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Benitez: Players ready to fight

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DHSC

DHSC

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Rafael Benitez believes his players are angry at the way Liverpool's season has gone, and want to put things right.

Liverpool are desperately searching for a win to re-ignite their season after a spell of just one victory in eight matches in all competitions and will get a chance when they face Birmingham at Anfield in Monday's crucial Premier League encounter.

And Benitez revealed he fully understands the frustrations expressed by Jose Reina after last week's 1-1 draw in Lyon, when the Spanish shot-stopper said it was a disgrace the club were struggling to qualify for the Champions League last 16.

"Everyone here, every fan, every player, wants to see the team doing better," Benitez said. "I have confidence we will improve. Winning a couple of games in a row will boost everyone's confidence.

"Pepe Reina has been very disappointed with what has happened in the Champions League, and said so. But he has a very positive mentality, we both agree.

Benitez admitted a series of injury problems have meant his side have struggled to get out of their current rut but believes a return to fitness for some players has lifted the squad.

"We are not stupid, we know we can improve," Benitez said. "But we have trained well since we returned from Lyon with Fabio Aurelio, Glen Johnson and Albert Riera all back and working. I could see the difference in the mood of the squad.''

"They want to play, to be ready and to help in the situation we are in. People have been angry, and they want to change our position. It is all about getting a good win. And when your backs are against the wall, you play better and fight better.

"We now must show confidence in our team, our staff, and work harder. The finances are being questioned. But I am assured that we did not budget for a last 16 place this season, only to reach the group stages.

"The problem will come next season if we cannot arrest this situation. But the commercial department is earning us more money and the position of the club is very healthy.

"But if we do get into the top four it will be easier. But we are not desperate, I can guarantee we are in a good position and will be in a better position.''
Click to expand...

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's smash those Brummies tonight!!!!

*war cry*
 
I look forward to seing Riera. He's not fantastic but he's completely underrated by many on this site. We've nothing down the left without him.
 
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983575#msg983575 date=1257761620]
I look forward to seing Riera. He's not fantastic but he's completely underrated by many on this site. We've nothing down the left without him.
[/quote]

1. He provides cover for Insua when attack turns to defense
2. He has the odd shot, some of which are pretty good.
3. He provides a reliable outlet on the left

Other than that ....
 
[quote author=Dee link=topic=37044.msg983607#msg983607 date=1257762371]
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983575#msg983575 date=1257761620]
I look forward to seing Riera. He's not fantastic but he's completely underrated by many on this site. We've nothing down the left without him.
[/quote]

1. He provides cover for Insua when attack turns to defense
2. He has the odd shot, some of which are pretty good.
3. He provides a reliable outlet on the left

Other than that ....

[/quote]

He's a left winger. I think he's good, but even if he was mediocre, he'd still be a mediocre left winger, and not a shitty not-left-winger, like every one else who gets stuck there.
 
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983625#msg983625 date=1257762914]

.... but even if he was mediocre, he'd still be a mediocre left winger, and not a shitty not-left-winger, like every one else who gets stuck there.
[/quote]

Agreed
 
Not sure whether anyone's put this up yet, but it put me in a pretty humoured mood after.

http://blogs.soccernet.com/thissportinglife/archives/2009/11/fight_the_good_fight_with_all.php

The lads came into training on Thursday in stitches after watching Liverpool make another massive balls-up on the TV the night before. Rafa Benitez's side are fast becoming the joke of the season - and frankly, I'm loving it.

As a Premier League footballer, I am continually hearing that I am supposed to have respect and compassion for my fellow professionals.

Apparently, I am supposed to be sympathetic when a rival club struggles pathetically for form; console an opposition player after he has had a shocker; feel bad for managers when they get the boot.

Well, to be honest, I don't. I love it. I love watching fellow pros struggle. If I'm being honest, I don't even feel bad for them when they get injured. I know I'm supposed to feel sorry for them - but I don't.

So watching Liverpool struggle has been a massive joy to me. At the moment, their lads look to be sticking together; they look to have been getting their heads down and keeping out of the newspapers.

But I can guarantee that sooner or later, the cracks are going to begin to show and that's when it starts to get really interesting. You've got to understand that us top Premier League stars are under enormous pressure - when results don't go our way, that pressure only builds and builds and builds.

It's like a timebomb waiting to go off. I give it one more bad result, and there is going to be a bust-up at Anfield of Biblical proportions.

The most likely place is the training ground. The frustration will get too much for one poor lad and he'll go in hard through the back of someone he doesn't think has been pulling his weight (most likely one of the foreign boys) - and it will spark a right brawl.

Players rolling on the floor; lads sprinting 50 yards to join in; expletives and obscenities echoing off the trees in the frosty morning air; boots and fists and knees and elbows flying around in one big ball of furious frustration.

And Rafa Benitez will be stood on the sideline, watching it all unfold, clipboard in one hand, the other gently stroking his beard. His face will look like thunder, but he'll be grinning manically it on the inside - because nothing clears the air like a good, old fashioned brawl.

Believe me, you wouldn't believe some of the brawls I have witnessed behind closed doors at Premier League training grounds. Fights that would make the UFC look like a Girl Guides convention.

And they have always worked wonders for squad morale. It's amazing. One minute the entire squad are going at it like an old-school WWF Royal Rumble, the next they are hugging each other in the showers as they wash the blood out from under their fingernails.

Let me tell you, this is coming at Liverpool. And you'll know exactly when it has happened, because Rafa Benitez will stand in front of the television cameras a couple of days later and declare that although a couple of players have "picked up minor injuries in training, the squad have had a meeting to clear the air and are feeling confident again".

Next game, they will go out and stuff someone 4-0 and everything will be back on track. You just wait.
Click to expand...
 
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=37044.msg983901#msg983901 date=1257778610]
I don't get it. Who is that twat? Is it a joke?
[/quote]

I believe its a make believe Premier League player called Pharrell Bell or something who blogs about being a Premier Leage footballer on Soccernet.
 
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37044.msg983903#msg983903 date=1257778696]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=37044.msg983901#msg983901 date=1257778610]
I don't get it. Who is that twat? Is it a joke?
[/quote]

I believe its a make believe Premier League player called Pharrell Bell or something who blogs about being a Premier League footballer on Soccernet.
[/quote]
Yup that's right. It's just mostly nonsense talk, occasionally a chuckle here and there. He blogs from "the perspective of a professional footballer" on recent topics and whatnot.
 
Yup that's right. It's just mostly nonsense talk, occasionally a chuckle here and there. He blogs from "the perspective of a professional footballer" on recent topics and whatnot.
Click to expand...

So it's a blog written by someone pretending to be a professional footballer.

What a fucking waste of time
 
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=37044.msg983910#msg983910 date=1257778974]
Yup that's right. It's just mostly nonsense talk, occasionally a chuckle here and there. He blogs from "the perspective of a professional footballer" on recent topics and whatnot.
Click to expand...

So it's a blog written by someone pretending to be a professional footballer.

What a fucking waste of time
[/quote]
A waste of his time, and their money. I'm not complaining 🙂
 
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=37044.msg983910#msg983910 date=1257778974]
Yup that's right. It's just mostly nonsense talk, occasionally a chuckle here and there. He blogs from "the perspective of a professional footballer" on recent topics and whatnot.
Click to expand...

So it's a blog written by someone pretending to be a professional footballer.

What a fucking waste of time
[/quote]

Bit like Jamo used to do on Koptalk. Maybe its him.
 
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983625#msg983625 date=1257762914]
[quote author=Dee link=topic=37044.msg983607#msg983607 date=1257762371]
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983575#msg983575 date=1257761620]
I look forward to seing Riera. He's not fantastic but he's completely underrated by many on this site. We've nothing down the left without him.
[/quote]

1. He provides cover for Insua when attack turns to defense
2. He has the odd shot, some of which are pretty good.
3. He provides a reliable outlet on the left

Other than that ....

[/quote]

He's a left winger. I think he's good, but even if he was mediocre, he'd still be a mediocre left winger, and not a shitty not-left-winger, like every one else who gets stuck there.
[/quote]

Yeah. I don't particularly rate Riera - he's had a few good games for us, and a lot of mediocre ones. But if the choice is between him, Babel and Aurelio, then it is indeed a great pleasure to welcome him back.
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=37044.msg983927#msg983927 date=1257779493]
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983625#msg983625 date=1257762914]
[quote author=Dee link=topic=37044.msg983607#msg983607 date=1257762371]
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37044.msg983575#msg983575 date=1257761620]
I look forward to seing Riera. He's not fantastic but he's completely underrated by many on this site. We've nothing down the left without him.
[/quote]

1. He provides cover for Insua when attack turns to defense
2. He has the odd shot, some of which are pretty good.
3. He provides a reliable outlet on the left

Other than that ....

[/quote]

He's a left winger. I think he's good, but even if he was mediocre, he'd still be a mediocre left winger, and not a shitty not-left-winger, like every one else who gets stuck there.
[/quote]

Yeah. I don't particularly rate Riera - he's had a few good games for us, and a lot of mediocre ones. But if the choice is between him, Babel and Aurelio, then it is indeed a great pleasure to welcome him back.

[/quote]
Well put.
 
Yeah. I don't particularly rate Riera - he's had a few good games for us, and a lot of mediocre ones. But if the choice is between him, Babel and Aurelio, then it is indeed a great pleasure to welcome him back.
Click to expand...

"Hello? Yes, Hi it's Mr Bunnyman here, I was wondering if my order had arrived? Yes, that's right. The world's smallest flag"
 
Riera's not going to be match fit either but he is better than what we've had out there of late.
 
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