Liverpool: arise Sir Rafael Benitez

Was that the funniest press conference you're ever likely to see?

To all those media hacks trying to compare it with Keegan's rant at Ferguson and accusing Rafa of taking the bait; step back and think about it for a change. It is nothing like the rant of a broken man like Keegan, who had seen his side squander a healthy lead at the top of the table, reacting to the provocation and mind games from the purple nosed one.

It is not taking any bait from Ferguson and signs of losing the plot, as Ferguson hasn't said anything for Rafa to react to. How can he take the bait if there isn't any there? He knew exactly what he was saying. A man losing the plot and reacting does not have a sheet full of notes to hand! He's casting the bait for Mr.Ferguson to bite on.

Rafael Benitez has spoken out this afternoon and said the things that everyone else has been too scared to say before. Everyone thinks it, but nobody has the balls to stand up and say it; until now. Well done Rafael Benitez. Alex Ferguson has been intimidating referees and the authorities for too long with nobody daring to stand up to him, and we now have a manager prepared to do just that. We've waited long enough!

It does hurt and scare them down the east lancs that we sit top of the table, and could be 10 points clear of them by Saturday night. It scares them to see a Liverpool side that sit clear at the top and can only become stronger with the return of Fernando Torres. It scares them that come May we could be sat back on the perch Ferguson always wanted to knock us off. They're scared, make no mistake about it.

And on that note, it's about time we stopped worrying about the fall from grace and being overtaken at the top. What about belief and desire, something Benitez has shown in abundance this afternoon. He's been very, very clever with his words today, putting pressure on the referee before the game with Chelsea on Sunday, and game in hand with Wigan coming up in a very astute manner. Something Ferguson and Mourinho have been masters at for the past few years. It's refreshing to see our manager ruffling a few feathers. The season starts here.

We're in there fighting and that press conference this afternoon is the music to my ears as we enter the ring. This is where it all begins.

He's timed it to perfection. A calculated swipe on the eve of what could be the defining weekend of the season. We've just got to go out an beat Stoke now to see whether today's press conference has any affect on the Sunday.

And the greatest thing about the interview? The simple slip of the tongue that highlights the humour and mindset of Rafael Benitez? Referring to him as Mr.Ferguson instead of Sir. The work of a genius. Simple yet blunt. Dismissing the stature of the man with the exchange of one word. Brilliant.

Our manager has started playing games this afternoon that may or may not have an affect on games, and ultimately the destination of the league title, but he's brought a smile to my face anyway. Thank you Rafa.

Take the pressure off Gerrard. Take the pressure off Keane. Take the pressure off the side and putting it all upon himself and the referee before Sunday.

I doff my cap sir.

Paul Jones

Comments

[Midfield General]

choke? Or just another kidney stone?

No, must be a choke.

United and Fergie are just warming up and you have bottled it.

[Midfield General]

After the events of the last week, your interpretation of Rafa's actions looks to be totally absurd.

The entire football world outside of Liverpool is in agreement it was a total mistake, and that he has ended up looking foolish. Every dropped point just cranks up the pressure on your crumbling club. Rafa has problems with your owners (his employers) not just our boss. Your captain is up in court in no time, you have huge debts (like us, yes) and no new stadium. And Rafa seems to think forking out 20m for someone who you don't play or seem to rate is great management! He will be sacked at the end of the season, as you fail to win anything again, or storm off in a gallic huff like he did previously.

Can you really believe that a team relying on Benayoun, Arbeloa, Hyppia, that crap left back, Riera and other average players can make you champions? Dream on - you only have 5 top players up to it, we have over 15.

[gl]

Rafa needs to go and he should take Parry with him. They don't seem to have any idea how to win in the Premier League.

[Hancock]

Refree's in the BPL are still not up to standard. Something should be done about them. Why won't the head of the refrees admit that and ensure that they are asked to go back to refree school. No wonder players get annoyed at decisions but than again they shouldn't shout at them but reason with them. Let's face it Englishmen were nv pleasant ppl. Always thought Scots were far better than their english counterparts

[Phil]

Rafa has not got the brains to play mind games with Fergie, why dos`nt he use what brains he has and concentrate on helping Liverpool win the league, 19 years in the wilderness is to long for loyal fans and why leave Kean on the bench after he scored 2 goals in the previous game, use what brain cell you have and pick the best team

[Marc Melander]

As a Liverpool fan and regular match goer since 1972 I would much rather Benitez had kept his yap firmly shut. The inept tactics and lacklustre 'performance against Stoke was a perfect illustration of that.

However, it is amusing to see all the MUFC fans suddenly appear from under the stones on the strength of one decent win v. a Chelsea side who are clearly playing to get Scolari the sack.

This despite Howard Webb's dismal failure to send Liability Rooney off for a carbon copy of Ashley Cole's tantrum last season. An act that started the whole 'Respect' groundswell. Incidentally, Mascherano was asking to be sent off a week later - rank stupidity on his part.

MUFC have been stuttering all season - Ronaldo's a shadow of the player he was last season. Rooney doesn't get as many goals as he should and virtually all the MUFC fans I know think Berbatov is an expensive luxury.

They have got the best back four in the league - Evans has done well deputising for Ferdinand but he was hardly tested by Drogba. It's the defence (8 clean sheets in 8?) that has allowed them to win so many games by the odd goal and therefore to have out the run together that they have.

However, the siren call of the re-emerging glory hunters of "give us the PL trophy now" is a tad premature in my opinion.

[klauq]

"
cop that mr.ferguson. i just hope we beat stoke otherwise we will look a bit silly saying all that.

Posted by: Scott D | 10 Jan 2009 00:31:23 "

haha... just a little bit silly now?
haha... haha.. haha

[James Tildeu]

how did man utd get all decisions? we got two goals disallowed for no reason-corner/offside. also should have got penalty for carvalho on ronaldo. KJ ur talkin out your ***! also i notice this is written by a liverpool supporter-hence the usage of the word WE!!!several times.

[Liam]

United got all the decisions? That's laughable. 2 perfectly legitimate goals ruled out for nothing. Belletti hacks Ronaldo from behind with no intention of touching the ball and only gets booked. Ronaldo gets pulled down by Carvalho in the box. Chelsea free and Ronaldo gets booked. Park gets hacked down and gets booked for diving 5 mins later when the ball went out of play. Ballack dives blatantly as did Drogba on many occasions, where's their punishment? There's a reason why the refs were booed off at half time.

I should also mention how Torres actually has a bit of class and can admit that the best team wins the premiership, not due to referee decisions. Do referee decisions stop Liverpool scoring in 2 games against Stoke?

[Sudhanshu Roy]

How is Mr. Ferguson a 'socialist' when he has been a manager for Old Trafford for 20 odd years? Somebody tell me this....

[KJ]

Well, the referee certainly wasn't affected - gave United all the decisions.
And remember - Everton should have beaten Chelsea (doesn't say much in favour of Chelsea)

[Michael Mattsson]

So... Rafa's a genius because he had a pre-scripted rant, inspired his team to drop points against Stoke, while Man U thrashed Chelsea?

I guess it was also pure genius to leave 20mil man Keane on the bench when they needed a goal?

It was pure genius to then have a wee rant about Mr. Gill on monday morning.

I look forward to his next rant ... this one will surely be about the Man United Tea Lady.

...try not to kick the dog on your way out Rafa. Thanks.

[Oli]

Hi Paul, Yes you're right- it was 7 years, but I meant the tide turned after 5 as that is when we won the FA Cup and the progress forwards began. Before that there was little progress at all and we were dritfing down the table. And back then winning the FA Cup was a bigger deal- it was before the days when coming 4th in the league and getting CL revenue was more important to the chairman than winning a trophy. Nowadays I guess Bentiez only winning the FA cup would not be good enough to keep him his job as it did Fergie.

And yes, only one team can win it each year. However, Arsenal have shown great faith in Wenger despite them winning very little in recent years and he does not look like getting sacked even though they are going backwards. Liverpool generally show faith in managers and could easily have got rid of Houllier or Benitez earlier. As for Chelsea, you can see them changing manager every year at this rate.

[KJ]

Rafa was, of course, correct in his assessment of Ferguson's attributes. everybody knows this.
An example : Rooney stays on the pitch for Sunday's game with Chelsea, despite a foul-mouthed rant at the referee (respect? where's your backbone Mr Webb), and several physical assaults on Chelsea players. At the same ground, a bewildered Mascherano is sent off for asking "What's going on?".
There is no level playing field where United are concerned. How many of their successes can be ascribed to similar cheating?

[SD]

Re: Rafa referring to Ferguson as 'Mr' and its significance. Don't forget that in Spain, Portugal and Italy, football managers are traditionally referred to as 'Mister' or 'the Mister' - its a mark of respect for the British roots of the sport. So Rafa, while in Spain would be called (in a footballing context), not Senor Benitez, but Mr Benitez. That's not to rule out Rafa having a sly dig, but it wasn't intentional per se either.

[Paul F]

Oli - it took Ferguson 7 years, not five. And he also took over a squad that barely 12 months earlier had been hailed as certain champions, with bookies stopping taking bets.

I get what you are saying about fickleness, but the key is progress. Houllier was given time until it became clear that we were pretty much going backwards. Benitez is definitely going forwards. As for winning the title, if all Big 4 clubs see the title as obligatory, there is going to be an awful lot of manager churn in the next few years seeing as only one can win it each season.

[Ved Sen]

It's the 12th of Jan and this blog is infinitely funnier now than the press conference could ever have been. I hope you've had time to put your hat back on, Mr. Jones.

Step back and look at the reactions. I think you might find that the subtle put downs, the getting under the skin and the gentle admonitions are still being provided by Fergie while Benitez has today attacked David Gill. No he's not a Keegan, more like a Kevin Pieterson. Lets hope Benitez hangs around for a few more years.

You said: "It does hurt and scare them down the east lancs that we sit top of the table, and could be 10 points clear of them by Saturday night. It scares them to see a Liverpool side that sit clear at the top and can only become stronger with the return of Fernando Torres. It scares them that come May we could be sat back on the perch Ferguson always wanted to knock us off. They're scared, make no mistake about it...We've just got to go out an beat Stoke now to see whether today's press conference has any affect on the Sunday."

Then again, maybe not. :-)

[Oli]

Paul F, You are right that it took Fergie just as long, and admittedly we didn't even win a European Cup in those 5 years as Rafa did. However, and there is a reflection on how fickle the game is rather than a comment on Benitez, managers are rarely given as long now. Liverpool fans (not all, but lots) before this season repeatedly called for him to go, the new owners nearly got rid of him, and there is only so long he can hang on if the title does not come this year (or next probably). Us United fans are all hoping he stays though.

[Paul F]

Kieran - Ferguson won no titles in his first five years. What's your point?

[Oli]

Barrie Collins, you say Mourinho agrees with Benitez and complained about Ferguson? That's strange, Mourinho came out in support of Ferguson yesterday in the director's box and said he doesn't think there is a United referee bias. He then s aid publicly after the game, "I played at Old Trafford many times, including a few wins, and never saw anything strange". Maybe find someone else to back up your views?

[kieran]

The results of the games against Stoke and Chelsea speak for themselves.Rafa is in his 5th season in charge and must win the title to keep his job.Arsene Wenger won 2 titles in the same time period!.

[Paul F]

Or, Benfica1968, you could read the Guardian take which although agreeing he shouldn't have said it, concluded everything he said was true: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/jan/11/liverpool-rafa-benitez

[Paul F]

I did like what Rafa had to say (and also picked up on the "Mr" Ferguson bit!) and he's absolutely right. However it was always going to be built up by the press as another example of Ferguson winning his mind games, especially if the results went United's way this weekend. For that reason I'd have preferred Rafa to just say "We know now we are serious contenders as Ferguson is running us down". As it is I don't think it's done us any favours.

[Paul Jones]

Feel silly this morning? Not at all.

One weekend does not a season make. A few of you United fans would do well to think back to last weekend when your game against Stoke was a carbon copy of the game on Saturday, until Stoke were reduced to ten men and you scored a late winner. Gerrard hit the bar and the post in the last few minutes. That was the difference between our results there - sometimes things drop for you, sometimes they don't.

Have you also forgot that we beat Chelsea away from home as well? Comparing the contrasting results from this weekend alone means nothing.

We are still 5 points in front of you, and you've still got to win those games in hand.

And you've still got to play us at Old Trafford.

Let's see where we all are in May.

[john drenman]

Ferguson is a man of basic intelligence: not very well educated and with a grasp on his own personal politics that baffle his 'fellow' socialists - accepting a knighthood and cosying up to anybody who has a couple of quid more than he ain't the actions of a thinking socialist.In fact the man is a complete buffoon. Only a toadying press corp keep him believing in his intellectual capabilities. Mind games! If Ferguson had anything that passed for a 'mind' it is well shot by now. Rafael Benitez has lit the fuse and in the next few weeks, possibly days, you will see the Govan gawp explode. A working class zero if ever one strode the Earth.

Keep it boiling, Rafa.