Is this the worst Liverpool squad

[1960]

A top letter i read on the Gurdian's Fiver:

If Liverpool manage to win the Euro Vase and get fourth place in the Premier League then I assume they will - as a point of principle - insist on defending their trophy next season and pass up a Big Cup place? I mean, it is a principle isn't it?

Puts the whining scousers into a bit of perspective.

[readingbedding]

Here is a giant of English football, the proud winner of 18 league championships, seven FA Cups and five European Cups, flashing its knickers by the kerbside in the hope of persuading someone to meet the imminent repayments on an injudiciously incurred £270m debt.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog ... ier-league

[Messiah]

Who has signed some of the most talented young footballers in Europe only to release them later without a single first team appearance...Benitez

Just out of interest, who?

[Dirk Gently]

Rooney had a little dig on Sunday - saying that Man Utd hoped that Liverpool would do them a favour against Chelsea as they're "fighting hard for a Europa League place"

[chilipepper91]

Well, the big signing of Jonjo Shelvey should get the spirits going at Anfield again.

[readingbedding]

Still believe this.

Right all along, like many others, unlike some.

[Hoop Blah]

I heard on the radio this morning that Rafa has said he probably needs 5 players to challenge for trophies next season.

Basically he's taken a Champions League winning squad and transformed it into one that could struggle to qualify for Europe at all if they're not careful.

[SpaceCruiser]

I heard on the radio this morning that Rafa has said he probably needs 5 players to challenge for trophies next season.

Basically he's taken a Champions League winning squad and transformed it into one that could struggle to qualify for Europe at all if they're not careful.

Hmmmm, remind me, didn't they finish 2nd last season, with only a few points behind Manure?

Their fault for selling Alonso and relying too much on Gerrard and Torres.

[cmonurz]

I heard on the radio this morning that Rafa has said he probably needs 5 players to challenge for trophies next season.

Basically he's taken a Champions League winning squad and transformed it into one that could struggle to qualify for Europe at all if they're not careful.

And yet essentially it's the same team that came 2nd last year and only lost 2 league games, with the absence of Xabi Alonso and addition of Glen Johnson. Aquilani was supposed to replace Alonso, but was a) injured and then b) out of form - but basically Liverpool just haven't played as well this season.

[Sun Tzu]

I heard on the radio this morning that Rafa has said he probably needs 5 players to challenge for trophies next season.
l.

That gives the game away.

He's giving up on the proper trophies and entering a team in the Liverpool and District 5 a side league.

Only way he'll get silverware....

[Hoop Blah]

I heard on the radio this morning that Rafa has said he probably needs 5 players to challenge for trophies next season.

Basically he's taken a Champions League winning squad and transformed it into one that could struggle to qualify for Europe at all if they're not careful.

And yet essentially it's the same team that came 2nd last year and only lost 2 league games, with the absence of Xabi Alonso and addition of Glen Johnson. Aquilani was supposed to replace Alonso, but was a) injured and then b) out of form - but basically Liverpool just haven't played as well this season.

Or perhaps they just peaked or over acheived last season. It was the closest they've come by a long way since Rafa took over and I just don't think he can argue that he hasn't had time or resources to improve the squad he took over.

He took over a side that finished 4th and 15 points behind Utd. Since then they've gone

5th 58pts, -19 against Utd
3rd 82, -1
3rd 68, -21
4th 76, -11
2nd 86, -4

This season they'll finish outside the top 4 and miles behind the poorest Utd side for god knows how many years. He closed the gap a little, but they've never been consistently showing enough improvement.

If it wasn't for the mess the club is in behind the scenes I think he'd have been facing a lot more criticism.

[Rex]

LOL at the supporters wanting to lose tomorrow so they practically hand the title to Chelsea.

[cmonurz]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 113271.ece

Times reports that Benitez is expected to make an emotional exit from Anfield after the game tomorrow. Whatever his failings, the supporters have taken him to their hearts, but the board believe he is 'playing games' over the link to Juventus.

Times says Benitez will be owed £16m if his five-year contract is terminated after just a year, and that it must be paid in days.

[AthleticoSpizz]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article7113271.ece

Times reports that Benitez is expected to make an emotional exit from Anfield after the game tomorrow. Whatever his failings, the supporters have taken him to their hearts, but the board believe he is 'playing games' over the link to Juventus.

Times says Benitez will be owed £16m if his five-year contract is terminated after just a year, and that it must be paid in days.

owed £16m


and we (little ol' Reading) played a part in this 16m downfall


the more I see figures like this....the more that I despise the Prem and the arse lickers in the Fa (that sell the rest of their brood down the river)

[daswonder]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article7113271.ece

Times reports that Benitez is expected to make an emotional exit from Anfield after the game tomorrow. Whatever his failings, the supporters have taken him to their hearts, but the board believe he is 'playing games' over the link to Juventus.

Times says Benitez will be owed £16m if his five-year contract is terminated after just a year, and that it must be paid in days.

There's no games with Juve, they do really want him but it would be a massive mistake for him to go there as Juve are a mess and it'll just get worse with him at the helm.

Benitez's managerial career has been one of inherit n improve the current players at the club at the time, happened at Tenerife and Valencia but the moment he gets money he is horrible in the transfer market.

You can bring up examples of Reina, Alonso and Torres but they were already big game players before Rafa inherited them.

[Rex]

I think that during his tenure so far he's invested in something like 100 players.

[1960]

I've got a sneaky feeling Liverpool may do it against Chelsea today. Not that I want that, as I can't abide the idea that Fergie will win the league yet again, but Liverpool have been written off, with some pundits saying that they will be demoralised after Atletico. I think the opposite - I think they will play their socks off to try to prove they are still a force. I could be totally wrong though.

As far as top four goes it's almost over for Liverpool. If either Citeh or Spurs win on Wednesday it's over and if they draw Spurs need ony a point at Burnley. Of course it will be all over for Liverpool if they fail to win today.

[Royal Rother]

I think they will play their socks off to try to prove they are still a force. I could be totally wrong though.

I think you're wrong. I think in their minds they are already on their millionaire-style holidays and won't be anywhere close to matching the mental toughness of Chelsea this afternoon.

Benitez hasn't got a clue, must have completely lost the dressing room by now (surely) and the decent players there will be hoping against hope this is the last time they ever play for the slimy Spanish twat.

[PlasticRoyale]

I think they will play their socks off to try to prove they are still a force. .

I think you're wrong. I think in their minds they are already on their millionaire-style holidays

LOL....

[PlasticRoyale]

Stevie G if he meant to give that goal away then fair enough otherwise LOL...