Topic: Liverpool in talks with Steven Gerrard over return to Anfield

[Michel]

Always puzzles me how a man who served our club for more than 20 years and won every major trophy with us is given less clout by some than a manager who was here for 5.

I'm sure Rafa will have plenty to say himself once he does a biography at the end of his career.

Gerrard is being honest, what's the problem. If he has existing relationships with all of his ex managers but not Rafa what's wrong with saying it? Also, there are fucking plenty of people who don't blindly follow Rafa who believe he made a big mistake losing Alonso.

I'm a rafa fan by the way and haven't got a bad word to say about him but I don't see how Stevie's been particularly disrespectful.

Astonished that Steven Gerrard is being called pathetic on a Liverpool forum.

[QC]

I don't get why Gerrard is writing another book.

It's not as if he's struggling for money.

Because it's interesting and he has stories to tell; just because they conflict with some people's fairy tale view of LFC where everyone loves each other shouldn't stop him.

[Anywhichwayicant]

Because it's interesting and he has stories to tell; just because they conflict with some people's fairy tale view of LFC where everyone loves each other shouldn't stop him.

Who wrote it?

It reads like a trashy gossip magazine.

[QC]

Who wrote it?

It reads like a trashy gossip magazine.

Presumably a ghostwriter. He's a footballer not James Joyce.

[Johnnyboy1973]

Just when you were questioning how mickey mouse we actually are, Stevie lets us know.

Funny read for opposition fans.

[Anywhichwayicant]

Presumably a ghostwriter. He's a footballer not James Joyce.

Eamonn Dunphy isn't James Joyce and did a good job with Keane's book.

[Hazell]

Presumably a ghostwriter. He's a footballer not James Joyce.

Why does he have a book out if he's a footballer?

[QC]

Why does he have a book out if he's a footballer?

Because there's demand for it.

[MNAA]

Reason why I dont buy/read books on footballers anymore. Trashy sensationalism ... Completely unnecessary and not that you are short of money

[Hazell]

Because there's demand for it.

But he's a footballer, not a writer. Whatever he puts his name to, he's responsible for and you're right by the way, that shouldn't stop him from bringing out and autobiography and giving his opinion on things. But then not everyone will agree with or like what he says or thinks he's right in saying it. If he didn't want that, then he shouldn't be bringing out an autobiography. I'm sure he knows that though.

[LFC UNTIL THE MANAGER IS NO LONGER DESERVING OF MY SYMPATHY]

Missing his passing already this season.

[HighSix]

Agree with him or not I don't really see any sensationalism just his feelings & version of events. Its interesting to see players side of the 'Facts' press conference & a look in side our shit transfer operation under Rodgers.

[rob1408]

Agree with him or not I don't really see any sensationalism just his feelings & version of events. Its interesting to see players side of the 'Facts' press conference & a look in side our shit transfer operation under Rodgers.

There's perhaps sensationalism in the way The Mail are serialising the book, plenty of attention grabbing headlines, but you're correct, it's just Gerrard's opinion on things, opinions he's certainly entitled to air.

Nobody is forcing anyone to read his book and the Mail is always best avoided.  Some people seemingly look for ways to be wound up though.  It's easy enough to ignore.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

There's perhaps sensationalism in the way The Mail are serialising the book, plenty of attention grabbing headlines, but you're correct, it's just Gerrard's opinion on things, opinions he's certainly entitled to air.

Nobody is forcing anyone to read his book and the Mail is always best avoided.  Some people seemingly look for ways to be wound up though.  It's easy enough to ignore.

Nail, meet head.

[bird_lfc]

Missing his passing already this season.

Think you are in the wrong thread mate. If your not gonna bash Gerrard and praise Rafa then get the hell out of here.

[Redman0151]

'In my last season, Brendan Rodgers came to me at Melwood one day in mid-August. We had a chat on the training pitch. He said, ‘You know we’ve missed out on a couple of signings. I’m basically left with no option but to have a bit of a gamble.’

Brendan paused before he spoke again: ‘The gamble is Mario Balotelli.’ My instant reaction was, ‘Uh-oh.’

 

No idea how Gerrard can claim what Rafa did wasn't "the Liverpool way" then publicly reveal all of this stuff

[HighSix]

'In my last season, Brendan Rodgers came to me at Melwood one day in mid-August. We had a chat on the training pitch. He said, ‘You know we’ve missed out on a couple of signings. I’m basically left with no option but to have a bit of a gamble.’

Brendan paused before he spoke again: ‘The gamble is Mario Balotelli.’ My instant reaction was, ‘Uh-oh.’

 

That is crazy when you consider the Balotelli transfer was widely reported as agreed by August 21st let alone whenever talks began! It was not a deadlineday deal by any means.

[E2K]

Part of me really hopes that Steven Gerrard decides against going into management. Two biographies is surely enough for one lifetime.

[Kopenhagen]

Think there was a discussion last season on whether Balotelli was a committee signing or not?

It seems like it was Rodger's call then.

Allardyce knows a few people on our committee and said it was Rodgers's signing: he wanted a target man and thought he could get something out of Mario.

[DangerScouse]

No idea how Gerrard can claim what Rafa did wasn't "the Liverpool way" then publicly reveal all of this stuff

Exactly, and he can get fucked criticising Rafa about speaking out on the cancers, just a shame he didn't have the bollox to do it himself.

[chanti]

Slate opposing team players not your team mates. 

Wtf.

[RedRush]

Always puzzles me how a man who served our club for more than 20 years and won every major trophy with us is given less clout by some than a manager who was here for 5.

I'm sure Rafa will have plenty to say himself once he does a biography at the end of his career.

Gerrard is being honest, what's the problem. If he has existing relationships with all of his ex managers but not Rafa what's wrong with saying it? Also, there are fucking plenty of people who don't blindly follow Rafa who believe he made a big mistake losing Alonso.

I'm a rafa fan by the way and haven't got a bad word to say about him but I don't see how Stevie's been particularly disrespectful.

Astonished that Steven Gerrard is being called pathetic on a Liverpool forum.

Think he or Carra would have been given more respect if either spoke out against the cancers. Rafa did.

It isn't always about winning things. Plus the cringeworthy things he said about Curbishley, Hodgson and the English Messi, and many more.

Most of what he said about Rafa's okay by me, except for the cringing over the 'fact' presser when Rafa obviously did it to shield Gerrard from his pending court case (except that he was just to thick to realize it). Just explaining why some fans would love Rafa more.

[conman]

No idea how Gerrard can claim what Rafa did wasn't "the Liverpool way" then publicly reveal all of this stuff

Hanging dirty linnen out to dry by bashing current and former managers is certainly not the Liverpool way.

[Scribble8]

It doesn't come as a surprise that Gerrard dislikes Rafa. Both have huge egos and that rarley goes well together. (And some strange substitutions, and playing him all over the place)..

However it's some pretty classless comments.

But I guess he gotta come up with some solid stories to sell his fucking book.

FOOTBALLERS STOP WRITING BIOS WHILE YOUR STILL ACTIVE. And this is his second one... I guess he does love money!

Anyway, Gerrard is a hero to me and I love Rafa. Please, be friends, lol...

[Adeemo]

Rodgers had Gerrard contact Liverpool targets
http://www.football365.com/news/rodgers-had-gerrard-contact-liverpool-targets

Most of that makes horrific reading, consonantly going through that cycle of trying to get Gerrard to persuade top stars to join the club. Here's an idea, how about actually offering the contracts required to entice these fellas?

[Chakan]

Most of that makes horrific reading, consonantly going through that cycle of trying to get Gerrard to persuade top stars to join the club. Here's an idea, how about actually offering the contracts required to entice these fellas?

Honestly it makes sense, he's the biggest thing that could draw players to Liverpool. Not the manager, not the style of play, not the owners, no Champions League football. Only Gerrard.

[Adeemo]

Honestly it makes sense, he's the biggest thing that could draw players to Liverpool. Not the manager, not the style of play, not the owners, no Champions League football. Only Gerrard.

Oh I know that but ultimately it would never have made a difference unless we were also offering them a better financial package than teams from the Champions League.

[Redders1974]

I recall when Torres told the story of when we approached him to play for us. Rafa called him directly, Torres didn't believe it at first.. The name and stature of Rafa alone was enough to pull top class players in. Not quite the same for our current manager unfortunately...

[Chakan]

Oh I know that but ultimately it would never have made a difference unless we were also offering them a better financial package than teams from the Champions League.

Got to get them interested in the product first, it's like those commercials where they say "how much would pay for this?! Wait there's more if you order now..."

[Zoomers]

I recall when Torres told the story of when we approached him to play for us. Rafa called him directly, Torres didn't believe it at first.. The name and stature of Rafa alone was enough to pull top class players in. Not quite the same for our current manager unfortunately...

Oh how much I miss the old days...

[The G in Gerrard]

Don't agree with him but Stevie is entitled to his opinion

[DangerScouse]

Don't agree with him but Stevie is entitled to his opinion

He is indeed but publicising these stories and opinions shouldn't mean he's exempt from criticism regardless of how well he served us on the pitch. Not the wisest move for someone who has aspirations of managing the club in the future.

[thisyearisouryear]

Never thought I would see Steven Gerrard getting slated on a Liverpool forum.
Personally, don't think there is much wrong in what he is saying, apart from may be being a tad bit too honest.

Regarding Rafa, I don't think he is being disrespectful at all. He has stated unequivocally that Rafa is the best manager he has played with and praised his coaching abilities. What he is commenting on is the personal side of his relationship with Rafa, which wasn't very warm. Big deal. So Rafa was cold, professional and effective - not a news this.

Rafa was right in whatever he did and Gerrard is right in having his opinion. To be fair, at least the frank honesty gives an insight into things we have only speculated about so far.

The writing sure is quite cheesy. 

[thisyearisouryear]

He is indeed but publicising these stories and opinions shouldn't mean he's exempt from criticism regardless of how well he served us on the pitch. Not the wisest move for someone who has aspirations of managing the club in the future.

This is actually a good point.

[Resilientz]

Horrifying to read that our strategy for attracting bigger names was reliant on Steven Gerrard's ability to butter up said player by texting. Actually wish I hadn't read that or that he had kept that to himself. Utterly mortifying to be frank.

[Kopenhagen]

Horrifying to read that our strategy for attracting bigger names was reliant on Steven Gerrard's ability to butter up said player by texting. Actually wish I hadn't read that or that he had kept that to himself. Utterly mortifying to be frank.

I laughed.

[trimore]

Neither Gerrard nor Rafa were perfect people, who at times hurt the club, but as a whole both were huge net positives for the club in their own ways and I love them both.

Even Messi gets criticized by Barca fans and in the real and practical world of football, he's as good as it gets for helping a football club win. 

[DangerScouse]

http://basstunedtored.com/2011/05/29/rafas-rant-the-facts/

For clarity purposes.

[Cattive Maniere]

Just when you were questioning how mickey mouse we actually are, Stevie lets us know.

Funny read for opposition fans.

[The G in Gerrard]

He is indeed but publicising these stories and opinions shouldn't mean he's exempt from criticism regardless of how well he served us on the pitch. Not the wisest move for someone who has aspirations of managing the club in the future.

I agree. I don't agree with Gerrard as I've already said and the texting potential signings nothing short of embarrassing.

Conflicting opinions from Steven. Should just enjoy his time in the States to be honest.