Kenny praises Rafa for his revamp of the youth set-up

Kenny saying what most of us barring a couple one in particular where saying about Rafas revamp of our youth set up.

Kenny Dalglish today paid tribute to Rafael Benitez for his part in reviving Liverpool's youth academy.

Conor Coady and Suso, two mainstays of the current under-17 squad, were familiarised with Melwood, the club's training ground, this week as part of plans to blood more youngsters from the previously ailing centre of excellence in Kirkby into the senior ranks in the long-term
.

Kirkby underwent a significant transformation in the summer of 2009 when Benitez, then manager of the Reds, enlisted the services of Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura - key figures in Barcelona's La Masia academy set-up.

In addition to recruiting his compatriots, the Spaniard also brought one-time chief scout Frank McParland back to his former club to oversee the progression of Liverpool's rising stars.

And Dalglish has hailed Benitez, who left the club acrimoniously last summer, for his efforts in restoring the Anfield production line following more than a decade of decline.

He said: "I wouldn't go and say there are any kids who played in the Youth Cup against Crystal Palace are going to be first team [yet] but the progress at the Academy in the last year and a half has been absolutely fantastic.

"That's great credit to Rafa who brought in Pep Segura, Rodolfo Borrell and Frank McParland. He reorganised the whole Academy and you can see the benefit in the kids now. It's fantastic to see.

"The reserve team's average age has been drastically reduced. Whether we get them through or not, we'd never put that pressure on them, but we're clearly encouraged by the work that's being done there and it's a work in progress."

Was just about to post this. Just read that interview on the offal and took note of that particular bit.

Good to see Kenny giving Rafa some credit for the academy setup. And he's right, Rafa made superb appointments in Segura and Borrell, who I'm sure have done a huge amount of work with the Academy and I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labour in the first team sometime soon. 

Would love to see all the people who bitched about Rafa being useless with youth come in here now.

Kenny more than most knows exactly how Rafa changed things, as Kenny was brought back by Rafa as Academy Ambassador.

Shown his class in acknowledging Rafa's influence instead of blaming him for having a poor squad.

There is one person in particular YNWA that has slated Rafa for this, I thought he was talking sh*t then and this just confirms it, is he going to rubbish what Kenny is saying now.

Nice one Kenny. Hopefully this will be Rafa's lasting legacy. Mind you only some Red's fans will acknowledge it. Thank's Rafa

 Fair play to Kenny telling it like he sees it, you can't ask any more than that. It's hard to imagine any changes Rafa made to the youth team set up actually making it less productive than it had been, but nevertheless it's encouraging that kenny thinks there's been an improvement.

Spot on Mr K Dalglish  We'll reap the benefits in the long term.

Fair play to Kenny telling it like he sees it, you can't ask any more than that. It's hard to imagine any changes Rafa made to the youth team set up actually making it less productive than it had been, but nevertheless it's encouraging that kenny thinks there's been an improvement.

You could make a spoonful of sugar taste like a raw lemon, couldn't you?

He says and does no wrong !

Would like to add my to pennies worth and that is Rafa's work will not have gone unnoticed amongst nesv owners.

Kenny dalglish say's it how it is and what a fantastic gesture to rafa for revamping the academy.

One thing also I would like to add is that we would have seen plenty of youth in the line up if rafa was still in charge.

You could make a spoonful of sugar taste like a raw lemon, couldn't you?

Not sure I get what you mean mate to be honest.

Got to admit it's getting better. Getting better all the time. . . Couldn't get much worse. A clue to the tune of The Beatles Mick

Got to admit it's getting better. Getting better all the time. . . Couldn't get much worse. A clue to the tune of The Beatles Mick

Ah right, yes I understand now. We did go through a few seasons there though under Houllier and Benitez where we trawled the planet for the latest wunderkids, moving heaven and earth to prise them out of the grasp of their respective academies, got ourselves all worked up about them being the next superstars, only to discover they had been quietly shifted out to Dukla Prague in the close season after never having made an appearance in four years. Meanwhile, all the best kids who were under our noses went to one of the Manchester clubs, Everton or Arsenal.

If these recent changes mean such trends are going to be bucked, I'm all for them. If it was Rafa who put the changes in place, fair play to him.

Well it was Rafa and hopefully it means a return to the days of a youth system that actually has an end product. Early days yet, but there are some good prospects. We can only remain positive that the likes of Suso and Coady, along with Dani and Kelly in the more immediate future, can have an impact

I agree. I think Kenny is already showing that he is going to promote from within. It's important that the young players know that if they work hard and develop there is a future for them at LFC.

Ah right, yes I understand now. We did go through a few seasons there though under Houllier and Benitez where we trawled the planet for the latest wunderkids, moving heaven and earth to prise them out of the grasp of their respective academies, got ourselves all worked up about them being the next superstars, only to discover they had been quietly shifted out to Dukla Prague in the close season after never having made an appearance in four years. Meanwhile, all the best kids who were under our noses went to one of the Manchester clubs, Everton or Arsenal.

If these recent changes mean such trends are going to be bucked, I'm all for them. If it was Rafa who put the changes in place, fair play to him.

Hell Mick,surely if Kenny Dalglish says thanks to RAFA for reviving the youth policy and putting the systems in place then you have to believe him.Kenny has got nothing to gain but honesty for giving RAFA the credit and that is a rare thing these days to see a manager sing the praises of a previous manager,cheers.

Here here.

People were blinded by wanting instant success, didn't see the bigger picture.

Nice on Kenny for giving Rafa the praise he deserves

One of Rafas achievements and the real legacy he has left.

Big gesture of Kenny to acknowledge it.


http://thekop.liverpoolfc.tv/_Beyond-Istanbul-Rafas-legacy/blog/3260116/173471.html

From The Club Site Today.

Ask a Kopite to name Rafael Benitez's crowning achievement at Liverpool Football Club and more often than not the reply will be delivered along with a quizzical and sarcastic expression that Scousers could trademark.

Our fifth European Cup, they'll tell you; As if you needed to ask, they might add.

Certain events or figures in history become so mythical in our perception that they can be referred to in just a single word: Watergate, Woodstock, Elvis.

On May 25 2005, Benitez masterminded a sporting comeback that saw the word Istanbul added to this list - if only in the minds of football fans.

What occurred in the Ataturk would arguably have been the high point of any Liverpool manager's reign, a remarkable achievement which re-established the club as a European power and a global brand.

But there is a case to suggest that one aspect of the Benitez legacy could yet prove just as significant in the club's future. Namely the revolution he instigated and oversaw at The Academy in the summer of 2009.

Of course it is still too early to judge, but anyone who has witnessed the work being done by Pep Segura, Rodolfo Burrell and Frank McParland (all three appointed by Benitez) over in Kirkby cannot fail to have been impressed.

Watching the U18s dispatch a talented Crystal Palace side (who themselves dismantled Arsenal's class of 2011) in the Youth Cup two weeks ago was a joy for advocates of pass and move football.

Refer to the CVs of Segura and Borrell and the jigsaw pieces start to fit together. The pair, during their time at Barcelona, helped nurture technically gifted players like Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Bojan Krkic, Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi - all of whom revel in playing the kind of dynamic football which, albeit in a raw, unrefined form, is now being executed at The Academy.

The likes of Suso, Raheem Sterling and Conor Coady have so far hogged the headlines, but earlier this season a total of 25 Academy hopefuls received international youth call-ups. Two years ago you could have counted the number of LFC youngsters asked to represent their country on one hand. With fingers to spare.

Credit too has to go to the likes of McParland for moderating expectations and for ensuring media coverage is both cautious and fairly apportioned.

Too often in the past we've allowed ourselves to get too excited too soon. Two examples that come to mind are Lauri Dalla Valle and Astrit Ajdarevic, both of whom left the club after failing to live up to their early hype.

These days nobody is allowed to get carried away. Even if there is a decent case for doing so.

One thing is for sure, though: if some of the players now shining at youth level go on to become the next Steven Gerrards and Jamie Carraghers, it'll not only be those still employed by the club who take the credit.

Nice one Kenny, it lets others (ie stubborn journalists) know Rafa did many great things to this club

Hell Mick,surely if Kenny Dalglish says thanks to RAFA for reviving the youth policy and putting the systems in place then you have to believe him.Kenny has got nothing to gain but honesty for giving RAFA the credit and that is a rare thing these days to see a manager sing the praises of a previous manager,cheers.

Absolutely I believe him mate. Kenny wouldn't say thanks to Rafa unless he thought it was warranted, no doubt about it. Obviously Kenny knows more about the youngsters which we have than i ever would, so if he thinks one or two are going to make it into being a player I can only hope he's right. If it's down to Rafa, then once again I say fair play to him. I can't be any clearer than that mate really.

Kenny is spot on as usual.

Kenny spot on, Rafa did bring through good youngsters in his tenure like Kelly, Pacheco, Suso among others. now let's see Kenny blood them into the first team

Spot on Kenny.

Now where's the people who slagged Rafa off *cough* carra *cough cough*

I can't remember what thread it was but only recently Rafa was getting slagged off for 'destroying the Academy'. Time to stand up and be counted, swallow your pride and admit you were wrong that man.

I'd like a few more sky burying comments from Kenny just to highlight to the haters that he wasn't anywhere near as bad as his character assassination tried to make him look.

IRIST.

I know who you're referring to. I had the debate with him over it. Doubt he'll be in here raising his hand and claiming Kenny is right and as such so was Rafa

The bigger picture is becoming clear,all the doom that hodgson was spouting was to discredit our man rafa,for all of hodgsons failings rafa was made a scapegoat by roys media buddies and now thank god that kenny has come out and made a clear refrence to the work rafa did to rebuild our red denisty from within.

I would like to make a point here and that is if nesv for some reason decided not to appoint kenny for the long term and re appoint rafa then the man that kenny is would relinquish control and hand over the reigns to rafa to finish what he created and also kenny would be the first to offer his backing in any capacity to rafa.Fact.

Not sure I get what you mean mate to be honest.

He means you have no class and cant mention anything Rafa did as positive even when Kenny goes out of his way to commend his work.

He means you have no class and cant mention anything Rafa did as positive even when Kenny goes out of his way to commend his work.

No class? And you'd know that from reading what I think on an internet forum right?

I've said about three or four times now on this thread that if it's down to Rafa then fair play to him, and hopefully Kenny is right and we do start to produce more youngsters. What else do you want me to say? You want me to change "fair play to Rafa" to "thank God for Rafa, he saved us from oblivion by his forsight" or something?

Some of you lads make me laugh you really do. Someone says decent things about Rafa and pays tribute to his contribution, I agree with him, but because I haven't bought into the cult you can't cope with it. Class? don't make me laugh.

If its down to Rafa again meally mouthed praise.

Must be hard for you bigmick hearing rafa getting some praise from someone as respected as kenny.

We should be hounured that we had someone as good as rafa who had the balls to revamp the acadmey and set the ball rolling for youngsters that will embrace the red jersey pretty soon.

Hopefully we will soon see the benefits, because we need them.

It was probably Purslow anyway 

If its down to Rafa again meally mouthed praise.

"Meally mouthed" . The academy has been a disaster ever since Houllier started f****** around with it, we must have the worst record at producing players of any of the top teams. It was desperately in need of something, anything doing with it. If Rafa's sorted it then fair play to him, well done to him, thanks a lot mate, good on yer that man, top man for it, f******* fantastic effort Rafa, absolutely superb mate etc etc etc etc.

What the f*** do you want me to say? You tell me and I'll type it in, PM me if you like then it won't look that obvious, everyone will think it's my own work.   

Must be hard for you bigmick hearing rafa getting some praise from someone as respected as kenny.

 Why would it be hard mate, I don't get it? Rafa did some great stuff during his six years with us, why would it be hard to admit that? Kenny wouldn't have praised him up for revamping the academy unless the praise was due. If Kenny says Rafa bought the best goalkeeper we've ever had for six million quid that wouldn't be hard for me to take either. If he says Alonso was a bargain at 10 million quid, or Torres at 20 million quid was an inspired buy, I'd be fully in agreement with him.

 Some of you lads are so utterly obsessed with this particular subject that you think everyone else thinks in the same way as you do. I don't, I absolutely hope the academy starts producing players left right and centre. f it does and you want to heap the praise on Rafa, I'll join in and won't begrudge him any of it.

 Some of you are really puzling with your obsession.

Maybe you are not aware of it but everytime you mention Rafa it is attached with a barbed comment. Whilst I see that type of post I dont care who its from I will bring the matter up. Rafa deserves our respect and our thanks for his time here not constant snipping by just a handful of people.

Maybe you are not aware of it but everytime you mention Rafa it is attached with a barbed comment. Whilst I see that type of post I dont care who its from I will bring the matter up. Rafa deserves our respect and our thanks for his time here not constant snipping by just a handful of people.

Rafa deserves respect, he always got it from me and he always will. Any manager of Liverpool Football club deserves respect, they ALWAYS get it off me no matter who they are. You won't have seen me posting up silly pictures of even the previous manager, you won't have seen me telling him to f*** off or taking the p*** out of the way he spoke, not my style.

Where is the snipe though in saying that if Rafa has improved the academy, which Kenny obvously thinks he has, then fair play to him?

Rafa may deserve our respect, but I'm not quite so sure he deserves the hero worship and obsession which some of you show. Having a go at someone because they aren't quite as enthusiastic as you'd like when they are praising him up, or don't put exclamation marks at the end of their sentences really is taking it a bit far.

Lads, there are a lot of things BigMick has posted in the past that I've disagreed with but no matter how many times I read over this thread, I don't see what he's said that deserves so much abuse!
He's only said that the Academy was in such a sh*t state that it couldn't have gotten any worse so if Rafa has managed to bring it on, fair play. How the f**k has this turned into another slanging match?? Grow up ffs!

Still think rafas a tw*t for getting rid of steve heighway. 

Lads, there are a lot of things BigMick has posted in the past that I've disagreed with but no matter how many times I read over this thread, I don't see what he's said that deserves so much abuse!
He's only said that the Academy was in such a sh*t state that it couldn't have gotten any worse so if Rafa has managed to bring it on, fair play. How the f**k has this turned into another slanging match?? Grow up ffs!

I think the original problem arose in the wording of Micks original post:

Fair play to Kenny telling it like he sees it, you can't ask any more than that. It's hard to imagine any changes Rafa made to the youth team set up actually making it less productive than it had been, but nevertheless it's encouraging that kenny thinks there's been an improvement.

I think even Mick would agree that it reads a tad negative. Given the previous comments from/to Mick that have arisen in previous threads about Rafa then it's a bit understandable why the thread went down the route it has but I think it's a bit pointless to debate it any further as it's not as if Micks post attacked Rafa, it just didn't praise him, it's that old elusive middle-ground.

If we all agreed this forum would just be a sycophantic waste of time and we'd be leaving in droves.

I was going to link to the original youth system bashers posts, but seeing how this thread escalated on the backhanded compliment from someone already I'm just going to leave it

I was going to link to the original youth system bashers posts, but seeing how this thread escalated on the backhanded compliment from someone already I'm just going to leave it

See! I told you you were better than that.

See! I told you you were better than that.

Getting to old for this sh*t

I was going to link to the original youth system bashers posts, but seeing how this thread escalated on the backhanded compliment from someone already I'm just going to leave it.

I like what you've done there racer.

Getting to old for this sh*t

Just get yer pipe and slippers and rest them weary old bones.

All that thar racin done tuckered you out old man. 

But Rafa was a mean old fat Spanish waiter who spent 1b on sh*t players. How could this be true?

But Rafa was a mean old fat Spanish waiter who spent 1b on sh*t players. How could this be true?

And he never fell asleep on a bus                                            

Fair play to Kenny for highlighting what most of us already knew.

And fair play to the new academy team who seem to be really progressing some of our young exciting prospects for our future.  Shame that Dalla Valle had to make way for that goon - let's hope that policy is now behind us.

And he never fell asleep on a bus                                            

I want to laugh but I don't wanna be mean...


If anybody from the current crop can mak it through to the first team and become a fixture in the first team, it would be a success I reckon. Then again if they do, it will never be through Rafa's wo according to the media...

How many newspaper's printed this story today and gave Rafa credit ??
Had he dropped Hodgson's name it would be back page news...

Lads, there are a lot of things BigMick has posted in the past that I've disagreed with but no matter how many times I read over this thread, I don't see what he's said that deserves so much abuse!

This.

And also what the King said.

A master stroke from Rafa bring changes to our youth system acknowledged by Kenny ! nice one Kenny ! doubt if most of the media would print and give any praise though

Nice one Kenny. On this thread I don't know what all the fuss is about BigMick's comments. Well over the top!

Where is Heighways mate?

Must be a right kick in the balls to have it confirmed by a true legend, what some of us have been telling him for ages.

Hasn't being in here Kenny surprise surprise,will wait till this thread is gone way down before he is talking sh*te again about it.

Good man KIK. That was the subject I was alluding to you sledgehammer. You hardly expect him to come in and say that as Kenny has seen the academy in it's guises over 30 years he must be right

The only thing I think is wrong with our youth set-up is something Stevie G pointed out recently.

The Youths should be training at Melwood.

We are one club.

Shame that Rafa won't be here to continue the youth system legacy. I am glad, however, that we have a gaffer who appreciates the value of the youth system.

Funny that this never got mentioned in any national media outlets.

Funny that this never got mentioned in any national media outlets.

No - remember that Rafa set us back 10 years, destroyed the heart and soul of the club, is responsible for global warming and alqaeda, and has recently been seen bodyguarding for a shadow chancellor.

And spent so much money that he is also responsible for the banking crisis and the recession.

A shocking exposure of the media biase. . . Oh and PG I made a similar point about that before. Moving to Kirby segmented the youth system. We have the right people now, but I would love to see part of stadium works involve moving everything within the one system and district

We'll have to wait and see if any of the youngsters get games before we start going overboard on saying what a great academy we have. We had a great academy in the past when youngsters where given more of a chance before getting told to F**k off after a handful of games - if they even got that.

With any luck, seeing Kenny give Kelly a few run outs on the spin will inspire the new set of youngsters that there are going to be more chances. Or we could change manager in the summer and get somebody who doesn't really bring through youngsters i.e. Mourinho (not that I expect or would want him as our manager, but he doesn't bring kids through is the point)

Yeah it's great for Kenny to lay praise on Rafa. Very much a Liverpool thing to do though, we've always praised where praise is due. I've also heard Kenny praise Roy Hodgson as a man, where's that thread? Kenny will praise where he thinks praise is due. Now though, it's up to Kenny and his staff to make sure this is a success by bringing the kids through, nurturing them properly and turning them into the players we need.

We'll have to wait and see if any of the youngsters get games before we start going overboard on saying what a great academy we have. We had a great academy in the past when youngsters where given more of a chance before getting told to f**k off after a handful of games - if they even got that.

With any luck, seeing Kenny give Kelly a few run outs on the spin will inspire the new set of youngsters that there are going to be more chances. Or we could change manager in the summer and get somebody who doesn't really bring through youngsters I.e. Mourinho (not that I expect or would want him as our manager, but he doesn't bring kids through is the point)

Yeah it's great for Kenny to lay praise on Rafa. Very much a Liverpool thing to do though, we've always praised where praise is due. I've also heard Kenny praise Roy Hodgson as a man, where's that thread? Kenny will praise where he thinks praise is due. Now though, it's up to Kenny and his staff to make sure this is a success by bringing the kids through, nurturing them properly and turning them into the players we need.

 Good post that Billy lad.

Rafa did a lot more to the youth set up then just buying youth players and selling them. Some people are obviously missing that point

Kenny's comment on Roy said more about the class of the former and not the latter. Where's the thread on that? You're having a laugh. There was a mention alright. It was just in the thread about how classy Kenny is. Roy had enough threads when he was here without starting one based on Kenny and Comolli being polite. In the case of this thread Rafa is being given credit for turning around a vital part of the clubs infrastructre. Yes it is early days, but with Kenny ready to put faith in youth we should all see Rafa's changes reap rewards for the club. As for Roy- he would have only focused on his survival in our short term.

...
I've also heard Kenny praise Roy Hodgson as a man, where's that thread? Kenny will praise where he thinks praise is due. Now though, it's up to Kenny and his staff to make sure this is a success by bringing the kids through, nurturing them properly and turning them into the players we need.

Kenny or anyone who really love this club if praise Roy Hodgson imo it's for Roy's personality as Roy himself made people know he is a gentleman. But I think it's hard to believe anyone to praise Roy for his quality or abilities as football club manager, of course anybody can speak but you believe them ?

It's sad that Roy's good guy characteristic cannot help Liverpool FC but Alex Fuckerson really happy of course, and I can wait to read any thread here if someone love to post about what Roy Hodgeson did for Liverpool FC and we as supporters should say thank you to him.   

Interview with Rafa on 5 Live today some time between noon and kick-off. I heard a snippet at breakfast and Rafa was doling some praise back at KK. Lovebirds... <sigh>.

hey guys, have you seen this pic? Rafa in Liverpool now.
http://ww3.sinaimg.cn/large/6f816d3dtw6ddle95cuxuj.jpg

hey guys, have you seen this pic? Rafa in Liverpool now.
http://ww3.sinaimg.cn/large/6f816d3dtw6ddle95cuxuj.jpg

It's great isn't it. Was on The Liverpool Echo's Facebook page

We'll have to wait and see if any of the youngsters get games before we start going overboard on saying what a great academy we have. ...

. ...Now though, it's up to Kenny and his staff to make sure this is a success by bringing the kids through, nurturing them properly and turning them into the players we need.

But you gotta have faith, cause it's the only youth set up we have. 

Wrong thread im on my phone at momement and cant put up the link but anyway its about rafa looking for afresh start in the premier leauge.

bbc.co.uk/sport

But you gotta have faith, cause it's the only youth set up we have. 

And have faith I do. Sorry if that upsets you lad.

Well said Kenny, credit were credits due. Takes a red to say something honest and positive about Rafa.

Probably on a different thread but Rafa's also came out in support of Dalglish:
"It will be much better with Kenny because he knows the club and what the fans want,"

"He can talk with the players and they will feel and understand what it means to be a Liverpool player," added Benitez.

"I think that Kenny has been a very good appointment and hopefully, it will be successful."

F**k it. I love them both!

hey guys, have you seen this pic? Rafa in Liverpool now.
http://ww3.sinaimg.cn/large/6f816d3dtw6ddle95cuxuj.jpg

he"s put a few pounds on around the waist ,me thinks too much spaghetti bolognese

Big marks for Kenny praising Rafa.
Shows the man's humility.



Boot on the other foot.
Rafas remarks?
The rest?. Up to six months ago?
Not Rafa's fault.
None of it. Very sorry.

Nor suppose was Milan.
None of it. Very sorry.


http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Rafa-Benitez-on-Liverpool-crisis-It-s-not-my-fault-sorry-amazing-new-BBC-5-Live-interview-article678367.html

Benitez on Liverpool crisis: "It's not my fault, sorry"

Published 12:32 22/01/11 By MirrorFootball

  

Rafael Benitez has rejected suggestions that Liverpool's struggles are partly down to his management, insisting:

"It's not my fault, ....  sorry".

The Reds endured a poor season last year as they finished a lowly seventh under Benitez, before the Spaniard departed and was replaced by Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool's fortunes have plummeted even further since then, however, with Hodgson gone and replaced by Kenny Dalglish with the team currently four points above the relegation zone.

Benitez, who joined Inter Milan in the summer but left before Christmas, told Five Live Sport he acknowledges not all of his moves in the transfer market were successful.

"I agree, so we know we made some mistakes," he said.

"Sometimes, maybe one player is a good player and after he doesn't settle down, but if you see, we have a net spending of between 10, 12 million.

"So I think that this, for a top side...it's not big money.

"And still I would say to you that we are not happy with some of the signings but we are really pleased with the majority of them.

"In the team now, Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Lucas Leiva, Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriquez, Dirk Kuyt, so it's a massive, massive team.

"I am not taking all the credit, I think the team is good, the problem may be the mentality. So I think Kenny can change these things and will hopefully be good for the team.

"But the other thing is that Christian Purslow (former managing director) and Hodgson, they signed seven players.

"Seven players is enough to change a squad, so you can take responsibility for signings in the past but seven players can change a squad. So you cannot continue with this story about the legacy.

"It's not my fault, sorry."

Benitez believes Dalglish can turn around the club's fortunes.

"They will be much better with Kenny because he knows the club, knows the fans and what they want," he said. "He can talk with the players and they will feel and understand what it means to be Liverpool football players.

"I feel that Kenny has been a very good appointment and hopefully will be successful."

"Its not my fault."    Na Na Na Na Na.

 Remember someone else very recently saying the same.

Very Hodgson-esque remark methinks.


"Seven weren't mine".
No Rafa they werent.

76  over six years were though.

Looking for work you're not going to admit anything.


STOP PRESS. READ THE NEWS. We are not in crisis now,thanks.

Kenny.
Show the pair of them.

The full list of players Rafa's signed since he's been at the club (please read the summary below):

2004/05

£2m - Josemi: peanuts and was moved on in a swap for Kromkamp 18 months later
£1.5m - Antonio Nunez: part of the Michael Owen deal and filled a gap for a while. Peanuts.
£10.7m - Xabi Alonso: Massive success and sold for £30m+ in the summer when he wanted to leave
£6m - Luis Garcia: Massive success and sold to Athletico Madrid for £4m
Free - Pelligrino: Stop gap that allowed us to rest Sami for league games, benefitting us massively in Istanbul. Now on the coaching staff.
£6.3m - Fernando Morientes: Pretty much everyone made up when we signed him, top class, but never settled. Sold for £3m to Valencia.
£1m - Scott Carson: One the most highly rated young keepers around. Lost out through injury and signing of Reina when Dudek left the club. Sold for £3.25m.

Total bought: £27.5m

Free - Marcus Babbel: Released to Stuttgart at the end of his career.
£2.5m - Danny Murphy: Xabi Alonso signed to fill the role Murphy had in the side
£8.5m - Michael Owen: Wouldn't sign a new contract and sold before he left on a free. He's done nothing since that is a masterstroke with hindsight.
Free - Stephane Henchoz: Released to Celtic at the end of his career

Total sold: £11m

A total of £16.5m net spend in his first year at the club, with the vast majority of that being spent on Xabi Alonso.

2004/05 net spend: £16.5m

2005/06

£240,000 - Antonio Barragan: Kid for the future. Sold for £675,000 to Deportivo a year later.
Free - Boudewijn Zenden: Signed for nothing and released for nothing. Did a job for us.
£6m - Pepe Reina: In the top 3 or 4 keepers in the world now and still young. One of Rafa's best signings.
£5.6m - Momo Sissoko: Brilliant for a few years, had that eye injury and sold to Juventus when his form dipped for £8.2m. Replaced by Mascherano.
£7m - Peter Crouch: One signing I did question but proved to be a great bit of business. Turned him from a laughing stock into an international. Sold for £11m.
Unkown - Miki Roque: Kid bought for peanuts. Sold again for an unknown amount.
£150,000 - Jack Hobbs: Highly rated 16yr old signed from Lincoln. Didn't progress as hoped and sold to Leicester for a reported £1.5m, although figure not confirmed.
£190,000 Besian Idrizaj: No idea who he is
£1.5m - Mark Gonzales: Cheap player to provide back up for the left wing. Sold for £3.5m to Real Betis.
Exchange - Paul Anderson: Swapped for John Welsh. Sold for £250,000.
Exchange - Jan Kromkamp: Swapped for Josemi. Later sold for £1.75m
£5.8m - Daniel Agger: Blighted by injuries but potentially top class and great signing for the money.
£250,000 - David Martin: Young reserve keeper
Free - Robbie Fowler: Pay as you play deal and no risk involved. Scored a few goals. Released in the summer.

Total bought: £26.73

Free - Vladimir Smicer: Out of contract and released. Played a small part in Istanbul.
£3.5m - El Hadji Diouf: The best £3.5m Rafa has ever recieved.
Free - Pellegrino: Filled the gap in the last 5 months of the previous season, not good enough and released.
£2m - Alou Diarra: Sold for £2m. One of Houllier's buys.
£2m - Antonio Nunez: Bought for £1.5m and now sold for £2m when didn't work out.
£6.5m - Milan Baros: A Houllier signing sold at a profit. He's done nothing since.
Exchange - John Welsh: Swapped for Paul Anderson
Exchange - Josemi: Swapped for Kronkamp.

Total sold: £14m

2005/06 net spend: £12.73m

2006/07

£6m - Craig Bellamy: Good signing and later sold for £7.5m to fund Torres deal.
£2m - Gabriel Palletta: Played a few league cup games, not good enough and sold for £1.2m
Free - Fabio Aurelio: Very injury prone but a good player when fit. Great signing for nothing.
£6.7m - Jermaine Pennant: Second choice after missing out on Alves. Ran his contract down and released. Attitude stank.
£9m - Dirk Kuyt: Has his critics, but has been brilliant for the money. 15 goals last season from wide and vital to the way we play. Ultimate pro. Great signing.
£200,000 - Nabil El Zhar: Few cameos last season and improving. Injured now. Promising still. Peanuts.
£750,000 - Astrit Ajdarevic: No idea who he is, and released on a free to Leicester.
Loan - Daniele Padelli: Reserve keeper, made one appearance and never seen again.
Undisclosed - Jordy Brouwer: Young reserve.
£2.5m - Alvaro Arbeloa: Bargain signing, great service for a few years and sold for £3.5m when running his contract down.
Loan - Javier Mascherano: Rescued from West Ham, now one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and will probably be sold to Barca this summer for a massive profit. Paid £18.6m for him a year later at end of loan deal.

Total bought: £27.15m

£200,000 - Zak Whitbread: Youngster
Undisclosed - Bruno Cheyrou: Houllier flopped, sold for a reported £1.5m.
£3m - Fernando Morientes: Didn't work out. Cut his losses.
Free - Didi Hamann: Great servant, released at the end of his career
£675,000 - Antonio Barragan: Paid £240,000 for him.
£2m - Djimi Traore: Houllier signing and daylight robbery getting £2m for him
£500,000 - Neil Mellor: Signed as a kid and did a job for a while. Not good enough and released.
£1.75m - Jan Kromkamp: Nunez bought for £2m, swapped for him, who then sold for £1.75m. Stop gaps at minimal expense.
£525,000 - Darren Potter: Acadamy lad, not good enough and robbery getting that much for him.
£1.5m - Steven Warnock: Probably sold to cheap and looks a mistake with hindsight. Good squad player.
Free - Salif Diao: The clearout of Houllier's flops continues.

Total sold: £10.15m

2006/07 net spend: £17m

2007/08


£5m - Lucas Leiva: Brazilian player of the year when signed. Could still go either way but a lot to prove.
Undisclosed - Krisztian Nemeth: Promising youngster currently out on loan in Athens.
£270,000 - Mikel San Jose Dominguez: Youngester plays in the reserves.
£1.8m - Sebastian Leto: Left winger signing but refused a work permit. Sold for £3m.
£20.2m - Fernando Torres: Bargain of the century
Free - Andriy Voronin: Free transfer to strengthen the squad. Plays well in Germany, garbage over here.
£5m - Yossi Benayoun: Took a while to settle but now a key player. Superb signing and an absolute bargain.
£11.5m - Ryan Babel: Highly rated dutch international. Absolute waste of space. Bad signing on reflection, but nobody knew how he'd turn out. Still got potential but he can't be arsed.
Undisclosed - Charles Itandje: Back up keeper signed for peanuts. Now released.
£1.3m - Emiliano Insua: Youngster who is now a full Argentinian international and massive potential. Bargain.
£6.5m - Martin Skrtel: Been off form this season so far, but brilliant last year and a good signing for the money.
£18.6m - Javier Mascherano: Completion of loan deal

Total bought: £70.7m

£2.7m – Florent Simana-Pongolle: Houllier youngster sold wanting first team football.
£100,000 – Daniel O’Donnell: Kid sold
Free – Jerzy Dudek: Released at end of contract
Free - Zenden: Released at end of contract
Free – Robbie Fowler: Released at end of contract
£4m – Luis Garcia: Wanted to return to Spain. Great service.
£6m – Djibril Cisse: Houllier signing sold to part fund Torres deal.
£7.5m – Craig Bellamy: Sold at profit to part fund Torres deal
£3.5m – Mark Gonzales: Signed for £1.5m and sold when didn’t work out.
£1.2m – Gabriel Palletta: Bought for £2m but never worked out. Young defender.
£3.5m – Chris Kirkland: Houllier signing. Injury prone and wanted first team football.
£8.2m – Momo Sissoko: Great signing, good service, sold when lost his form at a profit.

Total sold: £36.7m

2007/08 net spend: £34m

2008/09

Free – Philip Degen: Garbage, but free.
£7m - Andrea Dossena: Italian international left back. Hasn’t settled. Bad signing.
£3.5m – Diego Cavalieri: Reserve keeper. Only played league cup games so far.
£1.5m – David N’gog: Young French striker. Promising.
£19m – Robbie Keane: Everyone made up when we signed him. Didn’t work out and sold back to Spurs for £16m.
£8m - Albert Riera: Spanish international. Started well but jury still out.

Total bought: £39m

£4m – John Arne Riise: Good servant but form tailed off. Snapped their hands off at £4m.
Free – Harry Kewell: Harry who?
Undisclosed – Anthony Le Tallec: Houllier youngster finally released. Fee not known.
£11m – Peter Crouch: Laughing stock bought for £7m. Great signing. Wanted first team football.
£2.25m – Danny Guthrie: Youngster from Acadamy thought not good enough.
£3.25m – Scott Carson: Injury prone and Reina now first choice. Sold at profit.
Undisclosed – Steve Finnan: Sold for a fee believed to be £1m
£16m – Robbie Keane: Didn’t work out.
Undisclosed – Jack Hobbs: Young defender that didn’t progress. Sold for believed to £1.5m.

Total sold: £36.5m

2008/09 net spend: £2.5m


2009/10

£17.5m – Glen Johnson: Big fee, but has been brilliant so far.
£17.1m - Alberto Aquilani: Injured so far but meant to be a class act. Highly rated in Italy.
£2m – Sotirios Kyrgiakos: Last minute signing to fill Hyypia’s shoes. Only money we had to spend.
£160,000 – Daniel Ayala: Young defender, played a few times this season and looked promising.

Total bought: £36.76m

£250,000 – Paul Anderson: Youngster that didn’t progess.
Free – Jermaine Pennant: Out of contract. Poor signing.
Free – Miki Roque: No idea who he is. Bought for peanuts.
£3m – Sebastian Leto: Signed for £1.8m but didn’t get a work permit. Had to sell.
£3.5m – Alvaro Arbeloa: Wanted to leave and out of contract in the summer.
£30m – Xabi Alonso: Wanted to leave. Bought for £10.7m. Great signing.

Total sold: £36.75m

2009/10 net spend: £10,000


Total Players Bought: £228,976,000
Total Players Sold: £145,100,000

Total Net Spend: £83,876,000

A high turnover due to a sell to buy policy. Still the fact remains our squad this season is not Rafa's fault no matter what you claim. Masch, Aquilani, Insua, Benayoun - out. . . Cole, Poulson, Konchesky, Jovanovic, Shelvey, Meireles, Wilson - In. Big turnover in the summer and not all good additions. So as far as the squad that needs replacement most are those who came in the summer. Blame Purslow and our previous owners not investing money and signing cheap replacements

I find strange that Rafa counts Wilson, Shelvey and Jovanovic as Hodgson signings. It seemed clear this summer that we had interest for them when he was still in charge. And for Jovanovic it seemed as clear that Roy didn't wanted this last Rafa recruit.

Anyway, Rafa brought in a lot of promising players including Suso, Pacheco, N'Gog, Lucas, Ayala, Insua ... and I'd count Shelvey and Wilson too, would he accept to take the responsability for finding them.

His senior signings, like Dossena, Reira, Keane of course, as the unclaimed Jovanovic, were less astute for me, but he can't be accused to have done nothing to prepare the future.

And have faith I do. Sorry if that upsets you lad.

Upsets me? Lad?    

Where's that famous Scouse sense of humour, wee man; or have you not read up on it yet? 



 

Well, a couple of observation. Its fantastic to see Rafa's vision for the acadamy endorsed be Kenny, it only goes to ilustrate just the the type of manager Kenny is, "team player" and all that, but then we've always known what calibre of man Kenny is!
TBO I'm more interested in, and I know Rafa would be, in seeing who, and where from replacements for Suso, Cody, kelly etc are going to be coming from. After all if these kids are as good as we hope and would like to think, then the academy momentum MUST be sustained!

eurored, this is about Kenny praising Rafa yet you still bring up Rafa's failings - which he undeniably has had.

You still hold your head up high though, the Hodgson era is on your shoulders and the rest who couldn't see what Rafa did for this club. I know in my heart we wouldn't be in the position we found ourselves in if Rafa was at the helm when we were taken over.

But again, you keep going about Rafa's failings. You won't be swaying my opinion on him because he is a legendary figure, an ambassador for this club and a Champions League winning manager who had a record to stand up to the best at this club. Nothing of what you say will change that.

eurored, this is about Kenny praising Rafa yet you still bring up Rafa's failings - which he undeniably has had.

You still hold your head up high though, the Hodgson era is on your shoulders and the rest who couldn't see what Rafa did for this club. I know in my heart we wouldn't be in the position we found ourselves in if Rafa was at the helm when we were taken over.

But again, you keep going about Rafa's failings. You won't be swaying my opinion on him because he is a legendary figure, an ambassador for this club and a Champions League winning manager who had a record to stand up to the best at this club. Nothing of what you say will change that.

Ditto.

Some people just dont understand even if its staring them in the face.

eurored, this is about Kenny praising Rafa yet you still bring up Rafa's failings - which he undeniably has had.

You still hold your head up high though, the Hodgson era is on your shoulders and the rest who couldn't see what Rafa did for this club. I know in my heart we wouldn't be in the position we found ourselves in if Rafa was at the helm when we were taken over.

But again, you keep going about Rafa's failings. You won't be swaying my opinion on him because he is a legendary figure, an ambassador for this club and a Champions League winning manager who had a record to stand up to the best at this club. Nothing of what you say will change that.

Couldn't have put it better myself!!

What the are you bringing all that sh*t into this thread euroread enough threads for that

Upsets me? Lad?   

Where's that famous Scouse sense of humour, wee man; or have you not read up on it yet? 

It's having a kip.