Champions League / Premier League

[Leo No.8]

...I know it may be a bit of a cliche but could being knocked out in the group stages actually have a positive influence on our league campaign? Less big games to concentrate on meaning less rotation, less fatigue and more focus.

 

Quite honestly although I felt gutted last night we've had enough Champions League success in the last few years to last a while so I could live with an early exit this year if it helped our league form.

 

That said, I actually still think we'll qualify. When you look at the group and the likelihood of well matched teams taking points off each other, if we win our last 3 games which, if we find our feet and with the crowd up for it we definitely could then we'll probably qualify with 10 points.

 

Question is, would it be for the best? There's fo course money to consider, and what kind of damage going out earlier than in previous years would do to next year's transfer budget. Of course we want to do well in every competition and those CL nights at Anfield are the best, but it could be we need disappointment in Europe to bring success at home...

Edited October 25, 2007 by Leo No.8

[The Hitman]

I remember the Mancs being in "crisis" a couple of years back when they went out of Europe.Maybe we do just need to concentrate on the league,

[fred milne]

A blessing in disguise (as someone connected with LFC once said)?

[pipnasty]

I think the money issue is important as is giving European experience to the likes of Babel and Lucas. Being knocked out so early could also knock player confidence and that is the last thing we need right now. I can understand your point though but I think that staying in the competition outweighs the alternative.

[Dan]

Biggest concern for me would be team selection for the league games in and around the CL games if we're in with a shout.

[meepins]

getting knocked out of the worlds premier football competition is not a blessing in disguise

[Leo No.8]

getting knocked out of the worlds premier football competition is not a blessing in disguise

 

I hate that 'blessing in disguise' cliche and if I heard Rafa use it when we went out I'd think it was patronising (he wouldn't though). But the simple question for me is still would it help our league form?

 

It may be 'The World's Premier Football Competition', but it is also only second on mine and most other fans' priority list for Liverpool Football Club.

Edited October 25, 2007 by Leo No.8

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

Question is, would it be for the best? There's fo course money to consider, and what kind of damage going out earlier than in previous years would do to next year's transfer budget. Of course we want to do well in every competition and those CL nights at Anfield are the best, but it could be we need disappointment in Europe to bring success at home...

 

Bayern expect £18m from a long UEFA Cup run; this was a factor in their summer splash out.

 

The other 2 issues are our co-efficient which wouldn't take too much of a blow if we succeeded in the UEFA, and the attractiveness of the club to potential signings.

 

There's also the pure fan perspective - sitting through the other English sides winning in the CL wouldn't be easy.

[Guest Finnan3]

...I know it may be a bit of a cliche but could being knocked out in the group stages actually have a positive influence on our league campaign? Less big games to concentrate on meaning less rotation, less fatigue and more focus.

 

Quite honestly although I felt gutted last night we've had enough Champions League success in the last few years to last a while so I could live with an early exit this year if it helped our league form.

 

That said, I actually still think we'll qualify. When you look at the group and the likelihood of well matched teams taking points off each other, if we win our last 3 games which, if we find our feet and with the crowd up for it we definitely could then we'll probably qualify with 10 points.

 

Question is, would it be for the best? There's fo course money to consider, and what kind of damage going out earlier than in previous years would do to next year's transfer budget. Of course we want to do well in every competition and those CL nights at Anfield are the best, but it could be we need disappointment in Europe to bring success at home...

 

 

Could be but if we finish 3rd and have to go into the UEFA cup, do you honestly think our top players wont play? We could even win it meaning extra games.

[pipnasty]

Less big games to concentrate on meaning less rotation, less fatigue and more focus.

 

 

If we play our second string team during a possible UEFA cup run, this would still mean that Rafa would have to prepare a team and travel with them for away games. It could actually result in less focus for the first team players. I could see the logic of getting knocked out of all European competitions but not of only playing in the UEFA cup - we may as well stay in the CL.

[Woodsyla]

Ignore this it's cobblers

Edited October 25, 2007 by Woodsyla

[Gunga Din]

if we lose on sunday the league will be gone anyway, because we wont make 9 points up on Arsenal. so how getting knocked out of teh European Cup ios any sort of blessing, i will never know