Topic: The Top Six Mini-League Thread... Sponsored by TENA

[LallanaInPyjamas]

The 5 places rule is a bonus position for teams winning the EL.

I don't think the rule has changed regarding CL winners. I've not seen anything to suggest that 4th wouldn't lose their place, as Spurs did to Chelsea.

Villarreal finished 4th in La Liga last season but still qualified for the CL (lost to Monaco in the play-off round) despite Sevilla winning the EL.

El Lobo is right, the only way 4th misses out now is if two teams from the same country also finishing outside the top four win both European competitions.

We should be focusing on finishing 3rd to make all of this and the play-off in August an irrelevance.

[killer-heels]

Villarreal finished 4th in La Liga last season but still qualified for the CL (lost to Monaco in the play-off round) despite Sevilla winning the EL.

El Lobo is right, the only way 4th misses out now is if two teams from the same country also finishing outside the top four win both European competitions.

We should be focusing on finishing 3rd to make all of this and the play-off in August an irrelevance.

All the more reason why Utd having a chance would play well for us. If they could get a draw or even a win at City then it would really help us out.

[Hunts Cross]

All the more reason why Utd having a chance would play well for us. If they could get a draw or even a win at City then it would really help us out.

I think draws among City, United and Arsenal serve us best.

[lfcdave]

FWIW, I think that nothing has been decided as yet. It'll be good practice for us to learn to keep our focus right to the end of the season and try to get as close to a perfect record as we can from the remaining games. And if we do drop points unexpectedly we have to get right back on it with whatever players we're able to field at the time.

Agree with this. We are far from a consistent team, maximum of four wins on the bounce this season shows that. It's going to be tight and the team need to be prepared for it to go to the final game.

[GinKop]

Classic case now of 6 finals coming up. Klopp will surely be telling his players the exact opposite nature of this thread; don't look at or worry about anyone else and what they do/don't do.

Every game coming is going to be the most important game of the season. Nerve jangling stuff, but this is why we're footy fans.

[Crosby Nick]

Agree with this. We are far from a consistent team, maximum of four wins on the bounce this season shows that. It's going to be tight and the team need to be prepared for it to go to the final game.

Equally we shouldn't panic when we (inevitably)  don't win a game. It's very easy for us all to react wildly with one result. After Everton I think most were confident,  after Bournemouth a lot seemed convinced we wouldn't make it, after last night it looks good again. As Neil said on TAW,  we and the teams around us all have our faults which is why were fighting for 3Rd/4th. If we draw at West Brom it's not the end of the world,  think everyone is going to keep dropping points.

Granted winning the next three and virtually putting it to bed early would be much more preferable!

[JerseyKloppite]

Villarreal finished 4th in La Liga last season but still qualified for the CL (lost to Monaco in the play-off round) despite Sevilla winning the EL.

El Lobo is right, the only way 4th misses out now is if two teams from the same country also finishing outside the top four win both European competitions.

We should be focusing on finishing 3rd to make all of this and the play-off in August an irrelevance.

I take it all back.

[Anfield89]

Equally we shouldn't panic when we (inevitably)  don't win a game. It's very easy for us all to react wildly with one result. After Everton I think most were confident,  after Bournemouth a lot seemed convinced we wouldn't make it, after last night it looks good again. As Neil said on TAW,  we and the teams around us all have our faults which is why were fighting for 3Rd/4th. If we draw at West Brom it's not the end of the world,  think everyone is going to keep dropping points.

Granted winning the next three and virtually putting it to bed early would be much more preferable!

Probably take a point there then hopefully have Lallana and Hendo back for the next one.

[Paul1611]

I know West Brom play Pulis football and they tend to do well against the better teams, but their record in the last 6 games is not great. They scored 3 goals (all against Arsenal, but who is not doing that these days) and have lost four without scoring (along with a 0-0 against Man Utd).

This is obvious, but first goal is key here. If we score early, then we will win. But if they score...

We have most points this season in the premier league from losing positions apparently. If we go 1-0 down all is not lost

[88_RED]

We got this..

[Kelvinlfc]

A win on Sunday would put pressure on United against Chelsea and the fans would know it, could create a nice tense atmosphere

[Brian Blessed]

Equally we shouldn't panic when we (inevitably)  don't win a game. It's very easy for us all to react wildly with one result. After Everton I think most were confident,  after Bournemouth a lot seemed convinced we wouldn't make it, after last night it looks good again. As Neil said on TAW,  we and the teams around us all have our faults which is why were fighting for 3Rd/4th. If we draw at West Brom it's not the end of the world,  think everyone is going to keep dropping points.

Granted winning the next three and virtually putting it to bed early would be much more preferable!

Ha, we so much as draw at the weekend and there will be mass panic on here. Luckily Klopp and the players can keep clearer heads.

Hopefully Chelsea thump Untied this weekend.

[JCB]

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2444525.html

Again, I'm almost certain it'd be 4th missing out only if both clubs win their competitions.

You are right.

Wow. It's nice to see that you two can agree on something. Quite surprised 

[killer-heels]

Ha, we so much as draw at the weekend and there will be mass panic on here. Luckily Klopp and the players can keep clearer heads.

Hopefully Chelsea thump Untied this weekend.

If we beat West Brom then id probably want Utd to beat Chelsea. They will still want to put strong teams out against City.

[Brian Blessed]

If we beat West Brom then id probably want Utd to beat Chelsea. They will still want to put strong teams out against City.

I want daylight before I can want an Untied win, although, tbf our GD is as good as a point.

[Living Legends]

I'd be amazed if Chelsea & City don't see off Utd they way all those sides are playing right now. In any case we just need, and I'm sure will, focus on what we need to do. Taking it one game at a time and making them cup finals. The away support was fantastic, as always at Stoke. Everyone do their bit and we'll get there one step at a time. 

[Alan_X]

True but but there's been a few teams there, squeaking 2nd is well in the top 4. Their aspirations may have changed over the years from trophies to top 4 but they have always met them. This year is the exception so it's understandable that people would of backed them to do the usual.

There was a club that played in Europe every season for twenty years from the mid sixties, winning 4 European Cups and 2 UEFA Cups. They went on another run once they got back into Europe, winning another European Cup and another UEFA Cup, topping the rankings as the best team in England...

And then they weren't the highest ranked team in England and they didn't qualify for the knock out phases and then they missed out on Europe completely.

People go on about Arsenal but until last year Chelsea had been in the Champions League for 13 straight seasons. The difference being that they've actually won it in that time as well as picking up a UEFA Cup under Rafa when they dropped out after the group stages. United have missed out on the CL a couple of times but again, they've actually won the thing.

A few year's back you;d have backed Liverpool, Chelsea and United to be in the Champions League every season. Arsenal getting top four has become a 'thing' because it's the only thing they do - it's their biggest trophy (along with the St Totteringham's Day Trophy and the Emirates Cup).

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Villarreal finished 4th in La Liga last season but still qualified for the CL (lost to Monaco in the play-off round) despite Sevilla winning the EL.

El Lobo is right, the only way 4th misses out now is if two teams from the same country also finishing outside the top four win both European competitions.

We should be focusing on finishing 3rd to make all of this and the play-off in August an irrelevance.

Yeah, but the difference was that Valencia didn't win the CL.

Had Valencia won the CL, Villareal would have played in the EL group stages this season regardless of whatever Sevilla did in the EL.

[jepovic]

We have most points this season in the premier league from losing positions apparently. If we go 1-0 down all is not lost

Tbf, that's probably because we've conceded so many early goals.

[rocco]

If we beat West Brom then id probably want Utd to beat Chelsea. They will still want to put strong teams out against City.

No thanks

Utd loss

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Yeah, but the difference was that Valencia didn't win the CL.

Had Valencia won the CL, Villareal would have played in the EL group stages this season regardless of whatever Sevilla did in the EL.

Nah, I'm pretty sure the rules have changed. They'd have still been in the CL had Valencia won the CL and Sevilla not won the EL.

Every nation is now allowed up to five CL spots in the event of a side finishing outside the CL places but winning the CL or EL.

The only way you will miss out on Champions League football through finishing in the last CL spot now is if two teams in your nation win both European competitions and both finish outside the top four.

And that might even only be in Spain, Germany and England. If it was France, for example, and Lyon and Monaco won the EL and CL (imagine Monaco were 5th rather than 1st), the top three (standard CL spots) plus Lyon and Monaco would probably all qualify for the following season's CL.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Nah, I'm pretty sure the rules have changed. They'd have still been in the CL had Valencia won the CL and Sevilla not won the EL.

Every nation is now allowed up to five CL spots in the event of a side finishing outside the CL places but winning the CL or EL.

The only way you will miss out on Champions League football through finishing in the last CL spot now is if two teams in your nation win both European competitions and both finish outside the top four.

And that might even only be in Spain, Germany and England. If it was France, for example, and Lyon and Monaco won the EL and CL (imagine Monaco were 5th rather than 1st), the top three (standard CL spots) plus Lyon and Monaco would probably all qualify for the following season's CL.

Where did you get this info?

[sminp]

It was always silly bedwetting talk this.

Thanks for including me mate  I wasn't bedwetting though, merely saying if anyone is going to give us trouble then Arsenal would be more likely. It's not over yet anyway, but it's looking increasingly likely we'll get top 4 and I'm pretty confident.

[SerbianScouser]

Thanks for including me mate  I wasn't bedwetting though, merely saying if anyone is going to give us trouble then Arsenal would be more likely. It's not over yet anyway, but it's looking increasingly likely we'll get top 4 and I'm pretty confident.

Funny thing about Arsenal is they were top of the league in December. When we are 6-7th in the league we're usually there for the entirety of the campaign. Really hope this means players truly downed their tools on Wenger and that it won't change till the end of the season.

[amirani]

damn! i thought the automatic qualification for 4th placed team kicks in the upcoming UCL season. Just realized it kicks in 18/19 UCL season. 

[Barneylfc∗]

Where did you get this info?

http://kassiesa.net/uefafiles/2015-18-uefa-access-list-explanations.pdf

[Number 7]

The atmosphere surrounding Arsenal is really toxic right now. Fans turned on their players last night and they've been turning on Wenger for quite a while. It becomes incredibly difficult to elevate the spirits in such an environment. I have quite a few close friends who are huge Arsenal fans and they've pretty much given up on the season and couldn't even care less about the FA Cup because they just want change in the direction of the club now. After last night I'd honestly be surprised if they finished in the top 4 now. Especially since they still have to play Spurs and United. Finishing outside the top 4 might set them back quite a few years as I don't think they'll be able to hold on to Sanchez without CL football. Also, for this summer's transfer window they won't be able to attract the top players especially with so much uncertainty surrounding Wenger, Sanchez, Ozil and a few other players.

For us, the task is still is not straight forward by any means because of one reason. We're our own worst enemy. The only team we need to worry about is ourselves and the biggest challenge to our chances is the team itself, and attempting to avoid shooting ourselves in the foot again.

[Caligula?]

Looking at teams that might get into the CL qualifiers from across the leagues and you''ll see teams like Dortmund, Napoli, Sevilla, and Lyon. Dortmund will probably end up qualifying automatically but we really should be aiming for higher than 4th as that qualifying round will be difficult.

[MTred406]

The way I see it if we can get to 75pts it would be very difficult for us to miss out.  So 12pts from 6 matches,all against the mid to bottom half of the table.  If we can't do that then we don't deserve a champions league spot.  Next two matches will be tough for us, away vs West Brom and Home vs Palace 4 points from those and I would feel really good about our chances, 3pts is about where we are now, and 2pts or less is a disaster and really puts the pressure on.

[vallapureddy]

Villarreal finished 4th in La Liga last season but still qualified for the CL (lost to Monaco in the play-off round) despite Sevilla winning the EL.

El Lobo is right, the only way 4th misses out now is if two teams from the same country also finishing outside the top four win both European competitions.

We should be focusing on finishing 3rd to make all of this and the play-off in August an irrelevance.

If I am not wrong a country cannot have more than 5 clubs representing in CL. We would lose 4th only if both Leicester & Man Utd win the CL & EL and finish out of top 4. If only one of them wins, we would make it as 5th team (if we finish 4th).

[drmick]

If I am not wrong a country cannot have more than 5 clubs representing in CL. We would lose 4th only if both Leicester & Man Utd win the CL & EL and finish out of top 4. If only one of them wins, we would make it as 5th team (if we finish 4th).

Well strictly speaking- they would make it as a 5th team surely?

[El Lobo]

If I am not wrong a country cannot have more than 5 clubs representing in CL. We would lose 4th only if both Leicester & Man Utd win the CL & EL and finish out of top 4. If only one of them wins, we would make it as 5th team (if we finish 4th).

Seems pretty obvious doesn't it

[naka]

If Liverpool fail to qualify it means we have monumentally fecked up.
We have the points on the board, a reasonable run in compared to the others so for me we should be targeting coming 3rd not worried about simply qualifying.
We are Liverpool,
Why are Man City expected to come 3rd and we are panicking about qualifying.

[Fordy]

If we beat West Brom then id probably want Utd to beat Chelsea. They will still want to put strong teams out against City.

Sorry Killer don't get this thinking at all!

[Bendomac]

Totally didnt know about that team 5 limit. Greizmann will see to this eventuality tonight.
Down with Leicester.

I disagree with hoping Man Utd pick up points vs rivals, they are the only threat I feel now after the Palace result for Arsenal.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Sorry Killer don't get this thinking at all!

Me neither. I fail to see how United winning any game is good for us.

[Frizzo]

Yeh finishing above Arsenal being a miracle was just a bit wet.

Wait wait wait...

Did someone actually say finishing above arsenal this season would be a MIRACLE?

Jesus wept.

I'll take my bedwetting with a side of hysterical hyperbole please.

[KopThat]

There is always an outside chance that Leicester win the CL, Red Mancs win the EL, and we finish 4th and don't qualify for CL

[Frizzo]

There is always an outside chance that Leicester win the CL, Red Mancs win the EL, and we finish 4th and don't qualify for CL

Now THAT would be a miracle.

[Lycan]

If Liverpool fail to qualify it means we have monumentally fecked up.
We have tnts on the board, a reasonable run in compared to the others so for me we should be targeting coming 3rd not worried about simply qualifying.
We are Liverpool,he poi
Why are Man City expected to come 3rd and we are panicking about qualifying.

Firstly, if City win all their games, they'll finish 3rd no matter what we do. On paper the only tricky game they have left is the Manchester derby. Beat them and the rest looks pretty easy for a squad with that talent.

Secondly, It's not panicking. It's just people realising that finishing 3rd isn't quite in our hands yet.