Liverpool is a city of fighters, and that is what I will do. So I'll fight..

[desertscouser]

High foot would be an indirect free kick not a penalty.

Really? Even if it's in the penalty area? How sure are you of that? Obviously if you're right I'll bow to your superior knowledge

[Mattshark]

Really? Even if it's in the penalty area? How sure are you of that? Obviously if you're right I'll bow to your superior knowledge

I'm pretty sure it should be. Its kind of like obstruction in that sense.

[desertscouser]

I'm pretty sure it should be. Its kind of like obstruction in that sense.

i'm not sure if it is. I'd definitely like to find out for certain though.

[Mattshark]

i'm not sure if it is. I'd definitely like to find out for certain though.

This page mentions dangerous play (high feet) as an example of getting a indirect free kick in the penalty area.

http://www.answers.com/topic/indirect-free-kick

[rage]

they were a really poor team, of course we should have won. Beating relegation fodder doesn't paper over the cracks

- who's ever heard of a team without a left midfield, where the centre back plays right back and the right back plays left?
- where we have an 11 million pound left sided attacker sat on the bench as he lacks experience, who on earth is he going to get it against if not played on days like today?
- where a young lad who scores a hat trick recently gets dropped for a player who's scored 1 in 60 odd games?
- and most of all a team where kuyt gets playing time?

I applaud the sentiments rafa but you are responsible for much of the mess we're in with your baffling line ups, and rotation policy. Another season fighting for 4th simply isn't good enough. The only way you'll still be here next year is if you win no 6.

[Mattshark]

they were a really poor team, of course we should have won. Beating relegation fodder doesn't paper over the cracks

- who's ever heard of a team without a left midfield, where the centre back plays right back and the right back plays left?
- where we have an 11 million pound left sided attacker sat on the bench as he lacks experience, who on earth is he going to get it against if not played on days like today?
- where a young lad who scores a hat trick recently gets dropped for a player who's scored 1 in 60 odd games?
- and most of all a team where kuyt gets playing time?

I applaud the sentiments rafa but you are responsible for much of the mess we're in with your baffling line ups, and rotation policy. Another season fighting for 4th simply isn't good enough. The only way you'll still be here next year is if you win no 6.

He ain't here you know.


So far you have only posted one positive post ever, you should relax before you have yourself an aneurysm.

[DancingRobot]

Liverpool is a city of fighters, and that is what I will do. So I'll fight.. maybe for 10 years!
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool v Sunderland, today, Kick-off 5.15pm BENITEZ CRISIS BATTLE-CRY

David Maddock 02/02/2008

Rafael Benitez insisted last night he will lead from the front as he demanded character to end Liverpool 's depressing fall from grace.

The Anfield boss believes any change must start with him, as he looks for the win he believes will re-ignite a desperately disappointing campaign.

Liverpool have not won in the Premier League for five matches, and the Spanish coach admitted that the underperforming aristocrats have a duty to their fans to end such a dismal run.

His team have taken just four points from their last 15, and since early December, 10 points from 27. Over the same period, leaders Manchester United have accumulated 27 points from a possible 30.

That, Benitez knows, is nowhere near good enough, and last night he stood up and accepted the blame.

"It starts with me, I know that. How can a side improve if their manager isn't positive? If the manager's head is down, he can not see anything," he said.

"Liverpool's history is as a city of fighters, and that is what I will do, fight. I will fight on for as long as I can - maybe for 10 more years!

"It is time to show character now, but not just for the players.

The staff have to take responsibility and give our supporters what they deserve, just as much as the players."

Liverpool entertain Sunderland today in a game Benitez knows is a must-win if he is not to be engulfed in a full-blown crisis at Anfield.

And he knows too the time for analysis and tactical tinkering is over, because instead, good old-fashioned bottle and character is required to get the team out of the mess they have been in.

Yesterday Benitez showed his spirit by insisting that he is the man to get them out of their current troubles.

"When in a difficult situation you always need strong characters, and that can be the difference between a winning team or not," he explained.

"We need to show this, and I'm sure we have players of that mentality. But the staff need to show this too, because in times like these you need to have the courage to understand that you must trust your players and push them.

"I will try to find the solution.

I will work hard with my staff and players and you need the commitment of everyone. I think I have that commitment." Benitez has indulged his side over the past month, often to no avail, but after the midweek embarrassment at West Ham he has told them exactly what is required - and he expects them to respond.

"It would be easy to say we don't have the character or desire throughout the team.

But I am expecting something from the players," said Benitez.

"The players know they have a responsibility. There are a lot of people behind them and we need to improve our performance. We need to give 120 per cent now if we can.

"As a manager, you must support your players if they give you and the club 100 per cent. It is sometimes hard to judge if they are doing that, but the players and the staff know everyone needs to improve."

Should he lose to Sunderland today, then the Liverpool manager's job would surely be on the line. But he insisted last night that he has no thoughts of ever quitting Anfield.

"If I think it's impossible here, maybe I could look at other options. But I'm not thinking about that. I think we can win titles, and win the Premier League.

"Not this year, it would be almost impossible, but in the future. We have got through to finals and won trophies. I am positive we can improve as a club and win more."

Benitez will make changes today, with Javier Mascherano and possibly Peter Crouch coming into contention.

LIVERPOOL V SUNDERLAND LIVE ON SETANTA 5.15PM

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...9520-20306413/

Great emotional words used by Rafa. But, I again sense Rafa trying to win the favour of the fans which he has partially lost already. It was even reflected in his post match interview last night

[Maxiedge]

Rafa can get it right sometimes where we play football where it's like ..:"baby get off me, I'm trying to watch the game", but he's very inconsistent.

Basically, I love the guy but I'm not sure he's the right man...

[Guest]

Rafa can get it right sometimes where we play football where it's like ..:"baby get off me, I'm trying to watch the game", but he's very inconsistent.

Basically, I love the guy but I'm not sure he's the right man...

Why, because he plays players out of position ? Rotates too much ?

[Nicey]

will mean **** all if kewell gets near the team again after laughing his cock off seconds after the final whistle at upton park.

Did not know that mate ... Well thats the final straw for me, there simply is no ****ing excuse for that .. I did see exchange a wry smile with that ****bag Neil during the game and think wakey ****ing wakey pal you are suppose to be trying to destroy every single essence of that cunts being ...


One Love

[lfcchris]

Why, because he plays players out of position ? Rotates too much ?

No, because he is not patient enough to let it work. As someone mentioned before, Alex ferguson took 7 years!!! He was nearly sacked after a couple of years because he wasnt up to scratch. Rafa has won us number 5, took us to another final, carling cup final, won the super cup and the fa cup. Give him a chance for gods sake!!!!!!!!

Yeah, this season has gone, but without ou own downfalls over the last 2 months, we still would not really be that close. Arsenal and Man utd have been brilliant this season. Even chelsea are falling behind a bit!!!!

[Vermilion]

We are not as gullible as you think Rashid. We know he has been **** in the league, but it doesnt mean he CANT get it right.

He just looks like he is warning a good few players in our squad who have been playing all season without any passion or commitment that he is on to them and they can either shape up or ship out.

He was also quick to accept the blame at his own feet too, which I can only admire

[Nicey]

Sorry mate, I dont mean in a getting pissed up and knocking up birds in the papers kind of attitude. The lad has been on his best behaviour in this department and I commend him for that

I meant attitude as in thinking mediocre is good enough. How many times do you see him have no more than an average to decent performance, but then go bigging himself up in the papers saying he is playing great and should be in the england side? He should be striving to improve all the time rather than thinking average performances are acceptable.

Coops of late I have been agreeing with most of what you have said, but Pennant whilst obviously a bit of a dickhead is a mighty fine footballer and has always put on a performance on the pitch. Sure to begin with he took his time, but lets be fair he plays well. His problem is he is Jermaine Pennant and it will take some time for him to leave that one down ... but hey if that Welsh cunt can there is hope for us all