¡Cojones de acera!

In case I wasn't already in love with our manager, I will drop my normally calm, cool exterior to pronounce that Rafael Benitez has officially pushed me to the point of Beatlesque frenzy...

It's been a very long time that I've felt so giddy over something that had nothing to do with a Liverpool result or some bit of music in my earcans.

"Rant"? Please. "Tirade"? Gimme a break. All our gaffer has done is publicly state the exact sentiments supporters, players, other managers and even referees have said in private. Are there still people out there who doubt how much this man is the embodiment of one Bill Shankly writ large for the 21st century? I know there are. And you know what?

Fuck 'em.



While I've read people worrying about playing Everton twice within the span of a week, wringing their hands over Steven's legal troubles (important as he no doubt is, I thought we resented that "one/two-man team" tag?), and always wondering when the shoe is going to drop, thank god we've got someone in charge who is seemingly made of sterner stuff than most of the rest of us.

We've asked him to show some guts and now that he has, some people are complaining?? All of a sudden we're too cocky, too cavalier, not thinking about the consequences...what the heck has happened?

All I know is that Rafa went into the hospital to have kidney stones removed - and he came out with a bigger set of stones on display. And by god I wish some supporters would get a pair themselves.

* * * * *

Two points dropped, one point gained...hard to say as we were poor today against Stoke. Can't excuse it and the timing couldn't have been worse with some tough games against Everton and Chelsea to come, as well as once again we fail to take maximum points on a weekend our rivals face off against each other - I have honestly lost track of when we've made it count. Keane not coming off the bench when we still had a sub available is a headscratcher no doubt. One could say we weren't creating enough (and looking suspect defensively) so why bother but that route one pass that Torres deftly flicked on for Gerrard might have been enough indication that Robbie deserved a go, out of sorts or not. I mean if Babel could get a run...

Ah well, time to regroup and get ready for a killer couple of weeks. Would I prefer an easier, less stressful path to the title - who wouldn't? But it is about the ride as much as the finish. Shake it off and let's get back on track.

And though it really shouldn't need saying (but some seem to continually forget): let's support our boys and our manager. Between Rafa's comments yesterday, the performance today and (heaven forbid) a win by either spawny side tomorrow, you just know the knives are sharpened and ready to go for our jugular. Time to stand tall and stand firm - long way to go yet.