Liverpool manager calls off the dogs: TWO players won’t be making a shock return to Anfield
by offsidetrap on August 7th, 2008
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You can all but put to bed the thought of Ryan Babel and Javier Mascherano returning to Liverpool for the start of the season. After receiving a ray of hope with the ruling the ruling in favor of Barcelona, Schalke and Werder Bremen, Rafa Benitez has made it clear that while he could pursue brining his players back from the Olympics, he’s going to let them stay and play for their country instead.
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Liverpool have made it clear they have no intention of forcing their players to return from the Beijing Olympics.
Suggestions Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva would be told to return to England have been discounted by club sources.
The argument has centred around the fact the Olympics do not figure in the FIFA schedule.
But Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has taken the view that although he would ideally like to have all his players available for next week’s Champions League qualifier and the first day of the Premier League season, he has no intention of denying his young stars the chance of a lifetime to win an Olympic medal. (Daily Mail)
After listening to Benitez complain for weeks about the Olympic rules, the goateed-one surely has Liverpool supporters scratching their heads. Sure, playing for your country is the highest honour you can have. But given the fact that three teams have already taken advantage of the ruling, you’d think Benitez would have been next in line to make the most of this rare opportunity. Instead, he’ll be starting the season without two players from his starting XI. If Gerrard doesn’t mend quickly, and the Barry deal isn’t sealed before the start of the season, could Liverpool supporters look back on Rafa’s decision as the reason they didn’t get off to a fantastic start?
Anonymous - August 7th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
thats not even news. it was NEVER going to happen anyway
Lee Delaney - August 7th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
shut up u idiot. why try and write? you have no creativity!
L.F.C - August 8th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Just because Rafa doesn’t like it, does not mean he should deny his players, what you have described as a chance of a life-time. The Olympics is a very important sporting event, and football is taken very seriously by countries outside of the UK.
Rafa and Liverpool have the moral high ground over Barca, Werder Bremen et al, he is doing the right thing by his players, and the spirit of the Olympics and sports in general.
How many times do people complain of football losing it’s soul in the pursuit of money? I think Rafa and Liverpool should be commended for allowing their players to go without all the “tantrums and tiaras” shown by other teams.
brian - August 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
heres one for ya, never mind getting gareth barry, what about Robbie savage, BARGAIN! a bit of muscle in the team. and what about boumsong as future replacement for the ageing Carragher, i like the cut of his jib! who else agrees! while im at it, robbie keane ,what a waste of 22million dollars, could of got heskey to change his hard stance on coming back to liverpool for a fraction of the price plus throw Graham Souness into the liverpool mix , he’s got a fanastic attitude. but we do need to be realistic, we wont be able to get all these , but capturing one, will put us on the right track!
Robin - August 29th, 2008 at 7:14 am
After listening to Benitez complain for weeks about the Olympic rules, the goateed-one surely has Liverpool supporters scratching their heads. Sure, playing for your country is the highest honour you can have. But given the fact that three teams have already taken advantage of the ruling, you’d think Benitez would have been next in line to make the most of this rare opportunity. Instead, he’ll be starting the season without two players from his starting XI.