Liverpool FC: Tonight Mr Benitez you got it wrong
Posted by Akzoony in Liverpool | 9 January 2007
I have never uttered those words before. And I don’t remember feeling the mixture of emotions before that I felt tonight.
Liverpool 3, Arsenal 6.
Shame? embarrassment?
Maybe at first, but after a while I didn’t feel anything. It wasn’t Liverpool FC on that pitch; it was a group of strangers who had gathered together for a kick about. Tactics went out of the window and no one knew what was happening around them.
Rafa has made what has appeared to be many strange decisions in the last few years but if you chose to take the time all have had very logical, analytical reasoning and when games have been lost the excuse ‘we made a few mistakes’ was clearly obvious, honest and fair.
Tonight was different; we all knew after the weekend that Dudek’s form was shaky. Putting Paletta -who may have promise but is no way yet a premiership centre back- and Hyypia –whose frailties against a strike force with speed are well known- in front of him looked like madness; and so it proved. Even more so when you consider that poor Danny Guthrie was the only cover we had further up the pitch. Everywhere i looked I could only see Youth and Premiership inexperience and a complete lack of any established relationships. A random group of individuals had been collected together to play a game of football and it showed.
I have always in the past chosen to seek solace in the post match words of Rafa, however tonight I cannot. I will not hear about Dudeks or Palettas errors, or anything else about anyone else in the team, implied or otherwise. Tonight’s fiasco can only be laid at Benitez’s feet.
He has done a lot for us and I love the man for it and as such will forgive a lot. Tonight is a door that I will choose to close and not reopen and look forwards to the return of Liverpool FC on Saturday.
I wish the best to Garcia and Gonzales. By the look of things we are talking a hamstring tear and knee ligament damage respectively at the least and therefore an absence of at least 6 weeks each.
Finally a huge thank you to the Liverpool following who –as always- were exemplary. The noise coming from Anfield tonight was truly fantastic and no one coming to that game late on would have known the score.
YNWA
Comments
i cant but agree. i really thought this will not end up like this but looking at arsenali can only feel jealous, at the amount of talent this team has (even in younger non known foreign players that cost probably nothing). and hope this night will never be repeated.
shame. the worst thing is, that our youth players are far away from the class required. as far as we are behind arse, chelsea and manu
I don't know how you can make excuses for him. That was one night too much. He picks the team. He's bought every player bar the goalkeeper and red youths out there. How much more money are we going to allow him to waste??
As i said Andy, last night there were no excuses. it was Rafas fault.
As for money spent i forget the figures through the fog of this morning, but if you check you will see Rafa has spent very little that he hasn't earned in player sales. Not to mention that which he has brought in by winning major tournaments each year with the team he has created over £30 million for champions league and a fair few for the FA cup to name the big two.
I think the average he has spent is a little over £4 million a player with only Alonso and Kuyt being big money signings (who are delivering).
Doesn't excuse last nights back 5 though.
What about Pennant? How much did he cost again? £7m wasn't it? Even though I'm a Man united fan I still think this was just a blip for you guys. You have been playing good football and you've got to remember that Arsenal exposed our weaknesses at old Trafford and almost did the same against Chelsea. It was an enjoyable night for me nonetheless!
Dont be so hard on Benitez. I know it was a bad night, but lets be honest - the League Cup has not been important for years. This type of result could happen to Arsenal or ManU any year. Im an Arsenal fan and Im very happy, but I dont think you should get too upset with benitez.
Hes done great and he will do again. Its easy to forget youre actually above Arsenal in the league!!!!
To be fair to the man, Rafa as always has not dissapointed. I said i would not hear anyone being blamed as has happened in the past and to his credit Rafa came out, said he was sorry and that was that.
Don't get me wrong Aidan i personnally believe that he is the best manager we've had for a very long time and i wouldn't replace him. I certainly think he's up there with the Fergusons and Wengers of this world.
This for me was just the first error that i feel can be laid purely at his feet.
All will come good, yet whether we finish above Arsenal or not this season will be decided in the next month or so. Everton, Chelsea, United and Arsenal are all fast approaching, so no more slip ups thankyou Mr Benitez.
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