Rafa appreciation

[lfc4ever]

"What have I told you about getting grass stains on your clothes when out playing football!

Wait till your dad gets home, he'll sort you out."

[McDermotX]

Coolness personified,
could you imagine Fergie or Wenger taking it all in like that ?

Best part was during the pen shootout (will have to look at it again, to see when), he casually just looked at his watch while sitting like that, as if he was checking what time he'd be getting home at

[ohhh_yeah]

calm. cool. and collective...

is there a clear picture of this... i want to make my first forum signature...

[Kopite_Colin]

Quick - someone rub his belly for good luck....

[Kopite_Colin]

With the greats, already?

Shanks
Paisley
Rafa
Dalglish

In that order is it stands?

Does Rafa's achievement overshadow GHs treble of 2001 yet? Only if we win No 6 maybe?

That must really rankle SAF and his one CL final in 20 years, I bet they go hell bent of making sure they make it to the final now.

Just think what Rafa could achieve if given those same 20 years, and he wishes to stay, I feel a dynasty coming on, I really do.

Rfa's achievement with a very mediocre side in 2005 and this one now (if we win) over takes any of GH's achievements in my opinion. 2001 was all about luck. 2005 and this year (so far) has been all about preparation.

IF we win in Athens, and Rafa stays and wins more than 1 league title you would potentially even have to think about him starting to be elevated above Shanks. 2 European Cups in 3 years would be phenonenal in this day and age.

[Kopite_Colin]

Slagging Gerard Houllier is out of order. The man nearly died for us and he brought us a fair amount of joy, winning an unprecedented 3 trophies in one year.

The man did not nearly die for us. He had an illness whilst being employed by us.
As for the 3 trophies...we had a HUGE slice of luck that year. And it wasn't unprecedented...we won a better treble in 1984 mate.

[Red_Polo]

Joe Fagan's got to be mentioned

[friedk]

Rafael Benitez

When he arrived, he took over a side who had been in serious decline for 2 seasons. At the last minute, before the close of the transfer window, we lost Owen, our only striker of note.

Arsenal had just gone an entire season unbeaten.

Manchester United had added the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney to a squad with the experience of Giggs, Scholes and Neville.

The Abramovich era was underway at Chelsea and they would go on to spend more than any side in the history of the game.

Rafa had to rebuild from scratch a team that was without direction. He had spent money, but usually on 2nd or 3rd choice players. He had to get rid of one of the worst collection of players Liverpool had ever had. The situation he entered was so dire, that we hear our Chairman had to loan the club money to buy Kuyt.

To go from there and win more matches in his first 100 games than any other Liverpool manager.

To take a team who spent 2 seasons scrapping for that final European cup place and in the last two seasons qualify with many games to spare.

To face Chelsea in 3 consecutive semi-finals against the so-called tactical genius of Mourinho and win every time.

To turn Anfield into a fortress again.

To win the FA Cup.

To win the European Cup.

To reach a second European Cup final in 3 seasons.

To beat Chelsea; United; Juventus; Milan and Barcelona along the way to their 3rd consecutive major final.

Makes Rafa one of the greatest signings in Liverpool's incredible history.

[Eth]

I agree but I would trade 2 more european cups for 1 english premier league title

[Harv]

Yeah were's Fagan??

If Rafa wins in Athens and takes us to #19 he will be right up there with the greats

[Ron_Mexico]

Slagging Gerard Houllier is out of order. The man nearly died for us and he brought us a fair amount of joy, winning an unprecedented 3 trophies in one year.

Died for us? That's one way of looking at it I suppose, if your some sort of french romantic

imo it was more he got sick while he was manager and it was serious and unfortunate. i'm bitter towards ged because of how he acted, and because his final 2 seasons were unbelievably frustrating to endure- the football was a disgrace to the club and he was up there telling us it was all good :whatever:

[carrsim]

i don't like to rank the managers- you can't quantify what shanks did and paisley won more trophies

fagan steadied the ship after the most successful manager ever left and won the big one himself

dalglish simply makes roy of the rovers career obsolete.

houllier restored some pride no matter what any of you people think.

i just see rafa as continuing the Liverpool Way, he just fits the bill.

[stringy]

I agree but I would trade 2 more european cups for 1 english premier league title

No chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The league will come patience.

[stringy]

When he arrived, he took over a side who had been in serious decline for 2 seasons. At the last minute, before the close of the transfer window, we lost Owen, our only striker of note.

Arsenal had just gone an entire season unbeaten.

Manchester United had added the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney to a squad with the experience of Giggs, Scholes and Neville.

The Abramovich era was underway at Chelsea and they would go on to spend more than any side in the history of the game.

Rafa had to rebuild from scratch a team that was without direction. He had spent money, but usually on 2nd or 3rd choice players. He had to get rid of one of the worst collection of players Liverpool had ever had. The situation he entered was so dire, that we hear our Chairman had to loan the club money to buy Kuyt.

To go from there and win more matches in his first 100 games than any other Liverpool manager.

To take a team who spent 2 seasons scrapping for that final European cup place and in the last two seasons qualify with many games to spare.

To face Chelsea in 3 consecutive semi-finals against the so-called tactical genius of Mourinho and win every time.

To turn Anfield into a fortress again.

To win the FA Cup.

To win the European Cup.

To reach a second European Cup final in 3 seasons.

To beat Chelsea; United; Juventus; Milan and Barcelona along the way to their 3rd consecutive major final.

Makes Rafa one of the greatest signings in Liverpool's incredible history.

Spot on great post and im sooooooo happy today!!!!!

[Michael]

Red Tongue

Anybody notice that the Rafa Red Tongue made another appearance last night!

It’s a bit like the E.T. red finger …….