Benítez knows this is his season of no excuses

[cymrococh]

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/08/...s_his_seas.html

 

Jaws dropped when, earlier this summer, the previously ultra-conservative Rafael Benítez first revealed his new, uncharacteristically trendy, goatee-style beard. Liverpool fans trust this artfully shaved facial hair will prove symbolic of the Spaniard's reinvention as a manager committed to bold, attacking football, rather than merely an indication of impending middle-aged crisis.

 

"It finally looks as if Rafa is ready to release the handbrake," reflected Mark Lawrenson, the former Anfield defender turned BBC pundit, who feels excited by the hitherto tactically cautious Liverpool manager's £40m-plus investment in, primarily, pacey, attacking players this close season. "He seems to have learnt lessons and knows it's time to hit teams where it hurts."

 

Indeed, by recruiting six proven finishers and creators, including Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin, Yossi Benayoun - the clever former West Ham midfield schemer identified by both Lawrenson and Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's most influential acquisition - and Ryan Babel, Benítez has assembled a formidable-looking armada to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea for the title.

 

Yet, having stamped his feet, waved his arms and angrily demanded that Liverpool's new American owners invest heavily in top players, Benítez is also aware that he will have no excuses should things go wrong.

 

An educated man, au fait with his country's history, he presumably does not care to be reminded of the events of 1587, when Spain's King Philip II collected an impressive fleet of warships in Cadiz Harbour and began dreaming about conquering England. Instead Sir Francis Drake halted that intended invasion in its tracks, his Navy sweeping into Cadiz and, in an incident famously known as "the singeing of the King of Spain's beard", destroying more than 20 Spanish vessels.

 

Indeed, with Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho extremely keen to emulate Drake and put their newly hirsute Iberian adversary in his place, this could prove a defining, make-or-break season in the former Valencia manager's career.

 

Acutely conscious that an official summer poll of Liverpool fans saw 90% claim the Premier League is the trophy they covet most, George Gillett and Tom Hicks - who have a pricey new stadium to finance - will be scrutinising their manager's every move in the coming months, not to mention counting the £24m Torres' goals.

 

"He's an excellent player, strong and deceptive, but he was the superstar in a sometimes poor Atlético Madrid side," said Steve McManaman, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger, recently. "It's the first time Liverpool have spent more than £20m on a player, so they expect big things from him straightaway. There'll be no settling-in period."

 

But then every Anfield player will need to be quicker out of the blocks than usual this term. In the past three seasons under Benítez Liverpool have started self-destructively slowly, accruing only 10 points from their opening seven games in each campaign.

 

Steven Gerrard accepts there can be no further replication of such uncannily unwanted consistency. "We've got to be ready from the off," insists Liverpool's captain. "We cannot afford to give anyone a head start again."

 

Benítez's cause can only be aided by his decision to grant Gerrard his preferred central midfield role, leaving the elusive Benayoun and exciting Babel to discomfit opponents down the flanks. "I'll get my chance in the middle this season," confirmed Gerrard. "It's where I believe I have most to offer."

 

With the young midfielder Lucas Leiva, who, like Torres, speaks barely a word of English, and the winger Sebastian Leto also imported from Brazil and Argentina respectively, there is a jostling for places that Benítez hopes will generate a title push. "Competition is very strong in every position and that should make a difference," he said.

 

Even so, he could be out of a job if his forwards do not start scoring freely. "We've got to use our dominance to get more goals," says Steve Finnan, Liverpool's right-back. "There were lots of games last season when we had all the play but didn't score."

 

While Voronin, a Ukrainian Bosman arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, is sufficiently confident to have already vowed to eclipse his Chelsea compatriot Andriy Shevchenko during the coming months, Dirk Kuyt believes that playing alongside Liverpool's new attacking faces will help him score more regularly.

 

"Andriy and Fernando are different to Robbie Fowler and Craig Bellamy," said the Holland striker who, like Peter Crouch, can be deployed as the sort of imposing target man Manchester United arguably lack. "Fernando likes to drop deep, so I might be positioned higher up the park, which I enjoy and is where I played at Feyenoord."

 

Probably closer to Kuyt than many of his players, Benítez is a confirmed admirer of the Dutch and their football. Having controversially forced out the former youth director and local hero Steve Heighway, he has appointed the former Ajax player and experienced coach Piet Hamberg as technical manager at Liverpool's academy with a brief to concentrate on grooming teenagers for the first team rather than winning junior cups.

 

Should Benítez fail to secure at least one piece of senior silverware - and preferably not the League Cup - a beard described by the Sun as possibly "the worst football has ever seen" will inevitably be left severely singed.

 

Failing firepower

 

Liverpool's top scorers for the last three seasons:

 

2004-05

 

Milan Baros: 9

 

Luis Garcia: 8

 

Steven Gerrard: 7

 

2005-06

 

Steven Gerrard: 10

 

Djibril Cissé: 9

 

Peter Crouch: 8

 

2006-07

 

Dirk Kuyt: 12

 

Peter Crouch: 9

 

Craig Bellamy: 8

[Cobs]

fair enough piece

 

 

no need for all the silly Spanish Armada/Beard thing though, is there?

[stressederic]

fair enough piece

no need for all the silly Spanish Armada/Beard thing though, is there?

 

I bet Rafa can hardly sleep at night without cursing Francis Drake

[honourablegeorge]

Still waiting for a similar piece on Martin Jol, who's spent well over thirty million (NET!!!!!) this summer.

[Barnes' left foot]

Still waiting for a similar piece on Martin Jol, who's spent well over thirty million (NET!!!!!) this summer.

 

And has won F all since taking over as Spurs manager.

[cymrococh]

I think the point about 'the Dutch' is a bit dubious.

[McBain]

Still waiting for a similar piece on Martin Jol, who's spent well over thirty million (NET!!!!!) this summer.

 

Nobody expects much of Spurs though even with all the spending. I'd sooner have expectation than not

[honourablegeorge]

I think the point about 'the Dutch' is a bit dubious.

 

 

It's probably true.

 

that said, Benitez is a confirmed admirer of italian football, having spent time there. And English, havign spent time here. And spanish. And he does like an Argie. Or a Brazilian. And the odd Scandinavian or East European.

[Swipe]

Noticed a lot of press articles are stating Benayoun will play on the right of midfield.

 

Also, a lot of people praising him as our most astute signing.

[Gilps]

Still waiting for a similar piece on Martin Jol, who's spent well over thirty million (NET!!!!!) this summer.

 

But in turning Spurs from a laughing stock into a side that are clearly the best of the rest outside the tp 4 regulars, everyone acknowledges Jol is doing a good job. Even consolidaing that position and regular UEFA Cup football would remain good work, breaking into the top 4 would be excellent. This is a cluub that hasn't won the title since 1961, a genuine tilt at the title is hardly expected.

[McBain]

A disappointing lack of bullfighter/matador references in the article i have to admit

 

Nothing re conquistadors either

[cymrococh]

wot no beatles?

[JohnnyH]

Still waiting for a similar piece on Martin Jol, who's spent well over thirty million (NET!!!!!) this summer.

 

Never mind what they've spent, they have Berbatov who "hit the ground running" and scored in the region of 295 league goals late season and has a buy out clause in his contract of two Mona Lisas and a new stadium.

[Stevie H]

i want 'newly hirsute Iberian adversary' as my forum title thing.

[ManOfSteel]

How the hell is Rafa's beard the worst football has ever seen? It's not bad at all.

 

I don't know if this is the season of no excuses. Yes we've spent big on attacking and creative players so we should expect to see improvement in the final third of the pitch, and yes at this stage of our time under Rafa we need to start well - but things can happen over the season.

 

Having said that, I think the pressure is good for the players and for the manager. It'll keep them hungry to prove themselves and to not have articles like this written about them.

[Hassony]

How the hell is Rafa's beard the worst football has ever seen? It's not bad at all.

what about the like of lalas, neville and xavier

[Marvin]

When was the last time the top flight in football was won by a manager with a beard? I'm afraid history may be against us.

[Puskas]

Crap article, as per usual. Looking at what Benitez actually knows:

 

"We can challenge Manchester United and Chelsea, but only if the new players settle down and we start the season with confidence," says Benitez. "That only comes with winning matches. The team has a clear idea what to do, and now we must do it.

 

"I don't want to say we can't win the league. What I say is we must try everything possible to do it, but we know how difficult it will be.

 

"A lot of teams have spent big money. Manchester United have spent more than any team, and Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City could all be more competitive.

 

"I hope the league will be more open because it's better for the Premiership."

[ManxRed]

what about the like of lalas, neville and xavier

 

Neville never actually finished growing his though, did he?

[Guz]

I don't know if this is the season of no excuses

 

I think it is. I'm not saying Rafa should be given the boot if we go backwards for example but serious questions will be raised if we don't mount at least a half decent title challenge and put some pressure on Chelsea/Man United. A bit like Chelsea in Abramovich's first year I think we're partly playing for just a bit of belief and self confidence that we can cut it at the very top in the league.

 

The likes of Pennant, Kewell, Benayoun, Alonso, Sissoko, Kuyt and Crouch don't have excuses either. They have to perform. They're not new to the league and with the exception of Benayoun, are not new to the club. I'm sure there'll be an opportunity for everyone to get a good number of games but I'd say almost all midfield and striker positions are still up for grabs for players to make themselves "first choice". I'd say only Gerrard has a cemented spot in there (and he needs to improve as well) and it's up to those 7 players + Voronin, Torres maybe Lucas to have the hunger to force themselves in regularly.

[John am Rhein]

Liverpool fans trust this artfully shaved facial hair will prove symbolic of the Spaniard's reinvention as a manager committed to bold, attacking football, rather than merely an indication of impending middle-aged crisis.

 

"It finally looks as if Rafa is ready to release the handbrake," reflected Mark Lawrenson, the former Anfield defender turned BBC pundit, who feels excited by the hitherto tactically cautious Liverpool manager's £40m-plus investment in, primarily, pacey, attacking players this close season. "He seems to have learnt lessons and knows it's time to hit teams where it hurts."

 

 

Amazing how top class football managers have to repeatedly learn the lessons that 2nd rate TV pundits instinctively know.

[eth]

Still waiting for a similar piece on Martin Jol, who's spent well over thirty million (NET!!!!!) this summer.

Unfortunately there's no appropriate (GCSE level) historical hook for the article. All the Dutch ever seem to do is sit around having a good time.

Edited August 9, 2007 by eth

[Frosty Jack]

artfully shaved facial hair

 

he's f***ing spanish, it f***ing grows like that.

[Tosh]

How can a bloke who won the CL in his first full season, the FA Cup in his second and got us to Athens (which we'd all rather forget) in his third can have no excuses is a mystery to me.

 

It's instant-successism gone mad

[floyd]

Lousie Taylor's profile make her look like she wears comfortable shoes & dungarees.