Rafa Benitez - Recent posts

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Martin Kelly Respects Liverpool Rival Daniel Ayala

Anfield Talk 20 November @ 04:39 PM EST
Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly has spoken of his respect for colleague Daniel Ayala, despite the fact that the young Spaniard is in direct competition with him for a place in the team.
Both 19-year-olds have represented their countries at youth level and both have now played for Rafa Benitez's first-team, but Kelly insists that their relationship is positive. Click to continue reading...

Why Rafa Benitez Is Definitely In It For The Long Haul At Liverpool

Anfield Talk 20 November @ 04:33 PM EST
Rafa Benitez said he would quit Liverpool if Fernando Torres is sold. The Spanish striker could have been sold last summer to Manchester City if Benitez had accepted their offer – and there will no doubt be more enquiries coming in for Torres until the day he does actually leave.
But what is remarkable about the offer made to Liverpool last summer is the scale of the City bid: £70million for Torres plus and additional £30million for Javier Mascherano. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool Plan Audacious Swoop for £15m Defensive Duo Ilunga and Upson

Caught Offside 20 November @ 08:26 AM EST

Surely a good defence doesn't turn bad overnight and therefore a move for new additions at the back is a tad of a knee-jerk reaction?

WEST HAM could have a fight on their hands to keep their star players after reports emerged that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is planning a £15million double raid for defenders Matthew Upson and Herita Ilunga.

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Horse placenta and Liverpool football players – a winning combination

Anfield Red 19 November @ 03:50 PM EST
And here you thought Arsenal's Robin van Persie was the only one getting this special treatment. Ahead of Saturday's critical clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, Rafa Benitez is pulling out all the stops to make sure his squad is healthy enough to field a squad without the name Voronin inserted into the starting [. Click to continue reading...

Gerrard and Ngog return to face Man City

goalpost.tv 17 November @ 06:00 PM EST
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez finally catches a break as he knew this week that he could count with Steven Gerrard and David Ngog to face Manchester City on Saturday. The odds for this game can change a bid in any good sports book as these two players are available to play. Gerrard has been vulnerable for [. Click to continue reading...

Rafa Plans To Double Up

Anfield Talk 17 November @ 05:34 PM EST
Liverpool are planning a £15m double swoop for West Ham pair Matt Upson and Herita Ilunga.
Kop boss Rafa Benitez is already eyeing a £12m move for Hammers striker Carlton Cole, 26.
But the Londoners are holding out for around £20m for the England star which is likely to stretch the Reds' budget too far. Click to continue reading...

Benitez: Some Of These Players Have Not Been Good Enough For Us

Anfield Talk 17 November @ 05:19 PM EST
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted to making errors in the transfer market but suggested he had to take risks because of the precarious financial situation at Anfield.
With the club struggling in the Premier League and their Champions League participation hanging by a thread, Benitez defiantly defended the job he has done at the club, and claimed when all of his players returned from injury, fans would see the best of them. Click to continue reading...

Former Teammate Claims Liverpool Have Signed A Potential World Beater

Anfield Talk 17 November @ 05:10 PM EST
Liverpool have signed one of the best players in the world according to Alberto Aquilani's former teammate Francesco Totti.
The Italian forward claims his ex-Roma teammate will be a huge success at Anfield despite only featuring in two substitute appearances for Rafa Benitez's side.
The 25-year-old was brought to the Premier League in the summer as a direct replacement for the Real Madrid bound Xabi Alonso, and Totti suggests his compatriot and friend has all the talent to be a huge asset alongside Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Click to continue reading...

Is Rafa Headed Out the Door?

EPL Talk 17 November @ 01:34 PM EST

Rafa Benitez gave a bizarre interview to the Times yesterday, and Liverpool fans should be worried that the pressure may be getting the better of their leader. When a manager spends time talking about the support he is getting from the management, threatening to quit, and talking about the legacy he wants to leave behind, he sounds less like a manager worried about this weekend's game against Man City and more like a man who wants to put this whole mess behind him.

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Liverpool Boss Would Quit if Torres Sold: Owners Rub Hands In Glee!

Caught Offside 17 November @ 06:42 AM EST

I wouldn't trust my grandmother with Hicks and Gillett!

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Rafa Benitez has admitted he would quit Liverpool if the club ever sold Fernando Torres behind his back to ease the financial pressure at Anfield.

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Liverpool To Make Dream £10m January Move for Hotshot Eduardo

Caught Offside 16 November @ 03:28 PM EST

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is reportedly contemplating a £10 million January move for Arsenal striker Eduardo.

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Dear Rafa ‘Psycho’ Benitez

All Four One, and One Four All! 16 November @ 01:58 PM EST

Warning : This could be boring

The Past few weeks have seen the worst crisis period of your wonderful career. There are times I used to think what made you quit as a Valencia coach and join Liverpool. You had two La Liga titles and a Uefa cup glory with a meek Valencia side.

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The £30m Strike Pair Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez Has To Choose Between

Caught Offside 16 November @ 12:56 PM EST

Tough decision, not really!

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Well, it's getting to that time of year again when agents and journalists alike are trying to earn their money.

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Liverpool Duo Heading For Exit Door As Rafa Benitez Bids To Raise Cash For Hamburg Star

Anfield Talk 15 November @ 01:19 PM EST
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hoping to raise £15million from the sale of misfits Andrea Dossena and Ryan Babel – and wants to splash some of the cash on Dutchman Eljero Elia.
Roma and Napoli are set to battle it out for the signature of Italian international Dossena when the transfer window opens in January. Click to continue reading...

Benitez: I Don't Have To Win A Throphy

Anfield Talk 15 November @ 01:08 PM EST
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stoked up the mounting pressure on himself by incredibly insisting: "I don't have to win a trophy."
The Reds' title dreams have been hit by FIVE League defeats already this season; they crashed out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal in midweek and their Champions League dreams will be in tatters if they lose Wednesday's crucial Group E clash in Lyon. Click to continue reading...

EXCLUSIVE – The real cost of XABI ALONSO and LUIS GARCIA’S Liverpool transfers

Liverpool Kop 15 November @ 09:01 AM EST
Yesterday, I looked at the real cost of Jan Kromkamp's transfer to Liverpool. Today, I attempt to establish the true cost of Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia, two of Rafa Benitez's most successful signings.
At the time of both transfers, the BBC reported that Garcia cost 6m, but in their report for Alonso's transfer, a fee was not specified. Click to continue reading...

Why was XABI ALONSO banned from publishing a goodbye letter to Liverpool's fans?

Liverpool Kop 15 November @ 09:01 AM EST
It has been revealed that Xabi Alonso may have been prevented from writing an open-letter to Liverpool's fans when he left the club. Given the Spaniard's contribution to the club, I find this to be very disappointing.
Both John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia wrote open letters to Liverpool fans when they left the club, both of which were published on the official Liverpool FC website. Click to continue reading...

Why MARTIN'O NEILL is the right man to (eventually) replace RAFA BENITEZ

Liverpool Kop 15 November @ 09:01 AM EST
On the 30th May 2004 (before Benitez was appointed), I wrote a post on ThisIsAnfield.com arguing that Martin O Neill should get the Manager's job ahead of Benitez and Jose Mourinho. Five years later and O'Neill is apparently one of the favourites to become the next Liverpool manager. Well, my opinion has not changed: For me, O'neill is the only man for the job. Click to continue reading...

Why the ridiculous WENGER/BENITEZ "time to build a team" comparison is invalid

Liverpool Kop 15 November @ 09:01 AM EST
Many Liverpool fans are distraught at the club's current predicament/failure to win any trophies for the last three years. After 1 win in 9 games, questions are rightly being asked about Rafa Benitez's future. However, The ‘Rafa can do no wrong' brigade come up with endless excuses/justifications for giving the manager more time, the most common of which is the ridiculous comparison between Benitez and Arsene Wenger. Click to continue reading...

DIRK KUYT and the 'Curse of the barren spell' (or why Liverpool can do better on the right)

Liverpool Kop 15 November @ 09:01 AM EST
Dirk Kuyt's supporters are always trying to convince everyone he deserves his place in the team because he's so 'hard-working', has 'endless stamina' and gives his all for the team. Well, that may be the case but as I will illustrate, Rafa Benitez's continued favouritism for the player has had - and is having - a negative impact on Liverpool FC's attacking effectiveness. Click to continue reading...

I'm confused: Why does FABIO AURELIO deserve a new contract with Liverpool?

Liverpool Kop 15 November @ 06:17 AM EST
With his contract expiring next summer, Fabio Aurelio is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another other club in January. Rafa Benitez reportedly wants Liverpool to renew Aurelio's contract, but what has the Brazilian actually done in his time at the club to deserve this?
The plain fact is this: Aurelio (aka Mr Glass) is injury prone. Click to continue reading...

Babel Happy At Liverpool

Anfield Talk 14 November @ 11:05 AM EST
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has dismissed reports that he is looking to leave the club in January.
Babel has struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafa Benitez's plans, making just two starts in the Premier League this term.
While the 22-year-old is keen to be playing more regularly as he looks to seal a place in Bert van Marwijk's Holland squad for next summer's World Cup finals, he insists he does not want to make a move away from Anfield in search of more first-team action. Click to continue reading...

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool FC Only Have Minor Problems To Fix

Anfield Talk 13 November @ 08:53 PM EST
Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez believes there are only minor issues to address with his faltering side and has urged his players to start their season afresh after the international break.
The Reds have already lost five Premier League matches - three more than during the whole of the previous campaign - and critics have already written off their title hopes. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool Want An Amazing £14million For Lucas

Anfield Talk 13 November @ 08:49 PM EST
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez wants an amazing £14 million for Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva - and plans to keep him despite needing to sell players.
The Kop chief has been approached by a couple of top European sides who hoped to exploit the Anfield cash problems by landing Lucas in a bargain deal. Click to continue reading...

IS LUCAS WORTH £14MILLION? YES HE IS!

Friends of Liverpool FC 13 November @ 06:09 PM EST
Amazingly, reports in the press today suggest that Lucas Lieva has been the subject of transfer inquiries.Frankly, I am stunned that the lad is even being pursued by other clubs.After a completely uninspiring start to his career at Liverpool, where he couldn't make a tackle, couldn't pass the ball to a team-mate and was roundly booed by the Anfield faithful every time he was near the ball, the lad is now coveted by some clubs in Europe. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool To Sell Players To Fund Bid for £18m “New Kaka” Hernanes

Caught Offside 13 November @ 11:37 AM EST

Rafa needs to find funds for Brazilian talent.

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There has been increased speculation for the highly rated Brazilian Hernanes, with a move to Premier League giants Liverpool.

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Rafa Benitez Wants Spurs Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko On Loan

Anfield Talk 12 November @ 04:06 PM EST
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is spending the international break considering his options for reinforcements in the January transfer window.
And while it is unlikely he will have funds available to make a permanent signing, the Anfield boss will look for a loan striker to act as cover. Click to continue reading...

Ngog Can Cope With Pressure

Anfield Talk 12 November @ 04:05 PM EST
Under-fire Liverpool striker David Ngog believes he has the character to cope with the pressure put on him.
Ngog has come in for fierce criticism in recent days after he dived to win Liverpool a penalty in their 2-2 draw with Birmingham on Monday.
The Frenchman believes he is still learning his way in the game and that his experiences will make him stronger in the future. Click to continue reading...

£20million To Bag Cole

Anfield Talk 12 November @ 04:00 PM EST
West Ham United have told Liverpool that Carlton Cole will cost an astonishing £20million.
The East Londoners are desperate to keep hold of the England striker, who only signed a lucrative four-year deal at the club 12 months ago.
Cole, 26 today, has been a revelation since Gianfranco Zola's arrival last season and is firmly in the running for a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad. Click to continue reading...

Fabio Aurelio Adds To Liverpool Injury Curse While Yossi Benayoun And Albert Riera Face Three Weeks Out Of Action

Anfield Talk 12 November @ 03:48 PM EST
Liverpool have been dealt yet a further injury blow after it emerged that Fabio Aurelio has been cut from the Brazil squad because of his calf injury.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has also announced that Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera could be out for at least three weeks with hamstring injuries, adding to a lengthening injury list which includes star players Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool Set to Make £11m Move for Ideal Torres Stand In Pavlyuchenko?

Caught Offside 12 November @ 10:35 AM EST

Rafa considering White Hart Lane swoop.

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Rafa Benítez has decided strolling, sulking Spurs chest of drawers Roman Pavlyuchenko is the man to kick-start his team's season.

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Liverpool Flop Dossena Almost Certain to Make £6m Anfield Exit

Caught Offside 11 November @ 03:23 PM EST

Andrea on his way back home.

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Andrea Dossena appears to be edging closer to a move to Napoli after his agent suggested that Liverpool should sell in January.

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Liverpool Curse Strikes Again, Long Running Arsenal Rumour, Naked WAGS!

Caught Offside 11 November @ 02:15 PM EST

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Daniel Agger's Back Injury Still Giving Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez Cause For Concern

Anfield Talk 11 November @ 11:51 AM EST
Liverpool will work feverishly during the international break to find a solution to Daniel Agger's on-going back problem.
The Denmark international played in last week's Champions League 1-1 draw in Lyon, and also in Monday's stalemate with Birmingham.
But boss Rafa Benitez revealed his concerns about the player's injury problem that has dogged him all season and needed an operation during the summer. Click to continue reading...

Dossena Edging Closer To Exit

Anfield Talk 11 November @ 11:50 AM EST
Andrea Dossena appears to be edging closer to a move to Napoli after his agent suggested that Liverpool should sell in January.
The Italy defender was close to a switch to Stadio San Paolo in the summer, but the deal broke down amidst suggestions that personal terms could not be agreed. Click to continue reading...