Topic: Chasing the Title

[spider-neil]

That’s what they did the second leg of our Champions league game. Yeah they scored early but I seem to remember them not troubling us that much

I think we'd have been in big trouble if that disallowed goal would have stood.

[BrandoLFC]

Klopp is under contract for another 4 seasons until 2022.  Need to get new contracts to TAA and Robertson but aside from that the entirety of this starting squad will be there with him.  We're going to win the league this year and challenge for it and every other trophy over and over until that terrible day comes.  It's going to be glorious.

[Mighty_Red]

I think we'd have been in big trouble if that disallowed goal would have stood.

It would've felt like it at HT, but things could've easily have played out the same as it actually did in the 2nd half, they would've still had to push for a goal (albeit with less frustration) and we simply needed a single goal to kill the tie.

The key will be to stay patient and calm and hit them at the right time. If they come hard like they did in that game, then they will be gassed later, not to mention leave gaps at the back

[KissThisGuy]

It would've felt like it at HT, but things could've easily have played out the same as it actually did in the 2nd half, they would've still had to push for a goal (albeit with less frustration) and we simply needed a single goal to kill the tie.

The key will be to stay patient and calm and hit them at the right time. If they come hard like they did in that game, then they will be gassed later, not to mention leave gaps at the back

Their 2nd shouldn't have been disallowed, but their first goal came after a clear foul on VVD. I have no point to make here, I'm just drunk.

[Peabee]

Bit worried about Thursday to be honest, and just hoping it won't be a turning point in our, so far, great season.

I mean, we've been doing well but its the Etihad. The intimidation factor will be phenomenal as usual.

No doubt it'll start, as always, with the normal fucking rabid bus welcome when we arrive. I'm sorry, but they're fucking nuts and I don't mind admitting it scares the shit out of me 

Oh well. Fingers crossed 

Well, it’s a good job you ain’t playing.

[harleydanger]

Current 2nd place (City) maximum points - 101

We're currently 54. 102 - 54 = 48 points or 16 wins.

If win on the 3rd (assuming spuds win) 2nd place (Spuds) maximum points = 99

We will be 57. 100 - 57 = 43 or 15 wins (or 14 wins and 1 draw).

So really, at this point we need 16 wins. Winning at City is just one of those wins.

That's the way we should look at it, 2nd place maximum points = how points we need +1.

We currently need 16 wins from 18 games. This is far from over; win, draw or lose at City.

[Hij]

Please, please, please. COME ON. Fuck these fucking wannabe, singalong, chat shit wankers. Hold me and hold me close.

We are in the run in for the best thing we've ever won in our lifetimes.


LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL

[Wesley Pipes]

Current 2nd place (City) maximum points - 101

We're currently 54. 102 - 54 = 48 points or 16 wins.

If win on the 3rd (assuming spuds win) 2nd place (Spuds) maximum points = 99

We will be 57. 100 - 57 = 43 or 15 wins (or 14 wins and 1 draw).

So really, at this point we need 16 wins. Winning at City is just one of those wins.

That's the way we should look at it, 2nd place maximum points = how points we need +1.

We currently need 16 wins from 18 games. This is far from over; win, draw or lose at City.

This is my thoughts exactly, everyone seems to be getting a little too confident. Sure we have a decent lead and in previous seasons that just may have been enough and we could have afforded 5 or 6 losses and still been there about's come the seasons end but this season isn't like that, there's every chance one or both of those trailing sides will end on win streaks.

Recently, as a club we have had a history of falling over at the last hurdle not just in seasons and cup competitions but in games in general, we have always been a bit nervy. This group seems different and i'm keeping my fingers crossed, i'm glad it seems like just media and the fans getting carried away.

To win there though? that would have to hurt man city, surely it would have to inflict some sort of psychological wound. Confidence shattering. I think this game is massive, easily and predictably the most important game of this season. I could see Man Cities season crumbling should we win, both domestically and abroad and if that were to happen who knows where that would leave Guardiola and his project. I do expect them to invest in this month and it wouldn't surprise me if they brought in a striker & dm, cant see us getting lucky and have them rely on Jesus too much.

[spider-neil]

Win, lose, or draw, there would still be loads of football left. We beat City with 3 games to go and tripped up (no pun intended). After the City we would still have to circumvent;

1. Chelsea and Spurs at home.
2. Manu and Everton away.
3. International breaks and the injuries they usually incur.
4. Extra games in the form of CL and to a lesser extent the FA Cup.
5. Relegation teams fighting for their lives.

Klopp will drill into the players of taking things game by game. Also, the upside is City have to deal with that as well.

[hide5seek]

Win, lose, or draw, there would still be loads of football left. We beat City with 3 games to go and tripped up (no pun intended). After the City we would still have to circumvent;

1. Chelsea and Spurs at home.
2. Manu and Everton away.
3. International breaks and the injuries they usually incur.
4. Extra games in the form of CL and to a lesser extent the FA Cup.
5. Relegation teams fighting for their lives.

Klopp will drill into the players of taking things game by game. Also, the upside is City have to deal with that as well.

On the downside,City have proven they can deal with all that and we haven't.

[Peabee]

On the downside,City have proven they can deal with all that and we haven't.

Except for the CL.

[Fordy]

Win, lose, or draw, there would still be loads of football left. We beat City with 3 games to go and tripped up (no pun intended). After the City we would still have to circumvent;

1. Chelsea and Spurs at home.
2. Manu and Everton away.
3. International breaks and the injuries they usually incur.
4. Extra games in the form of CL and to a lesser extent the FA Cup.
5. Relegation teams fighting for their lives.

Klopp will drill into the players of taking things game by game. Also, the upside is City have to deal with that as well.

1) home games and I would fancy us to get results at home
2) could afford to lose both if we have a 10 point gap
3) This applies to all teams
4) This applies to all 4 English clubs in the CL
5) This applies to all top half teams

10 point gap with 17 games to go is massive. It's like dreamland stuff.

Even a 7 or 4 gap with 17 games to go isn't a bad situation to be in.

If we win on Thursday and the gap is 10 considering no team has ever lost out of title with a gap off more than 6 points currently we've 7 then I would say with 10 we've 1 hand on the title for sure.

[Rush 82]

We've consistently said 'be there or thereabouts come March' -that's what we need to keep repeating

[7777]

This is my thoughts exactly, everyone seems to be getting a little too confident. Sure we have a decent lead and in previous seasons that just may have been enough and we could have afforded 5 or 6 losses and still been there about's come the seasons end but this season isn't like that, there's every chance one or both of those trailing sides will end on win streaks.

Recently, as a club we have had a history of falling over at the last hurdle not just in seasons and cup competitions but in games in general, we have always been a bit nervy. This group seems different and i'm keeping my fingers crossed, i'm glad it seems like just media and the fans getting carried away.

To win there though? that would have to hurt man city, surely it would have to inflict some sort of psychological wound. Confidence shattering. I think this game is massive, easily and predictably the most important game of this season. I could see Man Cities season crumbling should we win, both domestically and abroad and if that were to happen who knows where that would leave Guardiola and his project. I do expect them to invest in this month and it wouldn't surprise me if they brought in a striker & dm, cant see us getting lucky and have them rely on Jesus too much.

Doesn’t really matter what anyone on here thinks in terms of being confident

There will be some that think the league is over if we beat City on Thursday and there will be some that won’t believe we have won it until it’s in Hendo’s hands

What matters is the consistency coming out of the club and the players. One game at a time, maximum effort

The rest will be what it will be

[Black Bull Nova]

Manchester, thursday, nothing else matters, yet

[mrantarctica]

One game at a time of course.

A win against City will really bring a lot of confidence to the group though. Could well be the mental springboard we need to kick on for the rest of the season, as well as in the CL

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Again I am not sure why people keep on about the fans being confident and how that impacts the players mindset and what they're actually doing.

If we fail, it wouldn't be because we as supporters were confident.

If you can't enjoy this now, you never will.

[spider-neil]

Again I am not sure why people keep on about the fans being confident and how that impacts the players mindset and what they're actually doing.

If we fail, it wouldn't be because we as supporters were confident.

If you can't enjoy this now, you never will.

There have been 4 title challenges in 27 years. Caution, appreciation, pragmatism, absolutely understandable. A lot of false dawns in that time.

[PaulF]

There have been 4 title challenges in 27 years. Caution, appreciation, pragmatism, absolutely understandable. A lot of false dawns in that time.

I've been gutted by falling short plenty of times,bust somehow it feels right to be anticipating it this time.
Maybe because we genuinely seem to be the best team. Losing vvd or Allison could change this...

[deFacto please, you bastards]

There have been 4 title challenges in 27 years. Caution, appreciation, pragmatism, absolutely understandable. A lot of false dawns in that time.

I know mate I've been through them all, but we don't impact the players mindsets and performances through out the season. We can help motivate them when the're at Anfield but that's about it.

I've gone with the ''I'm not getting excited '' approach in the past only for the season to go by and me not having been fully enjoying each moment. Thats what football is all about. Otherwise whats the point?

[Floydy]

I know mate I've been through them all, but we don't impact the players mindsets and performances through out the season. We can help motivate them when the're at Anfield but that's about it.

I've gone with the ''I'm not getting excited '' approach in the past only for the season to go by and me not having been fully enjoying each moment. That's what football is all about. Otherwise whats the point?

spot on, its all part of the fun, if we cant (as fans) get excited, dissappointed, ecstatic , giddy then whats the point.  The players have a job to do and no matter what we say in the pub or in here it has no sway on  how things will turn out.   Reminds me of a guy i used to go the match with, after years of Man U beating us or winning things, whenever we played them and assuming we would be in the lead, he would watch the match behind his hands/couch but would shout at me for getting  too carried away if we were winning them, such was his paranoia and fear of them getting that Edward Woodward(The Equalizer) and subsequent winning  goal, the louder i got the more he seemed to go in a shell.   Each to their own, but not for me, lets enjoy this each and every one of us, great  times ahead and we need to embrace,  fuck all wrong even if teh players were tapped into our thoughts, as a player i know i would prefer a fanbase that is willing  you to win  and believing in you rather than putting you down and playing down your chances. 
Despite our barren leagute title win, this club and lots of our  fan base are well seasoned in all of this, been there and done it over  and over doesnt matter it wasnt  called teh premier league back then, same shit different  day and our lot know their shit.    Come on  redmen   make us dream.

[PhaseOfPlay]

spot on, its all part of the fun, if we cant (as fans) get excited, dissappointed, ecstatic , giddy then whats the point.  The players have a job to do and no matter what we say in the pub or in here it has no sway on  how things will turn out.   Reminds me of a guy i used to go the match with, after years of Man U beating us or winning things, whenever we played them and assuming we would be in the lead, he would watch the match behind his hands/couch but would shout at me for getting  too carried away if we were winning them, such was his paranoia and fear of them getting that Edward Woodward(The Equalizer) and subsequent winning  goal, the louder i got the more he seemed to go in a shell.   Each to their own, but not for me, lets enjoy this each and every one of us, great  times ahead and we need to embrace,  fuck all wrong even if teh players were tapped into our thoughts, as a player i know i would prefer a fanbase that is willing  you to win  and believing in you rather than putting you down and playing down your chances. 
Despite our barren leagute title win, this club and lots of our  fan base are well seasoned in all of this, been there and done it over  and over doesnt matter it wasnt  called teh premier league back then, same shit different  day and our lot know their shit.    Come on  redmen   make us dream.

In fairness, they have Edward Woodward every week now, and they're not scoring many equalizers

[Gutzon Borglum]

If we beat City and go 10 clear we'd find ourselves in a position that 95%+ of the time in football history leads to the title. So we should all be getting excited if we pull that result off, doesn't mean we still don't have lots of work to do to ensure we keep ahead of the pack obviously, but we shouldnt be afraid of the "Liverpool have one hand on the trophy" narrative, it psychologically benefits the team's confidence and intimidates our opponents, particularly for as long as we stay unbeaten.. We all know how psychological football is, momentum is real, aura is real.. People are starting to call us the best fucking team in the entire world, that's gotta scare the shit out of the teams we face, and when we take the lead against them they will struggle to believe they can come back. It's a huge advantage we should be positive about!

Past seasons when we fell short we were never anything like 10 points clear having played the same amount of matches. We were never unbeaten into the new year. We were never spoken about as the best team on planet Earth at the time. This season's Liverpool is simply on another level to anything we have seen in the modern era, enjoy it, this is fantasy becoming reality.

[Dr. Beaker]

If we beat City and go 10 clear we'd find ourselves in a position that  This season's Liverpool is simply on another level to anything we have seen in the modern era, enjoy it, this is fantasy becoming reality.

We seem to be improving game by game right now, in a premeditated crescendo to finish off this season. If that continues to be the case, this team will be on another level to anything we have ever seen before, in my opinion.

[Raid]

Thursday is an absolute behemoth of a game. To put 10 points between us and City would be huge, and we'd be massive odds on favourites to get the job done from there.

Not only that, by psychologically it would be a big blow to City, and you'd imagine the Champions League would most definitely become their priority.

It will be interesting to see how City approach this. Pep has clearly been rattled by us in the past. His all out attack approach in the Champions League almost paid off for him in that first half, but I feel we've got the composure to see that sort of thing out and then take our chances when they come.

Make no mistake, It's a golden opportunity to take a big stride towards the Holy Grail.

[Billy The Kid]

Since they became an oil club, City's record against us is in all competitions is :

Played 29, Won 6, Drawn 11, Lost 12

No doubt they're a serious outfit under Guardiola, but I wouldn't fear them either

Especially after the pasting we gave them in the CL last year 

[RedForeverTT]

Since they became an oil club, City's record against us is in all competitions is :

Played 29, Won 6, Drawn 11, Lost 12

No doubt they're a serious outfit under Guardiola, but I wouldn't fear them either

Especially after the pasting we gave them in the CL last year

Never been scared of them.

We are 1 year older, one year wiser as well. Obviously so are City. Last year we struggled in bigger pitches. I think Klopp won't allow the same mistake to happen twice.

Sterling is not a natural wide player so he would struggle to play behind VVD. Sane seems to fear TAA till no end and psychologically I don't think he has recovered since being owned by TAA last CL. You could see he hasn't been the same player since. David Silva as clever as he is, has slowed considerably that he couldn't finish a match without being subbed or looking knackered. His best days are behind him.

Their main threat being balls played in behind but VVD this year is even more diligent than he was last season, which equates to no chance for them. And of course, we no longer have dodgy Karius in goal.

Worse result I can think of is a draw. We will smack them in the second half otherwise.

[RedForeverTT]

Expect some really shitty songs sung by the vile and classless City fans

[keyop]

To win there though? that would have to hurt man city, surely it would have to inflict some sort of psychological wound. Confidence shattering. I think this game is massive, easily and predictably the most important game of this season. I could see Man Cities season crumbling should we win, both domestically and abroad and if that were to happen who knows where that would leave Guardiola and his project.

I don't think their season will crumble if we win, but 4 defeats in 6 games is disastrous for any team with title aspirations, and especially a perfectionist such as Guardiola.

I think a win would do much more than just increase our lead in the table. It would remind other clubs that they are no longer invincible, and that they are vulnerable, and are there to be beaten again. If we can expose that weak defence as Chelsea, Palace, and Leicester did in just a few short weeks, then once City come up against relegation battlers, or teams with European aspirations in the spring, then sitting off them and rolling over may no longer be their first choice. Sometimes beating a team gives others belief too.

City are not out of it by a long shot, but they are most definitely wounded by December's results and our unrelenting winning streak. Hopefully we can land another big blow on Thursday from which they won't fully recover.

[Red Beret]

Again I am not sure why people keep on about the fans being confident and how that impacts the players mindset and what they're actually doing.

If we fail, it wouldn't be because we as supporters were confident.

If you can't enjoy this now, you never will.

Exactly.  Klopp wants us to believe.  I realise it's hard to believe AND be cagey at the same time, especially when we've been burned before, but we just have to be like the players and say one game at a time. 

Right now, EVERY game is winnable, regardless of the opposition.  Some games are tougher than others, but none are easy.  The boys know this.  We have to trust them and we have to be there for them.

In some ways I'm glad we're away from home.  I could easily imagine a very nervous Anfield atmosphere,w and that would probably affect the players more.  Reckon the players can handle a hostile atmosphere much better - although seeing it's the Emptihad we'll be lucky there is ANY atmosphere.

[BabuYagu]

They have won 1 of the last 11 (one of the draws was in the league cup final which they later won on pens).

[RedTriumph]

Exactly.  Klopp wants us to believe.  I realise it's hard to believe AND be cagey at the same time, especially when we've been burned before, but we just have to be like the players and say one game at a time. 

Right now, EVERY game is winnable, regardless of the opposition.  Some games are tougher than others, but none are easy.  The boys know this.  We have to trust them and we have to be there for them.

In some ways I'm glad we're away from home.  I could easily imagine a very nervous Anfield atmosphere,w and that would probably affect the players more.  Reckon the players can handle a hostile atmosphere much better - although seeing it's the Emptihad we'll be lucky there is ANY atmosphere.

My personal circumstances changed a couple of seasons ago and my league history dropped off, but when I'm able to get to the game I sing as loud as I can and I celebrate each goal as if it were a last minute winner against United. I get to one league game in a blue moon, so I think I can take it out of context in terms of league success to a certain extent, because I just want to enjoy myself and see the Reds win a game of football, no matter what the competition and opponent. That's what Jurgen's talking about. Each game is a final.

[Brian Blessed]

If they lose, they need to get .6 more points than us in the remaining games. Sorry, that just isn’t happening and there is no point being cagey.

[Alan_X]

I know mate I've been through them all, but we don't impact the players mindsets and performances through out the season. We can help motivate them when the're at Anfield but that's about it.

I've gone with the ''I'm not getting excited '' approach in the past only for the season to go by and me not having been fully enjoying each moment. Thats what football is all about. Otherwise whats the point?

Exactly - 13/14 was one of the best seasons ever and I wouldn't have changed the way I enjoyed it just because we didn't win the title at the end. Same as last year and the run to Kiev - we had a blast.

[Yosser0_0]

Exactly.  Klopp wants us to believe.  I realise it's hard to believe AND be cagey at the same time, especially when we've been burned before, but we just have to be like the players and say one game at a time. 

Right now, EVERY game is winnable, regardless of the opposition.  Some games are tougher than others, but none are easy.  The boys know this.  We have to trust them and we have to be there for them.

In some ways I'm glad we're away from home.  I could easily imagine a very nervous Anfield atmosphere,w and that would probably affect the players more.  Reckon the players can handle a hostile atmosphere much better - although seeing it's the Emptihad we'll be lucky there is ANY atmosphere.

I watched the "Jurgen Klopp New Documentary 2016 HD" recently and the thing that struck me about him is that he is fearless and is not afraid of defeat and actually uses it to drive himself and his team forward. He's accustomed to managing teams of underdogs and turning them into believers and then winners:-

https://youtu.be/fi8uqdbsBg8

[Mighty_Red]

Exactly - 13/14 was one of the best seasons ever and I wouldn't have changed the way I enjoyed it just because we didn't win the title at the end. Same as last year and the run to Kiev - we had a blast.

Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying our football and what we are doing and last season's run was magical but I can't deny that there is a scarring that slightly affects my enjoyment that wasn't there before.

2014 bore all the hallmarks of 2005 in that it was a journey none of us realistically expected, but the nature of the defeat coupled with the subsequent cup losses have meant that it's going to be hard to fully relax until this monkey is off our backs.

I wasn't as uptight as this in 2007, I expected that we could win but it wasn't a crushing blow to lose it, probably because I'd had my greatest night to fall back on.

I think it's just a case that none of us want to put the mockers on the team hence not wanting to get over-confident.

[Peabee]

Exactly - 13/14 was one of the best seasons ever and I wouldn't have changed the way I enjoyed it just because we didn't win the title at the end. Same as last year and the run to Kiev - we had a blast.

Spot on. It’s the players and coaches etc that need to remain professional and level-headed during a run. They’ll celebrate and enjoy it if they win. We can enjoy the ride and, if we win, the celebrations continue into the summer. If we don’t, then we’ve got another set of great memories.

[Fluke]

Except for the CL.

We dropped several points around our CL games...

[ScouserAtHeart]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/every-supporter-should-celebrate-if-liverpool-triumph-f8m3677js

this will go down well

[Red Beret]

I watched the "Jurgen Klopp New Documentary 2016 HD" recently and the thing that struck me about him is that he is fearless and is not afraid of defeat and actually uses it to drive himself and his team forward. He's accustomed to managing teams of underdogs and turning them into believers and then winners:-

https://youtu.be/fi8uqdbsBg8

Thanks.  I've just said as much myself in the match thread.