Rafa Benitez issues Liverpool FC warning

[Dhav]

This reminds me of a previous manager and it suggests that the writing is slowly being etched on the wall.

Stick to posting in the aptly named Return of the DIC thread

[Sarb]

I dont disagree with what rafa has said in the most part, it certainly is difficult and getting more so.

But he doesnt help himself with his strange formations, players out of position, odd subs and slow, pedestrian football style.

His job is very difficult and he himself makes it more difficult than it already is.

[Rashid]

If you haven't heard Wenger on the defensive then your not listening.

When a man over 10 years has near on PROFIT on his transfer dealings, he can moan as much as he likes.

[Kenneth]

I dont disagree with what rafa has said in the most part, it certainly is difficult and getting more so.

But he doesnt help himself with his strange formations, players out of position, odd subs and slow, pedestrian football style.

His job is very difficult and he himself makes it more difficult than it already is.

What he actually says in beyond dispute, it's clearly true, but the pertinent question is why he's said it. It does smack of getting excuses in early. You can't 'manage the expectations' of the fans down, they know we probably won't challenge but pray we might, that's why they turn up every week. And complaining that the media are against is not what I want to hear tbh.

If it's designed to put pressure on the ownership issue, I doubt it helps, as everone involved must be painfully aware of the realities.

[Craig_H]

I think he said it because he's feeling under pressure, and also as a point on the ownership issue.

[Rich]

I think we have to be realistic here

Either; DIC/Dubai/Sheik are in it for the money and therefore want to buy at the lowest level

OR

They're in it to own one of the most prestigious "brands" in world football and aren't in it for the money.

If it's the latter then what's a couple of hundred million?! Not even pocket change to them.....

If it's the former then perhaps we'll be in not much of a different position to now - careful, big spending but not fantasy spending like Chelsea and probably Man City going forward.

[Sarb]

Even if they are in it as fans why would they want to spend an extra 200m when they know that in a year or so we'll probably be going at a knockdown price anyway. They've had to wait this long and so a year won't make a difference

Probably more prestige in buying us when we're down and out and turning us back into League Champions

[Craig_H]

That extra £200m for them is like 20p for us.

[Rich]

Even if they are in it as fans why would they want to spend an extra 200m when they know that in a year or so we'll probably be going at a knockdown price anyway. They've had to wait this long and so a year won't make a difference

Probably more prestige in buying us when we're down and out and turning us back into League Champions

It's a bit like saying I'll hang on a year for that car because it'll be cheaper next year; plus everyone is one year older, and god knows what *might* happen....

These guys are flush with money, if it was a money-no-object project I can't see why they're waiting.

Unless of course it isn't a money-no-object project.

[Sarb]

Just because guys are billionaires doesn't mean they're just going to come in and pay over the odds. I'm sure they've got a lot more acumen than that...otherwise they wouldn't be billionaires.

You're dreaming if you think any one is going to buy any club with a money-no-object agenda. It isn't going to happen

[Rich]

That extra £200m for them is like 20p for us.

Not quite but it would be that £200m is small change and they'd get there hands on the club ASAP, i.e. on the pitch fairly healthy, stadium ready to go but no finance.

Wait a year and? On the pitch who knows? Off the pitch more turmoil and penny pinching?!

All this leads me to believe they are in it as a financial investment - i.e. G&H but with money

[Rich]

Just because guys are billionaires doesn't mean they're just going to come in and pay over the odds. I'm sure they've got a lot more acumen than that...otherwise they wouldn't be billionaires.

You're dreaming if you think any one is going to buy any club with a money-no-object agenda. It isn't going to happen

erm, Man City and Abramovich? Fantasy football stuff.


P.S. I don't want the money-no-object thing happening BUT a lot of fans do.

I have no idea what the sheik's estimated wealth is but if £200m is an extra 0.1% of his wealth tied up in Liverpool then it's small fry.

[Sarb]

erm, Man City and Abramovich? Fantasy football stuff.


P.S. I don't want the money-no-object thing happening BUT a lot of fans do.

I have no idea what the sheik's estimated wealth is but if £200m is an extra 0.1% of his wealth tied up in Liverpool then it's small fry.

They aren't in it for money-no-object. There'll come a point where they want a return. May not seem like it now but they will

[el matador]

What he actually says in beyond dispute, it's clearly true, but the pertinent question is why he's said it. It does smack of getting excuses in early. You can't 'manage the expectations' of the fans down, they know we probably won't challenge but pray we might, that's why they turn up every week. And complaining that the media are against is not what I want to hear tbh.

If it's designed to put pressure on the ownership issue, I doubt it helps, as everone involved must be painfully aware of the realities.

we all know that the media can twist things beyond recognition and somebody probably asked him if it would be harder to win trophies this season with the influx of money coming into the premiership.

He answered yes - as anybody would have - and could have left it there but why waste the chance air our dirty laundry and get a dig in at the owners.

there is no doubt that rafa comes from the continental style of management where the managers are as big as characters as the players, and these guys are not afraid to speak out when things are not going as they want and know how to use the media to their advantage.

in this country we're not used to managers coming out and speaking about off-pitch matters relating to finance etc but it happens all the time in europe.

Rafa benitez is known as what the spanish call a protagonista.

[Rashid]

there is no doubt that rafa comes from the continental style of management.[/I].

Then why does he want so much say in transfers then? On the continent they do as they are told.... the most successful clubs in Europe these past 20 years have operated with sporting directors...it works.