Rafa still beneath us

This is not about chelsea and liverpool, its about portugal and spain. the iberian rivalry is just as strong (and as bitter) as england and scotland. Tubby ( or Max from paddy and max) and maureen would be behaving just as childishly if they were at spurs and newcastle. NB liverpool have only spent 24M net, less than manu, chelski or spurs.

LOL, 100 viewings, no comments, ok I'll be kind and give you a response.

Rafa does not have to win the Premiership this season, the owners and the fans both know that bringing in players is only the start, it still takes time to build those into a title-winning team.

We have to win because we've spent some money? What kind of logic is that? Surely Man U have to win as they have spent more than us. ven Chelsea have bought just as many player, the only difference is they got some on Bosman's. Nothing wrong with that, we got Voronin the same way. But it does show it has nothing to do with a financial figure.

At Liverpool, we do things differently. Tha fans are a lot more genuine than the 'I've been a Blue all my life - well, since 2003 anyway! gloryhunters who surely make the genuine Chelsea fans puke as much as they made us Reds sick during our glory years (went on a lot longer than three years and included winning the biggest trophy in Europe 4 times).

Win lose or draw, one thing is for certain, the Liverpool fans will be as supportive of Rafa as ever. If we don't win the title this season (I am not expecting us to and most reds I know are the same) we will get a darned site closer and be ready to really push for it next season.

So you see, Mourinho IS wrong!

I once knew someone who grew up with nothing. He then won the lottery, and for the first time in 50 years, his family was rich. What was sad, is that he lost his perspective, and forgot the last 50 years, instead, focusing on slagging off others less wealthy than him, becoming pompous and aloof. He forgot where he came from... forgot that before he won the lottery, he was nobody.

Very well said.
I had more respect for benitez before he started showing his true colors and spending more time talking down other clubs and managers than spending on research before buying good for nothing expensive players.

@Rob Barron (first comment)
We have to win because we’ve spent some money? What kind of logic is that?

Well maybe you could ask that question from Rafa last season or even this season when he said the pressure is on chelsea since they spent more money over the past 5 years!!

Fact is before liverpool and Manu had the money they kept discrediting chelsea by saying chelsea's achievements are due to money spent and nothing else. Now they have gone the same route which is the right path in today's football and instead of accepting that every team needs to spend to strengthen their squad they try to change their own word and say whoever has spent more in the last five years should be under pressure. childishly irresponsible. Grow up, Man up and accept the responsiblity. You spent the money, now it's time to shut the hell up and deliver what you promised.

Malouda left his old club Lyon (champion's of France) to join a bigger club, a higher step, a bigger challenge, to win more prestigious awards. Going to liverpool would be a step down for sure since they are incapable of wining premiership.

Honestly...simple really? I think so. Chelsea are making history, chipping it away if u will? What took liverpool 20? 30? Years to create chelsea aim to do in ten...with great TEAM (eh gerrard?) we are a brand now...better manager, better players, better facilities, better money and if the economics are correct, better history. So be careful, football changes...no rather it progresses and we just have to wait for the next daring owner, manager or set of players.

Rob Barron. As with most of your myopic kind you are incapable of sifting through all the evidence (understandable since it so often convicts). It was your chief executive Prick Parry who last year created the formula for money:success when he had a dig at Chelsea's expenditure only 'earning' a league cup. Well, it was a typically prattish statement from one of the thickest, most bumptuous arseholes in northwest football, and didn't the Mickey Scousers look crestfallen when their huge investment brought a zero as fat as the obese, vain, foul-tempered Benitez at the end of the season. Kenn, your only omission was that Jose has won 64 league points more than Benitez. That's why Malouda wanted in.

To Rob Barron
I suggest you to go around and find some excuses to your pathetic and miserable club to exist at all. You guys do not in your club that you already explain us why do you have to lose this season. You are pathetic!!!!

Mr Rob Barron is finding the escape route for Liverpoopoo already! LOL

Don't forget two more Premierships too...

They come....they talk crap.....they go, never to be seen again.

Could you just confirm the spelling of your name.Is it Barron or Barren ( as in, won fuck all again!)

Glory Hunting Fans are a disease that affect all clubs when succesful. But of course Liverpool fans always think they're better than everyone else more loyal and knowledgeable, what arrogance!

Yes you may have a history of success which you should be proud of, but we're making history now, and I'm just as proud of that!

And far as Rafa goes he's just as adept at the digs and mind games as most of the Managers in the league, he's certainly no Saint in that respect. But hypocrisy is the
disease that seems to be running through Liverpool FC.... and it's supporters at present.

"I'm not happy with the amount of goals we've conceded this season but I'm happy with the number we've scored. People should praise our attacking style. "

This quote probably tells the story it is either defensive play or our current play. I remmeber the days when we missed 6 goals probably in more than dozen of games and won them.

Well we got lucky yesterday.

As for Rafa. If he talks like a twat and looks like a twat...

First penalty they have conceded at Anfield since 2004-2005..........

Haven't heard them complaining before.

Incidently, am I the only one that thought that other than a well taken goal, Torres was complete 'Pants'.

He spent a lot of time on his arse. Very old school Didier.

Rafa is the one who needs to stop speaking of other teams and focus on his own! If monmey isn't the answer in todays football why didn't you win a single trophy lastr season? Could it be that your SHIT?

The manager has as much impact on hounors as money and squad. My example is Roy Keane, he took Sunderland fromt he bottom to the top in half a season! Fat Rafa's excuses are lame!

P.S. Alex and Barron (as in won F*ck all) your both talking boll*cks.

//////////////////////////////////////////////K.T.B.F.F.H///////////////////////////////////

I think there was poetic justice in us scoring an easily given penalty, since Torrass (apart from the goal) did nothing but try to get one for his team..

The Liverpool review will be posted later than usual. I'm a bit busy today.

Whatever anyone says about the penalty decision, it was not Chelsea’s fault neither did we earn it by deceit. It was one in a series of poor decisions by the referee against both sides in the game. I think Styles was overwhelmed by the occasion. Personally, I enjoyed the penalty more because I saw it as divine justice against Rafa. It was fitting that the man he accused of coming to Chelsea for money won it for Chelsea. I saw his face at the post-match interview and I thought it looked like a rotten tomato! Too bad, Liverpool shouldn’t complain too much. I’m sure they’ve also had one or two occasions to be grateful to Styles for awarding them an unearned penalty, for instance, against Sheffield United last year. These things happen in football, so no tears, please!

It wasn’t a great performance by Chelsea, especially in the first half. The second half was more like it, but on the balance of play I thought Liverpool played better overall. But compared to our outing there in January (though hampered by unusual injury crisis then), this was a far better performance and a better result too.

Again, the main reason we didn’t win the game yesterday was the fact that Essien was wasted on the right. He was effectively slowed down by Riise and Arbeloa. I’m not suggesting that Ferreira or Johnson would have done a better job on the right, because, frankly, I do not have much confidence in them; but the problem just reemphasises our need for Alves. Riise and Arbeloa couldn’t have had such joy with him if he was the one we were playing there. I also believe if Essien was playing at the centre of midfield, Gerrard would not have found that pass for Torres. I’m not convinced yet by Mikel’s play; I thought we needed the guile, smoothness, passing ability and maturity of Makelele there. However, considering the level of the young man’s experience, I think he did just okay. I like what I’m seeing with Alex, even with that cameo. I suspect he and Carvalho would be competing to start with Terry once he gets match fit. Ben Haim is good only as cover, a very good cover. Alex or Carvalho with Terry are the men to deploy for the big teams.

Another poorly handled situation was Styles two-card trick when he awarded Liverpool a free-kick for a foul on Torres almost at the edge of our box. However, contrary to what some Liverpool supporters would want to believe, Styles didn’t book Essien twice (though Essien and most people watching thought he did at the time). What happened was he brought out the card earlier to book Terry. He did by simply showing him the card in form of raising it above his head; but rather than get the necessary player’s info and tuck the card away, he still had the card in his hand, trying to organize the free-kick and explaining to everyone that was in his face why he was giving it. He came back to the point where the ball was, the card still in hand, asked Essien to hand over the ball, which Essien did. Styles then gave the ball to Torres for the free-kick, but obviously by then he’d already forgotten that he’d showed the card to Terry a minute earlier. He raised the card again, pointed to Terry (who by then had left the point) and finally wrote the player’s info and tucked in the card. He was certain he was booking Terry, but what he forgot was that he’d showed him the card when he was at the point of expressing dissent. It was natural for Essien to think he was the one being booked because he was the one standing by Styles (even though it was clear to everyone he’d done absolutely nothing to merit a card). In any case, the ref made it clear it was Terry he was booking, by pointing at him even at that ‘second’ time. His mistake was that he’d forgotten by then that he’d showed him the card. All he ought to have done was write the player’s info and put the card away earlier, not raise it again. And, by the way, Essien’s yellow, like this one in contention, was another poor decision as well.

However, commentators bleating about Chelsea players hounding the referee are just being hypocritical (and that includes Gerrard, by the way). Understandably, because of a series of bad decisions against both sides, both set of players had reasons to protest (sometimes, in the eyes of spectators, too strongly) to the referee. But then, it’s in the referee’s discretion to determine whether he feels hounded by the conduct of any player or group of players. Of course, there’s room for complaint, vigorous complaint where necessary, and referees are the only ones allowed by the rule to make that judgment. If there’s no clear-cut case of a punishable footballing offence, referees do not just book a player. They are controllers of the game, not dictators!

I’ve noticed that on the basis of yesterday’s performance, a lot of Liverpool supporters are beginning to think they’ll win the league. Well, they still don’t have that 20 goal a season striker, because I can’t see any of their strikers pass single figure. Fernando Torres will not take the Premiership by storm. Yesterday’s goal flattered him. Playing with an average team, he looked great but his scoring record (minus penalties) was poor. Now playing with a better team, he’d only marginally improve, and without penalties, he’d also be in single figure. If by yesterday’s evidence, Rafa becomes convinced to put him in as a permanent fixture upfront, he’d be making a huge mistake. If Babel is given his chance, he’d make a better impact. But they still aren’t championship materials. Yes, they should enjoy their moment now, because this is the only time they’ll have the opportunity to rub shoulders with us on the basis of a draw in their backyard. By Christmas, they would have been out of the race, as usual, and their only ambition by then would be to beat Everton for their city’s bragging rights and, if they’re lucky, having been out of the race early, could put together another cup run.

We’re going to have a very enjoyable campaign this season, but not without a few heart-thumping moments. The so-called big four will certainly not have it all their own way. Right now, Chelsea still have the advantage. With all due respect to Man City, the ‘new’ factor will soon wear off and once teams begin to decode them, it would be tough and everyone would remember then how poor Eriksson is as a coach and how he bought players he hadn’t seen play, blah, blah, blah. But for now, let them enjoy the hilltop. Arsenal would test them as Spurs would test a smarting Man U. Portsmouth will be tough for us, because they also have that new element about them too. It’s still a long, long way to go, but we’re not in a bad position at all. We are mentally the toughest team out there and yet to gel properly. I think we need three or four more games to begin to show our true quality. I believe once we get going, our strength in depth will see us sitting at the top by Christmas. I have no reason to believe this is not our title yet.

C’mon Chelsea!

While I’m not qualified to question José’s selection (because he’s the one working with players and who knows their strengths and weaknesses and whether or not they’re ready to play and when), I was surprised he started with three ‘lightweights’ in a game like this – SWP, Mikel and Kalou. I don’t know what Joe Cole’s fitness level is, but I thought he should have started in place of SWP, Makeklele in place of Mikel and Pizzaro in place of Kalou. I know he’d have preferred to start Alex alongside Terry at the back, but he needed to gently ease him in, so keeping him on the bench was fine.

Perhaps, he was taking the risk to play these guys in such a big game to give them confidence for the future (especially as he knows he has the personnel on the bench to change things if it’s threatening to go pear-shaped). If that’s the case, I think it’s a brave approach to the new season. I know there were things he wanted to experiment with last season that were thwarted by the injury crisis. I suspect he’s now working on them. I suspect also that even while trying to win trophies, José is preparing the team (especially the midfield) for a smooth transition to new personnel when the older ones begin to drop in form or move on. This is possibly the reason he’s confident we’ll be playing a more expansive football this season. It’s a challenge for the young ones and he’s trying to give them their opportunities this early, even against big teams, despite the risk involved.

Coupled with the above reason, I think José is still trying to find his best eleven and his most effective formation for different opponents/situations. Injuries to key men and inability to practice and play them together in the combinations he’s working on haven’t helped. But after about three or four more games, all of which we’d try to win or at least draw, we’ll begin to gel as a team and José would be able to serve the football public what he’s been cooking all this while. I suspect Alves is a key part of that project.

Kenn,

Apparently, according to Keith Hackett, Rob Styles was simply indicating a direct free kick when he brandished the second yellow, simply forgetting that the card was in his hand. Thus making it look like he was booking Essien. An 'admin' error he calls it. The fact he didn't raise a red card meant it wasn't for Essien.

It's not a bad life being a ref or linesman - make a mistake and the boss gives you the next week off!

Nevertheless it was great to get a result up there, and it was noticeable how quiet the Anfield croud was compared to previous games in cup competitions. It was more like it used to be in the 1990s. I think that suggests that whilst Liverpool played well and dominated the game overall, they weren't piling on pressure and creating loads of chances. We looked reasonably comfortable away from home for long periods.

Fair play to our fans who never stopped singing - nice one!

The sheer number of meetings between the two teams in recent (Jose and Rafa) years has bred a certain amount of contempt along with the other factors mentioned - neither the managers, nor the teams to an extent, bring out the best in each other.

Styles' performance, especially the sheer number of cards was all the more surprising as these fixtures generally aren't that dirty or played in particularly bad faith - slightly tetchy and fraught on occasion, but you never get the feeling they will descend into an Arse v Man U style scrap. The fact that Styles clearly couldn't keep control of a high-profile but hardly incendiary game does call into question his ability to be a referee at that level.

Liverpool do look a better side on paper; Torres may not be a 25-30 goal merchant but his workrate is good (like Kuyt) but with a little more flair to go with it - think their midfield will score more this season with him in the side. The fact that Benitez has finally sussed that Gerrard is best through the middle will help them too - the link between him and Torres for their goal yesterday was impressive and something they've maybe lacked of late. Defensive cover isn't that hot though - might be the one thing that costs them, especially away from home.

Been quite impressed with us so far; yesterday far from great, but of the 'big 4' I'd say we look strongest overall. Just that RB position to sort out - 11 days to go...

Just returned from a holiday on the south coast (I'll use the term loosely - the in-laws were present).

I think we've started well, but I'm at a loss as to why Jose continues to pick Kalou ahead of anyone else in the squad - he's been anonymous so far. RB is a concern, certainly not where Essien needs to be, but the alternatives seem to be average at best - definitely something we need to rectify. I'm glad Alex made an appearance yesterday, hope to see him partnering JT rather than Ben Haim, who appears to have the manoeuverability of a tugboat.

We got extremely lucky with the penalty decision, but I'm glad it came about due to refereeing incompetence and not a theatrical dive. We seem to be missing real creativity in the middle at the moment, and not creating an abundance of chances.

I see one more signing, Alves or A.N.Other at RB will probably be it. Based on yesterday, I'd like to try and sign Richards, he's been immense all season.

My assesment of Richards being immense 'all season' is a tad shallow. Based on the fact we've played three games, but you get where I'm coming from.

I hope.

Interesting how...things change...Manchester City humbling Manure fc...it is just like two seasons ago...

Come on Chelsea Come on Chelsea Come on Chelsea

Fifty - Richards was excellent on Sunday (if Citeh did ride their luck somewhat!).

JD - From what I saw, he made Tevez look ordinary. Which I'd hoped for.

They were lucky, but then so were we.

Still, a long way to go. Marathon not a sprint and all that.

I have always admired Richards ....... I am sure that is the player that caused last seasons spat between TSO and Roman! we needed a defender and he was the one TSO was after but Roman (or is it Kenyon?) wouldn't buy