The Treatment of Robbie Keane

[BFG]

He was crap.... Poor purchase, for silly money. He was given a fair crack, and managed 2 decent games. Its not good enough.

Saying that, Benitez has extremely poor man-management skills. I think this is probably his biggest failing. Very few players who have left have had a good word to say about him, and I worry that this may end up ruining things. We almost lost Stevie G because Rafa wouldnt go that extra yard to make him feel important or welcome. Footballers are nothing if not bigheaded morons with over inflated egos. Benitez needs to learn to give them a massage now and again. Instead, he want to play the school-master who keeps the players at arms length.

That's not the way Babel sees Rafa.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163186090209-0808.htm

I've had a really good talk with Rafa Benitez. I told him I am really happy at Liverpool," the 22-year-old said.

"This is the place where I want to become a top-class player. Robbie has gone to Tottenham and that increases my chances so much more.

"I'm ready for more playing time. Meeting the manager and having a talk about the future, was really important.

"The manager invests so much time and energy in talking to us. He takes time with me. We talk about the system we play, about how he wants me and other players to operate in the system.

"He has told me what my role can be in the future and what he expects of me now, if necessary as a winger.

"But I have not made a secret of my big desire to become a striker for Liverpool.

"That is where my ambition is and Benitez knows that. I have told him that I have a real hunger for that position."

[dww]

I think the thing is that Rafa requires players to make certain sorts of efforts and then he is very willing to help them. That interview is such a change in both Babel's attitude and the comments about Rafa from last season. I think he is learning what is required of him and it is probably the most promising thing I have read from one of our squad for ages. I have to say I had all but given up on Babel but that interview and his last couple of displays (which showed genuine effort lacking in some of his other games this season) have renewed my faith.

[BFG]

Yeah that interview reveals a much more positive state of mind from Babel than it seems he's had since before the summer. I still think he could be a massive player for us.

[The Erectile Banana]

Yeah that interview reveals a much more positive state of mind from Babel than it seems he's had since before the summer. I still think he could be a massive player for us.

Well it certainly looks like he's going to get more of a chance to shine up front now with Keane's departure. Let's hope his performances on the pitch begin to reflect his improved attitude off it.

[ufc43]

He was treated bad. Not the Liverpool way.

He is gone now and its time to move on. Lets leave it at that.

[focusedonfootball]

Think you were watching a different game to the Spurs-Arse game I was watching yesterday. He was woeful yesterday - absolutely terrible. He missed a sitter too. It was identical to the crappy performances he was putting for us this year and thankfully he won't be putting in any more of those performances for us ever again.

Yep. I watched the game and came away thinking Keane leaving was for the best. At Tottenham he can turn it on but not consistently and if you're in the running for the title and having a tilt at the Champions League as we are you need that consistancy in the run in. Rafa also demands adaptability and Keane seemed to lack either the will or the ability to adapt. Good player but not good enough. Like you the arm flapping got on my nerves.

Seems no love lost between Keane and Babel which might explain the antics in the PSV game.

[redlancer]

well written

one thing that everyone is missing is how we've nearly recouped all our money.
i think that is amazing.

[Roboklopp]

Aye, we obviously need a replacement tho. Wonder who Rafa will go for.

[Elvoz]

Aye, we obviously need a replacement tho. Wonder who Rafa will go for.

VILLA

[wiw]

VILLA

yeah right

[Rich]

I think the thing is that Rafa requires players to make certain sorts of efforts and then he is very willing to help them. That interview is such a change in both Babel's attitude and the comments about Rafa from last season. I think he is learning what is required of him and it is probably the most promising thing I have read from one of our squad for ages. I have to say I had all but given up on Babel but that interview and his last couple of displays (which showed genuine effort lacking in some of his other games this season) have renewed my faith.

He looks fitter, stronger and more willing to work his socks off now. Hope it lasts, and thought he did well for the most part against Portsmuth. Yes he missed the open goal but his graft was evident for all to see.

[Le Chef]

Saying that, Benitez has extremely poor man-management skills. I think this is probably his biggest failing. Very few players who have left have had a good word to say about him, and I worry that this may end up ruining things. We almost lost Stevie G because Rafa wouldnt go that extra yard to make him feel important or welcome. Footballers are nothing if not bigheaded morons with over inflated egos. Benitez needs to learn to give them a massage now and again. Instead, he want to play the school-master who keeps the players at arms length.

Very few players that Rafa has let go, have gone on to better things and most of those he has let go have not slated him - The guy is a control freak and is only interested in the best thing for the club. Everyone knows that, and I'd rather have Rafa beingan arsehole, than Ged H, ringing up the players pleading with them not to think about leaving.

[BigChief]

yeah right

No really. He's going to Villa to get Barry.

[Exiled_red]

He was crap.... Poor purchase, for silly money. He was given a fair crack, and managed 2 decent games. Its not good enough.

Saying that, Benitez has extremely poor man-management skills. I think this is probably his biggest failing. Very few players who have left have had a good word to say about him, and I worry that this may end up ruining things. We almost lost Stevie G because Rafa wouldnt go that extra yard to make him feel important or welcome. Footballers are nothing if not bigheaded morons with over inflated egos. Benitez needs to learn to give them a massage now and again. Instead, he want to play the school-master who keeps the players at arms length.

This may sound like a RCDNW type comment but I think it's worth pointing out. The players that tend to critisise after leaving seem to be older players or players that had been at one club for a long time and become set in their ways - maybe they are used to other methods and are resistant to change and would have struggled to adapt to any different coaching methods or managerial styles

[redstaralex]

when Rafa was at Valencia the comment that came out was that even though a lot of the players weren't that keen on him as a person they all wanted to play welll for him