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Angry Rafa targets Ribery for Liverpool
Friday, 10 July 2009
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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez yesterday launched a stinging attack on Gareth Barry — but his anger at Manchester City’s big spending is about to evaporate as he seeks to seal a deal to bring Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery to the Reds.
Barry rejected the chance to join Liverpool and the Kop chief claims he has now turned up at Eastlands “just for money.”
However, money is what Benitez will need to net Ribery — and lots of it as he is valued at £40m
Speculation was growing last night that the France international could be moving to Anfield.
Skybet — who dramatically slashed their odds on Michael Owen joining Manchester United the day before he signed for the Old Trafford outfit — announced a similar cut on the odds of Ribery signing for the Merseysiders.
Punters expected United or Real Madrid to snap up Ribery, but bookmakers have cut the odds on a move to Liverpool from 66/1 to 8/13 after receiving a flurry of bets on the France star swapping Munich for Merseyside.
Benitez didn’t talk about Ribery yesterday as his new signing Glen Johnson was introduced to the media, but Barry was very much in his thoughts.
“Maybe it's just me, but in this market now money is not the main thing,” Benitez said.
“Everyone at this level earns big money. You have to enjoy it.
“If it's just for money sometimes you will make mistakes, like Gareth Barry. It was clearly for money — 100 per cent. We did go back again for Barry, but it is all about money, money, money.”
Benitez also insisted that Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso were not for sale. Steven Gerrard yesterday signed a two-year contract extension that runs until 2013.
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Barry is not the best thing Liverpool missed aut on, and I'm not at all sorry about that. Money can be better used - Silva, Srna, Mata -
just a few suggestions.
As for City, their attack is looking good now, but as for midfield and defence... They will need time to start competing to top four, and spend a lot more money!
Posted by m kop | 11.07.09, 01:40 GMT
LFC fan here. I'm not surprised Barry didn't sign for us after last year's total shambles, completely our fault. Remember last summer? "Yes, we've bid for Barry." "No, we're pulling out, he's too expensive." "Oh, go on then, we'll make another bid." "Oops, no, we're pulling out again..." etc. Meanwhile, Barry's stripped of the captaincy and spends the season as the most hated man in Birmingham despite years of good service. With that history, would you sign for us if you had other options?
Posted by Billy Caskey | 10.07.09, 21:56 GMT
Loving the way Man City fans think they are going to do something this year. Remember when Thaksin and Sven arrived last time? Gareth Barry has done a Lucas Neill and decided not to go to Liverpool, not to play the champions league and to end his career with zero chance of winning anything.
Posted by Peter | 10.07.09, 17:21 GMT
City are like Newcastle. No matter how much they spend they will always be a mid table side at best. Although their fans have deserved huge respect for years it amazes me that some are so stupid to think that if a player is lured by MASSIVE wages he will give 100%. This just wont happen for the mere fact that it is the money and not the club that has attracted them.
Add an average manager to the mix and you have a recipe for....mid table mediocrity.
PS. Respect to Kieran - very simple scenario.
Posted by Graeme | 10.07.09, 16:34 GMT
Liverpool don't need wingers for now,we need stricker like devid villa to help torres up front,benitez will try and keep alonso and mascharano,with both players on the midfield liverpool will be sure of trophies nest season.
Posted by Samuel | 10.07.09, 15:27 GMT
Nice idea from Kieran. Apart from that the title of the article is deliberately misleading. Rafa if you saw the interview was not angry. He has made no mention of Ribery let alone targetting him.
The rest of the comments are as puerile as this "report".
Posted by SAM | 10.07.09, 15:19 GMT
There is a very simple explanation for this betting trend. Benitez asked for and got given £1 million by Liverpool's American owners. He went onto skybet and placed a £1 million bet on Ribery joining Liverpool at odds of 66/1. Now he can pay Bayern the asking price of £40 million and have £26 million over for his wages. Simple really.
Posted by Kieran | 10.07.09, 13:36 GMT
Wake up and smell the coffee Rafa, the English game is ONLY about ££££££££££
Posted by Aaron | 10.07.09, 10:27 GMT
Another spectacular gaffe from the FSW!!! I'm sure he's Ken Dodd's love child....
Posted by Strucker | 10.07.09, 09:42 GMT
for gareth barry to "change" his mind and come to city, just proves that he wanted a new challenge after being at villa for such a long time. although livers was first to approach him, he was obviously looking for better!!! he knows there is more to play for at city, which is the challenge he wants.
oh, and if livers were fortunate to land such a wealthy sponsor, i'm more than certain they would be doing the same - like chelsea did!!!
careful what you say rafa, otherwise we'll buy ribery as well
Posted by Truebluetone | 10.07.09, 09:39 GMT
dont want ribery at all, id rather we sell dossena and buy another top class left back and david silva.
Posted by sam | 10.07.09, 09:34 GMT
if any liverpool fan thinks ribbery is joining us forgett it bookies are bookies thats all they want is your cash its the biggest load of rubbish in years if he leaves munich this season it will be for madrid and no one else ask z.zidanne dont be fools and keep your money or throw it down the drain
Posted by woodward | 10.07.09, 09:26 GMT
Double standards?? RAFA moan moan moan and then spend 40 million on Ribery who no doubt will also earn 100k a week, get on with winning the league and cut the chat.
Posted by Jon | 10.07.09, 09:14 GMT
Benitez has started this season at the point he lost the plot last season. Why is it that Manchester City are being villified for what Liverpool, Man U. Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle have been doing for the last thirty years? Why is it all so unfair to the likes of Benitez because they no longer have the money to carry on crushing the opposition away from the hallowed 'top Four'. There are sixteen clubs who have had to experience what Benitez is experiencing for the first time; for many years.
Posted by Brian Cummings | 10.07.09, 08:17 GMT
Benitez is an arrogant and self absorbed. As if Ribery would join that mob. Rafa you can wave to City as they pass you on the way up the ladder this year.
Posted by Nat | 10.07.09, 06:52 GMT
He couldn't afford Barry so what makes you think he could afford Ribery? Skybet? It doesn't get much more bizarre than that.
Posted by Ray George | 10.07.09, 05:55 GMT
Has Benitez been living in a cave for the last thirty years. The clubs that can afford to buy the best players win the titles. Now City have oodles of cash and want to join the big 4 people like Benitez are worried they can't compete. I for one can't wait for City to be on top of the heap again.
Posted by kel | 10.07.09, 05:52 GMT