GWistooshort

Had to laugh at this in Bascombe's piece at the weekend................. "With a title challenge earning him a new, five-year deal in 2009, Benitez thought he'd won his war. Instead he came up against Christian Purslow at a time when key players' form dipped and injuries took their toll. Vulnerable, Benitez became more confrontational. Purslow soon found himself cast as panto villain amongst the clan referred to in Anfield circles as 'the Rafa mafia'. The poisonous leaks against Purslow were assisted by the careful manipulation of Benitez's sympathisers who laughably complained when the boss became the victim of his own smear tactics." http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/837902/THE-RISE-AND-FALL-OF-RAFA-BENITEZ.html

Liverpool Echo accuses Purslow of briefing against Rafa............ Liverpool Echo May 14 2010 Are ‘senior sources’ undermining Rafael Benitez at Anfield? by David Prentice RAFA BENITEZ often apologises for a faltering command of the English language. Utterly unnecessarily. Because his use of rhetorical irony in a cutting post-match press conference at Hull City last Sunday was almost Shakespearean. Six times the Reds boss used the phrase ‘senior sources’. That’s one more than Mark Antony used in turning a Roman crowd against the noble Brutus – his buzz phrase was “an honourable man” – and it was enough to give Reds fans even more cause for concern. Despite dispensing with one chief executive he couldn’t work with, Rafa still appears unable to form an open, trusting relationship with the Reds board. That was painfully transparent at the KC Stadium last Sunday. “If I stay, I am not thinking about selling Gerrard and Torres – just in case ‘senior sources’ say different things,” he muttered. He went on: “It depends. ‘Senior sources’ maybe will say different, but it has been the same in the history of football.” And there was more. Six separate references to ‘senior sources’ in fact, all of them heavily ironic. The inference is clear. The Liverpool manager thinks ‘senior sources’ at Liverpool are briefing the media against him. So is Rafa paranoid? Does he see shadows on grassy knolls? Or are there ‘senior sources’ out to get him? Of course Rafa himself could be the problem. His track record for falling out with senior executives at football clubs is impressive. Jesus Pitarch at Valencia, Rick Parry at Liverpool, George Gillett (although few would criticise him for picking that particular fight), and now un-named ‘senior sources.’ Maybe he’s a manager who thrives on creative tension. Or perhaps he is being undermined. As Rafa might say, let’s examine the ‘facts’. A story was ‘broken’ by the BBC on Tuesday May 4. “Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has cancelled two scheduled face-to-face meetings with the club’s new chairman, Martin Broughton,” ran the report. It inferred that Benitez was stalling for time while Juventus courted him. It certainly painted the Reds boss in a poor light. If Benitez was irritated so were we, because it appeared we’d ‘missed’ a juicy tale. Except it seems there was no ‘story’ to miss. A first meeting, scheduled for April 20, was called off because an unexpected cloud of volcanic ash spreading across Europe meant that Rafa Benitez had to spend 48 hours on a train with his players rather than two hours on a plane. No problem. No-one could have foreseen Mount Eyjafjallajökull erupting. The next meeting was scheduled for 24 hours before the visit of Chelsea – until Martin Broughton decided he wouldn’t be coming back to Merseyside for the Chelsea game because of his already publicised footballing allegiances. So no opportunity to squeeze a meeting in there then. Still no major problem, until the story on the BBC website, which spread in this internet age like a particularly vicious virus. Forgive me if I’m seeing shadows on grassy knolls now, but it looks like someone was briefing the Beeb against the Liverpool manager. And further scrutiny of the article shows it was someone inside the Anfield boardroom. “There is some surprise inside the Anfield boardroom at the timing of Benitez’s call on Tuesday for an urgent meeting with Broughton to discuss the future,” added the BBC story. There have been other ‘leaks.’ “It is known around Anfield that Christian Purslow has talked to Benítez about his style of management, notably his cold detachment from the players,” wrote the Daily Telegraph last November, adding: “Liverpool can afford to sack Benítez. Compensation would be less than £5 million under the ‘mitigating the loss’ principle if he found employment.” It doesn’t take a huge leap to work out where the Telegraph might have got their compensation figure from. That story and the BBC ‘revelation’ may not be linked. Liverpool board members have always spoken to the media – and even after foul-mouthed Tom junior’s resignation there are still several board members remaining. But board members who brief against a manager should beware. Remember Noel White? He spent 21 years at Anfield before falling on his sword for criticising Benitez in a newspaper article. At the time Benitez said: “The important thing is the club, and such things as this do not normally happen here. This is a big club and there is a way of doing things here.” That was four years ago. Has that way of doing things gone for good? It was Bill Shankly who effectively labelled Anfield directors as simply men who sign the cheques. Rightly or wrongly, that’s an image which has persisted. Even those Reds fans who want Rafa Benitez out have a huge well of emotion for the man, largely inspired by one emotional night in Istanbul. Any ‘senior sources’ inside Anfield who try to take him on will do so at their peril. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/14/are-senior-sources-undermining-rafael-benitez-at-anfield-100252-26443197/

The Press Association says Rafa used the phrase "senior sources" half a dozen times in his post-match comments including this one, which I don't think has been posted on here yet. Asked if he deserved another chance after such a dismal season, Benitez added: "It depends. 'Senior sources' maybe will say different but it has been the same in the history of football." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/benitez-wants-time-to-correct-liverpool-mistakes-1970337.html

Liverpool Echo today says Aquilani was due to go to Belgrade, but didn't end up going as bad weather forced his flight to be cancelled, & has now returned to training. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25453873/

Aquilani's gone to Belgrade to see the horse placenta doctor according to the Daily Mail, which was the 1st to break the news that Benayoun & Johnson had gone there http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...nta-doctor.html

Rafa said the other day Aquilani was going to play in the reserve match the other day that got called off

From the Daily Post......... Many supporters have been confused by Benitez’s overly-cautious treatment of Alberto Aquilani, the £20million summer signing from Roma having played only 22 minutes in a month since returning from the ankle injury that delayed his debut. The Italian made only a fleeting appearance as substitute in Budapest, and Benitez explains: “It has been difficult with Aquilani. He has not been fit so he has no match fitness, therefore I cannot use him. “Then if he doesn't play games, he cannot get the match fitness. That has been the difficult circle of events for him and for me to overcome. “It was difficult again against Debrecen. Early on we could have scored two or three more goals, but towards the end we were under pressure and I could not risk bringing him on in such a situation, he would have needed time to settle. “I have talked to him and explained. He has to keep working hard in every training session. His chance will come.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-25256064/

I'd go Masch instead of Lucas - think we'd need his tidying up if we play both Gerrard & Aquilani in centre-mid & he's also likely to give the defence more confidence than Lucas who has a habit of giving away free-kicks on the edge of the area Benayoun has said he doesn't think he can play for the full 90 mins so he may not start

From Rafa's pre-match press conference yesterday An Italian reporter wanted to know if summer signing Alberto Aquilani would feature in Hungary. The gaffer said: "Aquilani is in the squad so he can play. It depends. The team has some players in his position now - Gerrard coming back and the two midfielders (Lucas and Mascherano) doing well, but he'll have his chances. "We want him as soon as possible but we have to manage with the squad." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091123-2032.htm

TOTTI EXCLUSIVE: AQUILANI CAN BE WORLD'S BEST Paul Hassall 17 November 2009 In an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, Roma captain Francesco Totti tells us why his former teammate, Alberto Aquilani, is destined to be one of the best midfielders in the world. I Giallorossi's talisman came through the same youth system as the Reds' new number 4 and is as well placed as anyone when it comes to knowing what makes the 25-year-old tick. Here he tells us - via Luca Fallica of RETE Sport - why he is convinced Aquilani will be an Anfield hit, how Kopites will soon be swooning over the 'rabona' and why he is certain to be a Barclays Premier League star. Liverpoolfc.tv: Liverpool fans have only seen glimpses of Alberto Aquilani so far. What can we expect from a player you have played so closely with? Francesco Totti: Alberto is an incredibly talented player, with great technique and an excellent understanding of the game. He also has a powerful shot with both feet – he really is a complete midfielder. He came through the Roma ranks like you did. Are you good friends? Yes, we are really good friends. We keep in touch even now that he has left us. How do you see him fitting into the Liverpool system? Alberto can play in any position in the middle of the park really, either a bit forward or a few steps behind. The advantage he has is that he really understands the game and has great vision - he is dynamic and can make the last pass or try to score himself. Here at Roma, with our 4-2-3-1 strategy, he was playing in front of the defence next to Daniele De Rossi or David Pizarro, but also as an attacking midfielder just off me. I think he can do very well in a 4-4-2 too. How would you describe him as a player. Is he up there with the best midfielders in the world? He is elegant and smart - these are his main characteristics. Potentially he is one of the best in the world. He has been unlucky with injuries so far but I believe he will do really well in England. Have you spoken to him much since he moved to Merseyside? Yes, of course. I asked him how it was going and he said he had settled in really well. He can't wait to start playing regularly. Has he said anything about learning Scouse? He didn't mention that really, I am sure his Roman - our dialect - is still much better! (laughs). But I know he is studying a lot to improve his English. Aquilani has had his troubles with injuries in the past. Do you expect him to put those behind him and play a key role in Liverpool's quest for honours this year? As I mentioned before, he hasn't been lucky in his career since all these injuries have stopped his growth. I am confident though, that he will be back at his best and prove all his worth at Liverpool. What is your favourite memory of Alberto's career at Roma? What would you say was his best match? Whenever Alberto had a chance to play for us he would take it and has always done well in big games. I remember the one in Madrid against Real, it was a memorable night. He hit the woodwork with a thunderous effort and 15 seconds later, Casillas deflected another one of his screamers. But that's not the only great display. Against AC Milan he did a delicious 'rabona' (his favourite move) and gave me the ball for our 2-1 win - look it up on the net! Reds fans will surely appreciate his dribbles and will discover what a great player he is. Do you expect him to make a big impact in the Barclays Premier League? How will he adapt to the pace here? Good players prove themselves wherever they go. Alberto will adapt to any type of football. Will he be a key player for Italy in the World Cup? I really hope he will be and I wish him good luck for that. You have played at Anfield before. Did you speak with him about the great atmosphere? Anfield is a great stadium; really exciting. Your fans are really warm. Even Riise told me about it and he said our supporters and yours are alike. How has former red John Arne Riise settled into life in Rome? Really well, the fans love him. He is a professional and his shot is so powerful. It's not easy to adapt to Italian football, but he tried his hardest and did it. What are your own personal memories of facing Liverpool in the Champions League and what did you make of the fans and the stadium's atmosphere? To be honest, my memories are not that good because Liverpool beat us in the 1984 Final and here in Rome many resent them for that. I also remember the game in 2002. The refereeing was quite controversial and Litmanen scored a very, very dubious penalty. Riise played a good game that night. Riise was also involved on another famous night against Italian opposition - the 2005 Champions League final. What did you make of that game? I was sad for Milan, but for a fan winning the Cup in that way must be incredible. Liverpool face a potential Matchday 6 winner-takes-all showdown with Fiorentina in the Champions League (if results go their way on Matchday 5). Who do you expect to qualify? The Viola are clearly favourites and Liverpool are going to have a really tough time especially after drawing against Lyon. The Reds' hopes could well rest with the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who have both recently been short-listed for the Ballon d'or. What are your views on the two players? I can only think about an Italian adjective to describe them both: grandissimi! As a striker yourself, where does Torres rank among the best in the world? Torres is absolutely one of the best in the world. He is so fast and sees the net like no other – a great striker indeed. I had a look at his Premier League scoring record - not bad at all! Andrea Dossena is another Italian international on our books. What have you made of his impact in England? Last year he scored famous goals against Real Madrid and Man United... He is a decent full-back, who can do well both attacking and defending. And finally, we know you are Roman born and breed but would you have liked to give it a go over here in England? Staying at Roma was my personal choice, one I took with my heart. I grew up playing for this club, the one I always supported. So thanks, but I am good here. Liverpoolfc.tv would like to thank Serafino Ingardia for his help arranging and translating the interview http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091117-0847.htm

The Daily Post this morning says that according to Rafa Liverpool are considering arranging a practice match during the international break to help Aquilani improve his sharpness. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-25121637/2/

Because there was quite a bit of discussion about Winter earlier on in this thread (which was the most recent on the board as far as I can remember)

I don't know what Rafa has ever done to Winter, but he really seems to dislike him personally........ Rafael Benítez will blame everyone but himself for Liverpool's plight By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent Published: 7:30AM GMT 02 Nov 2009 "Virtually no one.'' So argued Jamie Carragher when asked whether Liverpool had anyone to replace Fernando Torres should the talismanic target-man miss Wednesday's Champions League tie at Lyons. "Virtually no one.'' This was a short sentence that sounded like a death sentence. Of all the millions of words screamed and scribbled about Liverpool's present plight, these three from the stand-in captain, a loyal servant of the club, carry the most significance. A keen student of the game and genuine managerial prospect one day, Carragher believes his team are lightweight upfront without Torres. His verdict is partly a compliment to Liverpool's exceptional No 9, but also an implicit indictment of the understudies assembled by Rafael Benítez. Blaming such individuals for being too poor (Andrei Voronin) or too raw (Ryan Babel, David Ngog) is pointless; culpability rests with Benítez for recruiting them while ignoring prodigal sons such as Emile Heskey and Michael Owen. Following defeat to a Fulham side expertly organised and motivated by Roy Hodgson, Liverpool are now besieged by headlines shrieking that their title dream is in tatters, but this is no sudden development. In August, few people outside Anfield considered Liverpool to have a squad comparable to those at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge. Benítez, as usual, will divert attention elsewhere. He will bemoan refereeing decisions, injuries, tardiness in the transfer market and the comic capers of the American co-owners. He will even criticise "senior players'' such as Carragher and Steven Gerrard following the early-season loss to Aston Villa. One constant: Benítez never accepts responsibility himself. That is why some people tire of the self-absorbed Spaniard. We've heard all the excuses before. We've seen the utter reliance on Gerrard, Torres and, for all his recent woes, Carragher. Yet it is quite possible that Benítez, so good at the chess of the Champions League rather than the rollerball of the Premier League, can conjure up a victory over Lyons. But there will be another reverse, another storm. The occasional ray of sunshine piercing the gloom is not enough. Liverpool can afford to sack Benítez. Compensation would be less than £5 million under the "mitigating the loss'' principle if he found employment, but no desire can be detected within the club for a regime change. Besides, the two managers who would fit the Anfield bill, Fabio Capello and Jose Mourinho, are not available. The impressive managing director, Christian Purslow, is not the type for knee-jerk reactions. But it is known around Anfield that Purslow has talked to Benítez about his style of management, notably his cold detachment from the players. Sensible businesses plan for succession and any defenestration of Benítez should take place only in the close-season. Who knows? Benítez might win the FA Cup. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...ols-plight.html

Correct - Rafa last month “If you think about the money we were spending on players we then decided to spend £20million on Torres - that was a massive figure for us”. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...00252-24788745/

Short clip of the post-match interview with Aquilani HERE