Liverpool Feel ‘Raf’ Of Drogba Thanks To Benitez
May 1, 2008
As Chelsea celebrate and prepare to face Manchester United as the other English half of this years Champions League final, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is left to ponder what might have been.
Yet, could he have helped Chelsea into the final at the expense of his own Liverpool side?
Benitez openly criticised Chelsea striker Didier Drogba earlier this week for his inability to stay on his feet and his ability to mimic a dying swan. It was an obvious attempt at mind-games, trying to unsettle Drogba and influence referee Robert Rosetti. As we witnessed last night, it backfired spectacularly. Drogba inspired Chelsea to victory over the Reds with a solid, powerful performance and two extremely important goals. Could it have been the Liverpool gaffer’s criticism that spurred him to such a crucial display?
As Phil McNultey of BBC Sport says:
When Drogba is lying low he is best left alone. Benitez chose to deliver a verbal version of a poke with a sharp stick and Liverpool paid the price.
Both Liverpool and Benitez looked broken at the final whistle as their season ended. Benitez was left to ponder over what could have been had he left Chelsea’s sometimes slumbering beast lie.
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15 Responses to “Liverpool Feel ‘Raf’ Of Drogba Thanks To Benitez”
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rubbish drogba, along with ronaldo are the biggest divers going.every one knows this. rafa spoke the truth.
Whats that in the sky? Could it be the point of the article flying waaaaaaaaaaaay over your head rouman? Drogba could be attempting a reverse somersault with 17 twists and a couple of pikes, but don’t give him an extra reason to actually make an effort by insulting him in the national press……
The only reason Drogba had a good game yesterday is because Skrtel went off injured. He was diving all over the place in the first leg cos he couldn’t get past Skrtel. Skrtel had him in his pocket all the time he was playing in both the first leg and second leg. As soon as Skrtel went off injured Drogba got the space and time to make a difference.
the reason not in final is the negitive tactics in the second half. after we scored chelski were there for the taking.why didnt liverpool go for the kill instead of playing for extra time and pen
Drogba stood his ground yesterday and that’s why Skrtel got injured.
Thanks Rafa, Drogba took your advice to heart and it worked. Two goals and your season was over.. LOL
Rafa whined about the first ref, he whined about the second Ref, he whined about Drogba, he’s a disgrace to the fine sporting traditions of Liverpool Football Club.
Do you honestly believe that THAT’S what motivated him to perform well in one of the biggest matches of his career? Couldn’t have been anything else?
the only reason we are not in the final is the offside goal. Riises mistake and all the diving aside, it is the only thing that stopped Liverpool. If the lines man had got it right it would be 2-2 on the night and Chelsea would be out.
Seems the nearly £600 million the russian mafia has spent wasn’t enough on its own, a linesman still had to pitch in, well done chavs.
Stupid Benitez, we all know Drogba dives, but those he really wanna make Chelsea anymore motivated than they already are? crazy newb.
Oh stop whining. Just accept that the better team won on the night and Liverpool do not have a divine right to rule the roost in Europe. If anyone has ever tried being a linesman, trying to make those tight decisions is almost guesswork. Both penalty claims were blatent dives, and hyypia made a stupid challenge in the box to give another one away.
So you don’t think Drogba was motivated by Benitez? I think his 50 yard run and slide in front of the dugout would say otherwise!
Don’t worry Pool fans next season will be yours … no really … it will.
hey rouman, did you have your eyes closed when babel embarassed himself by diving? what about hyppia? you must have missed those……
Drew Vader are you blind?? Drogba clearly took hypia knee in the penalty area…why the ref dont blow the whistle i never know…
Yeah Drew, that’s crap. Hyypia was fouled twice - and it should have been a penalty. I don’t think it would have made a difference though because - as Fowler9 pointed out - at 1-1 Chelsea were there for the taking and Benitez missed the chance to kill them off - he’s crap at substitutions and crap at playing attacing football. Next season will be Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal’s - again. GET RID OF BENITEZ, the dozy defence-minded clown!!!!
“Stevie G
on May 1st, 2008 8:22 pm
The only reason Drogba had a good game yesterday is because Skrtel went off injured. He was diving all over the place in the first leg cos he couldn’t get past Skrtel. Skrtel had him in his pocket all the time he was playing in both the first leg and second leg. As soon as Skrtel went off injured Drogba got the space and time to make a difference.”
I second that!
i dont get surprised by the comment of Rafael Bentez because always when some players are fantastic the coaches comentes in order to demorlaize the players but that day it was on the contrary and Rafael payed for it and went back home with headace.