Anfield power change closer.

[StevieG08]

All Rafa's comments were just part of the mind games that go on between rival managers all the time. He sowed the seeds of doubt in fat Sam's head and upset Bolton on the eve of a match between two teams close together in the league.
Obviously our lads are more than able to match teams physical side and Rafa clearly knows this, lets get a grip people how many times have we been upset at something Mourihno or Demento has said before playing us? It's all part of the game!

[Redspin]

Fair enough, i too was slighty annoyed and perplexed at Rafa's comments but you have to rememeber football is alot different now compared to the 70's and 80's, Rafa came from Spain where it's alot less physical.
Shanks, Fagan and Paiseley were well used to the physical side of football in thier day hence never moaned about it.

100% wrong. In the 70s I'm pretty sure it was Shankly (might have been Paisely if it was a little later than I recall, but I'm 90% sure it was Shanks) who was fed up with the overphysical approach of Southampton in games against us at the time and went on at great length in the press criticising their style of play and famously dubbed them an "alehouse" team. So let's stop this unfounded criticism of Benitez and take off the rose-tinted specs about the golden era when Shanks etc "never moaned" about another teams approach. There's nothing new under the sun.

[Guest]

Shanks belong to the past. Let's look to the future.

[Fan65]

Shanks belong to the past. Let's look to the future.

Strange comment, Without Shankly there wouldn't have been a great past or a great future for this club just oblivion.

[Guest]

Strange comment, Without Shankly there wouldn't have been a great past or a great future for this club just oblivion.

So what should we do ? Continue to live in the past ? Our heritage will never be forgotten and Shanks is an integral part of that, but still things move on.

[keniget]

I wasn't too impressed with Rafa's comments to be fair. They came across as rather bitter and spiteful, especially considering that he's struggled somewhat against Bolton since he's come to the Premiership. Having said that, it was probably partly said to try and influence the referee.

As for Bolton, yeah they play percentage football most of the time and whilst I really dislike them as a team, I'll admit they have played some decent stuff in the past year or so. They've started signing players that are more technically able such as Diouf and Anelka... so I'll agree with Sam and say that it is unfair that they never get any credit.

When they come up against a better team though, they simply recognize their inferiority and try to play to their strengths. It's annoying because we are one of the teams that "suffer" and even more so when it works...

[bazza76]

it seems to me, Rafa is trying the psychological approach, trying to force Bolton to play a game they didn't want by saying they are too physical. He could also be trying to make the ref punish any harsh tactics they had planned.
Its really a big fuss over nothing, it goes on all the time at Chelsea with Maureen accusing of sorts in the past.

[John_Gotti]

I can't ever remember a manager before Rafa complaining about a Liverpool team being roughed up - and he's done that.

I have to say that I find that disappointing from someone who claims to be steeped in our history - can you imagine what Shanks Paisley and Fagan would have said to their team being intimidated/outmuscled by Fat Sam's Bolton????

Rafa is good - but is he scared he's fielding a team of pussies?

I'm sorry but it is called psychological warfare.

[tomasjj]

I'm sorry but it is called psychological warfare.

Yup.
I think if Fat Sam had kept his gob shut when we play them, Rafa would do the same.

[enema of the state]

its an example of "mind games"

fergiescum has proved down the years that it works - referees can be influenced and intimidated to the advantage of your side.

it would be nice to have the game embrace corinthian values and get rid of that kind of thing - but like so many other practices in the game, there is an advantage to be gained so if you dont do it when your rivals do, youre handicapping yourself.

its good to see rafa scoring points this way - hell be very good at it.

[Fiddy]

Strange comment, Without Shankly there wouldn't have been a great past or a great future for this club just oblivion.

I found it strange as well...without the past there'd be nothing to reference and no context for the present/future...

[Neil Young]

It's suddenly got awfully philosophical round here. "The past is another country; they do things differently there."

[mick the click]

I know it's all about mind games - but it comes across as 'don't hurt our delicate little LFC side' whinge rather than a 'watch them they're filth players.'

Small point, not particularly important, but something about it from Rafa grates a little - I'll get over it...

[LFCman]

Warnock for Neill. FFS.

Bargain for us.

[Mattshark]

The sig will change when the new owners are in place and not before. Don't want to tempt fate now do we?

Not with your luck