Super-Xabi....

[Woobus]

Also for people saying we would have got barry and riera that is so obviously untrue, rafa was saying he wanted barry for the left and if he was going to get riera regardless why did he wait till the last day of the window when he said he wanted all his players in the summer as quick as possible?

When did Rafa say he wanted him to play on the left? I remember him saying the person could play on the left but really dooubt he would have been used on the wing that much, more as cover for when the left back bombed forward.
Did we not but a bid in for Riera at the start of the transfer window but it was rejected with them wanting silly money?

[Woobus]

Also for people saying we would have got barry and riera that is so obviously untrue, rafa was saying he wanted barry for the left and if he was going to get riera regardless why did he wait till the last day of the window when he said he wanted all his players in the summer as quick as possible?

Believed to have put a bid in at the end of May, here is an article. Pretty clear it isnt obviously untrue, they must have got cold feet about having a very unhappy player on their books and dropped their valuation near the transfer deadline

Espanyol have snubbed an offer from Liverpool for Spanish international Albert Riera.

The Reds are believed to have tabled an offer of around 12million euros (£9.5million), but that falls considerably short of the Primera Liga club's valuation.

Riera enjoyed a successful loan spell at Manchester City in 2006, but has flourished since returning to his homeland.

He has missed out on Luis Aragones' squad for Euro 2008 but has impressed when given a chance with the national side, scoring a spectacular debut goal against Denmark in October 2007.

The winger has recently expressed his desire to secure a move to a bigger club but, along with club-mate and fellow Liverpool target Sebastian Leto, has been told in no uncertain terms that he will be going nowhere unless a substantially higher bid is received.

Price tag

"We are very disappointed with the quotes made by the player last week," said Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Libre.

"If a player wants to leave then they should speak with the club, not the press.

"If a club wants to sign Riera then the price will be 24million euros (£19million), and that figure will not change."

Riera has a contract at Montjuic Stadium until 2011 and could now be punished for his outspoken comments.

Espanyol are contemplating fining the player, but as he is currently on holiday they are trying to resolve the situation with his agent.

[Sarb]

Fixed that for you

Don't think people were saying sack Rafa in the Summer. He was rightly questioned for wanting to spend £18m on Barry and selling Xabi

[pondus]

Don't think people were saying sack Rafa in the Summer. He was rightly questioned for wanting to spend £18m on Barry and selling Xabi

I remember someone saying 4-5 games into the season that they still wanted him sacked.

Not you mind.

[Sarb]

I remember someone saying 4-5 games into the season that they still wanted him sacked.

Not you mind.

Maybe they did. I don't remember that. I remember Rage saying that if Rafa didn't win the title this season he should be sacked. I've said something similar also

[DannyMan2006]

I remember someone saying 4-5 games into the season that they still wanted him sacked.

Not you mind.

People are always saying sack Rafa or moaning about a particular player. Can't please everyone.

I wanted Xabi gone in the summer, but he's proved me wrong when I was saying he could no longer cut it in the premier league.

Hopefully people will admit they were wrong about Rafa. I guess their opinion is just the same as mine, in that last season they didn't think someone at the club performed and that based on performances they didn't see that changing. Like I said Xabi proved me wrong and hopefully they'll admit Rafa has proved them wrong.

I'm thinking of Rage, Sarb and Rashid when I say this, all of which have been complimentary towards Rafa this season.

[Sarb]

People are always saying sack Rafa or moaning about a particular player. Can't please everyone.

I wanted Xabi gone in the summer, but he's proved me wrong when I was saying he could no longer cut it in the premier league.

Hopefully people will admit they were wrong about Rafa. I guess their opinion is just the same as mine, in that last season they didn't think someone at the club performed and that based on performances they didn't see that changing. Like I said Xabi proved me wrong and hopefully they'll admit Rafa has proved them wrong.

I'm thinking of Rage, Sarb and Rashid when I say this, all of which have been complimentary towards Rafa this season.

I've said many a time, if Rafa pulls off the title or keeps us challenging right up until the end I'll gladly hold my hands up and say I was wrong. I hope I am proved wrong

[DannyMan2006]

Maybe they did. I don't remember that. I remember Rage saying that if Rafa didn't win the title this season he should be sacked. I've said something similar also

Surely you would look at our results and performances before sacking him. After all, if we 90 points and are in the title race right to the wire, but fall short by 5 points, surely you would say he deserves to stay on as manager?

I say this because 90 points would be a huge improvement and usually good enough to win the title. But a few years back Chelsea got 95 points.

[DannyMan2006]

I've said many a time, if Rafa pulls off the title or keeps us challenging right up until the end I'll gladly hold my hands up and say I was wrong. I hope I am proved wrong

And I say the same about Xabi. He could yet drop of and Barry could be named player of the year.

I am so far being proved wrong in that Alonso has been exceptional. I would say that you can admit you are currently being proved wrong so far. But in the same way Xabi's performances could tail off, so could LFC's.

So in that sense no one can say 100% that you were or are wrong in what you said.

[Sarb]

I am being proved wrong on our title chances at the moment by Rafa and the team. Long may it continue this season

[DannyMan2006]

I am being proved wrong on our title chances at the moment by Rafa and the team. Long may it continue this season

[memzey]

This won't be over until Xabi signs a new contract IMO. I think he currently has three or four years to go on his current deal, so next summer would be the time to really see how the relationship between him and the boss really stacks up (assuming he's still here of course).

[rage]

Fixed that for you

i said that it would be his last season if he didn't learn from his mistakes - i stand by this, if we're out of the title race by xmas then i want him sacked. do u think for one moment that the balance of opinion amongst liverpool fans is any different?

i'm chuffed to bits for rafa because him doing well means my team is doing well. its clear he's learned from his mistakes and really he isn't a demi god that is above making any mistakes as some would have believe.

[Guest]

we would never have bought both - we couldn't afford it. oh and i have no idea what history books you read over there amigo

Straight swap Xabi - Barry then we would have bought Riera with us spending like only £8m.

[rage]

People are always saying sack Rafa or moaning about a particular player. Can't please everyone.

I wanted Xabi gone in the summer, but he's proved me wrong when I was saying he could no longer cut it in the premier league.

Hopefully people will admit they were wrong about Rafa. I guess their opinion is just the same as mine, in that last season they didn't think someone at the club performed and that based on performances they didn't see that changing. Like I said Xabi proved me wrong and hopefully they'll admit Rafa has proved them wrong.

I'm thinking of Rage, Sarb and Rashid when I say this, all of which have been complimentary towards Rafa this season.

I've said many a time, if Rafa pulls off the title or keeps us challenging right up until the end I'll gladly hold my hands up and say I was wrong. I hope I am proved wrong