Rafa irked by Everton approach
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Rafa Benitez was clearly frustrated by Everton's tactical approach following a Merseyside derby that ended 0-0 at Anfield.
Liverpool enjoyed the better of the play throughout but ultimately failed to score as they failed to put pressure on second-placed Chelsea.
Everton were good value for their point after producing a battling display at the home of their great rivals, but Benitez was irked at what he perceived to be negative tactics from the men in blue, whom he described as a 'small club'.
"I'm really disappointed because we have seen one team that wanted to win, and one team that didn't want to lose," Benitez told PremPlus.
"We tried to keep going, keep going forward, but it was really difficult because they were defending and playing counter attack.
"When you play against eight players behind the ball, narrow and deep, you cannot create many clear chances. You just keep trying.
"It is how they want to win points, you cannot say anything about this.
"We were trying. When you play with the small clubs it is difficult, they play deep."
Liverpool are still waiting to hear whether Javier Mascherano will receive Premier League clearance to begin his Anfield career following a move from West Ham, but Benitez had no news regarding the eligibility of the Argentinian.
"I don't have any idea. We are waiting. With confidence, but waiting," Benitez added.
Of a wider significance at Anfield is the news that American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks could be close to sealing a takeover of the historic club after talks with DIC fell through last week.
Benitez for one is hoping that talks are resolved quickly to put an end to the intense speculation about the future of the club.
"If it's next week it will be better, then we can start talking again about football." -
Rafa is just being an ass..
if they come up with "negative football", he should have the tactical awareness to do something in order to break them down..
what? he wants the other team to open up and let his team score?
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Rafa: " To all Everton players, please excuse me.. Let my team score.......":Originally posted by the Bear:Rafa is just being an ass..
if they come up with "negative football", he should have the tactical awareness to do something in order to break them down..
what? he wants the other team to open up and let his team score? -
Rafa's "si xue" is teams playing with 10 men in defence. Like Portsmouth and Everton.
He just doesn't have a plan to open their defence when opposite teams does that.
You cannot blame the other team. Blame yourself for not being tactically good enough. -
no wonder i feel that got something amissed.. It's their tectics..Originally posted by CoolMyth:Rafa's "si xue" is teams playing with 10 men in defence. Like Portsmouth and Everton.
He just doesn't have a plan to open their defence when opposite teams does that.
You cannot blame the other team. Blame yourself for not being tactically good enough. 
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but everton didn't defend all the time.. they had attacks too..
just that the team was disciplined enough to all pull their own weight in defense... they all came back to defend when necessary..
can't call that negative football.. negative football is refusing to attack but packing the defense...
frankly, the commentators were right.. rafa played 3 forwards and they crowded each other out... if he had pulled them back a little bit more, he would have forced the defenders to come out and open up the everton back.. giving his players more space to move, to create attacking chances..