Topic: European Cup Final 1/6/19. LFC v THFC

[PoetryInMotion]

Imagine being a bigger club than your rivals for decades and decades and  then in one night, spurs have the opportunity to eclipse anything that arsenal have ever done in their history. Most of us would lose the plot too.

It's their own undoing, they've been poor in the European stages for decades & decades. If they couldn't set it right at their peak, then they have no one else to blame.

[S]

I've only ever met one match going Spurs fan and he was sound. Otherwise I've met few if any other Spurs fans (match going or otherwise). Don't know where some of their fans (and a few of ours) have worked up this hatred. Too much time on the internet I suspect.

The “too much time on the internet” fans are truly the worst kind. That’s true of all clubs.

[PoetryInMotion]

Been saying this all year, in every game, regardless of opposition. Just win, any way, any how, push one last time, everything you have, grab the prize that you've been craving all year, use the anger and disappointment and get it done lads

There will be a sense of an occasion, from media and surroundings, but I think if Klopp makes the players think that this is a normal game that they have to set out to win, they will do it. It keeps things simple, keeps us doing what we usually do, and keeps things simple with no complications.

Last season's final felt a bit overwhelming in that sense, at least I thought the team also felt that a bit.

[elsewhere]

Will Bobby and Salah both be available?

[Fiasco]

Just as baffling seeing people worried that Spurs are going to have a rest period. I mean fucking hell we badly need a rest to get our players back ourselves. We've just seen Mane run his absolute bollocks off to make up for the lads we are missing.

People are overplaying this rest thing. Firstly because we both get the same amount of rest for the likes of Robertson and VVD (playing with a minor foot problem) to recover from, and of course Bobby and Mo to get going again. And secondly because 'rest' at this stage of the season isn't really rest, is it? The final is in June, players from both sets of clubs would have been playing in the World Cup at the same time a year ago (if not games themselves but training camps/friendlies). Aside from a small break in between, both sets of players have played well over 100 games in 2 seasons with very little time off. At what point does it stop being 'rest' and more about a tiny bit of recovery and planning for a final? Bodies on both teams will be aching, sore, playing with knocks.


Going into the final after a 3 week break isn't ideal for either side and I don't think it necessarily favors them over us.

[jillcwhomever]

Will Bobby and Salah both be available?

Salah should be fine, lets see what the Boss says about Bobby tomorrow.

[thom]

Will there be a Public viewing at Anfield?

[Fiasco]

Will there be a Public viewing at Anfield?

Don't think so mate, Take That are playing a week later and logistically it cant be done (not confirmed yet but that's the talk).

[kiwiscouser]

We've already lost two finals in a row [07 and last year]

But I take your point. This is a turning point for this team and for the manager, because this can propel further success

Spurs will be a big threat in the final and I only see as as slight favourites in a one off game.  We have beaten them twice but they put us under real pressure at Anfield.

I expect our experience of last year will be a big plus for us and from what we have seen this year, this Liverpool side are an elite side and incredibly difficult to beat.

Both sides hve shown that you cannot write either of them off. should be a fascinating final. 

[Magix]

Mentality wise, it'd be interesting how each set of players find themselves in on the day of the final. We could be determined, high in deserved confidence and European-final experienced, or, nervy from the weight of expectation of needing to win something finally (a premiership title could set us right at ease in this respect ). Spurs might feel fearless and embrace their underdog status, or implode from the bright lights of the final.

I caught one clip, a mere ONE, on the Ajax-Spurs game, and a panelist was already talking up the Spurs' 'one hand on the trophy' destiny narrative. Should be an avalanche of such drivel in the English press leading up to the final, with Kane probably the central figure in all of this, and the push for him to 'overcome' his injury and lead the anointed English team to victory.

[Perham]

One of the two finalists lost 13 matches in its league this season. THIRTEEN.

The other lost ONE, and is absolutely enraged that it lost in the Final last year.

Is a flukey upset possible? Yes. But I know who I'm betting on.

Obviously spurs so you can jinx them.

[Fiasco]

I caught one clip, a mere ONE, on the Ajax-Spurs game, and a panelist was already talking up the Spurs' 'one hand on the trophy' destiny narrative. Should be an avalanche of such drivel in the English press leading up to the final, with Kane probably the central figure in all of this, and the push for him to 'overcome' his injury and lead the anointed English team to victory.

The celebrations from Spurs yesterday were exhausting for them it seemed. Relief, but absolute exhaustion. They were incredibly emotional and yes, a few of our boys were too the night before. But I just sensed that Spurs felt like they'd won the lottery a bit and had dodged another bullet, whereas we had more control over our comeback. It was lethal and measured; theirs was uncoordinated and crazy.

However, if you dodge a few bullets you start to feel invincible. That would be the concern if they translate that into their play.

[CHOPPER]

This thread should be locked and the person that started it, banned.

You don't start new match threads when there are still other games, and loads of well written and not so well written, bollocks, to contest with first. 



Ye ma

[RobbieRedman]

Don't think so mate, Take That are playing a week later and logistically it cant be done (not confirmed yet but that's the talk).

It only takes a minute, to sort that out

[Jm55]

This thread should be locked and the person that started it, banned.

You don't start new match threads when there are still other games, and loads of well written and not so well written, bollocks, to contest with first. 



Ye ma

[Anthony]

If you've watched us play this season, if you understand our players and manager, if you believe, then you know.

Spurs can have everybody fit, they can continue to pray that half our team will be out injured, they can put in the performance of their lives.

But Tottenham are going to have to literally kill every single one of our players on June 1st to stop them lifting that trophy.

I don't think they'll get away with that with VAR and all that...

Been off sick today so had an opportunity to see the VoxPops of all the Spurs Fans - quite obviously euphoric but telling that they see this as a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity while we seem to see this as an opportunity to make amends for last year (wasn't there a comment from Jurgen that we were determined to get back to put things right?)

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predictions/champions-league/ sees it as a 71/29% probability in our favour - that's quite a call!  (for context they predicted 53/47% in favour of Madrid last year). Factors I can see of relevance are

- This is our third European Final in 3 years (Just as how the experience of 2001 helped us in 2005)
- (With fingers crossed for a final 90 minutes of full-throttle football on Sunday) We are relatively better off for injuries, particularly if Vertonghen misses out. If Kane is unable to play any part on Sunday I would also question whether he could get fully match fit in time (and we all know he is a slow starter usually)
- By all accounts Spurs Fans are finding it difficult to arrange travel because, er, Liverpool Fans have had an extra 24 hours to bag all the flights...

Whatever happens in the next 4 weeks it's been a ride...

[thom]

Don't think so mate, Take That are playing a week later and logistically it cant be done (not confirmed yet but that's the talk).

Okay, didn‘t see that - cheers!

[CHOPPER]

.

[I've been a good boy]

Don't think so mate, Take That are playing a week later and logistically it cant be done (not confirmed yet but that's the talk).

Unless they're planning on having a UFO as a stage, I don't get why it's not possible. Seen stages for Wrestlemania and massive boxing events set up in five days.

[Yosser0_0]

Don't think so mate, Take That are playing a week later and logistically it cant be done (not confirmed yet but that's the talk).

Perhaps at Goodison then instead? 

[Shite Name]

Klopps team talk should be “Lads what’s the point of beating Barcelona, to only then get beat in the final by these cockney fucks”

Joking aside, we can’t get beat by these can we.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Will Bobby and Salah both be available?

Salah yes, who will be ready for this weekend, but no news on Firmino, but I imagine he may have a shot.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

There will be a sense of an occasion, from media and surroundings, but I think if Klopp makes the players think that this is a normal game that they have to set out to win, they will do it. It keeps things simple, keeps us doing what we usually do, and keeps things simple with no complications.

Last season's final felt a bit overwhelming in that sense, at least I thought the team also felt that a bit.

Not sure I agree with it being overwhelming, but the turning point was Salah going off, and I felt that was that, as we had nothing on the bench. We did ok even when Karius gifted them the first goal, we got back into the game relatively quickly. After 2-1, Mane again, almost got us back in, he hit the post.

I think the main issue was our lack of control in midfield [we only had 3 fit midfielders].

Lallana was ineffective, Bobby couldn't really get going and Mane was the only one who was a threat.

[Mr_Shane]

Probably need to take the view of "one game at a time". Our next game is Sunday.

[mikey_LFC]

Is there a prize for it? Nope, it means fuck all.

It means we’ve enjoyed a hell of a season and can shake any negativity in the summer. It provides context and reminds us just how fucking good we are and we’ve been.

Nobody can take the highs of this season away, whether we end up lifting a big shiny thing round our city or not. You don’t need to wait for the end of the season to know whether you’re allowed to lay any significance on what has come before.

We didn’t get a prize for Tuesday night. Does that mean it meant fuck all?

I can’t believe anyone came away from Tuesday with it meaning nothing to them. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything physical, maybe it doesn’t give us anything tangible but it sure as hell means something!

If you’re going to rely on the tangible to define meaning or significance then you’re very rarely going to be happy because the greatest moments of meaning aren’t presented to you all silver and shiny, they’re experienced, lived.

We’ve had one of the greatest seasons in football history, and we’re being told we’ll be disappointments if it doesn’t culminate in silverware. I call bullshit. This team is something to be proud of, something to admire. If they don’t end up winning a trophy, I’ll be damn sure they’ve given everything for it.

How can that be disappointing?

We’ll go to Madrid and we will fight for every last minute of that game to come back with our Big Ears. But if we come up short, as can happen in this game we love, then I’ll still have nothing but love, pride and admiration for this wonderful side we have, because I’ll know they fought until the last for us.

I don’t doubt that trophies will come but nobody is entitled to them and I’m not waiting round for that day to heap adulation on to these players. Their greatness is unquestionable, with or without a medal round their necks.

Enjoy them now. They won’t be here forever. Don’t leave space to regret not appreciating what you had, because you were waiting round for a trophy to verify what you already know. This team of ours is greatness personified, so don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops.

If outsiders want to try and cut us down, then so be it, it’s a sign of respect and fear for what we are. Don’t let yourselves as supporters be fearful of enjoying them to your full extent for fear of ridicule if it doesn’t go according to plan, because that won’t change how incredible this side is. Their laughter comes from relief. Our happiness comes from pride.

For years we’ve yearned for the title, when in reality it’s not the title that brings you joy, it’s the steps taken to get there. Winning the trophy will bring its own joys but it won’t make up for not letting yourself enjoy the ride. And before you know it, it’ll be next season and it all starts again.

If football should teach you anything it’s the old adage that happiness is all about the journey and not the destination. Winning the league is a moment in time that will soon be brushed past and before you know it someone else will be lifting it again. It’s the emotion along the way that will define us.

From Istanbul we talk of Luis Garcia’s Chelsea goal, his Juve goal, the comeback against Olympiakos, Dudek’s mad save etc. We rarely talk about the trophy without thinking about those moments, because they’re what the trophy really means to us.

Whether we win the league or not. Whether we win the European Cup or not. I’ll still have Divvie’s Everton winner. His Newcastle winner. His Barca winner. I’ll still have Salah’s thunderbolt against Chelsea. His winner against Southampton! Mane’s wonder goal v Bayern. Etc. Etc.

We go the game to be part of something in that moment that is bigger than ourselves. We go the game to experience the moments, the brilliance and the connection with thousands of others. If it was all about the trophy why would we bother.

The record I posted reminds us of the brilliance we’ve witnessed. The brilliance we’re witnessing. It is to be lauded no matter what. Enjoy everything about these beautiful relentless bastards. Because they’re ours and they know it. Because they’ll fight for you until the last.

This is no time to be shy about dishing out the praise. We getting to see the greatest football team in the world fight for us, for our city. What a time to be alive!

[Juanyboy]

I really don't like Spurs. Can't handle the idea of them winning the Champions League. Losing against an English team in the final is just unthinkable, going to be so nervous for this.

It's hard not to respect what they've done as a club though. Chelsea threw money at their project until they landed this trophy, City will double down to do the same next season. Spurs are more like us. This stage couldn't have seemed further away when we were fielding the likes of Charlie Adam. The same is true of Spurs when Tim Sherwood was manager. They have a huge new stadium, a brilliant manager and a very talented team. I know the jokes will persist but Spurs really aren't a laughing matter anymore. You don't get to the Champions League final without earning the right, we know that more than anyone.

of the same thinking. I'm very wary of Spurs, we can't go into this thinking that if we turn up we win, Anfield was a wake-up call to me and I hope we'll be studying that game to see what we could have done better. I don't doubt our quality but the way they play does worry me, we need to be fucking mentality m9nsters out there and just get the job fucking done.

[SweetSilverSevens]

Again you're going to the points table. I'm talking about a one-off match.

Which part of that is confusing?

To make it simple, if we have a game against Spurs tomorrow that we 'must' win to stay in the title race/win the title, would you be overtly confident that it is a done thing?

When the actual league game came in that situation, I knew we had a job on our hands, and we had to battle till the end to win it by an own goal past 85 minutes, it was by no means easy. And had they taken a point off us, it would've been by no means an upset in PL terms, only in title race terms. And that was at Anfield. This is at a neutral venue.

And it's not that Spurs haven't taken a single point off a Top 4/Top 6 team this season. They lost both their games to City & Liverpool (not many sides have taken points off them), but they have defeated City in the CL, they have defeated Chelsea in the league, they have defeated Arsenal in the cup, and they have defeated Man United this season. They also drew with Barcelona, beat Inter, Dortmund & Ajax. We have done better, of course, these are just examples of what can happen in one-off games.

It's not a done thing against Wolves. Spurs are better than Wolves and are in a CL final. All that I'm saying is 'don't get cocky' for your (and those with similar posts) sake. We're favourites of course, unlike last season. One thing is on paper. Another thing is on the pitch. Of course, Klopp, his staff and the team will know that they have to give their all. One thing they know is that, at this high level, small margins matter. I have full confidence on Klopp & the team to give everything we can to win the game.

You were talking about PL context. If it was a PL game between two teams between 3rd and 6th, then yes, no result would be a surprise. Liverpool or City losing would be a big shock as they seem to overcome everything that's thrown at them. Even a draw is a shock result in current form (and that doesn't lose us a final).

After the Barcelona game, I believe we can beat anyone on Sunday, if it meant the title is on the line. A place in the CL final was on the line on Tuesday. We didn't just scrape through the game with patches of poor spells and a last minute goal, we were phenomenal throughout!


We literally lost the CL final last season because our goalkeeper chucked the ball into the back of the net twice. If their goalkeeper is prone to making mistakes then I'm happy for us to take advantage of it again.

[Ocean Red]

Spurs don't do draws this season, so it's probably not going to extra time. They'll go for it, they'll leave gaps, they'll play to the end, and they'll be a credit to themselves. But even if both teams have all players available, we edge it on ability and fitness. They leave gaps, we don't. Spurs will leave enough for us to punish them.

POP good points indeed.

[newterp]

It's important to know if

1) the plastic flags are coming with them
2) the cheese room is portable as well

[SweetSilverSevens]

Just as baffling seeing people worried that Spurs are going to have a rest period. I mean fucking hell we badly need a rest to get our players back ourselves. We've just seen Mane run his absolute bollocks off to make up for the lads we are missing.

So many of our players played Tuesday carrying knocks and picking up knocks during the game. We definitely need a bit of time to get players back, especially Firmino.


I hope we find a way to keep some kind of rhythm in the build-up to the final... maybe with some behind close door friendlies or something.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

So many of our players played Tuesday carrying knocks and picking up knocks during the game. We definitely need a bit of time to get players back, especially Firmino.


I hope we find a way to keep some kind of rhythm in the build-up to the final... maybe with some behind close door friendlies or something.

Rhythm wasn't our problem last year in the final. We know how to prepare.

[ANFIELDGATES]

For me the way spurs celebrated last night was like this was "their" final so to speak. It might seem stupid to say it but maybe theyll have a go but ultimately will fall away as the game goes on and theyll be delighted to be even there in the first place!!

[ANFIELDGATES]

You were talking about PL context. If it was a PL game between two teams between 3rd and 6th, then yes, no result would be a surprise. Liverpool or City losing would be a big shock as they seem to overcome everything that's thrown at them. Even a draw is a shock result in current form (and that doesn't lose us a final).

After the Barcelona game, I believe we can beat anyone on Sunday, if it meant the title is on the line. A place in the CL final was on the line on Tuesday. We didn't just scrape through the game with patches of poor spells and a last minute goal, we were phenomenal throughout!


We literally lost the CL final last season because our goalkeeper chucked the ball into the back of the net twice. If their goalkeeper is prone to making mistakes then I'm happy for us to take advantage of it again.

I think if you look back on that final you will see a certain scumbag elbow our keeper in the temple,now im no doctor but id say it certainly played a part in Karius messing up twice...

[SweetSilverSevens]

Will Bobby and Salah both be available?

Salah will be available this Sunday.

Before the Barca second leg, Klopp refused to rule Bobby out for the season, in case we got to the CL final which was about month away from then. I'd say he has a decent chance.

[DHKopper]

Confirmed no screening at Anfield because of Take Fucking That.

[SweetSilverSevens]

I think if you look back on that final you will see a certain scumbag elbow our keeper in the temple,now im no doctor but id say it certainly played a part in Karius messing up twice...

Yes, we were very unfortunate that Karius suffered from concussion during the game.

But to talk about our "lucky" own goal against Spurs at Anfield in the build-up to a CL final, when that's exactly how we lost the CL final last season (goalkeeping errors due to concussion). Take that goal away and it's only a draw. A draw doesn't lose us the final.

The goalkeeping position is one area where Spurs are weaker than us and that's fine by me.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Confirmed no screening at Anfield because of Take Fucking That.

Ridiculous. Should fuck those manc c*nts overboard 

[DangerScouse]

https://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/forum/threads/we-can-be-heroes-champions-league-final-01-06-2019.31579/page-9

Just perusing a spurs forum, some seem to think their name is on the trophy and you can't fault them for thinking that. They'll need  alot more than fate to win it though and our experience in recent European finals will surely count for something. The usual "dippers" references the bellends and one lad saying we are c*nts for having flags. No doubt said gobshite was cheering on England last summer. 

[Super MAC]

Not sure of the exact figure but something like 13 defeats in the league alone tells me this very winnable and fully expect us to do so

[deFacto please, you bastards]

https://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/forum/threads/we-can-be-heroes-champions-league-final-01-06-2019.31579/page-9

Just perusing a spurs forum, some seem to think their name is on the trophy and you can't fault them for thinking that. They'll need  alot more than fate to win it though and our experience in recent European finals will surely count for something. The usual "dippers" references the bellends and one lad saying we are c*nts for having flags. No doubt said gobshite was cheering on England last summer. 

Meh read that if we win. Don't pay it no mind. Another club that seems to think that we have a rivalry with them