Beardsley to conjure something in midfield, n the cool deadly turn n shoot finish of Ian Rush & John Aldridge. Steve Mcmahon was the tough tackler..Craig Johnston was also another midfiled general. Alan Hansen was strong in the air. My fave was Steve Nicol who could run up and down the right flank n also serve well as a tough tackler.

But all came to nuthing when the ass-hole Grame Souness took over the club n destroyed everything. All the composure, passsing was gone. KNN...n Pool took 10 yrs after he left to rebuild to a class worthy to challenge for honours, but still I felt a rung below the class of 86-92.

[spunk9]

Originally Posted by Frankiestine

then i lagi worst been a pool supporter since Kevin Keegan days..

Wow we are in the same era too...

[Frankiestine]

Originally Posted by spunk9

Wow we are in the same era too...

yeah those were the good old days when Liverpool was untouchable...then they were a fortress with players like keeper Clemence, Emily Hughes, on the wings were Steve Heighway, Ian Calleghan, Ray Kennedy, striker John Toshack and Kevin Keegan..and how about super sub David Fairclough..back then Liverpool can go thru entire season with one or two defeats..haiz how i really miss those glory days..

[canthaveenuf]

Originally Posted by rahl

Hope not. I think it's good he has the guts to make a point to the board. He is speaking with the investment in mind.

Ｂｕｔ　Ｉ dun think the board would appreciate him washing "dirty linen" in public, just not the Liverpool way, I feel.

Hopefully the board gets the message and we see better days ahead.

Cheers