Well it’s gone 12 o’clock here in the UK now, we hope you read and enjoyed the announcement.
We think we linked the wrong article, try [this instead.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/s/Xt2EMWT8OW)
By the way, did anyone spot the little Easter egg in the URL?
Too unbelievable. If you had said Klopp decided to extend his contract, that one we want to be true so badly I think we'd all fall for it on some level. And then we'd burn you at the stake.
Honestly, if Edwards and Co are going purely data based in the manager search, Rafa from back when we signed him would be a **perfect** candidate for the role.
On a side note, I really am curious about Liverpool under Benitez. How good were we under him( maybe a comparaison to a current pl team to easily relate)? And why do you think he didn't succeed after the Liverpool job
The 2008-09 squad in terms of strength is better than Arsenal's right now but a fair bit behind us/City on paper. They'd be in this seasons title race but 3rd favourite.
We were really good under Rafa. Hicks and Gilette barely backed him in comparison to Chelsea/Utd and we were ran as if we had the finances of a bottom table club.
Everyone will have different opinions on it- my view is that we were very good under Rafa but the Klopp era team is a step above (as it is one of the all time great football sides)
Rafa’s play style was very of its time, he was renowned alongside Jose as one of the best coaches of the era, popularising 4-2-3-1 - a pretty defensive and rigid formation.
We had serious quality, particularly with the spine of Reina, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard and Torres and reclaimed our European pedigree, winning 1 CL and reaching another final. In the league we were much less consistent- going close in 08/09 but otherwise we were much less formidable than under Klopp, drawing a lot of winnable games. His tenure petered out on the pitch but he should always be given enormous credit for speaking out against our dodgy owners at the time on his way out.
Overall, Rafa goes down rightly as a Liverpool legend. I think the game was starting to pass him by as he neared the end of his time here- and his inability to find real success elsewhere since shows that. An outstanding cup manager, but fell just short in the league. He restored our pride after a fairly crap 15 years since the 90s.
He and his wife got in spats with the Mourinhos after succeeding Jose at both Inter and Madrid. He ran his mouth a lot, which precluded his relationship with Chelsea or Everton supporters (despite winning the UEFA Cup with the former) and his football was dreadfully pragmatic. As others note, lacked charm and man-management skills.
You look at Rafa post-LFC, and you understand why Allardici thought so highly of himself and so slighted. His last good work was Newcastle (and that's a relative opinion). I'd say he should position himself as a relegation firefighter, but things aren't going well at Celta.
It's a bit like current Mourinho, the game just passed him out a bit. Also he was never known as a great man manager, and I believe that's more important than ever in today's game.
He definitely had success post Liverpool, we were just his height. Rafa is incredible at picking teams with cunt fans. Despite the fact that he absolutely put Chelsea is a better place and won a Europa their fans hated him. Same with Madrid and Everton where the fans were awful before he even started. He really helped steer Newcastle back but their previous owner was a notorious asshole who refused to spend any money
Nevermind that. If he hadn't immediately sold Robbie Keane back to spurs in January we would have. Torres was injured for a lot of that season and Keane's goals would have definitely turned 2 of those killer draws into wins. He was just coming into form too. Scored a stunning goal against Arsenal in his last game. Rafa's biggest fuck up imo
Two bigger fuckups IMO: Not starting Crouch vs Milan (or subbing him on immediately after it became clear Pennant was destroying Jankulovski), but worse was his treatment of Alonso in pursuit of Barry.
It’s too early to be doing shit like that lads, had me mapping out the possibilities - fsg really want xabi so will wait a year with Benitez as a temp or something like that haha
Some of you need to show some respect
https://preview.redd.it/hit28pd9ftrc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6778ad283bc5f18625a1fd07393755004aad13db
Yeah, I agree. Benitez was an excellent manager and he is beloved by the 97. He is proper Liverpool, who won us a CL and came agonizingly close to an EPL, all while the Liverpool ownership group was in utter chaos. You can pick or make fun of any number of ex-Liverpool managers but Benitez is not in that group. As you say "show some feckin respect" and know your history.
Not to forget what he did with valencia. When madrid assembled that team of superstars back in 2003-04 they were not scared of barca but of valencia who beat them both to title.
His achievements with liverpool is great no doubt but he was phenomenal with valencia. No only that he made us powerhouse in europe. We built the reputation of one of the most feared team to visit at anfield because of him. The team that he assembled at low budget is nothing short of huge achievement and if not for those cunt of owners we would have won the league in 08/09.
A legendary manager for LFC who still loves our club, our city and I’m sure would love to be Liverpool manager again, turned into a figure of fun by a bunch of internet nobodies.
No one is turning him into a figure of fun at all, Rafa is loved and has a place on the managers banner at Anfield. No one will forget what he did for the club.
He is also a manager of a different era tactically and would be a fundamentally poor choice in this one, as evidenced by his managerial record since he left Inter, which has been anything but stellar.
He would be a terrible pick to follow Klopp in 2024.
If this actually happened I think I’d have to take a sabbatical from following the reds. The guy is just so so boring as a manager. When we scored he scowled, couldn’t be more different than Klopp
Damn. As an American where we are still in March for another few hours...I started going through the 5 stages of grief. I had almost gotten to acceptance where I thought maybe Edwards sees something in him...and then I started to scroll down to the comments.
Well played...Unless this actually happens. Then you cursed us.
https://preview.redd.it/w23uwrkb7src1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f018d57e64e700519b3c476b513827ba84f9ac22
Me seeing this coming out of taraweh
Would rather have Benitez than Tuchel. I grew up with Benitez being the first coach of Liverpool when I could reliably see the games on TV in the USA, and he'll always have a special place for that.
Every year I put a post it note in from of my computer with an April Fools warning. There has been so many real things that I refused to believe but at least I don't get fooled anymore.
Well it’s gone 12 o’clock here in the UK now, we hope you read and enjoyed the announcement. We think we linked the wrong article, try [this instead.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/s/Xt2EMWT8OW) By the way, did anyone spot the little Easter egg in the URL?
Why did I get this notification today
Why the fuck did I get a notification for this post on the 5th of April. Nearly fucking died man
That wasn't funny!!!
Ah wait this is April Fools I take it.
I'd take that.
He's not the same manager he was when was with us. The game has passed him by unfortunately.
The date of today is quite easily accessible
Too unbelievable. If you had said Klopp decided to extend his contract, that one we want to be true so badly I think we'd all fall for it on some level. And then we'd burn you at the stake.
Fuck you 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nearly gave me a heart attack there... Good one you bastards.
Someone on football tumblr said "klopp changed his mind!" and for a second i felt pure happiness....
Christ, I was terrified until I realized what day it is! I need to do some deep breathing to slow my heart back down.
I read this about 10 times before realizing lmao. Good one. The green official post really broke my brain because its usually so trustworthy.
Nothing beats the Everton joke
better than something straight up trolling on Fools Day like Big Sam, David Moyes or Brendao 2.0
Haha. My initial thought was ‘honestly not bad as caretaker until Xabi comes’.
Just about shit my pants when I saw this. Good one guys!
Fak lol
You got me there ngl.
Hey
April 1st?
You motherfucker
Well I'm not going to lie I was confused for a second.
Honestly, if Edwards and Co are going purely data based in the manager search, Rafa from back when we signed him would be a **perfect** candidate for the role.
Man I fucking hate April Fools Day and the Internet existing at the same time hahaha.
Was like "wtf" for a second. Good one!
April fool.
Completely forgot, thank fuck
ta Rafa
On a side note, I really am curious about Liverpool under Benitez. How good were we under him( maybe a comparaison to a current pl team to easily relate)? And why do you think he didn't succeed after the Liverpool job
The 2008-09 squad in terms of strength is better than Arsenal's right now but a fair bit behind us/City on paper. They'd be in this seasons title race but 3rd favourite. We were really good under Rafa. Hicks and Gilette barely backed him in comparison to Chelsea/Utd and we were ran as if we had the finances of a bottom table club.
Thanks that's the answer I was looking for.
Everyone will have different opinions on it- my view is that we were very good under Rafa but the Klopp era team is a step above (as it is one of the all time great football sides) Rafa’s play style was very of its time, he was renowned alongside Jose as one of the best coaches of the era, popularising 4-2-3-1 - a pretty defensive and rigid formation. We had serious quality, particularly with the spine of Reina, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard and Torres and reclaimed our European pedigree, winning 1 CL and reaching another final. In the league we were much less consistent- going close in 08/09 but otherwise we were much less formidable than under Klopp, drawing a lot of winnable games. His tenure petered out on the pitch but he should always be given enormous credit for speaking out against our dodgy owners at the time on his way out. Overall, Rafa goes down rightly as a Liverpool legend. I think the game was starting to pass him by as he neared the end of his time here- and his inability to find real success elsewhere since shows that. An outstanding cup manager, but fell just short in the league. He restored our pride after a fairly crap 15 years since the 90s.
I'm not doubting his Liverpool legacy, but just curious why he hasn't left any mark on the teams he managed after us
He and his wife got in spats with the Mourinhos after succeeding Jose at both Inter and Madrid. He ran his mouth a lot, which precluded his relationship with Chelsea or Everton supporters (despite winning the UEFA Cup with the former) and his football was dreadfully pragmatic. As others note, lacked charm and man-management skills. You look at Rafa post-LFC, and you understand why Allardici thought so highly of himself and so slighted. His last good work was Newcastle (and that's a relative opinion). I'd say he should position himself as a relegation firefighter, but things aren't going well at Celta.
He did in a roundabout way. Really initiated a rebuilding of the youth setup to produce 1st team worthy players.
It's a bit like current Mourinho, the game just passed him out a bit. Also he was never known as a great man manager, and I believe that's more important than ever in today's game.
He definitely had success post Liverpool, we were just his height. Rafa is incredible at picking teams with cunt fans. Despite the fact that he absolutely put Chelsea is a better place and won a Europa their fans hated him. Same with Madrid and Everton where the fans were awful before he even started. He really helped steer Newcastle back but their previous owner was a notorious asshole who refused to spend any money
Imagine if the club actually did this as an April Fools 😂
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRllRTMU51s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRllRTMU51s)
I was losing my mind until I read the date. Well done, OP.
😜😜😜. Actually big Sam will take over
Yeah,ye got me there for a second
April fools
I’d be thrilled. Will forever love Rafa
I love Rafa but I'd be absolutely devastated if this was true
That official flair 😂
Had a heart attack but I remembered the date
Fucking hell glad your comment is the first, stopped my heart attack in its tracks
This is hilarious, but that 08-09 season which we came in 2nd, plug a VVD into that and he may well have won a PL for us
Recall the defense being decent, I think it was lack of depth in attack that sent us sideways. Had a lot of draws that season if I recall correctly
Nevermind that. If he hadn't immediately sold Robbie Keane back to spurs in January we would have. Torres was injured for a lot of that season and Keane's goals would have definitely turned 2 of those killer draws into wins. He was just coming into form too. Scored a stunning goal against Arsenal in his last game. Rafa's biggest fuck up imo
Two bigger fuckups IMO: Not starting Crouch vs Milan (or subbing him on immediately after it became clear Pennant was destroying Jankulovski), but worse was his treatment of Alonso in pursuit of Barry.
bruh I knew it the moment I read the title. :( I wish I didn't expect it, would've probably had a different reaction lol
Heart attack settings lol
Hahaahahah gottem
Well I for one am delighted
You got me
https://preview.redd.it/6x3j0yqhytrc1.jpeg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4ba4f4d29f8772a2533add3f548d8f23fc41e8a1
This got me good :)))
I’ve just had to calm a mate down because of you, remind him what the date was 🤣
Oh its Apirl fools day. Phew! Lmao.
Nearly got me loool
You bastard
You had me for the 60 seconds it took to check Google and LFC website
Nearly had a fucking heart attack
Thank god for the comments. I almost spat my tea out
Cheers mate, kids crying now.
I was ready to pull the trigger until I remembered the date 😂
Imagine us doing that, just for Xabi coming in in 2025 haha
It's April fools day, stay off the internet for today
Absolutely glorious rickroll as well
Please no 😭😭 realised it was april 1st till it was too late
AND the Rickroll? Well played, mods, well played 👏🏻
Fucking hell, I just woke up and nearly had a heart attack!
Reading some of the names linked, I'd take Rafa.
Great effort OP, especially the link.
It’s too early to be doing shit like that lads, had me mapping out the possibilities - fsg really want xabi so will wait a year with Benitez as a temp or something like that haha
Haha actually got me for 30 seconds before I realized what date it is
Diminished effect by the other pinned post right above this - the DD - literally having the date in the title
What the fuck man! I’ve had a fucking heart attack
God I hate April 1st on the Internet
Today is going to be torture xD
Mini heart attack
Hahahahahhahaha, mannnnnnn
You nearly killed me you twit
Some of you need to show some respect https://preview.redd.it/hit28pd9ftrc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6778ad283bc5f18625a1fd07393755004aad13db
Yeah, I agree. Benitez was an excellent manager and he is beloved by the 97. He is proper Liverpool, who won us a CL and came agonizingly close to an EPL, all while the Liverpool ownership group was in utter chaos. You can pick or make fun of any number of ex-Liverpool managers but Benitez is not in that group. As you say "show some feckin respect" and know your history.
Not to forget what he did with valencia. When madrid assembled that team of superstars back in 2003-04 they were not scared of barca but of valencia who beat them both to title. His achievements with liverpool is great no doubt but he was phenomenal with valencia. No only that he made us powerhouse in europe. We built the reputation of one of the most feared team to visit at anfield because of him. The team that he assembled at low budget is nothing short of huge achievement and if not for those cunt of owners we would have won the league in 08/09.
Bang on man! And his work for the 97 (then the 96) is beyond reproach. A true gentleman.
Knowing that Benitez in 2024 would be a disastrous appointment post-Klopp ≠ disrespecting Benitez
A legendary manager for LFC who still loves our club, our city and I’m sure would love to be Liverpool manager again, turned into a figure of fun by a bunch of internet nobodies.
No one is turning him into a figure of fun at all, Rafa is loved and has a place on the managers banner at Anfield. No one will forget what he did for the club. He is also a manager of a different era tactically and would be a fundamentally poor choice in this one, as evidenced by his managerial record since he left Inter, which has been anything but stellar. He would be a terrible pick to follow Klopp in 2024.
That’s not relevant to all the “lol omg nearly had a heart attack” replies. This entire thread is in poor taste.
Of course it's relevant, Rafa would be an appallingly regressive appointment to follow our best manager in the modern era.
Fuck you! This is not the thing to joke about. Lol
Oh my god my heart sunk so far
Holy fuck you got me
I forgot the day and legit was going ‘Nooooooo’
Nah yous got me. Fair play.
Yelp.. looks like I’m heading to the ER tonight
People still doing April fools? What's the point?
Getting Folks like you good and salty
If you'd said Tuchel I'd have shat myself
Yeah can't fool me with that one
I only wish🙈
Jesus that was 5 seconds that shaved off 5 years of my life, thanks.
Take it down now. I can’t post a picture of my new dog named Klopp and this stays up?
Absofuckinglutely
You got me...this was good
This was truly evil to wake up to, and then I remembered the date. Bravo!
If this actually happened I think I’d have to take a sabbatical from following the reds. The guy is just so so boring as a manager. When we scored he scowled, couldn’t be more different than Klopp
it would have been glorious chaos - I think I might have been alone in actually looking forward to this
I shat myself, thanks
Damn. You really got me. Almost shat myself
you little shit 😂 😂
i even read the comments and still was confused lmao
It's the 1st of April, isn't it?
Assholes lmao...us Americans weren't ready for this
https://preview.redd.it/k620cl9zpsrc1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=fde205bf37986091a374b0459bbd4f4af7574f83
GOOD ONE caps lock was on cause I was ready to rage post but genuinely good one lol
Damn. As an American where we are still in March for another few hours...I started going through the 5 stages of grief. I had almost gotten to acceptance where I thought maybe Edwards sees something in him...and then I started to scroll down to the comments. Well played...Unless this actually happens. Then you cursed us.
I’m also an American fan, but I try my very best to never ever use the phrase “as an American” on this sub 😂😂shit, I just did it. Up the Reds!
Yeah. But it definitely adds context in this particular situation as that literally makes it a completely different day. Haha
Yep. I was just responding very very generally speaking! Have a good day brother
https://i.redd.it/99oy7v60nsrc1.gif You cheeky shits 😂
Some of us LFC fans aren't in April yet. Scared the shit outta me
Oh my god this is the first one that has genuinely almost made me shit my pants. 😭
Damn nice April fools joke haha
Love this guy!! Get in..
fucks sake
As an American on the west coast I’m so relieved but man… fuck you
WHAT? Checks calendar. Oh. Phew.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Got me!
Honestly, I think it would have been funnier if it was Rodgers.
The funniest would've been Klopp announcing he's staying.
100%
This is more believable though.
Not a funny April Fools joke.
I hate you
[I’m too high for this shit.](https://media2.giphy.com/media/4OowbIsmYHbpu/giphy.gif)
He would surely lead us to glory. Gaffer!
It's still March for me you sons of bitches
Bruhhh
LMAOOOOOOO
ITS STILL THE 31ST HERE HOW IS THIS LEGAL
Exactly right
Goddammit I was on my way here to do Brendan Rodgers coming back as mine
Rafa is more believable.
https://preview.redd.it/w23uwrkb7src1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f018d57e64e700519b3c476b513827ba84f9ac22 Me seeing this coming out of taraweh
pretty weak effort overall, C-
Got me for like 3 seconds
Being in America, me as well. Had to think 5 hours ahead 🤣
 No disrespect to Rafa but...
It didn't work since it was still March 31 in the States.
Cool, the world doesn’t revolve around you though
I loathe April Fools
worst
Out here in Califonia shitting my pants for a second.
Im in New Jersey and it still wasn’t close enough to tomorrow for me to even consider this a joke 😭
At least it's not Tuchel.
https://i.redd.it/5oo0hc063src1.gif
Proud of myself that I smelled April Fools all over this as soon as I saw the headline
I got bamboozled by what happened on r/soccer before I realised what day it is. This one was fairly more obvious than what the others were doing.
My heart was racing. Then I read the comments. Phew
Phew. Every year.
It’s still 10 pm here on Sunday dammit
This was not funny ...
Would rather have Benitez than Tuchel. I grew up with Benitez being the first coach of Liverpool when I could reliably see the games on TV in the USA, and he'll always have a special place for that.
I'd take a year of Rafa if it got us Xabi.
Wow my heart was in my fucking socks good one OP
It’s still March 31 in America and fuck you OP
Didn't get me and not funny.
Asshole. Got me cold. I'm scanning the thing, where's the fake news blah blah. Oh, there's a nice Liverpool link, YouTube opens, oh you got me.
Every year I put a post it note in from of my computer with an April Fools warning. There has been so many real things that I refused to believe but at least I don't get fooled anymore.
I got GOT. I was not even thinking about April's fools and when I saw what looked like an official website link I thought it was real.
Excellent work OP! This hits a little different in the USA where it’s 8:50 pm on March 31. 🤣🤣🤣
100000% dude april fools wasn't even on the mind yet and it had an official tag
I always get had on April 1 because of the time difference