How RAFA BENITEZ contradicted himself over ALBERTO AQUILANI'S fitness levels

In an interview prior to the Everton game, the ever-cautious Rafa Benitez explained how the physical nature of the Premiership was the main reason Alberto Aquilani was persistently warming the bench. In the same interview, he blatantly contradicted himself over the state of the player's fitness, something that arguably sheds light on the real reason the Italian is being held back. In the interview with the Liverpool Post, Benitez was asked about the level of Aquilani's fitness, to which he declared: "The player is fit. He is training". The player is FIT. It seems ridiculous to examine the meaning of unambiguous words, but I think it's safe to assume that if Benitez says he's fit, then he's fit, right? What else does 'the player is fit' mean? It doesn't mean he's unfit, does it? In a footballing context, saying 'the player is fit' means he is strong enough to play football. Later in the interview, Benitez was asked whether Aquila

Facing the reality: LIVERPOOL'S summer transfer budget was (arguably) mismanaged

As we are constantly reminded, football is a results business. This old adage is undoubtedly correct; just ask any of the managers sacked each month by twitchy chairmen. Over the course of a season, however, a team’s performances have to reach a high enough level for the desired results to be achieved. If they fail to do so, too much is left to chance. Currently, the Liverpool team has the air of a punch-drunk boxer desperately praying he can unleash a lucky knockout blow. With a defence operating more shakily than at any time under Rafa Benitez, it’s amazing how the tactic of defending a slender lead is unfailingly adopted. With precious little confidence and a porous backline it’s a game plan so obviously fraught with risk. But the fact that defence is perceived as a credible route to victory shines a light on the glaring weaknesses in attack which bedevil this Liverpool squad. After last season’s off-field triumph for the manager in securing total control of the club’s transfer poli

EVERTON v LIVERPOOL - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

A look at all the good and bad points to come out of Liverpool's much-needed victory against Everton earlier today. The GOOD Dirk Kuyt ended his current barren spell After 19 hours of football, Kuyt finally got back on the score sheet. It's kind of ironic in a way: 19 hours as a right-midfielder and he couldn't score; 5 minutes as a striker, and he scores a goal. As I and many other LFC fans have argued, Liverpool can and must do better than Kuyt on the right. He has far too many barren spells, and a right midfielder should be more consistently creative than Kuyt. However, whilst he's at the club - and guaranteed to start every game - it's good for him to be confident, and hopefully this goal will kick-start his season. The end of a terrible run of results Six defeats and three draws in the previous eleven games prior to Everton was a horrific run by anyone's standards. It was important to arrest the slump, and somehow, Liverpool managed to do this. Clean she

LIVERPOOL start with 8 defensive-minded players against EVERTON

Liverpool need to win against Everton today. Rafa Benitez himself admitted during the week that nothing more than a win would be acceptable. Once again though, Benitez talks the talk but does not have the courage of his convictions, something that is clearly illustrated by his defensive-minded line-up for today's game against Everton. Here is Liverpool's staring eleven: -------------------- Reina Johnson --- Carragher --- Agger --- Insua ---------- Mascherano - Lucas Kuyt ----------- Gerrard ----------- Aurelio ----------------- Ngog Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Riera, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, El Zhar, Skrtel We have 4 defenders, 2 holding midfielders, Dirk 'Mr tracking back' Kuyt (who hasn't scored a goal for almost 19 hours of football), and Fabio Aurelio on the left-side of midfield. It doesn't matter how you spin it, Benitez has played it safe once again. Aurelio may play on the left in a more (supposedly) attacking role but that does not change the fact that he

Yoda, SHANKLY, Lucas, and the contradictory messages coming out of ANFIELD

Following Liverpool's recent home draw with Manchester City, Rafa Benitez was emphatic and postive about Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top four. In an ironic twist, the player in which he seems to have the most faith does not seem to share his faith in the club's league chances. After the City game, Benitez was clear about where Liverpool would end up in the league this season: "We will finish in the top four." We WILL finish in the top 4. Positive, defiant and said with real conviction. Fast forward 7 days, and one of Benitez's favourites, Lucas Leiva, is clearly not on the same page: “We are in a difficult moment and it's hard to know if we can be in the top four at the end of the season. We can't make promises about that. We will try as hard as we can, but we cannot promise". Hard to know. Difficult. Can't make promises... All evidence of a losing mentality, which is arguably part of the reason why Liverpool's season is in

REVEALED: The LIVERPOOL ECHO's witch-hunt against Ryan Babel

What a surprise - The 'Liverpool Echo' has jumped on the anti-Ryan Babel bandwagon, and is increasingly taking delight in belittling the player and doing its best to place him in a bad light. As we all know, unless your name is Gerrard or Carragher, you're pretty much fair game when it comes to the Liverpool Echo. Here are a few recent examples of how the paper has abandoned any sense of fairness and is just pushing the 'Babel Out' agenda instead: This is the opening sentence of an article headlined ' Outspoken Ryan Babel opens up Liverpool FC exit after interview ' "RYAN BABEL is edging closer to the Anfield exit after launching an astonishing attack on manager Rafa Benitez and his team-mates". Look at the choice of words: 'ASTONISHING ATTACK' on the manager and his team-mates'. Could you get any more irresponsibly emotive than that? The article is basically designed to drive a wedge between Babel and his team-mates; to create tenstio

PEPE REINA vs. EDWIN VAN DER SAR: The ultimate 4 year analysis. Who is the best?

A few weeks ago, I proved that Fernando Torres is a more effective attacking player tha Wayne Rooney . Now it's time to take a look at Pepe Reina and Edwin Van Der Sar. Both are fantastic keepers; both are very important to their respective teams, but who can rightfully be called the best/most effective goalkeeper? I have looked at both players' stats for the last 4 full seasons , going back to the 2005-6 season, which was when both players arrived at their respective clubs. I have only included competitive games in this analysis, i.e. Premiership Champions League FA Cup Carling Cup Super Cup World Club Cup I obtained the statistics from the following sources: LFC History Soccernet Anfield Online Blog United Liverpool FC.tv ManUnited.com Key G = Games W= Wins D = Draws L = Losses GC = Goals conceded CS = Clean Sheets MP = Minutes on pitch GCPG = Goals conceded per game GCPM = Goals conceded per minute Season by season 2005-06 G W L D