Lee warned by FA

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has been warned about his future conduct at an FA Regulatory Commission hearings today. The Football Association issued improper conduct charges against Lee following a verbal altercation with fourth official Stuart Attwell. The incident happened in the dying moments of the Premiership defeat to Spurs after referee Phil Dowd waved away a series of Liverpool penalty claims.

The FA statement says: "Sammy Lee was warned as to his future conduct. Lee admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his behaviour towards fourth official Stuart Attwell during Liverpool’s match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 16 August. In reaching its decision the Commission took into account Lee’s admission of the charge, his apology and his exemplary previous disciplinary record over many years."

The FA charged Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez with improper conduct yesterday, following the comments he made to the media after the same game.

Lee charged with improper conduct by the FA

Liverpool's assistant manager, Sammy Lee, has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after a clash with the fourth official, Stuart Attwell, during the defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. The 50-year-old was subsequently sent off by the referee, Phil Dowd during the dying minutes of the match. The FA's official site says:

"The charge relates to Lee's conduct towards fourth official Stuart Attwell"

"Lee has until 26 August to respond to the charge under what are new fast-track regulations relating to technical area misconduct offences."

Lee's altercation with fourth official Attwell began after referee Phil Dowd decided not to award the Reds a second penalty for a blatant push on Andriy Voronin in the box and a subsequent hand ball from Assou-Ekotto.

Media Round-Up

Well I predicted the word 'Rant' would be used by the press this season to describe Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's unhappiness with an incident and it has only taken the opening weekend for it to be used for the first time this season. The decision by referee Phil Dowd not to award the Reds a penalty for a blatant push on Andriy Voronin in the box and a subsequent hand ball from Assou-Ekotto left assistant Sammy Lee so unhappy that his exchange with fourth official Stuart Attwell ended with referee Dowd sending Lee off. This series of events were of course brought up by the waiting journalist at the post match press conference who were well aware of the new rules imposed by the Premier League, intended to stop managers speaking out against individual officials.

"Asked about Dowd, Benítez remained silent, but took out his glasses and peered from a distance through the lenses, making it abundantly clear that he felt the Staffordshire official needed a visual aid," said the Telegraph. The Liverpool manager added: "We had a meeting the other day, they said we cannot speak about the referees as a person, about the decisions, but everybody could see today the situation."

"I think everyone could see there was a penalty, especially to Voronin," added Benítez. "The third one, you could excuse, you can say that the hand was to the ball or the ball was to the hand. But the other one was so clear that it was unbelievable."

Asked if it was possible to win two penalties away from home, Benítez added: "No, with this referee I knew that this was impossible."

Speaking about 26-year-old forth official, Stuart Attwell and Lee's dismissal, Benítez said: "The fourth official is too young. I don't know how old he is but maybe he needs to calm down a bit."

The article by John Ley ran with the headline: "Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez cannot resist referee rant after defeat to Tottenham"

The Guardian described the incident with Lee as: "The non-award for the Assou-Ekotto handball shout brought the red mist down on Sammy Lee, the Liverpool assistant manager. He directed a volley of abuse at the fourth official Stuart Attwell, who is a relative rookie at the age of 26, and, at one point, Benítez had to step in to separate the pair. Lee could not remain quiet and, after continued protests, he was sent to the stands."

The article by David Hytner also quotes Benitez saying "The fourth official is a young referee and maybe he needs to calm down a bit," but adds:

"He is too young. Sammy will be banned from the touchline but the only thing with Sammy is that he cannot score goals for us. So hopefully Torres will do his job."

The story then says: This was an isolated moment of humour. There was little for Benítez to smile about and, in truth, his moans about the officials not only did him no credit but it obscured the consensus that Liverpool deserved nothing from the game."

The Times says: "Rafael Benítez last night launched a blistering attack on Phil Dowd, accusing the referee of an “unbelievable” decision that the Liverpool manager believed cost his team the chance to equalise in their 2-1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur."

The story by Tony Barrett also goes on to say: "the Spaniard risked censure by the Football Association by criticising both the fourth official and the match referee."

About the spectacle incident, the story says: When asked for his assessment of Dowd’s performance, Benítez calmly produced a case from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a pair of spectacles without uttering another word."

The article adds further quotes from Benitez, adding: "The fourth official is a young referee and maybe he needs to calm down a little bit. I don’t know why Sammy was sent off. The fourth official was too young. I don’t know how old he is, but I think he is too young.”

The story's headline is: "Rafael Benítez makes a spectacle of himself in referee rant"

Elsewhere in the Times, journalist Matt Hughes describes Benitez's spectacle gag as: "a wonderful piece of comedy." Speaking about the match in this story, Benitez said: “We need to improve passing the ball and keeping the ball in midfield,” Benítez said. “As a team we were not in control of possession in the first half so it was difficult for Gerrard and Torres. Alonso was not here, but we won a lot of games without him last year.”

However the writer says: "Benítez should also look to himself, however, because his desire to inject more urgency into Liverpool’s passing game degenerated into a frenzied mess. The Spaniard may have spent too much time listening to the Beatles during five years on Merseyside, because yesterday’s game plan was very much Helter Skelter."

Further on the story says: "Assou-Ekotto’s collision with Andriy Voronin, a substitute, in the 86th minute appeared innocuous and accidental, while claims that the French full back deliberately handled the ball in injury time seemed little more than desperate."

The story finishes on: "Benítez’s comments stemmed from frustration at his side’s first league defeat of the season coming three months earlier than a similar setback on this ground last year, as well as the growing realisation that after some controversial calls in the transfer market this summer he is a man under pressure. If Liverpool are unable to beat Stoke, who left Anfield with a goalless draw last season, Benítez really could have egg on his face."

The Independent is not so gentle with its assessment of the match and even implies that Benitez's position is already under threat, stating: "Eyes blazing, arms outstretched, Rafael Benitez appealed to the referee for a penalty in the dying moments of the game yesterday with the kind of fervour that put him in contravention of any number of Football Association and Premier League respect campaigns. One game gone and Liverpool are feeling the heat."

Adding further spice to a somewhat dull game, the story by Sam Wallace says: "Fernando Torres kicked out at Tom Huddlestone and Lucas Leiva weighed in with a shove to the Tottenham midfielder's chest. But when the whistle went for full-time the rest of the Premier League's big four had left Liverpool in the blocks."

About Benitez, the story says: "The FA's Respect campaign has already got its work cut out with Benitez." The article however does pause to state: "To his credit, Benitez did not try to pretend that Liverpool deserved to win just three months after they dispatched Spurs 3-1 at Anfield on the last day of the league season." It then says: "It is early days yet for Liverpool but, with the exception of the excellent Glen Johnson at right-back, there was little about them that could be argued was an improvement on last season." It also adds: "It would be inaccurate to put a defeat like this down to the absence of Xabi Alonso alone but his departure has undoubtedly made Liverpool weaker."

Elsewhere the same paper says: "Benitez conceded that his team had started poorly. "I think we didn't play well, especially the first half," he said. "We were much better in the second half, pushing harder, more options in the final third. Clearly we have to improve if we want to win these kind of games." It also says: "As for Benitez's verdict on Dowd, it may take the FA's finest legal minds to bring him to book."

Paul Brown writing for the Star opens his article by saying: "Raging Rafa Benitez claimed Liverpool were robbed by ref Phil Dowd at White Hart Lane." The story simply entitled: "RAFA'S RANT" adds: "Benitez was also furious with 26-year- old fourth official Stuart Attwell after he had Reds No.2 Sammy Lee sent from the bench to the stands in the dying stages for complaining.

Elsewhere in the Star the same writer says: "RAFA BENITEZ was hopping mad as shambolic Liverpool’s title charge started with a whimper yesterday." The story adds: "The Kop boss threw his arms in the air and jumped up and down on the touchline as referee Phil Dowd refused his side a late penalty at White Hart Lane." About the penalty claim the writer says: "Dowd was right not to punish Benoit Assou-Ekotto for a challenge on substitute Andriy Voronin with four minutes left."

The papers columnist Brian Woolnough in his 'Wooly's World' article says: "This wouldn't get Anfield a top 10 spot" and adds: "The pressure is right on Benitez after only one game. He can’t afford any more performances like this". The story also reminds us: "Liverpool are the only one of the Premier League’s big four to lose over this first weekend." Wooly the says: "Benitez used the two penalty appeals to try and convince his club’s fans they were unlucky," then adds: "Liverpool supporters are not fools. They know their side were not unlucky."

So, after one match of the new Premiership season played, it appear Benitez is hopping mad ranting in all directions with the prospect of unemployment knocking on his door before too long. With such exploitation packed stories I wish I'd watched the game through the journalists eyes, never mind Rafa's spectacle waving. The reality was this was indeed a poor performance. The team lacked direction and creativity until Yossi Benayoun was introduced. The Reds can't get much worse then this lack lustre performance, but the fact does remain that despite Spurs deserving the victory, the Reds were denied a blatant penalty when Voronin was bundled over by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Missed chances and poor refereeing decisions however count for nothing once the final whistle is blown. The season has just begun and the Reds must and will improve.

Sammy Lee says Madrid match was a watershed moment

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has given a fantastic interview to today’s Times. Lee has been a marvel this past season with the Reds and I think is certainly a contributing factor to the team’s progress on the pitch. “It’s not a job, it’s a vocation” says the ex player, signed by Bob Paisley in 1976. Now as Rafa’s assistant he has every Uefa Pro Licence available “I’ve got every qualification you can get,” he said. Rafael Benitez clearly saw the passion Lee holds for Liverpool Football Club when they met, but also his ability to Speak Rafa’s native language must have been a plus, “My Spanish isn’t great but it’s better than my English – Rafa says that,” Lee said.

Lee, who was appointed by Benitez a year ago, opted not to stay at the club he loved when Gérard Houllier’s regime exited. He instead chose to become part of Sven’s England set up in 2004. “I was the only one who wasn’t sacked,” Lee said. “I left of my own accord. I felt if I was an integral part of the success in that regime, then I was an integral part of the failure. I felt it was the honourable thing to do.”

But Lee had unfinished business with the club and when he was dismissed as manager of Bolton Wanderers, he again met Rafa whilst watching a Liverpool reserve match together. Speaking about his loyalty to the manager Lee said “Rafa has the club solely at heart so I have no problem having a great loyalty to him. He is the best man for this job, so there is no conflict of interest. If my beliefs were radically different to Rafa’s, then he wouldn’t employ me. I know he’s the best man to guide this club to the success it deserves.”

Speaking about the incident that caused such a stink with Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce, lee says: “If I didn’t believe that was the right thing to do then we’d have to part company,” he said. “On the door it says ‘Assistant Manager’ and I’ll assist Rafa in any way, shape or form. I know what went on on the day and it had nothing to do with the opposition. The Liverpool way is to fight our corner when necessary. It is also about respect and humility.”

Lee also gives an insight in to what makes Rafa the man, dismissing that preparation under Benitez is all about statistics; does he have intuition? “He’s got that,” Lee said. “People don’t know that about Rafa, they think he’s analytical but he’s a very emotional man, a very caring man, a family man. He has his gut feelings,” he said. “In football you have to be adaptable. He’s got intuition and that ability to change things. He knows what he wants but he can see things in the course of 45 or 90 minutes. He bounces things off us. It’s a consensus of opinion. That’s the good thing about the man; he listens to people and the great men do.”

Lee also speaks about the incredible run Liverpool went on from March to the end of the season, scoring 43 goals in the last 14 games: “Post Madrid, there was a surge of confidence, having beaten one of the best clubs in the world. If any of the players had any sort of doubts, then those games gave them an added sense of belief. Maybe it was a watershed moment for many.”

Lets hope the confidence and belief continues into next season

Rafa bids for Napoli forward Lavezzi

Transfer Speculation

The Telegraph is reporting that Liverpool have made a bid or Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi. The Italian media have been quick to call him the “new Maradona”, however Lavezzi himself plays this down, instead comparing himself to Carlos Tevez. The article goes on to say: “Reports in Italy that Napoli have rejected an £18 million offer from Liverpool for the Argentinean international Ezequiel Lavezzi suggest he can be added to a list of potential Benitez targets. The forward, who is thought to be keen to leave the club, wants to play in the Champions League and would be a viable alternative to either Tevez or Silva.

His agent, Alejandro Mazzoni, said: "The offer from Liverpool was genuine, and came with a £2.5 million yearly salary." Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, insists Lavezzi "is not for sale, unless an offer too good to refuse arrives."

Setanta Sports News claim that Eduardo Rossetto is the players agent and speaking with La Gazzetta Dello Sport he said: “Napoli own the player, and they have the last word," He goes on to say "I can confirm that an important offer exceeding 20million euros was made, but [chairman Aurelio] De Laurentiis did not consider it sufficient. Will he stay? That depends on Napoli. It's like owning a car. If it's just an average motor then you don't have to spend much on maintenance. But, if it's a high spec type, then it will cost you more. Without going into too much detail, Lavezzi's wages would be tripled."

The Telegraph article also speculates about other targets that Rafa has in his sights with a list of the usual suspects heading top of the list. It goes on to say that “Benitez has already drawn up a list of transfer targets, with Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Glen Johnson his four priorities. Financing those moves will be an issue, though. He is likely to be granted just £20 million for one major signing by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, although he may add to this through sales. Andrea Dossena, Andriy Voronin, Sebastian Leto and Ryan Babel will all be sold if appropriate offers are received."

The Guardian has Martin O’Neil asking Gareth Barry to think twice about a move to Anfield. "People have said before that we 'beat' Liverpool but that wasn't the case," said O'Neill, reflecting on Villa's resistance to Liverpool's attempts to sign Barry 12 months ago. "If they had come up with the deal and met our price then I assume it would have gone through. One of the disappointing aspects for Gareth was that Liverpool were claiming they could only afford this certain [amount] of money and then spent £20m on Robbie Keane almost overnight." Asked if that course of events upset Barry, O'Neill replied: "I'm sure if I was a player I would have been [hurt]. If someone had told me they were coming for me and the next thing they're saying they don't have it and then they go and buy someone else for £20m within a day or two, that would be a different issue."

The piece goes on to say that Barry will need to choose between his desire to play Champions League football or having to cope with the possibility of not playing every game for the Reds. The player certainly has decisions to make in the coming weeks, with the possibility he may let his contract run out and leave Villa on a free transfer next summer. "There is no rush," said O'Neill. "Gareth has got things to ponder and consider. Obviously his own thoughts, not mine, could be more concerned about his England position and obviously that's something that he is considering. He wants Champions League football. The thing to consider is that we would rotate less than other teams and Gareth is one who thrives on playing most weeks."

The Mirror says any potential deal will not be cheap and speculates that "Liverpool will still have to pay at least £10million for Gareth Barry". Barry has been priced between £8-£12 million in the past few weeks by various papers. O’Neil goes on to say: "The price obviously with a year left to run is a different issue," said O’Neill, who has offered Barry a lucrative new deal to stay. But by the same token he is an England international player, he has captained his country and he is still only 28 years old. He wouldn’t come cheaply even in this day and age."

Sky Sports News has Rafa playing down the press speculation regarding summer transfers, saying: "When you know your targets then you read things you can say, 'they have no idea'. I don't waste too much time on this. We have already had about 90 Spanish players linked with us. Today there were three names we do not even know. We have some money, not big money. But for me now it is not about how much, but how good they are for us."

Sammy Lee took Benitez’s place in yesterday’s pre Spurs press conference and confirmed that Xabi Alonso was definitely in Liverpool’s plans for the future, by saying: "The talk about Alonso (going to Real Madrid) is pure speculation. You cannot prevent talk. But we always want to keep the spine of the team, our very best players. You can't stop speculation, but we want to keep the core of our squad, the best players, here. New players will be brought in. You always want to keep improving on the field compared to what we have done this season. There is a platform now to go forward and hopefully win the title, but we have to get the best out of this squad to do it." This confirmed an interview that Rafa gave to Liverpool TV: "It's very clear - Xabi has three years left and we do not want to sell him."

Rafa hails 'close to perfect' Sammy Lee

Rafael Benitez saluted his number two today by calling him “close to perfect”. Speaking to the official site Rafa said “Sammy is someone every player respects. He is very positive and is always pushing. He is a great motivator, so it was a very good addition."

"He is a person who knows the club and he's doing a really good job."

"I don't know any manager who is the perfect manager, so no number two can be perfect. But if you ask me if he is close to being the perfect number two then I think he is.”

Sammy Lee returned to Liverpool last May as assistant coach after a brief spell managing Bolton. One of the less publicised changes Benitez and Lee have introduced has been decorating Melwood and the Anfield tunnel with images of the club's all-time greats, as well as inspirational quotes from the likes of Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona.