Rafa Benitez - Will Rafa leave?

[alansmithy14]

rafa does a bad job of buying players because most of these players ending up being busts or else he sold them after 6 months or a year

[russe||]

Originally Posted by NJ10

well he paid £9m for Ashley Young, we may as well try our luck.....

That is what I though after thinking about it. Initial reaction is that Liverpool are having a laugh but then you think.....well Villa did pay £10m for Young so you can't blame Liverpool for wanting more than that.

With all these rich investors all over the place, transfer prices have gone crazy.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Aston Villa can afford to pay £12M and Liverpool knows that.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sami Hyypia insists that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has told him he has a future at Anfield.Hyypia asked for be involved in 20-30 matches next season and Rafa promised he will.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Riise: I'm not on Rafa's hit list

John Arne Riise has denied that he will be a victim of Rafa Benitez's Liverpool cull, as the Norwegian expects to discuss a contract extension over the summer.

The Spanish boss is expected to dispose of a number of his first team squad in the coming months as he aims to build a side capable of challenging for the Premiership.

Mark Gonzalez and Bolo Zenden have been told they have no future at Anfield, whilst Craig Bellamy and Sami Hyypia have also been linked with a possible exit.

However, Riise remains confident that he has a place in Benitez's plans for next season, and is hoping to discuss a new deal before the start of the new campaign

"I know he would have called at once it if was true that he wanted to offload me," Riise told Nettavisen.

"I have had full confidence at Liverpool for six years and see no reason to stop at the club.

"The plan is that we shall talk about a contract extension before the season starts."

Source: Skysports

Rafa have not set his sights on any left backs, so I would find it hard he will get rid of Riise .

[The Return]

Just jumping in here so excuse my interuption

I think the best part about Rafa's method during the current off-season is the way he's looking into the future as well as the current. If all goes well w/these new signings we may not have to buy big in a few seasons time. We'll be able to put almost all our eggs in one basket in order to sign someone who we REALLY need but probably wouldn't be able to afford in our current financial position.

Good things for LFC.

Nice one Rafa.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I hope he don't bring on more crap.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Rafa delighted with double swoop

Rafael Benitez has revealed Liverpool beat off competition from a host of top European clubs to capture the signatures of highly promising Hungarian duo Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon.

The deal to sign the youngsters from MTK Hungaria was agreed on Monday and the Reds boss is excited at the prospect of them joining his squad.

"We have been watching these players for a long time," said Benitez.

"There were a lot of big clubs interested in them, such as Real Madrid, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven."

Nemeth, 18, and Simon, 17, appeared for Hungary in last year's UEFA Under-17 Championships. Both are strikers, while Nemeth can also operate in midfield.

Benitez added: "It's never easy for a young player to settle in England, but we know they have outstanding ability and we're really thankful to the president of their club for his fantastic co-operation in our negotiations."

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Juventus make Sissoko move

Juventus are reported to have tabled a bid for Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

Sissoko has fallen out of favour at Anfield following the arrival of Javier Mascherano from West Ham in January.

The Mali international has stated his frustration at his current situation with Rafa Benitez's men, and could be open to a new challenge.

Sissoko's future in England is therefore in doubt, despite still having three years remaining on his contract, and Barcelona are also thought to be interested.

Liverpool are unwilling to sell Sissoko to another English club, but may be tempted by Juventus' attractive offer.

The Italian giants are rumoured to be offering The Reds between €15million and €20million (£10m-£13.5m) for Sissoko.

Meanwhile, Juventus are also reported to be interested in Lyon's out-of-favour midfielder Alou Diarra, who is also a target for Everton, Bordeaux and Marseille.

Source: Skysports

[NJ10]

I wouldnt be too unhappy if Sissoko went, he's a decent player with potential to become very good, but he isnt good enough for our starting XI, and he isnt gonna get much better as a bit part player, we have good cover in that area, we'd get decent money for him, plus he isnt really a game changing type of squad player.

if it means we can bring in a world class forward or two then its gotta be worth it.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sissoko is one of the best boughts Rafa have done for Liverpool.I fear he will sell him and use the money on a new unsuccessfull player...Rafa signs to much crap IMO.

[NJ10]

a few months ago you were slating Sissoko saying we play better football without him and he is too indisciplined....

he is a good player, as i said, and we will get decent money for him (esp from Juventus), which we need to trust Rafa to spend correctly. hopefully we will move quicker in the transfer market this summer and not end up with the second choice clearance signings like we have done in previous seasons.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Good squad player.

[azzurri]

Im surprised Liverpool are going to sell him. I remember last yr there was alot of hype around him. Who knows how Lucas, a Brasilian, will adapt to the prem. Sissoko has put in some good performances, but im told he has put in some shitty ones as well. In any case, if he can play for Juve like he did vs Barca, Ill be happy.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sissoko is maybe one of the best player of winning the ball...But he looses the ball to easy because he don't have good ball skills.