Author Topic: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard  (Read 11268 times)

Offline DutchRed

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Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« on: January 22, 2015, 12:31:47 pm »
Not sure whether it merits its own thread, but thought it was lovely all the same so decided to go for it. Here's a piece by Rafa on Gerrard, translated from German:

http://www.11freunde.de/artikel/rafael-benitez-huldigt-steven-gerrard

Rafa Benitez hails Steven Gerrard

Masterpieces of passion

Steven Gerrard leaves Liverpool FC at the end of the season. The club doesn't just lose its captain, says his former manager Rafa Benitez: "It loses its heart". Here, he says goodbye.

Steven Gerrard was my captain. He was our captain. The heart of Liverpool FC.

I still recall my first meeting with him, in June 2004, the day I joined Liverpool. I had an appointment with him, Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen, the local lads at the club, to speak about common goals. Where do we want to go? How do we want to get there? I asked them, what they could bring the side. Steven said 'passion'. He said it like it was his second name.

He always gave everything, and nobody wanted to give less.

There wasn't a single game during our six years together at LFC, that he didn't show his typical passion. He was a captain, a magnificent example for all around him. His sheer presence lifted the team to a higher level. He refused to accept defeat before the game was over. Therefore it was impossible for his team-mates to lie down. He always gave everything, and nobody wanted to give less

While others bask in the glory during their career already, Steven wasn't satisfied with his achievements. Immediately after the Champions League Final victory in 2005 against AC Milan, the Miracle of Istanbul, that wouldn't have happened but for his endless desire, he said to me: "Gaffer, make me the best midfield player in the world!" I said: "We're not starting today, Steven, but we will tomorrow."

I made him an attacking midfielder

This wasn't an easy task. I knew, that I could hardly get anything more out of him, because he was already playing to his mental and physical limit. But I found out that he previously had not played in his ideal positon. As a box-to-box-midfielder he exhausted himself too much in the duels and wasted his dynamics, which knew no equal. I like it when somebody takes part in defending, but Steven was a one man army who, once he was unleashed, could sweep aside opposing teams on his own. So I put him from the centre to the right wing, as an attacking midfielder. His closed inon his goal with his partnership with Fernando Torres, who joined LFC from Atletico in 2007: for a couple of years, he was amongst the most threatening, spectacular midfield players in the world.

His goals were masterpieces

Belief, decisiveness, power and technique

To simply consider him the best, wouldn't do other players of his generation justice, Kaka for example during his best days in Milan. But what set him apart from all others, was his ability to decide matches in the last minute, by belief, decisiveness, power and technique. I think of his goal against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final, I think of his goal against Olympiakos in the last group match in 2005's Champions League. Those weren't lucky goals, born out of desperation, they were masterpieces of passion.

I want to thank Steven Gerrard. For the hard work he delivered, for the devotion, for his passion. Liverpool don't just lose a brilliant athlete and a great captain. They lose their heart.

You’ll never walk alone, Steven.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2015, 02:53:47 pm by DutchRed »
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Offline Desi Kopite

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2015, 12:34:35 pm »
Quality read that!

Offline redgriffin73

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2015, 12:36:06 pm »
Nice stuff from Rafa, thanks for posting - and deffo worthy of its own thread, as long as it doesn't descend into a Rafa bashing.
Rafa Benitez: "I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager. Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone."

Offline conman

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2015, 12:41:47 pm »
Thanks for posting, it was really good to read.

I like this quote:

 "Those weren't lucky goals, born out of desperation, they were masterpieces of passion."

Offline Redsnappa

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2015, 12:47:59 pm »

Offline Tony19:6

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2015, 12:49:34 pm »
Great read that thanks for posting.
A Great man once said...
"Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass.
It is terribly simple."

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2015, 12:52:07 pm »
Brought tears to my eyes that. Excellent tribute from Rafa!
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Offline ACLE

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2015, 12:55:57 pm »
Very good piece and every word so true. Well in Rafa.
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Offline the good half

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2015, 12:57:52 pm »
Passion - He said it like it was his second name.

What a great line that is.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2015, 01:00:53 pm by the good half »

Offline Keita Success

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2015, 01:29:32 pm »
Great read, thanks!

Offline RedRush

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2015, 01:34:22 pm »
Thanks!

Offline Peabee

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2015, 01:39:06 pm »
Thanks, that was a good read. He's a great bloke, Rafa.  He fell in love with the club, the city and the people while he was manager. 
We aren't walking through the storm now - we are the storm.

Offline Benimar Col

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2015, 02:11:53 pm »
Nice stuff from Rafa, thanks for posting - and deffo worthy of its own thread, as long as it doesn't descend into a Rafa bashing.

be surprised Rafa being bashed by sensible people,,  I wonder when he will be back ?       hes spot on about Stevie,   the gap created by FSG  with the contract dithering cannot be imagined today,  when its all over in May there will be more than a few tears in Anfield,   for nearly a generation he has been our captain, our saviour on too many occasions to remember,  his ability and enthusiasm is unique,  never has his like been seen before, never again will there be anyone who can touch him.   

the August start will be upon us and there wont be the driving force at the club anymore,   two or three years early in my estimation.

thanks yanks

Offline Gnurglan

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2015, 02:36:23 pm »
:thumbup

Good stuff. Just remember - he's still active.

To be bumped in May.

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2015, 03:08:54 pm »
What a piece! Thanks for sharing mate.
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Offline Ski

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #15 on: January 22, 2015, 04:12:37 pm »
Great piece from Rafa.

Not a dig at Stevie in any way but would be nice to see the love reciprocated.

Don't often see players from the Rafa years talk much about him yet he often talks about his team/individuals.
Has Steven Gerrard scored a goal even more important than the one he got against Olympiakos - Is this the start of something BIG?

Offline RedChanel

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2015, 04:34:11 pm »
One sun, one moon, one Rafa.

Thank you.
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2015, 04:41:09 pm »

Lovely photo and cover. Nice from Rafa.
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #18 on: January 22, 2015, 04:48:09 pm »
Wonderful. Insightful.
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2015, 04:49:48 pm »
Nice piece from Rafa.

I think this is the part that we'll miss the most though. Players inevitably get old, lose that yard of pace or power, but you can never replace the presence of someone like Steven Gerrard overnight.

Quote
He was a captain, a magnificent example for all around him. His sheer presence lifted the team to a higher level.
Craig Burnley V West Ham - WEST HAM WIN - INCORRECT

Offline TheShanklyGates

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #20 on: January 22, 2015, 05:15:36 pm »
Great words from a great man.
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Offline Cpt_Reina

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2015, 05:23:05 pm »
Someone should tell Rafa he actually doesn't like Gerrard cos of all the conspiring against him he did with Carra.

Mad how he doesn't know.

Offline No666

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2015, 05:42:32 pm »
Thanks, DutchRed. Walk down memory lane, that. Seems only yesterday that Gerrard-Torres partnership was terrorising Real Madrid and Harry, Lyndsay, Flying Pig and Coffeehead were camped out on threads warning about Hicks and Gillett. Feel old. (Am old.)

Offline RyanBabel19

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #23 on: January 22, 2015, 05:48:30 pm »
Great read, a few wonderful quotes in there

Offline gatcliffe

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #24 on: January 22, 2015, 07:07:11 pm »
As would be expected from Rafa nice words sheer class.
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #25 on: January 22, 2015, 07:18:36 pm »
Still love Rafa. Miss him! 😞
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #26 on: January 22, 2015, 07:22:29 pm »
Thanks, DutchRed. Walk down memory lane, that. Seems only yesterday that Gerrard-Torres partnership was terrorising Real Madrid and Harry, Lyndsay, Flying Pig and Coffeehead were camped out on threads warning about Hicks and Gillett. Feel old. (Am old.)
;D
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #27 on: January 22, 2015, 07:25:29 pm »
Nice read DutchRed, thanks.

Offline Guz-kop

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #28 on: January 22, 2015, 07:25:47 pm »
He hated him and wanted to get rid of him every season I thought? That's what rawk said
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #29 on: January 22, 2015, 07:28:39 pm »
Rafa is a true Red and articulates so well what we all feel.

Offline vicgill

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #30 on: January 22, 2015, 08:14:58 pm »
One sun, one moon, one Rafa.

Thank you.

I like that very much

« Last Edit: January 22, 2015, 08:17:51 pm by vicgill »
"Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and making yourself available to receive a pass, it is really that simple"

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Offline phoenician

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #31 on: January 22, 2015, 08:51:20 pm »
Praise from Rafa is meant to be like blood from rock isn't it?

It'll mean all the more having it from him now.

Thanks for putting this up. Fantastic.

Offline john_mac

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #32 on: January 22, 2015, 09:00:16 pm »
Someone should tell Rafa he actually doesn't like Gerrard cos of all the conspiring against him he did with Carra.

Mad how he doesn't know.

Espec as he logs onto RAWK so often, and everyone on here knows the score
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Offline Passmaster Molby

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #33 on: January 22, 2015, 09:10:56 pm »
One great man showing appreciation for another great man, all in the name of Liverpool Football Club. That's how it should be done.

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #34 on: January 22, 2015, 09:13:41 pm »
Someone should tell Rafa he actually doesn't like Gerrard cos of all the conspiring against him he did with Carra.

Mad how he doesn't know.

I don't get your logic to be honest. Football is Football, there are loads of players who have been sold  by a manager but are still complimentary about that manager.

Managers think a different player could do a better job and players think that a different manager could do a better job shocker.
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Offline BobOnATank

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #35 on: January 22, 2015, 10:49:36 pm »


"The Last Emperor. The heavy departure of Steven Gerrard."

Great words from Rafa as well  8)

Offline john_mac

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #36 on: January 22, 2015, 11:25:33 pm »
I don't get your logic to be honest. Football is Football, there are loads of players who have been sold  by a manager but are still complimentary about that manager.

Managers think a different player could do a better job and players think that a different manager could do a better job shocker.

Happy Al in Gerrard shocker
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Offline MerseyMania

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #37 on: January 23, 2015, 12:11:10 am »
What a Class act this man (Rafa) is.. always discreet in praise and never over does anything..so well composed.. If my knowledge on the game when Rafa was around on par with the current days, Rafa his mannerisms would have been reason enough to switch on the Star Sports back in India to watch him every week..

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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #38 on: January 23, 2015, 12:30:20 am »
To be fair they both benefited from each other - Rafa had in his employ a once in a generation player, Stevie had an astute coach who refined his game and brought it up to another (or many) level. I personally feel Gerrard didn't mind that Rafa is more hands off and professional as the cap'n is only interested in getting better and winning games for the team.

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Nice stuff from Rafa, thanks for posting - and deffo worthy of its own thread, as long as it doesn't descend into a Rafa bashing.
Oh, there will be Rafa bashers in here who long for the glory days of Hodgson while forgetting who engineered the belief and identity back to the club.
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Re: Rafa pays tribute to Steven Gerrard
« Reply #39 on: January 23, 2015, 12:48:21 am »
A wonderful man Rafa is.