Liverpool gaffer stresses need for ‘associated players’
Following Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Lazio on Friday night, Rafa Benitez was very quick to defend his pursuit of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry:
We need to improve if we can and I think we need another player, because clearly we have problems on the left. I have sold [John Arne] Riise, [Harry] Kewell has gone, [Fabio] Aurelio is injured and [Sebastián] Leto didn’t get a work permit, so we need another left-sided player. I cannot say now who that will be but Barry can fill that position and play in others, too.
Aside from denying the existence of Xabi Alonso, there’s nothing too mental going on in the quote above. But get ready for some crazy…
The rules will say we need four English and four associated players and Barry is English, who can play in three different positions, but I cannot say any more.
The rules? What rules? Four ‘associated’ players? Associated with what, exactly? Does anyone out there in internet land know what he is referring to, because the kettle-headed Spaniard has The Spoiler stumped.
Interestingly, the Liverpool Echo have shown the huge discrepancies in the way quotes are reported by claiming Rafa actually said: “He is English and you need four local players and four English.” Either way, it does not make sense. Equally, Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it - THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!
UPDATE: Thanks to commenter Phil D, who has filled in the gaps in The Spoiler’s Champions League registration rules knowledge below…
23 responses so far
1 Phil D // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:06 am
He’s clearly talking about the Champions League Registration rules:
17.08 No club may have more than 25 players on List A during the season. As a
minimum, places 18 to 25 on List A (eight places) are reserved exclusively
for “locally trained players” and no club may have more than four
“association-trained players” listed in places 18 to 25 on List A. List A must
specify the eight players who qualify as being “locally trained”, as well as
whether they are “club-trained” or “association-trained”. The possible
combinations that enable clubs to comply with the List A requirements are
set out in Annex VIII
2 haah // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:17 am
this whole article is pathetic. making fun of Benitez, without knowing the rules in existence. do better, or stop writing. seriously, this is sad stuff.
3 Andy // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:25 am
Nice one Phil D!
Maybe the author should do a little research before publishing an article!
4 Qu2 // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:26 am
Platini made that rule. It will be appealed.
5 Jonathan Price // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:37 am
Benitez should be made fun of… to come up with this pathetic drivel as an excuse as to why he needs to buy Barry. He is so obssessed with rules, injustices, tinkering he cant put a campiagn together. He should keep his petty excuses to himself and get on with trying to win some premier league matches
6 Steve // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:40 am
Benitez is a shrewd, intelligent manager that gives nothing away to the press.. Maybe that’s why they give him such a hard time.
Being a Liverpool fan I don’t care what others think of him.. Infact, I expect him to be ridiculed.. I mean.. he’s successful, it goes with the terrirtory!!
To the makers of this site
Create a website that doesn’t rehash other peoples work and then try and create a talking point.
I won’t be visiting your attempt at a website again…
7 eastwood // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:40 am
It’s obvious that the Americans said no to the Barry deal becuase Liverpool have a better player (Alonso) in the midfield already. Then Rafa had to make up some old bollocks that he thinks the Americans wont understand. Liverpool should be ashamed for flattering and urging Barry on and then not being able to come up with the money. Disgusting behaviour. As bad as those fascists in Madrid
8 chris b // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:41 am
more red scouse baiting please-love it!
9 Waino // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:46 am
The Spoiler - very keen on football, just not very informed.
Mr Price - can Wenger “put a campaign together”? Rafa has finished above him in 2 of his 4 seasons at Liverpool, winning the Champions League along the way.
10 Jonathan Price // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:57 am
Don’t know what Wenger has to do with Waino. In case you haven’t seen a league table of late it’s Ferguson and now Scolari that he has to beat to win it. Although glad to hear that you’ve already given up on a top two finish so that you can concentrate on Third and a Champs League final.
11 Dave Croker // Aug 11, 2008 at 11:06 am
@ Steve
Bye then. Don’t let the door hit you in the a*se on the way out.
12 Spoiler sux // Aug 11, 2008 at 11:07 am
The spoiler and jonathan price,
You spoilt my mood
13 Magnus // Aug 11, 2008 at 11:21 am
This Ryan Bailey “genious” that wrote this ill-informed article must be very proud of the gigantic egg on his face. There is a different R.B. that’s the laughing stock of this article and it sure isn’t Rafa Benitez. How about having an iota af football knowledge Mr. Bailey before publishing an article? Since you don’t know about associated players then maybe you should consider an early retirement from footy writing due to lack intelligence.
14 Big boobies // Aug 11, 2008 at 11:28 am
It means his English is as bad as his ability to sign English players.
Stick to the cheaper Spanish equivilant which will allow you to finish 9th next season.
15 tom t // Aug 11, 2008 at 12:20 pm
benitez is a div, we all know this, but mocking him is a bit harsh. its like kicking a special needs kid, not good.
16 Kris Rees // Aug 11, 2008 at 12:29 pm
How unfortunate. Another armchair general taking pot shots at one of the most respected coaches in the game and coming away looking clueless.
Question = was “The Spoiler” paid for that article?
17 Fake Kop Boss // Aug 11, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Okay, okay, We all have a bad day at the office.
Now, where did I put Martin O’Neill’s phone number?….
The Barry deal is definitely off.
18 Jonathan Price // Aug 11, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I dont agree Kris Rees. Most fans can’t bear The Benitez perpetual moan - mostly about how little money he has while assembling one of the most expensive sides in Europe. He’s done well in the cup competitions but is constantly making excuses for himself. he has no perspective. He might be respected but he is also a prat
19 chico // Aug 11, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I can help here. I know exactly exaclty what Benitez is saying. He is talking bollocks; as he always does.
20 heehee,lfc,scum // Aug 11, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Talking shit doesn’t just lie with benitez, it’s also the job of the lfc fans. Your not the biggest club at the end of the day as Man Utd are and I don’t even like them. It’s all blah blah and we can have what we want, but it still comes down to robbing other teams as you do houses.
21 RedbyDawn // Aug 12, 2008 at 1:59 am
Haha get on all the bitters here.
We’ll see at the end of the year you bunch of gobshites.
22 dpotta // Aug 12, 2008 at 9:56 am
In answer to your question: “Does anyone know what Rafa Benitez is talking about?”
Yes.
It’s just you who doesn’t.
23 Kris Rees // Aug 12, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Your clearly not a fan JP, so where do you get the idea that most fans are sick of his moaning?? The vast majority of us are well behind Rafa. He’s the right man for the job.
Also, no perspective? What makes you say that? Its the idiots who criticise him through pure ignorance that lack perspective. Some perspective for you - Benitez has one of the finest managerial records in football.
Who should Rafa be taking tips from then?