Champions League very important for confidence

I don't understand some fans saying that they would like to see us exit the Champions League in order to focus on the league.

If anything, this would have a negative impact and lessen our chances of winning the title in my eyes - it's a confidence game and that would be a big hit to our squad morale.

We could find ourselves out the league run-in if things go south and then nothing left to fight for.

I don't understand some fans saying that they would like to see us exit the Champions League in order to focus on the league.

If anything, this would have a negative impact and lessen our chances of winning the title in my eyes - it's a confidence game and that would be a big hit to our squad morale.

We could find ourselves out the league run-in if things go south and then nothing left to fight for.

Completely agree.

Momentum is everything and the momentum of us getting through to the next stage, in my opinion, would no doubt improve the team's confidence and have morale booming.

If we went out, I think some players may let their heads drop for a bit too long and it may affect us negatively in the last run of games for the league.

We are Liverpool FC we should be more than capable to compete for both the PL and the CL!

I don't understand some fans saying that they would like to see us exit the Champions League in order to focus on the league.

If anything, this would have a negative impact and lessen our chances of winning the title in my eyes - it's a confidence game and that would be a big hit to our squad morale.

We could find ourselves out the league run-in if things go south and then nothing left to fight for.

Spot F***ing on - winning games is everything

Whether you agree with him or not Tompkins did an excellent piece earlier in the season about how CL affects league form.
He showed pretty clearly that the further a team goes in the CL, the more their league form suffers.
Of course it affects some teams to a greater extent than others, but the correlation was pretty clear.

This is just for info.
Take from it what you will.

I don't understand some fans saying that they would like to see us exit the Champions League in order to focus on the league.

If anything, this would have a negative impact and lessen our chances of winning the title in my eyes - it's a confidence game and that would be a big hit to our squad morale.

We could find ourselves out the league run-in if things go south and then nothing left to fight for.

Completely agree.

Momentum is everything and the momentum of us getting through to the next stage, in my opinion, would no doubt improve the team's confidence and have morale booming.

If we went out, I think some players may let their heads drop for a bit too long and it may affect us negatively in the last run of games for the league.

We are Liverpool FC we should be more than capable to compete for both the PL and the CL!

I can understand all though I don't necessarily agree. Winning the league (( this season )) far more important than CL. It's nearly 30 years and all though both would be nice priority without doubt Premier League.

It's a double edge sword and a dilemma, all though a very nice one to be in.

You could argue your squad not big enough in debt to play at the highest levels in both competitions to win both.

I can understand all though I don't necessarily agree. Winning the league (( this season )) far more important than CL. It's nearly 30 years and all though both would be nice priority without doubt Premier League.

It's a double edge sword and a dilemma, all though a very nice one to be in.

You could argue your squad not big enough in debt to play at the highest levels in both competitions to win both.

Could also argue that the pressure of only competing for the PL could get to the players.

I don't understand some fans saying that they would like to see us exit the Champions League in order to focus on the league.

If anything, this would have a negative impact and lessen our chances of winning the title in my eyes - it's a confidence game and that would be a big hit to our squad morale.

We could find ourselves out the league run-in if things go south and then nothing left to fight for.

Correct.

We should be able to cope with league games and some champions league games.

Esp. if winning.

We can go for both no worries.

Correct.

We should be able to cope with league games and some champions league games.

Esp. if winning.

We can go for both no worries.

Yes we do that every year. So what's the problem so big that we've to concentrate on the league? 

What's changed to prompt this idea? Just because we're anxious of winning the league?

Whether you agree with him or not Tompkins did an excellent piece earlier in the season about how CL affects league form.
He showed pretty clearly that the further a team goes in the CL, the more their league form suffers.
Of course it affects some teams to a greater extent than others, but the correlation was pretty clear.

This is just for info.
Take from it what you will.

Yea I'd generally agree mate. In our case, I don't think it applies just yet. We've had 4 draws out of 6 in the past month or so and only 1 CL game. We're clearly going through a general blip uncorrelated to CL in this case. Just hope we snap out of it quickly.

Tompkins' analysis will probably be more relevant later. No way in hell would I want to deprioritize CL for league, both equal in priorities in my opinion - I do realize that's not what you're arguing against anyway mate.

Yea I'd generally agree mate. In our case, I don't think it applies just yet. We've had 4 draws out of 6 in the past month or so and only 1 CL game. We're clearly going through a general blip uncorrelated to CL in this case. Just hope we snap out of it quickly.

Tompkins' analysis will probably be more relevant later. No way in hell would I want to deprioritize CL for league, both equal in priorities in my opinion - I do realize that's not what you're arguing against anyway mate.

Just throwing it out there for info to be honest mate.

In my view, we should be able to manage well enough, given we have so many midfield options, with Ox also coming back at some point.
I've identified the midfield, because in previous seasons where we've had a rough patch, it's been because the midfielders are knackered.

Hypothetically though, if asked which I would prefer to win out of the 2, it would be the league.

I don't understand some fans saying that they would like to see us exit the Champions League in order to focus on the league.

If anything, this would have a negative impact and lessen our chances of winning the title in my eyes

I've got a lot of time for this opinion that maybe I didn't before.  I think that Wolves FA Cup defeat in January did knock the stuffing out of us.  Especially coming so close to the Man City game.

It may not have been the 'first team' involved but football is such a confidence game that it must have had an impact.

Two wins in the next six days please redmen.

Yes we do that every year. So what's the problem so big that we've to concentrate on the league? 

What's changed to prompt this idea? Just because we're anxious of winning the league?

yup, and stupid pundits putting stupid ideas into soft lads heeds. .

I've got a lot of time for this opinion that maybe I didn't before.  I think that Wolves FA Cup defeat in January did knock the stuffing out of us.  Especially coming so close to the Man City game.

It may not have been the 'first team' involved but football is such a confidence game that it must have had an impact.

Two wins in the next six days please redmen.

being out of league and FA cup so early meant less games for the fringe guys, meaning they were less match sharp.

Im not sure the 2x10 day breaks helped us that much apart from getting injured players closer to fitness.

It has made our 2019 season very stop start ad interrupted some of the fluidity in our play.

You would always rather be in every comp. for as long as possible.

Hypothetically though, if asked which I would prefer to win out of the 2, it would be the league.

Yep, so would I mate. Just don't agree with people who say we should deprioritize CL. It sounds like  suggesting we should sacrifice one for the other. We go for both with equal gusto and winning mentality. The league is clearly what we're all dreaming of.

Old Proverb:

Do not put all your eggs in one basket:

Its been a phenomenal season. Confidence should be fine. Pundits and fans are the ones 'bottling' it.

Champions League is the priority now because league is no longer in our hands. 9 games to go it's in City's hands unfortunately. It's theirs too lose now and it's very unlikely that will happen.

There was a time I'd have took a defeat in this game if it meant we could solely focus on the league. The league title bid is now looking like it's getting away from us. (Again it isn't the points 1 behind is nothing) but our form compared to Cities since Feb doesn't make great reading.

The upshot is this competition ia back on my radar at least (I dont think the club itself ever took it's eye off it). This is about as realistic chance as the league now so it would be daft to happily exit at this stage.

Again I don't think we have the squad for both but in the coming weeks it might become evident based on results in both of these competitions just where our focus should lie. If we go through against Bayern then lose a few in the league then the focus may switch. Obviously if we lose next week then the decision has been made for us to go for the league until it's a mathematical impossibility.

We have the Team to win both Competitions. Let's F***ing go for it.

Champions League is the priority now because league is no longer in our hands. 9 games to go it's in City's hands unfortunately. It's theirs too lose now and it's very unlikely that will happen.

brilliant, best negative post ever in the history of negative posts.

1 point behind so league is over.

There was a time I'd have took a defeat in this game if it meant we could solely focus on the league. The league title bid is now looking like it's getting away from us. (Again it isn't the points 1 behind is nothing) but our form compared to Cities since Feb doesn't make great reading.

The upshot is this competition ia back on my radar at least (I dont think the club itself ever took it's eye off it). This is about as realistic chance as the league now so it would be daft to happily exit at this stage.

Again I don't think we have the squad for both but in the coming weeks it might become evident based on results in both of these competitions just where our focus should lie. If we go through against Bayern then lose a few in the league then the focus may switch. Obviously if we lose next week then the decision has been made for us to go for the league until it's a mathematical impossibility.

Imagine city drop points this weekend, we could go top again. U just dont know.

Its all on for both comps.

People keep talking about February form and the draws, we have drawn with some massive clubs and very good teams. Bayern ffs. keeping a clean sheet v them was awesome, away to the mancs was a good draw, away to the everton was a good draw.

Yes we would have wanted to with those games, but hey were unbeaten and still well in the league title race, and in with a great shout of knocking the big germans out.

I don't think we have the squad for both

Think this is being overplayed as the number of matches between now and the end of the season isn't THAT excessive!

From 10th March (our next league game) to 12th May (our final league match) we play 9 league matches and a maximum (hopefully!) of 5 CL matches (up to the semi-final 2nd leg).  That's 14 matches in 9 weeks.

Surely we have a team/squad that can cope with that schedule??!!!

The CL final isn't until 3 weeks later on 1st June.

Imagine city drop points this weekend, we could go top again. U just dont know.

Its all on for both comps.

People keep talking about February form and the draws, we have drawn with some massive clubs and very good teams. Bayern ffs. keeping a clean sheet v them was awesome, away to the mancs was a good draw, away to the everton was a good draw.

Yes we would have wanted to with those games, but hey were unbeaten and still well in the league title race, and in with a great shout of knocking the big germans out.

Agreed !  We've kept 5 successive clean sheets, having not conceded since 4th Feb, which is remarkable at this stage of the season.

We just need to start moving the ball quicker in midfield and amongst the front 3.  The old Liverpool adage of "pass & move" will see us back on a roll again.

I've got a good feeling about the next 2 months, and this board may well be a lot quieter in 5-6 weeks (the naysayers going AWOL!).

Come on you MIGHTY REDS!!!!

We are Liverpool we must always try and win the European Cup. I understand that given a choice 99% of  us would probably take winning the league but at the moment we are behind and whilst City could easily drop points they're just as likely to win every game just with the strength of their squad. As much as I'm desperate for the PL title I'd be equally as made up with the CL...

Whether you agree with him or not Tompkins did an excellent piece earlier in the season about how CL affects league form.
He showed pretty clearly that the further a team goes in the CL, the more their league form suffers.
Of course it affects some teams to a greater extent than others, but the correlation was pretty clear.

This is just for info.
Take from it what you will.

I thought going out of the league cup and FA Cup would have a positive effect on our chances of winning the league but that hasn't really transpired. In fact our form after these breaks to Dubai and Spain has been nothing short of poor. A win would be massive for us although, given the squad i'm not sure it would be the best thing in the world to draw a United or City in the next round. Am hoping we get through and that they draw eachother. that sort of game could be just the distraction for City in the league.

The way these things pan out you just feel should we get through it will be city , same as the Chelsea era we always got pulled together ,

Agreed !  We've kept 5 successive clean sheets, having not conceded since 4th Feb, which is remarkable at this stage of the season.

We just need to start moving the ball quicker in midfield and amongst the front 3.  The old Liverpool adage of "pass & move" will see us back on a roll again.

I've got a good feeling about the next 2 months, and this board may well be a lot quieter in 5-6 weeks (the naysayers going AWOL!).

Come on you MIGHTY REDS!!!!

Yup we have a solid base again for the front guys to relax and play a lot more freeier I feel, and as klopp has said we have created plenty chances to win some of those draws, Salah's mini dry spell wont last.

Folk have also not given Mane enough credit recently for being brilliant, he has stepped up again.

In 2017-18, the difference in prize money between 1st place MNC and 4th place LFC was 5.8 million pounds (1.9 mill between 1st and 2nd). In other words, negligible, especially when compared to the massive prize + market pool money available in the CL.
Fans may cling to such foolishness that losing in the CL is a blessing, but no owner would punt on an opportunity to rake in such an enormous financial windfall.
Begging for a CL knockout ?
Declaring LFC's string of nil/nil ties "good results" as they the team drops 8 points in the standings?
Hope the team shows more fight than some of its fans

Regardless, such conversation is meaningless if this team can't manage even a single goal in its matches

In 2017-18, the difference in prize money between 1st place MNC and 4th place LFC was 5.8 million pounds (1.9 mill between 1st and 2nd). In other words, negligible, especially when compared to the massive prize + market pool money available in the CL.
Fans may cling to such foolishness that losing in the CL is a blessing, but no owner would punt on an opportunity to rake in such an enormous financial windfall.
Begging for a CL knockout ?
Declaring LFC's string of nil/nil ties "good results" as they the team drops 8 points in the standings?
Hope the team shows more fight than some of its fans

Regardless, such conversation is meaningless if this team can't manage even a single goal in its matches

Foot fault!!

I’m believer of not focusing on one or the other where the CL and the league are concerned. I can happily let go the domestic cups if it really will benefit our season but not one of the other two. The level of teams you play against in Europe can really give you a big boost going into your next league game if you get the win. Vice versa too.

Take Napoli in December for example, that was a make or break game for our CL campaign, lose it and we spend Thursday nights being god knows where playing in terrible pitch conditions and having it impact our league games just a few days later. Yet, we won that game in the middle of a very hectic schedule, where we had 4 more games in a short space of time, against some tough teams; United, Wolves and Arsenal along with Newcastle. If we hadn’t beaten Napoli then I think it would have smashed our confidence and I really don’t think we’d have gone the whole Xmas period winning every game and the chances are, we’d be more than 1 point behind now.

Beat Bayern and providing we can avoid injury, it will give us more confidence and momentum. Last season we were winning in Europe but struggling in the league towards the end because we didn’t have the squad to manage the situation properly, where as now we are better equipped and we can use both competitions to bounce off of each other and hopefully go the rest of the season winning every game.

The 2 biggest competitions in club football, I really can’t condone the likes of Neville saying you have to throw one of them to concentrate on the other. If we don’t win the league then I’d at least like to be able to soften that blow by becoming kings of Europe again.

Try telling stuff like this to the Boot Room Boys. Ronnie Moran would tell you to f*ck off quick, fast, and in a hurry.

Take Napoli in December for example.

If we hadn’t beaten Napoli then I think it would have smashed our confidence and I really don’t think we’d have gone the whole Xmas period winning every game and the chances are, we’d be more than 1 point behind now.

I agree with the whole post, but Napoli was a Christmas game. If we didn't win that it would have been impossible to win every game over that period regardless of confidence down to the fact even every game won but Napoli would have meant we wouldn't have won every game.

Sorry to nit pick, but to win every game over the Christmas period that included Napoli.

I agree with the whole post, but Napoli was a Christmas game. If we didn't win that it would have been impossible to win every game over that period regardless of confidence down to the fact even every game won but Napoli would have meant we wouldn't have won every game.

Sorry to nit pick, but to win every game over the Christmas period that included Napoli.

Why are you even “nit-picking”? The fact I put about how I don’t think we’d have just been the 1 point behind makes it quite clear I was talking about our league games.
I’m fully aware if we’d have lost to Napoli we wouldn’t have gone the entire period winning every game we played. But I’m talking about the effects from that game onwards.

Let's keep that confidence rolling and sweep aside Bayern