Today's Echo article - board, Rafa, invisible culprits

Benitez · October 30, 2006

When is an apology not an apology

Sorry Rafa

Oct 30 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ has received an apology from his board following the anonymous attack on his management.

However, it has emerged the culprit has still not identified himself to the manager, nor shown any remorse for the comments which caused such embarrassment.

Benitez today thanked the Anfield hierarchy and supporters for their backing during Saturday's rampant 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

A section of The Kop sang Benitez's name throughout the game.

"People asked me if I was thinking about my future, but when I decided to come here and renew my contract when other clubs were asking about me, it was the same situation as now," said Benitez today.

"My determination remains to win lots of trophies here and build a strong team for the future.

"When you hear people talk about the value of my squad, it's triple what it was when we arrived.

"It's clear we have a better team and I'm really happy here. When you hear the support on Saturday, it means I'm in the right place.

"I didn't speak to the chairman on Saturday, but I know he is supporting me and I say to the chairman, Rick Parry and the board thank you because it's good to hear things like this.

"I know they were really worried about what happened, but I know I have their support. They are happy with the way we are working.

"It was one of our best performances of the season, but in this case it was satisfying because people have been talking and talking.

"If you play well, score goals and see that kind of commitment you must be happy.

"We already had a good record at home, which people have forgotten because of our form away."

Benitez must check on the fitness of Craig Bellamy, Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez ahead of tomorrow's visit of Bordeaux.

If Liverpool beat the French side, and Galatasaray fail to win in Eindhoven, the Reds will confirm their most successful start ever to a Champions League campaign by qualifying with two games to spare.

Meanwhile, untrue reports of a rift between Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez have infuriated both manager and skipper.

Benitez was forced to respond to the issue yet again during yesterday's pre-Champions League Press conference.

"These rumours are crazy. I'm not prepared to sell my captain," he said.

Gerrard reacted to the reports with an even blunter message.

"I've never read so much bo**ocks," he said.

ere

M4TTA · October 30, 2006

When is an apology not an apology

Sorry Rafa
Oct 30 2006

"These rumours are crazy. I'm not prepared to sell my captain," he said.

Gerrard reacted to the reports with an even blunter message.

"I've never read so much bo**ocks," he said.

ere

f***ing brilliant, i love him more and more

stressederic · October 30, 2006

I'm worried by the ambiguous nature of Gerrard's reply. I think its clear from his sentence structure that he wants to leave.

Cunny · October 30, 2006

I'm worried by the ambiguous nature of Gerrard's reply. I think its clear from his sentence structure that he wants to leave.

I'd need to read his body language before I could definitely know what he means by that vague sentence.

smithdown · October 30, 2006

I'm worried by the ambiguous nature of Gerrard's reply. I think its clear from his sentence structure that he wants to leave.

"I've never read so much! Bo**cks!"

Its all in the interpretation. He could be talking about the huge contract he's been offered by Real and his disappointment that he hasn't just been handed a summary.

Andy @ Allerton · October 30, 2006

"Gerrard reacted to the reports with an even blunter message.

"I've never read so much bo**ocks," he said."

f***ing brilliant - well done Stevie lad.

DanielS · October 30, 2006

I'd need to read his body language before I could definitely know what he means by that vague sentence.

You've heard Stevie is gay and so actually loves b******s then?

KD07 · October 30, 2006

I'm livid as a cut snake. I could eat a rat (or 2 or 5) right now.

Tones · October 30, 2006

Nice one Stevie. That gets the message across. Sad that the muppet on the board still doesnt have the balls to own up.

Swipe · October 30, 2006

Made my day reading that.

Unlike previous years, the recent press trash has been slammed and ridiculed within days this time round.

Well in Stevie and Rafa!

David Hodgson · October 30, 2006

Steven Gerrard has just re-written the standard on denials to the press. Never again will we tolerate 'I'm happy to play for this club and want to fulfil my contract'.

Sheer quality from our captain (as usual).

JohnnyH · October 30, 2006

Greatest response to press speculation ever, bar none, ever, period, end of.

£440,000 · October 30, 2006

I'm worried by the ambiguous nature of Gerrard's reply. I think its clear from his sentence structure that he wants to leave.

And what's the signficance of the asterisks?

I'd have been happier if he's sworn properly and not censored himself.

KD07 · October 30, 2006

And what's the signficance of the asterisks?

I'd have been happier if he's sworn properly and not censored himself.

Symptomatic of Rafa's persistence to play him on the right that's holding him back.

October 30, 2006

I'm glad Gerrard said that, I wish players would do it more often.

Chili Palmer · October 30, 2006

That is absolutley brilliant from Stevie, Puts all the journos in their place. I love it.

Swipe · October 30, 2006

Lets see how many of the scumbag redtops report Stevies comments though.

Are they only in the Echo website at the moment?

M4TTA · October 30, 2006

Offal running the same story, Interesting comment at the end.

here

Rafa Benitez has thanked the Liverpool board and fans for their support following the anonymous attack on his management.

The Kop sang the manager's name throughout the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday after an unnamed board member claimed his position was under threat.

Benitez has also been publicly backed by chief executive Rick Parry.

The Spaniard said: "It's clear we have a better team and I'm really happy here. When you hear the support on Saturday, it means I'm in the right place.

"I didn't speak to the chairman on Saturday, but I know he is supporting me and I say to the chairman, Rick Parry and the board thank you because it's good to hear things like this.

"I know they were really worried about what happened, but I know I have their support. They are happy with the way we are working."

Benitez also reiterated his determination to stay on Merseyside and lead Reds to their first Premiership title.

He said: "People have asked me if I was thinking about my future, but when I decided to come here and renew my contract when other clubs were asking about me, it was the same situation as now.

"My determination remains to win lots of trophies here and build a strong team for the future.

"When you hear people talk about the value of my squad, it's triple what it was when we arrived."

The board member behind Friday's outburst in a national newspaper has still not identified himself nor shown any remorse for the comments.

fyds · October 30, 2006

Semantics I know - but a bit hard to show remorse when unidentified, innit?

charlie clown · October 30, 2006

A section of The Kop sang Benitez's name throughout the game.

ere

proud to say I was part of that - it went for about 20 minutes in the first half and was building and building, second half it carried on excatly as it had been before the break. Never known a chant for ANYONE go on for that long.

Cam · October 30, 2006

proud to say I was part of that - it went for about 20 minutes in the first half and was building and building, second half it carried on excatly as it had been before the break. Never known a chant for ANYONE go on for that long.

Yeah, and the clap was starting to go around the ground. It could have been AMAZING but for some on-field action ending the momentum.

I'm a critic of SG and how he's acted but this is perfect, just perfect. ITV are bound to ask him before or after the game - I just hope he repeats it.

Methinks he's been taking some media lessons from Carra:

Lesson One - f*ck 'em.

Nerik · October 30, 2006

The official site has just removed that last sentence regarding the board member. I guess there is a lot going on behind the scenes at the moment.

Otocon · October 30, 2006

I'm worried by the ambiguous nature of Gerrard's reply. I think its clear from his sentence structure that he wants to leave.

His syntax or not - what should happen regarding all this business?

M4TTA · October 30, 2006

The official site has just removed that last sentence regarding the board member. I guess there is a lot going on behind the scenes at the moment.

and the person who wrote it has been fired

Otocon · October 30, 2006

Semantics I know - but a bit hard to show remorse when unidentified, innit?

Indeed.

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