Mr Benitez. In Rafa we no longer trust?

[jimmysipples]

For a long time I have been one of the Rafa faithfuls and defended his actions amongst critisism from many, but I can no longer defend him. In September I relayed my fears that it could be the start of things to come after witnessing our failure to break down Stoke at home and before that and since this season we can only say that we on occasions have been very lucky to find ourselves even in the position we are. Late goals, others drawing when we did and a few lucky decisions have resulted in Rafa being still in place until now, but surely his position must be in doubt? It is starting to become very houlier like and his actions off the pitch are not being justified by the actions of his team on it. Rafa has constantly fought off critisism and had the support of the fans, but i don't think he has that no longer. His players seem miffed by his actions also and I'm convinced a change NOW would see a complete turnaround in the players approach to each game. I'm sorry but to bring off Gerrard straight after conceding an equaliser and to claim he is tired and to leave Kuyt, the best defensive attacker in the world on, is not good management. If you earn 120000 a week surely you can run another 15 minutes and take your rest after. Should he be ousted before the Madrid game for fear of him giving his new club an easy passage to the next round? Ramos is only there until May right? Can I add, and it pains me to say it as a Liverpool fan, but fair play to Man United in their approach and the points swing accumulated by them. If Rafa had as much a killer approach to games and less negative tactics, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

[krazydiamond]

It's Not Over Till The Fat Lady Sings

[jimmysipples]

She starting singin a couple of weeks ago. She was duetin with the Fat spanish waiter lol. By the way I know Kuyt only came on as a sub but I was using him as an example of where Rafa priorities lie: an that is in makin ming boggling tactical decisions

[123everton]

For years the cry should have been in Gerrard you trust as he's the motivating factor that's carried your team for seasons, fact.
To be honest his record is'nt really that bad and I don't think a change would do you good furthermore I don't think he'll give Madrid an easy time in the cup.
But here's hoping! ;-)
I'm going to keep quiet now (well I'll try) as I'm not a one to intrude on private grief.

[Gromit]

Fact:
Rafa should pay attention to his own team and not what Manchester United are saying and doing. It has gone pear shaped for Liverpool since his rant. The results since the rant speak for themselves.

Liverpool:
3 points from a possible 9 and a draw in the FA Cup

Man Utd:
12 points from a possible 12 and FA and Carling cup wins.

He seems to have motivated the Manchester United team rather than his own.

Keegan Mark II.

[123everton]

Well Man U have gotta play us next and I'm sure he'd just love it if we got a result against them.
LOL.
Sorry, I'm intruding on private grief again....

[WhiteBear]

Everton im praying your side to beat the manures! :)

[Symmetryigr8]

The situation is nowhere near as bad as Houllier and Liverpool fans take pride in being an honest club and the most honest in the big 4. Ticket pries are among the cheapest, more seats are available for real fans rather than stupid corporate hospitality, and most of all players and management are allowed to grow and mesh together. Unlike Chelsea and Man Utd who simply buy their way out of trouble, Ferguson buys any good player even though his squad is full to the hilt, just so no other club can have them.
When Chelsea were dropping points everyone said they could pull it back, when man utd were trailing at the start the pundits said they could still do it. The pundits and press have their favorites (always man utd) and always have been negative about Liverpool and any other club. Liverpool were never going to win the Champion's League and Tottenham were going to break the big 4 and Aston Villa were nobodies. Anything can happen, but bear in mind the most successful clubs are those with long standing management, either manager or in Europe director of football. Rafa has improved every season, from being out of the race by Xmas we are now challenging still. To sack the man who got us there is like cutting off your nose to spite the face. A new manager could do a lot worse (Juande Ramos, Paul Ince, Steve McLaren for England, Avram Grant, anyone at Newcastle).

[123everton]

What's he won without recourse to penalties?