Rafa Laughs Off Tiresome Stevie Speculation

[Fagan]

RAFA LAUGHS OFF TIRESOME STEVIE SPECULATION
Mark Platt 29 October 2006
Rafael Benitez has laughed off the latest bout of speculation regarding Steven Gerrard's future at the club and insisted once again: "I'm not prepared to sell my captain."
Responding to more tiresome rumours in a national Sunday newspaper that the Liverpool skipper could be on his way out of Anfield when the transfer window reopens in January, the Reds boss smiled, shrugged his shoulders and described them as pure fabrication.

"It's not a surprise to read stories like this," he said. "The newspapers never rest; they are always trying to find something to write about. Obviously they had nothing to write this week so they make up more rumours.

"We are experienced in these matters now and all we can do is remain focussed on the playing matches. Anyone who thinks Stevie is not committed to this club only has to look at his performance yesterday. It was clear to see he was really happy, before, during and after the game."

Benitez also vehemently denied there was any rift between the pair, adding: "We are constantly talking. He is the captain and so we always have a lot of conversations. These rumours are crazy. I'm not prepared to sell my captain."

[Jayesh87]

I love Rafa

[Fowler_God]

YAY! Made me feel a bit easier now! I ****ing hate the press for doing this year in year out! Give them a ear bashing Stevie!

[Shaggy]

That's it then, sorted.

[Morph]

Good, hate the sunday papers.

[NICKZS]

"I'm not prepared to sell my captain."

I think this line sums up both how much Benitez really wants to keep SG, but also how absurd it is to suggest that he is trying to engineer a transfer for his best player and the team's on-field talisman.

[theriotact]

YAY! Made me feel a bit easier now! I ****ing hate the press for doing this year in year out! Give them a ear bashing Stevie!

I am a bit of a newspaper snob, I admit it, but I love the Guradian for a million reasons. This week I havent really known what has been said about alex curren, rafa, stevie g and the mystery board member and I am pleased about that because it seems (now the dust has settled) that it was all bollocks. Its the tabloid mentality we've developed in this country, we play into their hands by thinking....the 'I know its probably a lie BUT....'.

Best thing is not to read them, they are full of ****e from front page to back. If there is no direct attributable quote then its hearsay. Or read them and ignore them but I couldn't do that.

I know broadsheets aren't for everyone and I know that some of them are ****e too but at least they have a bit of a speculation filter. The s*n, the mirror, the star are all as bad as each other and the mail is worse.

Keep your heads up liverpool

[Icon]

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




Has anybody else heard about this?

[Jack D Rips]

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




Has anybody else heard about this?

In anorher thread I suggested that we should bomb this cnut with emails demanding that he quote his sources. Come to think of it his never even mentions a source anonymous or otherwise so it would appear somebody just made this load of garbage up. There should be laws against this sort of journalism

[Dhav]

Gerrard is prepared to put his preference to one side for England - but feels his talent is going to waste at Anfield.

:whatever: :whatever:



Honestly, that bit cracked me up - so implausible it is untrue