Walrus

Stop it

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 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 perfect. 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 and 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 anway. 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

f***ing hell GWistooshort, you can't just post the same news articles every day and expect no-one to notice.

That's a joke, right?

I've been to see the Reds 6 times, two of those at Anfield and only once have had to resort to using touts for the tickets (0-0 Barca away in the CL). If you want the tickets badly enough, you'll find a way. Although, it's obviously a bit different when you talk about the really big games.

Yes. Best regards, Edwin van der Sar

Apparently van der Sar took a picture of him just before they left as well:

Car crash stuff

Hello God

gluesticks?

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RAFA ON GERRARD Journalist: First of all, how are things with Steven Gerrard following the events that took place a few days ago? Everything is normal. He has been training and receiving the support of everyone. He is focused on football. Journalist: Is there a concern that it may have some affect on him during the time he has to wait before his court appearance ? I don't think so. I think that he wants to play football and concentrate on his game. He will be thinking about whether he can score goals and play well to help the team progress in the competition. He will play today and that shows we have confidence that he is ready. Journalist: He's facing the sort test of character you don't really expect to face as a footballer, isn't he? We know most of the case and the details but we will support him because we know it is something that can happen to footballers now because they are very famous. Journalist: Is it harder for him to get it off his mind? If we want to help him, the best thing is to train normally, organise things in the same way and give him the chance to play football. He will have this opportunity today and maybe scoring goals and playing well for the fans will help him. Journalist: Have you decided to play him against Preston to get his first game since the incident out of the way? No, I will use him because I want to win and he is playing well. He is scoring goals and if we use the right players we can progress in what is an important competition for us. Interesting comments from Rafa there.

http://www.weeruska.com/page.php

Gerrard receives Dalglish backing Steven Gerrard Gerrard has been key to Liverpool's success this season Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish believes captain Steven Gerrard will cope with the scrutiny he will be under following his arrest after an alleged brawl. Gerrard, 28, was arrested with five other men near the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of Monday. "Liverpool will support him and the Liverpool fans will support him tremendously well," said Dalglish, who both played for and managed the club. "He's a really strong character and I'm sure it won't affect his performance." Gerrard's visit to the bar on Sunday followed Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle at St James' Park, a game in which the England international scored twice, as the Reds moved three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League. "At the end of the day, he will wish, like everybody else, it had never happened, but it has happened. He'll deal with it superbly well and he'll get fantastic support from everyone round about him," added Dalglish. The Liverpool great was speaking after the club issued a statement supporting Gerrard, who has scored 14 goals this season. "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time," said the statement. A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after the alleged incident. The Football Association said it would not be making any comment on the Gerrard case other than to stress that his position with England was not under question. It added that players would continue to be considered for England while police investigations were on-going, with their situation looked at on a case-by-case basis were they to be convicted of a serious criminal offence. Gerrard is due to appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on 23 January. He has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country four times. He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Gerrard receives Dalglish backing Steven Gerrard Gerrard has been key to Liverpool's success this season Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish believes captain Steven Gerrard will cope with the scrutiny he will be under following his arrest after an alleged brawl. Gerrard, 28, was arrested with five other men near the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of Monday. "Liverpool will support him and the Liverpool fans will support him tremendously well," said Dalglish, who both played for and managed the club. "He's a really strong character and I'm sure it won't affect his performance." Gerrard's visit to the bar on Sunday followed Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle at St James' Park, a game in which the England international scored twice, as the Reds moved three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League. "At the end of the day, he will wish, like everybody else, it had never happened, but it has happened. He'll deal with it superbly well and he'll get fantastic support from everyone round about him," added Dalglish. The Liverpool great was speaking after the club issued a statement supporting Gerrard, who has scored 14 goals this season. "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time," said the statement. A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after the alleged incident. The Football Association said it would not be making any comment on the Gerrard case other than to stress that his position with England was not under question. It added that players would continue to be considered for England while police investigations were on-going, with their situation looked at on a case-by-case basis were they to be convicted of a serious criminal offence. Gerrard is due to appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on 23 January. He has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country four times. He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Daily Mail Football star Steven Gerrard cleared to play for England despite facing five years in jail over DJ assault charge By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 6:23 PM on 30th December 2008 Despite facing serious charges carrying up to five years behind bars, Steven Gerrard was reassured today that he can carry on playing for club and country. Both Liverpool and England publicly backed the Premiership footballer hours after he was formally accused of assault and affray following a nightclub brawl . His club offered him 'all the support he needs' while the Football Association stressed that any question about his future international career was 'not even an issue for discussion'. The FA said if a player is convicted of a serious offence then 'it would be looked at - but on a case by case basis.' Steven Gerrard Steven Gerrard arrives at his Merseyside home this evening. He can carry on playing for Liverpool and England after being charged with assault and affray The attitude of football's governing body is in marked contrast to its handling of the Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer case in 2000 - when both players were charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray following an attack on an Asian student. The FA decided neither men, then playing for Leeds in the Premier League, would be available for selection for England pending their court case and both were left out of the squad for Euro 2000. * Gerrard and the brawl: A squeaky clean family with friends in low places * Footballer arrested over Christmas crash which killed father-of-five was 'changing songs on iPod' while driving on M1 The 28-year-old Liverpool captain was arrested along with five other men near the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of Monday. Two other men have also been charged today after the altercation. The venue's DJ, 34-year-old Marcus McGee, required hospital treatment after suffering facial injuries. Steven Gerrard Gerrard pictured in the bar before the brawl which led to his arrest Today a spokesman for Liverpool told the local paper: 'Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs.' Gerrard, 28, was released from Southport police station early this morning. He was at the restaurant and bar - which turns into a nightclub - with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 destruction of Newcastle United. In a statement, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: 'Merseyside Police has charged Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29. 'The three men will be appearing at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23.' The spokesman said Gerrard and the two other men had been bailed and three other men, aged 18, 31 and 33, who were arrested in connection with the incident were bailed pending further inquiries. After the game on Sunday Gerrard, who scored twice, hailed his table-topping side as the best he has played in. But several hours later he was apparently caught up in a brawl inside the Lounge Inn in Bold Street. Police were called and arrested six men on suspicion of assault in nearby Lord Street. The town centre business remained shut yesterday but evidence of a fight inside could be seen through the windows. Enlarge Steven Gerrard Gerrard posed for this picture with a Liverpool fan at the Lounge Inn earlier in the evening Earlier in the night, the 28-year-old father of two looked happy and relaxed as he posed for photographs with fans. Yet soon afterwards he was in a cell accused of taking part in a violent assault. Mr McGee, 34, lost a tooth and suffered cuts and bruises when he was allegedly set upon by the footballer and his friends after refusing to play Gerrard's favourite song while acting as a DJ in the bar. Witnesses of the alleged attack said Mr McGee, a Manchester United fan, was in charge of a card which allowed the music to be changed. They claimed Gerrard asked for a particular tune but was told that it was not club policy to play requests. At that point the footballer allegedly pushed past Mr McGee, catching him with an elbow. Enlarge A Bentley believed to belong to Gerrard remained parked outside the Lounge Inn this morning One witness told The S*n: 'Marcus pushed Gerrard in the chest and, almost instinctively, Gerrard hit back with his elbow in Marcus’s mouth. 'Gerrard stepped back and walked away but his mates piled on top of Marcus and one of them smashed a beer bottle over his head. The whole thing lasted less than 10 seconds. 'Gerrard was pulled out of the scrapping and it turned into a free-for-all. The doormen all ran in and the club seemed to empty in seconds. We didn’t see who went where. 'People were rushing to Marcus’s side. He had a light-coloured shirt on and it was stained with blood.' A police source said: 'Mr McGee retaliated and swore at Gerrard, which was when Gerrard's mates turned violent and assaulted him.' Friends of the England star insisted he had been reacting to provocation and had thrown no punches himself. Mr McGee, a father-of-two who runs a double glazing firm, was taken to hospital where he received four stitches to his forehead and treatment on a cut nose, swollen eye and a dislodged tooth. Lounge Inn A bloodstained towel on the dancefloor at the Lounge Inn A witness told The Sun there had been bad feeling in the bar earlier. He said: 'Marcus came into the bar with two friends and some time later Gerrard walked in. One of Gerrard's mates had had a dispute with one of Marcus's pals and they eyeballed each other. 'Marcus stepped in a peacemaker and it calmed down for a while. Everyone was drinking and having a good time, but when Marcus's mates left, he was on his own and that's when he and Gerrard started rowing by the dancefloor.' The bar was closed for much of yesterday while damage from the 2am brawl was cleared up. Spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor. Gerrard and five friends - all but one from the tough working class Huyton area where he grew up - were arrested on suspicion of assault and ordered to spend the night in the cells at the town's police station. It is understood that questioning did not begin until yesterday afternoon. Gerrard's glamorous wife, model Alex Curran, 26, arrived during the afternoon wearing grey jeans, black boots and a black fur-trimmed leather jacket. Gerrard's wife Alex Curran walks near the police station where her husband was questioned yesterday She was herself questioned by police following a fight in the Shangri-La restaurant in Liverpool in August 2006, but no charges were brought. After leaving a coffee shop near the police station she refused to answer questions before driving off in her Bentley. Another Bentley with a personalised number plate which was parked outside the Lounge Inn with a parking ticket on the windscreen was later picked up by a friend of Gerrard. Neither the player's agent nor his club released any statement about the incident yesterday as they waited to find out whether he would be charged. Gerrard used to have a flat in Southport but his rising profile made him a target on nights out and he moved into a £3million gated mansion in nearby Formby. He returned to his old haunts, however, following Sunday's victory, after which he gave interviews about the need to 'remain humble, keep our feet on the ground'. It is not known if he had been given permission by his manager, although Liverpool's next match is not until Saturday, against Preston in the FA Cup. The supporter who had his picture taken with Gerrard shortly before the fight broke out said the footballer was 'in a good mood'. STEVEN GERRARD The bloody scene inside the bar The fan, who did not give his name, told ITV news: 'He seemed buoyant. I'm shocked that anything would have happened. I had a chat with him in the toilet and he was chuffed with the victory and it all seemed very nice.' The fan added that he left the bar before the fight broke out. Merseyside police said six arrests had been made on suspicion of a 'section 20 assault', which carries a maximum sentence of five years. Those in custody apart from Gerrard were four men from Huyton aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, and an 18-year-old from Litherland. Gerrard is the latest in a long line of footballers to become involved in unsavoury incidents off the pitch. Almost exactly a year ago, Joey Barton, who also grew up in Huyton, attacked a passerby after a night out in Liverpool, knocking him to the ground and punching him up to 20 times. The 25-year-old, who plays for Newcastle United, was given a six-month jail sentence but served less than half - even though at the time of the attack he was on bail for attacking former team-mate Ousmane Dabo during training. He later received a suspended sentence for that offence as well as a 12-game ban. In 2002, Chelsea's John Terry stood trial along with teammate Jody Morris accused of attacking a nightclub bouncer. Both were cleared. The same year another current England international, Jonathan Woodgate, now of Spurs, was found guilty of affray but cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent over a brutal street attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib in Leeds. His team-mate Lee Bowyer was cleared of causing GBH with intent and affray.

m'kay?

Or to Real? guillembalague.com

haha RAWK

N'Dog

Sign him.