RAFA EXPLAINS HYYPIA EURO OMISSION
Joe Curran 09 September 2008
Rafael Benitez today explained his thinking behind the decision to leave Sami Hyypia out of Liverpool’s Champions League group games this season.
The long-serving centre-back was the victim of a new rule implemented by UEFA which states that all clubs taking part in this season's competition must have at least eight home-grown players in their squads for all Champions League matches.

"It was really difficult decision, but we had to do it. With the rule saying that you need more or less eight British - or local - players in the squads, we needed to decide which three centre-backs to have for the Champions League," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

Despite Hyypia's frustration, the Liverpool manager stressed that each of his defenders will get plenty of first-team opportunities over the course of the season.

"We now have four centre-backs who are good enough so they have to compete," said the boss. "And obviously it depends on the number of games we play and how we progress in the cup competitions too, so there could be a lot of games for many of our players."

Meanwhile, Benitez vented his frustration about UEFA's new rule, adding: "Clearly I think it is a mistake. When you play in the Champions League, you need the best players you have on the pitch. It is not about where you are from, it is about the best players. I would understand if this rule came in for the Premier League, but not for the Champions League."

I think in the long run it will reduce standards, if kids know they can get in there because they are from Melwood, but not even half as good as Sami! No wonder we got ripped off on Keane!!! The current rule requires 4 from the clubs OWN academy, as well as 4 from any English academy.

Steven gerrard would not have raised his game to the current standards if he knew he was guaranteed a oplace and did not have to compete for places with Hamman, and at first even smicer. The 'golden generation' of english players is a result of raised standards by europeans. People like Pennant would be even worse, if he knew they had to have him on the pitch. His blase attitude is already bad enough. I think it is a huge mistake and breeds a culture of entitlement and complacency. homegorwn players will no longer have to pursue excellence. Discuss.

will never happen

lol. I want it to happen. If it does the Goons are ****ed!

will never happen

It has already happened in the Champions League! Read the article. In a 25 man Champions League squad you have to have 8 homegrown including 4 from their OWN academy. Squads have to be named for half the season in september and January. this means if injuries occur to a few players in one position, clubs can be forced to play kids from the academies and second rate reserve team players.

We're lucky to have Carra and Gerrard from Melwood, but in future they have to replaced with jokers like Hobbs and spearing. It also means we could not sell Pennant, and had to look for someone like Barry instead of buiying Silva! i bet buying Keane had something to do with this because he came through the Wolves academy.

The goons had to buy Ramsey for this reason, and will inf uture be forced to buy more. I wouldn;t liek to see them get '****ed' because they play good football. On the plus side, at least Walcott will be getting chances soon!

I hope it never happens in the EPL, but this is the beginning and it is bad enough.

lol. I want it to happen. If it does the Goons are ****ed!

wrong we have a very good academy full of English kids and a few of them have already signed pro contracts

It has already happened in the Champions League! Read the article. In a 25 man Champions League squad you have to have 8 homegrown including 4 from their OWN academy. Squads have to be named for half the season in september and January. this means if injuries occur to a few players in one position, clubs can be forced to play kids from the academies and second rate reserve team players.

We're lucky to have Carra and Gerrard from Melwood, but in future they have to replaced with jokers like Hobbs and spearing. It also means we could not sell Pennant, and had to look for someone like Barry instead of buiying Silva! i bet buying Keane had something to do with this because he came through the Wolves academy.

I hope it never happens in the EPL, but this is the beginning and it is bad enough.

thats what im getting at it wont happen in the Prem

BTW lol@France result the other day

wrong we have a very good academy full of English kids and a few of them have already signed pro contracts

until Wenger sells em and uses French/Africans instead!

No Wenger will do what Rafa is already doing: bringing free Hungarians to Melwood! KingoftheAnts you have a point, but things have changed now with that rule. terribel, even if it doesn't happen in the EPL, the CL is bad enough. 25 man squad is not as big as you think!

until Wenger sells em and uses French/Africans instead!


Wenger has already stated his desire to bring through some of the English talent from the academy

any its not like Bentley,Pennet,etc did not get a football education at Arsenal infact if it was not for Arsenal they may not be as technically good because Arsenal's academy focus on developing touch and technique etc they dont have to play for Arsenal to be good players do they

apart from Bentley who has AW let go that was good enough for the first team ? maybe Pennent allthough i dont think so who else

He won't be letting them go anymore! Everyone wants to win the CL.

Wenger has already stated his desire to bring through some of the English talent from the academy

any its not like Bentley,Pennet,etc did not get a football education at Arsenal infact if it was not for Arsenal they may not be as technically good because Arsenal's academy focus on developing touch and technique etc they dont have to play for Arsenal to be good players do they

apart from Bentley who has AW let go that was good enough for the first team ? maybe Pennent allthough i dont think so who else

I agree to a certain extent, with Toure and Campbell/Gallas it would be hard to break into CB but you have to agree that Upson could have done just as good a job if not better than what players like Cygan and Senderos did.

Jamie O'Hara was released by Arsenal and he's doing apretty well at the Yids.

As long as the young player in question between 15 and 21 spends three years in that club's training centre or academy, this qualifies them as a locally trained player - irrespective of their nationality,"

Read this quote earlier, not sure if its still taken into account. Alot of the top clubs today are buying youngsters from all over the world at a young age, so those players are likely to be able to be chosen as 'locally trained' by the time they make it to the 1st squad.

Looking at Liverpool allocations this season:

Liverpool have named Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby as their 'domestic' players, with Robbie Keane, Jermaine Pennant, Steven Irwin and Martin Kelly filling the other spots

I cant see Kelly or Irwin getting any minutes on the pitch, but Darby / Spearing may get an subsitute apperance if Liverpool have a healthy lead at some point.

I dont think its bad idea, but think teams will be trying to sign kids at a younger age than they do now (if thats possible!), in order to get them the necessary 'qualifying' years, in the academy.



Remember years back when there was a phase when you were only allowed 3/4 forigners in your starting line-up. I remember this affetcting Man united's selection as at the time as they had players such as Schmichel, Irwn, Highes, Keane, Canona, Giggs.

Yeah I picked up on that rule before, and I pointed out that is why Rafa is bringing in all htese German, Hungarian and French kids.

I don't think rafa would want to use any of them kids even as subs, but what I am saying is what iof he is forced too? That is unfair on the better foreign first team players. Injuries happen, and last season we were out of centre backs and had to use Alvaro. Half a season is a long time.

Yeah I picked up on that rule before, and I pointed out that is why Rafa is bringin in all htese German, Hungarian and French kids.

Yeah ,Rafa has brought in a squad basically of young players from all over the globe. Hopefully they will be ready to step up and eb used in the first team before to long.

Im liking the look of Nemeth at the minute.

Its a shame for Hyypia as he has been great for us in Europe over the years. Rafa must think we have got enough center backs, with Carragher, Skrtle and Agger.
Im sure he would of had second thoughts over the move to Stoke if he had known he was going to be left out of the squad.

I agree to a certain extent, with Toure and Campbell/Gallas it would be hard to break into CB but you have to agree that Upson could have done just as good a job if not better than what players like Cygan and Senderos did.

Jamie O'Hara was released by Arsenal and he's doing apretty well at the Yids.

thats fair enough Sendy Cygan were crap

Jamie O'Hara is not technically good though that is why AW shuns a lot of British kids rightly or wrongly he likes technical players and his current crop of academy youngesters seems to have that Jack Wilshiere especially

BTW i think Gallas is toilet he is the chavs right back nothing more he deffo aint a good CB like people believe him to be

Yeah ,Rafa has brought in a squad basically of young players from all over the globe. Hopefully they will be ready to step up and eb used in the first team before to long.

Im liking the look of Nemeth at the minute.

Its a shame for Hyypia as he has been great for us in Europe over the years. Rafa must think we have got enough center backs, with Carragher, Skrtle and Agger.
Im sure he would of had second thoughts over the move to Stoke if he had known he was going to be left out of the squad.
Rafa admitted he had his hands tied with the bull**** new rule which he didn;t like one bit. I think Sami should have been chosen ahead of Carra but I suppose he is more versatile and play across the back four in emergencies. I hope Sami will Finnish his career at Anfield.

Nemeth looks good, and so do the other free Hungarians. I remember some scum taunting we would not get Nando and they would because all we did that summer was sign free Hungarians! I got the last laugh when Nando broke horsefaces record, and I wish it gets better with the 'free Hungarians' humiliating them in years to come! That German kid looks good too.

People here think i'm biased but Iswear I never said it about Houllier: Rafa is the new Wenger(transfers), Mourinho(CL tactics) and Scolari(cool tash) rolled into one!

I support this rule, probably can only help the homenations if their players are playing at a higher level.

The only teams it will hurt the most is the like of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

O and Frenchie, support a French team for Christ Sake.

It won't help the home nations because standards have been lowered for them players to get through to the highest level which they will play at! Quota systems will most likely backfire and **** things up.

Well houllier and Plessis made it french enough. but I'm not french anyway, it only says location as France!

Frogs legs are not halal or kosher. Viva La france!

It's a terrible idea.

English players are so ****, it's the only way more of them would make the first teams. Why are England so **** for?

Wenger loves African botty.

If a football club can not find space for eight homegrown players good enough to make a 25-man squad then it is a damning indictment of the club, country and manager involved.

erm, maybe the country but not the manager or club. not their fault english players are ****e! WTF!!! How can it be?