11/23/24
June 16, 2004
Raul Benitez is new Liverpool manager: It's official. The manager who brought Valencia two national championships in four seasons, who ended their 30-year run without a national championship in his first year in charge, who led them to a Spanish League-UEFA Cup double this season, is now manager of the Reds. With the underperformers gone or leaving, and new stars arriving, could next season be Liverpool's?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 09:55 AM - 15 comments
Hah, brummy trollfilter strikes again! Just a quick correction: Mr Benitez accomplished the above feats, including beating the world's most expensive team, Real Madrid, in three, not four, years at Valencia. And an addendum: Mr Benitez did all this at a team where he had ">clashes with upper management about the purchase of players. So coming into a team that's just been joined by the top scorer in France, I'm sure, will be a huge challenge. (Can you smell that? That was sarcasm.) GBP15m out of about GBP60m to spend shouldn't be too bad, given that it's Cisse. What I think will be good is he doesn't have any purchase history with any of the players, so selling or dropping them won't be as much of an issue. And, he will have the first and last say on buying players, too, which will be a breath of fresh air. As for turncoat Gerrard, if that's what it is, that's what it is. But let's not bandy rumors and false accusations about, shall we? If it happens, it happens. It's football, eh? Bizness, eh? We'll have money to spend, so I'm sure there'll be replacements. I'm more concerned about us shoring up the defence (replace Henchoz) and central midfield (replace Hamann).
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:48 PM on June 16, 2004
Argh. Bad linkitude re: Benitez's Clashes with upper management about the purchase of players. And, btw, I don't think Mr Raul Benitez is related to John "Jelly Bean" Benitez.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:54 PM on June 16, 2004
I am not happy about this yet...i'll let you know in November...maybe even October.
posted by StarFucker at 01:38 PM on June 16, 2004
But let's not bandy rumors and false accusations about, shall we? What else is is the internet for old chap? It's not rumour anyway, no one is denying that he asked for a transfer, which is a bit rich given that he was complicit in the removal of Houllier. He is going, my friend and you can bet your bum that Owen will follow. Cisse may have been half decent in the French league but it doesnt necessarily follow that he can cut the mustard in the prem. Don't forget he is a Houllier signing and his record in signing Frenchmen is hardly exemplary. Liverpool are heading for disaster, my dear old thing.
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:45 PM on June 16, 2004
My, you have a penchant for the dark side, don't you? Doubtless, it is nigh impossible to dispute or prove any of what you claim until the events occur (or are refuted by the signing of new contracts). So we shall have to wait and see. Let the chips fall where they may. I prefer, in the meantime, to focus on the positive. I'd love to hear why the Fooker is unhappy, tho. Heskey's gone, and Houllier, too. You'd think he'd be jumping for joy. Well, perhaps he's concerned that Benitez may turn into a Spanish Houllier, at least in the match strategy side of things. That's been said before. I haven't seen Valencia play, so I can't comment. Heck, I haven't even seen Liverpool play this past season, so what do I know?
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:17 PM on June 16, 2004
My, you have a penchant for the dark side, don't you It really depends on your perspective whether it is good news or bad.
posted by trox at 04:28 PM on June 16, 2004
Let's start speculating on who Benitez will bring in... who are the likely transfer candidates (besides Cisse)?
posted by billsaysthis at 11:34 PM on June 16, 2004
Emile Heskey? Some Spanish geezers?
posted by squealy at 02:48 AM on June 17, 2004
Just a note: FB pointed it out earlier in this thread, but Liverpool has now confirmed that Gerrard is considering his options. And another note: It's Rafael Benitez, not Raul. Man, I am not doing good this week. Rafael, Rafael, Rafael.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:15 PM on June 17, 2004
As for bill's question: Speculation is that there are some Valencia players (defense, midfield - Aimar, Ayala?) who might be tempted here. But I doubt that will happen unless Valencia are making big purchases and need to free up cash. Having won the UEFA Cup and Primera Liga this season, I don't think they're really hurting in the cash dept. I do think, however, we need more steel in the defence and midfield. Henchoz doesn't have the legs anymore, and Hamann doesn't have the heart. I'd be happy to see Liverpool buying three players in the summer for those areas. We don't need more strikers. We need more consistency in the centre of defense and midfield, and the ability to create more chances from anywhere in the park. Looking at the team again, I have the following picks (and backups): GK - Dudek (Kirkland - pls try not to get injured so much) D - Riise, Hyppia (Carragher), Henchoz (Traore - let's get a new guy soon, pls - maybe Hargreaves?), Finnan (Otsemobor) M - Murphy (Diouf), Hamann (Carragher), Gerrard? (le Tallec), Kewell F - Owen (Sinama-Pongolle) , Cisse (Baros) I'd love to be surprised by some great buys this summer. This Reds fan's June 11, 2004 blog post lists some promising players. Also, I'd like to be surprised by some of the young players coming up through the youth system, too. Players like Mellor, Otsemobor, Welsh, Warnock and Potter staking a claim in the squad would be a breath of fresh air.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:58 PM on June 17, 2004
WC, I don't see Cheyrou in your midfield--wouldn't he be the replacement for Hamann or even Gerrard? He sure came on strong towards the end of the EPL season. Perhaps drop Baros into midfield in the same wildcard use the US National team does with Landon Donovan. Although if Liverpool would really open the checkbook, LD himself would be a terrific replacement for Hamann.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:35 PM on June 17, 2004
I'm sorry but Otsemobor couldn't even push Nicky Hunt out of his spot at Bolton. Mellor was surplus to requirements at West Fucking Ham. It hardly spells a bright future.
posted by squealy at 06:24 PM on June 17, 2004
Carragher in midfield?!
posted by StarFucker at 07:26 AM on June 19, 2004
Fooker: Like I said, we need to buy players to shore up midfield and defence. I'm hoping for a more positive midfield, but without some steel where Hamann plays, any sort of attacking formation is at risk down the middle. bill: I really don't see Landon as a tough-as-nails enforcer playing in front of the back four. Donovan could probably play winger, or behind the front two, but I don't think at the level of the Premiership. And we're kinda full in that dept. at Anfield. I didn't mention Smicer, because I don't know what kind of future he has at the Pool, given his lack of regular play and his age. And so much for Otsemobor and Mellor. I was looking for some evidence that we wouldn't have to buy all our good players.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:30 PM on June 21, 2004
Bleedin 'ell scousefilter strikes again. He's a very prosaic sort of a chap, apparently. I wonder how he feels about Cisse, given that a large chunk of his budget will be going on him and he had absolutely nothing to do with signing him. Will you miss the turncoat Gerrard when he goes to Chelsea? Do you think the money will encourage him to frown less?