5 years and 76 players later and we're no better off
Right after Tuesday's defeat I received a text message from a good friend of mine. "The worrying thing mate is this is our future out on the pitch. This is what he's been buying the last 5 years!!!". The 'he' of course refers to Rafa Benitez.
The text sums up the main concern of most supporters that after years of buying and selling players the net result is Liverpool don't have the depth in the squad to compete at the highest level. The other main concern is that Liverpool have turned into a two player team and that without Gerrard and Torres we loose creativity and are not able to beat even the likes of Sunderland. Who can argue with this thinking?
When Benitez substituted Benayoun for Voronin in the 84th minute against Lyon not only were the crowd booing because they didn't want Benayoun taken off, they were booing because everyone knew Voronin did not have the quality to make an impact on the game. And it doesn't help that players like Lucas continue to be unconvincing, Kuyt frustrating, Ngog unproven and Babel continues to run down blind alleys.
So whose to blame? The owners for lack of funds? Rafa for not buying the right players? The players themselves for not performing? You have to say it's a combination of all three but ultimately Benitez has to take the main responsibility. Benitez has signed 76 players in his five years in charge so by now he should have a much stronger squad.
I'm not saying Rafa should be shown the door but the reality is even if the situation gets worse Liverpool cannot afford to let him go. He has four and a half years left of the £4.5m-a-season contract he signed in March, so sacking him could cost about £20m.
Should Rafa go or stay? You be the judge. Rafa has done wonderful things for the club and yes he has been hampered by injuries, but there's no question in my mind that if we want to salvage anything from this season he needs to review his tactics and his team selection and the players need to improve their performance on the pitch starting on Sunday.
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If Liverpool don't have enough to spend eventhough change the manager also not use.
If Leverpool have enough fund then liverpool should change the manager. Maybe style current manange liverpool team is not suitable. Jose Mourinho should be the right choice for Liverpool to make fast impact for next season. Steven Gerard and Carragher are not young already. I hope both of them can win the Premier League title.
Ridiculous.
9 games into the league season, admittedly the balance of the team is not right just now. However, this is the same team more or less, that beat Man Utd 1-4 and Real Madrid 4-0 only a handful of months ago.
People need get get a grip.
The lad Matt is spot on. We got close last year, gone slightly backwards this year, only due to a key transfer and injury. Lets keep calm, support the gaff and never show any sign of weakness. I now live in exile in the midlands and it's embarrasing (not just the accents) but the plastic liverpool lads who are talking about sackings and calling players.
Always defend the people representing the club. well team management through to
players.
Like Matt says, get a grip, keep cool!
NONE of you lot that are wasting breath slating Rafa deserve to follow LFC. You don't need to be Andy Gray to suss out we aren't going through a purple patch right now but for f**ks sake get a sense of proportion. Either that or try Man City or Chelsea. That'll be much better for you. I bet your the same lot that fiddle footy management games so you win all the time right?
well said Bill, many are blaming RAFA for our difficult start to the season, have we forgotten how good we were playing in the last 2/3 months of last season?, OK we lost Xabi , and some blame rafa for this,I really don't believe this , Xabi was lured by Real, and he wanted to leave , we Miss xabi , its difficult to replace him ,but we are in bad form as a team and I'm sure we will soon go back to winning ways , and we will see the same lot praising Rafa and his tactics, BELIEVE--YNWA
I suggest you guys re-read the report relating to the quote and present performances,its actually analysing the situation that we have been lead to by Rafa,Rick Parry,David Moores and now our American owner,s.We dont have strengh in depth and its got nothing todo with even wanting tobe like AGray,its called reality and thereality is most of the player's who wore the shirt at Sunderland and at home to Lyon were and are not fit enough to wear the red of our great Proud club.Just to have a view that reflects reality doesn't make you a bad supporter or an out of towner.I have followed LFC for 38 years and will continue todo so home&away; week in week out and i would suggest that we are going to have a rather difficult time this season but thats called reality to me,not lacking respect
Remember, the key player that we lost was basically forced by your hero benitez. I love the hollier than thou rafa supporters. WE are going backwards, wake up lfc supporters. I support this club through thick and thin, but that support also allows me to criticize the digression and the tactics of rafa which i have for two years now.