I actually thought they were better team with control in the first half for 30 mins. We only had a strong 15min period where we ripped them to shreds on their left. Anyway, whilst I am still pissed at our players and our loss, I am still confident of next season without European football. I think with Klopp and the right signings, we'll mount a serious challenge for the league and cups.
Yeah. How are we going to make the right signings without European football to offer them? You can wave goodbye to at least 5 potential targets on the back of that second half collapse, Klopp or no Klopp. The decision to rest players recently was very risky, and it ultimately backfired. Winning both games would have got a European spot. Winning them and beating Swansea would have secured 4th spot.
It's easy to single out the easy targets after the game, and they have been singled out, for the "huge clearout" in the summer. Reality is the team collapsed as a unit. Everyone stopped playing, and everyone should be held responsible.
Furthermore, it's not the first time this group of players has had a big game and screwed it up. Villa in the cup semi, City in the Cup Final, Seville in this. A lot of talking the talk beforehand, but when it was time to walk the walk when the going got tough, many got left behind. Unlike City last time, Seville were clinical when they had to be, and ruthlessly punished gaps and errors, as you would expect a quality side to do in Europe.
As we have disasterously failed to make Europe next year, there are a number of consequences on the way. Next August, the League Cup begins earlier than normal. Throughout the year, we have to watch the likes of Leicester, Southampton, and possibly West Ham (as well as the mancs) play in Europe, which will be very painful and embarrassing. As we sit it out, our European rankings and seedings will take severe hits. Next year will be very tough, and that's just if everything goes well.
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