EPL ~ Rafa: Reds wary of Hull threat
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Benitez: wrote off Liverpool’s title chances
RAFA BENITEZ wrote off Liverpool’s title chances and admitted: It ain’t going to happen. The Reds are top of the Premier League going into tomorrow’s trip to Hull. But boss Benitez said: “For us to win the league we need Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal to mess up their season.
"It is very rare that three teams all mess up. “So there’s no point waiting for our direct adversaries to slip up because it won’t happen. “They all have a lot greater financial means than us.”
It is an astonishing admission from Spaniard Benitez which will not go down well in the corridors of power at Anfield. American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett do not want to hear anyone dismissing Liverpool’s hopes of landing the title for the first time since 1990.
The Reds are one point clear of second-placed Chelsea and six ahead of Manchester United, who have a game in hand. Former Valencia chief Benitez is hoping to land a new deal.
But he added: “For me, Valencia and Liverpool are similar — for them to win, the bigger clubs have to do badly. “When I won La Liga with Valencia that’s what happened, Real Madrid and Barcelona were in transition, so it was easier.”
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I like benitez. He knows how to make his players fire up.
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Don't know this comment could cut both ways... If two months down the road and they start to struggle a bit... some players may think aiya, even the boss don't think we can make it so just play for the salary lor and lose confidence themselves...
And I also don't know whats he talking about “They all have a lot greater financial means than us.”... I think he spent the most money during the Jul - Aug transfer window... His Robbie Keane already cost $20 million... then there are also Albert Riera, Andrea Dossena, Diego Cavalieri, Peter Gulacsi and David N'Gog... The first 2 are about $7m each and the rest also cost money what...
He is lucky he got so much money to spend already...
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knn this guy playing psychological warfare again
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hes smartMaking others to take liverpool lightly.
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its ok, i feel the same way too
if win then its a bonus
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Originally posted by gigabyte14:
knn this guy playing psychological warfare again
I think he is trying to sway the FA and referees....
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sounds like Rafa is also going to do a transition during the Jan windows...
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at least he is not like wenger...
he know how to face the fact!
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at least he us saying the truth. not to take credit away from liverpool but the very reason why they remain the top of premier league is because both man utd and chelsea has start the season badly. arsenal was never in it.
liverpool can win the premier league if the manager has been capello or harry rednapped.
with benitez, maybe it aint gona happen afterall.
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i dont think they have the depth to win the premiership.
but they and barca are my favourites to win the CL this season.
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Originally posted by reyes:
liverpool can win the premier league if the manager has been .......harry rednapped.
u must have one soda too many.....harry is only good at getting clubs out of jail, not win the league. -
Rafa ridicules Sun report
Rafa Benitez has rubbished a report claiming he wrote off Liverpool’s title credentials and hit back saying The Reds have a good opportunity of winning The Premier League.
A report in The Sun quoted The Reds boss as saying Liverpool could only finish top of the league if rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal slipped up.
But the Spaniard claimed the newspaper, which has been shunned by Liverpool fans since The Hillsborough tragedy, was not a trusted source.
When asked to comment on the story, Benitez said: “It means that we are playing well when a newspaper, especially this one, is talking in this way - we cannot trust this newspaper.
“We are really pleased we are top of the table and I can guarantee that if we can stay at the top of the table after Christmas, we have a good opportunity of winning the title.”
Liverpool face Hull at Anfield on Saturday looking to extend their one-point lead at the top of The Premier League.
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Will Hull do another giant killing?
Their specialty is playing away from home... lol
This match could be interesting... with Pool just coming back from Eindhoven...
Wait Marlon King punch Gerrard like he punched the 20 yrs old girl after she turned down his advances. lol
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Saturday, 13 December 2008
Channel 27: "Live"RAFA BENITEZ has heaped praise on Hull’s sensational start to their debut season in the Premier League.
The Liverpool boss pits his wits against Tigers’ counterpart Phil Brown when the two sides meet at Anfield tomorrow.
And he admits his table-topping Reds must be wary of the threat Hull pose.
Benitez said: “They have a very good offensive mentality and are scoring goals – they have beaten Arsenal and Tottenham so we know they will be difficult.
“Watching those games proves that Hull are doing well so we know we have to be careful.”
But the Spanish boss insists his side will have too much class for the Yorkshiremen on matchday.
Benitez added: “We’re at the top of the table because we are doing things better than the others.”
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lol
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IT’S a funny old dame — but Rafa Benitez is hoping for a fairytale ending.
Liverpool are top of the tree going into the panto season. But the Ugly Sisters of Chelsea and Manchester United are right behind you, Rafa.
If he blows it, the Kop coach will turn into a pumpkin. Benitez will have to hope his players are first to the ball. And the Anfield chief is urging his second string to make his dream come true by becoming Anfield heroes — just as Vladimir Smicer did.
Benitez’s policy of ditching last term’s much-discussed rotation policy has seen the likes of Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun, Sami Hyypia and Lucas kicking their heels on the bench for long periods.
Babel was even chasing a loan move to Ajax just to get regular action, while Benayoun has admitted he will consider his future if the openings do not appear over the rest of the season.
On Tuesday Brazilian midfielder Lucas stepped up to the plate when he made the most of a rare start with a starring role in their Euro win over PSV. Now Benitez will tell the rest they should use Smicer’s experience as the example of how big a role they can still play.
Three years ago the Czech midfielder was in the same boat as just two of his 16 appearances were from the start. Yet he still came off the bench to net a goal in the stunning Champions League triumph over AC Milan.
Meanwhile, Alan Hansen believes Liverpool will overcome their Anfield jitters and show they are serious contenders to win the league with a victory over Hull. Liverpool struggled to find their best form in their last two home games against Fulham and West Ham and could only manage two goalless draws.
Benitez’s team have been accused of not having enough firepower in the team to challenge for the title when Torres is missing from the side. But despite Hull’s amazing form in the top flight this season, the former Kop skipper feels Liverpool will return to winning ways at Anfield and silence all their critics.
Hansen, a pundit for the New Football Pools, said: “Rafa’s team need the points as they’ve drawn their last two at home but Phil Brown’s side have shown they are no mugs at this level.
“To make the step up to the Premier League and only lose once away from home is an incredible feat. “After all, only unbeaten Chelsea have lost fewer on the road.
“However, I have a feeling Liverpool will have just a bit too much on the day and with Hull showing they will attack anyone, they may leave gaps to exploit that both West Ham and Fulham didn’t in the last few games at Anfield.”
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predict Liverpool 3 Hull 0
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I will be very disappointed if liverpool cant win this.
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holy liverpool 0 to hull 1. Even though i am not a liverpool fan, because of my prediction, i have to support liverpool now lol.
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hull play like they want to win the world cup
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Wah... Hull impressive. Final score 2 - 2...
I think this weekend, Chelsea will be the biggest winner as Pool and Arsenal have drop points and I think United will drop points too at Spurs.
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was watching miss world(yay russia)
. then during first half everytime change channel, scoreline +1 lol. -
Yeah the Miss Russia is pretty and a deserving winner... The rest or almost half of the 15 look... sad...