Redman

That's very presumptuous. As a matter of fact, the new Liverpool policy is to report nothing until there is something to report but that won't stop agents leaking, journalists digging and other clubs briefing. Not really. We've experienced such tactics from Liverpool previously when you tried to sign Barry and come to think about it I seem to recall reading quotes from Comoli talking about your interest in Ashley Young. So no its not presumptuous actually. Like I said, it's the new policy.

I don't think might has anything to do with it. I don't think there is a chance we would sell while we have no manager in place. If you say so. That doesn't mean Liverpool won't test your resolve by lodging a serious offer in the meantime. Test our resolve? With an offer around £4m above what we paid for him? Ooohh Randy will really be tested by that tempting offer considering the backlash that would come from the fans for selling a player while we've no manager in place. Sorry but get real. You've tried to bully us in the market before with Barry and look how well that one worked out for you. Why are you being so defensive? All I'm saying is you can probably expect a sensible offer while there's no manager in place to block it. That doesn't mean Lerner will accept it.

That's very presumptuous. As a matter of fact, the new Liverpool policy is to report nothing until there is something to report but that won't stop agents leaking, journalists digging and other clubs briefing.

I don't think might has anything to do with it. I don't think there is a chance we would sell while we have no manager in place. If you say so. That doesn't mean Liverpool won't test your resolve by lodging a serious offer in the meantime.

He's not gone anywhere yet... That is kinda the point, he meant Luke not Ashley I suspect. Oh yeah - forgot about that dodged bullet. Downing deal might not happen. I'm just passing on what I've heard. I would have thought there's a desire to push it through while you're without a manager. For you maybe but why on earth would we go along with that?? You might not go along with it.

He's not gone anywhere yet... That is kinda the point, he meant Luke not Ashley I suspect. Oh yeah - forgot about that dodged bullet. Downing deal might not happen. I'm just passing on what I've heard. I would have thought there's a desire to push it through while you're without a manager. And exactly how do Liverpool 'push' a deal through for our player when we don't have a manager ? That depends on your CEO, doesn't it? As long as you don't have a manager, that's one less person who might try to block any deal.

Barrett (and others) reported that Liverpool were confident about signing Young. I don't doubt that was true at the time it was reported. I read further into it and took it to mean the confidence was because the deal was as good as done. It's possible I got it wrong though.

He's not gone anywhere yet... That is kinda the point, he meant Luke not Ashley I suspect. Oh yeah - forgot about that dodged bullet. Downing deal might not happen. I'm just passing on what I've heard. I would have thought there's a desire to push it through while you're without a manager.

He's not gone anywhere yet...

Odds are as much about the bets being made as they are inside knowledge or speculation. It can take surprisingly little to significantly alter the odds on a book. Yeah - Bookies are easily spooked in these markets, aren't they? They have to monitor events closely and act quickly to shorten odds or suspend betting before the outcome becomes a formality.

Hearing whispers that Downing's Liverpool move is getting closer...

I really don't know how may times I have to say this. Benitez since he split from Pako Ayestrian is so far removed from being a good manager it's untrue. Benitez is a busted flush, he's been found lacking and the reason is he thinks he knows best when in fact Pako knew best. Pako was the tactical "genius", Pako was the piece of the team that the players went to, he got on with them and understood them (the John Robertson to MON if you like), Pako made that partnership work. Ever since they fell out... Benitez managerial form has nosedived. I also can't see how Randy Lerner would ever consider employing someone who had such an enormous public falling out with a previous owner. (Even if said previous owner was a complete tool). If we employ Benitez (unless he brings along Pako - doubtful as he refused to go back to Liverpool with him later on) then we've made a grave error in my opinion. Sorry mate - that's ill-informed. Ayesteran was the fitness guy. Rafa was the tactical genius. It's true it was a blow when Pako left because he was brilliant at his job and a popular guy but there's no correlation between his departure and the Liverpool slump. We achieved our highest league position and played our best football under Rafa after Pako left.

Or giving the transfer fee straight to Cole to offset his salary reduction. Whatever it takes to get rid. Ridiculous signing.

Of course the board manage what happens on the pitch. When your manager and top players sign contracts on the proviso that they'll soon be joined by more world class players, how can they be expected to stay motivated when it transpires they were lied to? There reached a point when Liverpool stopped being run by football people and started being run by financiers with the remit to reduce debt whilst making the club as attractive as possible to potential investors/buyers. For the whole of 2010, nobody was interested in what was happening on the pitch. The bank wanted their money back, the owners wanted their profit, the supporters wanted the owners gone and the players wanted to leave. And in the middle of it all was Rafa. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure he made mistakes at Liverpool. But there is a mountain of mitigation. So if the board weren't interested in what was happening on the pitch then how were they affecting it apart from the contract stuff? And I'd say a pretty key part of management is motivation. To expect an easy run with players in a little dreamland where nothing harms their confidence is naive. Its down to the manager to limit the affecting factors and when thewy inevitably happen lift them out of the dip by offering a little encouragement. Gerrard himself said he would have liked Rafa to at least say well done to him when he played well. And how long can a manager be expected to stem the tide? The shit didn't hit the fan overnight - the cracks started to appear in May '07. In May '09, we were narrowly beaten to the title despite the fractured boardroom, undermined management and protesting support. But it was never going to last.

I wanted Rafa back before Kenny was appointed. I'm thrilled with Kenny though. If he called it a day, I'd definitely want Rafa back.

Of course the board manage what happens on the pitch. When your manager and top players sign contracts on the proviso that they'll soon be joined by more world class players, how can they be expected to stay motivated when it transpires they were lied to? There reached a point when Liverpool stopped being run by football people and started being run by financiers with the remit to reduce debt whilst making the club as attractive as possible to potential investors/buyers. For the whole of 2010, nobody was interested in what was happening on the pitch. The bank wanted their money back, the owners wanted their profit, the supporters wanted the owners gone and the players wanted to leave. And in the middle of it all was Rafa. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure he made mistakes at Liverpool. But there is a mountain of mitigation. Do you think he would have the hunger and passion to start a long term project again, or do you think the last few years has taken a lot out of him? I think he needs to be back involved. He's obsessed with football to the point that his wife complains because when they go on holiday, he's always disappearing for a kick-about with the kids. Give him a supportive board who let him do his job and he'll be in heaven.

Of course the board manage what happens on the pitch. When your manager and top players sign contracts on the proviso that they'll soon be joined by more world class players, how can they be expected to stay motivated when it transpires they were lied to? There reached a point when Liverpool stopped being run by football people and started being run by financiers with the remit to reduce debt whilst making the club as attractive as possible to potential investors/buyers. For the whole of 2010, nobody was interested in what was happening on the pitch. The bank wanted their money back, the owners wanted their profit, the supporters wanted the owners gone and the players wanted to leave. And in the middle of it all was Rafa. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure he made mistakes at Liverpool. But there is a mountain of mitigation.

You're right. Your reasons for not wanting him are simple - too simple in fact. This ended up being Rafa's audition for the Liverpool job: Do you not like the way his Valencia played? As for the way Liverpool played, remember he had to build a squad to compete with Man U and Chelsea without ever having their budget. He spent something like £15m a year net. That mean't he had to make compromises. So he built a team to compete first, entertain second (a bit like MON, right?). But it was never counter-attacking football. It was based on controlling the game by dominating possession. As for zonal marking, don't listen to Andy Gray - it is proven to work. The problem is, when it doesn't work, it means somebody has a free header and a soft goal is conceded. But goals are conceded from man-to-man marking too. The difference is, rent-a-quote pundits don't spoon-feed those to us. Pal we don't want your **** cast offs if he was that good why did you sack him I presume the forum would prefer you spoke for yourself and not on their behalf. I could answer your question but there's no point, is there? You don't want to hear it.

You're right. Your reasons for not wanting him are simple - too simple in fact. This ended up being Rafa's audition for the Liverpool job: Do you not like the way his Valencia played? As for the way Liverpool played, remember he had to build a squad to compete with Man U and Chelsea without ever having their budget. He spent something like £15m a year net. That mean't he had to make compromises. So he built a team to compete first, entertain second (a bit like MON, right?). But it was never counter-attacking football. It was based on controlling the game by dominating possession. As for zonal marking, don't listen to Andy Gray - it is proven to work. The problem is, when it doesn't work, it means somebody has a free header and a soft goal is conceded. But goals are conceded from man-to-man marking too. The difference is, rent-a-quote pundits don't spoon-feed those to us.

Nobody got rid of the academy - it just hadn't produced anybody of note since Steven Gerrard. Then Rafa appointed the same guys who helped to develop Messi, Iniesta et al and abracadabra... I don't think your youngsters had much of a chance looking at the number of foreign players Houllier and Benitez brought in between them. They had about as much chance at Liverpool as our lads under MON. MON **** off, and oh, guess what. A whole clutch of kids make the step up to first team football. Suprise, suprise. You might have a point. I doubt Rafa would have used these kids to the same extent Kenny has. But he never got a chance to so who knows.

It doesn't matter to me whether Rafa is your next manager or not. I'm just giving you my interpretation so you can make an informed judgment. Take it or leave it. For the record, none of Rafa's mates are at Liverpool anymore and neither is the management team that sacked them.

Obviously you're entitled to favour whichever managerial appointment you like. But with respect, that isn't a very well-informed assessment at all. What would you suggest then? Maybe ask a few fans on a Liverpool board and bring it back here for us to look over? Not a lot of us are fans of his. Edit: that sounds sarcastic and I want to assure you, it is not written with that intent, I am genuinely interested. It might be worth reading the following excerpts from Brian Reade's recent book. These shed a lot of light on the sort of nonsense Rafa had to deal with during his time at Liverpool: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-was-dragged-to-its-knees-during-the-shambolic-reign-of-US-owners-Tom-Hicks-and-George-Gillett-article725227.html http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-co-owner-thought-Steven-Gerrard-was-gay-article725313.html http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Day-Three-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-owners-Hicks-and-Gillett-betrayed-Rafa-Benitez-and-wooed-Jurgen-Klinsmann-article725482.html What was his exuse at Internazionale then? More of the same shit, wasn't it? Moratti decided the summer he appointed Rafa should coincide with the first summer ever he wouldn't spend any money. Not a problem - Rafa had plenty to work with. Until the injuries started mounting. Still not a problem. But then Moratti started pointing the finger. f*n hell - even his excuses are similar to houlliers ! Take it or leave it. If you don't want Rafa (or any other manager), at least make sure the reasons you don't want him are valid.

Obviously you're entitled to favour whichever managerial appointment you like. But with respect, that isn't a very well-informed assessment at all. What would you suggest then? Maybe ask a few fans on a Liverpool board and bring it back here for us to look over? Not a lot of us are fans of his. Edit: that sounds sarcastic and I want to assure you, it is not written with that intent, I am genuinely interested. It might be worth reading the following excerpts from Brian Reade's recent book. These shed a lot of light on the sort of nonsense Rafa had to deal with during his time at Liverpool: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-was-dragged-to-its-knees-during-the-shambolic-reign-of-US-owners-Tom-Hicks-and-George-Gillett-article725227.html http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-co-owner-thought-Steven-Gerrard-was-gay-article725313.html http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Brian-Reade-An-Epic-Swindle-44-Months-With-A-Pair-Of-Cowboys-Day-Three-Read-extract-of-how-Liverpool-owners-Hicks-and-Gillett-betrayed-Rafa-Benitez-and-wooed-Jurgen-Klinsmann-article725482.html What was his exuse at Internazionale then? More of the same shit, wasn't it? Moratti decided the summer he appointed Rafa should coincide with the first summer ever he wouldn't spend any money. Not a problem - Rafa had plenty to work with. Until the injuries started mounting. Still not a problem. But then Moratti started pointing the finger.

Nobody got rid of the academy - it just hadn't produced anybody of note since Steven Gerrard. Then Rafa appointed the same guys who helped to develop Messi, Iniesta et al and abracadabra...

You are aware that if the FSW is our manager he will bring his own team in....thus dispensing of our youth academy staff..he did at Liverpool. Considering how well your academy is doing, my guess is he'd leave it well alone. He fought for control of the Liverpool academy for years - not because he was on a power trip but because it wasn't producing any quality. Finally, he got his way in 2009 - appointed Borrell and Segura (ex La Masia) to run the show and now the youngsters are emerging. This current crop of kids coming through at Liverpool is Rafa's legacy.