Big decision time

We are fast approaching a potentially major turning point in the club's history.

In stark terms, we need to decide upon whether to play safe and build on our gains or to push our chips across the table and go all in.

On the pitch we have to solve the oft debated question of whether we should prioritise 4th, or, in the case of the Europa League competition, silverware. On the face of it, the decision should be easy since winning the cup competition in Warsaw this year also qualifies us for the Champion's League and its attendant money and cache. 

The stakes are massive. The new TV money from BT means the qualifying clubs can expect £40 million pounds even if they lose every game in the group stages. Winning the thing could add £60 million to the club's value. To put that in perspective our entire matchday income comes to £42 million a year.   

If you are one of the deluded few who thinks that doubling your income whilst keeping the same overheads wouldn't make a huge difference to our team wait and see what happens when our rivals spend that money instead of us.

Winning the domestic cup competitions would make such comparatively little difference to a club's fortunes now that we can soon expect to see teams fielding weakened sides in FA cup semi-finals. That should give pause for thought for anyone who thinks winning those competitions is a true sign of progress. And yes, that includes Kenny's time in charge.

Yet, in this most attractive years for targeting silverware, the stakes are raised further by our most recent victory over Tottenham. Suddenly it is no longer clear which team is favourite for one of two, or possibly even three, Champion's League spots that are up for grabs in the league. Whereas we faltered with our European campaigns of late, in the league we are top of the form table. The competition is absolutely wide open and we now know that we have as good a chance of success as anyone.

So what do we do?

We are fast approaching a potentially major turning point in the club's history.

In stark terms, we need to decide upon whether to play safe and build on our gains or to push our chips across the table and go all in.

On the pitch we have to solve the oft debated question of whether we should prioritise 4th, in the case of the Europa League competition, silverware. On the face of it, the decision should be easy since winning the cup competition in Warsaw this year also qualifies us for the Champion's League and its attendant money and cache. 

The stakes are massive. The new TV money from BT means the qualifying clubs can expect £40 million pounds even if they lose every game in the group stages. Winning the thing could add £60 million to the club's value. To put that in perspective our entire matchday income comes to £42 million a year.   

If you are one of the deluded few who thinks that doubling your income whilst keeping the same overheads wouldn't make a huge difference to our team wait and see what happens when our rivals spend that money instead of us.

Winning the domestic cup competitions would make such comparatively little difference to a club's fortunes now that we can soon expect to see teams fielding weakened sides in FA cup semi-finals. That should give pause for thought for anyone who thinks winning those competitions is a true sign of progress. And yes, that includes Kenny's time in charge.

Yet, in this most attractive years for targeting silverware, the stakes are raised further by our most recent victory over Tottenham. Suddenly it is no longer clear which team is favourite for one of two, or possibly even three, Champion's League spots that are up for grabs in the league. Whereas we faltered with our European campaigns of late, in the league we are top of the form table. The competition is absolutely wide open and we now know that we have as good a chance of success as anyone.

So what do we do?

I would think some of that decision was made already by doing nothing in the transfer window....problem with going all in on a competition that rests on one final match is that anything can happen in a one off match scenario...the best team or the team that "goes all in" does not always win.

Have you guys heard of periodization? I hadn't until recently. Essentially, its one of these new fangled ideas which isn't really that new fangled, but just the way it is being implemented by coaches like Rodgers is.

"This technique [periodisation] involves dividing training periods of up to a year (the macroycle) into smaller periods (mesocycles) which are divided further into microcycles. This approach is designed to prevent overtraining and result in a peak in performance at the time of competition (Wathan, 1994)."

Essentially the way our team is set-up has us at peak fitness from after Christmas to the end of May. The business end of the season if you will. Its no coincidence that under Rodgers we tend to be much stronger in the second half of the season (and probably why the last two January's we have bought no-one). The benefits of this mean that as a team, as long as we have 48 hours of rest, rotation is only needed for injuries and the most extreme of fixture pile-ups.

We don't need to prioritize one or the other. We can go for it in both. I expect Rodgers to give chances to fringe players in the Europa league though, purely because for each game we get two shots to win and because a draw isn't necessarily a bad result in a knock-out competition whereas drawing 0-0 against relegation fodder because we gave Borini a shot is. The defence is unlikely to change, so the main variable that will, will be the number of chances created.

Winning the domestic cup competitions would make such comparatively little difference to a club's fortunes now that we can soon expect to see teams fielding weakened sides in FA cup semi-finals. That should give pause for thought for anyone who thinks winning those competitions is a true sign of progress. And yes, that includes Kenny's time in charge.

I was watching BBC news a few months ago, and they compared the Women's FA cup final to the Men's financially. Women finalist got 5k-10k (can't remember exactly) and Men was 1.5m.

It's a no brainer for me, I would choose top 4 and group stages over FA and Carling cup wins. No doubt this is better long term for us. We should priorities this until we become stronger as a squad/team and constantly challenge for the title and CL.

No need to prioritise anything, we have the squad to compete on 3 fronts so go all out to win every game. 

No rotation, apart from cup tied players, best 11 available to play in every competition for me.

We beat one of our form rivals yesterday missing 2 of our best players, we held our own against the title favourites recently even though we eventually lost. 

We should have no fear about anyone we've still to play in any competition.

Really good topic and one I have been thinking about all week...

I think BR will F**k this up. He has openly admitted he has been tasked to win silverware this season and to save his job he will priorities the FA Cup 1st because that's the closest chance. A lot of pressure on him... league form, keep job or go for broke? Keep job...

Plus going away in Europa will ultimately affect our league form unless we send over the ressies and purposely go out. which we wont. We dont have the depth in the squad to play thurs sunday and do well.

What to do...

We have to prioritise. That starts by resting a few players on Saturday I'm afraid.

Really good topic and one I have been thinking about all week...

I think BR will f**k this up. He has openly admitted he has been tasked to win silverware this season and to save his job he will priorities the FA Cup 1st because that's the closest chance. A lot of pressure on him... league form, keep job or go for broke? Keep job...

Plus going away in Europa will ultimately affect our league form unless we send over the ressies and purposely go out. which we wont. We dont have the depth in the squad to play thurs sunday and do well.

What to do...

Don't know where you're getting the idea that Brendan is fighting to save his job this season. Whether we qualify for the champions league or not, he's going to remain our manager like it or lump it.

We have enough players to make changes in certain games so that we can focus on all three of the competitions in the coming weeks and months.

No point going 'all in' for the top four and risk still missing out and ending up with just a 5th or 6th place to show for this season.

I still take silverware over just top 4 Hollywood and will never ever change my view on that.

We are fast approaching a potentially major turning point in the club's history.

In stark terms, we need to decide upon whether to play safe and build on our gains or to push our chips across the table and go all in.

On the pitch we have to solve the oft debated question of whether we should prioritise 4th, in the case of the Europa League competition, silverware. On the face of it, the decision should be easy since winning the cup competition in Warsaw this year also qualifies us for the Champion's League and its attendant money and cache. 

The stakes are massive. The new TV money from BT means the qualifying clubs can expect £40 million pounds even if they lose every game in the group stages. Winning the thing could add £60 million to the club's value. To put that in perspective our entire matchday income comes to £42 million a year.   

If you are one of the deluded few who thinks that doubling your income whilst keeping the same overheads wouldn't make a huge difference to our team wait and see what happens when our rivals spend that money instead of us.

Winning the domestic cup competitions would make such comparatively little difference to a club's fortunes now that we can soon expect to see teams fielding weakened sides in FA cup semi-finals. That should give pause for thought for anyone who thinks winning those competitions is a true sign of progress. And yes, that includes Kenny's time in charge.

Yet, in this most attractive years for targeting silverware, the stakes are raised further by our most recent victory over Tottenham. Suddenly it is no longer clear which team is favourite for one of two, or possibly even three, Champion's League spots that are up for grabs in the league. Whereas we faltered with our European campaigns of late, in the league we are top of the form table. The competition is absolutely wide open and we now know that we have as good a chance of success as anyone.

So what do we do?

Win our next game.

Don't know where you're getting the idea that Brendan is fighting to save his job this season. Whether we qualify for the champions league or not, he's going to remain our manager like it or lump it.

Hopefully your right mate. And I'm a fan of his that wants that but he said his targets are silverware and top 4. Hopefully he can survive if he doesn't get them is all. If I had any doubt in my job I would do everything to get a trophy and the fa cup is the easier.

Personally I would much rather have either 4th or win the Europa League over the FA Cup, obviously because both bring Champions League football. But I don't think there is a need for prioritizing, we certainly have a big enough squad to compete well in all 3 comps.

To be honest I think it'll come right down to the wire for 4th, theres 5 teams vying for those 2 places (Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Southampton, Us) and whilst we are the form team right now, huge games against Southampton and City coming up could easily change that. However I do think we will at least make the final of one of the cup competitions, hopefully the Europa League, but as the first reply says, those games are very difficult to judge, you can't pin our Champions League hopes on 1 game.

I'd want to win the Europa and finish in top four to be honest. Top four is no achievement to be honest, I'd just like to see us in the CL next season again.

In terms of the Europa, winning that gets us CL qualification so that's high on our priority in my opinion. Otherwise, if we could pull an FA cup out of this season we'd be laughing too. Would love if we could pull a double out of nowhere, as we didn't expect it from our start to the season.

Win our next game.

So you mean if Daniel is carrying a niggle and we risk worsening it and having him out for six matches we should be starting him in the Europa games and chasing the win?

our club has always been known for it's bravery but, at our peak we were respected for our canniness too.

We may come to a point where throwing our best team at theEuropa competiton makes more sense than using it in the league.

So you mean if Daniel is carrying a niggle and we risk worsening it and having him out for six matches we should be starting him in the Europa games and chasing the win?

our club has always been known for it's bravery but, at our peak we were respected for our canniness too.

We may come to a point where throwing our best team at theEuropa competiton makes more sense than using it in the league.

The rule for me is, regardless of the games importance don't start Sturridge with a niggle.
Players play worse while carrying knocks anyway.
If its a final with a few months til the next game, you might be able to make a case, but as a general rule, don't play injured players particularly if they are injury prone.

Just worked out that if we beat Palace this weekend and make the semi finals of the Europa league we will have 2 games a week (mostly thursday-sunday) until the end of the season; also if we make the semi final of the FA cup then we will need to reschedule a game (no idea when, we may have to play 3 games in a week (tues-thurs-sun perhaps). Ny on impossible to play full strength every game and thats without injuries.

So you mean if Daniel is carrying a niggle and we risk worsening it and having him out for six matches we should be starting him in the Europa games and chasing the win?

our club has always been known for it's bravery but, at our peak we were respected for our canniness too.

We may come to a point where throwing our best team at theEuropa competiton makes more sense than using it in the league.

Seems to me we won our last game by taking Sturridge off,
but you go ahead and over-analyse my response. 

The rule for me is, regardless of the games importance don't start Sturridge with a niggle.
Players play worse while carrying knocks anyway.
If its a final with a few months til the next game, you might be able to make a case, but as a general rule, don't play injured players particularly if they are injury prone.

It's the 14th May, two matches to go in the league and we only have an outside chance of making 4th, Danny has a niggle BUT we are in the Europa League semi-final.

Are you saying you would rest him?

Take each game as it comes and play our strongest available line up. Attacking wise we have quite a few options and a couple of our players should be reasonably fresh, consider how Lallana hasn't been playing too regularly, Sturridge has missed half the season, Ibe will be used sparingly (I'd assume).

Personal preference would be to see us focus on the Europa League if we were to put all our eggs in one basket, but think we have the squad to compete on a few fronts, otherwise what was the point of fleshing out the squad in the summer?

It's the 14th May, two matches to go in the league and we only have an outside chance of making 4th, Danny has a niggle BUT we are in the Europa League semi-final.

Are you saying you would rest him?

For starters that's mildly shifting the goal posts as you are saying that our chances of top 4 are different to how they are now.
Ignoring that though I still definitely wouldn't start him. Might be a 60 minute sub. Not because of the last two fixtures which are Palace and Stoke (easy enough without Sturridge), but because its over two legs. We will need him more in the other semifinal and indeed the final. Wouldn't risk him.
I'd probably play a tight game and hope that we can nick it. Play him in the return leg.

With Gerrard out now for up to 3 weeks and Lucas also out I would think we are going to see a shift.

The choices are: Allen midfield...leave the back 3 alone

                        Can to Midfield....Lovren in the back 3.

Tough choice.

For starters that's mildly shifting the goal posts as you are saying that our chances of top 4 are different to how they are now.
Ignoring that though I still definitely wouldn't start him. Might be a 60 minute sub. Not because of the last two fixtures which are Palace and Stoke (easy enough without Sturridge), but because its over two legs. We will need him more in the other semifinal and indeed the final. Wouldn't risk him.
I'd probably play a tight game and hope that we can nick it. Play him in the return leg.

OK that's your view but that's the point i was getting at in the thread; I'm not shifting goalposts to say we are heading for a moment in which we decide whether or not to prioritise between the competitions.

I'm not saying that point is now or how it will manifest but it is coming.

OK that's your view but that's the point i was getting at in the thread; I'm not shifting goalposts to say we are heading for a moment in which we decide whether or not to prioritise between the competitions.

I'm not saying that point is now or how it will manifest but it is coming.

Fair re:goalposts
Still would be bad call to play Sturridge with a knock in any fixture we get two shots at.

Take each game as it comes and play our strongest available line up. Attacking wise we have quite a few options and a couple of our players should be reasonably fresh, consider how Lallana hasn't been playing too regularly, Sturridge has missed half the season, Ibe will be used sparingly (I'd assume).

Personal preference would be to see us focus on the Europa League if we were to put all our eggs in one basket, but think we have the squad to compete on a few fronts, otherwise what was the point of fleshing out the squad in the summer?

I agree with RedWilly in that we should field our strongest team in every match. I am still a believer in the old L.F.C. way aim to win every cup we are in, oh and the league as well.

Look pretty well set to go for all 3. Just need some injuries to heal, stay fit and we will do it.

Football has become a farce now. Finishing in the top 4 is not an achievement! Competing in the Champions league is not an achievement!  Winning silverware is the only thing a player should gain a sense of achievement from.

I know the money we bring makes a huge difference to the club's finances, but what does that mean to the players at the end of the day.
I won't gain any satisfaction from finishing in the top 4 year in year out, without trophies being won, we need to be winning cups to be successful, otherwise our League cups and FA cup successes have been for nothing!

think BR will f**k this up. He has openly admitted he has been tasked to win silverware this season and to save his job he will priorities the FA Cup 1st because that's the closest chance. A lot of pressure on him... league form, keep job or go for broke? Keep job...

I don't necessarily think that being tasked with winning silverware automatically means he will prioritise winning silverware over anything else to "save his job" mate. I think every top club wants to win silverware every year. Mourinho played his best side in both legs against us in the League Cup, it's just the way they operate, they all love winning trophies. Finding a balance between winning silverware and qualifying for champion's league is what top managers are paid to do.

I like the topic however, I would love to win silverware because it's been too long for a club of our stature. In order to attract the best players (and keep ours) in the summer, I think it's better to qualify for champion's league by getting into the top 4, 'cos then we're seen as serious contenders, rather than a team who had a good cup run in the EL. So, I would prioritise top 4 and FA cup over EL.

No need to prioritise anything, we have the squad to compete on 3 fronts so go all out to win every game. 

No rotation, apart from cup tied players, best 11 available to play in every competition for me.

We beat one of our form rivals yesterday missing 2 of our best players, we held our own against the title favourites recently even though we eventually lost. 

We should have no fear about anyone we've still to play in any competition.

Spot on Debs...I was just reading down the thread and you basically said what I was thinking.

Strongest team in every game for me.

I'd want to win the Europa and finish in top four to be honest. Top four is no achievement to be honest, I'd just like to see us in the CL next season again.

In terms of the Europa, winning that gets us CL qualification so that's high on our priority in my opinion. Otherwise, if we could pull an FA cup out of this season we'd be laughing too. Would love if we could pull a double out of nowhere, as we didn't expect it from our start to the season.

Wining the EL would be the priority for, But only because it leads to CL qualification. Other than that 3rd/4th is the target... the FA cup is nice to win but it’s only a bonus. To win the FA cup and fail to qualify for the CL will mean this season is a flop!

The F.A need to f**k this 4th placed finish off and give the final CL place to whoever wins the FA cup. If the winner of the F.A cup finishes in the top 3, then the last CL place should be given to the team who finishes 4th then.  Maybe even the finalist.

The way football is going the FA cup will become like Hollywood suggested teams fielding weakened sides, as they do in the league cup, because there is no money in it.

If the winner of the FA cup receives such a prize like CL qualification, it would restore and keep its magic. Wigan won it a couple of seasons ago - imagine them in the champions league!

If we want to push forward as a club then CL qualification is more important than a domestic cup because that's where the money is as we all know.

Football has become a farce now. Finishing in the top 4 is not an achievement! Competing in the Champions league is not an achievement!  Winning silverware is the only thing a player should gain a sense of achievement from.

I know the money we bring makes a huge difference to the club's finances, but what does that mean to the players at the end of the day.
I won't gain any satisfaction from finishing in the top 4 year in year out, without trophies being won, we need to be winning cups to be successful, otherwise our League cups and FA cup successes have been for nothing!

Clearly it means a lot to the players since your best players tend not to stick around if you're not in the Champions league and we're unable to sign the best players without it. Do you think Sterling would be umming and arring over a new contract with us if we were perennial Champions league participants? It matters to players because they want to be playing against the best in the world. It matters to them because they wan to play alongside the best players in the world and therefore a higher chance of silverware. Out of the last ten FA Cup finals, it's only been won twice by a team that didn't finish in the Champions League that season. This is the reality of modern football. He who has the most money invariably wins the most silverware.

Can someone remind me again why we are the most "successful" football club in England?.

Can someone remind me again why we are the most "successful" football club in England?.

It's not often I agree with Shabs, but I've got to say I do here. We are in danger of losing the plot aren't we? Football clubs exist to inspire their supporters, to over achieve or even to occasionally disappoint, to bring joy to the people who pay to keep them going. I work with a lad who's a died in the wool Blackburn Rovers supporter, born and bred. He knows they are sh!te, but he still follows them around the country and just occasionally when they play well and win he's over the moon. Ask him about the Venky's, or about Tugay and you'll have a cracking couple of hours over a few beers. Great lad he is, THAT'S what being a football fan is all about and ought to be what a football club is all about. 

With the greatest respect to our esteemed owners and their accountants I still was gutted when we didn't beat Chelsea to get into the carling Cup final. I was gutted because of my punters, at least 50% will be Chelsea fans as we're four tube stops from Stamford Bridge or something daft. Most of that 50% are very decent lads, "I was there when we won the full members cup" etc etc, but it still doesn't mean you don't want to get one over on em. The fact that winning the thing would make little difference financially doesn't bother me overly either, I'd still like to win it. Similarly, if it is the case that winning the FA cup doesn't matter financially I don't overly care about that either. I'd like to win that too.

I'm not a completely clueless c*** (or at least I hope I'm not) and I want us to get into the top four as well. Not because I'll get a tenner through the post mind, but because it will mean (or at least it OUGHT to mean) that we can buy better players the next time a window creaks open. It may even mean we can pay our own better players the going rate rather than flogging them off to the highest bidder, but perhaps I'm being silly there.

But no jumped up Johnny come lately tosspot, be they owners, accountants, TV companies or whoever else is going to tell me what I should and shouldn't get excited about. If they don't think FA Cup semi finals, FA Cup finals, or League Cup semis and finals are exciting, it's because they've never been to one. You have plenty of sh!t days when you follow a football team. That might be having your workmates taking the p!ss out of you because Djimi Traore has tried a back heel on the goal line and scored an OG, or it might be a wasted journey of a few hundred miles in the freezing cold to see your team draw 0-0 at Middlesbrough. Yes there are plenty of very average days when you are a football fan, that's what makes the great days even more great. Those that want to can "prioritise" a Champions League place all they want, but as a Liverpool fan I want us to win trophies. I'm one of Brendans biggest supporters on the boards, but we must IMHO seriously challenge for the winning of trophies. That applies for now as our squad and spending power (just) gives us the right to dream about such things. If these owners have their way, give it another couple of years and I'll be sitting down with Jonnie and for every Tugay or Tommy Spur he has, I'll have me Nick Tanners and Luis Garcias. 

The F.A need to f**k this 4th placed finish off and give the final CL place to whoever wins the FA cup. If the winner of the F.A cup finishes in the top 3, then the last CL place should be given to the team who finishes 4th then.  Maybe even the finalist.

The way football is going the FA cup will become like Hollywood suggested teams fielding weakened sides, as they do in the league cup, because there is no money in it.

If the winner of the FA cup receives such a prize like CL qualification, it would restore and keep its magic. Wigan won it a couple of seasons ago - imagine them in the champions league!

If we want to push forward as a club then CL qualification is more important than a domestic cup because that's where the money is as we all know.

I said that before that's it imperative that the FA offer a Champions league place to FA cup winner if they want to preserve the importance of the competition.
It's Common sense really, and its a win win situation for the FA, a bigger prize in the form of a CL place, and the likelihood of increased money to the FA from Sky and BT bidding on the rights.

No need to prioritise anything, we have the squad to compete on 3 fronts so go all out to win every game. 

No rotation, apart from cup tied players, best 11 available to play in every competition for me.

We beat one of our form rivals yesterday missing 2 of our best players, we held our own against the title favourites recently even though we eventually lost. 

We should have no fear about anyone we've still to play in any competition.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This all day long and twice on a f***in Sunday ,
There is absolutely no reason why we can't "go for it" on all fronts, it's one of the reasons why this club exists, to WIN trophies & titles, whether it be the league , league cup, FA cup, CL, or indeed the Europa league, of course we would all like to win those comps that offer the highest financial reward,however,
Ask any player from our illustrious past and they will tell you that their proudest moments were of lifting silverware and will show you their winning medals with a very large beaming smile, that still stands today(ask Carra & Stevie)

The bonus is the qualification of CL football by finishing ,2nd  3rd or 4th, by finishing top in your domestic league you are indeed. "Champions"

FIFA should change it back to the European cup and drop the word Champion for obvious reasons,

Anyhoo,
Debs is absolutely spot on, no need for rotation except when absolutely necessary or have no choice, prioritise every match in that the next one takes priority in other words your next is the most important,

Palace is the next priority followed by Saints then Citeh, focus on your next challenge which just happens to be the FA cup, go all out to win at Palace then forget it until the next round , and so on,
losing players through injury is just purely down to luck or lack thereof so just get on with it, Simples !


YNWA

It's not often I agree with Shabs, but I've got to say I do here. We are in danger of losing the plot aren't we? Football clubs exist to inspire their supporters, to over achieve or even to occasionally disappoint, to bring joy to the people who pay to keep them going. I work with a lad who's a died in the wool Blackburn Rovers supporter, born and bred. He knows they are sh!te, but he still follows them around the country and just occasionally when they play well and win he's over the moon. Ask him about the Venky's, or about Tugay and you'll have a cracking couple of hours over a few beers. Great lad he is, THAT'S what being a football fan is all about and ought to be what a football club is all about. 

With the greatest respect to our esteemed owners and their accountants I still was gutted when we didn't beat Chelsea to get into the carling Cup final. I was gutted because of my punters, at least 50% will be Chelsea fans as we're four tube stops from Stamford Bridge or something daft. Most of that 50% are very decent lads, "I was there when we won the full members cup" etc etc, but it still doesn't mean you don't want to get one over on em. The fact that winning the thing would make little difference financially doesn't bother me overly either, I'd still like to win it. Similarly, if it is the case that winning the FA cup doesn't matter financially I don't overly care about that either. I'd like to win that too.

I'm not a completely clueless c*** (or at least I hope I'm not) and I want us to get into the top four as well. Not because I'll get a tenner through the post mind, but because it will mean (or at least it OUGHT to mean) that we can buy better players the next time a window creaks open. It may even mean we can pay our own better players the going rate rather than flogging them off to the highest bidder, but perhaps I'm being silly there.

But no jumped up Johnny come lately tosspot, be they owners, accountants, TV companies or whoever else is going to tell me what I should and shouldn't get excited about. If they don't think FA Cup semi finals, FA Cup finals, or League Cup semis and finals are exciting, it's because they've never been to one. You have plenty of sh!t days when you follow a football team. That might be having your workmates taking the p!ss out of you because Djimi Traore has tried a back heel on the goal line and scored an OG, or it might be a wasted journey of a few hundred miles in the freezing cold to see your team draw 0-0 at Middlesbrough. Yes there are plenty of very average days when you are a football fan, that's what makes the great days even more great. Those that want to can "prioritise" a Champions League place all they want, but as a Liverpool fan I want us to win trophies. I'm one of Brendans biggest supporters on the boards, but we must IMHO seriously challenge for the winning of trophies. That applies for now as our squad and spending power (just) gives us the right to dream about such things. If these owners have their way, give it another couple of years and I'll be sitting down with Jonnie and for every Tugay or Tommy Spur he has, I'll have me Nick Tanners and Luis Garcias.

Fantastic post my friend.

Round of applause to you sir.

In 2001 we won three cups along with getting a Champions League spot.

There's no reason whatsoever with the size of our current squad we can't reach Champions League qualification and win something along with it. Winning things is what Liverpool is all about. Even during these lean years, we should expect to win something every year - and be disappointed if we don't.

Why can't players play 2 games a week! Seriously! Factory workers and labourers can work over 40 per week hard graft, but its such a big deal for players to run around a field  for 90 minutes twice a week!

There's no reason why men at the peak of their fitness can't challenge on all fronts.

The squad should be big enough that playing twice a week isn't a problem - the squad of '77 was a lot smaller and those players weren't the athletes that today's are.

We're the form team in the league, we have momentum, we have Sturridge back, we have a formation that's working, we have a confident looking goalkeeper and defence, we have the memory of our incredible run last Spring. We're more than capable of another incredible run that sees us achieve all three goals.

I personally would prioritise the Europa League. As well as the benefits of qualifying for the Champions' League, there's no greater thrill for me than seeing Liverpool win a European trophy. Plus Atletico Madrid have gone from strength to strength since they won it in 2010.

Some very very good posts in here.

Only thing I'd add is rest Sturridge for most Europa League fixtures. Because the league takes a break for FA Cup (until the latter latter stages), we can afford to use him in both of those competitions. Making him play Thursday/Sunday after such a long lay off might be harmful to him.

Some very very good posts in here.

Only thing I'd add is rest Sturridge for most Europa League fixtures. Because the league takes a break for FA Cup (until the latter latter stages), we can afford to use him in both of those competitions. Making him play Thursday/Sunday after such a long lay off might be harmful to him.

That's where I'd use Mario more and try and bring him into the side a bit more in the coming weeks.

Why can't players play 2 games a week!

Because they're pampered little F***ing fairies nowadays.

It's a F***ing joke what football has become.

Because they're pampered little F***ing fairies nowadays.

It's a F***ing joke what football has become.

I don't think many would argue with that Billy.

I don't think many would argue with that Billy.

They'd be a F***ing idiot if they did mate.

On the pitch we have to solve the oft debated question of whether we should prioritise 4th, or, in the case of the Europa League competition, silverware. On the face of it, the decision should be easy since winning the cup competition in Warsaw this year also qualifies us for the Champion's League and its attendant money and cache. 

The stakes are massive. The new TV money from BT means the qualifying clubs can expect £40 million pounds even if they lose every game in the group stages. Winning the thing could add £60 million to the club's value. To put that in perspective our entire matchday income comes to £42 million a year.

At least £60M increase from the Premier League payments.  I expect an increase in the overseas rights as well.  It wouldn't surprise me one iota if Liverpool pulled in £170M-£180M from the PL money in 2016-17 (even if we were to finish outside the top 4) compared to the just under £100M we got from finishing 2nd in 2013-14. 

As you say match attendance money is effectively insignificant for the club now.  Although they 'don't need to' they could make a significant cut of 25% for all or even more for certain sections of the ground.  They could quite easily give £10M back to the fans in lowered ticket prices from this huge increase.

But anyway, back to the main point - and my opinion remains the same.  Supporters get their principal enjoyment out of their football club from seeing them win trophies.   Qualifying for the Champions League is something of a poisoned chalice for the owners.  Yes they may get better sponsorship deals - but there is also significant pressure on them from supporters to then spend big and pay big wages.  Look what happened to Leeds.  We qualified once and were out by the groups.  How much do you reckon we earned from this CL campaign - £15M?

I doubt we will get anywhere in the UEFA Cup. 

I think Rodgers should keep his focus on trying to get into the top four (difficult as it will be now) but from a personal point of view he will be placing himself under understandable pressure to win a trophy - with the FA Cup the reds best option this season.  If he doesn't win any silverware at Liverpool - even if he finishes second every year for the next five - future generations would not consider him a successful manager when they look at the list of LFC managers.  Might be harsh but that's how football history works.

These owners are not going to go gung ho and bring in the big names.  When the stadiums done, and they cash in their chips (likely before the next TV deal is done), then maybe we may get some mad owners and things will go full circle.

At least £60M increase from the Premier League payments.  I expect an increase in the overseas rights as well.  It wouldn't surprise me one iota if Liverpool pulled in £170M-£180M from the PL money in 2016-17 (even if we were to finish outside the top 4) compared to the just under £100M we got from finishing 2nd in 2013-14. 

As you say match attendance money is effectively insignificant for the club now.  Although they 'don't need to' they could make a significant cut of 25% for all or even more for certain sections of the ground.  They could quite easily give £10M back to the fans in lowered ticket prices from this huge increase.

But anyway, back to the main point - and my opinion remains the same.  Supporters get their principal enjoyment out of their football club from seeing them win trophies.   Qualifying for the Champions League is something of a poisoned chalice for the owners.  Yes they may get better sponsorship deals - but there is also significant pressure on them from supporters to then spend big and pay big wages.  Look what happened to Leeds.  We qualified once and were out by the groups.  How much do you reckon we earned from this CL campaign - £15M?

I doubt we will get anywhere in the UEFA Cup. 

I think Rodgers should keep his focus on trying to get into the top four (difficult as it will be now) but from a personal point of view he will be placing himself under understandable pressure to win a trophy - with the FA Cup the reds best option this season.  If he doesn't win any silverware at Liverpool - even if he finishes second every year for the next five - future generations would not consider him a successful manager when they look at the list of LFC managers.  Might be harsh but that's how football history works.

These owners are not going to go gung ho and bring in the big names.  When the stadiums done, and they cash in their chips (likely before the next TV deal is done), then maybe we may get some mad owners and things will go full circle.

Even if our owners sold tomorrow to the richest person on the planet under FFp we would be no better off, can people not understand that we are spending exactly what we can afford. City have been punished in the championsleague for over stepping the mark, but the fact is they can spend more because they earn more. Yes very sad but we have been fu**ed over by many a past owner we have fallen behind City and Chelsea in our spending power, do not misstake this for owner spending power its the club sponsorship and money deals thats the key.

Fact our current owners have made massive strides as a club and our spending power, i cannot see any other club who has made the same gains in the period our owners have been here.

I doubt we will get anywhere in the UEFA Cup. 

Just out of interest, why?

For my money, I'm only worried about Roma. Not saying we'll win, but I'll be disappointed if we don't get pretty far.

Football is a simple game and if you treat it that way then you give yourself a better a chance of success , keep rotation to a minimum, base the team on balance and form and not sentiment or reputation . One game at a time

Just out of interest, why?

The tradition of under performance of ex champions league sides in the tournament.

The fact that we arent very good in Europe.

The fact that we will need to win a load more games in it than the FA cup.

The tradition of under performance of ex champions league sides in the tournament.

The fact that we arent very good in Europe.

The fact that we will need to win a load more games in it than the FA cup.

The first is fair - though that is typically because those sides have cared far less in the past (as it offered little reward). I doubt this will be the case this year.

Secondly, our form and performance has increased several orders of magnitude since earlier this year, so I don't think that is quite fair.

Third, is a relative thing. Yes, we have better odds in the FA cup, but that doesn't have much bearing on our expectations in the Europa league. Also each game being over two legs is an advantage for our current set-up - a set-up which is very good at not losing.

My 2 bobs worth. some fans think too much and have way too much time on thier hands.

The club is good solid hands, they are IMO doing a very good job, they will do whats best for the long term stability and success of LFC.

ps. We are LFC we will win more silverware, and probably the league sooner than most think. But there is more to it than that, the owners have to make sure the club stays around for years to come. I always worry we could end up doing a Leeds or god for bit a glasgow rangers.

Let's leave them too it, unless we get to the stage where the fans are going to buy the owners out ? Things could be a hell of a lot worse.

Peace & YNWA.

I've seen posts here abour BR being 'under pressure' from the owners to win silverware - but there is also an unspoken pressure from the fans to win one (ideally two !!) more trophies for Stevie.

As much as the football writers would love it if he won the FA cup, on his birthday, on his 'last' appearance for the club, if there was a competition that had priority, it would have to be Europa league due to the winners getting a CL slot

Saying that though, no reason given the squad we have, that we cannot get top 4 and win both cups.

Well that's that.

We now need to direct all our energies towards the league which we will now have a substantially better chance in.

To those trying to claim that going for all competitions equally the sight of our players cramping up and limping off the pitch should give some pause for thought.

Trophies, whilst nice, are not as important to the club and players as qualification for next years Champions League competition.

Trophies, whilst nice, are not as important to the club and players as qualification for next years Champions League competition.

I'll keep that in mind for all future seasons where we win nothing but finish fourth.

Might even go out for a celebratory bevvie and have a sing song about the fourth place finish with some mates.

I'll get some of them league winners t-shirts you see people buying at the market made up for us but get them to change it to 2015 4th place winners and join you mate.

I'll get some of them league winners t-shirts you see people buying at the market made up for us but get them to change it to 2015 4th place winners and join you mate.

Don't forget to bring along a balance sheet to show how much profit we made during the season, we'll have a right laugh!

I think trophies are just as important to the players as the fans, however this Thursday/Sunday schedule is not conducive to winning anything and infact harmful as has been shown for most english teams who have progressed in this EL.

Why can't players play 2 games a week! Seriously! Factory workers and labourers can work over 40 per week hard graft, but its such a big deal for players to run around a field  for 90 minutes twice a week!

There's no reason why men at the peak of their fitness can't challenge on all fronts.

Bunch of fannys

When people compare being a factory worker or labourer to a football player or athlete. I really question their overrall logic.

Like, you REALLY can't tell the difference?

When people compare being a factory worker or labourer to a football player or athlete. I really question their overrall logic.

Like, you REALLY can't tell the difference?

As in what? I used to be a ground worker and can tell you that digging trenches 7 hours a day is a lot more taxing than running around twice a week for 90 minutes. You don't see a site foreman saying well Steve has done 45 days of digging now he needs a rest.

Plus think about people like marathon runners who run miles and miles every day. It's 90 minutes for F**k sake.

As in what? I used to be a ground worker and can tell you that digging trenches 7 hours a day is a lot more taxing than running around twice a week for 90 minutes. You don't see a site foreman saying well Steve has done 45 days of digging now he needs a rest.

Plus think about people like marathon runners who run miles and miles every day. It's 90 minutes for f**k sake.

They could all run all day every day but at the level they are operating at (a level 0.0000001% of aspirants ever attain) small margins count immeasurably

As in what? I used to be a ground worker and can tell you that digging trenches 7 hours a day is a lot more taxing than running around twice a week for 90 minutes. You don't see a site foreman saying well Steve has done 45 days of digging now he needs a rest.

Plus think about people like marathon runners who run miles and miles every day. It's 90 minutes for f**k sake.

That's all fine mate, unfortunately when your playing another team who has had 1-2 day more rest and in the case of those teams not in Europe a whole weeks rest...............you get the jist?

I'll keep that in mind for all future seasons where we win nothing but finish fourth.

Might even go out for a celebratory bevvie and have a sing song about the fourth place finish with some mates.

Get with the programme - none of the big clubs - and by extension the players - care about domestic cup competitions any more.

We are not far off the scenario where we will see weakened sides playing in the cup semi finals.

They used to be important now they are not.

While you are out celebrating the league cup the serious clubs are attracting big money to pay big players to compete for the big prizes.

If we want to be a big club therefore that is the stage we need to be competing on. Not beating championsip sides for trophies that no-one gives a sh*t about.

yes, it's better than nothing - but only just - and therefore we should be aiming higher than that.

Win the next game.

Win the next game.

i know you are going to accuse me of over-analysing your glib answer but trying to win the last game has now left our players cramped and potentially injured before the crucial match aagianst city.

i know you are going to accuse me of over-analysing your glib answer but trying to win the last game has now left our players cramped and potentially injured before the crucial match aagianst city.

Not winning it has left them cramped and potentially injured.

Not winning it has left them cramped and potentially injured.

who could have guessed that unlikley scenario would arise?

Get with the programme - none of the big clubs - and by extension the players - care about domestic cup competitions any more.

You may well be right mate and I'd say a fair amount of 'fans' as well especially new ones.

Why I'm becoming more and more disillusioned with football and often think if it's worth my time.

You may well be right mate and I'd say a fair amount of 'fans' as well especially new ones.

Why I'm becoming more and more disillusioned with football and often think if it's worth my time.

Start a thread - i've been having simlar thoughts and it would be interesting to discuss!

Start a thread - i've been having simlar thoughts and it would be interesting to discuss!

I'm on my phone in work now mate and might not have time. Was going to this evening when I got home.

Get with the programme - none of the big clubs - and by extension the players - care about domestic cup competitions any more.

We are not far off the scenario where we will see weakened sides playing in the cup semi finals.

They used to be important now they are not.

While you are out celebrating the league cup the serious clubs are attracting big money to pay big players to compete for the big prizes.

If we want to be a big club therefore that is the stage we need to be competing on. Not beating championsip sides for trophies that no-one gives a sh*t about.

yes, it's better than nothing - but only just - and therefore we should be aiming higher than that.

I fully understand that.

But as a fan I enjoy seeing us win trophies, if we don't and we are just endlessly aiming for top 4, but no trophies at the end of it for the next ten years and management that don't give a toss about silverware, then what's the point? Where's the enjoyment?

Last season was great, but ultimately left everyone deflated, whereas if we done a cup and come fourth we would have felt much better during the lads lap of honour.

Look, I know full well CL is more important for the club, but for me I just find the thought of that depressing.