FA Cup 5th Round *Spoilers*
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I don't have a problem with Benitez, he's always had very tough opposition for the league title in the guise of Chelsea, MU and Arsenal. Expecting him to win the league is unrealistic, a team like Liverpool should be finishing in the top4 with occasional cup success, which bar a few hiccups is what he has delivered.
Liverpool fans were spoiled under Paisley and, to some extent Dalglish, but times and moved on. They are not suddenly going to become a major force overnight no matter who the manager is. If they want to get back to winning ways then the only way I can see this happening is with a long term plan both on and off the pitch. Whether Rafa is the man to spearhead this dream is of course open to debate, but I think a knee-jerk sacking would be unwise. If the decision is taken to get rid of him, then lineup the perfect replacement (Mourinho) and pull the trigger in June.
Liverpool fans were spoiled under Paisley and, to some extent Dalglish, but times and moved on. They are not suddenly going to become a major force overnight no matter who the manager is. If they want to get back to winning ways then the only way I can see this happening is with a long term plan both on and off the pitch. Whether Rafa is the man to spearhead this dream is of course open to debate, but I think a knee-jerk sacking would be unwise. If the decision is taken to get rid of him, then lineup the perfect replacement (Mourinho) and pull the trigger in June.
You were comparing us now to when he arrived. He took a squad that was barely capable of qualifying for the CL to actually winning it. We reached the final last year too so it was hardly a fluke either and since he's arrived we've proven to be a serious force in Europe. We've not progressed as much as we would have liked to but we have progressed; as i said we have qualified every year for the CL which we didn't do previously.
Soldato
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If what you are saying is right HangTime then surely he shouldnt be resting players in the FA Cup then?
Soldato
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As a Man Utd fan i dont know why i'm campaigning for his sacking against a Liverpool fan who wants to keep him!!!! I'm very happy with the status quo! You must admit there has rarely been a manager that causes such oppostite views though, it makes for interesting debate.
You don't think the league is a priority when they're only just clinging on to 4th place?
It depends on priorities for this season. The CL and making sure we qualify for the CL is far more important than the FA Cup these days. Arsenal and Utd also rested players with the CL in mind.
Resting Gerrard, Mascherano and Reina (Torres isn't 100% recovered) for a home tie vs Barnsley shouldn't be an excuse for losing. Whatever side we put out should have won easily and on another day they would have. Kuyt and especially Crouch could/should have scored plenty yesterday but it was one of those days where their keeper has a blinder and was just not meant to be.
Soldato
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I dont think you can afford to be so dismissive of a major cup competition when you are only just clinging on to 4th place
It was no different with Houllier. Man Utd fans are the first to jump on the backs of other managers for not producing instant results, which is funny when their managerial situation is the perfect advert for giving managers time.
Its not Liverpool specific. Even mid-sized EPL sides rest players for the FA cup now, it no longer carries the same importance. The CL is far more important as is making sure we qualify next season.
And like i said we should have won regardless of the side we put out.
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Depends on the situation.
At Anfield against lower league opposition, with a huge CL tie in midweek, I think he made the right decision. A weakened Liverpool team should have enough to avoid defeat at home to Barnsley.
Liverpool: Itandje, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Lucas (Gerrard 75), Alonso, Babel (Kewell 69), Kuyt, Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Martin, Pennant, Arbeloa.
IMO that's a capable team and if those players can't deliver the goods then surely questions should be asked of the individuals as well as the manager. OK so personally I don't believe in resting goalkeepers but aside from that I would be happy sending out that side against Barnsley.
Soldato
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The fact that you have to rest players because you are struggling for champions league qualification is an illustration of Rafa failings. The fact that the players he has brought into the squad as squad players cannot beat barnsley further backs this up. The fact that Rafa's resting of players can be justified by saying that Arsenal and Man Utd did it as well makes no sense either. They did it cos they can afford to. Liverpool cannot it would appear.
The players were rested for the CL tie vs Inter not our league performances (though the league is more important).
The Barnsley result is a one off, who was it that knocked Utd out of the league cup? These things happen every now and then.
Its not justified because others have done it, thats just the way it is these days. Also evidently Arsenal can't afford to rest players either because they got knocked out?
A replay to Luton, losing the lead twice at Havant and Waterlooville and then losing to Barnsley. I think it was coming.
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fergie has spent aa lot of cash but has bought gems like Anderson, Vidic, Ronaldo etc fir the kind of money tht benitez has spent.
the best liverpool signing of late has to be el nino but apart from that there have been some ropey additions.
the best liverpool signing of late has to be el nino but apart from that there have been some ropey additions.
To be fair though, 9/10 Liverpool would have thrashed us.
The amount of saves and goal line blocks was just unreal, I knew it was going to be our day when Howard and Leon messed up on a short corner and Benayoun had his near post shot saved by Steele.
Liverpool just didn't take their chances or capitalize on our mistakes.
I agree with where you're coming from though, they made a fair few slip ups in previous rounds and didn't get punished so to speak.
I wouldn't say it was on the cards as such but we certainly made a meal out of the first 2 ties. Yesterday was different though, we battered them and a mixture of inspired keeping and poor finishing cost us.
I certainly was more than confident that the side put out would win and im sure everybody else was too.