Liverpool’s co-owner, Tom Hicks in an interview with Sports Illustrated revisited his displeasure over the incident with his team manager Rafa Benitez where he said the gaffer’s attitude was “petulant” and that the media pretty much made up reports about firings and infighting.
I agree with Hicks. There were no reports quoting Hicks or George Gillet as saying Benitez was going to be fired. Even Rick Parry said so himself. If ever these comments were the theories of people in the media or some in the Liverpool organization who chafe at the famous football club being owned by Americans.
'We wanted to see what we could do with the players we had already bought,' said Hicks. 'We just wanted to see if the team was going to gel. Then he (Benitez) went to a press conference and kind of pouted and answered in the same way 20 times: 'I'm focusing on my team. The media made up everything from that point forward. They made up that we were going to fire him, that I told him to shut up, that there was a battle between Benitez and the Americans. It's really funny to watch.'
The American owners were also dismayed at the players' attitude against United at Anfield when a 1-0 defeat left Liverpool way off the pace in the Premier League title race. Said Hicks: “Our team played like they mentally didn't think they were good enough to win. They played tight.”
It will be interesting to see how the Reds come out tonight against Man City which is a point behind LFC in the standings. With Manchester United’s loss to West Ham, a win – although it will be tough against Man City – will put them 6 points behind the Red Devils. Arsenal reclaimed first place with a 4-1 victory against Everton in Goodison Park.
I agree with Hicks. There were no reports quoting Hicks or George Gillet as saying Benitez was going to be fired. Even Rick Parry said so himself. If ever these comments were the theories of people in the media or some in the Liverpool organization who chafe at the famous football club being owned by Americans.
'We wanted to see what we could do with the players we had already bought,' said Hicks. 'We just wanted to see if the team was going to gel. Then he (Benitez) went to a press conference and kind of pouted and answered in the same way 20 times: 'I'm focusing on my team. The media made up everything from that point forward. They made up that we were going to fire him, that I told him to shut up, that there was a battle between Benitez and the Americans. It's really funny to watch.'
The American owners were also dismayed at the players' attitude against United at Anfield when a 1-0 defeat left Liverpool way off the pace in the Premier League title race. Said Hicks: “Our team played like they mentally didn't think they were good enough to win. They played tight.”
It will be interesting to see how the Reds come out tonight against Man City which is a point behind LFC in the standings. With Manchester United’s loss to West Ham, a win – although it will be tough against Man City – will put them 6 points behind the Red Devils. Arsenal reclaimed first place with a 4-1 victory against Everton in Goodison Park.
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