Talk is cheap

[PTP]

Syd's right to an extent, but there's a balance. Say enough to keep some kind of pressure on Utd, don't sound too cocky that it gives them an extra motivation. I think we've got the balance right at the moment.

[Kenneth]

That's the problem - the headline (accurate or not) is all that's needed to be used as a motivational tool.

If it wasn't 'quotes' from liverpool players motivating utd, it would be headlines from journos writing them off. Same difference I think.

[BFG]

That's the problem - the headline (accurate or not) is all that's needed to be used as a motivational tool.

We can't control that mate so no point in worrying about it. If we say something it'll be headed by a ridiculously misleading headline, if we say nothing they'll make something ridiculous up out of thin air. Our comments seem grounded and determined at the moment, let's hope our performances until the end of the season are the same.

[Vermilion]

The only other option is for all players to say nothing, refuse interviews, the media would have a field day with that, we can't avoid media sensationalism unfortunately, but our players seem to be talking sensibly.

The more the press report it's utd's to lose, to cock up, to make a mistake, the less they mention that one loss ****s us up....which is fine, pressure on them.

[shizz]

The way i see it is,the players aint saying anything anyother person wouldnt say in our position,the trouble is we aint been in this situation for so many years,we as liverpool fans are not used to still being in the title race so close to the end of the season,so let them big themselfs up and keep the pressure on them ****ers

[razortoddy]

Am I alone in thinking that this may be deliberate, that a concerted supply of rhetoric is coming from unlikely sources the main thrust is to wind- up and pressurise the Mancs. Do I detect Rafa playing mind games? He has studied Freud both at school and university! I can't wait for the autobiography.

[rob_247]

The players are saying the right things but the media will always put a spin on things to make them sound exciting and to shift papers. SSN have to fill the day with something as well.

Regardless of what the players/manager/club say the media will portray it in a way that benefits the media which normally means creating a ridiculous headline vaguely backed up by what was actually said, or not backed up at all depending how desperate they're getting.

The way the club seem to be trying to play this though is to heap pressure on utd by maintaining that they are favourites while we're doing all we can by concentrating on our own games and getting results.

[Red_Polo]

Christ, have we reached the point where people arent intelligent enough to tell the difference between a suggestion/concern, and having a go?

Erm...

I just wish they'd keep it buttoned. If we win it, then come out and say whatever you like, but not before.

Not having a go at all

Delete the thread.

We all make mistakes fella. Just need to know when to stop digging

The players are saying the right things but the media will always put a spin on things to make them sound exciting and to shift papers. SSN have to fill the day with something as well.

Regardless of what the players/manager/club say the media will portray it in a way that benefits the media which normally means creating a ridiculous headline vaguely backed up by what was actually said, or not backed up at all depending how desperate they're getting.

The way the club seem to be trying to play this though is to heap pressure on utd by maintaining that they are favourites while we're doing all we can by concentrating on our own games and getting results.

It would be humiliating for the scum not to win the league now and they will already be feeling the pressure. We're right to crank it up a little but at the same time focus on maintaining our form and getting results.

[-V-]

Nah. Its good to pressure them. 'Rafa's rant' and all the talk that has followed is mind games and for the last couple of weeks they have started to work

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

United can slip up-

Says Martin Skrtel

Martin Skrtel believes Manchester United could crumble under the pressure as his Liverpool side gain momentum going into the title run-in.

When the two sides clashed at Old Trafford nearly two weeks ago Liverpool faced the prospect of falling ten points behind their rivals having played a game more.

But a 4-1 win for Rafa Benitez's side put them firmly back in the title race and after United dropped more points away at Fulham on Saturday
coupled with Liverpool's 5-0 win over Aston Villa, the gap at the top is now down to a point.

The Red Devils still have their game in hand but the 24-year-old defender, who will play against England in the friendly with Slovakia on Saturday, is confident that the league leaders can slip up again.

"I think yes, because there are eight games left or so," he told deniksport.cz.

"They are also in the UEFA Champions League. A lot of points are still up for grabs, and although they have a match against Portsmouth in hand, they will not have it easy against them.

"I just hope that we will stay in-form, they will slip-up and we will jump over them in the table."
Spring a surprise

Despite thumping Villa at Anfield on Sunday, Skrtel insists Martin O'Neill's top four hopefuls can spring a surprise when they visit United after the international break.

"It will not be an easy game for them. Aston Villa are still aiming for a Champions League spot and will not give them anything easy," he added.

"We will see. It would be great if they could play better than against us and steal a point or three from United."

The Slovakian international also expressed his delight that Benitez had finally signed a new contract, after expressing his view that he had improved as a player under the Spaniard.

Rafa boost

"It is good for us players as well as for the fans and the whole club, because Benitez has done a great piece of work during his time at Liverpool," he explained.

"He is enormously popular here and I think that he is a coach of great qualities. He has also helped me personally.

"He has taught me a lot. Thanks to him we work a lot on tactics and game discipline. I have improved in both aspects."

[Tee]

IMO the most damaging talk was by Rafa after we beat the Scum.

He basically gave the other teams the belief that Utd are beatable, and by doing so I honestly think some of their players have started having self doubts. Especially more so after the Fulham match, and evidenced by their general behaviour on the pitch and by their staff off the pitch.

Whilst I would rather our players kept quiet and stayed focussed on our games I can understand that during this Intenational break, and being away from the club, the Liverpool players are being asked questions about the chance of winning the title.

[Craig_H]

So that's Carragher, Arbeloa, Riera, Rafa, Gerrard and now Skrtel - in less than a week.

[red g]

So that's Carragher, Arbeloa, Riera, Rafa, Gerrard and now Skrtel - in less than a week.

all part of rafa's masterplan

[Craig_H]

I await Ian Cotton's contribution.

[Darth Marty]

all part of rafa's masterplan

hmm, i think id have preferred it if they had all shut up and said **** all, keep us out of the press a bit, the scum already have the pressure building, as I see it these type of comments only throw it back to us.