rahl

Let's try to keep two issues separate. Yes the Americans are liars and poor custodians of the club - in the sense they don't do things the Liverpool way. Yes, this is a very personal and central issue. But are they no better in supporting Rafa's transfers? It's telling that we have broken the club transfer records (overall and for specific positions) several times in the last year. And we never bought anyone close to 20m before, and we have done it thrice and look likely to do it again (if we get Barry). You can't say it's all because the market is inflated or they are English players. That begs the question - why did G & H allow Rafa to go ahead with it then? It's possible when you get down to it, yes, the Americans don't like to be challenged (e.g. by Rafa) or to do things quietly, but they have a basic sense that you have to invest to make an investment work. And who's to say Rafa can't continue to wheel and deal next season? Rafa is making good investments with young players (and you do need money to buy them and pay them wages). But he is being backed to do this - the manager does not work in a vacuum.

I will remember JAR fondly, a great team player and individual, in those terms a classic Red. All the best in Rome.

Agreed. The fans who want Kuyt out for lack of quality are not on the same wavelength as Rafa. We are never going to be like a*** or the Scum, money or no money. It's a matter of playing to a player's strengths in certain games, and Rafa likes to have 'possibilities'. His pet phrase. And the whole lot of criticism aimed at Kuyt reflects the sad fact that many fans, despite what they might avow, simply do not agree with the footballing philosophy of Rafa. Sure, Kuyt will not get a start in the teams above us in the league, but we are not them, we are Liverpool, managed by Rafa Benitez.

Agreed, I have had to endure him too many times on TV too. Sad to say, he is only one of the several former Pool players turned pundits who simply cannot accept the methods and philosophy of the Rafalution.

To be fair Finnan supported the play well in the early games last season before he got injured. IIRC he played an important role in our first goal against Villa.

I don't deny at all he lacked both qualities at OT but linking that, as some have done continuously, to larger accusations of his lack of loyalty to the club or desire to leave, comes about because he is, well, Steven Gerrard. It says a lot about the relationship between Stevie and a section of the Pool fans. No one says Garcia or Alonso want to go back to Spain when they play badly.

Stevie gets so much flak ironically cos he is such an influential player for the team on numerous occasions. Questions about his commitment and passion come about because he has shown so much of it in many games. So it's a strange situation that he is in and he has to live with. I think if we are going to be champs, we have to move beyond this relying on Stevie. There needs to be someone else who has just as much influence as he does. And the team has got to show greater fluidity, cohesion and teamwork. Most fans are still relying on him on turn matches around and many are ready to put the blame on him if he doesn't. We need a one-two punch. I for one get ecstatic whenever we get a goal scored or made by someone else other than Stevie.