Soccer Blogs Posts Tagged Rafa Benitez

IOSS: Who Wants Chips?

2008-11-18T21:30:07+00:00

Up this week: Wayne does Ruud Gullit, dreads and all, and gets a diet change; secret footage of Jose's secret non-meeting with the sheiks is released; a fire breaks out in Newcastle; Voyeur calls in and gets himself in hot water; and Rafa's glad he doesn't play for England.

EPL Week 13: Liverpool, Heurelho Gomes and The Future Of The England National Team

2008-11-17T20:05:36+00:00

Alonso and Kuyt Key To Liverpool Success Despite sitting joint top of the Premier League after 13 games, Liverpool's summer recruitment's, Albert Riera apart, have yet to justify Rafa Benitez's decision to bring the to the club. Robbie Keane has struggled to recapture his Tottenham form and has been guilty of some glaring misses, Philip Degen [.

Well, that was FUN…Weekly POLL

2008-11-13T21:39:06+00:00

Not much to say about the Spurs clash on Wednesday, if you want to call it a clash. I think it was more of a thud; the thud being any hope we had of our reserves being able to accomplish something. Oh well, at least it wasn't Burnley.

So-yeah. I was really hoping that Rafa would have put some more experience out against the Spurs, but he definitely has his mind made up about going for the league and it seems this is one of the decisions he had to make to hopefully hit that target.

Carling Cup Fun

2008-11-12T00:47:16+00:00

I'm excited about anytime that Liverpool play during the week on a day that I'm off, especially against a side such as Spurs who are emerging as a force to be reckoned with. After our humble effort previously at White Hart Lane, Rafa's squad of reserves will have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and prove that they belong on the first team.

UCL Matchday 4: Liverpool 1 Atletico Madrid 1

2008-11-04T22:27:54+00:00

It was a boring match until the last 4 minutes of stoppage time, which saw a questionable penalty given to Liverpool (Fine by me, we'll take the draw) and 4 yellow cards.

If we hadn't scored, I would probably started off by saying Liverpool was shite. Nando's former club outplayed us, and though we had most of the possessions in the 2nd half, we were not able to find the net.

Fun Photos to Start Your Weekend

2008-11-01T14:00:07+00:00

No Weekend Quiz today I got stuck doing Halloween stuff last night and ran out of time. Check back next week. Instead, here are a few photos and stories about what's been going on in the footballing world recently. Hurray! I passed my EPL refereeing exam!! Maradona: [...]

Back With More Liverpool Impressions

2008-10-30T03:00:15+00:00

Darren Farley has become way famous doing uncanny impressions of current and former Liverpool stars; namely Stevie G, Jamie Carragher, Rafa, Michael Owen and Peter Crouch - thankfully he stays away from the accompanying robot dance. And demand is high, so he's back with more impressions, including those which made their way to Sky Sports.

Big weekend for…

2008-10-24T10:47:42+00:00

As we arrive at the quarter mark for the current Premier League season the standings are starting to take shape, although who would have ever thought we would see Tottenham rock bottom or Hull City in the Champions League places. As such it is another big weekend of fixtures coming up and about [.

Scolari Is God, Benitez Is The Devil

2008-10-18T00:45:01+00:00

It's so rare these days that a football manager says anything new or remotely intelligent other than the rehearsed lines he memorizes from media training. Other than Joe Kinnear, of course. But Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said so many refreshing things on Friday that I felt compelled to write about it.

Rafa, Stevie G, Carra, Mikey Owen and Crouchosaurus Impersonations

2008-10-15T01:32:56+00:00

This may be Darren Farley's only 15 minutes of fame. The football fan has created a hysterical collection of impersonations of several characters familiar with Liverpool FC. Rafa Benitez, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Peter Crouch. If you haven't seen the video yet, be sure to watch it and enjoy.

Man in a corner shop nails Liverpool impressions

2008-10-14T14:58:50+00:00

Scouse shop talk This guy is superb. Quite why he is making a name for himself as a guy in a hoodie standing in front of a box of Cornflakes and not on the TV we don't know. He reels off some excellent impressions of Rafa Benitez, Steven "Yeerrrm" Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Peter [..

Why Liverpool Won’t Win The Premier League Title This Season

2008-10-14T10:15:15+00:00

One game doth not a champion make. In Liverpool's case, their victory against Manchester United at Anfield was a moral victory, a win that was in the long time making, but I don't believe it signifies that the Reds are now title material. Wake me up when they beat Man United at Old Trafford. Then [.

Excellent Benitez, Gerrard, Carragher, Crouch and Owen Impressions

2008-10-14T09:30:24+00:00

No idea who Darren Farley is, but he does excellent impressions of Liverpool managers/players past and present. The Rafa Benitez one is maybe too easy, but with Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Peter Crouch he gets the body language as well the voices spot on. I especially like how he gets Gerrard's posture [.

Newcastle and Liverpool Impress During Premier League Super Sunday

2008-10-06T11:41:52+00:00

Finally. We finally got a Premier League weekend where we had two matches with teams playing their hearts out and giving it 100%. Too often this season the majority of matches have been one-sided and negative. But fair play to Manchester City and Liverpool, and Everton and Newcastle for two thoroughly exciting matches.

Keane or Villa, who would you prefer?

2008-10-06T08:18:09+00:00

After admitting yesterday that Valencia's superstar forward David Villa, 26, was one of the names on his summer transfer hit list, Reds boss Rafa Benitez has now performed something of a u-turn by revealing he will not be making an...

Which youngsters if any can make the breakthrough this season?

2008-10-06T08:18:09+00:00

Thus far, Reds boss Rafa Benitez hasn't shirked from blooding a whole host of youngsters during this summer's pre-season schedule. The likes of Stephen Darby, Daniel Pacheco, Emiliano Insua, Sebastien Leto and Jay Spearing have all performed with distinction after...

Don’t cry, Robinho…just suck that thumb

2008-10-05T18:32:39+00:00

Liverpool showed glimpses of their resilient form, last seen during the 2006 FA cup finals against West Ham, when they came back from a 2-goal deficit, to beat Manchester City 2-3, both teams ending the game with 10-man.

Oasis's favourite football team got off to a good start when they went ahead with a goal from Stephen Ireland ,as Alvaro Arbeloa failed to clear the ball around the penalty area.

Liverpool Double Boost As Mascherano & Benayoun Fit For PSV Eindhoven Clash

2008-09-30T16:28:00+00:00

Liverpool have received a double boost on fitness front as Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun are passed fit for tomorrow night's Champions League group clash against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.

The midfield duo had missed Saturday's victory against Everton at the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Real Madrid Eye January Move For Liverpool's Agger

2008-09-30T16:25:00+00:00

La Liga Champions Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Danish International Daniel Agger from Liverpool in the January transfer window, according to Spanish paper Sport.

23-year-old Agger joined the Reds in 2006 from Brondby and his present deal with Rafa Benitez's side runs out in 2010, with it understood that the defender is growing frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at the Premiership club.

Liverpool Boss Benitez: Torres Can Only Get Better

2008-09-29T10:31:00+00:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has told the rest of the Premier League that Spanish International striker Fernando Torres will only get better for the Merseyside club.

Benitez has revealed that the 24-year-old is yet to reach full fitness after a summer which saw the former Atletico Madrid forward win EURO 2008 with Spain, but return to Anfield with a slight hamstring problem.

Benitez Admits Babel Frustration

2008-09-29T10:24:00+00:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits that he is growing frustrated with the erratic form of Ryan Babel.

On his day Ryan Babel can be a match-winner. His super sub role in the Champions League quarter final against Liverpool sealed the Reds' passage to the next round as he won a penalty and scored a goal.

Liverpool STAR wants January move!

2008-09-28T21:52:20+00:00

This Dane is peeved about missing out on all the fun this season, having been relegated from first-team starter to Carling Cup duty! Daniel Agger will snub contract talks with Liverpool until boss Rafa Benitez confirms his role at Anfield. The Dane, 23, is not happy at being a back-up central defender .

Rafa Hails Attacking Duo

2008-09-28T08:23:00+00:00

Liverpool gaffer Rafa Benitez has heaped praised on his dynamic attacking duo of Torres and Keane following their impressive 0-2 win at Everton.

Both Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane went into the game at Goodison Park under heavy pressure and criticism for their lack of goals in recent outings.

Reina: Derby Win Will Erase Failure

2008-09-26T11:04:00+00:00

Pepe Reina knows Liverpool cannot afford many more league "failures" like Saturday's draw with Stoke if they are to challenge for the title.

The Reds were being touted as real contenders for glory after their 2-1 home victory over Manchester United, but they followed that with a 0-0 home draw against newly-promoted Stoke.

Liverpool v Everton Derby Bigger Than Arsenal v Tottenham: Former Spurs Ace Keane

2008-09-26T10:57:00+00:00

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Robbie Keane believes Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton is bigger than north-London clashes between Spurs and Arsenal.

Keane, who joined Liverpool in the summer from Spurs, is hoping to play against the Toffees as Rafa Benitez's side head to Goodison Park for their first derby of the season.

Liverpool To Make January Move For Brazilian Prodigy Aislan?

2008-09-25T07:56:00+00:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is considering another move for Brazilian central-defender Aislan of Sao Paulo, after missing out on the talented defender during the summer, according to reports.

20-year-old Aislan has been at the Tricolor Paulista since 2003 and despite only making a handful of senior appearances for the Brazilian club, he already has a release clause of £10.

Liverpool To Make £8million January Swoop For Spurs' Lennon?

2008-09-24T08:19:00+00:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly considering a January swoop for Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon, with the England International also said to be attracting attention from Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

21-year-old Lennon has been at White Hart Lane since joining from Leeds United in 2005, but despite making a promising start to his career at the North London side, which forced him into the England squad, Lennon has not pushed on to become the star many thought he would at Spurs.

Degen Suffers Cup Knock

2008-09-24T08:13:00+00:00

Liverpool defender Philipp Degen is facing a frustrating spell on the sidelines after breaking two ribs.

The Switzerland international picked up the knock while on Carling Cup duty against Crewe on Tuesday.

Degen had to be replaced by Jamie Carragher after 73 minutes and appeared to be in some discomfort after suffering the blow in an innocuous looking challenge.

Liverpool considering SURPRISE £8m bid: Could be a perfect signing!

2008-09-23T17:52:24+00:00

This source suggests that Rafa is running the rule over a Tottenham star who may well find first-team action at White Hart Lane hard to come by. Don't forget to check out Online Football Manager! Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly considering a January swoop for Tottenham Hotspur winger Aaron Lennon, with .

Liverpool Given Due Warning As Sinama-Pongolle And Atletico Go On Scoring Spree

2008-09-22T16:13:00+00:00

Atletico Madrid sounded a warning to Liverpool, whom they meet in a Champions League Group D clash next month, with a 4-0 thrashing of Recreativo Huelva at the weekend.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will need to beware of Atletico's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who scored his fourth goal in a week to set Atletico on their way.