Comments on: Liverpool’s problems lie with Rafa

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:41:25 +0000

its all well and good that rafa is a great tactition imnot denieing that but Gerard Houllier while he was there in 4years he got us 6 trophies
2000-01 League Cup
2000-01 FA Cup
2000-01 UEFA Cup
2002-03 League Cup
2001-02 UEFA Super Cup
2001-02 FA Charity Shield

rafa in the same time has only won us 3 trophies and ok he got us the europian cup but im sure any manager could walk in now anddo just as good job surly soi think we need to get him out sooner rather than later

By: Taehr

Taehr — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:34:40 +0000

Liverpool are still way behind manutd cause man u hav spent well

By: karl

karl — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:34:30 +0000

Ahmed, regarding this article… I don’t believe Rafa is a bad coach. In fact I believe he is a brilliant coach. Hoever, he need to ‘adapt’ a bit more to make football attractive – just like Jose was forced by the owner to change his appraoch.
Rafa shares Jose’s original approach – First wrap up the title, and Then put on a show for the fans. Chelsea did it pretty well in past seasons, however last season they started to play a bit more attacking because of Roman’s issue over Sheva. The problem with Liverpool is, they never really get to the position where they can start playing entertaining football. I think this “Safety first” appraoch is what Rafa need to abandon and find a balance just like Jose is. Btw, I thnk Chelsea will be on fire this year because Jose is a quick learner.

By: karl

karl — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:20:46 +0000

@Hmm..
“Another fact is that Babel plays most his games for Ajax to the left in a forward-3″
FACT=Ajax plays diamond midfield. NEVER forward 3. (They are trying to emulate Total Football). That is why it is so difficult for just any striker to excel there. It is actually a rule at Ajax that they will stick to that formation…no matter what.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 05:21:42 +0000

Fact Cesspool did worse last year than the previous year, nice progression

06/07
Manchester United (CHAMPIONS) 38 28 5 5 83 27 +56 89
Chelsea 38 24 11 3 64 24 +40 83
Cesspool 38 20 8 10 57 27 +30 68

ohh I just wanted to show you scum the final table again
how bad do you feel. HAHAHAHAHA

By: Hmm..

Hmm.. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:11:09 +0000

Liam, facts (stats) disagree with your view on stevie as a winger. He actually scores more goals/game when starting from the right. Besides, Stevies role has never been as an out/out winger. I think we will see both Babel and Benayoun playing more in un-orthodox-winger-roles starting from both flanks. Picture Ljungberg/Pires a few years back with Henry stretching opposition defences.. Ofc, Rafa won’t turn into wenger, but I think that kind of attack will be implemented into our range of possibilities.

Another fact is that Babel plays most his games for Ajax to the left in a forward-3. He is not the typical winger-type, that’s correct, but he knows how to do his job from that position – in other words – he wont be played out of position. I don’t think Benayoun will have any problems drifting inwards from the right, nor exploiting space outside his defender – if given, either..

Nobody knows at this times how each player will fare, but if you try to look at what roles they might have and how they might play then you might see where rafa is aiming with his buys.

I also disagree on the “leeds-myth”. Season 05/06 Kewell was uninjured most of the time and he had a great season, really. It also showed, In gerrard thriving from the right and us getting more than 80 points. Well, gerrard only started 40% of the games from the right, so maybe I should’nt draw too many conclusions, but in fairness, back then we didn’t have any decent player to the right except gerrard. Which tells it’s own tale on the job done by kewell that season.

IF, and that is actually two IFs (albeit assumable ones), Pennant continue where he left off last season and developes in the same manner as he did last season, I see no reason why he could’nt be top-3 of the premiership right-sided-wingers come the end of the coming season.

By: Liam O'Kelly

Liam O'Kelly — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:29:06 +0000

I never said that Babel was a bad player I just said that winger isn’t his best position and Benayoun is a good player but he is another central player which may lead to players having to be accomodated to make way for him ala Chelsea and I fear Stevie may be made a permanent winger where quite frankly he is average just like Pennant. I quite liked Kewell during his time at Leeds and rated him quite highly but since he came to Liverpool he just hasn’t been the same quality.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:28:49 +0000

Hmm..

I don’t think this blog is about reasoned debate, its set up to belittle Rafa, though Bilal seems fine writing the drivel easier than responding while he leaves his manc mates to defend his attacks on Rafa, and they do get upset when the shoe is on the other foot.

If true comparisons are made, I don’t think there is a manager out there to match the achievements of Rafa both in Spain and England. The results obtained from the talent and finance available to him while opposing the worlds richest clubs in Barc, Real, Chelski and Manure is clear for all to see.

I think this type of blog is based on jealousy and fear, as they know we are on the rise and soon to be the true dominating force we once were. Otherwise, why spend so much time thinking about Rafa, when your club is about to introduce some 80m worth of talent?

By: Hmm..

Hmm.. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:04:49 +0000

Liam.. Think you are under-estimating Pennant. Since january he’s been improving steadily and have played on a really high and consistant level. Also, Kewell is back like a new signing and he is a class act when uninjured. I think Babel will prove you wrong also. Rafa’s got his sights set on something.. three new players in who with great effect exploit and create space between the lines: voronin, babel, benayoun..

By: Hmm..

Hmm.. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:58:25 +0000

Liam.. As your’e a Manc I thought you’d figured out that it’s not HOW much you spend or the rep of the player you buy that makes the difference. Before last season you bought Carrick. Quite expensive for one player and questionably worth the money you paid, considering his rep but still. It got you the balance you needed and you won the title. It’s one of the significant factors contributing. Compare that to Chelseas erratic spending last silly season and you looked like you stood no chance. It’s all about getting the right ingredients and getting them to work. Oh, Vidic was an incredibly important acquisition for you in that sense – to eradicate junkie-rio’s shortcomings.

For Utd I can see Nani and Anderson becoming good acquisitions in a few years time, but for now – Giggs and Ronaldo will be your main wingers. Not bad – top class. Hargreaves will provide cover for Carricks role, and be a flexible, usable player but no future Scholes. Hardly a lot better than O’shea tbh. Tevez is a great player and if all goes well he’ll be a tremendous asset, but I wonder how well he will work with Rooney? They are quite similar and shrek-boy wont stand not being first choice, if that would happen. You’ve added in depth and for the future but you have’nt raised your top-level, necessarily.

So, with all due respect, regardless the amount youÂ´ve spent – it’s pretty much in the open on how any of the top-teams fare. We’ve (LFC) been getting the missing pieces in the puzzle and we don’t know how it will work out, but I can see us playing a lot more fluidly and with wingers in a higher position than before. Time will tell if Rafa will be proven successful or not, as for the coming season. Can’t wait!