Author Topic: Never mind 4th or 5th, we could win the Europa League! (Read 26242 times)

Bernard Shakey · « **on:** February 8, 2011, 04:27:39 pm »

The Hodgson thread got me thinking that while our form under him in the league was utterly diabolical somehow he has guided us to the knockout stages of the Europa League - a terrible indictment of the standard of that competition - but evidence enough that with our form under King Kenny we have a realistic chance of winning this competition

Our next fixture is against Sparta Prague and if we get through that we would face Lech Poznan or Braga in the last 16. Winnable? Absolutely. As far as I can tell our biggest rivals to take this trophy would be Man City, CSKA Moscow, Porto & Sevilla ...all teams I think we could beat over two legs

Who thinks its a worthy goal? It was a great stepping stone for Valencia & Porto in recent times ...and we could go on and beat Barca in the European Super Cup in August! ;-)

Felch Aid · « **Reply #1 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:29:28 pm »

Sense at last. Best 11 week in week out - it's all about momentum.

No reason why we can't concentrate and just bloody win every game. Confidence is a great thing.

Ender · « **Reply #2 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:30:20 pm »

Do we get to play in CL if we win EL? I don't remember...

Getting 4th at least would mean CL next year, which would make it easier to attract the players we want. But I see no reason why we have to choose between fighting for 4th spot in the league and winning EL?

Nazi Dickhead · « **Reply #3 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:30:34 pm »

Defiantly doable, but our main focus should be on climbing up the table to 4th for CL.

Scousebeef · « **Reply #4 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:30:48 pm »

I'd rather have 4th but there's no reason why we shouldnt be striving for both!!

Rexy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:30:58 pm »

Quote from: Ender on February 8, 2011, 04:30:20 pm

Do we get to play in CL if we win EL? I don't remember...

Nah mate

exiledintheUSA · « **Reply #6 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:31:01 pm »

Us against Porto would be a great final. One game at a time though

The Real Rasta · « **Reply #7 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:31:13 pm »

Don't know about others but I'd take CL football next season over winning the EL anyday.

Aleeed# · « **Reply #8 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:31:31 pm »

A winning mentality that Kenny has employed will ensure positive results.

Lets see where that takes us, shall we?

ScouserAtHeart · « **Reply #9 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:31:47 pm »

Quote from: Ender on February 8, 2011, 04:30:20 pm

Do we get to play in CL if we win EL? I don't remember...

Getting 4th at least would mean CL next year, which would make it easier to attract the players we want. But I see no reason why we have to choose between fighting for 4th spot in the league and winning EL?

Nope. We get to play in the EL again if we don't qualify through league and cup.

Robotforaday · « **Reply #10 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:32:24 pm »

If we win this cup, we'll have won it more times than any other club. Right now we're level with Inter and Juve on 3 wins each. Time to set another record...

Samee · « **Reply #11 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:33:09 pm »

I'd prefer 4th.

Ender · « **Reply #12 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:33:38 pm »

Quote from: Rexy on February 8, 2011, 04:30:58 pm

Nah mate

Thanks! That's what I thought, but had to ask

freedom · « **Reply #13 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:33:57 pm »

Quote from: Scousebeef on February 8, 2011, 04:30:48 pm

I'd rather have 4th but there's no reason why we shouldnt be striving for both!!

me too!!

threeatatimejay · « **Reply #14 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:35:58 pm »

Is there an "I'll take anything we can get?" option?

Mouth · « **Reply #15 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:36:06 pm »

Would be an epic piss up in Dublin.

killer-heels · « **Reply #16 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:36:33 pm »

The Europa League is vitally important. Usually its the first trophy that is hardest to win and by getting this under our belt, we will not only satisfy players who want more medals, but also instill a sense of confidence and belief within the squad that you cannot get from league finishes alone.

Plus, we are LFC. We exist to win trophies. 4 years is too long a time for this club to have gone without one.

lfcls7 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:37:30 pm »

i would rather the europa league, coz if chelsea fall below us and win the champions league, they take our place in hte CL and we get the EL again, despite finishing 4th

Wee Red Steve · « **Reply #18 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:38:00 pm »

Much rather have 4th (esp if it was at Chelseas expense)

But it is silver and we are in it so we may as well have a decent crack at it, I remember the night we won it in 2001, brilliant night, would be nice to pick it up if we could do so without sacrificing league form...

SteveZissou · « **Reply #19 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:38:21 pm »

Yes, but if Rafa wins the UEFA Cup and finishes 4th that would be a failure and he should be sacked. Let's hope Torres can stay fit for the last two months (already been out a while together with nearly all our first team players from time to time)...

...Hodgson...exit...

Kenny...yes, I would be over the moon!

Wee Red Steve · « **Reply #20 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:38:50 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on February 8, 2011, 04:36:06 pm

Would be an epic piss up in Dublin.

Bonus!!

exiledintheUSA · « **Reply #21 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:39:23 pm »

Quote from: lfcls7 on February 8, 2011, 04:37:30 pm

i would rather the europa league, coz if chelsea fall below us and win the champions league, they take our place in hte CL and we get the EL again, despite finishing 4th

Europa League. Check.

Chelsea below us. Check.

Chelsea winning the CL. Fail.

Snail · « **Reply #22 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:40:15 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on February 8, 2011, 04:36:06 pm

Would be an epic piss up in Dublin.

This.

tjscouse · « **Reply #23 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:42:03 pm »

I'd love us to take the europa league seriously and get to the final. Dublin would be a great place to win another european trophy!

Bernard Shakey · « **Reply #24 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:42:06 pm »

Quote from: Samee on February 8, 2011, 04:33:09 pm

I'd prefer 4th.

Me too but the standard is so weak in this competition we likely wont play a proper side til the QFs. We'll have a better idea of whether 4th is attainable by that point then.

Bernard Shakey · « **Reply #25 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:43:10 pm »

Quote from: Mouth on February 8, 2011, 04:36:06 pm

Would be an epic piss up in Dublin.

A great point..all the "neutrals" would likely be LFC fans...it'll be like a home match.

Ryan M · « **Reply #26 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:44:33 pm »

I certainly wouldn't knock back a chance to go to the Emerald Isle.

Tomo! · « **Reply #27 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:47:00 pm »

Quote from: killer_heels on February 8, 2011, 04:36:33 pm

The Europa League is vitally important. Usually its the first trophy that is hardest to win and by getting this under our belt, we will not only satisfy players who want more medals, but also instill a sense of confidence and belief within the squad that you cannot get from league finishes alone.

Plus, we are LFC. We exist to win trophies. 4 years is too long a time for this club to have gone without one.

Agree with this, I can remeber when Villa bombed out under Martin O'Neil after putting out a weakened side.
All the effort to secure European football just to treat it like a hinderance when it came round to playing in it. They lost any semblance of form after pissing away the chance of a trophy.

Thats the difference between top clubs and almost clubs, some look at it as a opportunity for a couple of trophys if you include the super cup. Others are just there to make the numbers up and we are not others.

Banquo's Ghost · « **Reply #28 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:48:13 pm »

Quote from: killer_heels on February 8, 2011, 04:36:33 pm

The Europa League is vitally important. Usually its the first trophy that is hardest to win and by getting this under our belt, we will not only satisfy players who want more medals, but also instill a sense of confidence and belief within the squad that you cannot get from league finishes alone.

Plus, we are LFC. We exist to win trophies. 4 years is too long a time for this club to have gone without one.

Exactly right. And winning becomes a habit.

We need to win each game as it presents itself. That way, the Europa league trophy will be ours and we have a good chance of 4th - but the latter is out of our hands if others also win consistently.

EDIT: I ought to add, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin is a wonderful venue. I've been there for the rugger and it's a fabulous stadium.

edeyj · « **Reply #29 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:50:09 pm »

Don't prioritise one over the other imo.

Build momentum in both competitions.

leivapool · « **Reply #30 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:50:19 pm »

I think UEFA or whoever organises the Europa League and Champions League should make winning the Europa League mean a place in the Champions League the following season. Imagine how much more importance and credibility it would give the Europa League. As half the teams in the knock out rounds come from the CL anyway I think this would really liven up the Europa. I mean we would put much more emphasis on it if this was the case wouldn't we?

Anyone agree?

redmond · « **Reply #31 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:51:32 pm »

Getting to see Liverpool in a European Cup Final in Ireland = EPIC

The buzz would be mental in Dublin.

PaLee · « **Reply #32 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:51:45 pm »

Both are achievable really. Win the cup and finish 4th/5th. Kenny get permanent job. Have a crack at title next season. Happy days.

CANADAlglish · « **Reply #33 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:52:10 pm »

Quote from: Felch Aid on February 8, 2011, 04:29:28 pm

Sense at last. Best 11 week in week out - it's all about momentum.

No reason why we can't concentrate and just bloody win every game. Confidence is a great thing.

that would give us likle. . . 74 points. . and with a decent GD. . who knows where we would end up in the table. . I dont want to whisper it. . .

shame a EUROPA win does not get us automatically into CL.

cyador · « **Reply #34 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:52:45 pm »

Shame you can't qualify for the cl by winning the europa like you used to be able to. Would give the competition far more appeal.

NuncaCaminarásSolo · « **Reply #35 on:** February 8, 2011, 04:58:52 pm »

Quote from: exiledintheusa on February 8, 2011, 04:39:23 pm

Europa League. Check.

Chelsea below us. Check.

Chelsea winning the CL. Fail.

Don't forget setting the record for UEFA cup titles.

NuncaCaminarásSolo · « **Reply #36 on:** February 8, 2011, 05:00:55 pm »

Quote from: leivapool on February 8, 2011, 04:50:19 pm

I think UEFA or whoever organises the Europa League and Champions League should make winning the Europa League mean a place in the Champions League the following season. Imagine how much more importance and credibility it would give the Europa League. As half the teams in the knock out rounds come from the CL anyway I think this would really liven up the Europa. I mean we would put much more emphasis on it if this was the case wouldn't we?

Anyone agree?

Completely agree. On a side note, for some reason I also think "The Europa League" doesn't sound as prestigious as "The UEFA Cup". Don't know why but it just doesn't sound as nice.

Moldyman · « **Reply #37 on:** February 8, 2011, 05:02:23 pm »

Quote from: threeatatimejay on February 8, 2011, 04:35:58 pm

Is there an "I'll take anything we can get?" option?

NeoAdjuvant · « **Reply #38 on:** February 8, 2011, 05:05:35 pm »

I want us to win everything we are in. Plus, if we win every game left in the Europa League, we WILL win it. That simple.

kopblooded · « **Reply #39 on:** February 8, 2011, 05:05:56 pm »

I for one cant wait for the REAL (

) European championship to start .. Excited to see how Kenny does !