Javier Mascherano is arguably one of the best midfielders we’ve seen at Liverpool in the modern era but his time with the club wasn’t long or successful enough to be remembered as highly as other icons.

Speaking with Movistar Deportes Perú (translated) the 39-year-old reflected on signing for the Reds: “When I realised that I wasn’t playing [for West Ham], my idea was to leave in the winter market and I don’t know how Rafa Benítez found out that I was going to leave but he contacted me.

“One day he came to my apartment in London to convince me to sign for Liverpool, because I was already thinking about leaving England, he stopped me. In the talk we had, I remember that we were sitting on a sofa and there was a table with pebbles, he began to explain to me with the pebbles where I had to play.

READ MORE: (Video) Liverpool fans will be interested to hear Bernardo Silva’s comments on title rivals’ dropped points

“He was clear and he told me that what I could give to the team, none of those who were already in the squad could. I thought about it for a week and finally the transfer was finalised. Luckily I made a great decision, because four months later we were was playing in a Champions League final with Milan in Athens.”

It’s an interesting though to see Rafa Benitez arriving at the door of the Argentine to try and convince him on a move to Merseyside, soon using pebbles to show how he wanted the West Ham man to perform for his team.

It was a master stroke by the Spaniard though and the whole squad were unlucky to not end that campaign with a Champions League winners’ medal in hand.

You can watch Mascherano’s comments (from 6:32) via Movistar Deportes Perú on YouTube:

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

The post (Video) “I made a great decision”: Mascherano reflects on Liverpool transfer and Benitez’s pebble talk appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool fans are fully aware that a new era is upon us this summer when Jurgen Klopp leaves and Rafa Benitez has provided some advice for the next person in charge.

Speaking with Sky Sports, the Spaniard said: “To manage a top side you need a special character.

READ MORE: (Video) Alexander-Arnold hilariously accuses Neville of ‘gegging in’ during interview

“It’s very difficult to replace someone like Klopp and everyone expects the next manager to win. It’s not easy when you go in after a successful manager.

“There are too many things that you don’t want to change, but you have to adapt to your mentality and style. This transition is always difficult.

“When I signed for Liverpool they told me I had three years just to compete, so any manager will need time.”

READ MORE: (Video) Alexander-Arnold names ex-Man Utd man in dream dinner guests

It’s going to be a huge job to replace the 56-year-old at Anfield and not many not better about the pressure of arriving on Merseyside with big expectations – than our Istanbul gaffer.

We as fans will allow the new boss time to bed in but it’s going to need a special and talented person to try and capture the imagination of supporters and players quickly.

You can watch Benitez’s comments via @SkySportsPL on X:

"You need a special character"

Rafa Benitez says whoever takes over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool will need time and it will not be easy pic.twitter.com/xhZ7LWHlAr

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 16, 2024

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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Liverpool have had a history of talented players leaving the club in the past and going onto regret it, this was the case with one man who has been reflecting on the decision to leave Merseyside.

Speaking on the Ben Heath Podcast, Danny Murphy said that his main regret from his career was not waiting at Anfield after the arrival of Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia.

READ MORE: (Video) The moment Harvey Elliott gifted his United shirt to YouTuber at Old Trafford

It seems that Rafa Benitez was both honest and harsh enough to say that our former No.13 was not going to play for the Reds in the new era.

The midfielder had great options elsewhere in the Premier League and admirably wanted first-team football but missing out on Istanbul and fighting for place in the side was clearly something that has haunted him.

You can watch Murphy comment on his regrets (from 26:45) via Ben Heath Podcast on YouTube:

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

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Liverpool fans are mourning the loss of Jurgen Klopp this summer, although he’s likely not to be the only ex-Red on the market at the end of the campaign.

As reported on rccelta.es: ‘Rafa Benítez and his staff leave RC Celta after eight months of absolute dedication and total commitment, but in which the team has not obtained the results expected by the club.’

This news follows the departure of Roy Hodgson from Crystal Palace last month and confirms the end of a relatively unsuccessful spell back in Spain for Rafa Benitez.

READ MORE: (Video) Goldbridge: Liverpool ‘robbed’ against Man City; even United fans agree

With Celta Vigo currently sat in 17th position and just two points above the relegation zone, it’s clear that there’s fears of dropping out of the division.

The 63-year-old would have been confident of keeping Celta in La Liga but won’t be given the chance to prove that he had the skills to do so.

This follows a similarly unsuccessful spell as Everton manager for the man who won the Champions League at Anfield in 2005.

READ MORE: (Video) ‘Modern day match-fixing’: Paddy Pimblett bemoans Man City VAR decision at Anfield

With the former Newcastle and Chelsea manager’s family still living on the Wirral in Merseyside, a return to the family home will inevitably now follow.

It’ll be interesting to then see if a return to the Premier League will then present itself for a coach who seems to have his best days behind him.

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post Second ex-Liverpool manager loses job in as many months; Merseyside return imminent appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool should be wary of falling into the trap of social media hype before appointing their next manager.

That is the warning of former Reds boss – and Istanbul hero – Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard had plenty of praise to share for Xabi Alonso, though suggested that social media is blinding fans to the bigger picture.

“He’s a big name, good professional, good lad, clever, doing really well so I understand why,” the Celta Vigo boss told Rob Draper of The Guardian.

“[But] imagine Steven Gerrard was around and doing well. Then it would be: ‘Gerrard!’

“With social media everything is going too fast so that people don’t see the big picture.”

That said, the Bayer Leverkusen boss has more than earned his plaudits judging by his exploits in Germany.

READ MORE: Like Maradona: Potential dream Liverpool signing keen to work out possible summer offers

READ MORE: Pundit tips Liverpool to consider selling other players before Luis Diaz this summer

Who else should Liverpool go for?

Let’s play this out hypothetically.

If Liverpool weren’t to win Xabi Alonso’s signature, or if we went in a different direction, who else could replace Jurgen Klopp.

Ruben Amorim is one name that has popped up frequently in such discourse, though has less than five seasons of senior management under his belt.

More experience than our former classy midfielder, though the challenge is not quite as significant as toppling Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga.

The options beyond the pair then arguably only get steadily less appealing.

We do take Benitez’s point, though the pickings are looking rather slim beyond Alonso at this stage.

� EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Klopp’s successor in the Portuguese league? FSG must learn from one summer transfer and much more!

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Dietmar Hamann only spent two seasons under Rafa Benitez during his time at Anfield but one particular piece of advice stayed with the German.

Speaking on ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ about taking his penalty in Istanbul, the 50-year-old said: “I did remember because Rafa he was a penalty pervert, wasn’t he.

READ MORE: (Video) Not Carra or Gerrard: Hamman names surprise player as ‘reason’ Liverpool won 2005 UCL

“He knew everything about penalties, it was his passion and I remember him saying that there’s a stat that, I think, there’s a 90 or 91% better chance [of scoring] if you hit it above hip height.

“So it doesn’t really matter where you hit it, whether you hit the corner or whether you hit it in the middle, if you hit it at a certain height – it’s got a far better chance [of going in].”

READ MORE: Not just Trent: Another ‘key player’ will ‘miss the cup final’ as injuries pile up for Liverpool – report

Although the phrase ‘penalty pervert’ may not be too well received by the Spaniard, it does show the level of detail that went into every aspect of trying to make Liverpool more successful.

Seeing as the former Bayern Munich man dispatched the opening spot-kick and we went on to win the 2005 Champions League during that shoot-out, it’s safe to say that this studying paid off to great effect.

You can watch Hamman’s comments on Benitez (from 20:40) via That Peter Crouch Podcast on YouTube:

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

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Lucas Leiva was a mainstay of the Liverpool team for 10 years and he has shared information on how he was convinced to sign for the club.

Speaking on the ‘We Are Liverpool’ podcast, the Brazilian said: “Rafa played a big part because I remember he called my father and said, ‘listen, we want to see if there is the possibility [to sign]’.

“I came to Liverpool about March and Liverpool was almost in the final of the Champions League that year, 2007. The season before I came and visited Melwood and then it’s easy to to accept and everything went quite quickly.

READ MORE: (Video) Gakpo’s on-pitch reaction to Trent’s winner; gives credit to new boots

“I signed officially in June but from March it was more or less done and it was the right choice, I would say now after spending 10 years at the club, I’m sure was the right choice.”

Although Rafa Benitez is often criticised for being a little cold with his players, this shows that he knew what to do in order to get someone to sign on the dotted line.

The small comment from the 36-year-old at the end shows why we all love him so much, as he is so proud to have played for the Reds and for so long.

You can view Lucas’ comments on signing for Liverpool (from 3:13) via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

The post (Video) Lucas shares ‘big part’ one phone call from Rafa Benitez to his father played in LFC move appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Rafa Benitez will forever be remembered as being one of just two men to have managed both Liverpool and Everton and given the varying levels of success at each club, he’s more favourably thought of at Anfield.

There’s now been another revelation about his time at Goodison Park, that will do little to keep any Blues on the Spaniard’s side.

Speaking with AD Sportwereld (via Football Espana), former Everton Sporting Director Marcel Brands shared the shocking tale: “I wanted to install my philosophy and structure in the Club that would allow Everton to progress, but the decisions from above did not allow it. In the summer of 2021 we were looking to bring Luis Diaz from Porto.

READ MORE: (Video) Carragher opens up ‘excessive’ Everton points deduction

“I was working hard to get James Rodriguez to go to Porto as part of the deal that would bring Diaz to the Club, however, Rafa Benitez ruled against it because he was not sure about the player.”

It’s safe to say that those of a blue persuasion didn’t need many more reasons to dislike their former manager but this will certainly not help.

The mere thought of the Colombian wearing the colours of our neighbours is chilling but to know it was so close is really amazing,

READ MORE: (Video) ‘Should’ve done more’: Richards criticises two CL-winning LFC midfielders for not winning enough

There was plenty of talk of our former boss being :’Agent Rafa’ during his time across Stanley Park and this will only add yet more fuel to that rather comical fire that is still burning brightly.

Thankfully those in charge of the recruitment were unable to convince the former Chelsea and Newcastle boss and now we’re reaping the rewards for the decision, with our No.7 undoubtedly being a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Just when you thought there wasn’t enough reasons to like our former boss, he’s given us all another massive one!

Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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Dirk Kuyt has been recalling the moment that Rafael Benitez asked him if he wanted to join Liverpool.

The Dutch forward came to Anfield from Feyenoord in 2006, and as he revealed in an interview with The Athletic on Wednesday, he needed no persuading from the Spaniard despite being in the thick of World Cup preparations with his country at the time.

The 43-year-old reflected: “I remember the phone call I got from Rafa Benitez just before the 2006 World Cup. He said: ‘Sorry to bother you, I know you need to focus on the World Cup, I’ve just got one question: Do you want to come to Liverpool?’

“I said to him: ‘If you want, I’ll cycle there from Holland!’ Rafa said: ‘It might take a bit of time, but we will come and get you’. “

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Liverpool fans can be very glad that Benitez made the call to Kuyt 17 years ago, considering what the Dutchman brought to Anfield for the subsequent six seasons.

He netted 71 goals in 285 appearances for the Reds, with 14 strikes in his first year at the club, and he hit double figures in three Premier League campaigns (Transfermarkt).

He also had a happy habit of scoring decisive goals against our biggest rivals, with a memorable hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Manchester United in March 2011 and a late FA Cup winner against them the following year.

There was also his double against Everton in a comeback victory in 2007 and another derby winner in February 2010.

Kuyt mightn’t have had the grace of Fernando Torres or the bombast of Steven Gerrard, but he spared no effort when wearing the iconic Liverpool shirt, a quality which ensured that he’ll always be fondly remembered by Kopites.

Oh, and we presume he got to Merseyside by air in the summer of 2006 rather than having to cycle!

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

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Any Liverpool fans following the fortunes of Rafael Benitez at Celta Vigo will have had a painful sense of deja vu on Monday night.

On Saturday, the Reds were robbed of a legitimate opening goal in the 34th minute due to an erroneous VAR decision and succumbed to a stoppage time winner in a 2-1 defeat away from home.

On Monday night, the former LFC manager’s current side were robbed of a legitimate opening goal in the 34th minute due to an erroneous VAR decision and succumbed to a stoppage time winner in a 2-1 defeat away from home.

READ MORE: Union SG boss makes Liverpool confession ahead of ‘dream’ Anfield trip on Thursday

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Celta thought they had taken the lead against Las Palmas when Jorgen Strand Larsen finished to the net, only for the goal to be disallowed after Anastasios Douvikas was harshly adjudged to have blocked off his opponent in the build-up (judge for yourself here).

Benitez didn’t mince his words over the decision when speaking to DAZN (via Football Espana) after the game, describing it as ‘absurd’ and adding: “It can’t be, this is football. We’re not talking about ping pong. We’re continually rowing against the current.”

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The decision to disallow Larsen’s goal wasn’t quite as baffling as the one which cost Luis Diaz and Liverpool on Saturday, although the former Reds boss still seemed to have a legitimate grievance.

Douvikas appeared to be held back by Mika Marmol rather than the other way around before the ball ran through to the Norwegian striker to score.

The parallels between Benitez’s current club and his former one were frighteningly coincidental after a three-day period which has seen VAR in the spotlight in both England and Spain. Perhaps the issues with its implementation aren’t confined to the Premier League after all.

You can view Celta’s disallowed goal (from 0:42) via LaLiga on YouTube

 #Ep92 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: VAR disaster at Tottenham, what next for the Reds, Liverpool Women impress AND MORE!

The post Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez also counting the cost of ‘absurd’ VAR call in last-gasp 2-1 loss appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Rafa Benitez has insisted he will attempt to retain the services of Gabri Veiga at Celta Vigo this summer despite strong interest from Premier League clubs.

Liverpool are joined by Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle in being linked with a with a move for the Spaniard and reports recently have suggested that the Reds have held talks with the 21-year-old’s agent as they seek to win the race for his signature.

There is believed to be a £34.4m release clause inserted into Veiga’s contract and new Celta Vigo boss Benitez is aware that there is strong interest surrounding the ‘great player’.

“We are talking about an important player, who comes from the academy, and I would be delighted to have him continue with us,” said the 63-year-old (as quoted by Sport, via Rousing The Kop).

“It would be exciting for everyone, and I will try to improve him as much as possible if he continues with us. I like him a lot, he’s a great player and I’m counting on him.”

READ MORE: (Video) Curtis Jones does his best Bobby Firmino impression with sublime no-look pass as England reach final

Liverpool have already strengthened their options in midfield with the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai but Klopp is still believed to be interested in adding one more new face to his engine room.

Veiga impressed in La Liga last term scoring 11 goals and registering four assists in 34 appearances and it’s therefore no surprise that some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are weighing up a move.

It must be pointed out that links between ourselves and the Spain U21 international have cooled following the signing of our new No. 8 with Romeo Lavia now the main name being linked with a move to L4.

Benitez is understandably eager to retain the services of the dynamic midfielder but if the player’s release clause is activated then the former Liverpool boss will have no option other than to bid farewell to the exciting talent.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Lavia OR Thuram next? Why Newcastle DIDN’T come in for Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s difficult signing, and much more!

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Liverpool fans are expecting that there’s still set to be more transfer activity this summer but may perhaps be surprised to hear that Rafa Benitez looks set to have a major role in at least one deal for the Reds.

As reported by Revelo (translated): ‘Celta is about to sign the coach who will lead the team in its centenary year.

‘The group from Vigo has accelerated negotiations with Rafa Benítez in the last few hours so that he becomes their new coach immediately and the will of both parties is to close an agreement in the next few hours or days’.

READ MORE: Liverpool join Newcastle as only teams ‘ready to pay’ asking price for Serie A midfielder – report

Seeing as the former Anfield boss looks set to be taking the job at Celta Vigo, that also means that he will soon be in charge of the club that currently employs Gabri Veiga – so we may soon see the duo negotiating with the Reds.

James Pearce confirmed that the youngster who shone for his boyhood club was ‘under consideration’ for a move to Merseyside and with Spanish outlet SPORT reporting (translated) that the player is ‘always where he should be and that quality is pure gold’ – there’s reason to be excited about his potential arrival.

The 21-year-old recorded 11 goals and four assists across 40 games in all competitions last season for Celta Vigo, which helped them secure a 13th placed finish in La Liga and avoid a relegation battle.

His attacking prowess would potentially add a new dimension to our midfield options and with Fabrizio Romano also confirming our interest in the player, this should be a move that we can begin to get excited about.

Whether the former Everton boss will be able to convince the Spanish Under-21 international that he should play under Jurgen Klopp, we’ll have to wait and see but many will hope that the coach only has good things to say about his time at the helm of our club.

#Ep76 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Liverpool Transfer Committee Show!

The post Rafa Benitez to make major decision on Liverpool transfer; agreement due in ‘hours or days’ – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Rafa Benitez is reportedly close to becoming the next manager of La Liga-based side Celta Vigo, an Athletic report has confirmed.

It’s a move that will be of great interest to Liverpool fans in particular, not simply because of the Reds’ obvious shared history with the Spaniard, but also due to the presence of reported target Gabri Veiga (GIVEMESPORT) at the Galicia-based outfit.

With Premier League rivals Chelsea (another former employer of the 63-year-old tactician) also considered to be contenders for the 21-year-old’s signature (Florian Plettenberg), this could be one transfer to keep a very close eye on.

READ MORE: Liverpool shouldn’t move for £35m midfielder Steven Gerrard hailed as ‘high-class’ – opinion

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Could Merseyside loyalty come into play?

We must first emphasise that both the La Liga side and its potential new manager will be highly reluctant to lose an ‘electric’ (Fabrizio Romano via Yahoo Sports) talent currently deemed their most exciting – certainly their most exciting since the rise of club legend Iago Aspas.

That being said, if the reported release clause of £34m (Newcastle World) is met this summer, there’s very little either party can do to prevent an exit.

Some level of influence hypothetically could be exercised on Benitez’s part to shift the tide in either Liverpool or Chelsea’s favour of course, with the former surely the more likely to be given the nod.

It’s purely conjecture on our part, of course, though a factor we could yet lean on should a potential transfer come down to a straight shootout between ourselves and the Blues.

Exclusive: Jacque Talbot’s Liverpool transfers update: Liverpool & Newcastle in for Kone, Thuram latest, likelihood of Lavia move… and more!

The post Chelsea suffer transfer sucker punch in race for £34m ‘electric’ Liverpool target – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

LIverpool supporters will never forget the events of the Champions League final in 2005 and one man who played a huge role in the success of that famous evening has revealed the message he received from Rafa Benitez.

Speaking with Sky Sports, Vladimir Smicer said: “Rafa Benitez showed that he was a great manager and changed the tactics. We just went out and he said ‘try to score one goal and we’ll see from that and that’s what we did”.

READ MORE: Liverpool journalist hits out at ludicrous Newcastle reveal: “I guess that’s what money can buy you”

Nobody will ever forget what happened that night in Turkey and Manchester City may go on to associate one of their greatest nights in their history with the city too but it’s unlikely we’ll witness another game of football anything like the night we went and won it five times.

The role of the now 50-year-old midfielder is often underplayed but we have a lot to thank him for too and it’s great to see the wide smile on his face as he recalls the best night of his professional career.

You can watch Smicer’s comments on Benitez (from 0:52) via Sky Sports News on YouTube:

Exclusive: Jacque Talbot’s Liverpool transfers update: Liverpool & Newcastle in for Kone, Thuram latest, likelihood of Lavia move… and more!

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Rafael Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool’s hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League this season.

The Reds are among two of the Spaniard’s former clubs chasing down a place in the 2023/24 Champions League, with Newcastle also aiming to book their passage into the competition, as are Manchester United.

Those two teams have qualification in their hands, both holding a one-point lead on Jurgen Klopp’s side along with having an extra match to play, but the Merseysiders’ seven-game winning streak has given then serious momentum.

By contrast, Eddie Howe’s Magpies have taken just one point from the last six available, losing at home to Arsenal and then drawing away to relegation-threatened Leeds.

Benitez still thinks the Tynesiders will have enough to fend off the upwardly mobile Liverpool, although he didn’t completely rule out the Reds’ chances of gatecrashing the top four.

As per Football Daily, the 63-year-old said: “Everybody knows that to be in the Champions League means a lot of money comes in and you can then sign better players because they have the extra motivation to play, so it’s massive for both.

“Newcastle United has the advantage but you never know. Liverpool are doing really well now, but I think Newcastle have the belief, the intensity, the organisation and the balance that is necessary to get some points and to stay there.”

It’s definitely still the Magpies’ place to lose, and they’ll be mathematically out of the Reds’ reach if they win their upcoming home games against Brighton and Leicester.

However, Klopp’s team simply need to pick up whatever points they can and see where it leaves them in the final reckoning.

You can see the full clip of Benitez’s verdict below, via @footballdaily on Twitter:

"It's massive for both. Obviously, now Newcastle have the advantage but you never know."

Rafael Benítez discusses who between his two former clubs, Liverpool and Newcastle, will secure a Champions League spot! pic.twitter.com/32ljBF6Ug4

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 16, 2023

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