All is Not Well in the Camp

[Tom]

I thought we were over that ****. Tabloid talk or real issue been blown out of proportions ?

The problem is that last time it was true wasn't it?

[Tom]

Today's mirror:

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: GERRARD'S RAFA RIFT
WORLD EXCLUSIVE Skipper's future in the balance
By Simon Mullock

STEVEN GERRARD'S future at Liverpool is hanging in the balance, with the Anfield captain growing increasingly unhappy with life under Rafa Benitez.

Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal the strained relationship between Gerrard and Benitez is now close to breaking point.

Gerrard publicly insists that he is happy to play anywhere in Benitez's tactical system.

But privately, he feels his poor form this season is down to the Spaniard's insistence that he plays wide on the right of midfield, while Xabi Alonso and Momo Sissoko play in his favourite central position. Gerrard is prepared to put his preference to one side for England - but feels his talent is going to waste at Anfield.

Benitez, who has insisted he will not quit Liverpool, now faces a third fight to keep the £30m-rated midfielder at his home-town club. Gerrard looked destined for Chelsea after Euro 2004, but was persuaded by Benitez when the Spaniard arrived at Anfield from Valencia.

Twelve months later he asked for a transfer after becoming frustrated by the lack of progress regarding new contract talks - but changed he mind again.

[Guest]

The problem is that last time it was true wasn't it?

Yep, anyway, Stevie has to be more clever imo. Rafa is trusting him as the lynchpin of the side and he should thrive on that, not on where he should play. Team must come first, he's the captain and he should know better.

[Morph]

Anyone else watchin Jimmy Hill, the silly **** with the big lips seems to think he knows a lot about this story cough bull**** cough

[Tom]

Eurosport round-up:

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is fed up at Anfield and Real Madrid are willing to pay 45 million euros for a transfer in today's round-up of the stories making the headlines around the continent.

ENGLAND

Daily Star Sunday boast of a back page "Transfer Exclusive" claiming Real Madrid are set to make a £30 million (45 million euro) bid for discouraged Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard this summer.

[Guest]

**** all that **** then. Bust ups happen everywhere, he should get on with it.

[Tom]

Sunday people

29 October 2006
MAD FOR HIM
EXCLUSIVE SPANISH GIANTS TARGET GERRARD Real plot £32Mraid
By Steve Bates

STEVEN GERRARD will find a £32million European bolt-hole at Real Madrid this summer if his fragile relationship with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez reaches breaking point.

That was the word emerging from Spain last night with Madrid ready to part company with one English legend - David Beckham - and welcome another in Gerrard next summer.

I understand Madrid chief Fabio Capello is a huge fan of Gerrard and the Spanish giants are reported to be willing to pay the £32m it would cost topers uade Liverpool to part with the Kop king. Gerrard revealed after the disappointment of the World Cup how he hoped Liverpool would finally end 16 years of misery by lifting the Premiership title for the first time since 1990 this season.

But after a poor start they are in turmoil with dissent in the boardroom being compounded by fan anger and frustration to give Benitez his first full-blown crisis since taking over from Gerrard Houllier.

Last night Benitez insisted Gerrard was happy despite being played on the wide right of midfield and he doesn't want to sell his inspirational skipper - who feels he's wasted in an isolated role.

But senior members of Liverpool's hierarchy are concerned a substantial bid from Madrid for the Anfield skipper is in the pipeline - and this time the 26-year-old England star will go.

[Red Chilli]

Eurosport round-up:

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is fed up at Anfield and Real Madrid are willing to pay 45 million euros for a transfer in today's round-up of the stories making the headlines around the continent.

ENGLAND

Daily Star Sunday boast of a back page "Transfer Exclusive" claiming Real Madrid are set to make a £30 million (45 million euro) bid for discouraged Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard this summer.

45 million euros? And the ****ing rest. Dreamers

[Tom]

Anyone else watchin Jimmy Hill, the silly **** with the big lips seems to think he knows a lot about this story cough bull**** cough

What's he saying Morph?

[coop]

If he is unhappy and there is any truth in the rumour let him got give Rafa the £32 million to spend and bring in quality replacements.

[Morph]

Love the way every man and his dog has has an oppinion about us:

So far (on jimmy hill's prog)-

Rafa doesn't know his best team
Rafa shouldn't rotate
Rafa makes too many changes when he does rotate
Rafa under pressure

All seemingly ignoring yesterdays match when making comments, and bringing up the the 99 matches with changes business

[Shaggy]

Just had the misfortune to see 5 minutes of that Jimmy Hill abomination - **** those cnuts. They love it. Woolnough must be the biggest prick in football punditry history. Ignoramous.

[Tom]

If he is unhappy and there is any truth in the rumour let him got give Rafa the £32 million to spend and bring in quality replacements.

Well yes and no. The problem is not having the money, but finding the replacements good enough to fill his boots.

It's like fergiescum says, there are not many Roy Kean replacements knocking about. Same can be said for gerrard.

[Morph]

oh and just remembered, when Mourinho et al rotate they do it sensibly, whereby implying Rafa does not.

FFS how many times:

Reina
Riise
Carra
Finnan
Alonso
Gerrard
Sissoko
Kuyt
All start nearly every match
Agger/Hyypia is not too much of a problem, Aggers injury hasn't helped matters
Crouch/Bellamy also up for discussion but I see no harm with 3 main strikers
And left wing is also but we seem to have a problem there

So those 3 positions that rotate are such a big problem?

[Neil Young]

Just had the misfortune to see 5 minutes of that Jimmy Hill abomination - **** those cnuts. They love it. Woolnough must be the biggest prick in football punditry history. Ignoramous.

Actually, he's an ignoramus.