Carragher on Sky Sports News

[Jas]

Just been watching SSN and they announced that they will be talking to JC, headline was JC on Benitez. Will be interesting to see what he has to say about the gaffer, can't see anything contraversial being said but it will be nice to know what the players think of him.

[Red Chilli]

Cheers for the heads-up man

[Kilteragh]

Just been watching SSN and they announced that they will be talking to JC, headline was JC on Benitez. Will be interesting to see what he has to say about the gaffer, can't see anything contraversial being said but it will be nice to know what the players think of him.

Caught the end of it earlier. Nothing controversial. Just that he and all the players are behind the manager, the owners and everyone at the club.

[Darth Marty]

was on earlier, basically said yeah of course he supported the manager but basically the players didnt get involved in any of the politics, they just want to go play and win stuff.

[Jas]

Just been watching SSN and they announced that they will be talking to JC, headline was JC on Benitez. Will be interesting to see what he has to say about the gaffer, can't see anything contraversial being said but it will be nice to know what the players think of him.

Apparently he will be giving his insight into Rafa's relationship with Tom and George. Don't know what light he can shed on the matter

[kurtangle01]

Apparently he will be giving his insight into Rafa's relationship with Tom and George. Don't know what light he can shed on the matter

SSN in sensationalist headline shocker!!!!!! Who'd have thought it?!

Car crash tabloid TV at it's very, very, worst.

[Red Chilli]

Nothing startling AT ALL.

In fact I almost didn't realise that was what they were talking about.

[michelmas]

Liverpool star Jamie Carragher insists that the continued speculation over the
future of boss Rafael Benitez is not unsettling the players.

And the 29 year-old local hero maintains that new owners Tom Hicks and George
Gillett should not have to keep saying ‘everything is fine, every few minutes’
just to answer speculation.

Carragher said: “The situation over the manager doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t
affect the other players, we get paid to play football and that is what we have
to do.

“Our objective is to improve on the way we have played in the last few weeks,
we should not be getting involved in things like that off the field, we have got
to look after ourselves.

“We have to stick together. At the moment we are getting a lot of criticism
from a lot of people, but we must rally round, get together, and prove a few
things out on the pitch.

“The last few weeks have not gone as well as well all would have liked but the
main thing is what goes on out on the pitch, not off it.

“We should do what we are paid to do. We should concentrate on that.”

Benitez has been the centre of another week of extraordinary rumour and
speculation after media headlines ahead of last Sunday’s FA Cup draw at
cash-strapped Luton suggested he knew he would be sacked in the summer.

The Spaniard has since denied in the local Liverpool media that he has ever
briefed journalists ‘off the record’ that he anticipated the axe, as was
implied.

That reaction from Benitez only came after it became clear that Hicks and
Gillett expressed astonishment from New York — ahead of a key Liverpool board
meeting — that their manager had seemingly rocked the boat yet again.

It was also suggested that the Reds players at Kenilworth Road had become
unsettled by the continued controversy surrounding their manager.

And the fact that Hicks and Gillett have steadfastly not given Benitez a vote
of confidence has also become a growing concern.

But Carragher, who was captain in the 1-1 draw at Luton, said in an interview
on Sky Sports: “It’s up to the owners what they say about the manager, it is
nothing to do with me what goes on between the manager and the owners.

“A few months ago they said everything was fine, I don’t think they should be
coming out every few minutes answering speculation.

“As for us we are here to play football, that’s our job and the rest is
nothing to do with us.”

Benitez upset the American owners last year by being critical of the club’s
transfer funds and policy, and when Hicks and Gillett believed that the Spaniard
was suggesting he was a ‘lame duck’ manager, questions were asked again.

But Carragher refused to be drawn into the debate, and preferred to concentrate
on Liverpool’s task for the rest of a disjointed campaign, with Saturday’s trip
to Middlesbrough another ‘must-win’ game for the Merseysiders if they want to
stay in contact with the Premier League leaders.

Carragher was predictably upbeat, claiming: “We are still in the FA Cup and we
still have a really big tie with Inter Milan soon in the Champions League, and
everyone knows how good we can be in that competition.

“We are disappointed we have fallen away a little in the Premier League but we
are still only halfway through so there’s a long way to go even it is fair to
say we are outsiders now.

“We still want to make a challenge, but we are not kidding anyone because we
know it will be difficult. It’s not just the points difference but there are
three other big teams ahead of us at the moment.

“There is no point throwing the towel in, we will just keep going.”

Liverpool hope to unveil new defender Martin Skrtel, a #6.5million signing from
Zenit St Petersburg tomorrow.

Chief executive Rick Parry, who has just returned from the New York meeting,
held final discussions with the Slovakian international’s representative today.

And it also seems likely that midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is on the brink of a
#10million move to Juventus, which will give Benitez extra funds to try to
complete the permanent deal for Javier Mascherano.

Sissoko has fallen out of favour at Anfield, and told Radio Montecarlo: “I’m
still a Liverpool player, but I expect a big announcement in the next few days.

“My agent, Juve and Liverpool are working on my departure. Everyone is asking
me whether I have already signed. I haven’t yet but my move to Juventus is very
close.

“I’m expecting the good news any moment now, but I’m enthusiastic about
beginning a new adventure in Italy with the Bianconeri.”

Sissoko is expected to leave on a loan deal, with Juve being given the option
to buy him at the end of the season.

[FatTony]

“I’m expecting the good news any moment now, but I’m enthusiastic about
beginning a new adventure in Italy with the Bianconeri.”

**** him, good riddance.:whatever:

[Hass]

**** him, good riddance.:whatever:

Despite Momo being a limited footy player, there's no need for that.

[Steve101]

**** him, good riddance.:whatever:

Why say that? because all I ever saw was a player of huge potential who's LFC career has never quite lived up to his promise (for many reasons, including bad injuries). He always tried his best, never said abad word about anyone at the club, and is by all accounts is a nice guy. I dont understand the nastiness toward him, unless thats all your capable of writing.

[FatTony]

Despite Momo being a limited footy player, there's no need for that.

If the **** wants to say how excited he is about playing for another team BEFORE the deals gone through then screw him. He's still our player and we still pay his wages, what happens now if he stays?

There's only one person here who's and thats Sissoko

[FatTony]

Why say that? because all I ever saw was a player of huge potential who's LFC career has never quite lived up to his promise (for many reasons, including bad injuries). He always tried his best, never said abad word about anyone at the club, and is by all accounts is a nice guy. I dont understand the nastiness toward him, unless thats all your capable of writing.

As per my comments above. There's an obvious lack of respect to the fans and LFC here IMO. He can come out with this **** when he's signed, not whilst he's still supposed to be a red.

[rage]

i'm worried that he'll come back after the loan deal!!

Carragher could be a far better politician than most that i know. Thought he handled himself really well.

[Steve101]

As per my comments above. There's an obvious lack of respect to the fans and LFC here IMO. He can come out with this **** when he's signed, not whilst he's still supposed to be a red.

But its OK if players coming to us say it before they sign.........like our new centre half. Its pathetic to see this sort of post.