No risk & a proven winner Rafa Benitez

[ronnie38]

Tuesday 1st May 2007. Walking home from the blast furnace that was Anfield that night, I ring a family member. “Can you believe that, two European Cup finals in three years, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

 

Shamefully, my words were misused, because looking back, I’d taken this team of ours and the heroics they were achieving for granted.

 

On that night, they’d beaten Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final for the second time in three years, with an FA Cup win sandwiched in the middle.

 

“These are the days my friend.”

 

A banner our supporters hung in Syntagma Square ahead of the European cup final was simply emblazoned with those words.

 

“These are the days my friend.”

 

Thanks for the guidance, I know they are, yet I’m still taking them for granted.

 

On that sticky semi-final night at Anfield, Dirk Kuyt’s celebratory slide into the Kop End after slotting his winning penalty was to be the first moment a player had relaxed all evening.

 

Rafael Benitez had drilled a team to deliver. So impeccable was their positioning, communication, mentality and all round game, that defeat, even on the most demanding of occasions, never looked likely.

 

Our team were impenetrable, ruthless and prideworthy. I took them for granted.

 

In the seasons which followed, Madrid mauled, United battered and Everton dis-regarded.

Steve Gerrard’s shriek of joy when lifting the grandest prize of all served as the opening note of a ballad rich in love. A ballad orchestrated by a conductor I took for granted.

 

So often when it mattered, we were set up to kill. Every blade of grass covered in detail plotted in the mind of a man obsessed with his work.

 

No stone left unturned, no question left to answer, no deficit insurmountable. The qualities of winners. I took them for granted.

 

For once, the younger generation of Liverpool supporters could see, smell and on European away days, taste these things called “glory days.” No longer served up by DVD’s showcasing former triumphs, dreams were 3D. I took them for granted.

 

Money was spent, players were recycled, but the proof is in the pudding and for much of that six years, the pudding tasted sweet.

 

Dining at that table again wouldn’t be bad.

 

That Athens tube journey where we sang about “the best midfield in the world” now seems further away than the Greek capital.

 

Structure, discipline and coolness of thought. Benitez offered them in spades. Not to mention bravery.

 

Would Fenway bet at the club now if the tactician had been one of football’s mass produced ‘yes men?’ He wasn’t, yet I took his battle for graned.

 

Alonso, Mascherano and Torres signed up to the beat of his drum. Marching us through Europe and chiselling away at the Nou Camp and San Siro with the swagger of a Scouse tradesman.

 

Hunting for the biggest European trophies, going closer to winning a title than at any other point in two decades. Luxuries I took for granted thankfully remain found memories.

 

Now we face a new battle.

 

The meat in an Everton and Fulham sandwich after 38 games. We look anything but an appetising filling. The European hey days of Chorizo and Mozarella are out. It’s spam from the tin at the moment.

 

Gross underachievement with some players bought for sirloin prices, only to deliver rump offerings.

 

Watching a new side taste glory on Sunday shows no seats are reserved at football’s dining table. Take your seat, fight to keep it and hammer one another for the best cuts.

 

Benitez defended the quality of British food after some blush worthy weight gain during his time at the club. Could his appetite take us back to the grand buffet?

 

Could we visit the past again?

 

Seeing Rafael Benitez among the bookies favourites to take over at Aston Villa befuddles me as to how this man is available.

 

He’s refreshed. Where could a foray with similarly fresh owners end up?

 

Finding out would be an adventure worth buying a ticket for.

 

I’d definitely not take it for granted.

 

"Those were the days my friend."

 

From RAWK

[stringvest]

If he comes back, that would be it for me and a lot of other match going reds. Leave it to the plazzies.

[Trumo]

I'd be very very surprised if Rafa was to be appointed. I can even imagine Al bending FSG's ear about why it would be a bad idea. He might even tell them about all the nasty things Rafa's supposed to have said and done during his previous stint.

[Jairzinho]

If he comes back, that would be it for me and a lot of other match going reds. Leave it to the plazzies.

 

Squirrels aside, would you prefer to see Martinez in charge?

[stringvest]

I'd be very very surprised if Rafa was to be appointed. I can even imagine Al bending FSG's ear about why it would be a bad idea. He might even tell them about all the nasty things Rafa's supposed to have said and done during his previous stint.

 

Hopefully he's already told them. I'd be amazed if he came back. Can't imagine a more divisive appointment, and a massive insult to KD.

 

Maybe the RAWKites need to start sending poems to Henry.

[stringvest]

Squirrels aside, would you prefer to see Martinez in charge?

 

Than Benitez? Too fucking right. Once a young manager with energy and lots to prove. The other is a divisive politico who has been sacked for failure twice in the last three years. He's shot his bolt.

[ngogswilly]

haha Code's head would explode.

 

Personally I'm a firm believer in look forward and not back and I wouldn't want him.

 

But christ this place will be unbearable if he gets it between people proclaiming him Christ our lord and saviour and on the other side heaps of fannies tearing up their season tickets.

 

The place would be a warzone. No thanks.

[ronnie38]

Hopefully he's already told them. I'd be amazed if he came back. Can't imagine a more divisive appointment, and a massive insult to KD.

 

Maybe the RAWKites need to start sending poems to Henry.

If you've got nothing interesting to add why not just stay out the thread and carry on negging me.

[Russ Atmosphere]

Know your audience.

[Newport]

Sadly (or maybe not, really), I don't think the fans will have a say this time. Rafa would be the perfect choice but that card was played when Kenny was appointed.

[stringvest]

You're negged because you're winding me up by posting shite when I'm not in a good mood. And I need to spread it in order to neg a few other knobheads who I must've negged recently. Copy and pasting that pile of bilge from RAWK made you a prime candidate.

 

 

Now fuck off.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Not going to happen. Wrong to say it's not a risk, either. Still a top manager though, and one of only a few available. Should be considered. Won't be. Next.

 

That said, surely people would have him over Martinez? If that's the choice, then Rafa every time.

[ronnie38]

You're negged because you're winding me up by posting shite when I'm not in a good mood. And I need to spread it in order to neg a few other knobheads who I must've negged recently. Copy and pasting that pile of bilge from RAWK made you a prime candidate.

 

 

Now fuck off.

Ohh bless, chin up sweety Rafa's gone and never coming back get over it:thumbup:

[JermainePennant]

Just bring him back before we slip any further behind, he had proved he can get ud champs league which is the job of the new manager.

 

All the other names mentioned are risks, rafa knows exactly what is needed for the job and has had time to think about the mistakes he made.

 

He is one of the best in the world and loves Liverpool, bring him home fsg.

[mni]

This. End of thread.

[stringvest]

Ohh bless, chin up sweety Rafa's gone and never coming back get over it:thumbup:

 

I can see I'm going to have to blow the dust off the automation script here.

[Welsh]

No fucking way would I want him back.

[dirk grout]

Anyone that would prefer martinez over benitez is a massive spastic.

[Mendoza]

A definite no.

[Mr T]

Get him in.

 

Knows the club inside out and it would be worth it just to see the reaction of Carragher.

 

Plus, this place has been far too sanguine of late. Needs a bit of spark put back into it.

[BCM]

Anyone that would prefer martinez over benitez is a massive spastic.

 

All that needs to be said really.

 

I hope the owners know what they are doing.

[stringvest]

Anyone who wants Benitez anywhere near this club is a fucking moron who hasn't got a clue what the club stands for.

 

See?

[ronnie38]

Anyone who wants Benitez anywhere near this club is a fucking moron who hasn't got a clue what the club stands for.

 

See?

You just can't leave it alone can you:

 

2004-05

In his 1st home game in charge (Man City) Liverpool came from behind at half-time to win a game for the first time in more than 5 years.

At Fulham (October 2004) the Reds came from behind at half-time to win an away game for the 1st time in 13 years.

Liverpool became the 1st British club to ‘keep’ the European Cup following a 5th Final success.

Steven Gerrard became the 2nd youngest player to captain a European Cup winning team.

 

2005-06

Became only the 3rd team, and the 1st British side, to win the European Super Cup 3 times.

Steven Gerrard became the 1st Liverpool player in history to score in 5 successive European matches.

Kept clean sheets in each of their opening 4 league games for the 1st time in the club’s history.

Sami Hyypia played in a 56th consecutive European game – breaking the club record for an outfield player (he extended that record to 57).

Liverpool set a new club record of 11 consecutive clean sheets (Oct-Dec 2005).

Went 762 minutes without conceding a league goal (a post-war club record).

Won 10 league games in a row for the 1st time in 15 years.

At Luton Liverpool scored 5 goals in an away F.A. Cup tie for the 1st time in 59 years.

Liverpool beat Manchester United for the 1st time in the F.A. Cup for 85 years.

Recorded their biggest ever away win in the F.A. Cup (7-0 at Birmingham) and the biggest by any team away from home in the Quarter-Finals for 106 years.

Conceded only 8 league goals at home – their 3rd best total ever.

Set a club record of 12 successive wins in all competitions (it was extended to 14 at the start of the following season).

By lifting the F.A. Cup became the 1st manager in the club’s history to win a trophy in each of his first 2 seasons in charge.

Set a club record of 21 goals scored by substitutes in a season – previous record was 12.

Achieved the 6th-highest accumulation of available league points in the club’s history, and at the time, the 2nd-highest ever number of wins (as a % of games played)

 

2006-07

Recorded his 50th league win in just 93 games – a record bettered by only 2 Liverpool managers of the previous 57 years, Dalglish and Shankly.

Went unbeaten in 30 successive home league games for only the 4th time in their history.

Scored 4 goals in the 1st half of an away league game (at Wigan) for the 1st time in 15 years.

Pepe Reina kept more clean sheets in his first 50 league games (28) than any other goalkeeper in the club’s history.

Jamie Carragher played in a club record 58th game in the European Cup.

Jamie Carragher made a club record 90th appearance in all European competition.

Conceded only 7 league goals at home – best total for 28 years.

Only second English side to win in Nou Camp (previous one was Liverpool in 1976).

Reached second Champions League final in three seasons. (If ‘lucky’ to win in 2005, the Reds were ‘unlucky’ to lose in 2007.)

 

2007-08

Beat Beşiktaş 8-0 to record the biggest ever Champions League victory.

Scored 4 goals in a game on 8 occasions before Christmas for only the 3rd time in club’s history.

Steven Gerrard scored his 23rd European goal – to break the club record.

Pepe Reina kept his 50th league clean sheet in his 92nd appearance – breaking club record of 95 held by Ray Clemence.

Steven Gerrard became the 1st Liverpool player ever to score in 5 successive European games in the same season.

Fernando Torres became the 1st Liverpool player in 62 years to a hat-trick in successive home league games.

Jamie Carragher became the 1st Liverpool player to play 100 European games for the club.

Fernando Torres became the 1st player in 12 years to score 20 league goals for the club.

Pepe Reina kept 54 clean sheets in his first 100 league games to break the club record held by Ray Clemence.

Steven Gerrard became the 1st Liverpool player to score in 4 successive home European games.

Fernando Torres became the 1st Liverpool player to score in 7 successive top-flight home league games.

Rafa Benitez won 81 of his first 150 league games in charge. Only Kenny Dalglish (87) won more as Liverpool manager.

Ryan Babel equalled the club record of most goals in a season scored by a substitute (7).

Liverpool had 6 players who scored 10 goals or more in a season. Only the 3rd time this had happened in the club’s history.

Fernando Torres equalled the club record by scoring in an 8th successive home league game (all divisions).

Fernando Torres scored 24 league goals – most by any Liverpool player in a debut season for 61 years.

Fernando Torres broke Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of most goals in a debut Premier league season by an overseas player.

Pepe Reina won the Golden Glove for the 3rd successive season.

Liverpool scored 119 goals in the season – more than any team in England.

 

2008-09

In 2008 recorded their highest points tally in a calendar year (81) for 18 years.

Liverpool won 9 successive home league games for the 1st time since November 1990.

Fernando Torres became the club’s 2nd highest ever scorer in his first 50 games (34 goals).

Ryan Babel became the club’s 2nd highest ever goalscoring substitute (with 8 goals).

Liverpool came from behind to defeat Manchester United in the league for the 1st time in 42 years.

End Chelsea’s 84-game unbeaten home record.

Became only the 2nd English team to win in the Bernabeu.

At Anfield inflicted upon Real Madrid their biggest ever Champions League defeat.

Steven Gerrard became only the 2nd Liverpool player to play 100 times for the club in Europe.

Recorded their biggest win at Old Trafford for 72 years. It was also the 1st time 4 Liverpool players had scored at United in the same game.

Led the table for the 1st time ever in the Premiership with 2 games to play.

Broke Bill Shankly’s record of 65 European matches as Liverpool manager.

Broke Bob Paisley’s record of 40 European wins as Liverpool manager.

Recorded his 100th league win as manager in his 181st game. It was the 3rd quickest ever by a Liverpool manager and 50 games faster than Alex Ferguson.

Equalled club record set in 1904-05 by winning 13 away league games.

Amassed their highest points total ever in the Premier League (86) beating the 82 set in 2005-06. Their highest in the league since 1987-88.

Scored at least 3 goals in 6 successive games in all competitions for the 1st time in the club’s history.

Finished the campaign with a goal difference of + 50 – their best for 21 years when they amassed + 63 in 1987-88.

Lost just twice in the league – equalling the fewest they had lost in a league campaign for 105 years.

Fernando Torres scored 33 goals in his first 50 league games for the club – the best by any Liverpool player for 52 years.

Pepe Reina kept his 100th clean sheet in the fastest time in Liverpool history (197 games).

Won 75% of all available league points – 2nd highest in the club’s history.

The highest number of points by any team which failed to win the league (38 game seasons)

 

2009-10

Went unbeaten in 31 home league games – their 3rd longest ever run and best for 32 years.

Against Manchester United recorded his 114th league win in his 200th game. The 2nd best tally by any Liverpool manager in first 200 league games (Kenny Dalglish 120 wins).

Liverpool won a 3rd successive league game at Everton for only 3rd time in club’s history.

Yossi Benayoun scored a hat-trick against Burnley to become only the 5th player in the club’s history to score a hat-trick in 3 different competitions.

Pepe Reina set a new club record of most clean sheets (79) in first 150 league games.

Liverpool scored 22 goals in opening 7 league games – best tally for 114 years and 2nd best ever.

Broke club record by scoring in an 18th successive Premier League game at Anfield.

Fernando Torres broke the club record by scoring his 50th league goal for Liverpool in just his 72nd match.

(Correct up to January 23rd 2010)

[Benitaur]

Why would we want a world class manager, who made players like Gerrard, Carra, Torres, Mascherano, Alonso, Aimar, Ayala, etc etc world class?

 

We should absolutely get the next manager that keeps their struggling team from relegation. As long as they play attacking football!

 

Of course, Rafa gets us playing boring defensive football. So defensive, we were the second highest scoring team in 2008, and highest scoring team in 2009!

 

We sure hate those golden gloves Reina kept winning

 

What we really need is attractive football, the type that keeps teams out of relegation. Woy was fantastic keeping teams out of relegation, wasn't he? Martinez is the second coming!

[Benitaur]

Why would we want a world class manager, who made players like Gerrard, Carra, Torres, Mascherano, Alonso, Aimar, Ayala, etc etc world class?

 

We should absolutely get the next manager that keeps their struggling team from relegation. As long as they play attacking football!

 

Of course, Rafa gets us playing boring defensive football. So defensive, we were the second highest scoring team in 2008, and highest scoring team in 2009!

 

We sure hate those golden gloves Reina kept winning

 

What we really need is attractive football, the type that keeps teams out of relegation. Woy was fantastic keeping teams out of relegation, wasn't he? Martinez is the second coming!