rafa lost it on wednesday

[rodo]

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=rafa%2D-i-hit-the-roof%2D--%26method=full%26objectid=18983889%26siteid=98487-name_page.html

[Tee]

Rafa

[Morph]

i felt like kicking their arses in that first half and i'm glad rafa has done something about it. Let's hope he fires them up on tues night, and they fly out of the traps hit em early, and stun them with two goals in the first 15 mins

[Shaggy]

Good to hear.

[kurtangle01]

Rafa hits the roof!

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=rafa--i-hit-the-roof-%26method=full%26objectid=18983889%26siteid=98487-name_page.html

RAFA BENITEZ has revealed how he sparked a dressing room row with his Liverpool players at the end of last week's Champions League defeat at Chelsea.
The softly-spoken Spaniard left several of his stars in no doubt that futures are on the line as he laid into his team following the 1-0 semi-final first-leg defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Benitez said: "Yes I was very angry after the first game. I was angry with myself, my staff and my players because we had not performed.

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"From the outside people think I am calm and often that is the best way to get your message across even if you are angry inside. But this was the semi-final of the Champions League and I had to shout to get through to the players that they were wasting an opportunity.

"I cannot analyse the future of a player in one or two games, but some players must realise that they are playing for a European Cup Final and for their futures.

"Things can change quickly and decisions over whether you stay with a top side or leave do depend on these next weeks."

A number of Liverpool players were left shocked by Benitez's uncharacteristic rant, but the Spaniard feels that it was an opportunity squandered against a Chelsea side that was unable to build a substantial lead despite being faced by a team playing well below par.

Benitez is reluctant to become embroiled in a war of words with Mourinho, even though it is clear Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has now run out of patience with the whingeing Portuguese.

No one has been spared from a tongue-lashing from the Chelsea boss, who attempted to use Liverpool's illustrious history as a stick to beat Benitez with on the eve of the first leg when he claimed he'd be sacked if he went three years without winning the Premiership title.

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The Spaniard feels he can give the perfect response by ending Chelsea's dream of ruling Europe for the second time in three seasons. But he couldn't resist reminding his arch-rival that he has been able to win the title for Chelsea only because of one thing - Roman Abramovich's money.

"We will have to play much better in the second leg, but in a way the game at Chelsea has given us more confidence because we played very badly and still only conceded one goal," said Benitez. "It was a missed opportunity for Chelsea - and you don't have many big opportunities in your life. I think they will regret not scoring more goals. Chelsea will be facing 12 men at Anfield because our fans give us a one-man advantage on these occasions."

Benitez added: "I don't want to talk about Mourinho. I refuse to get caught up in this fight. I have respect for him as a manager and any other feelings I have do not matter because I only like to talk about football.

"The truth is if you have more money than anyone else in the world then that is lucky for you. Let's be clear, it is easier to win trophies if you have Chelsea's money. They have done well over the last few years, but how? By spending money.

"We have our own targets and while we are disappointed we haven't challenged for the title this season, we have won four trophies in less than three years and can still win the European Cup for a sixth time."

[ARIMAN]

Do you get the feeling their is alot of unsettledness at the club at the moment. Maybe its due to the takeover or just because restlessness because of Scum and Blue Scum sucess.

I fear that we may have another summer of lots of ins and outs again


Hopefully this will stimulate a better 2nd leg performance

[The Glove]

Do you get the feeling their is alot of unsettledness at the club at the moment. Maybe its due to the takeover or just because restlessness because of Scum and Blue Scum sucess.

I fear that we may have another summer of lots of ins and outs again


Hopefully this will stimulate a better 2nd leg performance

I think it could be a good unsettledness though. The players know that we now have the reddies to replace them. Before investment, their places seemed fairly secure.

[kurtangle01]

I think it's just a case of Rafa feeling the need to dish out a few bollockings to see how the team responds or more importantly who responds.

The players who carried on regardless will be out but the players who work their socks off will stay.

[Johnny]

Do you get the feeling their is alot of unsettledness at the club at the moment. Maybe its due to the takeover or just because restlessness because of Scum and Blue Scum sucess.

I fear that we may have another summer of lots of ins and outs again


Hopefully this will stimulate a better 2nd leg performance

Maybe Bellamy got a bollocking and therefore signalled his intentions to leave before he`s pushed.It`s obvios we`re 4 or 5 players short of a team that can Challenge for the PL.If Rafa did hand out a rare bollocking hopefully players like SG,Gonzo and Bellamy will pick up their game.

[redblood]

I think it could be a good unsettledness though. The players know that we now have the reddies to replace them. Before investment, their places seemed fairly secure.

Sometimes the nice calm but forceful approach works and sometimes you have to let go and I hope he gave the lot of them a serious bollocking.
We've been playing well below par for the last 4-5 games and it isn't good enough.
The first leg was muck we really need a performance this time and I think we will get it.
Come on Redmen.

[The Glove]

Said this before, we shouldnt have rested as many as we have, they cant be expected to just turn up and be all firing all conquering. We needed to build up to the Chelsea game, Wigan at home shouldve been a full strength team so they know how to play and what to do.

[ronan]

all depends on tuesdays result
and arguably the final if we get there.
we win ,and rafa can say he was right.

[Dhav]

Said this before, we shouldnt have rested as many as we have, they cant be expected to just turn up and be all firing all conquering. We needed to build up to the Chelsea game, Wigan at home shouldve been a full strength team so they know how to play and what to do.

Strongly Disagree - been a long season that was preceded by a World Cup which most of our players played in. Any opportunity to rest players before such a crucial game so late into a long and tiring season has to be seized, not to mention it also limits the risk of them getting injured (eg Carvalho).

Playing at home to a poor Wigan who's only intention was to play damage limitation would hardly have been a good preparation for or a good simulation of the match against Chelsea. Besides, afa would have made sure they practiced enough in training to focus solely on their roles against Chelsea.

[mersey86]

I agree with Dhavlos on this one. It was hardly as though these players had been 2 weeks or more without competitive football. If your midweek game is more important than the Saturday game, manage your resources.

[redblood]

Said this before, we shouldnt have rested as many as we have, they cant be expected to just turn up and be all firing all conquering. We needed to build up to the Chelsea game, Wigan at home shouldve been a full strength team so they know how to play and what to do.

I would kind of agree with that mate but if you can't get your arse in gear for a CL semi then you shouldn't be playing the game.