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

[deFacto please, you bastards]

This will be the longest pre-match thread ever.

Three weeks works for and against both sides.  If they want to risk Kane he'll be rusty as feck, and we've not been so dependent on Salah this year.  We have dangerous players all over the pitch.  We may be sluggish, but they will be too.

Spurs will fight hard, but perhaps at some point they will start to think, "well we never really expected to get this far anyway..." and their heads may begin to drop as the spectacle overwhelms them.

I'm going to age 10 years by the time kick off is around.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Some info on our preparations

- given 5 days off
- training camp in Spain for a week
- the week leading up to the final, will be back in Liverpool, flying out to Madrid 2 days before final


Echo:

jurgen Klopp has decided to give his Liverpool players five days off in order to allow them to recharge their batteries following the end of the Premier League season.

The Reds boss believes some rest and relaxation is crucial before their preparations start for the Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid on Saturday, June 1.

After light recovery sessions at Melwood on Monday and Tuesday, the players will be allowed to fly off on a short holiday. Virgil van Dijk has already declared that he's going to “enjoy the beach”.

Klopp's squad will then reconvene next Monday for a week-long training camp in Spain.

The manager believes that the top-class training facilities and the warm weather makes the Costa del Sol the perfect place to work with his players away from all the hype in the build up to the final.

Klopp also took the Reds there ahead of last year's final against Real Madrid in Kiev and prior to February's last 16 tie against Bayern Munich.

The squad will return to Merseyside at the start of the week before the final to fine-tune their battle plan at Melwood. They are expected to fly out to Madrid two days prior to the showdown with Spurs.

 

[oxenstierna]

Hopefully mate, but narrative is starting again that Kloppo is yet to win anything with us and has lost his last 6 finals. 

Poch with a 100 % loss rate in finals 

[HeartAndSoul]

Do we ever come back from these Spain training camps ready to go again 

Seems like every time we come back from them, we take an age to get going again. Hopefully not this time

[Rainbow Laces]

I don't like the idea of travelling. Just stay put, get your work done and then get out there a few days before the final.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I don't like the idea of travelling. Just stay put, get your work done and then get out there a few days before the final.

They got 20 days to prepare, traveling isn't going to impact them. They have more than enough time to rest and prepare.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Do we ever come back from these Spain training camps ready to go again 

Seems like every time we come back from them, we take an age to get going again. Hopefully not this time

Yes.

[Red Beret]

I've said before but I think he'll be torn between wanting to win the CL and wanting to be fit for the Nations League.

Certainly if he plays before he's ready it will hurt him AND Spurs.  Might expect him as a sub for the last half hour perhaps - or he might just go full kit wanker a la John Terry and just want to get on the pitch to lift the thing. 

We've got the chance to rest a few players who picked up knocks and get Firminho back, who'll likely be in better form than Kane.  The break works in our favour.

[RyanBabel19]

We've been given the home dressing room even though we were the designated away team

I don't know if that's a good omen or not

After last years final, omens mean fuck all

Read so many of them for last year

[TealC]

After last years final, omens mean fuck all

Read so many of them for last year

Heard.. They were getting tedious in the end

[UntouchableLuis]

So strange how different I feel from this time last year. Last year I felt like we battered our way to the final but I always knew how incredibly tough it was going to be given we were up against a team going for their 3rd in a row and we still had weaknesses at the back. This year I feel like we've not played our best too often in the competition but really feel like we should win this time - however I'm a hundred times more nervous. The way I see it, unless you're in a final against Barca, Madrid or the current City team then you should be favourites to win - but the missed chances over the years have been painful. Just want us to play our best, get some rub of the green and bring a trophy home.

[hkkop]

We've been given the home dressing room even though we were the designated away team

I don't know if that's a good omen or not

Because the trophy looks better in the home dressing room. 
UEFA's PR know their stuff.

[Jon2lfc]

Don't worry, Spurs can't win it.
There's not a 1 in the year.

[wellred82]

We will go in as favourites. But you need step back if you think we are simply going to wipe the floor with them.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

We will go in as favourites. But you need step back if you think we are simply going to wipe the floor with them.

Not seen many who think that.

[duvva 💅]

So strange how different I feel from this time last year. Last year I felt like we battered our way to the final but I always knew how incredibly tough it was going to be given we were up against a team going for their 3rd in a row and we still had weaknesses at the back. This year I feel like we've not played our best too often in the competition but really feel like we should win this time - however I'm a hundred times more nervous. The way I see it, unless you're in a final against Barca, Madrid or the current City team then you should be favourites to win - but the missed chances over the years have been painful. Just want us to play our best, get some rub of the green and bring a trophy home.

I agree with most of this. The only thing I would disagree with is about playing our best.

I know last year we probably played a more attacking, free flowing way but I think this year we’ve played a more effective and consistent way and a way designed to put ourselves in position to win trophy’s more often.

I think most of us felt at the beginning of the season we were winning without playing well, but as the season moved on it became obvious this was by design. We may look less devastating now but from a results point of view we’re actually far more so imo.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I agree with most of this. The only thing I would disagree with is about playing our best.

I know last year we probably played a more attacking, free flowing way but I think this year we’ve played a more effective and consistent way and a way designed to put ourselves in position to win trophy’s more often.

I think most of us felt at the beginning of the season we were winning without playing well, but as the season moved on it became obvious this was by design. We may look less devasting now but from a results point of view we’re actually far more so imo.

Yet we scored more goals this year in the league than last year. We also had a significantly easier group last year in Europe compared to what we had to deal with this year.

[RedorRed]

I’m not a fan of the 5 days holiday and then away to warm weather training.

I think all the momentum is lost...... we drew the games after having a break etc.

I know it’s been a hard season but they have potentially 120 minutes left to play

We always lose that 1%-2% which can make all the difference...... would rather they stayed on it.... with the same training approach.

[Red Beret]

I’m not a fan of the 5 days holiday and then away to warm weather training.

I think all the momentum is lost...... we drew the games after having a break etc.

I know it’s been a hard season but they have potentially 120 minutes left to play

We always lose that 1%-2% which can make all the difference...... would rather they stayed on it.... with the same training approach.

You would prefer them to train as normal for the next three weeks? Spurs face the same problem after all.

[duvva 💅]

I’m not a fan of the 5 days holiday and then away to warm weather training.

I think all the momentum is lost...... we drew the games after having a break etc.

I know it’s been a hard season but they have potentially 120 minutes left to play

We always lose that 1%-2% which can make all the difference...... would rather they stayed on it.... with the same training approach.

I think in this instance the break is the right move. The players clearly need some rest and as I said earlier I suspect this warm weather training will be different to the ones earlier in the season. Pretty sure they know what they’re doing by now and wouldn’t expect it to hamper our performance in 3 weeks time.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I’m not a fan of the 5 days holiday and then away to warm weather training.

I think all the momentum is lost...... we drew the games after having a break etc.

I know it’s been a hard season but they have potentially 120 minutes left to play

We always lose that 1%-2% which can make all the difference...... would rather they stayed on it.... with the same training approach.

I hate this narrative and this theory that the draws were because of the break and when people don't look at the context.

Secondly, there is a 20 day gap,so training in Spain or training in Liverpool makes feck all difference in this scenario. It's hardly that significant in temperature in comparison from Madrid to where we will be training for a week in Spain, considering we're playing in Madrid it's hardly a night and day difference.

Stay on what? We're not going to be training every single day for 20 days.

[reddragon]

So strange how different I feel from this time last year. Last year I felt like we battered our way to the final but I always knew how incredibly tough it was going to be given we were up against a team going for their 3rd in a row and we still had weaknesses at the back. This year I feel like we've not played our best too often in the competition but really feel like we should win this time - however I'm a hundred times more nervous. The way I see it, unless you're in a final against Barca, Madrid or the current City team then you should be favourites to win - but the missed chances over the years have been painful. Just want us to play our best, get some rub of the green and bring a trophy home.

i know what you mean - but imagine being Juventus - 2 wins in 9 appearances!!

[deFacto please, you bastards]

You would prefer them to train as normal for the next three weeks? Spurs face the same problem after all.

To add,


We could stay at Melwood for 20 days and there would still be a gap between when we last played and when the final takes place.

You would think that a group of professionals at the highest level would know what they're doing considering that they've used this method in the past to help prepare for future matches. But apparently it's too difficult for some to give the club a benefit of the doubt.

Also the preparation earlier in the season that we used, was to help maintain fitness levels for the season left over. Whatever we're doing for the final, is for one game in mind, not for months left of the season. We're not creating another fitness basis.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

i know what you mean - but imagine being Juventus - 2 wins in 9 appearances!!

Or Bayern losing in 2010 and in 2012 [at their own ground] or Atletico losing both of their consecutive finals to their city rivals.

[mc_red22]

I’m not a fan of the 5 days holiday and then away to warm weather training.

I think all the momentum is lost...... we drew the games after having a break etc.

I know it’s been a hard season but they have potentially 120 minutes left to play

We always lose that 1%-2% which can make all the difference...... would rather they stayed on it.... with the same training approach.

So you're not a fan of allowing the players to enjoy a small break and recharge the batteries?

We beat Bayern after one of these breaks...

[ABZ Rover]

Or Bayern losing in 2010 and in 2012 [at their own ground] or Atletico losing both of their consecutive finals to their city rivals.

Knock it on the head.  We are different metal, these are men of Klopp’s best.

We go, we deliver, we win!

[princeoftherocks]

There might have been a chance of complacency if we had somehow managed to win the league; but the way it ended, I'd bet nobody is taking anything for granted. 


Saying that, Spurs will be well up for it.  First time in a European final?  Is that right?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

So you're not a fan of allowing the players to enjoy a small break and recharge the batteries?

We beat Bayern after one of these breaks...

One would think that after 4 years at the club, the manager would be equipped with the most amount of information and analysis to see whether or not any sort of ''break'' hinders us in all aspects. Considering that he keeps utilizing it, suggests that there is no issue

[RobbieRedman]

So you're not a fan of allowing the players to enjoy a small break and recharge the batteries?

We beat Bayern after one of these breaks...

apparently he has evidence that we lose that 1-2%, are you not taking his word for it?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

apparently he has evidence that we lose that 1-2%, are you not taking his word for it?

Does anyone have Klopp's email?

[SweetSilverSevens]

Makes you wonder why the PL season just didn't start at least a week later and give players a little bit more rest after the world cup. That's what most European leagues have done and that's why both European finals are a little bit later.

We're always so keen to start the season as early as possible despite a massive summer tournament.

[Sarge]

I'll be watching it on a barstool in Lanzarote

[Medellin]

I'll be watching it on a barstool in Lanzarote

A barstool that transmits BT sports..Wow!

[Sarge]

A barstool that transmits BT sports..Wow!

It fuckin better.

[Medellin]

It fuckin better.

Was it ill? 

[SweetSilverSevens]

The only reason Spurs might get some "luck" is if our players become complacent, and our players will not be complacent after what's happened in the league and what happened in Kiev.

Our luck in Istanbul stemmed from Milan's complacency and once we got it back level, we weren't letting them beat us. Spurs' luck in the semifinals came from Ajax's complacency. Once you get complacent it's hard to get your head back in the game again and your head's wrecked by the damage it's done.

Our players will be more driven and determined to do this than the Spurs' players and our quality and the standards we've reached this season will shine through. We will not be complacent.

[Smellytrabs]

There might have been a chance of complacency if we had somehow managed to win the league; but the way it ended, I'd bet nobody is taking anything for granted. 


Saying that, Spurs will be well up for it.  First time in a European final?  Is that right?

First time in a European Cup final. They have won the UEFA twice and the Cup Winners Cup once as well runner's up in another UEFA. Going back a while, so this will be new for a lot of their fans.

[davealexred]

Will there be any friendly games in the interim period to maintain match fitness?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Will there be any friendly games in the interim period to maintain match fitness?

No

[Sarge]

No

Im sure we will have a couple behind doors games, long break between Wolves and Spurs.