BENITEZ: I DON'T HAVE TO WIN A TROPHY
Finishing second was a "massive achievement"
LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez has stoked up the mounting pressure on himself by incredibly insisting: "I don't have to win a trophy."
The Reds' title dreams have been hit by FIVE League defeats already this season; they crashed out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal in midweek and their Champions League dreams will be in tatters if they lose Wednesday's crucial Group E clash in Lyon.
So Kop fans will be stunned by Benitez's latest outburst in which he claims increasing the club's value is more imporant than winning silverware.
"I don't agree with people when they say you have to win trophies," said Benitez.
Try telling that to Kop legends Bill Shankley, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish and Co.
But Benitez added: "You have to be close and create a group of players that can fight for trophies.
"We got 86 points in the Premier League last year and some people say it wasn't a good season.
"But to finish second (to champions Manchester United) and close the gap between the top team and us to four points was a massive achievement.
"Trophies mean a lot to everyone but to see the team progress means you can guarantee you will be there in the future and you can fight for trophies."
Benitez has won the Champions League, Super Cup and FA Cup during his five years at Anfield.
But his last trophy was the FA Cup three years ago following a thrilling penalty shoot-out final victory over West Ham.
However he insisted: "People can say I have been here for five years but you can see the difference.
"Compare the value of the club before and the value of the club now.
"Compare the value of the squad before and the value of the squad now, you can see the progression."
Benitez's economic argument has weight.
Five years ago, Liverpool were valued at £100million. That would buy you only 25 per cent of the club today.
European performance accounts for the recession-ignoring increase.
His prolific skills in raising UEFA cash allow him to claim he's only ever splashed out on players with funds he's brought in or won.
The goodwill of Liverpool's incredible 2005 European Cup triumph in Istanbul sustains Benitez's popularity on Merseyside.
But, most importantly, the annual UEFA finances offer a persuasive argument whenever he launches a defence of his management.
He's earned a minimum of £100m in Euro prize funds since he moved to Anfield because he's never failed to qualify from the group stage.
That record is now in jeopardy.
Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jnr can't afford to see their side fail in France.
Defeat could cost the club up to £10m, CHECK, reduce the value of their shares, leave them sweating on investment and hit Benitez's January transfer plans.
Wait
"At this moment I don't know if I will have money in January so I have to keep doing my job and wait," he admitted.
"I just have to keep trying to do my job, to win games and I'm sure that I will have some discussions with chief executive Christian Purslow and we will analyse the situation.
"But, at this moment, it is just carry on.
"It depends on the situation whether you go to Plan A or Plan B. Sometimes that depends on money.
"If you have more money it is easier, if you have less money then you have to manage in a different way.
"So we must find the way to improve. I am always thinking about to win.
"I always have to win the next game and try to qualify for things.
"The difference between £10 and £15m is not massive when you are looking at the long-term picture."
The Spaniard signed a new contract extension in March, tieing him to Anfield until 2014.
But results on the pitch - Liverpool have lost five of their last six matches - have got the vultures (and beachballs) circling around Benitez's head.
But Benitez remains very bullish.
Future
"Christian was very clear," he added. "We signed an extension (to my contract) for five years because we want to be together for a long time.
"Our meetings are always positive. We were analysing the squad before, the squad for January and the squad for next year.
"We are working to do something for the future.
"In England it is not just one year that counts.
"Before this year we couldn't control the Academy. Now we will have more control of the young players and, hopefully, we can build something important for the future of the club."
But the grim prospect of an early exit from the money-spinning Champions League this season coupled with failure to qualify for next year's tournament will leave an unstable club fighting to retain its status.
They're the circumstances in which Benitez's position would be threatened, which is why the trip to Lyon is more important than last Sunday's League victory over Manchester United.
This week won't be the first time Benitez has led his troops across the Channel with the stakes at their highest.
Two years ago, Liverpool went into a defining Champions League clash with Marseilles knowing failure would end their manager's tenure.
Hicks and Gillett were sweating on the prize money.
It prompted one of the most impressive Euro performances of Benitez's reign, not surprisingly inspired by Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
Hicks later admitted it was this result which forced the abandonment of their nonsensical pursuit of Jurgen Klinsmann.
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This article has 36 comments
It sad to say but Liverpool need a huge shake up, George Gillett and Tom Hicks should sell up as soon as possible in order for the club to move forward.
Rafa has got to go now, he has let some top quality players leave the club as they did not play a certain way he'd want them to play or because of any disagreement he ships them out.
Yet he brings in some poor,average players who are just not good enough to wear the shirt yet rafa keeps faith with them but others he just shipped them out.
Now Alonso is gone, Gerrard and Torres are out injured the average players who rafa has kept faith with have had no shield to hide behind and are just showing the whole world they are not good enough to wear the shirt.
Itandje, Degan, Dossena, Insua, Lucas, Riera, El Zhar, Voronin and kuyt are just not good enough to wear the shirt.
Yet over the years: Rafa has let these players go who could still have done alot better than some most of the players we have now: C Kirkland,S Warnock,J A Riise,A Arbeloa,S Finnan, D Hamman, L Garcia, M Gonzales, D Cisse, C Bellamy, P Crouch, R Keane, J Pennant and X Alonso.
Even if we had of kept X Alonso and R Keane last year, we would had of needed to stengthen to improve on finishing in the league.
Rafa has only himself to blame, look out how he is treating babel at the club.
He was bought as a 2nd striker and is a 2nd striker but he is now made to play on the left wing, if he is given any game time.
Yet he wants to play his role now as a striker or 2nd striker but rafa will have known of it.
Yet he is easily better than Voronin and Kuyt, Kuyt only plays because he plays the rafa way, Kuyt is a right winger who just offers work rate and the odd goal here and there.
Our Right back is more of a threat then our right winger?
That should not be the case but its sad to say it is!!!!!!!!!!
By Dennis . Posted November 8 2009 at 10:42 AM.
I'm not sure the statement "I DON'T HAVE TO WIN A TROPHY" is absolutely essential now. It seems Rafa is asking for more trouble.As a Liv fan, i guess its fair to say that the master of tactitions tactics of defensive approach is not working and not the way forward and has not been the liverpool's culture.We see games being played very defensively, players lack of creativity or even a simply idea of attack, some don't know what to do when approaching the D-box and ended up passing back towards Reina.So how are we going to score?Why only Torres?Kuyt,Bennayoun,Babel,N'Gog, Mascherano,Riera even Agger all can score goals, but why the hell they don't try or even take a long range shots?I mean Why not? thats what I don't understand.Fulham's keeper had no threat at all, all respect for them and their mentality to win the game.Rafa needs to use tactics such as to stop players, fighting back when they goal down and passing to their own players in their own half and for goodness sake take a shot at the goal mouth!!!
I am also concerned at the kind of players he has bought and how quickly they become out of the team like Riera and playing players out of their positions.Can anyone tell me what is Ryan Babel's actual position?I am sorry to see the state of my beloved Liv now.
By Max Johnson. Posted November 3 2009 at 11:35 AM.
Typical remarks from everybody. The ship is leaking and everyone jumps. It's not sinking so start bailing and get it back on an even keel again.
By YNWA. Posted November 2 2009 at 5:21 AM.
nice one dex,
i see some liverpool fans still see sense.
By dan. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:18 PM.
Rafa wouod have to walk because of the money sitaution currently at liverpool. Theres no way the oweners could afford to buy out his contract and it now looks like he stick around for a few more years yet
By Wiley. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:38 PM.
Rafa did so well in Spain braking the big two's Dominence.some critics say real madrid and barce were goine trew transetion when that was done by rafa and velencia.im begining to think the same meself.
Rafas had more than enouf time at this stage.god knows i love the guy but hes had alot of money to spend and has bought bad.and let some good players leave.ie crouch keane alonso.
lets give Rafa to the end of the season and then send him on his way along with the 2 yanks.it would be sweet if real madrid came lucking for Rafa as ther new coach..
By bill barret. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:27 PM.
It's way overdue Rafa needs to go. Over the last 5 years Rafa gets us in a mess, then we usually win a big game and everybody is back on board with Rafa. This season, that has changed, Arsenal and Chelsea have struggled over the years, but not to the extent of this god awful Liverpool team. Rafa is just too stubborn to accept his shortcomings. Like when everybody new we needed to sign a decent striker in te summer to back up Torres, but he didn't. The Alonso saga, the constant zonal marking that doesn't work, playing Gerrard out of position a few years ago, keep rotating the squad unnecessary, persisting with talentless players, he never learns. Last week I got flack for being doubtful after the great Man Utd win. I was proven right, the same thing happens every dam year with Benitez, you get success and then his poor judgement rears it's ugly head again. It's true that the stupid owners need to go which I'm sure they will in time, but so does Rafa and it's about time most of us liverpool fans realised this. (Liverpool is a too great of a club for this)
By Rambo0784. Posted November 1 2009 at 2:29 PM.
We must sack Rafa Benitez, right now. He has lost the plot, how many seasons did he play with Stevie Gerrad on the right wing, he bought Robbie Keane, put him on the left wing. Robbie lost his confidence, could not score. Then he played him up front, he scores so what does Rafa do , drop him for the next game. Crazy he has just got his confidence and then he is dropped. He then wants Gareth Barry, so he tries to sell Alonso , can't sell him so he stays. He now knows he is not wanted at the club, so next season he leaves. What does the manager Benitez do, does not get Barry who he wanted and so we loss Barry and Alonso. We would of won the league last season but Rafa lost the plot with Fergie, why why get involved. There is only one man for the job Jose Mourinho, he will win as the league, lets get him now before he goes to Man Utd. Ok some people might not like him. I think he is very clever, he does what he does to take the heat of his players. Everyone talks about him while his players can get on with the game.SACK RAFA NOW GET JOSE MOURINHO. I would sack Rafa just now and put King Kenny as caretaker Manger until we get Jose.
By Rich. Posted November 1 2009 at 2:20 PM.
Yer right on that subject................
Just stop Man U taking over your record....
However that will be up to Chelsea Man City and Arsenal.............................
Not Liverpool
By Yashin. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:12 PM.
Even last season it was obvious that our defence needed strengthening. Carragher is on the wane - the sooner we accept that and bring in fresh blood the better.
By Lewis. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:53 PM.
Benitez seems like a very stubborn man. Any manager with tactical nous should realize where they are going wrong but benitez doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes. We should have been steaming on from the victory against Man Utd but instead we have taken a couple of steps back. It seems like after every impressive victory, Benitez makes wholesale changes and we lose the next game.
We lost to Tottenham then the following match we beat Stoke and then Rafa states the victory will change our season around and then we lose the next match to Villa. Sam thing against Hull. We smash them 6-1 then we go on a losing spree.
Another example of Benitez' incompetence is his fervent use of the zonal marking system on set pieces. The stats show that it doesn't work yet he continues to use the flawed system. We have conceded the most goals from set pieces in the division.
Benitez should go now and we should get Hiddink
By Kam. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:52 PM.
what about martin o'neal a good british manager he's doing a great job at villa
By calv . Posted November 1 2009 at 12:18 PM.
KRISTIAN..i dont khow about hiddink.id go for loui walsh.what a manger ,go westlife......lol
By MARCO. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:55 AM.
id be ringing Hiddink right now !!!!!
By Kristian Andrews. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:14 AM.
WOULD IT REALLY MATTER HOW MUCH THE OVEREATER HAD TO SPEND, SEEMS TO ME THAT HE BUYS THEM DESTROYS THEIR CONFIDENCE AND THEN HAS TO SELL THEM AND THE PROCESS IS THEN REPEATED HENCE WHY AFTER SIX YEARS THE SQUAD IS PANTS. SHOWS HOW STRONG ALONSOS CHARACTER MUST BE COS HE TRIED IT WITH HIM AND FAILED
By david moyes. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:05 AM.
liverpool are shocking and can never expect to challenge united, theyve got a decent history thats about to be shattered by man u easily and thats about it.
By simon. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:56 AM.
So Liverpool no longer need to win a trophy. Whats the target for this year then rafa 4th in the prem, to get past the group stage in the cl maybe a quarter final in league or fa cups (sorry my mistake they are out of the league cup already ) what a sad state liverpool are now. Is that a taxi i can here !!
By jersey bean boy. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:17 AM.
Colin, his departure, HAHAHAHAHAHA
By Red Cridd. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:34 AM.
GIVE RAFA A 20,YEAR CONTRACT.HES DOING A GREAT JOB. LOL.......
By FRED THE RED. Posted November 1 2009 at 9:22 AM.
I have stuck by rafa for a long time but it is fast becomeing apparent that he has reached his peak with us and i cannot see him being the one to take us that last step to winning the title sad as it is to say he is not up to the job last season was our best chance and we blew it by changeing tactics too often in a negative way! The last 10/12 games we were on fire playing out of our skins! I expected us to push on This season and go off like a cheetah! But what did we do went back to the old style negative football we were playing early last season which got us all those draws. Difference this season those draws have now turned in to defeats! We are out of the title race already out of the league cup almost out of the champions league so what positives do we look forward to?
By colin. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:43 AM.
What will be very interesting is how long it will take Liverpool to get on the road back to recovery after they sack the Fat Lad. It is alleged that he has a £16 million sacking clause in his latest contract, this will break Liverpool if they go ahead and sack him. Even if they go and get Mouriniho it will take some time to get things back on track both on and off the field. I think he should be kept, he is doing a great job, as long as he stays Liverpool will be crap.,
By Paul. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:44 AM.
Live Long Liverpool, so i guess second in the PL, Semi's in one of the FA Cup, Carlin Cup or CL is good enough, that'll make you losers, not good enough
By red cridd. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:31 AM.
Its too early to coment on rafa's suitability for the position. 9 points aint much , remember last season we droped 28 points(2l 11d) but still finished 2nd with only 4 points behind. long way to go in present season. if every body's fit we will be definately back on terms. Dont forget the passion with which our player played vs united without gerrard. we will be back just keep up the tempo
By live long liverpool. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:03 AM.
Liverfool Fans. after this comment you need to get this twit out, he's clearly in the wrong game, i suggest flower arranging...
Whats the excuse for yesterdays shambles?
By Red Cridd . Posted November 1 2009 at 7:12 AM.
The ONLY way to win the premier League is to bring in Jose Mourinho. I can't believe nobody in Liverpool FC see that.
Dont get me wrong, it's not that I dont love rafa, it's just that i love the club more.
Regards,
Kiang
Malacca, Malaysia.
By kiang jau sang. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:03 AM.
I have been a fan of LFC for over 60 years. In my opinion Benitez is on a par with Houlier. Useless.
Liverpool play like school kids.
But don't blame Benitez, a company is only as good as its management.
The people at the top need a hard look at themselves.
Several years ago a very good man was pushed out for questioning benitez!
I cheer at every Liverpool defeat, another nail in the Spanish mans' coffin!
By eddie. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:51 AM.
CARRAGHER needs to take some blame here, he has been shocking.
He needs to get his finger out and quickly.
Benitez is not right about trophies, but is right about there achievements last season. He has been there long enough and he should have cover to compete with Fulham, never mind the champion league teams.
If he would stop with his mind games never praising the team when they win, everyone likes good feedback, he looks at his players like there never good enough even when they win 5-1.
Bad vibes create bad attitudes. But CARRAGHER is Liverpool's problem this season, I hope he starts playing like last season or its goodnight this season.
By angus cooney. Posted November 1 2009 at 4:11 AM.
DEX ... Your living in a dream world, we'll be lucky to make the europa league if benitez stays incharge! ... we need a new man in with fresh ideas, new players in who are worth their price tags and not unavaliable for 3 months ... Rafa should have resigned first time he thought about signing barry, second time when he sold alonso, and third time when we lost to lyon, he's got NOTHING left to give Liverpool FC exept excuses!!!!!
By Luke B. Posted November 1 2009 at 4:21 AM.
Cant help laughing @ how deluded some fans are! Masherano is maybe the 4th best defensive midfielder! As for Johnson! He can't defend for toffee. Maicon and alves are streets ahead. Rieina is good, but you always will be a two man team coz you cant afford anyone good enough to be a diference maker! Your genius manager forced your most imoprtant player (alonso) away! FACT!
By dave. Posted November 1 2009 at 4:47 AM.
I can see only one manager that can replace Rafa and take the club forward and that is Mourinho!
By Andrew. Posted November 1 2009 at 3:09 AM.
jus llok at de first team noiw comparede to that of houliers era.. we now have the best striker (torres) in trhe world, the best defensive midfielder in the world (mascherano), one of the best goalkeepers in the world(reina), one the best right backs in the world(if u look at daniel alves, johnson is better), skrtel and agger are excellent and still only young, benayoun was a great buy as recognised now but initially was considcered poor so far play to rafa on that!! dont listen to the media, most want iverpool to fail and thata wat will happen if we sack the man.. benitez will deliver the title in due course, and no other man could replace him, we wnat a manager who will stay for a long time, hes the man for the job
By hoe are ya . Posted November 1 2009 at 3:38 AM.
To sack benitez would be stupid at this point of the season we have had a lot of unfortunate injuries invital areas of the pitch,i believe that when our injured players are back we will be strong and will be hard to beat, we need a little fine tuning and we will have as strong a sqaud as chelsea and united, we need a decent left winger maybe roben, striker villa with torres would be great, maybe a right winger although benayoun is quality, i think riera is quality when free of injuries he coasts past players, nine points behind aint a lot if we can get everyone fit, i know benitez is changing players that not most fans agree with but he was thinking of the champions league, and with the players who were on the pitch should of been good enough to get a result, we had all the possesion and should of won or drawn but not lost, benitz is building for the future and i think it is a bright future, the players have to take responsibility as well, who was picking up zamora for the first goal,
REINA
JOHNSON CARRAGHER AGGER AURELEO (RIESE)
BENAYOUN GERRARD MASCHERANO REIRA (ROBEN)
?
AQUILANI
TORRES. (VILLA)
support is what is neded now not critisism, we will finish top four and if all are fit we will make knockout stages.
By DEX. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:07 AM.
To sack benitez would be stupid at this point of the season we have had a lot of unfortunate injuries invital areas of the pitch,i believe that when our injured players are back we will be strong and will be hard to beat, we need a little fine tuning and we will have as strong a sqaud as chelsea and united, we need a decent left winger maybe roben, striker villa with torres would be great, maybe a right winger although benayoun is quality, i think riera is quality when free of injuries he coasts past players, nine points behind aint a lot if we can get everyone fit, i know benitez is changing players that not most fans agree with but he was thinking of the champions league, and with the players who were on the pitch should of been good enough to get a result, we had all the possesion and should of won or drawn but not lost, benitz is building for the future and i think it is a bright future, the players have to take responsibility as well, who was picking up zamora for the first goal,
REINA
JOHNSON CARRAGHER AGGER AURELEO (RIESE)
BENAYOUN GERRARD MASCHERANO REIRA (ROBEN)
?
AQUILANI
TORRES. (VILLA)
support is what is neded now not critisism, we will finish top four and if all are fit we will make knockout stages.
By DEX. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:06 AM.
Rafa has proved he's a loser. Time to say adios.
By Damo. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:02 AM.
We want him out out out
get him out out out
Benitez out out out
show him out out out
kick him out out out
We want him out out out
sorry just thought i'd get he idea across that i want him out lol
By Luke B. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:53 AM.
Rafa is fast becoming the new Houllier looking for excuse after excuse because he can't win the league and if he admits it his professional reputation is in tatters. He is protecting his own reputation by talking about money all the time and deflecting blame.
Liverpool fans are ignoring Benitez's failure because they hate the Yanks so much. But Benitez is not up to the job unless you give him Man City's money. And any decent manager could win the title with that much money so why persist with Benitez.
By Adrian. Posted October 31 2009 at 11:25 PM.