Topic: The Media...

[Derry-Red]

Are absolute scum.

That just about covers it..

[Harvest Fields]

Some people need to get a grip, we've lost 6 out of the past 7, what do you want the media to do?.

be more reasoned with their quotes. back it up with facts.

[hansen6]

be more reasoned with their quotes. back it up with facts.

Why?. We're in the middle of a run of very bad results and the buck stops with Rafa. If any of the other big four had a run like we had of course they'd be under the same pressure from the media. I think the media have been restrained considering how shite we've been playing this season.

[Livbes]

Spot. Fucking. On.

[Stussy]

Brentie it felt cathartic to read that, it must have felt even better writing it.

Well said.

[Carlito Roberto]

I flicked over to Sky Sports news last night and was appalled but not surprised at what I saw.

Paul ‘I mean’ Merson and his cronies attacking Rafa from every angle, it was an absolute witch-hunt. I think Paul Walsh was on there (can’t remember the others) but they just laid into him about the usual shite.

He should never have sold Bellamy or Crouch and only has himself to blame etc. These morons have no idea the pressure Rafa’s under to trim the wage bill and bring money in before he can buy the players he wants. The fact is if Rafa could have kept Bellamy and still been able to afford Torres he would have done, but he couldn’t. They fail to mention this, not because they're trying to hide it from people it's because they're too lazy to research the reasons. I find it amazing Sky employ the stupidest footballers known to man as Pundits. You have the right to shoot me if I ever take on board the comments of Paul Merson.

[rick287]

I've got to the point where I don't speak to anyone about football any more (except for a few old friends), as all they do is regurgitate the crap in the tabloids. I get gems such as:

"Isn't it time for Rafa to go now?"

"Don't you think Liverpool would do better if Benitez stopped rotating?"

"Beyond Torres and Gerrard, Liverpool have got nobody. Two man team."

Smile, nod, and walk away.

[Horse_with_no_name]

I don't think it is a personal attack on Rafa at all.

The written Media (particulary the Tabloids) always pick on soft targets and launch into a feeding frenzy. They have hounded out polititians, soap stars, and sportsmen alike. Ask Gordon Brown. He has enjured it since he came to office.


If you are perserved to be a 'lame duck' you are a legitimate target. The only way Rafa will get them off hios back is by winning. He can start tonight.

[stjohns]

I hate the bastards as much as the next man but unfortunately the club has made itself the news and an easy target for lazy fuckwit hacks.

[S7ARZ]

Maybe this is a case for any wealthy forum users with contacts within the media industry to maybe open a new media company?
One that solely bases it's stories on facts and not bullshit opinions?
Not only would we reveal the truth about LFC but also report on other clubs with FACTS
Only to then be taken over by some super-billionaire who then sacks everyone to promote what they want
The End
Wow I'm imaginitive

How good would it be to actually have a form of media that was genuinely 100% FACTS.
Everyone would buy it. (Except those twats that only read the stories that benefit which is bullshit most of the time.)
Anyway
Brilliant post

[lucas21]

Irish television would really sicken your stones. They were anti-Rafa since he joined. Ronnie Whelan has disliked him from the start. Pat Dolan is the only one who gives him any credit. Wait for it tonight, same shite, Eamon Dunphy, Johnny Giles.

[Juan Loco]

Spot on. Can I just go on record as saying Henry Winter is a biased c*nt, who has no business calling himself a football writer and wouldn't know a well-researched fact if it smacked him in his simpering, middle-class face.

His "Rafael Benitez will blame everyone but himself for Liverpool's plight" article was a fucking shameful hatchet-job.

Henry Winter is a poncey gobshite who watched football from the study window as a child rather than playing it.

He is the Martin Tyler's Monkey of Sports writers. He's in with the old boys club and that includes Liverpool players. Nothing is every the fault of Gerrard or Carragher (and at united no blame can be placed on Rooney, Ferdinand, Giggs, Neville or Scholes.. at Chelsea it's "JT", Lampard and Ashley Cole etc etc). He's exactly what is wrong with the media culture in football. Back slaps and plaudits for "our boys" and bile and vitriol for the rest.

Go fuck yourself Henry.

[mrbutch]

Now in football we have shite ex-players given columns (Cascarino, Bright, Collymore, Merson, etc)
Referees who write blogs about the weeks previous issues (Winter, Poll, etc)
Numerous programmes where people with no management experience give their "educated" views (Sunday Supplement, Super Sunday Special, Soccer AM, Sky Sports Saturday)

There are far too many people given the chance to express their views on our once beautiful game

What I'd love is a live debate where they put their views to Rafa and then he answers their questions

Would love to see our manager explain his zonal marking system, its flaws and its benefits, and then let Martin Tyler's Monkey or Collymore give their views

Fuck em all and don't believe the hype

Why give them the time of day ?  It would be "spun" and edited to their news agenda.  That's how it works folks.  Journos (not ex- pros) are lazy cause there are less of them these days.  After the Wapping dispute the reporting of news and sport changed.  It resulted in less people doing the same amount of work which in turn leads to lazy journalism, bandwagon jumping and news stories based on PR releases.  It takes time and effort to create an alternative/controversial view.  An opinion is less safe if deviates from the perceived norm and Editors worry.  They need to sale newspapers and the stories have to be produced quickly so it is easier to copy someone else's, so called, conformist  ideas.


The media have created the Rafa they want.  Cold, Unfriendly, etc. but most of all foreign.  They will hound him until they have their pound of flesh.  They then  move onto the next target.

We raise above this and back a man who believes in us not the Fleet Street mafia.

[great ball Jan]

You have to start questioning why they ALL line up to have a right old pop at Rafa.  There is no balance, not an ounce of it.  Nobody has a different opinion they all throw shit at him, different shades of shit, but none the less its still shit.  Nobody ever says "Rafa wanted Crouch to stay but couldn't promise him a starting place week in week out, so the big man walked"  Instead the lazy pricks say " Rafa sold crouch, a proven goal scorer  and didn't replace him".

Same with Bellamy.  Sold to help finance Torres deal,  the pricks say "sold Bellamy and he is just what he needs right now".    I also watched Sly dig sports with that master of the English language Paul thick as shit Merson and was amazed at how all the "panelist"  all had a right dig.  Not one of them offered any balance or facts.   

But they all do, the press in this country all love having a go at him, I just wonder why nobody tries to defend him or throw up a different view.  They all hate him.   Is it because he doesn't try to be pals with them like Harry?   Or throw them freebies and suck up to them?   Invite them into his office and talk about other players managers ect ect?  There has to be something because Rafa gets cut no slack by any of them.   Or is it more sinister and they are being told to do this by whiskey nose? 
He has control of the press, they're all scared of him! 

Just seems odd to me that the press, tv and radio all have a go and not one of them comes out in support. Not one??? ( Ok the local do and the baldy fella, but they are connected to us really)

That Merson fella is a complete prick.  A fucking retard who is wheeled out on a saturday from the priory to connect with the other backward inbred retards of this country,  he must have said the same word 6 times in one sentence the other night.  Joker.

[The Nihilists]

Henry Winter is a poncey gobshite who watched football from the study window as a child rather than playing it.

He is the Martin Tyler's Monkey of Sports writers. He's in with the old boys club and that includes Liverpool players. Nothing is every the fault of Gerrard or Carragher (and at united no blame can be placed on Rooney, Ferdinand, Giggs, Neville or Scholes.. at Chelsea it's "JT", Lampard and Ashley Cole etc etc). He's exactly what is wrong with the media culture in football. Back slaps and plaudits for "our boys" and bile and vitriol for the rest.

Go fuck yourself Henry.

 

[East of Anfield]

Here in singapore,there is only 1 newspaper that covers edequately sports.Most of the local writers are scum supporters,everytime when i miss matches on the tele,i have to rely on the papers for any results of the previous nights match.I can tell you,most of the time i will take their match analysis regarding us with a pinch of salt as they tend to give thier views against us.For example,the last match between us and fulham,one of the prominent jurno said that he felt that it was a 100% clear cut case that degen deserved his red!There has many a times i let out a curse after reading their columns (especially after we lose)

[Harvest Fields]

Why?. We're in the middle of a run of very bad results and the buck stops with Rafa. If any of the other big four had a run like we had of course they'd be under the same pressure from the media. I think the media have been restrained considering how shite we've been playing this season.

bad results are no reason for the media to go spouting falsehoods and outright bullshit.

by all means be constructive with criticism but some of the shite being peddled by mainstream media outlets is bordering on lunacy.

[flynnyyy]

Fucking well said, was gunna start a thread like this myself after reading the papers this week and having a heated discussion with a friend and fellow red who thinks rafa should go.

You said most of the points i was trying to get across to him and said them better than I could have!

IN RAFA I TRUST. 

[Limerick_red]

There is nothing wrong with the media or an ex player even criticizing  Rafa as long as it is a well thought out and truthful argument. If people are really offended by it they should stop reading that paper or watching their programs because that is feeding the monster. The problem at the moment is that the people in position to give their opinions are only there because they can shout the loudest and not because of the quality of their reporting or analysis. They are there to make money. Papers will sell more if they have an anti-Rafa, Liverpool are doomed article than if they had another article praising us. Why is this? It is because the media knows that they will get the attention of Liverpool supporters/fans by doing this. They know it makes us mad and as a result it generates more attention/financial gain for them. The only solution is to completely ignore them.

[Bouncer]

Good post. This just reminds me why I haven't bought a paper for about six years, at least. It really is best not to look at all; there's enough shit spouted on the TV news and S/Sports without wasting time reading it as well.

Same here ... sick to death of Cundits and biased jourmos.

But you know what it isnt just football ... journos are a pretty rum lot ... as are scientists/researchers ... always an agenda, an angle, a trend, and easy option, a wave,  a line of least resistance.

One thing that makes me as angry, possibly angrier, is another LIE continually perpetuated by the media on climate change and kissing the arse of Saint Al Gore (an eco Alex Ferguson).

If you get a chance take a look at this  (Apocalypse No!) ... shocking

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=apocalypse+no&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=nNrxSqb3FsehjAfmztGWAQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQqwQwAA#

Off topic ... but parallels what turds the press and media are ... shower of lazy lying bastards

Don't believe a word ...

 [rant not over]

[watyeonaboot]

From the Mirror. Such fair reporting, I love it.

Maybe it is fitting that here in the gastronomic capital of France, Liverpool should make such a meal of qualifying for the knock out stages of the Champions League.

In the cruellest, most painful manner possible, they took their European fate in their own hands for seven hopeful, joyous minutes, only to have it snatched away again in almost farcical manner with a Lyon equaliser in injury time that makes progress for the English club look barely possible.

Rafael Benitez’s side never really showed the hunger required to devour Lyon and record the win their campaign so desperately needed, even if their appetite was, admittedly, impaired by an injury crisis that has cut their squad to the - anorexic - bare bones.

Yet Ryan Babel emerged from the bench in the dying minutes to apparently resurrect not only his side’s hopes, but his own Anfield career, with a stunning strike from fully 25 yards as the clock struck 83 minutes.

No wonder the dedicated travelling support celebrated so wildly, no wonder the Liverpool players looked at each other with barely concealed pride and wonder. Just seven minutes to hold out, and allow themselves to dream once more of another spectacular chapter in the European history.

Just as two years ago, Babel’s goal offered the prospect of winning their last three group matches to go through to the next round when it seemed an impossible task. But then the reality of this calamitous season brought them so devastatingly down to earth once more.

As their French opponents trudged forward into injury time in almost resigned despair, they flung the ball aimlessly into the box, offering a simple chance for the Liverpool defence - which had been impressive all night - to deal with the danger.

But fate intervened in horribly cruel manner, just as it has done too many times this season already for the English club. Michel Bastos emerged from an offside position to head down, and as clearances were missed, the ball fell to Brazilian striker Lisandro, who had been terrible all night.

He swished his right foot at the ball, didn’t make the cleanest of contact, but saw his shot deflect off team-mate Cris, and over the despairing grasp of visiting keeper Pepe Reina into the roof of the net.

When Liverpool dust themselves down - and it will take a long time to recover from this devastating blow - they will work out that if Fiorentina beat Lyon in the next round of matches then they are out of the Champions League and condemned to the interminably obscure treks of the Europa League.

And they will also consider this fact. Lyon, with the last kick of the game here, took the point that puts them through to the knock out stage, and so will be tempted to play a weakened team in Florence in two weeks’ time.

Maybe they should reflect too, that they really have only themselves to blame, even if the missed offside from the officials was a desperate trick for the fates to play at this stage.

They performed competently enough, but given the dire situation they found themselves in, never really displayed the energy and tempo demanded to create an attacking momentum designed to win the game.

They didn’t defend in the last minute as they needed too, and - crucially - they spurned the chances to put the game beyond doubt when they came along, with Fernando Torres, Andreiy Voronin, Lucas and Dirk Kuyt all missing opportunities to take the three points that would have left this group wide open.

Lucas and Kuyt had perhaps the most obvious moment, when Torres put the Brazilian in on the left, only for the French keeper Hugo Lloris to save well, and for the Dutchman to then see, from the rebound, his weak overhead kick cleared from the line by Aly Cissokho.

Voronin too, was put clean through by quick thinking from Javier Mascherano in the first half, when he placed a swift free kick over the top to send the Ukrainian away, but criminally he was too casual and put his shot too close to the home keeper when frankly he should have buried.

Torres’ chance was a harder one early in the game, but Liverpool will consider that even though their talisman managed almost 90 minutes here, he didn’t get any other opportunities, and never really lifted the team-mates who depend on him so much.

It means that while the English club can still qualify, they will need something of a miracle with results going their way if they are to reach the knock out stage that their season so depends on.

It is a crushing blow to Liverpool, and their fans will not have been pleased with the lack of commitment to attack, especially in a second half when Lyon had more chances of their own, and were denied only by the excellence of Pepe Reina, and in particular one fine save from Lisandro.

[Mahern]

From the Mirror. Such fair reporting, I love it.

Maybe it is fitting that here in the gastronomic capital of France, Liverpool should make such a meal of qualifying for the knock out stages of the Champions League.

In the cruellest, most painful manner possible, they took their European fate in their own hands for seven hopeful, joyous minutes, only to have it snatched away again in almost farcical manner with a Lyon equaliser in injury time that makes progress for the English club look barely possible.

Rafael Benitez’s side never really showed the hunger required to devour Lyon and record the win their campaign so desperately needed, even if their appetite was, admittedly, impaired by an injury crisis that has cut their squad to the - anorexic - bare bones.

Yet Ryan Babel emerged from the bench in the dying minutes to apparently resurrect not only his side’s hopes, but his own Anfield career, with a stunning strike from fully 25 yards as the clock struck 83 minutes.

No wonder the dedicated travelling support celebrated so wildly, no wonder the Liverpool players looked at each other with barely concealed pride and wonder. Just seven minutes to hold out, and allow themselves to dream once more of another spectacular chapter in the European history.

Just as two years ago, Babel’s goal offered the prospect of winning their last three group matches to go through to the next round when it seemed an impossible task. But then the reality of this calamitous season brought them so devastatingly down to earth once more.

As their French opponents trudged forward into injury time in almost resigned despair, they flung the ball aimlessly into the box, offering a simple chance for the Liverpool defence - which had been impressive all night - to deal with the danger.

But fate intervened in horribly cruel manner, just as it has done too many times this season already for the English club. Michel Bastos emerged from an offside position to head down, and as clearances were missed, the ball fell to Brazilian striker Lisandro, who had been terrible all night.

He swished his right foot at the ball, didn’t make the cleanest of contact, but saw his shot deflect off team-mate Cris, and over the despairing grasp of visiting keeper Pepe Reina into the roof of the net.

When Liverpool dust themselves down - and it will take a long time to recover from this devastating blow - they will work out that if Fiorentina beat Lyon in the next round of matches then they are out of the Champions League and condemned to the interminably obscure treks of the Europa League.

And they will also consider this fact. Lyon, with the last kick of the game here, took the point that puts them through to the knock out stage, and so will be tempted to play a weakened team in Florence in two weeks’ time.

Maybe they should reflect too, that they really have only themselves to blame, even if the missed offside from the officials was a desperate trick for the fates to play at this stage.

They performed competently enough, but given the dire situation they found themselves in, never really displayed the energy and tempo demanded to create an attacking momentum designed to win the game.

They didn’t defend in the last minute as they needed too, and - crucially - they spurned the chances to put the game beyond doubt when they came along, with Fernando Torres, Andreiy Voronin, Lucas and Dirk Kuyt all missing opportunities to take the three points that would have left this group wide open.

Lucas and Kuyt had perhaps the most obvious moment, when Torres put the Brazilian in on the left, only for the French keeper Hugo Lloris to save well, and for the Dutchman to then see, from the rebound, his weak overhead kick cleared from the line by Aly Cissokho.

Voronin too, was put clean through by quick thinking from Javier Mascherano in the first half, when he placed a swift free kick over the top to send the Ukrainian away, but criminally he was too casual and put his shot too close to the home keeper when frankly he should have buried.

Torres’ chance was a harder one early in the game, but Liverpool will consider that even though their talisman managed almost 90 minutes here, he didn’t get any other opportunities, and never really lifted the team-mates who depend on him so much.

It means that while the English club can still qualify, they will need something of a miracle with results going their way if they are to reach the knock out stage that their season so depends on.

It is a crushing blow to Liverpool, and their fans will not have been pleased with the lack of commitment to attack, especially in a second half when Lyon had more chances of their own, and were denied only by the excellence of Pepe Reina, and in particular one fine save from Lisandro.

Well this c*nt didn't even watch the game if he thinks Lisandro's goal was deflected in. Lisandro the Argentinian that is.

[shanklyboy]

This is a belter.


John Arne Riise: Return to Liverpool? I'd rather stay at fourth-bottom Roma

By Sportsmail Reporter

John Arne Riise has angrily shot down claims that he wants to return to Liverpool.

A Sunday newspaper claimed he the Norway wide man had issued a come and get me plea to his struggling former club, but it seems Riise has no intention of hopping from one crisis club to another.

The 29-year-old left Anfield for Italy 17 months ago and has featured in all but one of Roma's Serie A matches this season, yet the News of the World claimed he was unsettled and had failed to establish himself as a regular at the Olympic Stadium.

                                                           



But Riise has set the record straight. 'I never said I wanted to return to Liverpool and I never made those statements,' said Riise.

'I am settled here in Rome and I want to stay.'

Roma are saddled with huge debts and have struggled since Alberto Aquilani was sold to Liverpool this summer. They currently stand 14th of 20 teams in Serie A

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1224894/John-Arne-Riise-Return-Liverpool-Id-stay-fourth-Roma.html#ixzz0VwMxiGMw

[Il Nina]

Haha! First stupid story of the day and its not long past midnight 

[rafathegaffa83]

Another classic hatchet job from Richard Williams

Rafael Benítez's nerve-shredding rollercoaster is hurtling towards oblivion

Liverpool's late collapse in Lyon indicates their manager's ability to conjure life-affirming results is over

Rafael Benítez could not inspire Liverpool to victory against Lyon

As the ball exploded from Ryan Babel's right boot last night, it looked as though Liverpool were about to produce another of those improbable resurrections with which the reign of Rafael Benítez has been studded. Had the match finished there and then, this would have been a result to put alongside the 2005 European Cup final, the ending of Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home run 12 months ago, the imperious dismissal of Real Madrid from the Champions League last March, and the 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford four days later.

It would have been proof of the manager's ability to conjure life-affirming results out of a desert of confusion and underperformance, one more nerve-shredding but ultimately exhilarating night in a five-year ride on the Spaniard's lurching rollercoaster. But it was not, thanks to a piece of last-minute opportunism by the most expensively acquired player in the history of French football. And now, as a result of Lisandro López's equaliser, that rollercoaster looks very much as though it is hurtling towards oblivion.

For that is what a failure to qualify for the knock-out stage of the Champions League now represents to a club of Liverpool's size, history and ambition – not to mention a once sound financial position rendered precarious by David Moores' ill-advised decision to sell up to a pair of American carpetbaggers who took out vast loans to finance their adventure into a world neither of them understood.

But the disaster that Liverpool find themselves facing this morning is not the fault of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Four matches, four points and a negative goal difference – those figures are the responsibility of Benítez and no one else. The manager may moan about his lack of resources compared to those of his rivals, but when you have been able to bring so many players into a club, among them the world's best centre forward, you cannot expect your complaints to be taken seriously.

"It all happened too quickly," Jamie _Carragher, Liverpool's captain on the night, said afterwards, when asked to describe his view of López's 90th minute equaliser. To Liverpool's watching fans, however, the action unfolded in shudderingly slow motion as the Argentinian took advantage of a sudden collapse of concentration in the English club's defence.

"We deserved to win," Benítez said. "We had some chances. To concede a goal in the last minute is really bad luck." An objective response would be: no, yes, and emphatically no. They had chances, but so did Lyon. And conceding such a goal – any goal, actually – in the closing seconds of a match seldom has much to do with luck. In those moments, the determining factors are more likely to be organisation and resilience, which is where Liverpool lost out, despite his attempt to commend their character.

Fernando Torres again came off before the end, and anyone who has suffered an inguinal hernia, or even the full set of two, like some of us, will have been dismayed by Benítez's decision to allow his young compatriot to play on once the injury had been diagnosed. A hernia is not necessarily painful but it causes discomfort and restricts the range of movement. It also gets worse. Whatever the player's own view, the manager should have sent him straight off for the requisite minor surgery, accepting his short-term absence and demonstrating confidence in his back-up players.

Babel, for instance – a player "whose pace and ability can change a game", according to Benítez last night. Then he added a half-veiled criticism: "We want to see the best of him in some more games". But getting the best out of players is Benítez's job. Babel's muted celebration of his marvellous goal may have been the expression of a naturally reticent temperament, or it may have been a comment on his manager's lack of faith.

Liverpool are not yet quite out of it. But with six defeats, one draw and a single victory in their last eight matches, even the most ardent of Benítez's admirers on the Kop must now be wondering what can be salvaged from a season barely three months old but already marked by failure on all sides.

He's damned if plays Torres and damned if he doesn't. Also, I wonder if it was quite a failure of a club of Manchester United's "size, history and ambition" when they  finished bottom of their group a few seasons back?

[kingluisgarcia]

Whatever you may think of Rafael Benitez, whatever mistakes he may have made, whatever failings, not a single one us can deny that the bloodsuckers in the media are doing their absolute best to hound this man out of the club.

Spot on.

[Tommy316]

Oh I see what he did there, he used 'nerve racking rollercoaster' and 'oblivion' in the same sentence, that's utter genious!

Apart from his usual twattish match report, anybody see Maddock's other article today titled "You ARE walking alone now, Rafa" Erm, no he's not because he's still got hundreds of thousands of fans behind him you utter knob.

I can imagine him thinking toward the end of last night's game "Oh well, I suppose I'll have to put my hate filled jounalism towards getting Rafa the sack to one side as it looks like Liverpool have pulled it out the bag yet aga-...LISANDRO....YES!" and starts rubbing his hands together with glee as the equaliser went in.

I only really ever read the Echo, now I hardly bother with that since Tony Barrett left for the times. What annoys me, as previously said, is that the journalists are allowed to pick up a fat salary, and print utter shite without backing it up with facts. Facts which are time and time again brought up in this forum, I wish I could just sit them down and drill it into their heads. I know they only want to sell newspapers, but it just boils my piss.

[Davvo7]

This is from the Press Complaints Commission and just shows how far out of line some of the shitheads in the press have got. That said, they are journalists so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised.

"All members of the press have a duty to maintain the highest professional standards. The Code, which includes this preamble and the public interest exceptions below, sets the benchmark for those ethical standards, protecting both the rights of the individual and the public's right to know. It is the cornerstone of the system of self-regulation to which the industry has made a binding commitment.

1. Accuracy
 
 i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.

ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and - where appropriate - an apology published.

iii) The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.

iv) A publication must report fairly and accurately the outcome of an action for defamation to which it has been a party, unless an agreed settlement states otherwise, or an agreed statement is published."
 
http://www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html

Sir Bob said, "Newspapers remind me of Jaws. They'll consume anything you've got and be back for more the next day."

[jaffod]

Said it before and I'll say it again. I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why Liverpool Football Club allow these fucking parasites into Anfield.
 Maybe I'm overlooking something but I just don't see what benefit we get from allowing these so-called 'journalists', who have a clear agenda of trying to de-stabilise the manager and club, access to our club.
 No other business or industry would allow it to happen.

[Dr Cornwallis]

Another classic hatchet job from Richard Williams

He's damned if plays Torres and damned if he doesn't. Also, I wonder if it was quite a failure of a club of Manchester United's "size, history and ambition" when they  finished bottom of their group a few seasons back?

My reply to Richard Williams, although I'm sure he'll ask for it to be taken down and then he'll go to the nearest Pret-A-Manger and sulk with a frothy latte.



Dear Richard,

Unlike other clubs, Liverpool's HR policy will not be dictated by the media in this country. Liverpool fans are, on the whole, fully supportive of Rafael Benitez and his work done at this club and it is our intention for him to be around for a few more years yet.

I wonder where these articles were in 2001/02 when Ferguson led United to 3rd in the Premiership, 4th round of the FA Cup and the semi finals of the Champions League despite winning the league the year before and spending £29m on Veron, £7.5m on Forlan and £19m on Van Nistelrooy. Hmmm, where were you and your pals Richard? Writing articles like this?

I also wonder where these articles were in 2003/04 when Ferguson again came 3rd in the league, and went out of the Champions League in the first knockout round despite spending £52m in that season.

Again, there also seems to be an absence of critique on Ferguson in the following season, 2004/05, when he led United to 3rd in the league again and also went out in the Champions League in the first knockout round, yet again, after spending an additional £30m in the Summer. Where were the calls for his head then? So much money spent in the previous years, but can only manage 3rd in the league two years running and can't even progress to the second knockout round?

So surely, this season would be the nail in his coffin, 2005/06. Another £23m spent but this time he can't even get out of the group, finishing dead last in the group to be exact, behind amazing sides such as Lille and Benfica. Again, he couldn't win the Premiership that season either, so where were you and your mates then? Calling for his head were you? I don't seem to recall the articles Richard, you'll have to forgive me.

And what if you had written the articles and asked for his head? You'd be right to do so, having spent £196m between 2001 and 2006 and having only a Premier League and FA Cup in the trophy cabinet to show for those 5 years. Yet you'd try to crucify a man like Benitez for winning the Champions League, FA Cup, and being a runner up in another Champions League final, all on a 5 year spend of £166m (the £14m spent on Djibril Cisse in the Summer of 2004 was a deal set-up by Houllier and there was no getting out of it Richard).
We spent £30m less than United and achieved similar results Richard, we also didn't have homegrown talent in the shape of the Neville brothers, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Butt, O Shea, Brown Benitez certainly didn't have quality like Sheringham, Keane, Stam, Barthez, Cole, Yorke, Silvestre and Solskjaer already in the squad. He didn't even have Owen anymore, he had to start with Hyypia, Gerrard, Carragher, Riise and Hamann. 5 players of any sort of quality he had, the rest he had to make do with and try to replace them as he went along and rightly so because they were awful.

Richard, it's ill-considered pieces like yours that re-affirm Liverpool fan's belief that we've got the right man. Many a manager would have walked under media storm by now. In fact, they would have walked after the first season when the press were on his back, unbelievably. But not Benitez, he's used to being the under-dog, you think this stuff is tough, you try taking on the darlings of the Spanish press and beating them. The stuff you come out with must be like reading a student newsletter compared to the stuff written about him in Spain when he was beating Barcelona and Madrid.

So carry on this charade Richard, your glaring lack of perspective simply demonstrates how much you've considered the subject, and it clearly indicates your dislike of the man and I doubt that anything would change that.

[Groundskeeper Willie]

Don´t give shit about what they say. What really gets me going is ex- players like Redknapp, Collymore, Whelan etc. spouting their shit at every opportunity.

It´s thanks to Liverpool FC you f*ckers have a job today!

[TheVoiceOfRiise]

at least the bloke in the mirror noticed the 'offside' element to lyons goal.

[Ultimate Bromance]

Bloody disgraceful vendetta against the man. Sad thing is people are going to believe it, and some of those people will be Liverpool supporters.

Genuinely don't understand how they can just make utter garbage up and it's totally fine.

[horne]

seventeen other managers will lose the prem this year...do they realise this?

[horne]

not that we have of course...its a long race!

[freddwarf]

I have been a critic of Rafa and my confidence in him started to wane approx 2 years ago.That said there is an agenda in the media (Their opinions have not influenced me by the way) to get Rafa out.Most of them are in love with Mr Alex Ferguson esp the Daily Mail. They are fond of giving the clapped out ex-pro's a few quid to slag Rafa off. I'd love to see Rafa turn it round and maybe he will but a lot will depend on how well the boy Aquilani does.

[LIVusa34]

what a ridiculous headline

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1225425/Raging-Reds-keeper-Pepe-Reina-slams-Liverpools-disgraceful-Champions-League-campaign.html

[shanklyboy]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/polls/poll.html?pollId=1013868

A poll for who the Liverpool manager should be.


Guess who's winning before you have a look!

[starlightshadow]

People may hate the media, but if you need an indication of the power of it, look back at that infamous Sunderland game.

The object thrown onto the pitch was clearly a beach ball. It was later identified as one beyond all reasonable doubt, but because the two Sky commentators misidentified it as a "balloon", half the world still says that was what it was.

Papers, commentators can put out any old shite and people will believe it.

[Soggy sausage rolls]

Wenger says Rafa is a 'Super Manager'. Lippi has called him 'The Master'.
Must be bullshit - none other than ex Luton maestro Mick Harford thinks he's crap and we should get Steve Bruce in.