Ruthless Rafa Starts Purge

[einar]

It is good and bad. It keeps you on your toes but sometimes the expectations to perform well all the time might affect their performances adversely.

then they are not good enough. (see Paco on the official site.)

[SB]

He soudns really pissed, I think he is blaming the defeat on not having the relevant quality needed to win such games, instead having to do with bargain buys.
Just hope the new owners aren't too offended by his aggressive approach. I sure they will understand his frustration though.

I saw George consolling Rafa after the match before going up to get our runners up medals. We'll be OK IMO.

[bazza76]

It is good and bad. It keeps you on your toes but sometimes the expectations to perform well all the time might affect their performances adversely.

That is exactly the type of player we dont need.
I see plenty of players who perform to a very high level the vast majority of the time. Also, that is why Rafa wants to have a big squad, to build hunger and desire to do well, aswell as keeping players fresh and having tactical options.

[Lecter]

He is a great player. He has been a top player for Bayern for years, domestically and in Europe, and just because he never got a chance in the England squad and people don't watch/rate German football shouldn't be allowed to take away from that. IMO he will be as influential for United as Makelele is for Chelsea.

IF Hargreaves had played for United against Milan they would probably have been in the final last night

I think Fergie is looking to follow Rafa and Jose's lead and have two holding midfielders

I wouldnt say hes a "great player" but hes certainly a decent player. Not sure hes worth £18 million though but then neither was Carrick imo

[ARIMAN]

He is smart as well. Smart in the Mourihno sense of the word, that is by making a statement like that, he deflects all the possible enquiries into his tactics and team selection and substitutions. The latent aggression and this statement sweeps away last night in one swoop

We have already Aureillo, Kewell (no mention of a new contract) and Leto to arrive, as well as Garcia, who can potentially play LW. So it doesnt have to mean we are in for a new Left winger, although with both Bolo and Speedy out, you`d have to think so.

[AFII]

Benitez calls for Anfield summer of change
May 24 2007
by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


RAFA Benitez today called for a summer of revolution at Anfield to ensure he leads a stronger Liverpool back to Champions League and Premiership glory season.

In a clear message to the club’s new owners, Benitez stressed how a significant improvement – and investment – will be required for the team to challenge for top honours.

And he’s already confirmed the departure of Mark Gonzelez to Real Betis this summer, while Bolo Zenden will also leave the club.

Benitez also doesn’t expect Craig Bellamy to be at Anfield next season.

“This morning I feel tired and disappointed,” said Benitez

“We are in the same situation as two years ago. Our supporters are clever and they know where we need to improve. They know we need to do the right things to improve things on the pitch and to strengthen the club. The new owners say they will support us but now is not the time to talk but to take decisions.

“It’s not just about new faces, it’s about the structure of the club.

“We need to spend money and we also need to work on other things. We can’t be working looking for players in August, because then you end up with the second or third choice on your list. We must start to work now.

“We have to make the improvements as soon as possible. In the cups we can beat anyone but when you are 21 points behind in the Premiership it’s clear you need more quality. If we don’t improve we will be fighting only for the top four again next season and be 21 points behind the champions again.”

Benitez was quick to praise AC Milan for claiming their seventh European Cup, although he also criticised the officials who failed to add on the full three minutes of added time.

“The referee was the only one who did not look at his watch,” he said.

The manager conceded that had little bearing on the outcome. He accepted missed chances cost his side, but Benitez has also put the pressure on the club’s hierarchy, calling for the necessary steps to be taken to keep the club competitive.

“My first idea is to support my players because they worked hard,” said Benitez.

“But then we need to think about the future. We know we need to improve and then we can move forward more than one step at a time. It’s not going to be easy to do the right things to catch Chelsea and Manchester United. We need to go at least two steps at a time to do this.

“We need to analyse how to improve the squad if we want to be contenders next season. We want to come back and fight again for the Champions League, but when you look at the other teams and see their qualities, you can see it’s difficult.

“We need to buy players, but they must be the right players. You see Manchester United has already spent £20m on Owen Hargreaves, so you can see the situation in the transfer market. We need to find the right people and right players.”

Benitez’s hopes of securing top targets have already been affected by the likely departure of his chief scout, Frank McParland, who having been without a full-time contract at Anfield is on the verge of joining Bolton.

American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are expected to make significant funds available, and Benitez will want a review of many areas of the club.

But he’s confirmed Gonzalez’s imminent departure. “We have an agreement with Betis,” said Benitez.

“I have also told Bolo Zenden he can talk to other clubs.”

The Spanish boss could only lament what might have been in assessing the 2-1 defeat.

“We deserved more from the game, but we conceded a goal at a bad time from a deflection,” he said.

“We needed to start well in the second half but we gave away chances on the counter attack.

“Harry Kewell couldn’t play 90 minutes, but we needed to change something in the second. Then we took a risk in substituting Mascherano, but we needed fresher legs in the second half. They had players with the quality to keep the ball and it made it difficult for us.

“You need to take your chances and that’s the key. We can improve in some areas. I was disappointed with the number of minutes played at the end, but I don’t want to make excuses. I congratulate Milan. They are a good team with a good manager.”

CLICKY - The Echo

[Guest]

I think that stresses my point of the other day. To date, Hicks and Gillett have been brilliant mouthing things off, now is the time for them to back these bold statements.

My only fear is that Rafa could be sensing that it's all been too much mouthed off in the press, as he's clearly pissed off and wants to see things improve.

[Parm]

IF Hargreaves had played for United against Milan they would probably have been in the final last night

I think Fergie is looking to follow Rafa and Jose's lead and have two holding midfielders

I wouldnt say hes a "great player" but hes certainly a decent player. Not sure hes worth £18 million though but then neither was Carrick imo

agree Lec, both are decent players, but not worth tht much money. But if it coss that much to get the title back then Fergie was right to spend it. Rafa is spot on, we can not keep buying our 2/3/4/5th choice players anymore. We have to spend big on our number 1 choices and take that gamble. If we dont it'll be 3rd/4th place battle again for us. Now is the summer to put right what's let us down year after year.

[Parm]

Benitez calls for Anfield summer of change
May 24 2007
by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


RAFA Benitez today called for a summer of revolution at Anfield to ensure he leads a stronger Liverpool back to Champions League and Premiership glory season.

In a clear message to the club’s new owners, Benitez stressed how a significant improvement – and investment – will be required for the team to challenge for top honours.

And he’s already confirmed the departure of Mark Gonzelez to Real Betis this summer, while Bolo Zenden will also leave the club.

Benitez also doesn’t expect Craig Bellamy to be at Anfield next season.

“This morning I feel tired and disappointed,” said Benitez

“We are in the same situation as two years ago. Our supporters are clever and they know where we need to improve. They know we need to do the right things to improve things on the pitch and to strengthen the club. The new owners say they will support us but now is not the time to talk but to take decisions.

“It’s not just about new faces, it’s about the structure of the club.

“We need to spend money and we also need to work on other things. We can’t be working looking for players in August, because then you end up with the second or third choice on your list. We must start to work now.

“We have to make the improvements as soon as possible. In the cups we can beat anyone but when you are 21 points behind in the Premiership it’s clear you need more quality. If we don’t improve we will be fighting only for the top four again next season and be 21 points behind the champions again.”

Benitez was quick to praise AC Milan for claiming their seventh European Cup, although he also criticised the officials who failed to add on the full three minutes of added time.

“The referee was the only one who did not look at his watch,” he said.

The manager conceded that had little bearing on the outcome. He accepted missed chances cost his side, but Benitez has also put the pressure on the club’s hierarchy, calling for the necessary steps to be taken to keep the club competitive.

“My first idea is to support my players because they worked hard,” said Benitez.

“But then we need to think about the future. We know we need to improve and then we can move forward more than one step at a time. It’s not going to be easy to do the right things to catch Chelsea and Manchester United. We need to go at least two steps at a time to do this.

“We need to analyse how to improve the squad if we want to be contenders next season. We want to come back and fight again for the Champions League, but when you look at the other teams and see their qualities, you can see it’s difficult.

“We need to buy players, but they must be the right players. You see Manchester United has already spent £20m on Owen Hargreaves, so you can see the situation in the transfer market. We need to find the right people and right players.”

Benitez’s hopes of securing top targets have already been affected by the likely departure of his chief scout, Frank McParland, who having been without a full-time contract at Anfield is on the verge of joining Bolton.

American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are expected to make significant funds available, and Benitez will want a review of many areas of the club.

But he’s confirmed Gonzalez’s imminent departure. “We have an agreement with Betis,” said Benitez.

“I have also told Bolo Zenden he can talk to other clubs.”

The Spanish boss could only lament what might have been in assessing the 2-1 defeat.

“We deserved more from the game, but we conceded a goal at a bad time from a deflection,” he said.

“We needed to start well in the second half but we gave away chances on the counter attack.

“Harry Kewell couldn’t play 90 minutes, but we needed to change something in the second. Then we took a risk in substituting Mascherano, but we needed fresher legs in the second half. They had players with the quality to keep the ball and it made it difficult for us.

“You need to take your chances and that’s the key. We can improve in some areas. I was disappointed with the number of minutes played at the end, but I don’t want to make excuses. I congratulate Milan. They are a good team with a good manager.”

CLICKY - The Echo

Still the classiest manager in the game today.

[rudedog]

My only fear is that Rafa could be sensing that it's all been too much mouthed off in the press, as he's clearly pissed off and wants to see things improve.

what makes you think this?

maybe he's just trying to give the fans a much needed lift after the dissapoinment of last night..

[Guest]

what makes you think this?

maybe he's just trying to give the fans a much needed lift after the dissapoinment of last night..

Could well be who knows but I've been witnessing H & G mouthing it off a bit too much recently.

Better to back these words by actions, that's what Rafa is saying.

[Darth Marty]

i think g & h will back up their words for certain, one thing though, was it only me or did anyone else think the "hug" from gillette didnt go down too well with rafa? it certainly didnt seem over friendly to me?!

[jugnoo]

a few others at the club will be bricking it,

[thesilverfoxlfc]

He sounds ruthless and i love it!!!

Proper talk from him, talk of a winner and he's rightfully pissed off.

he deserves to be backed to the hill to get his first choice players. He's an excellent manager. He's a winner and we have to match his expectations

[Los Rojos]

Some of the quotes from Rafa suggest to me that he's getting as frustrated as some of the fans with the incompetence of Rick Parry.