"In Rafa we trust."
That was the message displayed on flags and banners all around Anfield in recent weeks, as Liverpool fans showed their appreciation for the oft-maligned manager.
Given the club's recent success, the fans' faith in Rafael Benitez seemed to be well-placed.
And then came Reading.
The away fixture seemed to promise another three points for the Reds. Reading hadn't beaten any of the Big Four teams since their promotion a few seasons ago.
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, nothing is ever certain in football—and the Reds experienced their first defeat of their EPL campaign in falling 3-1 to a well-organised home squad this Saturday.
Benitez decided before the game to make a few changes, notably pushing Steven Gerrard out of central midfield and instead playing three strikers. The Liverpool players looked ill at ease in the new system.
And that was only the manager's first mistake.
When Reading took a 3-1 lead, Benitez pulled Gerrard—when the captain was the only Liverpool player who seemed capable of dragging his side back into the match.
Sure, Liverpool face a crucial Champions League game in Marseille and a titanic Premier League showdown with Manchester United this week—but a team with designs on the EPL title can't afford to concede points to the likes of Reading.
It's common knowledge that Liverpool players and fans covet an EPL title above all else—and to this point it's seemed that Benitez shares that passion.
But it's hard to believe that Rafa is really serious about a domestic championship after his decisions on Saturday night.
Liverpool aren't the same team without Steven Gerrard—period. Removing him this weekend was tantamount to accepting defeat in what was a must-win game.
As I see it, Liverpool need a solid base system, with only one or two subs (injury permitting) per game. There doesn't seem to be any benefit in tinkering with the lineup when the team has been performing at such a high level.
Of course, things could look a whole lot better for Liverpool after Tuesday's visit to Marseille and the Manchester United fixture on Sunday at Anfield.
But should the club be eliminated from Europe and drift further away from the top of the Premier League, the pro-Rafa banners will be harder and harder to find on game day.
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10 months ago
I have read some reasoned and well thought out articles on this site in recent weeks, this however is not one of them.
This is just another example of sky generation knee-jerk reactionism.
As a red for the last 34 or so years, I have seen us lose many games, cups and yes, even leagues ........ anyone who feels that this is reason not to back Rafa and the team 100% needs to get a grip and look again at the lyrics of our great hymn - You'll NEVER Walk Alone ........ not YNWA until you lose a match FFS!
In Rafa We STILL Trust
10 months ago
Interesting. Its not Knee Jerk and its not just about one lost game. Its the feeling that Liverpool are being hindered by Benitez and the realisation that it will be almost impossible to win the league title if the manager continues with his current thinking. Steven Gerrard should never be taken off when an important game is still to be won or drawn.
10 months ago
Which is wiser?
Leave Stevie G on with a yellow card and rising frustrations towards the ref .......... Or take him off and save him from possibly being given a 2nd yellow .........
Also, we have won several times during Rafa's reign without Stevie playing ........ and we went on to win the match against the blueshiite after he had been subbed ;)
I agree that the final 3rd of this piece does seem a little doom and gloom, verging on knee jerk given that Arsenal also dropped points this w/e and Liverpool still have their game in hand to play ........
If we get knocked out of the CL (unlikely) well, we can always concentrate on knocking the blushiite out of the UEFA cup instead :D
10 months ago
correct above. another pile of #### article. the whole gang up on rafa the media love to indulge in is sickening. When pennant was sent off against porto they all complained that he was on a yellow and rafa was wrong not to take him off.
but rafa take off gerrard in the same situation and he gets it again, in a game that was all but lost i might add. how was replacing him with babel throwing in the towel exactly. i dont get all these clowns.
As for the formation to start with anyone who had done the absolute minimum research would know that it was the exact formation that cut newcastle to peices just two weeks earlier, lazy ####.
10 months ago
Dear Jon, please spare us your crap!! Your analysis is nothing but ridiculous. What do you mean by "Steven Gerrard should never be taken off"? F**k off and get a life. Don't disturb serious minded people with your stupid talk.
10 months ago
Liverpool's loss this weekend was just plain bad luck, two shots off the crossbar and three missed calls that should have been penalties. The officiating was humorous at best, Rafa can't control the head referee and linesman.
10 months ago
Nice artilce Jonathan..though i hate the scousers big time, but i mustsay that they shud have at least drawn at Reading. With a cfull strength squad, a 3-1 drubbing is really downbeeating result.
Let's hope they put on a great show against the Reds.
10 months ago
To the "serious minded" people above. Anyone who did their research would realise that in the Newcastle game there were 4 different players picked in midfield and attack than the team against Reading. Although the set up was similar the players picked for each game played a completely different way.
Against Reading - Crouch, Torres and Voronin up front. All main line strikers. Against Newcastle - Kewell, Kuyt and Torres. Torres main striker with Kewell and Kuyt more like support players and providers. Gerrard operated centrally against Newcastle with Sissoko and Lucas either side - completely different personel and approach to the Reading game and thats why I mentioned the players picked for Reading looked uncomfortable.
Its not just about the Reading game, the signs have been there all along that rotation is not condusive to a good crack at winning the League. Their recent good run has co-incided with Rafa sticking to a more settled line up with the spine of the team remaining unchanged.
I do not want to keep questioning Rafa's policies and hope to god that what he is doing works out and Liverpool's challenge for the League remains constant until next May. I just feel that with the current selection policies Liverpool will not win the title and I wonder how many Reds fans will continue to accept this failure.
Oh and 3-1 down to Reading with 20 minutes still to go is not "all but lost" or should never be anyway. A point was more than possible and who knows a point maybe the difference come the end of the season. I can never accept a Liverpool team effectively giving up on any game even if they were 4-0 down.
10 months ago
Rafa's own words taken from the official lfc.tv site -
Rafa Benitez has dismissed the suggestion Liverpool cut their losses during the 3-1 defeat to Reading by substituting key players in the second half.
The Spaniard pulled off Fernando Torres on the hour due to a slight knock, then with his side 3-1 down rested Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Benitez said: "I try to win every game. But sometimes when it is not easy and you have options on the bench and you can protect key players, then you have to.
"It was clear some players were tired. We knew it would be a difficult game at Reading and wanted to change some players because we knew they were tired and it could be a risk.
"The pitch was heavy, but 3-1 down and time running out I thought we needed fresh legs and to protect our key players. If we are fit and have fresh legs, then maybe we can score the winning goal in the last 10 minutes in Marseille.
"When you take decisions it is because you believe it is the best. In this case, I was trying to protect the players.
"I know Steven wants to play to the end of every game, the same with Carra and Torres, but I needed to think about whether I could change things in the game and, if it's difficult to do that, I start thinking about the next one.
"Some of our players have been playing a lot of games in a row. Sami Hyypia is 34 years old now and was really tired, so as a manager you need to make decisions because you know your players. I was thinking about what is best for my players."
On his change of formation which saw Liverpool start with three strikers, Benitez added: "It is easy after the game to talk about the formation but we played the same system against Newcastle and everyone was talking about a fantastic team.
10 months ago
The same system yes but with totally different players ! If Manchester Utd played 4-3-3 one week with Tevez, Saha and Rooney as the front three - Would they play the same way the following week in a 4-3-3 system containing Rooney, Giggs and Ronaldo ?? - No - the game would be played out differently due to the personel taking part.
Anyway, if it all plans out well and Liverpool continue to challenge for the Premier League all the way then I will gladly take my hat off and concede that Rafa was right all along and hang my head in shame !
9 months ago
Jonathan, you really have some gut! Good onya mate. You think throwing in formations and naming players is all it takes to play well, right? What gives you the impression that playing a particular system is the only way to win games? The fact is that Liverpool just didn't play well at Reading and that cannot be reduced to mere formations. If at this level, Liverpool players cannot cope with different formations, then what the hell are they playing football for? They should just give up and play frisbee or cricket instead.
Oh, 4-3-3, Crouch, Torres, Voronin, main line strikers, 3-1 down, 20 minutes etc. mean nothing if you really understand the game. The three may be "main line strikers" but they were not arranged in concrete to hinder their movements. Crouch and Voronin has shown in many matches that they are comfortable playing as supporting strikers coming in from behind. If you really think Liverpool cannot win without Gerrard, and think that those wins the pool chalked without da G were no wins, then what's ya use watching the game at all? Liverpool has never been a one-man team and influential as some players may be, it is the collective unit that ultimately wins us matches.
A good understanding of the game will tell you that the subs effected were not tantamount to capitulation. The subs may not have gotten us the results but it by no means indicates that they are not good material to replace whoever is taken off. Common sense justifies the subs and if you still have any problem with Rafa, stiff s**t; those with eyes can see and tell that better things are well on their way to Anfield.
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