Birmingham vs Liverpool ; Rafa stuns fans by subbing Torres
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haiz
Rafa still believe in youngster ah .. -
Rafa Benitez stuns fans by subbing Fernando Torres: Is this the moment Liverpool boss gave up on finishing fourth?
Not happy: Fernando Torres is substituted at St Andrew's
Rafa Benitez had Liverpool fans asking whether winning the Europa League was more important than finishing fourth in the Barclays Premier League as he substituted Fernando Torres 25 minutes from the end of the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
Liverpool were level at the time and the draw leaves them four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, having played a game more.
Benitez decided to take off 20-goal leading scorer Fernando Torres midway through the second half, even though the player looked disappointed with the decision to replace him with David N'Gog.
Torres played up front on his own in Liverpool's 2-1 Europa League quarter-final first leg defeat by Benfica 72 hours earlier, and manager Benitez said: 'He was exhausted. He had some ice just to protect his knee, but he was really tired, like the other players who played on Thursday against Benfica.'He knew we needed to win, but he was really tired, like all the players, and N'Gog had fresh legs, as did Ryan Babel, and that made a big difference in the last few minutes.'Benitez admitted his side now have "no margin for error" if they are to have any hope of qualifying for the Champions League next season. 'It is not a good point, despite Birmingham playing so well here this season.
'We deserved to win. We had a very good chance in the first half and a lot in the second half.
Dynamic duo: Gerrard celebrates with Torres after putting Liverpool ahead
'We didn't have any margin for error beforehand and now we have less margin in terms of coming fourth.
'But it depends on the other teams and how they do as well. We have to believe we can win all our remaining games and have confidence the other sides will lose.
'We just have to keep going because there are still a lot of points to play for.
'But we said beforehand that we had to win the final six matches, or possibly draw one and win five. Now we have to win all remaining five matches.'
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even torres also not happy
Torres played up front on his own in Liverpool's 2-1 Europa League quarter-final first leg defeat by Benfica 72 hours earlier, and manager Benitez said: 'He was exhausted. He had some ice just to protect his knee, but he was really tired, like the other players who played on Thursday against Benfica.
simi lan
he was exhausted, i thot he was super match fit??? -
Ah Ben is just collecting his last piece of silverware from Liverpool before he leave for RM.
As for the 4th position, it is practically impossible for Liverpool to achieve with this kind of standard played every match.
Ah Ben just focusing on getting the best from Liverpool.
Nothing wrong with that.
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There is actually nothing wrong with subbing off Torres due to fatigue.
But something is very wrong with the depth of the squad.
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Originally posted by Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1):
even torres also not happy
Torres played up front on his own in Liverpool's 2-1 Europa League quarter-final first leg defeat by Benfica 72 hours earlier, and manager Benitez said: 'He was exhausted. He had some ice just to protect his knee, but he was really tired, like the other players who played on Thursday against Benfica.
simi lan
he was exhausted, i thot he was super match fit???WC coming, all needs to be careful la.
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Maybe Rafa feels next season he might not be there anymore so even if Pool don't make it to the CL, it's not his problem... It's for the next guy to crack his head over...
And if he manage to win the Europa cup (which i feel shouldn't be too much of a problem), Pool fans might remember him as a manager who won trophies... At least he will leave having won something to his name i guess... a Europa cup...
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torres shd have joined man u. rooney and torres, with berba the sub and tevez playing behind them. Terribly terrific won't that be?
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i cant understand the logic. if he know torres is tired after benfica game. he should use him as a substitue towards the end especially when birmingham player are tired. more chances to score right? let ngog to the running until 65minutes and sent on torres to create havoc ma. torres is those player that need one chance to make a difference.
liverpool soccer are not pretty to watch. torres deserve better
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Originally posted by kopiosatu:
thanks benitez
giving us a good reason not to go to mio tv
Europa league also shown on mio TV. So u liverpool fans should get mio TV to watch them in europa league action next season. -
Originally posted by Cristiano@Red_Devils.com:
Europa league also shown on mio TV. So u liverpool fans should get mio TV to watch them in europa league action next season.i rather wait 3 years later when all the channels are shared.
see if liverpool reach division 1 by then or not
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Originally posted by kopiosatu:
i rather wait 3 years later when all the channels are shared.
same thoughts. :)
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Don't worry, the season will really really really begin after the next game!