Topic: Rafa Frustrated But Remaining Confident

[MattLFC08]

Rafael Benitez has insisted Liverpool still have a chance of playing in next month's Champions League final despite going down to a one goal defeat at Chelsea.
The two teams will meet at Anfield on Tuesday night with a place in Athens at stake for the winners and with Jose Mourinho's men in the driving seat after their first leg success.
 
Benitez admits he was disappointed with his team's first half display but encouraged by their improvement after the break which could have been rewarded with an away goal.
 
"The first half wasn't good for us," he said. "They had chances but it wasn't because they were playing well, it was because we were giving the ball away.
 
"We spoke before the game about being careful because we know they like to play on the counter-attack, but in that first half we were doing the wrong things and making the wrong decisions.
 
"In the second half we had a target man and we played better. We had much more control of the game and possibilities to score.
 
"Now we look forward to Anfield and the chance to play in front of our own fans. We have confidence because we know we're a good team, we know we can score goals and we know we can beat them.
 
"We'll need to be careful because we know how dangerous they can be on the counter-attack. I don't know what each side's chances are of going through now, I just know we can still do it."
 
Benitez was frustrated at the lack of protection his defenders received against the physical presence of Didier Drogba, but refused to criticise them for allowing Chelsea to grab the opening goal.
 
"It's difficult when decisions are going against you. Drogba is a good player and he had a good game, but usually decisions go against the striker in some of the situations we saw tonight.
 
"When people talk before the game then maybe it puts some pressure on the referee."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155726070425-2224.htm

Rafa is positive.

[Vinay]

He has to be positive.

[johnybarnes]

I'm positive

[UntouchableLuis]

It's reversable. But if Chelsea score the first goal we are fucked, it's as simple as that

[Bennyo]

I'm nervous

[Bogman]

Too fucking right we should be positive.

We ain't out of this game, not by a long shot.

We are Liverpool, by the way.

[MattLFC08]

It's reversable. But if Chelsea score the first goal we are fucked, it's as simple as that

If Chelsea score the first goal we need to double our efforts.... simple

[UntouchableLuis]

If Chelsea score the first goal we need to double our efforts.... simple

If we go a goal down and go on to win the tie it would be the greatest ever thing in football, almost as close as Istanbul if not just as great, considering the challenge

[Bogman]

If Chelsea score the first goal we need to double our efforts.... simple

Aye.

Always believe.

[MattLFC08]

If we go a goal down and go on to win the tie it would be the greatest ever thing in football, almost as close as Istanbul if not just as great, considering the challenge

When the 90 minutes are up, its over, not untill then.

Stay positive everyone! 

[UntouchableLuis]

I'll be positive..but nervous as fuck while I'm standing above the cockneys in Anfield road on tuesday!

[johnybarnes]

In some ways a 1-0 loss is better than 0-0 , gudjohnny could easily of put away that late goal in 2005 and we'd been out. At least we know we where we stand and what we have to do - attack attack attack.

[Brian Blessed]

Underdogs again, knowing we have to raise our game. Just how I like it.

[mctavish]

I'm sorry.. I'm a bit lost. how is losing 1 nil better than 0 - 0 ?

In some ways a 1-0 loss is better than 0-0 , gudjohnny could easily of put away that late goal in 2005 and we'd been out. At least we know we where we stand and what we have to do - attack attack attack.

[Simon-1973]

We must ALL remain confident!

[Walshy nMe®]

Fuckinell you would have thought we were 5-0 down.  I am not coming anywhere near this board if we actually do get knocked out.

[WaltonRed]

In some ways a 1-0 loss is better than 0-0 , gudjohnny could easily of put away that late goal in 2005 and we'd been out. At least we know we where we stand and what we have to do - attack attack attack.

in what way?  last time a  1:0 victory meant we were through. This time it will mean Chlsea have yet another 30 minutes to find an away goal to knock us out.

losing 1:0 away is an utterly dreadful result, no two ways of looking at it. Its a defeat without the mitigation of an away goal.

I reckon 8 times out of 10 if you lose 1:0 away then you go out.

And frankly, I dont give our chances next Tuesday as much more than 20%.

[MagicB8all]

in what way?  last time a  1:0 victory meant we were through. This time it will mean Chlsea have yet another 30 minutes to find an away goal to knock us out.

losing 1:0 away is an utterly dreadful result, no two ways of looking at it. Its a defeat without the mitigation of an away goal.

I reckon 8 times out of 10 if you lose 1:0 away then you go out.

And frankly, I dont give our chances next Tuesday as much more than 20%.

there's a reasist for you !  - we are most likely going to need to score 3 goals to go through - that's 3 goals against Chelsea !!!  - just think about that for a bit,  getting through would be as big a deal as beating Milan ....and just as unlikely ;-)

[WaltonRed]

there's a reasist for you !  - we are most likely going to need to score 3 goals to go through - that's 3 goals against Chelsea !!!  - just think about that for a bit,  getting through would be as big a deal as beating Milan ....and just as unlikely ;-)

I would like the stattos here to tell me 3 things:

1.  How many times have Chelsea failed to score away in a knockout European tie?

2. How many times have Chelsea conceded 3 when Cech, Terry and Carvalho have all played?

3.  In fact how many goals in total have Chelsea conceded this season when Cech, Terry and Carvalho have all played?

Thsoe 3 are an unbelievable barrier. Almost impossible to get behind so you have to shoot from in front of them, and then they have the brilliant Cech. The fact that our only chance last night came from 20 yards out, and the fact that it was then (fantastically) saved is a nutshell of our problem next week.  If we need to score 3 aginst them, then frankly forget it.

[Alan_X]

If we go a goal down and go on to win the tie it would be the greatest ever thing in football, almost as close as Istanbul if not just as great, considering the challenge

Oh do shut up. Why have people on here started talking like Sky Sports? It's a semi final against a team with a better squad than us and it'll be hard if they score but "the greatest ever thing in football..." 

...anyway that phrase is reserved for Manchester United didn't you know...

[Bob Loblaw]

in what way?  last time a  1:0 victory meant we were through. This time it will mean Chlsea have yet another 30 minutes to find an away goal to knock us out.

losing 1:0 away is an utterly dreadful result, no two ways of looking at it. Its a defeat without the mitigation of an away goal.

I reckon 8 times out of 10 if you lose 1:0 away then you go out.

And frankly, I dont give our chances next Tuesday as much more than 20%.

Wa Wa Wa! Grow a pair, ya whiney bitch..

[cornelius]

1.  How many times have Chelsea failed to score away in a knockout European tie?

And how many times have Chelsea failed to score against us in Europe? 4 out of 5.

We can keep a clean sheet next week.

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

When the 96 minutes are up, its over, not untill then.

Stay positive everyone! 

[edeyj]

Wa Wa Wa! Grow a pair, ya whiney bitch..

Succinct and to the point...well done!

[xabi rules]

Rafa is positive.

He has to be positive.

I'm positive

Too fucking right we should be positive.

Stay positive everyone! 

I'll be positive..

Good to see all the positivity after all the kneejerkativity

[quacky-red]

I would like the stattos here to tell me 3 things:

1.  How many times have Chelsea failed to score away in a knockout European tie?

2. How many times have Chelsea conceded 3 when Cech, Terry and Carvalho have all played?

3.  In fact how many goals in total have Chelsea conceded this season when Cech, Terry and Carvalho have all played?

Thsoe 3 are an unbelievable barrier. Almost impossible to get behind so you have to shoot from in front of them, and then they have the brilliant Cech. The fact that our only chance last night came from 20 yards out, and the fact that it was then (fantastically) saved is a nutshell of our problem next week.  If we need to score 3 aginst them, then frankly forget it.

 

[RiversideRed]

Can anyone tell me what Finnan's situation is?  I have looked all over and have found only one quick reference to a minor neck injury.  He was badly missed yesterday.  Also, what was up with Rafa's comments that he has not been consistent recently.  Was he motivating the lad or what?  Hope he is back Tuesday, also so Riise can move up and Zenden will be out.

[nyctex]

Can anyone tell me what Finnan's situation is?  I have looked all over and have found only one quick reference to a minor neck injury. 

hope this site helps.  Not in depth, but is fairly reliable

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php