Benitez: United has spent more than us so we can't win title

Richter · 4th September 2008, 22:01

Rafa: Expectations are unfair
by Ben Blackmore, 04 September 2008

Rafa Benitez believes nobody should expect Liverpool to win The Premier League in the current climate, because their nearest rivals are spending much more money.

Benitez was speaking after Manchester City became the nation’s richest football club, securing the imminent takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group.

While City and United were able to splash upwards of £30 million on Robinho and Dimitar Berbatov respectively, Liverpool had to keep to their means with the modest £8 million capture of Albert Riera.

United now have seven players signed for over £18 million, while Liverpool have only two, and it is for that reason that Benitez believes any title triumph would be more impressive than the efforts of the teams around them.

“We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, Chelsea and City spending big, big money. Also this year, Aston Villa, and then you’ve got the quality of Arsenal," explained the Spaniard.

“Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of ‘oh you’ve spent £20 million so you should win’.

“We spent £20 million on [Fernando] Torres last year and £20 million on Robbie Keane this year, and people are saying we have to win the title now.

“United has £20 million for Nani, £20 million for [Owen] Hargreaves, £18 million for [Michael] Carrick, £30 million for [Wayne] Rooney, £30 million for [Rio] Ferdinand, £20 million for Anderson, and some of these players can sit on the bench.
“People need to understand that it is not easy to win the title, so it is important to support the team and take the pressure away.”

Benitez has had to take a deep look at how to improve his side’s sum of parts this season, hence the signing of a left-side wideman in Riera.

“He's the kind of player all managers like and the supporters will be very happy,” Benitez added.

"He is good in the air, has a good delivery and a good left foot, he is also strong and he can be really good for us."

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/Ne...-expectations/

I like that he makes up the amount of money United has spent

RedPhil1957 · 4th September 2008, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richter

Rafa: Expectations are unfair
by Ben Blackmore, 04 September 2008

Rafa Benitez believes nobody should expect Liverpool to win The Premier League in the current climate, because their nearest rivals are spending much more money.

Benitez was speaking after Manchester City became the nation’s richest football club, securing the imminent takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group.

While City and United were able to splash upwards of £30 million on Robinho and Dimitar Berbatov respectively, Liverpool had to keep to their means with the modest £8 million capture of Albert Riera.

United now have seven players signed for over £18 million, while Liverpool have only two, and it is for that reason that Benitez believes any title triumph would be more impressive than the efforts of the teams around them.

“We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, Chelsea and City spending big, big money. Also this year, Aston Villa, and then you’ve got the quality of Arsenal," explained the Spaniard.

“Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of ‘oh you’ve spent £20 million so you should win’.

“We spent £20 million on [Fernando] Torres last year and £20 million on Robbie Keane this year, and people are saying we have to win the title now.

“United has £20 million for Nani, £20 million for [Owen] Hargreaves, £18 million for [Michael] Carrick, £30 million for [Wayne] Rooney, £30 million for [Rio] Ferdinand, £20 million for Anderson, and some of these players can sit on the bench.

“People need to understand that it is not easy to win the title, so it is important to support the team and take the pressure away.”

Benitez has had to take a deep look at how to improve his side’s sum of parts this season, hence the signing of a left-side wideman in Riera.

“He's the kind of player all managers like and the supporters will be very happy,” Benitez added.

"He is good in the air, has a good delivery and a good left foot, he is also strong and he can be really good for us."

http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/Ne...-expectations/

I like that he makes up the amount of money United has spent

Benitez likes to get his excuses in nice and early.

CnutOfAllCnuts · 4th September 2008, 22:06

has he forgotten the £40m+ he spent on Benayoun, Babel, Skrtel, Dossena, Cavalieri, Ngog and Riera last summer and this year?

Top · 4th September 2008, 22:06

He's got to be the most money/transfer-fixated manager in the world of football - he never shuts up about money or other people's transfers.

He just sounds extremely bitter, and should really just shut up and mind his own business.

Ander8on · 4th September 2008, 22:08

Where's that table that show just how much each manager has spent since Benethus took over? What a loon, already making excuses.

December_16 · 4th September 2008, 22:09

I don't understand why he has to insist on regurgitate these old and lame excuses year after year.

Richter · 4th September 2008, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by December_16

I don't understand why he has to insist on regurgitate these old and lame excuses year after year.

Because the Liverpool fans always seem to think that it is a valid excuse...

WeWonItTwoTimes · 4th September 2008, 22:11

Here we go again...

Its the wages that ourselves and Chelsea pay which gives us the upper hand.

Liverpool's net spending on transfer fees is pretty similar to ourselves.

peterstorey · 4th September 2008, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top

He's got to be the most money/transfer-fixated manager in the world of football - he never shuts up about money or other people's transfers.

He just sounds extremely bitter, and should really just shut up and mind his own business.

That's because he's not very good at buying and selling players - he's a coach who relies on a DoF to get him players to train (see Ramos at Seville, Spurs)

CnutOfAllCnuts · 4th September 2008, 22:14

He's now spent £200m (gross) on players since he arrived at Liverpool.

How on earth can he complain about money???

Richter · 4th September 2008, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeWonItTwoTimes

Here we go again...

Its the wages that ourselves and Chelsea pay which gives us the upper hand.

Liverpool's net spending on transfer fees is pretty similar to ourselves.

We are not even close to what Chelsea is spending on wages every year.

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-file...9/deloitte.pdf

December_16 · 4th September 2008, 22:18

Tbf, he did recoup lots of it by selling deadwood players though. Net spending shouldn't be astronomical.

CnutOfAllCnuts · 4th September 2008, 22:20

Whilst Benitez has been at Anfield, United have spent £165m (gross).

Raven_Blade · 4th September 2008, 22:21

That Benitez has been at Liverpool too long. He is as deluded as a scouser. Liverpool have spent far more money than their supporters even realise. Its quality not quantity that counts.

WeWonItTwoTimes · 4th September 2008, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richter

We are not even close to what Chelsea is spending on wages every year.

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-file...9/deloitte.pdf

I never said we were. I said the wages that ourselves and Chelsea pay gives us the upper hand (on Liverpool). We pay £15m a year or 300k a week more in wages than Liverpool do, which goes a long way to explaining why we finish ahead of them nearly every season. Wouldn't you agree?

CnutOfAllCnuts · 4th September 2008, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by December_16

Tbf, he did recoup lots of it by selling deadwood players though. Net spending shouldn't be astronomical.

Sold for about £80m, net spend £120m.

Whereas we sold for about £65m, net spend £100m.

Red Devil 26 · 4th September 2008, 22:26

This is plain ridiculous. Can't the media just underline the flaws in the crap he's spouting.

Ander8on · 4th September 2008, 22:35

52 players in 4 years totaling £190million - poor Liverpool

Josemi £2,000,000
Antonio Nunez £1,500,000*
Luis Garcia £6,000,000
Xabi Alonso £10,700,000
Mauricio Pellegrino Free
Fernando Morientes £6,300,000
Scott Carson £1,000,000
Antonio Barragan £240,000
Boudewijn Zenden Free*
Jose Reina £6,000,000
Mohamed Sissoko £5,600,000
Peter Crouch £7,000,000
Godwin Antwi Unknown
Miki Roque Unknown
Jack Hobbs £150,000*
Besian Idrizaj £190,000*
Mark Gonzalez £1,500,000*
Paul Anderson Player Exchange*
Jan Kromkamp Player Exchange*
Daniel Agger £5,800,000
David Martin £250,000*
Robbie Fowler Free
Craig Bellamy £6,000,000
Gabriel Paletta £2,000,000
Fábio Aurélio Free
Jermaine Pennant £6,700,000
Dirk Kuyt £9,000,000
Nabil El Zhar £200,000
Astrit Ajdarevic £750,000*
Daniele Padelli On Loan*
Jordy Brouwer Undisclosed*
Francisco Durán £66,000*
Ronald Huth Undisclosed
Álvaro Arbeloa £2,500,000
Javier Mascherano On Loan
Lucas Leiva £5,000,000
Mikel San José Domínguez £270,000
Sebastian Leto £1,800,000
Fernando Torres £20,200,000
Andriy Voronin Free*
Yossi Benayoun £5,000,000
Ryan Babel £11,500,000
Charles Itandje Undisclosed
Emiliano Insúa £1,300,000*
Martin Skrtel £6,500,000
Javier Mascherano £17,000,000
Philipp Degen Free*
Andrea Dossena £7,000,000
Diego Cavalieri £3,500,000
David Ngog £1,500,000
Robbie Keane £19,000,000*
Albert Riera £8,000,000

http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_tran...d =20&InOut=1

Giggsy PO · 4th September 2008, 22:35

Benitez: Rooney is fatter than Torres so we can't win the title

Rafa Benitez believes nobody should expect Liverpool to win The Premier League in the current climate, because their nearest rivals have more fat strikers.

While United's central defender Rio Ferdinand was able to put an extremely fit Fernando Torres to his pocket, Martin Skrtel was denied this opportunity because of Wayne Rooney's overweight.

“We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, with fat Rooney and Tevez," explained the Spaniard.

“Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of ‘oh Fernando bulked some muscles, you have to win’.

"But look at United, Rooney is fatter with every new season, Tevez is very close and they put Berbatov on special diet. That's not fair. There is no way they could be put into the pockets of our defenders. They are not big enough."

" Plus I heard that Ferdinand and Vidic got new pockets. Did my defenders get a new pockets? Of course not. It is not fair to compare us with them unless there is some significant change in pocket's size of our club."

WeWonItTwoTimes · 4th September 2008, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by CnutOfAllCnuts

Sold for about £80m, net spend £120m.

Whereas we sold for about £65m, net spend £100m.

If Benitez used the difference in wages paid as the main part of his argument then he would be making a valid point.

Spread out that 300k over a squad and you end up being able to accomodate Tevez instead of Kuyt, Ronadlo instead of Benayoun, Ferdinand instead of Carragher etc etc....

wancolos · 4th September 2008, 22:44

Thick cunt.

Slevin · 4th September 2008, 22:47

Yeah, we spend 20mill on players because they're good, he spends 2 mill a player, on 10shit players...

Fucking hell, stupid fucking waiter.

CnutOfAllCnuts · 4th September 2008, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeWonItTwoTimes

If Benitez used the difference in wages paid as the main part of his argument then he would be making a valid point.

Spread out that 300k over a squad and you end up being able to accomodate Tevez instead of Kuyt, Ronadlo instead of Benayoun, Ferdinand instead of Carragher etc etc....

yes and no.

When those figures where released, Ronaldo wasn't a top earner.

One of the reasons we have that much higher wages is because we have players that have been at the club for a long time. The vast majority of our top earners have got those wages after they have proved themselves.

kietotheworld · 4th September 2008, 22:54

How does he explain the fact that they finished behind Arsenal then? And finished behind us before we signed all but two of the players he named.

WeWonItTwoTimes · 4th September 2008, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by kietotheworld

How does he explain the fact that they finished behind Arsenal then? And finished behind us before we signed all but two of the players he named.

Their squad wasn't as strong as ours largely because they couldn't match our wage bill.

olesmyhero · 4th September 2008, 23:06

If Benitez spent his money on quality over quantity he'd be in a much better position. As he decides to spend a few million on average squad players, that's all the team will ever be.

Grande · 4th September 2008, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giggsy PO

Benitez: Rooney is fatter than Torres so we can't win the title

Rafa Benitez believes nobody should expect Liverpool to win The Premier League in the current climate, because their nearest rivals have more fat strikers.

While United's central defender Rio Ferdinand was able to put an extremely fit Fernando Torres to his pocket, Martin Skrtel was denied this opportunity because of Wayne Rooney's overweight.

“We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, with fat Rooney and Tevez," explained the Spaniard.

“Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of ‘oh Fernando bulked some muscles, you have to win’.

"But look at United, Rooney is fatter with every new season, Tevez is very close and they put Berbatov on special diet. That's not fair. There is no way they could be put into the pockets of our defenders. They are not big enough."

" Plus I heard that Ferdinand and Vidic got new pockets. Did my defenders get a new pockets? Of course not. It is not fair to compare us with them unless there is some significant change in pocket's size of our club."

WeWonItTwoTimes · 4th September 2008, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by CnutOfAllCnuts

yes and no.

When those figures where released, Ronaldo wasn't a top earner.

One of the reasons we have that much higher wages is because we have players that have been at the club for a long time. The vast majority of our top earners have got those wages after they have proved themselves.

That begs the question, if too many of Liverpool's players proved themselves, would the club be able to pay them enough to stop them seeking pastures new? Arsenal have suffered a similar problem.

peterstorey · 4th September 2008, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeWonItTwoTimes

Their squad wasn't as strong as ours largely because they couldn't match our wage bill.

I think there's a bit of an argument there but not a big one. You pay about 10% more than us and we pay 10% more than Liverpool. It's not enough to really skew things (even in the normal salary world).

4th September 2008, 22:01	#1 (permalink)
Richter Hairy big footed Swede Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Trying to burn down Marca's office Posts: 25,657	Benitez: United has spent more than us so we can't win title Rafa: Expectations are unfair by Ben Blackmore, 04 September 2008 Rafa Benitez believes nobody should expect Liverpool to win The Premier League in the current climate, because their nearest rivals are spending much more money. Benitez was speaking after Manchester City became the nation’s richest football club, securing the imminent takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group. While City and United were able to splash upwards of £30 million on Robinho and Dimitar Berbatov respectively, Liverpool had to keep to their means with the modest £8 million capture of Albert Riera. United now have seven players signed for over £18 million, while Liverpool have only two, and it is for that reason that Benitez believes any title triumph would be more impressive than the efforts of the teams around them. “We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, Chelsea and City spending big, big money. Also this year, Aston Villa, and then you’ve got the quality of Arsenal," explained the Spaniard. “Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of ‘oh you’ve spent £20 million so you should win’. “We spent £20 million on [Fernando] Torres last year and £20 million on Robbie Keane this year, and people are saying we have to win the title now. “United has £20 million for Nani, £20 million for [Owen] Hargreaves, £18 million for [Michael] Carrick, £30 million for [Wayne] Rooney, £30 million for [Rio] Ferdinand, £20 million for Anderson, and some of these players can sit on the bench. “People need to understand that it is not easy to win the title, so it is important to support the team and take the pressure away.” Benitez has had to take a deep look at how to improve his side’s sum of parts this season, hence the signing of a left-side wideman in Riera. “He's the kind of player all managers like and the supporters will be very happy,” Benitez added. "He is good in the air, has a good delivery and a good left foot, he is also strong and he can be really good for us." http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/Ne...-expectations/ I like that he makes up the amount of money United has spent

4th September 2008, 22:06	#3 (permalink)
CnutOfAllCnuts Bald Boring Cnut Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 21,111	has he forgotten the £40m+ he spent on Benayoun, Babel, Skrtel, Dossena, Cavalieri, Ngog and Riera last summer and this year?

4th September 2008, 22:06	#4 (permalink)
Top Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5,487	He's got to be the most money/transfer-fixated manager in the world of football - he never shuts up about money or other people's transfers. He just sounds extremely bitter, and should really just shut up and mind his own business.

4th September 2008, 22:08	#5 (permalink)
Ander8on Pissface Bob for another 12 months Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chorlton "Knowledge speaks, but Wisdom listens" Posts: 3,433	Where's that table that show just how much each manager has spent since Benethus took over? What a loon, already making excuses.

4th September 2008, 22:09	#6 (permalink)
December_16 Arse wiper and cock washer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Football that just makes you purrrrrr Posts: 3,370	I don't understand why he has to insist on regurgitate these old and lame excuses year after year.

4th September 2008, 22:11	#8 (permalink)
WeWonItTwoTimes The Cnut can't count Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ''We're getting beat by fucking BINMEN!!'', RAWK, 26th January 2008 Posts: 2,575	Here we go again... Its the wages that ourselves and Chelsea pay which gives us the upper hand. Liverpool's net spending on transfer fees is pretty similar to ourselves.

4th September 2008, 22:14	#10 (permalink)
CnutOfAllCnuts Bald Boring Cnut Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 21,111	He's now spent £200m (gross) on players since he arrived at Liverpool. How on earth can he complain about money???

4th September 2008, 22:18	#12 (permalink)
December_16 Arse wiper and cock washer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Football that just makes you purrrrrr Posts: 3,370	Tbf, he did recoup lots of it by selling deadwood players though. Net spending shouldn't be astronomical.

4th September 2008, 22:20	#13 (permalink)
CnutOfAllCnuts Bald Boring Cnut Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 21,111	Whilst Benitez has been at Anfield, United have spent £165m (gross).

4th September 2008, 22:21	#14 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In Man Utd's Defence. Posts: 18,261	That Benitez has been at Liverpool too long. He is as deluded as a scouser. Liverpool have spent far more money than their supporters even realise. Its quality not quantity that counts.

4th September 2008, 22:26	#17 (permalink)
Red Devil 26 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: <Insert witty remark> Posts: 1,186	This is plain ridiculous. Can't the media just underline the flaws in the crap he's spouting.

4th September 2008, 22:35	#18 (permalink)
Ander8on Pissface Bob for another 12 months Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chorlton "Knowledge speaks, but Wisdom listens" Posts: 3,433	52 players in 4 years totaling £190million - poor Liverpool Josemi £2,000,000 Antonio Nunez £1,500,000* Luis Garcia £6,000,000 Xabi Alonso £10,700,000 Mauricio Pellegrino Free Fernando Morientes £6,300,000 Scott Carson £1,000,000 Antonio Barragan £240,000 Boudewijn Zenden Free* Jose Reina £6,000,000 Mohamed Sissoko £5,600,000 Peter Crouch £7,000,000 Godwin Antwi Unknown Miki Roque Unknown Jack Hobbs £150,000* Besian Idrizaj £190,000* Mark Gonzalez £1,500,000* Paul Anderson Player Exchange* Jan Kromkamp Player Exchange* Daniel Agger £5,800,000 David Martin £250,000* Robbie Fowler Free Craig Bellamy £6,000,000 Gabriel Paletta £2,000,000 Fábio Aurélio Free Jermaine Pennant £6,700,000 Dirk Kuyt £9,000,000 Nabil El Zhar £200,000 Astrit Ajdarevic £750,000* Daniele Padelli On Loan* Jordy Brouwer Undisclosed* Francisco Durán £66,000* Ronald Huth Undisclosed Álvaro Arbeloa £2,500,000 Javier Mascherano On Loan Lucas Leiva £5,000,000 Mikel San José Domínguez £270,000 Sebastian Leto £1,800,000 Fernando Torres £20,200,000 Andriy Voronin Free* Yossi Benayoun £5,000,000 Ryan Babel £11,500,000 Charles Itandje Undisclosed Emiliano Insúa £1,300,000* Martin Skrtel £6,500,000 Javier Mascherano £17,000,000 Philipp Degen Free* Andrea Dossena £7,000,000 Diego Cavalieri £3,500,000 David Ngog £1,500,000 Robbie Keane £19,000,000* Albert Riera £8,000,000 http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_tran...d =20&InOut=1

4th September 2008, 22:35	#19 (permalink)
Giggsy PO First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Shame on you Shane Vendrell. You little bastard! Posts: 9,772	Benitez: Rooney is fatter than Torres so we can't win the title Rafa Benitez believes nobody should expect Liverpool to win The Premier League in the current climate, because their nearest rivals have more fat strikers. While United's central defender Rio Ferdinand was able to put an extremely fit Fernando Torres to his pocket, Martin Skrtel was denied this opportunity because of Wayne Rooney's overweight. “We are here to win every trophy, but now we have United, with fat Rooney and Tevez," explained the Spaniard. “Our supporters need to know that we are always doing our best, but it cannot be a case of ‘oh Fernando bulked some muscles, you have to win’. "But look at United, Rooney is fatter with every new season, Tevez is very close and they put Berbatov on special diet. That's not fair. There is no way they could be put into the pockets of our defenders. They are not big enough." " Plus I heard that Ferdinand and Vidic got new pockets. Did my defenders get a new pockets? Of course not. It is not fair to compare us with them unless there is some significant change in pocket's size of our club."

4th September 2008, 22:44	#21 (permalink)
wancolos Diarrhetic homosexual- likes to beat Noggies with his manbat Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 16,738	Thick cunt.

4th September 2008, 22:47	#22 (permalink)
Slevin Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 1,723	Yeah, we spend 20mill on players because they're good, he spends 2 mill a player, on 10shit players... Fucking hell, stupid fucking waiter.

4th September 2008, 22:54	#24 (permalink)
kietotheworld Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airstrip One..... Useful Posts: 4 Posts: 4,083	How does he explain the fact that they finished behind Arsenal then? And finished behind us before we signed all but two of the players he named.

4th September 2008, 23:06	#26 (permalink)
olesmyhero has a lazy eye...japs eye Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 4000+ miles west of old trafford Posts: 12,270	If Benitez spent his money on quality over quantity he'd be in a much better position. As he decides to spend a few million on average squad players, that's all the team will ever be.