Sport Liverpool Football Club

[V3zna]

Can Rafa pull this back, you know? It's looking more and more likely that he's going to stay.

Will he stop fucking around do you reckon? My worry there is that he's a manager who fucks around, so stopping fucking around won't be natural to him, you know?

I've lost a lot of faith in Rafa this season. He's made some really daft decisions. Usually that's understandable but as it is his fourth season I'm not letting him away with it.

But, potentially he might just have stumbled his way to success. The 4-2-3-1 suits our better players perfectly and it keeps players like Pennant, Kewell etc away from the team as they are just blatantly not good enough. We still have a seriously solid core. Our defenders could and should be all kept. Our midfield looks fantastic having only the central players on the pitch, getting our width from full backs and the three behind the striker. We need proper back up for Torres and Kuyt should be retained as a squad man but replaced as a first choice. Things look a lot better right now and I think we'll take maximum points off either Man Utd or Arsenal. We are playing to our strengths but if the alledged meeting took place where players voiced their concerns then Benitez has got a bit lucky to be fair.

[rjpageuk]

Correct. I've spoken to a few Inter fans about this and they say that due to coefficient rankings, when scenarios like this occur they always have to play second.

But AC v Arsenal is tonight and we would have played tomorrow wouldnt we?

[Graham S]

No he's not. He's got 11 in 33 this season. Not exactly prolific, especially considering the division he's playing in.

And at Xmas he'd lost all his confidence due to being continually jeered and ridiculed by his own fans, when he was brought on he couldn't control the ball (no surprise there, but he looked especially nervous) and was dropped by the new coach. Glad to hear that things are picking up for him now, but it hardly makes a a convincing case that we were wrong to sell him.

[ilpostino]

I like Rafa, really I do...but as Vezna says, I've lost some faith in him recently.

It seems like he still doesn't know his best XI, which really irks me.

His persistance with Kuyt is something that will mystify me to the end of my days.

Crouch and Torres have looked good together upfront in the few games they've played but Rafa won't play them together.

Why Ryan Babel doesn't play more/finish more games is something that bothers me too.

I find the G&H situation (the Klinsmann talks etc.) has been a nice excuse to fall back on for our performances recently. Bottom line, the club hasn't been performing on the pitch and that's inexcusable.

[ras el hanout]

No he's not. He's got 11 in 33 this season. Not exactly prolific, especially considering the division he's playing in.

Yeah, but he's scored them all in the last 11 matches or so. So yes he is. You know you are a very argumentative chap.

[ras el hanout]

And at Xmas he'd lost all his confidence due to being continually jeered and ridiculed by his own fans, when he was brought on he couldn't control the ball (no surprise there, but he looked especially nervous) and was dropped by the new coach. Glad to hear that things are picking up for him now, but it hardly makes a a convincing case that we were wrong to sell him.

Yeah, I'd say Dirk Kuyt is a more convincing case of why we were wrong to sell him. Not wrong to sell his so much, wrong in all the "Cisse's totally shit at football."

[ras el hanout]

I've lost a lot of faith in Rafa this season. He's made some really daft decisions. Usually that's understandable but as it is his fourth season I'm not letting him away with it.

But, potentially he might just have stumbled his way to success. The 4-2-3-1 suits our better players perfectly and it keeps players like Pennant, Kewell etc away from the team as they are just blatantly not good enough. We still have a seriously solid core. Our defenders could and should be all kept. Our midfield looks fantastic having only the central players on the pitch, getting our width from full backs and the three behind the striker. We need proper back up for Torres and Kuyt should be retained as a squad man but replaced as a first choice. Things look a lot better right now and I think we'll take maximum points off either Man Utd or Arsenal. We are playing to our strengths but if the alledged meeting took place where players voiced their concerns then Benitez has got a bit lucky to be fair.

What alledged meeting?

If the players have told Rafa he's fucking about then there's no way back from there, really. Sure results might pick up but they'll have no confidence in him. It's like the rumours of Owen and Gerrard picking Houllier's teams and we know how that ended up.

[V3zna]

What alledged meeting?

If the players have told Rafa he's fucking about then there's no way back from there, really. Sure results might pick up but they'll have no confidence in him. It's like the rumours of Owen and Gerrard picking Houllier's teams and we know how that ended up.

Alledgedly the players voiced concerns about tactics / rotation etc in a meeting with staff. This was actually briefly talked about on the official LFC tv channel by John Durnin and the presenter bloke.

[Digimortal]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ool/7276383.stm

DIC have given the yanks 24 hours to decide whether to sell or not.

Government-run Dubai investment fund DIC have been in talks to buy the Reds. "I'm told the offer from DIC is £400m," said BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard.

"Mindful of how they were passed over 12 months ago with a previous offer, DIC want an answer fast as I understand the situation."

He added: "That means George Gillett and Tom Hicks have, according to one source close to the talks, 24 hours to take this offer or leave it.

"DIC's frustration with Liverpool's owners has become abundantly clear."

DIC confirmed on Tuesday it had been in talks with American duo Hicks and Gillett about purchasing a stake in the Anfield club.

"It's no secret that we have been in discussions with the current owners," said DIC chief executive Sameer al-Ansari.

"It's not easy because (they) are in dreamland about valuations."

Al-Ansari later clarified that one of the club's owners "had come out of dreamland", without giving further details.

Texan billionaire Hicks said last month he was not planning to sell a stake in Liverpool, denying media speculation he was in talks with DIC over a sale.

He also revealed that Gillett could not sell his stake in the Premier League club without his approval.

However, both Hicks and Gillett have become increasingly unpopular among Reds fans, drawing criticism for their treatment of manager Rafael Benitez and their financial management of the club.

That has given fresh hope to DIC, who were considering buying Liverpool before the Americans joined forces to complete their own takeover in February 2007.

Hicks said in January he had talked to DIC "once" about a 10-15% stake, but DIC said the valuation was too high.

DIC are thought to want a controlling stake at Anfield, meaning they would need to convince Hicks to relinquish part of his 50% of the club as well as buying out Gillett.

Another obstacle is the refinancing package announced on 25 January that has loaded £105m of debt on to the club.

Of that, £60m is earmarked to kick-start the new stadium development at Stanley Park plus £45m for future player transfers and to meet the club's working capital needs.

Al-Ansari was the man behind the takeover bid a year ago and looked to have succeeded until then Liverpool owner David Moores suddenly opted to sell to the Americans.

"It took me two weeks to get over that," said al-Ansari, who is a Liverpool fan. "But it didn't dent my passion - I still go to every match when I'm here."

[dogsout]

But AC v Arsenal is tonight and we would have played tomorrow wouldnt we?

Yes, but apparently it is UEFA policy to leave a week between games in instances such as this.

[dogsout]

Yeah, but he's scored them all in the last 11 matches or so. So yes he is. You know you are a very argumentative chap.

I just like a good football debate. It's not like I attacked you personally, although I realise you have a soft spot for Djibs.

[SeanR]

Yes, but apparently it is UEFA policy to leave a week between games in instances such as this.

for the pitch to recover?

[dogsout]

You would have thought so, yes. Although they've allowed Inter to play one or two days after Milan in the past. Who cares anyway? I'm quite happy to wait a week and watch tonight and tomorrow's CL games without all the pressure of us playing too.

[rjpageuk]

I thought it was maybe because UEFA didnt want travelling fans from two different clubs on consecutive days for security reasons or something.

In any case I dont care we are going to be waiting a week, lets hope we can win our game in hand as that has been hanging over us for a big part of the season.

[larrydavidsanger]

Newcastle really have some big problems, we should be fairly comfortable but these are the types of games where we seem to be slipping up in lately. If we concentrate on our strengths rather than nullifying theirs I'd say we'll win by two or three goals

[dogsout]

I think that's the approach Rafa is now taking having switched to 4-2-3-1 and publicly admitted he can't influence games tactically over here in the same way he could in Spain or in European matches.

[dogsout]

Dubai International Capital today denied a “timeline” has been put on any offer for Liverpool.

The company’s spokesperson Jehad Saleh refused to comment on reports DIC this morning tabled a £400million bid for the club.

However, Saleh insisted reports DIC had given Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks a deadline of midnight tonight to accept an offer were not correct.

She said: “No figures have been (publicly) mentioned, and talks are ongoing. No timeline has been set on the talks.”

DIC chief executive Sameer al-Ansari, a lifelong Liverpool fan, this morning confirmed he is in talks with Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Saleh refused to confirm that Al-Ansari is currently speaking to both Gillett and Hicks, but revealed he was in Dubai.

Reports on Merseyside claimed the deadline had been imposed on Hicks and Gillett to accept the bid.

The offer would give the American businessmen a profit of £25million each on their investment in the club.

The reported bid follows confirmation from DIC, the investment arm of the Maktoum royal family, that talks had taken place between the various parties but were being held up by the valuation of the club by one of Hicks or Gillett.

“It’s no secret that we have been in discussions with the current owners,” said Al-Ansari on www.skysports.com.

“It’s not easy because the owners are in dreamland about valuations at the moment.”

Al-Ansari later clarified that one of the club’s owners “had come out of dreamland”, without giving further details.

Other reports today indicate Hicks, who has insisted he is opposed to a sale, has been trying to raise the capital necessary to buy out his partner.

But Hicks has described such speculation as “premature”.

The US tycoons are believed to have suffered a breakdown in their relationship since taking over Liverpool last year.

Today’s offer was reportedly made to the pair by Amanda Staveley, a senior partner of London-based investment firm PCP and who represents DIC.

Only last week, Texan billionaire Hicks denied reports he had invited DIC to inspect the club’s accounts in preparation for a takeover.

Frustrated by Hicks’ stance, DIC turned their attention to Gillett, who is thought to be much keener on a sale.

However, neither of the co-owners is able to cut and run without the other’s consent, a point Hicks was at pains to make last week when he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “Not only am I not going to sell, my partner cannot sell without my approval.”

Also, DIC are thought to want a controlling stake at Anfield, meaning they would need to convince Hicks to relinquish part of his 50% of the club as well as buying out Gillett.

It appears clear the main problem preventing a takeover is the price DIC are willing to pay.

It has been nowhere near the amount of money Hicks has been asking for - he would want to make a substantial sum out of selling the club.

Another hurdle to overcome is that the refinancing package announced on January 25 has loaded £105million of debt on to the club.

Of that, £60million is earmarked to kick-start the new stadium development plus £45million for future player transfers and to meet the club’s working capital needs.

The takeover talk is being driven by the refinancing deal, believed to only last for 18 months, and so Hicks and Gillett are soon going to have to start renegotiating the debts.

Furthermore, they are shortly going to have to go back to the banks to ask for a further £300million in loans to finance the rest of the new stadium at Stanley Park.

[dogsout]

I've been thinking about this for a while now and if we stick with 4-2-3-1, as it seems we will, who would you lot like to see brought in to play on the right of the three? It's definitely a problem position and although Kuyt is capable of playing there and won't let the team down, and the same goes for Yossi, I'd really like to see us sort that position out once and for all this summer.

I think my first choice would probably be Rodrigo Palacio. I don't think we should be searching for an out-and-out winger. I think a wing forward like Babel would suit the system better; someone with pace, skill and a goal threat. Palacio would represent a pretty big risk but I think he would succeed over here. He'd probably cost £12m-£16m but he is very quick, skillful, versatile and has scored goals wherever he's been. He's relatively unknown over here but I doubt it'll stay that way for much longer. I was half expecting Rafa to go for him in the summer, hopefully he will this time.

I'd also like to see Mati Fernandez brought in. He'd definitely represent a risk in that, like Babel, he's still young and very raw. I think he's talented and athletic enough to succeed over here and in a few years I expect he'll be one of the best around, with the right coaching.

Other than Fernandez, the likes of Alves, Mancini and Quaresma make up the list of usual suspects and all are good shouts. I'd really like us to sign Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico. He's a big goal threat and would suit the system perfectly.

[Takizawa]

I'd say switch Babel to the right and bring in Van der Vaart, he'd be great for dropping deep and creating more space for Nando too.

[dogsout]

I'd say switch Babel to the right and bring in Van der Vaart, he'd be great for dropping deep and creating more space for Nando too.

I had thought of that and Van Der Vaart takes a good free-kick, too. I think we'd get the best out of Babel cutting in and shooting from the left, though.

[V3zna]

I've been thinking about this for a while now and if we stick with 4-2-3-1, as it seems we will, who would you lot like to see brought in to play on the right of the three?

That Luis Garcia bloke from Athletico Madrid would do the job possibly.

[larrydavidsanger]

I've been quite impressed by Schweinstiger and Ribery in the past but I haven't seen them at all this season, they're both at Bayern aren't they? Any cop these days?

[dogsout]

Ribery's been playing on the left for them and doing well but he cost them a fortune and I don't see him moving on anytime soon and even then it would have to be for big money. Schweinstiger hasn't played much this season.

[dogsout]

That Luis Garcia bloke from Athletico Madrid would do the job possibly.

It was just the other day I was saying how much we missed him. He would have been perfect in this system.

[ras el hanout]

Just so you guys know I could not handle a Liverpool v Man U tie and I'd pretty much have to kill myself to save myself dying of stress induced death.

[dogsout]

Just so you guys know I could not handle a Liverpool v Man U tie and I'd pretty much have to kill myself to save myself dying of stress induced death.

Same here.

[V3zna]

Utd vs Liverpool final in Rome next season please. Just to give UEFA the biggest headache possible.

[dogsout]

Fuck that. Sounds horrible.

[V3zna]

Fuck that. Sounds horrible.

The fact that UEFA are holding the final in Rome, where there are stabbings at every Roma Champions League match, suggests to me that a Liverpool vs Utd final would make them reconsider their retarded decsion making. I can't wait to watch the Moscow final in the fine stadium that has a big fuck off running track around the pitch.

[dogsout]

FERNANDO TORRES is a major doubt for Liverpool's meeting with West Ham at Anfield tonight, having picked up a bug.

The Reds' top scorer was absent from training yesterday and unless he makes a dramatic recovery is unlikely to be involved against the Hammers.

If, as expected, Torres is unavailable, manager Rafa Benitez is likely to offer a first team recall to Peter Crouch, who has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks.

Should Liverpool win tonight they will go above Everton into fourth place in the Premier League and Benitez today called on his players to take advantage of their game in hand on their Merseyside rivals.

He said: "We have been waiting a long time to play this game and now it is here we must take advantage of it.

"We need to take the confidence from Sunday's win against Bolton into tonight's game.

"But we also have to be careful because West Ham are a good team with good players and we know it will be difficult against them."

Benitez is still smarting from a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Alan Curbishley's side just over a month ago.

On that occasion, Liverpool lost despite having dominated long spells of the game when Mark Noble slotted home an injury time penalty.

"I was disappointed that night," admitted the Reds boss. "We dominated most of the second half and had chances but could not score.

"But that is in the past and tonight we must be positive because we are playing well and creating chances."

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger came through his second reserve team appearance in less than a week unscathed.

The Danish defender played an hour of last night's 1-0 win over Bolton and suffered no ill effects.

Having stepped up his rehabilitation from a metatarsal injury, Agger will now be looking to win his place back in the team.

I reckon we'll probably see:

---------------Reina

Arbeloa--Carra--Skrtel--Aurelio

-----------Masch--Xabi

Kuyt---------Stevie------Babel

--------------Crouch

Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Kuyt starting up top and/or Yossi on the right. Oh, and Sami for Skrtel.