Soccer Blogs Posts Tagged Rafael Benitez

Dirk Kuyt: From Joke to Top Bloke for Liverpool

2008-11-17T17:51:37+00:00

Another weekend of Premier League action and another cracking Dirk Kuyt goal, now who would have predicted that this time last season? Certainly not me and with good reason because his goal tally in the league last season was just five, managing 11 in all competitions for the Reds. So far this time around the [.

Liverpool 2-0 Bolton - Another Step Closer To Premier League Title

2008-11-17T15:08:36+00:00

If recent Premier League results are anything to go by, long-deprived Liverpool fans could finally celebrate a bountiful year of prestigious titles. More importantly, it is to fill the trophy cabinet with their first Premier League title since 1990. In a refreshing change this season, Benitez has refrained from tinkering with his squad - the rotation [.

The Return of the Able Deputy

2008-11-17T13:00:00+00:00

His was a low-profile entrance. Indeed, if any emotion was expressed when Mauricio Pellegrino joined Liverpool's coaching staff last July, it was skepticism: how could the player who had done so badly during his brief stay in 2005 add anything in a coaching role?

Four months later and there still isn't a suitable answer to that query.

Squad Limitations Will Come to Haunt Liverpool

2008-11-07T13:00:00+00:00

The appearance of David N'Gog last Tuesday as a second half substitute was a surprising one, yet it says much about the quality of Liverpool's squad.

In explaining the substitution, Rafael Benitez said that he wanted to change things up front, to put on a striker who could perhaps add something different.

An Insight Into the Way Liverpool Buy Players

2008-10-28T12:57:00+00:00

A lot has been said about Liverpool's scouting network of late. Or, rather, a lot has been hinted in various internet forums about the quality (or lack thereof) of some of Liverpool's scouts. Looking through an Italian newspaper I came across this interview with Mauro Pederzoli, one of Liverpool's leading continental scouts and, whilst it is a bit dated (from the 15th of May 2007 to be precise) I still thought that it gives quite a bit of insight on how Liverpool's scouting is carried out under Benitez.

Benitez is a Bell-End: "Torres is Injured, Let's Change World Cup Qualifying!"

2008-10-17T00:02:00+00:00

Rafa Benitez's beard is clearly one of the worst examples of facial hair in modern football. While the Liverpool manager's goatee won't win him any style points on the touchline, his comments today regarding fantasy stud Fernando Torres' hamstring injury won't win him any sanity points either.

"There are too many international games and the demands on the players are too much," the vagina faced Spaniard whined whilst suggesting that "weaker" countries should play one another first, and only then face off against "stronger" countries in World Cup qualification.

Man in a corner shop nails Liverpool impressions

2008-10-14T15:24:54+00:00

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 Crouch. The [...]

Juventus want Rafa and co from Liverpool

2008-10-14T14:07:33+00:00

Juventus are rumoured to be interested in poaching Rafael Benitez from Liverpool, even though the Spaniard has repeatedly stated his desire to stay for a long time at Anfield if the owners give him the requisite backing. My view is that the Juventus management made a mistake in hiring Ranieri when they should have kept Deschamps [.

Liverpool owners want Rafa to prove his worth

2008-10-08T13:32:05+00:00

Rafa Benitez has done an admirable job at Liverpool since taking over. He hasn't been brilliant - that would be Jose Mourinho's 3-year stint at Chelsea - but in his own way he has given Liverpool respect and bit by bit transformed them into formidable opponents in Europe. That he hasn't enjoyed similar success in the [.

Julian Dicks cost Liverpool more than Robbie Keane did

2008-10-07T10:51:57+00:00

Soccerlens is a big fan of statistics, as Scott the Red's in-depth rundown of last season's Premier League data showed. In fact, statistics show that 83 per cent of all Soccerlens writers are fans of statistics. So when we heard that statistical evidence had been uncovered which proved that Julian Dicks was more expensive than [.

Slovak Skrtel Damages Knee Ligaments: Let's go Rafa Rotation Shopping

2008-10-06T14:04:00+00:00

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel had cemented a position for himself at centre back with a series of solid performances this season, but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after injuring ligaments in his right knee.
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Liverpool fightback proves they mean business this time

2008-10-06T12:55:13+00:00

Liverpool's 2-3 win over Manchester City yesterday was without doubt one of the finest games in Premier League history. The Reds pulled off the sort of comeback they had previously reserved for 1990s clashes with Newcastle United and Champions League finals! Granted Liverpool's revival was given added impetus when City had Pablo Zabaleta dismissed, but [.

MARK LAWRENSON: Signs That This Could Be Benitez’s Year

2008-09-30T16:29:00+00:00

WHISPER it softly, but Liverpool are showing signs of putting together a genuine title challenge.

And it may be that manager Rafael Benitez is prepared to gamble more on Premier League success this year than in the past.

He is putting out his most attacking teams since arriving perhaps in the realisation that it is no use drawing games if you want to finish as champions.

Benitez wants to unleash Babel from the start

2008-09-30T07:38:27+00:00

Rafael Benitez says he wants to stop using Ryan Babel as a substitute and start using the Dutchman from the start of games once he has improved the tactical side of his game.

Robbie Keane Ready For Lift Off With Liverpool FC

2008-09-29T10:26:00+00:00

DELIGHTED Steven Gerrard believes Robbie Keane's Liverpool career is poised for lift-off after the striker helped secure derby victory on Saturday.

Two goals from Fernando Torres inside three second-half minutes gave the Anfield outfit a 2-0 win at Goodison in the 208th meeting between the Merseyside rivals.

Agger's Anfield Agony

2008-09-29T10:23:00+00:00

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has reportedly delayed discussions over a new contract, casting further doubt over his future.

According to News of the World, Agger will not enter negotiations to extend his current deal until manager Rafael Benitez assures him that he has a first-team future at Anfield.

Did Everton midfielder deserve red card against Liverpool?

2008-09-28T12:52:16+00:00

It wasn't the greatest of Merseyside derbies, but was very much job done as far as Rafael Benitez was concerned. Two excellent strikes from Fernando Torres ensured a deserved victory for Liverpool, while Everton continue to look shoddy defensively and now face one of their key players being suspended for .

Good Game Bad Game [vs Everton]

2008-09-28T12:00:00+00:00

As with the game against Manchester United, I felt awful before this game. And, as with the game with Manchester United, I shouldn't have bothered. Rarely have Liverpool dominated with such ease at Goodison Park (61% of possession, the stats showed at the end) and really it was a game that could have been won by a bigger margin.

History Is On Liverpool's Side

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

Liverpool can all but end PSV's Champions League interests with a victory that would put them on the brink of qualification for the next round.

The Dutch side arrive at Anfield on Tuesday for the second round of matches in Group D already smarting after being comprehensively beaten 3-0 in their opening home match with Atletico Madrid.

The Week In Words

2008-09-28T05:35:00+00:00

Liverpool are such a big club. Anybody who tells you he wants to leave a club like that is lying.
Nice to hear from Emile Heskey.

It is very frustrating to know that you've been a playing such big part of the team and all of a sudden you are in the shadows but that's the manager's choice and you just have to get on with it.

Liverpool’s best formation and form

2008-09-27T18:24:16+00:00

Soccerlens reader and forum member deridder8 wrote a very interesting article in the forum today - here's an extract: ... After 6 games with 4 wins and 2 draws, I'm still not very convinced about Liverpool's form this season. It hasn't been fantastic; they are not winning games like champions. They are SCRAPPING the wins.

Los Cuerpos Técnicos actuales en los grandes Clubes

2008-09-27T06:22:34+00:00

En el fútbol profesional en México, y en general en latinoamérica, las estructuras de cuerpos técnicos son tan variadas, pero con muchas coincidencias entre todas: el Director Técnico, uno o dos auxiliares y un preparador físico son las posiciones "comunes". Agregamos a uno o dos utileros, un doctor y un masajista.

Rafael Benitez explica la utilización de software táctico

2008-09-27T06:00:12+00:00

El entrenador español del Liverpool FC, Rafael Benitez explica en este video como usa Amisco, uno de los softwares más sofisticados de análisis y seguimiento de las variables que inciden en un partido de fútbol. tanto a nivel táctico como a nivel físico. Es interesante ver como la tecnología se va convirtiendo en un aliado más [.

Match Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool

2008-09-27T02:28:00+00:00

Both Merseyside clubs enter this early season derby looking for redemption after dropping points against newly-promoted opposition last week. Not that extra motivation would ever be needed in what is traditionally one of the most hotly contested matches in the Premier League season. Everton are yet to score points at home and would love nothing more than chalking up their first of the season against their old enemy.

Rafa Delighted With Defensive Headache

2008-09-27T02:26:00+00:00

Rafael Benitez has admitted the form of his four centre backs has given him a selection headache ahead of this weekend's derby at Goodison.

Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel have been the first choice pairing at the heart of the Reds defence in the Premier League this season, but Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia both staked their claims for a place in the starting eleven with impressive displays against Crewe in midweek.

Everton's David Moyes Ready For 'Aggressive' Liverpool

2008-09-27T02:17:00+00:00

Neighbours at War, aka the 208th Merseyside Derby, will be as "hotly contested as ever'', in the opinion of the Everton manager, David Moyes.

Even without the heavy hand of history and jabbing elbow of local rivalry, this game means so much to Moyes and his players, to Rafael Benitez and his men in Liverpool red.

Brazilian star’s thumbs-up for Liverpool

2008-09-26T15:52:15+00:00

Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri was signed by Liverpool this summer but he was already reported to be frustrated with no matches for the Reds under his belt. Now it has emerged that he is quite happy at Anfield and is quite glad to carry on under manager Rafael Benitez. Cavalieri ...

Are Liverpool planning major transfer swoop on Spurs?

2008-09-26T15:52:14+00:00

Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign highly-rated England winger Aaron Lennon from struggling Tottenham Hotspur in January. Anfield manager Rafael Benitez seems to be using strikers as wingers and it has been said that the former Valencia coach wants to alter that. Liverpool are set to dig .

Lucas Must Learn that Mediocrity Isn’t Good Enough

2008-09-26T12:00:00+00:00

Not one to dwell too much on what the reaction might be, Rafael Benitez has never shirked away from making controversial choices because people might not agree with them. Few of his decisions, however, will match the levels of surprise hit the last time Liverpool travelled to Goodison Park.

With the game stuck at 1-1 and Liverpool struggling to build play, Benitez came up with a strange solution: take off Steven Gerrard and replace him with Lucas Leiva.

Great Dane Tips Gerrard For Derby Glory

2008-09-26T11:08:00+00:00

Liverpool legend Jan Molby believes Steven Gerrard will lead his side to victory in Saturday's Merseyside derby.

And the former Danish international also tipped new-boy Robbie Keane to break his drought by finding the net at Goodison Park.

"Steven is always our key man," Molby told the club's official website.