Rafa - Sorry seems to be the hardest word!

[The Nomad]

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has apologised to the club's supporters for their woeful recent run of form.

The Reds were dumped out of the FA Cup at home to Reading on Wednesday, are already out of the Champions League and lie only seventh in the Premier League.

Benitez, reading from a sheet of paper, said: "We are not playing well and everyone here feels sorry for our fans.

"But things can change in football and we have confidence that we can improve, starting with Stoke on Saturday."

It is just over a year since Benitez's infamous outburst against Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, when Liverpool were top of the Premier League.

If I am worried about my position or the future of the club at this moment I will lose my focus

Rafael Benitez
In January 2009, the Spaniard started a news conference by pulling a sheet of paper out of his pocket and reading out a list of accusations about Ferguson's conduct regarding referees, the FA's Respect campaign and fixture lists.

They went on to finish second behind United and have endured a torrid season this time around, with many fans and Reds legends suggesting Benitez should have been sacked after defeat to Reading.

But Benitez, seemingly parodying his performance from last year, again pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket during Friday's news conference ahead of the Stoke game on Saturday and admitted it is a difficult time for the club.

"This is a bad moment, we are not doing well during the season and we know have to improve and we have the belief we can do it," added Benitez.

"How can we improve? Winning on the pitch. How can we be sure we win on the pitch? By training well.

"If I am worried about my position or the future of the club at this moment I will lose my focus.

"Stoke is the most important game now and we have to prepare properly. I cannot be worried about the other things. My future is Stoke now."

Benitez signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool last season and some newspapers have reported it could cost the club nearly £20m if they sack him.

606: DEBATE
Can you accept Rafa's apology? And does he now have your full support for being such a gentleman?

NadalRonaldoWoods
The former Valencia boss, who joined the Anfield club in the summer of 2004, says he will not quit the club.

"It is true I like to do my best every time. If I decided to stay here and signed a five-year contract it is because I wanted to fight," said Benitez.

"Things are not going well, we know, but if I waste my time talking about all these things all the time I will lose my focus and it will be worse and worse.

"I don't need any assurances of anything. I promise you I am preparing for the next game and, in football, things can change the next week."

Liverpool are desperate for a win at Stoke in the 1245 GMT kick-off on Saturday to boost their hopes of finishing in the top four and reaching next season's Champions League.

Potters boss Tony Pulis says he is prepared for a Liverpool backlash after the storm of criticism that hit Benitez and his players following Wednesday's Cup loss.

"I think Rafa's been a bit unlucky this season with injuries and loss of form of key players," said Pulis. "They will have been stung by the criticism and a backlash is what I'm sure Rafa will be hoping for.

"Their players will be fired up, which will make it a more competitive and difficult game for us, and we have to be ready for that."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said he had no doubt Benitez was the best man for the Anfield job.

"I consider Rafa Benitez to be one of the best coaches in the world," said the Italian. "He has done a fantastic job and he has the quality to continue to do that job."

Haven't seen this posted anywhere, delete if I missed it.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Rafa's cracking up?

 

[mark1975]

At least he's being honest. He can't really say much else, he embarrassed himself, avoiding every question, and was clearly uncomfortable in the post match interview on Wednesday.

 

[Atlas]

Dead man talking

 

[gkmacca]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38467.msg1034874#msg1034874 date=1263568751]
Rafa's cracking up?
[/quote]

He looked pretty relaxed, said more or less the right thing and that was that.

 

[doctor_mac]

Does this scupper the Rafa's quitting rumour?

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=38467.msg1034880#msg1034880 date=1263569132]
Does this scupper the Rafa's quitting rumour?
[/quote]

Maybe, but it gives a bit more substance to the Rafa's getting sacked rumour.

 

[gkmacca]

Maybe the owners aren't motivating him enough.

 

[franklyfrank]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=38467.msg1034883#msg1034883 date=1263569335]
Maybe the owners aren't motivating him enough.
[/quote]

Rafa's blaming the owners, the owner's are blaming him and the players are blaming both.

 

[gkmacca]

And idiots are still spending money on shirts with these cretins' names on the backs. Give the money to Haiti instead.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=38467.msg1034876#msg1034876 date=1263568891]
At least he's being honest. He can't really say much else, he embarrassed himself, avoiding every question, and was clearly uncomfortable in the post match interview on Wednesday.
[/quote]

That cnut Gabriel Clarke equally clearly set out to do an aggressive interview. I'd be more impressed if he tried it on Ginsoak.

 

[Red Mullet]

[quote author=franklyfrank link=topic=38467.msg1034887#msg1034887 date=1263570413]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=38467.msg1034883#msg1034883 date=1263569335]
Maybe the owners aren't motivating him enough.
[/quote]

Rafa's blaming the owners, the owner's are blaming him and the players are blaming both.
[/quote]

I blame all three groups for my unhappiness >🙁

 

[Farkmaster]

I feel quite sad for him, even though much of the mess he's in is his own doing.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Rage had some pearls of wisdom on TLW Fark, something about not wanting Rafa to quit, but to be sacked so he feels shame etc.

 

[Farkmaster]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38467.msg1035010#msg1035010 date=1263582712]
Rage had some pearls of wisdom on TLW Fark, something about not wanting Rafa to quit, but to be sacked so he feels shame etc.
[/quote]

Yea, he's loathesome.

Rafa is destroyed over this, and anyone with half a heart can see it.

 

[Red Mullet]

Are we allowed to abuse banned posters ?

 

[Halmeister]

I've just seen bits of that press conference. I feel so sad for the fella. I genuinely do. I want him gone, and have done for weeks, but not because I dislike him. I so want him to turn it around and help us lift number 19. I've just lost all faith that he can do it.

 

[albeyred]

a fuck number 19 mate he is goin to win the europa league first he needs that on his cv

 

[Avmenon]

[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=38467.msg1035006#msg1035006 date=1263582441]
I feel quite sad for him, even though much of the mess he's in is his own doing.
[/quote]

Thats exactly what I feel too.

I also want him gone; but I'll take no joy from it.

He loves this place.

 

[Halmeister]

[quote author=albeyred link=topic=38467.msg1035035#msg1035035 date=1263584325]
a fuck number 19 mate he is goin to win the europa league first he needs that on his cv

[/quote]

He's already won the UEFA Cup like.

I know you were being sarcastic and that, but I'm a pedantic twat.

 

[albeyred]

avmenon so did souness , houlier , evans , tomo so whats the diffrence with rafa and them !

 

[albeyred]

halmiester thats your progative to be like that and yes i was takin the piss mate i no he won the uefa cup the champions league the spanish league the fa cup and the super cup but what aint he won he aint won the premier league

 

[Halmeister]

[quote author=albeyred link=topic=38467.msg1035049#msg1035049 date=1263585269]
halmiester thats your progative to be like that and yes i was takin the piss mate i no he won the uefa cup the champions league the spanish league the fa cup and the super cup but what aint he won he aint won the premier league
[/quote]

Haha yeah, too true.

I really like the fella, though. I'm torn on the issue. I want him gone and have done for a while this season. But it would upset me no end to see him walk away a failure.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=albeyred link=topic=38467.msg1035044#msg1035044 date=1263584961]
avmenon so did souness , houlier , evans , tomo so whats the diffrence with rafa and them !
[/quote]

Two Champions League Final appearances, one of them the Istanbul miracle. For all their love of the club, the others wouldn't have got us within dreaming distance. That's got to count for something.

 

[albeyred]

my friend how can he be a failure with twenty million pound in the bank mate the failure is the stupid person from lfc that gave him a contract that large he may be nice but he also very rich to all from lfc supose every little helps a !

 

[Halmeister]

[quote author=albeyred link=topic=38467.msg1035057#msg1035057 date=1263585638]
my friend how can he be a failure with twenty million pound in the bank mate the failure is the stupid person from lfc that gave him a contract that large he may be nice but he also very rich to all from lfc supose every little helps a !

[/quote]

I don't think he cares just about the money. He loves this club. And failing here dents his reputation a bit for a new job somewhere else. He won't want that.

 

[albeyred]

erm what about the G.H uefa cup final , fa cup final , league cup final o and all in the same season to !

 

[albeyred]

so why dosent he give the contract back to lfc to rip up and help our debt that he helped accumilate with his shit buys and loss when selling them on now that love of a club for you mate!

 

[keniget]

Maybe he still believes he can turn things around and that he's the right man for the job. I don't think you get to where he is in life without unwavering self-belief.

Either way, I wouldn't expect him to walk away from the contract that was given to him and I don't think it reflects on him poorly as a person as some seem to. If he'd have turned down the offer and fucked off last season, most would think he'd betrayed us, so after signing a contract to sign on, there is nothing wrong with expecting that to be honoured. Just as we would if things were different.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=albeyred link=topic=38467.msg1035062#msg1035062 date=1263585855]
erm what about the G.H uefa cup final , fa cup final , league cup final o and all in the same season to !

[/quote]

I remember it well, mate, but they weren't Bigears. For my money GH defo did more good than harm in his time here, but we never got anywhere in the CL under him.