value seeker
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Is Boss Raffa Benitez still the right man to lead Liverpool?After four succesive defeats ,local and national phones ins are inaundated with calls about Raffa at present.
Most not too complimentary ,Masherano has joined in the debate and jumped to his managers defence ,with the 'Dont blame Raffa 'blast
What do formites think on this very topical football question ,is it time for Raffa to go?
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Papa 3
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I would guess yes, his methods at the moment are not working. I know it is the players who play the game, but to his directions, maybe he needs to look at other ways. He is getting predictable, and Liverpool's history doesn't need this, they need to get back to the talented side that they used to be, not a spasmodic reproduction of some great moments. Consistency is what is missing, whether all the best players are playing or not, there needs to be cover, so someone should open the purse strings and get top class cover for these positions. Who can do this? I don't pretend to know, but Kenny Dalglish or possibly Jose Mourihnio might be the answer as both have the character and resolve imo. 
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penleguin
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Yet it was only last season that if you put them in a mini-league of the top 4 they finish top. Agree entirely consistency is an issue and they have certainly missed Alonso this year. They are also too reliant on a small group of players.
However the best premiership performance I saw last year was Liverpool's dismantling of Man Utd - it really wasn't that long ago. Also, there are very few active managers in Europe with a better record than Benitez.
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kickingkyle
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Surely you have to question the acquistion of a £15m injured player at this point to replace one of there players of last season also?
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timeform
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Wasted too much money with poor poor buys.!!
the whole team relient on Gerrard and Torres .. !!
jose mourinho would walk to liverpool for a chance to be back in the premership.
Sunday will be the final nail
TF
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TAFKAB
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the big questions are,
1) how much would it cost to sack him
2) can the yanks afford it
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Gorg_George
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That's exactly it TAFKAB, he signed a ludicrous deal in the summer and would cost them £25m or so to get rid of him I read somewhere.
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dogsaver
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| Gorg_George wrote: | | That's exactly it TAFKAB, he signed a ludicrous deal in the summer and would cost them £25m or so to get rid of him I read somewhere. |
he is therefore a very clever man 
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The_Pilgarlic
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The first question to ask is 'Lead liverpool where, exactly'.
If the expectation is realistic, then yes, he can probably ensure they finish in the top six in the Premiership and possibly have a good cup run if the draw is kind. They may even still sneak in to the KO stages of CL.
However, if LFC owners and fans expect more then it's likely he can't do it..... but I'm not sure who can.
But hey, he isn't going to be the first manager to be sacked due to the baying of all the experts who sit in the crowd every week.
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value seeker
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Be interesting to listen to Raffas explanations after this one.
Got Radio City on ,phone in about to start ,sure to be lively 
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Dr_tyler
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Just back from the game- liverpool were the better team but didn't look too dangerous. One of the loudest cheers was reserved for the withdrawal of torres followed by ben-(no idea how to spell it!). Very strange decision... Didn't have a clear view of the 1st red (heard it was unlucky) but the 2nd was clear as day from where I was...
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lenahan
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Yes.
Who would have and could do a better job given his same circumstances currently and since hes been there.
Hardly anyone is the answer.
The only thing you can really fault Rafa on is some of the transfers. Even then you have to cut him some slack overall as hes not been given a black cheque book to compete for the top guys. Hes had to go for the second raters.
THis is where you do fault him though...Pennant ? Bellamy ? Keane ? etc etc Glen Johnson this summer...good player yes but come on...16M for a RIGHT BACK ? Hardly the place liverpool should have been spending good money on the team and squad.
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L.C.
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No - he isn't.
Showed yesterday that the League will always be second in his thoughts, to success in Europe.
Spending - perhaps if he didnt fill his squad with numerous £6million nobodies, he could afford some quality.
I think he has had the money - i just dont think he has spent it wisely.
He's only there because Liverpool cant afford to sack him
Cheers
LC
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alansouthcoast
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Results speak for themselves, one win and six defeats in seven games isnt good enough. Carragher had a red card coming, he got away with pulling back Zamora once and was stupid to try a second time.
Any manger on such a run is more likely to get the sack than not.
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Dr_tyler
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I think it looks like there is going to be a 'ruud v shearer' style battle with rafa and torres and my guess is torres will win...
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johnnio
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I hope to God Mourinho doesn't get the job, I'm a big fan of his and it would make me sick seeing him at Liverpool. He'll win them titles, no problem but I think his ego wouldn't sit well at Liverpool, they still are one of the few teams that have retained the "no-one is bigger than the club" mentality and actually follow it through. That goes against everything Jose stands for so it might not happen.
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Machiavellian
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I've got tickets to Liverpool's end of season party if you're free Thursday night
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The_Pilgarlic
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| Machiavellian wrote: | | I've got tickets to Liverpool's end of season party if you're free Thursday night |
Dear Mach
I would love to come to the party with you but I can only stay for a quick drink as I have to be up early next morning to get the first plane back to Spain.
regards,
Rafa
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value seeker
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The text doing the rounds
Since Rafa loves his Facts ,lets see the teams that Liverpool have lost to this season,in the league.
F(ulham)
A(ston Villa)
C(helsea)
T(ottenham Hotspurs)
S(underland)
Gotta give him credit the mans a genius!
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alfieatkins
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watching the game last night showed you that as a squad they will be lucky to finish in the top 6
also torres needs to get back to full fitness before they should play him again as he was clearly sluggish last night
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harchiefan
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| alfieatkins wrote: | watching the game last night showed you that as a squad they will be lucky to finish in the top 6
also torres needs to get back to full fitness before they should play him again as he was clearly sluggish last night |
Must have been a different game to the one i watched.Dominated Lyon and should have got 3 points.
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kickingkyle
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Dominated 1st half, second i thought Lyon looked alot better. I am a fan of Lisorado (SP) and wouldnt be suprised to see him come to the prem.
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alfieatkins
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| harchiefan wrote: | | alfieatkins wrote: | watching the game last night showed you that as a squad they will be lucky to finish in the top 6
also torres needs to get back to full fitness before they should play him again as he was clearly sluggish last night |
Must have been a different game to the one i watched.Dominated Lyon and should have got 3 points. |
yeah it was a game that liverpool needed to win, do you think that was lyon at full pelt?
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alansouthcoast
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The marking for the Lyon goal was a joke. Three Liverpool players goal side and still Lyon scored. Overall Liverpool played better and were dominant. Torres was indeed sluggish, they must have been desperate to play him and i guess he was/is feeling his injury. I can see him and Gerrard both being out and a slump in form, as silly as that sounds, looks on the cards.
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johnnio
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Liverpool will still qualify, no problem. They're in a very very ordinary group, Lyon are average, Fiorentina the same and Liverpool have been hopeless, but still have a terrific chance to still qualify, Liverpool on half-power would batter all these teams, so they can only go one way, up. The French tend to shoot themselves in the foot a lot in Europe, but I think they'll beat Fiorentina ok, Liverpool will beat Debrecen easily enough and I can't see Liverpool not beating Fiorentina in the last game. They've made heavy weather out of it, but they'll survive. They were the better team last night, Lyon played for a draw, and if they had their shooting boots on and a little extra spark they'd have won.
I'd like to see what price they are to win the competition, might be worth a couple of quid.
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alfieatkins
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| johnnio wrote: | Liverpool will still qualify, no problem. They're in a very very ordinary group, Lyon are average, Fiorentina the same and Liverpool have been hopeless, but still have a terrific chance to still qualify, Liverpool on half-power would batter all these teams, so they can only go one way, up. The French tend to shoot themselves in the foot a lot in Europe, but I think they'll beat Fiorentina ok, Liverpool will beat Debrecen easily enough and I can't see Liverpool not beating Fiorentina in the last game. They've made heavy weather out of it, but they'll survive. They were the better team last night, Lyon played for a draw, and if they had their shooting boots on and a little extra spark they'd have won.
I'd like to see what price they are to win the competition, might be worth a couple of quid. |
40's paddy power
still cant see them getting 2nd tbh
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shamardal84
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What odds on Stevie G coming off the bench to save Liverpool with a late goal? 1/10?
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kickingkyle
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Never a pen!
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archie mackenzie
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| kickingkyle wrote: | | Never a pen! |
aye
the boy cheated plain and simple
cheers archie.
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kickingkyle
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When they show you the refs angle it looks even worse! He had dived before he even got to him!
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value seeker
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Raffa 11/8 now with Billy Hills to be gone before the end of the season
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Papa 3
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| archie mackenzie wrote: | | kickingkyle wrote: | | Never a pen! |
aye
the boy cheated plain and simple
cheers archie. |
+1
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Papa 3
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Absent friends would make a meal of this, must be watching and seething, fingers poised over the keyboard, but resolute in his endeavour not to comment. The answer is so obvious and necessary, video evidence, even a blind man would have seen this blatant dive. To be honest though, when one walks down the road and trips slightly the first thing you do is look around to see if any one saw you, last night on my own watching the game I pointed and shouted PENALTY, then when the replay came I looked around sheepishly just in case someone had walked in. 
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MT VESSELS
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I thought the correct decision was a pen but only for using it to write his name in the book. One of the worst ones i have ever seen.
MT jnr
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timeform
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how fitting that in Remembrance Week a Frenchman hits the ground at the first sign of trouble. !!
Cost us two points last night could be very important at the end of the season !! We could miss out on europe because of that .!!! 
TF
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Rochesterlad
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| timeform wrote: |
Cost us two points last night could be very important at the end of the season !! We could miss out on europe because of that .!!!
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Switch teams and support Villa...Could be in Champions League next season! 
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timeform
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| Rochesterlad wrote: | | timeform wrote: |
Cost us two points last night could be very important at the end of the season !! We could miss out on europe because of that .!!!
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Switch teams and support Villa...Could be in Champions League next season! |
i cant i have only have 10 fingers you need at least 11 to be a villa fan!!!!
tf
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harchiefan
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| archie mackenzie wrote: | | kickingkyle wrote: | | Never a pen! |
aye
the boy cheated plain and simple
cheers archie. |
Exactly.I thought Bent dived at the weekend too.
I hate diving... 
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value seeker
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| Papa 3 wrote: | | Absent friends would make a meal of this, must be watching and seething, fingers poised over the keyboard, but resolute in his endeavour not to comment. The answer is so obvious and necessary, video evidence, even a blind man would have seen this blatant dive. To be honest though, when one walks down the road and trips slightly the first thing you do is look around to see if any one saw you, last night on my own watching the game I pointed and shouted PENALTY, then when the replay came I looked around sheepishly just in case someone had walked in. |
From where I sit at Anfield ,main stand ,halfway line ,high up .it look stonewall penalty.
But from the reaction of the Birmingham players it was obviously not the case.
Mate who is also a big Liverpool fan but couldnt make it that night ,texted me and it read 100%dive ,should have been booked.
Shameful for our club ,we dont want cheats ,also it must be remembered wont help Ngog in the long run ,remember Andy Johnson when he played across the park ,had a good few stonewall penaltys but the refs never gave them,after getting a reputation as a diver.
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The_Pilgarlic
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| value seeker wrote: | | Papa 3 wrote: | | Absent friends would make a meal of this, must be watching and seething, fingers poised over the keyboard, but resolute in his endeavour not to comment. The answer is so obvious and necessary, video evidence, even a blind man would have seen this blatant dive. To be honest though, when one walks down the road and trips slightly the first thing you do is look around to see if any one saw you, last night on my own watching the game I pointed and shouted PENALTY, then when the replay came I looked around sheepishly just in case someone had walked in. |
From where I sit at Anfield ,main stand ,halfway line ,high up .it look stonewall penalty.
But from the reaction of the Birmingham players it was obviously not the case.
Mate who is also a big Liverpool fan but couldnt make it that night ,texted me and it read 100%dive ,should have been booked.
Shameful for our club ,we dont want cheats ,also it must be remembered wont help Ngog in the long run ,remember Andy Johnson when he played across the park ,had a good few stonewall penaltys but the refs never gave them,after getting a reputation as a diver. |
So Ngog & Gerrard on the transfer list then? 
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The_Pilgarlic
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He will leave if they sell Torres.
Doubt that's the way events will unfold but if he is making comments like that the writing is on the wall.
Will probably be back in Spain before the World Cup ...... maybe with him taking over at Real Madrid.
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Dr_tyler
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When I saw Benitez credited with 'I will leave if Torres is sold' I instantly thought its the cheapest way to get rid of him!! £50m for Torres and no £25m pay out for Rafa!
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value seeker
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| value seeker wrote: | | Raffa 11/8 now with Billy Hills to be gone before the end of the season |
Raffa is be manager at end of season(Bet365)
4/6 yes
11/10 No
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value seeker
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Dear John and Edward,
Your ability to win over the public and even Simon Cowell has made me look up to you.I hope you may share your secrets with me ,you are shite (sorry forum police) week in week end but you kept on surviving.
I am in a similiar position and need your help and advice.
Yours truly.
Raffa Benitez.
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archie mackenzie
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was checking out the fiorentina v lyon game yesterday valueseeker and both teams hit by injuries with lyon according to my limited french missing 5
fingers crossed for the pool
cheers archie.
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value seeker
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| archie mackenzie wrote: | was checking out the fiorentina v lyon game yesterday valueseeker and both teams hit by injuries with lyon according to my limited french missing 5
fingers crossed for the pool
cheers archie. |
not just fingers ,legs toes etc ,were in the europa league archie ,nailed on
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kickingkyle
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Surely Carragher saying an exit isnt disastourous shows there not expecting to qualify?
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johnnio
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Damage limitation, I think. Have said it before and I'll say it again, Liverpool will qualify no problem, it's not the "miracle" the press are trying to hype it up to be.
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Machiavellian
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| johnnio wrote: | | Damage limitation, I think. Have said it before and I'll say it again, Liverpool will qualify no problem, it's not the "miracle" the press are trying to hype it up to be. |
Have you backed them to qualify?
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johnnio
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they're a very skinny 5-1. Think about it though, Lyon are a much better team than Fiorentina and should win easily I think, Liverpool will batter Debrecen, which leaves the decider at Anfield on a Wednesday night in front of a packed Kop, there is no way Fiorentina will beat Liverpool there, no way. That just leaves 1 match thats in doubt.
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Machiavellian
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| johnnio wrote: | | they're a very skinny 5-1. |
For a bet that should win 'no problem' it's hardly that skinny. Or has this all just been conjecture?
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johnnio
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| Machiavellian wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | they're a very skinny 5-1. |
For a bet that should win 'no problem' it's hardly that skinny. Or has this all just been conjecture? |
I couldn't back Liverpool, despise them so much, even the thought of making money on them is not enough to make me put money on them to win anything. Have a pathological hatred of the team.
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Machiavellian
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| johnnio wrote: | | Machiavellian wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | they're a very skinny 5-1. |
For a bet that should win 'no problem' it's hardly that skinny. Or has this all just been conjecture? |
I couldn't back Liverpool, despise them so much, even the thought of making money on them is not enough to make me put money on them to win anything. Have a pathological hatred of the team. |
Probably for the best.
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johnnio
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| Machiavellian wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | Machiavellian wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | they're a very skinny 5-1. |
For a bet that should win 'no problem' it's hardly that skinny. Or has this all just been conjecture? |
I couldn't back Liverpool, despise them so much, even the thought of making money on them is not enough to make me put money on them to win anything. Have a pathological hatred of the team. |
Probably for the best. |
Definitely, got that one completely wrong, fully expected this to go to the wire.
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lewijay
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| johnnio wrote: | | Machiavellian wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | Machiavellian wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | they're a very skinny 5-1. |
For a bet that should win 'no problem' it's hardly that skinny. Or has this all just been conjecture? |
I couldn't back Liverpool, despise them so much, even the thought of making money on them is not enough to make me put money on them to win anything. Have a pathological hatred of the team. |
Probably for the best. |
Definitely, got that one completely wrong, fully expected this to go to the wire. |
As sad as it is being a Liverpool fan the better teams have qualified for me. Fiorentina certainly have been the best team in the group and deserve it, we let ourselves down with poor goal conceding late on in 2 of the games.
Europa here we come, not looking forward to that either. what channels are the games shown on?
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ngreggors
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Rafa goes to confession;
And says “forgive me father for I have sinned”. The priest steps forward and says “come forth my son”
Benitez looks on in shock and replies “come fourth? We’ll be lucky if we come tenth father”
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Machiavellian
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Thursday night, Channel Five 
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value seeker
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| Machiavellian wrote: | | Thursday night, Channel Five |
not seeded as well 
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value seeker
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Been going from 1960 ,when we were in the second division and I cant ever remember a run like this ,three wins in the last 15 games.
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value seeker
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| value seeker wrote: | Been going from 1960 ,when we were in the second division and I cant ever remember a run like this ,three wins in the last 15 games.
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50 years ago today ,Bill Shankly marched into Melwood and gave Liverpool their fight.Now they need his spirit like never before.
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Dr_tyler
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In answer to the thread's question: Speaking as a Spurs fan- yes he is!
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archie mackenzie
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if the unthinkable happens wednesday vs then the only thing the kop should be singing is
RAFA OUT,RAFA OUT,RAFA OUT
hes simply not up to the job of winning the epl title,hes used up hes luck in the knockout cup tournies
cheers archie.
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johnnio
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I think they should give him a job for life. In all seriousness though, Liverpool are working hard and putting a lot of effort in, the worrying part if you're a Liverpool fan is the real lack of quality (or quellllity as Rafa says) on the pitch.
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lewijay
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Well if this loss does not do it then it will never happen!
Merry bloody christmas 
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Machiavellian
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shamardal84
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We'd beat Liverpool, 3 or 4-0
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theGoingStick
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Not the best of seasons for Liverpool, I guess the FA cup can still save Rafa.
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lewijay
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| shamardal84 wrote: | | We'd beat Liverpool, 3 or 4-0 |
Sham at the moment i reckon my local pub team could give them a game and all. Never felt so miserable about my team before, including the Souness years.
Time for a nice stiff drink i reckon!
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shamardal84
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Rumour has it Mark Hughes isn't the man to lead Man City. City call a pres conference for 7.30pm tonight and Mancini in the crowd....
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theGoingStick
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| shamardal84 wrote: | | Rumour has it Mark Hughes isn't the man to lead Man City. City call a pres conference for 7.30pm tonight and Mancini in the crowd.... |
I saw that on final score, definitely a goodbye clap from Mark Hughes there.
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shamardal84
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| theGoingStick wrote: | | shamardal84 wrote: | | Rumour has it Mark Hughes isn't the man to lead Man City. City call a pres conference for 7.30pm tonight and Mancini in the crowd.... |
I saw that on final score, definitely a goodbye clap from Mark Hughes there. |
I was suprised when I heard it, but thought it must be for the dreaded Director of Football role. But that definitely looked like a goodbye clap
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kickingkyle
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If he does go i dont htink hes done his credentials any harm, get out while they arent loosing!
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archie mackenzie
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| theGoingStick wrote: | | Not the best of seasons for Liverpool, I guess the FA cup can still save Rafa. |
they dropping like a stone
Champions league to the Intertoto cup 
valueseeker
i watched a wee bit of the pompey game and imo it looked like a few of the pool players were simply going throu the motions
cheers archie.
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alansouthcoast
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Winning the FA Cup wont save Rafa, improvement in the league might.
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value seeker
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I bumped into a man crying uncontrollably in Liverpool one shopping centre yesterday.
All he could go on about was how he hates this time of year,having to dress in a ridiculous red outfit and embarrasing himself in front of thousands of people .
I said "Look Mr Gerrard ,you choose to play for Liverpool!"
Raffa ,look what you have done to our captain. 
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shamardal84
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Which of these is the odd one out?
a shark
a lobster
a crab
or a scouse
the shark, the other 3 pinch like f**k and wear shell suits!
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johnnio
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There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well 
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LongJ0n
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| johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well |
+1
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value seeker
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| johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well |
Its a real shock to Liverpool fans ,we seen Lord Lucan on the Liverpool FC channel play 20 mins for the reserves at Tranmere about 8 weeks ago and we have hardly seen him since.
Does it take that long to get fit ,obviously not ,square hole in a round peg maybe ?
Pub talk and its only pub talk mind ,is that Liverpool have in the transfer clause that that have to pay Roma additional money if he plays 5 games or more in the calender year.
We have as you know very little cash ,heard that one from a fed up fan who had just arrived back from Portsmouth after leaving at 5am in the morning on Saturday night .
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johnnio
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There's a lot of logic in Benitez spending £20 million on cover for Gerrard if you're able to do the same in other positions. The problem is they desperately need a quality playmaker to replace alonso 1st, then cover for him, Mascherano and then Torres. He may be expecting more money from somewhere perhaps?
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geordie_racer
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| johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of logic in Benitez spending £20 million on cover for Gerrard if you're able to do the same in other positions. The problem is they desperately need a quality playmaker to replace alonso 1st, then cover for him, Mascherano and then Torres. He may be expecting more money from somewhere perhaps? |
probably looking at alan smith and kevin nolan
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lenahan
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The 17M on Glen Johnson was a ridiculous waste of money imo. Yes he is good. Yes he improves the team and squad. But how can a rightback for 17M be justified when you need players everywhere and should be spending the big money on the attacking players first ? That was all the money they really had to spend in the summer so to go and blow it mostly on a right back was a crap signing imo.
I like Benetiz though. Far better for the club is better owners coming in who bring money to the table to give the manager more of a blank chequebook when it comes to him getting all the players he would really want.
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archie mackenzie
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| johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well |
i dont think aquilani was bought has cover for anyone johnnio
i think whats baffling most pool fans is that aquilani played in centre midfield for roma so why doesnt he drop either one of the defensive midfielders and get him in there,they cant be has pisspoor has they been with aquilani playing surely
i was watching the sky soccer thing midweek and charlie nicholas was thinking maybe rafa simply doesnt fancy aquilani anymore
maybe seen something in training etc
cheers archie.
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lewijay
|
| archie mackenzie wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well |
i dont think aquilani was bought has cover for anyone johnnio
i think whats baffling most pool fans is that aquilani played in centre midfield for roma so why doesnt he drop either one of the defensive midfielders and get him in there,they cant be has pisspoor has they been with aquilani playing surely
i was watching the sky soccer thing midweek and charlie nicholas was thinking maybe rafa simply doesnt fancy aquilani anymore
maybe seen something in training etc
cheers archie. |
Does not fancy him anymore? Ludicrous statement if you ask me. The guy is taking longer than espected to get fit and if anything he does not want to put the lad under to much pressure too soon, the team is playing crap.
Would a half fit coming back from a bad injury type player fit the bill of a saviour?
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value seeker
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| lewijay wrote: | | archie mackenzie wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well |
i dont think aquilani was bought has cover for anyone johnnio
i think whats baffling most pool fans is that aquilani played in centre midfield for roma so why doesnt he drop either one of the defensive midfielders and get him in there,they cant be has pisspoor has they been with aquilani playing surely
i was watching the sky soccer thing midweek and charlie nicholas was thinking maybe rafa simply doesnt fancy aquilani anymore
maybe seen something in training etc
cheers archie. |
Does not fancy him anymore? Ludicrous statement if you ask me. The guy is taking longer than espected to get fit and if anything he does not want to put the lad under to much pressure too soon, the team is playing crap.
Would a half fit coming back from a bad injury type player fit the bill of a saviour? |
Update
Lord Lucan according to Raffa sustained a calf problem during his run out against Wigan and is winning his battle his battle to be fit for the Wolves game on Boxing Day,we wait whether he will turn up at Anfield on the 26th with baited breath
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geordie_racer
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If you were the player, wouldn't you be a little cautious about busting a gut for this lot at the oment?
I suspect there will be significant changes at liverpool in January, on and off the field, which will happily coincide with his return to full fitness.
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shamardal84
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| geordie_racer wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of logic in Benitez spending £20 million on cover for Gerrard if you're able to do the same in other positions. The problem is they desperately need a quality playmaker to replace alonso 1st, then cover for him, Mascherano and then Torres. He may be expecting more money from somewhere perhaps? |
probably looking at alan smith and kevin nolan
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Not even Man City have that much money
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johnnio
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| archie mackenzie wrote: | | johnnio wrote: | | There's a lot of Liverpool fans mystified as to why he won't play Aquillani. I believe he's made the same mistake he made with Robbie Keane; Keane was bought as cover for Gerrard, then he's realised that Liverpool can't really do without him (Gerrard) in the team. It's the same with Aquilani, he won't play both, as it goes against his tactics. He seems to just stick with the 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers, and the guy behind the main striker, which is Gerrard or his £20 million cover, Aquillani. And there's still people out there who maintain he has bought reasonably well |
i dont think aquilani was bought has cover for anyone johnnio
i think whats baffling most pool fans is that aquilani played in centre midfield for roma so why doesnt he drop either one of the defensive midfielders and get him in there,they cant be has pisspoor has they been with aquilani playing surely
i was watching the sky soccer thing midweek and charlie nicholas was thinking maybe rafa simply doesnt fancy aquilani anymore
maybe seen something in training etc
cheers archie. |
I dont think he's gone off him archie, I do believe he's being unbelievably patient with him, remember Aquilani being very scathing about his treatment by the Roma physio team, blaming them almost for his current injury problems. Benitez is very, very one-dimensional in his team selection, Gerrard has showed him in the past that he won't play anywhere other than as an attacking midfielder, Aquilani isn't a Mascherano, might turn into a half-decent Alonso, but I seriously doubt it, so he's left as a very expensive cover for Gerrard.
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