Now we can really "start from scratch" so to speak with Klopp. Let's see who is down for the fight. Who will be here, regardless of whether or not we have CL. That goes for incomings and current players. Can we bring in a top keeper? If so that's a huge step without CL. Can we bring in a player like Götze? if he comes, we will know he is committed no matter what. Can we keep Coutinho without CL next season? etc etc. Klopp said it himself---if a player wants to come only because of CL then their head isn't in the right place. Now we won't have to wonder. No CL, not Europe even. Just week in and week out domestic matches. Who wants it?
I think it really is a blessing in disguise for us. We will be able to build a solid starting XI of players who will be here for the long-term who are GOOD ENOUGH. Hopefully we can do what Spurs did; bring in a bunch of new players and in 2-3 seasons be challenging for the title.
Spurs have got European football for many years now, and are still the only side to finish 4th since 2002 and not make the European Cup. They have something to offer their new signings, which helps them get the players they're after.
Gotze is currently considering alternative options now we don't have it next year. The top players want to play in Europe, they're used to playing twice a week as its their job. When you don't even have the UEFA Cup, well there are other clubs ahead in the race for their signature.
It's easy to look back and make such statements now. Man City also dropped 9 points in their last five games just as we did, who would have thought back then? As far as most of us were concerned, top 4 was already gone then, and many would think that resting players for the Europa League was a risk worth taking at that point. Sure, we could have got the Europa League spot, but I don't think that would really be a big factor for these "big players" we're chasing after? I'm actually not overly concerned that we won't be playing in the Europa League next year, if anything that could be a blessing. And I don't see why we should care that West Ham or Southampton or (hopefully) Crystal Palace will be playing in that competition. Why would you be watching that anyway?
We didn't get to play in europe in 2013/14 and as far as I recall, that season went pretty damn well didn't it?
On the other hand there was 2011 when a small minority of fans came out with the "blessing in disguise" claptrap when we didn't make Europe. The next year, our new star signing was Charlie Adam, and if anything things got worse. Kenny was then summoned to Boston for the verdict. So no Europe doesn't work all the time.
Those clubs will be in Europe next year while we have to sit it out. As we regard them as below us, it should be embarrassing. We had four competitions to get a European spot from. We had games in hand on those above us for months, and with the league as competitive as it is atm, they were dropping points all over the shop, we had plenty of chances to take advantage. It's no good saying "who would have thought", we should have been ready for it. 2 wins in the last week would have been enough, and if we won the last 4 league games, we would have finished fourth. Instead we eased off, rested too many players, dropped our own share of points, and ended up with nothing.
No European football for the third time in 6 years means our rankings and seedings will snowball again. The best we can do is be second seeds in the European Cup, if we haven't won the league. Last time we were third seeds and got Real Madrid. Next time we could be fourth seeds in a group with the likes of Barcelona, Dortmund, and Roma for two spots. You don't need me to tell you how difficult that would be.
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