Carra says sorry, shame about Rafa

By Matt Ladson On · 376 Comments · In Opinion

After the abysmal display against Reading you’d think the least Liverpool fans deserved was an apology from their manager.

Did it arrive? No chance. Not that Liverpool fans would have expected. Most those leaving Anfield last night knew what they were about to hear; something about ‘controlling the game’, no doubt some bizarre responses to questions and no acknowledgement of the poor performance the manager’s team had just put in.

It arrived too, just like Gerard Houllier became so predictable and embarrassing in his final season:

“We started the second half better with more control of the game but after this we were making some mistakes and they had chances.”

“We played a strong team and we tried to win the game. Sometimes you don’t play as well as you can and sometimes the other team plays well.”

“Everybody has been talking about me but I’ll keep working hard with my team.”

“From the beginning of the season we have been a little bit frustrated but we have to carry on. When you are in the race you need to keep going.

“We are not in the competition [FA Cup] any more. If the critics are fair, then it’s OK but it’s been the same for three months.”

Somebody should tell Rafa we are no longer “in the race” – not for the title, not for the Champions League, not for the League Cup, not for the FA Cup. Only for the wonderful prize of fourth place – and we have a hell of a tough job achieving that after 7 defeats in 20 league games.

As The Liverpool Way’s Dave Usher put it in his match report today:

“Rafa’s train wreck of a post match interview merely added to the sense of despair. I want to feel better after hearing him talk, I want to get the impression that he knows what is wrong and he will fix it. Instead we get him trying to be a smart arse and not answering questions properly.”

At least Jamie Carragher was man enough to admit the performance wasn’t good enough:

“It was a very bad night for Liverpool and we can’t disguise that – we had to do more against a side from a lower league. We have to apologise for the way we performed. We have to give credit to Reading, hold our hands up. We all like to win but when you don’t, you have to be a good loser.

“We have to accept they deserved it. But, at the same time, we have got to look at ourselves and the way we performed was not acceptable. We’ve got a massive game coming up against Stoke now. It will be very tough, as we played extra time and we have got to show enormous character to come back.

“But that’s what we have got to do. We have got to move on but, at the same time, we have to say sorry to the fans who came to Anfield and all those watching on TV.”

Houllier ended up leaving the club with his dignity still in tact. I doubt that will happen with Rafa. He has reached the end of his road. It’s a huge shame, and he has brought many positive things to the football club but he can no longer be defended, not by me any way.

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    Matt Ladson

    Matt is the co-editor of This Is Anfield. He grew up on a diet of Roy Evans football and yearns for the glory days to return to Anfield. Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattladson.

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  • LennyB

    First time I visited this site for a while, after the article I just read I know why, another hatched job on Benitez. Some here are quick to right off Rafa Benitez, it was only 6 months ago the guy took us to within a win and draw of winning the title, you, like a few others forget all that’s gone before, you label him with Houlier, who in my opinion wasn’t half the manager that Benitez is, and you attack him because you don’t like what he has to say at the post match interview, take a reality check. We are still in with a chance of finishing the season well, and just because you don’t like the man, try not to make it personal and look at the overall view. We have had an injury list like I cannot remember having in my lifetime and I am 60. Last night we still have 5 first team players out, and yet we won, I do not know what some fans want anymore, if you get your way and Benitez says nuts to this I am off, where will that leave us, no big name manager will come to this club unless they get certain assurances about funding, can’t see that happening under these owners. We will be down the river without a paddle.

  • LennyB

    First time I visited this site for a while, after the article I just read I know why, another hatched job on Benitez. Some here are quick to right off Rafa Benitez, it was only 6 months ago the guy took us to within a win and draw of winning the title, you, like a few others forget all that’s gone before, you label him with Houlier, who in my opinion wasn’t half the manager that Benitez is, and you attack him because you don’t like what he has to say at the post match interview, take a reality check. We are still in with a chance of finishing the season well, and just because you don’t like the man, try not to make it personal and look at the overall view. We have had an injury list like I cannot remember having in my lifetime and I am 60. Last night we still have 5 first team players out, and yet we won, I do not know what some fans want anymore, if you get your way and Benitez says nuts to this I am off, where will that leave us, no big name manager will come to this club unless they get certain assurances about funding, can’t see that happening under these owners. We will be down the river without a paddle.

  • Red Kenny

    I dont think its matts fault or an anti rafa agenda I have had problems too and you know where i stand on this issue.. anyway after last nights result and battling performance I think it was very clear last night that EVERYONE was behind the team whether or not they have faith in the manager, was a cracking atmosphere and any team would struggle against us with an atmosphere like that and the players were well up for it …which has put one of my main concerns to bed for now. My other concerns are well documented and I suppose at the end of the season they will be addressed. Im loathe to criticise anyone at this particular juncture as the feel good factor is a welcome relief. Im sure no doubt this issue will be addressed again in the near future…

  • Red Kenny

    I dont think its matts fault or an anti rafa agenda I have had problems too and you know where i stand on this issue.. anyway after last nights result and battling performance I think it was very clear last night that EVERYONE was behind the team whether or not they have faith in the manager, was a cracking atmosphere and any team would struggle against us with an atmosphere like that and the players were well up for it …which has put one of my main concerns to bed for now. My other concerns are well documented and I suppose at the end of the season they will be addressed. Im loathe to criticise anyone at this particular juncture as the feel good factor is a welcome relief. Im sure no doubt this issue will be addressed again in the near future…

  • kaleb

    Good article, I DONT THINK 1 WIN (SPURS) CHANGES MUCH, TIME WILL TELL, BUT I STIILL HAVE NO Confidence in Rafa

  • kaleb

    Good article, I DONT THINK 1 WIN (SPURS) CHANGES MUCH, TIME WILL TELL, BUT I STIILL HAVE NO Confidence in Rafa

  • rick

    It’s too late to save the season.
    Rafa & players are out for title’s race, out from Champions League, Fa Cup, Carling Cup and They make many mistakes.
    Liverpool lost games together, Liverpool win games together: it’s not a one person’s fault.
    Fourth place won’t save our campaign, fourth place is the minimum achievement: We Are Liverpool FC and Liverpool’s fans are the best in the World, so They deserve more than fourth place at the end of season.
    We must underline that We are Liverpool FC, and certainly this season remains a totally fiasco.
    I agree the respect for manager’s office: surely the best part of Liverpool fan’s culture but at the end of season Someone must accept his responsibilities, and it’s not only a question of the Owners.
    It’s not the one man’s fault but manager is the football’s coach at Liverpool (I refer to Benitez) and He makes every decision.
    Fourth place certainly doesn’t represents Liverpool’s standars and the manager will must explain his decisions, like any Liverpool’s employer.
    It’s simply.
    Honestly, I feel not confident in Rafa and his defensive minded tactics nad one good result is not sufficient.

  • rick

    It’s too late to save the season.
    Rafa & players are out for title’s race, out from Champions League, Fa Cup, Carling Cup and They make many mistakes.
    Liverpool lost games together, Liverpool win games together: it’s not a one person’s fault.
    Fourth place won’t save our campaign, fourth place is the minimum achievement: We Are Liverpool FC and Liverpool’s fans are the best in the World, so They deserve more than fourth place at the end of season.
    We must underline that We are Liverpool FC, and certainly this season remains a totally fiasco.
    I agree the respect for manager’s office: surely the best part of Liverpool fan’s culture but at the end of season Someone must accept his responsibilities, and it’s not only a question of the Owners.
    It’s not the one man’s fault but manager is the football’s coach at Liverpool (I refer to Benitez) and He makes every decision.
    Fourth place certainly doesn’t represents Liverpool’s standars and the manager will must explain his decisions, like any Liverpool’s employer.
    It’s simply.
    Honestly, I feel not confident in Rafa and his defensive minded tactics nad one good result is not sufficient.

  • eskimo

    wow 64pharcyde that was absolutely spot on, never thought of it that way, but i’m defo gonna use that reaction many times now :P

  • eskimo

    wow 64pharcyde that was absolutely spot on, never thought of it that way, but i’m defo gonna use that reaction many times now :P

  • rick

    James, post 64: spot on.
    It’s not a question of support the CLub.
    I will always support the Club & manager’s office, through the wind, through the rain, because They walk on with hope in their hearts.
    I will be the first at Anfield to sing Rafa’s song but at the end of the game, at the end of the game, I have the possibility to express my point of view.

  • rick

    James, post 64: spot on.
    It’s not a question of support the CLub.
    I will always support the Club & manager’s office, through the wind, through the rain, because They walk on with hope in their hearts.
    I will be the first at Anfield to sing Rafa’s song but at the end of the game, at the end of the game, I have the possibility to express my point of view.

  • SimplePieman

    Wow what alot of posts this story has. Bottom line, in the past 20 years we are as close to winning the title as we can – so lets not this season turn into a witchhunt. This is a fact every one of us knows – that Rafa is a world class manager trying is best with the resources handed to him. Hes raised out expectations, rather than our nostalgic hopes and thats why we hurt so much now.

    Dont let the Mancs and the other fans who rub their hands with glee and post comments on these sites when we dont do well. Many of the posts of “Rafa Out” are made by non-fans and mixed with our own.

    Lets just get everyone fit and used to playing with each other and the onslaught can begin in earnest next season.

  • SimplePieman

    Wow what alot of posts this story has. Bottom line, in the past 20 years we are as close to winning the title as we can – so lets not this season turn into a witchhunt. This is a fact every one of us knows – that Rafa is a world class manager trying is best with the resources handed to him. Hes raised out expectations, rather than our nostalgic hopes and thats why we hurt so much now.

    Dont let the Mancs and the other fans who rub their hands with glee and post comments on these sites when we dont do well. Many of the posts of “Rafa Out” are made by non-fans and mixed with our own.

    Lets just get everyone fit and used to playing with each other and the onslaught can begin in earnest next season.

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