How Liverpool And United Have Faired Since Rafa Cracked

What has happened since Rafael Benitez talked facts?

January 10th: Stoke 0 – 0 Liverpool
Liverpool 1 – 1 Everton
Liverpool 1 – 1 Everton
Wigan 1 – 1 Liverpool
Liverpool 2 – 0 Chelsea (against 10 men)
Everton 1 – 0 Liverpool
Portsmouth 2 – 3 Liverpool
Liverpool 1 – 1 City
Real Madrid 0 – 1 Liverpool
Middlesbrough 2 – 0 Liverpool

In all competitions: W3 D5 L2
Premiership: 18 points on offer, 10 points won.

In contrast to United, who have had League Cup semis to fit in as well as catch up on the Premiership games we missed in Japan, have faired considerably better.

January 11th: United 3 – 0 Chelsea (against 11 men)
United 1 – 0 Wigan
Bolton 0 – 1 United
United 4 – 2 Derby
United 2 – 1 Spurs
West Brom 0 – 5 United
United 1 – 0 Everton
West Ham 0 – United 1
Derby 1 – 4 United
United 3 – 0 Fulham
United 2 – 1 Blackburn
Inter 0 – 0 United

In all competitions: W11 D1 L0
In Premiership: 24 points on offer, 24 points won

Liverpool fans were/are adamant that Benitez has what it takes to lead them to Premiership glory. This one in particular was certain Rafa was speaking the truth in that odd episode ahead of their 0-0 draw at Stoke.

Do I think Rafa lost the plot with his ‘fact’ speech? No. He was spot-on in what he said; Graham Poll came out and spoke of the fear referees have of Ferguson, a man since named as the most powerful figure in English football.

Do I think there is no way Liverpool can win the league under Benítez? Of course not. But it’s a monster task, no matter who is in charge. This appeared to be a great season with some stuttering from United, Chelsea and Arsenal, but equally, Liverpool have had their own reasons for stuttering at times, too. (Torres’ injury, Gerrard’s court case, etc.)

I defend Benítez because I believe he is a great (if not 100% perfect) manager. I defend him because I believe the Liverpool way is to not undermine the manager. I defend him because he is incredibly dedicated and cares for our club. I defend him because I believe in continuity, and how long-term managers tend to do better than those at the clubs who chop and change.

I sincerely hope fans like this keep Benitez in a job. Sign on, sign on.

“Before the game it was very difficult,” said Benitez after the defeat. “Now it is more difficult.” Genius, I swear.

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12 Comments

RedDevil007 February 28, 2009

HAHAHA...this is great, they can't fire him because he always gets the odd good result in the Champions League, but simply can't make his team strong and consistent to be truly great!

costas February 28, 2009

So in the premier league we have won 14 points more ever since he cracked?Great!As someone said,he is good for stealing results in Europe but in the Premiership you have to bring more to the table.

Red-Manc February 28, 2009

In rafa we trust!

That fat spanish waiter has lost the plot, he's always been off his rocker but he's making it all the more entertaining this time round.

MU MUF MUFC OK!

SULLY February 28, 2009

Please dont sack him please please please I beg your rat-munching Scousers. I just cant help but fuckin love it everytime he signs average players that are not even fit enough to play for Fulham, Sunderland, West Brom etc. Scouseland is getting more and more attention these days eh! FSW has indeed lost the plot.

King Eric February 28, 2009

Have made my feelings clear on an earlier post today but surely the ridiculous mantra ....................In Rafa We Trust has to stop. Really really hope he stays as when I am in a bad mood and need a laugh he never fails. What a clown.

MG February 28, 2009

'The Efachts"

1. Never play mind games with the gaffer
2. Never think you are better until you have proved it to the gaffer
3. Never accuse the gaffer of winning games by cheating because that will only make him more determined to knock you off your f*****g perch : )
4. Never believe that it is your divine right to win until you have layed down the gauntlet and shown the gaffer you are serious
5. Never ever let you and your supporters disrespect the biggest team in this country over the course of the last decade and over - because by doing so you erase the humility within yourselves to ever fight for the challenge of winning the title.

Liverpool can look over to Chelsea and see what happened to them when they got too big for their boots - and it happened in a season when Mourinho was in control (06-07)

End of

N667 February 28, 2009

trust me weve been spoilt seeing a top notch manager for such a long time at our club tht everything in comparison looks pale

N667 is right.The FSW has got some tactics right in the Ch.League and he has won the Spanish League twice.To be honest,he can't cut it in the Premiership.Mourinho knew how to handle it's style of play from the very first day.Benitez 5 years later still can't get it.

vidic will get ya15 February 28, 2009

sign on sign on
rafa-a-a
benitez-z
you'll never win the league
YOU'LL NEVER WIN THE LEAGUE

KTRFFH

BrisbaneRed March 1, 2009

If the 'Pool fans think they've got troubles now, then wait and see what happens in the summer:

1) If Rafa stays, he'll have complete control of the cheque book - more rubbish signed at 'bargain' prices

2) If Rafa goes 'Pool will have difficulty in getting a decent manager. A new man will want a bagful of money to create a team in his own image. 'Pool don't have the money

3)Crunch time will come in June. This is when the sh*t hits the fan. The RBS - biggest corporate loss in UK history - will want their money back. Will Gillet/Hicks find someone else to loan them money? Most likely not. Financial problems until a new owner is found. This is the REAL reason Parry threw in the towel.

4) Nothing will happen in the summer transfer market. No funds. Full stop. Mid table mediocrity beckons whilst UTD go on to win title #19

babatunde bamgbade March 1, 2009

FACTS!!!

bruce thomas March 2, 2009

Rafa Benitez is completely FACT.

Dippers are completely FACT.

And that's a FUCKED!

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