The OFFICIAL Liverpool Supporters thread

Hound · January 15, 2009, 04:19:30 PM

Quote from: Norf Tyrone on January 15, 2009, 02:29:45 PM
The FA have banned players while charged in the past... why not again?

Who have the FA banned for getting arrested for a non-football incident?

ExiledGael · January 15, 2009, 05:46:14 PM

Quote from: Hound on January 15, 2009, 04:19:30 PM
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on January 15, 2009, 02:29:45 PM
The FA have banned players while charged in the past... why not again?
Who have the FA banned for getting arrested for a non-football incident?

Wasn't Woodgate banned?

full back · January 16, 2009, 11:48:09 AM

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-new s/2009/01/16/liverpool-fc-exclusive-rafa-benitez-rejects-new -contract-100252-22708447/

RAFA Benitez has rejected the contract offered to him by Liverpool Football Club.

The Spaniard insists he will only agree to the new deal if given more control over football matters - rather than having to answer to a club chief executive.

Benitez, who insists money is not an issue, has informed American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett of his stand.

Today he said: ""The owners feel that the manager's decisions need to be subject to the chief executive.

"But I know that I am subject to results and to our fans and they are the best judges I will ever have."

corn02 · January 16, 2009, 11:48:48 AM

Rafa will be gone in the summer if that is the case.

full back · January 16, 2009, 11:52:35 AM

Not looking good for Rafa
He will have to go on the sick, what with him first cracking up, then having no job

Minder · January 16, 2009, 11:57:57 AM

If Rafa takes on Gillette and Hicks there will only be one winner, i suppose winning the league would give him a fair bit of leverage in any talks........

corn02 · January 16, 2009, 12:00:32 PM

Quote from: Minder on January 16, 2009, 11:57:57 AM
If Rafa takes on Gillette and Hicks there will only be one winner, i suppose winning the league would give him a fair bit of leverage in any talks........

He can be stubborn at times. Of course we don't know the ins and outs, but it can't be good for the team.

Hound · January 16, 2009, 01:34:51 PM

I wouldnt be Rafa's biggest fan. Wouldnt bother me if he left, but it would bother me greatly if the new man wanted to bring in a heap of new faces and we lost the best of the Spanish players we have.

In this case of this argument, I would be on the side of the yanks if Rafa wants total control of the transfers.
The yanks have to be in charge of budgets if they are to run a successful club.

But if all Rafa wants is control of how the agreed budget is spent, then I don't think its unreasonable. If Rafa thinks a player is worth X amount and that amount is within the overall budget, then it shouldnt need review/approval from above.

Agger's agent was seen in Milan earlier in the week, but he has denied his visit was anything to do with Agger.

Norf Tyrone · January 16, 2009, 01:42:20 PM

Quote from: Hound on January 15, 2009, 04:19:30 PM
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on January 15, 2009, 02:29:45 PM
The FA have banned players while charged in the past... why not again?
Who have the FA banned for getting arrested for a non-football incident?

John Terry, Lee Bowyer, and Jonathon Woodgate. In addition IIRC England U21s did not consider Jody Morris as well, but this may have been for footballing reasons.

magpie seanie · January 16, 2009, 02:12:12 PM

Dennis Wise was stripped of the Chelsea captaincy by Hoddle. Did the FA not consider punishing him too? He may not have been picked for England or something.

corn02 · January 16, 2009, 02:59:09 PM

Liverpool co-chairman Tom Hicks gave an interview to Sky Sports News earlier today - here's what he had to say in full.
Journalist: What is your reaction to news that Rafa Benitez has rejected his contract offer?

Hicks: As Rafa says, we have a strong working relationship and we're united behind the team. We understand Rafa's frustrations and we're committed to working with him and his advisors to find a solution here. We'll keep talking. I'm coming over for the Chelsea match and we'd already planned to get together on the 30th and 31st to talk over a number of issues. We'll clear up anything that's been talked about here and now we want to keep our focus on the pitch - we've got the derby coming up.

Journalist: Do you understand where he's coming from with regards to control over transfers?

Hicks: Well, Rafa's been frustrated for a long time now about the length of time it takes for certain things to happen, and I think he's just trying to, you know, position himself to be able to do his job better. There are balances that need to be achieved in English football and we'll work through these things.

Journalist: He's said in the past that he's been frustrated with the time things take - does he have a point there?

Hicks: Well, sure he does - but we can fix that, and we will.

Journalist: Are the problems highlighted today fixable?

Hicks: I'm absolutely comfortable in saying Rafa loves Liverpool and will be the manager.

Journalist: How do you move on from this. You say you have a meeting at the end of the month - is that where these things will be thrashed out?

Hicks: George and I will be working with the lawyers to get this resolved. I am just not worried about it at all.

Journalist: How will this affect things on the pitch, because you've said in the past that you're happy with how things are going on the pitch? Liverpool are going well, aren't they? Will this affect that?

Hicks: Oh, I hope not. That's why Rafa's advisors have wanted to slow things down and try to take attention away from this. They want to stay focused on the pitch.

Journalist: So in terms of your relationship with Rafa, and George's, how does that stand at the moment?

Hicks: You know, I have had a great relationship with Rafa in this past year. We talk often and e-mail even more often. I have had a lot of fun watching him doing a great job this year and we've got a great relationship.

Journalist: So to reiterate, do you feel as though the problems with the contract negotiations can be worked out?

Hicks: I do - I certainly do. There are certainly no issues between Rafa and the owners in any way. There are issues he wants to work out to make things better for the club.

Journalist: And as far as the season is going - how pleased are you?

Hicks: Well, you can't complain at being first. We'd have liked a couple more points last weekend but we've now got to worry about Everton on Monday.

Journalist: What's your message to any Liverpool fans out there?

Hicks: They should relax - Rafa is going to be manager of Liverpool for the next five years and we'll work through these little lawyer issues.

corn02 · January 16, 2009, 02:59:53 PM

No figure yet. I'd say abour 2.5 to 3 million.

Liverpool have accepted a bid from Portsmouth for winger Jermaine Pennant.
The 26-year-old, whose Anfield contract expires in the summer, will now discuss personal terms with the south coast club over the next few days.

Pennant has represented Liverpool 79 times, scoring three goals along the way - the most memorable coming against Chelsea at the Anfield Road End in January 2006.

He was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2006 and played in the European Cup final defeat to AC Milan a year later.

Minder · January 16, 2009, 03:03:08 PM

Quote from: corn02 on January 16, 2009, 02:59:53 PM
No figure yet. I'd say abour 2.5 to 3 million.

Liverpool have accepted a bid from Portsmouth for winger Jermaine Pennant.
The 26-year-old, whose Anfield contract expires in the summer, will now discuss personal terms with the south coast club over the next few days.

Pennant has represented Liverpool 79 times, scoring three goals along the way - the most memorable coming against Chelsea at the Anfield Road End in January 2006.

He was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2006 and played in the European Cup final defeat to AC Milan a year later.

Are we paying Pompey that to take him, not bad business at all..........

corn02 · January 16, 2009, 03:06:32 PM

Quote from: Minder on January 16, 2009, 03:03:08 PM
Quote from: corn02 on January 16, 2009, 02:59:53 PM
No figure yet. I'd say abour 2.5 to 3 million.

Liverpool have accepted a bid from Portsmouth for winger Jermaine Pennant.
The 26-year-old, whose Anfield contract expires in the summer, will now discuss personal terms with the south coast club over the next few days.

Pennant has represented Liverpool 79 times, scoring three goals along the way - the most memorable coming against Chelsea at the Anfield Road End in January 2006.

He was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2006 and played in the European Cup final defeat to AC Milan a year later.

Are we paying Pompey that to take him, not bad business at all..........

A tad harsh. Always felt he had plenty of abilty, his attitude was not right though. He will do well at Pompey and Crouch will be glad of him

Minder · January 16, 2009, 03:40:07 PM

Quote from: corn02 on January 16, 2009, 03:06:32 PM
Quote from: Minder on January 16, 2009, 03:03:08 PM
Quote from: corn02 on January 16, 2009, 02:59:53 PM
No figure yet. I'd say abour 2.5 to 3 million.

Liverpool have accepted a bid from Portsmouth for winger Jermaine Pennant.
The 26-year-old, whose Anfield contract expires in the summer, will now discuss personal terms with the south coast club over the next few days.

Pennant has represented Liverpool 79 times, scoring three goals along the way - the most memorable coming against Chelsea at the Anfield Road End in January 2006.

He was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2006 and played in the European Cup final defeat to AC Milan a year later.

Are we paying Pompey that to take him, not bad business at all..........

A tad harsh. Always felt he had plenty of abilty, his attitude was not right though. He will do well at Pompey and Crouch will be glad of him

Do yuo think his attutude will improve any at Portsmouth?