Rafa Benitez and Liverpool in crisis
In August, I wrote an article called "Why Liverpool may struggle this season". Now just over 4 months later, I wish I hadn't because Liverpool's season has been nothing short of a disaster.
Including the pre-season friendlies, their record as at today's date reads played 32, won 12, drawn 7 and lost 13.
Shocking.
I saw the whole game against Arsenal today and I was shocked at how bad Liverpool were in the second half. I have never witnessed a poorer second half performance - no shots on goal, no creativity, no passion, no commitment, nothing.
This is more than just a blip. It cannot be blamed on injuries. It cannot be blamed on bad luck. It cannot be blamed on not having a big transfer budget. It is not just about lacking in confidence.
Liverpool are in crisis and I cannot see a way out.
posted by SKG at 12/13/2009 09:58:00 pm
EFT match of the season for 2008/2009: Barcelona construct a masterclass footballing performance to defeat the reigning Champions League holders and current English champions, Manchester United, by a scoreline of 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome
EFT player of the season for 2008/2009: Chelsea central midfielder, Frank Lampard
EFT player of the month for May 2009: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for April 2009: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for March 2009: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2009: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
EFT player of the month for January 2009: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
EFT player of the month for December 2008: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2008: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2008: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for September 2008: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for August 2008: Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic)
EFT match of Euro 2008: Turkey's amazing comeback from two goals down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 as captain Nihat Kahveci's two goals in the last three minutes sensationally put his country through to the quarter finals at the expense of their beaten opponents
EFT player of Euro 2008: Spain (anchor) central midfielder, Marcos Senna
EFT match of the season for 2007/2008: Liverpool win titanic Champions League quarter-final second leg 4-2 against Arsenal that also saw two of the best football moments of the season - Fernando Torres' top corner strike and Theo Walcott's thrilling run across the whole of Anfield.
EFT player of the season for 2007/2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for May 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for April 2008: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
EFT player of the month for March 2008: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2008: David James (Portsmouth)
EFT player of the month for January 2008: Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for December 2007: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers)
EFT player of the month for November 2007: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for October 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for September 2007: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for August 2007: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for May 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for April 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for March 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for February 2007: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for January 2007: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for December 2006: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for November 2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2006: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)
EFT player of the month for September 2006: Andrew Johnson (Everton)
EFT player of the month for August 2006: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth)
EFT match of World Cup 2006: Italy win a thrilling 'end-to-end' World Cup semi-final 2-0 against Germany courtesy of two late extra time goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero 
EFT player of World Cup 2006: Italy captain and centre-back, Fabio Cannavaro
EFT match of the season for 2005-2006: Liverpool win the FA Cup final 3-1 on penalties against West Ham after a Steven Gerrard-led fighback saw the Anfield side recover from 2-0 and 3-2 down to level the match in normal time
EFT player of the month for May 2006: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for April 2006: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for March 2006: Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
EFT player of the month for February 2006: Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough)
EFT player of the month for January 2006: Jason Roberts (Wigan Athletic)
EFT player of the month for December 2005: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2005: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for October 2005: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for September 2005: Danny Murphy (Charlton Athletic)
EFT player of the month for August 2005: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT match of the season for 2004-2005: Liverpool win Champions League final 3-2 on penalties against AC Milan after sensationally recovering from 3-0 down to level the match in normal time
4 Comments:
Something tells me Rafa is - sooner or later - destined to end at Real Madrid...
Regards to EFT!
12/14/2009 11:24 pm
Thank you, Striker.
It's a phenomenon. An enigma. oh, I've heard many stupid comments saying we would be 4th or out of the top 4 last season and we came in 2nd, 4pts off the title. No one saw it as Arsenal being the one to fight for the top 4 place. Remember how AV was then, last season, until they became stuck in a rut and they didnt even finish 5th? No one saw that.
Now, we do not have the consistency we had last season, and why is that? Arbeloa and Alonso going? Or just one of them? When you consider Arbeloa, he was a versatile defender, across the back, came down on the right attacking, was found defending well under attack. Johnson can measure up to Arbeloa and then some attacking-wise. Defending, Johnson needs to sharpen up.
Alonso has gone too. We have had Leiva as a replacement for the interim. I would love to give him the chance to prove himself but he is now not right or fit for a regular place. He needs to go on loan elsewhere to beef himself up. He is in the Brazil senior squad but that is little aid to us. Of course we have Aquilani to come in for Alonso regularly and he looks keen and eager to do so. Rafa may well need to blunt him in gradually but his presence is a lift when compared to the intermittent Leiva.
But that is only two players out, and replaced. What about the rest? Gerrard, injured, Torres, Riera, Babel, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Aurelio....too many injuries at crucial times that have hampered us and I dont think the players are confident of making it with the wretched timing of them. Still, having typed that, you have to wonder of the fit XI, how many are actually 100% fit?
I'm hearing too the countless wind-ups of how we're going to be another Leeds Utd or Newcastle, debt overriding, poor performances.....just so unreal. What the blazes do these stupid commenters know about LFC?? They think they do but they dont, clearly. We were meant to be beaten by Utd last season, did the double. Chelsea too, did the double. Just drew way too many games to consistently hold the points needed to get the title. Howis it we're good enough last season and then terribly poor this season, which hasnt even ended?
There must be some unease in the dressing room. Is it that Rafa has to change his ways or the players have to dictate to themselves? Had we taken the chances we created in the first half, we may have held a better advantage against Arsenal than the one goal. Remember Arsenal playing at OT? They did the same, half time 0-1 lead, came out a different team 2nd half and conceded twice, one from an own goal, oddly enough.
There is a lack of confidence, edginess for some reason that has crept in from pre-season. Players know what to do, theymust do it now, score goals, keep out players, the lack of creation has come in like a bout of arthritis crippling our ability. We have to get going before it gets within us too far for a recovery. Players need to step up and take the game themselves, and not worry about others.
The difference between LEeds and Newcastle, and then us, is we've had the pedigree for years of a top team. We have the financial backing if need be, even outside the club. We have the belief and the former players who still look in on us. On the contrary, we, LFC, are too big to go down. And we've been underestimated before, time and again.
RedsMan.
12/15/2009 10:21 am
Good luck Rafa!
12/29/2009 5:33 pm
How out of date is THIS??? NewsNow's clever algorithms must have had a nerd + geek moment all rolled into one. Perhaps a 'girl' got to close to the desk of one of the spotty little minions and something unknown to them stabbed the keyboard.
Kenny is back again now for all those doing 88mph in a delorean. So don't get more confused than you need too. Let the good times roll this season (the year of our lord two thousand and eleven). Our lord being KK of course.
9/01/2011 8:57 am
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