Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Opinion

Liverpool fans comments on Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United before match – Overconfidence you say…?

5 years ago
Share

Liverpool fans with plenty to say ahead of this Boxing Day match.

Fair to say that they are full of (over?) confidence and indeed apart from a few voices of reason, their comments below are full of not just winning but by how many, improving the goal difference, which players should be rested with it being an easy game etc etc.

In fact, it is maybe only Newcastle supporters who are even more convinced of how easy it will be….

Of course not every Newcastle fan will believe their team are beaten before they kick-off and Crystal Palace showed surprises are still possible this season, despite the top teams dominating the rest.

However, stats are piled up against Newcastle United…

No win at Anfield in the Premier League for 24 years, Liverpool only dropping points at home so far against Man City, 15 wins and 3 draws in Liverpool’s season overall, a home side full of goalscorers.

However, Newcastle haven’t lost away for almost 12 weeks and have the seventh best defensive record in the top tier, going for a third clean sheet in a row.

If only the stats were as positive at the other end of the pitch!

Comments from Liverpool fans via their top Liverpool FC Forum message board:

‘Although I still respect Rafa a lot, I wouldn‘t mind the reds teaching them a lesson.’

‘We’re going to cut through them like a hot knife through butter.’

‘Wish it wasn’t Rafa though.’

‘We will welcome him home as always before the game.

Smash him and his team during the game.

Then give him a hug and a kiss and send him on his way after the game.’

Welcome home Rafa.’

‘I reckon few of the lads might be rested with Arsenal and City coming.’

‘There’s no sentimentality when we’re going for the league. Smash Newcastle first and then pay our respect for Rafa.’

‘No sentimentality from me. Nor would Rafa expect it and he will have his team drilled for a 0-0 result.’

‘We seem to be hitting top form at the right time. Let’s smash Newcastle and reduce the goal difference between City and us.’

‘Considering Jurgen made 7 changes vrs Burnley asway, I can see him using all of Sturridge, Lallana and Shaqiri at home to Newcastle. I think that the Geordie Hendo will play too, possibly instead of Fabinho.

‘The Geordie Hendo? Do we have a Brazilian one as well then?

I think Hendo is a Mackem anyway, isnt he?’

‘Should be a fairly routine win, but then you’d expect us to make a few changes.’

‘Newcastle had 0 shots on target at home to Fulham….’

‘5 days is more than enough rest. Play the full first team.’

‘I keep saying it, i’ll keep it up as it’s working, but i feel like we will eventually drop points in one of these lesser games as it would be miraculous to stay 100% all season, as much as we are awesome right now and look capable of doing it.

A 4 point lead means we have a cushion for any slip ups, i don’t think it will come in this one as we are far to strong for them, but then maybe that is why it could happen. It’s such a good feeling.’

‘How ironic would it be after Man City’s faux pas today, if Rafa came back to Anfield and somehow figured out a draw?’

‘He won’t be coming to Anfield set up to win, put it that way.’

‘The best player in the league is Salah. We have him on our team. We must play him every week.

He goes together well with Mane and Firminho, so we must always play Salah, Mane, and Firminho. Brazilians are the best football players, so we must play firminho, Fabinho, and Becker.

VD is the best defender in the world, so we must play him. Robbo is the best left back in the world, so we got to play him. If we are at home, we got to play winji, if we are on the road, maybe not.’

‘Let’s just celebrate being top of the league and 4 points clear at that. Let’s batter Newcastle and hope City mess up against Leicester (not an easy game).’

‘I know some of the players need a bit of a rest due to the heavy schedule but I think we need to play our strongest possible team vs Newcastle and Arsenal.

If we can remain 4 points ahead of City until we play them, I think it puts a lot more pressure on them knowing that they really can’t afford to get beat.’

‘Lallana looked pretty good when he came on versus Wolves. This is a game for rotation.. I think Robbo will sit this out as we have Arsenal and City back to back.. Ideally I would bench Firmino in favor of Origi/Sturridge just to give him a breather but Klopp probably will start him.’

‘We can’t drop any points. We got to treat this Newcastle game like it is the last of the season. We can’t afford big heads.’

‘The best supported team in the land, top of the league and game not live on TV on Boxing Day, what’s that all about?’

‘This will be a tight affair. Rafa’s team do not concede many away from home.

Newcastle have only conceded 7 goals in their last 7 away matches! That is pretty impressive.

I can see this one ending 1 nil or 2-1 to us.’

‘I think the pattern will be pretty much the same as recent games but we’ll put three or four past them in the end. Fairly tight after taking an early lead but eventually wearing them down and winning comfortably.’

‘Rafa has said that it would be a miracle if Newcastle stayed in the premier league this year. He is citing the lack of transfer funds made available to him, all the other teams have spent £100m and that’s going to make very difficult to stay up.

I myself think this statement is to send a message again to Ashley to get the sale sorted out as well as reverse psychology to his players to remove any pressure they feel from getting results and so get a more focused responsive attitude from them.

We should not underestimate Rafa who will have his team set up to frustrate us and play counter with stout defence. We need to stay patient like we did at Wolves and move the ball around at the back. Not an easy task at Anfield with the high expectations.’

‘Sorry Rafa. Love you but we’re winning again today.’

‘Rafa will camp his team about 4 yards from his own goal line. Then it’s up to us to push it in.’

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks