Topic: Chasing the Title

[Felch Aid]

None of the teams city play have anything to play for so I'm struggling to see anything other than 3 fairly routine wins.

All we can do is make sure we force them to win. Can't ask for more than that.

[LFC when it suits]

Rotate vs Newcastle. Focus on what we can control which is winning the biggest competition in the land.

[M(oaning) B(ecomes) E(mbarrassing)]

City are winning the title I'm afraid. Praying for miracles from other sides is a recipe for a mental breakdown. It's our best points tally in forever, so we can have no complaints at all about our team - just complaints that City have been allowed to spend billions and billions more than they could ever hope to generate, and have used fake advertising contracts to dupe FFP and UEFA with ease. Think of the CL, and place some hope there. The title is gone.

I'm in agreement with this.  I know people think City would have felt invincible if they'd beaten Spurs in the big cup but that would have been Liverpool's best outcome because their players wouldn't have had to raise themselves as they can and must in every game left now.  They've got players who wouldn't have risked winning that 50-50 ball (as our players will have no choice on now) in a league match when weighing up the options of getting injured and missing the semi or final of a cup Manchester City have never won before.  Let's be pragmatic about this and focus on the advance Liverpool have made and the possibility we'll not be up against Guardiola next season.  Not use hoping for the impossible.  It MIGHT happen, but don't get all churned up when it doesn't. 

[Jack The Lad]

Rotate vs Newcastle. Focus on what we can control which is winning the biggest competition in the land.

Absolutely no chance we do that. We need to win all our games just in the off chance City have a bad day at the office. We need to win our last three games just in case City do miraculously drop points.

[killer-heels]

Rotate vs Newcastle. Focus on what we can control which is winning the biggest competition in the land.

Thats over a week and 2 games away. Klopp will have a decision to make if we have a couple of knocks or some players are exhausted. Of course it will all depend on what City get up to against Burnley.

[WorldChampions]

My predictions?

Going to get Messi'd in the semi finals and lose the title with 1 point or 3.

God, your a barrel of laughs aren't you.

[Nick110581]

None of the teams city play have anything to play for so I'm struggling to see anything other than 3 fairly routine wins.

All we can do is make sure we force them to win. Can't ask for more than that.

Could argue it makes the more dangerous.

[Tiz Lad]

Rotate vs Newcastle. Focus on what we can control which is winning the biggest competition in the land.

Thats over a week and 2 games away. Klopp will have a decision to make if we have a couple of knocks or some players are exhausted. Of course it will all depend on what City get up to against Burnley.

If as expected City beat Burnley and we're still in the tie after Wednesday, fully expect some rotation.

I also fear, again if we're in the tie after Wednesday, we'll be a few % off our best and MAYBE drop points, with one eye on an enormous second leg 3 days later

[spider-neil]

Before the new year City dropped points in 5 fixtures.
Since the new year City has dropped points in 1 fixture.
January, February, March, April = 3 points dropped

That's winning nearly half a season of games in a row. Little you can do against that level of consistency

[Tiz Lad]

Isn't he a Liverpool fan?
Ole is a Liverpool fan, unfortunately his team is fucking shit.

And Burnley's aren't? Their league position tells you how good they are

[killer-heels]

Before the new year City dropped points in 5 fixtures.
Since the new year City has dropped points in 1 fixture.
January, February, March, April = 3 points dropped

That's winning nearly half a season of games in a row. Little you can do against that level of consistency

I said it before but they have won every game bar 1 in the league since Boxing Day. They have won all but two games across 4 competitions in that time.

Its an unreal level of form and one I didnt think they could do. But there you go.

I knew they were not going to win the CL though. They are not winning that next year either.

[El Lobo]

Before the new year City dropped points in 5 fixtures.
Since the new year City has dropped points in 1 fixture.
January, February, March, April = 3 points dropped

That's winning nearly half a season of games in a row. Little you can do against that level of consistency

Before they lost to Chelsea they’d won 13 and drawn 2 out of 15 games

This isn’t the first time this season we’ve had people on here thinking they won’t drop any points....

[Rainbow Laces]

Before the new year City dropped points in 5 fixtures.
Since the new year City has dropped points in 1 fixture.
January, February, March, April = 3 points dropped

That's winning nearly half a season of games in a row. Little you can do against that level of consistency

In comparison, we dropped points in 3 fixtures before the new year and 5 fixtures since. That's it, two fixtures difference, SO FAR. (Capitalized because it's obviously not done yet and more could come).

[Nick110581]

It is simple really.

Win our next two which are before they play.

See what happens.

[killer-heels]

And Burnley's aren't? Their league position tells you how good they are

Burnley are shite.

The only side with any real quality City have to play is Leicester. The gap and break for City before that though is big and thats what makes City winning that heavy favourites.

However Leicester are in decent form to go with that quality as their players are probably wanting to put their case for being a part of Rodgers’ plans going forward.

[Nick110581]

Burnley are shite.

The only side with any real quality City have to play is Leicester. The gap and break for City before that though is big and thats what makes City winning that heavy favourites.

Leicester have same break though.

[killer-heels]

Leicester have same break though.

They do, albeit that break wipes out an advantage Leicester will have and we need them to have all the advantages if possible.

The good thing is their form is decent and many players are trying to be in Rodgers’ plans going forward.

Its a tricky game for City as Leicester have a threat and any side with a threat always has a chance. But I just cannot see City dropping points in that, not in the context of where we now are and whats at stake.

[redk84]

We're relying on a punchers chance from one of the teams left.....
Or City to have a bad day or whatever

Its football. Shit can happen so lets hope it happens to them

[Rainbow Laces]

Burnley are only where they are because they fucked up the first half of the season with eyes on Europe and trying to play with a little more panache. When they went back to long ball/set pieces as their mainstay, they improved. But people are looking at this fixture on paper too much for my liking. On paper City win by streets. On the pitch you have a long-ball Burnley side that just needs to play for free-kicks in City's half. From there they can create chances from set pieces, and City haven't had much in the way of defending things like that for some time. If they can keep it tight at the back then they could get something out of that game for sure.

[spider-neil]

From now on I'm looking at City's results after the event. Fucking shit that I was supporting the red shite for the first time ever and that fluffed their lines. You had one job, Manu. One fucking job.

[LFC when it suits]

I said it before but they have won every game bar 1 in the league since Boxing Day. They have won all but two games across 4 competitions in that time.

Its an unreal level of form and one I didnt think they could do. But there you go.

I knew they were not going to win the CL though. They are not winning that next year either.

They aren't good enough to win the Champions League where they have to play teams that don't roll over and die for them before the game starts. As a league team, they are incredible

[Caligula?]

It all feels a bit like 2014 after the Chelsea game when we were relying on Everton, Aston Villa and West Ham to do us a massive favour against a City team that was far more inferior than the one they have now. This probably feels an even taller order given the run of form they're on now. In 2014 they had actually dropped plenty of points until we contrived to throw it away. That being said, the Champions League is a ray of light. A massive one at that. We're just two matches away from a final with either Tottenham or Ajax. We have every chance of doing it this time.

[LiverBirdKop]

My only hope for the remainng games was Spurs. 19 is gonna have to wait I'm afraid.

[Dave D]

Well the saying ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ no longer applies. You’ve got to sprint from start to finish if you want a fighting chance against the slave owners.

[killer-heels]

Well the saying ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ no longer applies. You’ve got to sprint from start to finish if you want a fighting chance against the slave owners.

Yep.

I remember the Palace game away and saying it wasnt must win and I think it was PoP saying it was. Turns out, pretty much every game you have to win now.

That said, I am convinced they don't get the same level of points next season. We have to probably target the mid 90’s though.

[SinceSixtyFive]

I still say we're doing the double and will do until it happens or becomes impossible.

I'm honestly baffled by fellow Reds who predict City winning the league. Where is the joy in that attitude? The fun? The passion? These are some of the many reasons I support Liverpool FC. It is, after all, a voluntary activity. Nowadays, in my advanced years  I tend to restrict my voluntary activities to things that have a positive effect on my life.

Its impossible to be realistic about the outcome of football matches. What you can do, though, is mindlessly repeat the most likely outcome of fixtures.

But, again, wheres the fun in that?

Unless its an attempt to "avoid disappointment" I really don't get it.

Sadly "avoiding disappointment" is also impossible in life which is something most of us realise around the time we reach puberty. We deal with our disappointments when they happen, learn and grow from them, appreciate the positive things and move on.

Actually, sounds a lot like what Liverpool under Jurgen have been doing the last couple of seasons doesn't it? Look where its got us - we are in an absolutely brilliant spot at the moment and as most would acknowledge, things are only going to get better.

And here endeth the sermon 

Now, roll on tomorrow night!

17-0 Liverpool even though I realise I'm flirting with the horror of being seen to be wrong on an anonymous football forum 

[El Lobo]

Actually quite comforted by the custom titles of the ones telling us it’s over

‘Not got a fucking clue. Life is well, a bit of a long time. And that unconditional support thing can be a bit of a drag. Something better may come along. circumscribed’

‘Moan, moan; bitch, bitch, shoulda-coulda-woulda!’

‘Hates everyone and everything. Including YOU! Negativity not just for Christmas’

‘Mr Negativity here, I’m worried about... Everything. In no danger of saying anything positive about anyone or anything any time soon.....’

‘A moron. Twice. No flies on their nullshit’

Well the saying ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ no longer applies. You’ve got to sprint from start to finish if you want a fighting chance against the slave owners.

Considering we’re on for 97 points, which would be the second highest points total ever, I’d probably class that as a sprint which is why we’ve got a fighting chance against the slave owners

Again, it’s a point. They’re not on another level, or untouchable, or streaking away. We’ve both got three games left of varying difficulty left and they have one point more. We don’t need a miracle, or snookers, we need them to have a slight off day against a team like Palace or Wolves or Newcastle....or Leicester. Two of their three games left are against those exact level of teams they’ve dropped points against.

They dropped 5 points against the teams currently 2nd-6th. They dropped 9 points against the sides currently 10th-15th.

[spider-neil]

Well the saying ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ no longer applies. You’ve got to sprint from start to finish if you want a fighting chance against the slave owners.

I remember being mortified at going into the new year not being double figures at the top of the table as dropping points in 3 (THREE!!) fixtures. What the absolute fuck.

[Tiz Lad]

Yep.

I remember the Palace game away and saying it wasnt must win and I think it was PoP saying it was. Turns out, pretty much every game you have to win now.

That said, I am convinced they don't get the same level of points next season. We have to probably target the mid 90’s though.

I think as long as Pep stays and they're not bothered by FFP, then that will be the level moving forward

My fear is can we garner 69/75 from teams outside the Top 6 again next year. The front 3 have stayed fit all season

The problem for us and the league is that 90% of the league are beaten before they cross the line against City, this coupled with United in transition, Chelsea needing a rebuild, same with Arsenal it's an issue, and we may need 97+ again

[LFC when it suits]

Actually quite comforted by the custom titles of the ones telling us it’s over

It's not in our hands. if it was in our hands and people were saying it's over, thats a diffferent thing. Go full strength vs Huddersfield but by the time we play Newcastle, we need to focus on what is not over and that is the CL which is entirely in our hands and is the bigger, more prestigous comeptition anyway.

[Rainbow Laces]

It's not in our hands. if it was in our hands and people were saying it's over, thats a diffferent thing. Go full strength vs Huddersfield but by the time we play Newcastle, we need to focus on what is not over and that is the CL which is entirely in our hands and is the bigger, more prestigous comeptition anyway.

That's utter nonsense. You're advocating for giving up on the league when there's one point in and 9 still to play for in favour of another competition that we might not win? Jesus, wake up man. That is not how winners think! We're going all out for both competitions until the very end.

[killer-heels]

Timing is a key part of it as well. Overall, I think we should have done better in the away games against the top 6. One win probably isnt enough.

But we got unlucky with the timings. We played Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea when they were at the height of their form.

However, thats just a minor issue. Ultimately, we are incredible and I wish we have this season again next season.

[Nick110581]

It's not in our hands. if it was in our hands and people were saying it's over, thats a diffferent thing. Go full strength vs Huddersfield but by the time we play Newcastle, we need to focus on what is not over and that is the CL which is entirely in our hands and is the bigger, more prestigous comeptition anyway.

Are you mad? We play before them that weekend so no resting!!

[Felch Aid]

I'm not deflated. There's that inevitability with City and teams who don't go at them and very few apart Europe do and you're simply waiting for an opening.

Like others have said I'm not watching city play again and I'll assume a win.

Lets just focus on getting a result against Huddersfield and then give barca a game.

[spider-neil]

The problem for us and the league is that 90% of the league are beaten before they cross the line against City,

That isn't hyperbole.
Bournemouth vs City

Shots on target = ZERO
Corners = ZERO

They were so shit scared of City they literally didn't attack them at any point in the match.
In 4 games (360 minutes of football) City faced 2 shots on target, in FOUR GAMES.

[El Lobo]

It's not in our hands. if it was in our hands and people were saying it's over, thats a diffferent thing. Go full strength vs Huddersfield but by the time we play Newcastle, we need to focus on what is not over and that is the CL which is entirely in our hands and is the bigger, more prestigous comeptition anyway.

Not got a fucking clue. Life is well, a bit of a long time. And that unconditional support thing can be a bit of a drag.

[LFC when it suits]

That's utter nonsense. You're advocating for giving up on the league when there's one point in and 9 still to play for in favour of another competition that we might not win? Jesus, wake up man. That is not how winners think! We're going all out for both competitions until the very end.

Where did I say give up the league? Go full strength tomorrow and come Newcastle, the CL needs to be the priority. Barca will rest players in between our CL games. We have to play 3 times in 6 days. Are you saying we shouldn't rotate?

[SinceSixtyFive]

I think as long as Pep stays and they're not bothered by FFP, then that will be the level moving forward

My fear is can we garner 69/75 from teams outside the Top 6 again next year. The front 3 have stayed fit all season

The problem for us and the league is that 90% of the league are beaten before they cross the line against City, this coupled with United in transition, Chelsea needing a rebuild, same with Arsenal it's an issue, and we may need 97+ again

This is very possibly true and the same will apply to our own opponents moving forward. Historically, continued success does this for a team and certainly did so for us in our glory years. We are currently competing incredibly well against them and will continue to do so or even improve (not much room for this though). In my opinion, we will beat them (again) and win trophys. Its only a matter of time.

I see zero reason for concern never mind fear.

[LFC when it suits]

Not got a fucking clue. Life is well, a bit of a long time. And that unconditional support thing can be a bit of a drag.

Do you mean unconditional support for Liverpool, or support for Burnely and Leicester?

[spider-neil]

*burns Manu shirt*

*pull out draw with Burnley, Leicester, and Brighton shirts*

*pulls on Burnley shirt*

EIEIEIO, Up the Football League we go,
When we get promotion,
This is what we'll sing,
We are Burnley we are Burnley, Sean Dyche is king!