UEFA Champions & Europa League 2014-15 Season Thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

Messi is no Harry Kane.

[Hero]

Will they though have 'the pick'.
City will be more than likely looking for a new manager after probably finishing the season empty handed.
Barca possibly will be looking a new guy as Enrique isn't overly popular with either the players or fans.
Utd and LVG could certainly have a parting of the ways based on where they finish and if he decides he's had enough.
Pep's looking unhappy at Bayern, Arsenal would suit his style certainly but I suspect the money offered by either Manchester club would tempt him more.
Klopp, unless pushed will not jump.
I see the following:

Simeone > Barca
Pep > City
Koeman > Arsenal
Hecking > Bayern

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Simeone is signing a new deal, isnt he?
Pep and Ancelotti interest me. I cant see City getting better than Carlo if Pep doesnt leave Bayern. Klopp seems like the type of guy to stick with Dortmund and get them going again. Remi Garde would be another outside pick, ex-Arsenal and growing reputation.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Simeone in the premier league would be a disaster, he doesn't have the temperament to put up with the more aggressive style, he'd go into meltdown having to play Stoke or the like.

Pep again I don't think would suit anyone other than Arsenal, even then it's a style of play that won't excite the fans, too slow in the build up.

Arsenal will be in the running for the top names.

[Duty281]

Maybe not Pep Guardiola, but Arsenal could certainly attract Klopp and Simeone.

[Stella]

Are Arsenal seen as that big of a club, outside England? That, and the fact they haven't got as much money as other clubs. The EPL being one of the top three leagues in Europe helps, I suppose.

[Hammersmith harrier]

They are/were a big enough team to attract Ozil and Sanchez so I think you'd be surprised, their fans however seem to revel in the assumption they're a small team punching above their weight.

[Guest]

I'm resisting any critical comments re the CL results as, if we're following a trend, Liverpool should concede at least 4 tonight!!!

[NickisBHAFC]

Tbf asides united and Chelsea. Arsenal is probably the most actrative job in this country. City and Liverpool just behind.

[Guest]

A top manager, who actually purchases players they need, instead of buying clones they already posess, could turn Arsenal into major contenders. Under Wenger, Arsenal are like a garage collecting the same type of car, they simply need to diversify & strengthen into two or three areas. It's not even a tough job to turn that around in my opinion, as Mourinho said on Goals on Sunday, "the squad is fantastic, I don't know why they've not been successful' - clearly implying its a management issue at the club.

Mourinho level/type managers, in one summer window, would transform & buy the players needed to do the job, that's what top managers do & what he did at Chelsea. Wenger has proven himself time & time again to be inept at progressing Arsenal, there is a reason he's never won the Champions League trophy.

I'm not sure how much longer he can live off the late 90's & early 2000's.

[Stella]

So the squad is fantastic but needs strengthening and diversity? I think the latter is right.

[Hero]

All places to talk Champions & Europa League  football for this season  

Champions League Round of 16 Draw

PSG vs Chelsea
Man City vs Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Juventus vs Dortmund
Schalke vs Real Madrid
Shaktar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal vs Monaco
Basel vs Porto


Arsenal - Monaco
Celtic - Inter Milan
Chelsea - PSG
Everton - Young Boys
Hull - OUT
Liverpool - OUT of CL dropped into Europa League - Besiktas
Man City - Barcelona
Man Utd - Swansea 21st February (It's about as close to European football as your getting this year) 
Tottenham - Fiorentina

Just remembered this. Jeez got stuffed in Europe home and away this year.

[Guest]

A top manager, who actually purchases players they need, instead of buying clones they already posess, could turn Arsenal into major contenders. Under Wenger, Arsenal are like a garage collecting the same type of car, they simply need to diversify & strengthen into two or three areas. It's not even a tough job to turn that around in my opinion, as Mourinho said on Goals on Sunday, "the squad is fantastic, I don't know why they've not been successful' - clearly implying its a management issue at the club.

Mourinho level/type managers, in one summer window, would transform & buy the players needed to do the job, that's what top managers do & what he did at Chelsea. Wenger has proven himself time & time again to be inept at progressing Arsenal, there is a reason he's never won the Champions League trophy.

I'm not sure how much longer he can live off the late 90's & early 2000's.

Been doing it for at least ten years so I reckon..........at least another ten years.

[hampo17]

Well this hasn't been the most exciting half an hour. Can see Balotelli getting sent off in this game.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Soldado is incredible

[hampo17]

Not a lot Mignolet can do about that finish, but Liverpool haven't come out second half.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Spurs look like theyre going out

[hampo17]

Looks like this game will go to extra time, just what we needed before the City game.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

ITV - missing live football for adverts since 1900

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Sturridge off injured?

[hampo17]

Hopefully just a precaution.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

This is classic ITV

[hampo17]

They just wanted to build the tension mate

[hampo17]

These penalties have been superb. Goalies haven't had a chance.

Well until that one.

[Fernando]

Lovren shanks it to send Liverpool out of the Europa League...

Bet some of the scousers are wishing that ITV didn't come back now

[lfc91]

Lovren is the worst player at Liverpool ATM, literally does nothing right. Having him on the pitch at all was a mistake, but the 5th pen, really!?!

Besiktas deserved to win to be fair, no arguments with the result. Although most of the Liverpool players should be ashamed of themselves after that. At least there should be no tiredness come Sunday, the majority of them barely got going tonight never mind tired out..

[Fernando]

In other news Everton are 3-1 up & 7-2 up on Agg. Looks like they going to be last man standing in the Europa League.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Lovren is the worst player at Liverpool ATM, literally does nothing right. Having him on the pitch at all was a mistake, but the 5th pen, really!?!

Besiktas deserved to win to be fair, no arguments with the result. Although most of the Liverpool players should be ashamed of themselves after that. At least there should be no tiredness come Sunday, the majority of them barely got going tonight never mind tired out..

Was a horrific game to be watch but to be fair to Liverpool the pitch didn't look up to standard to me, no urgency in the second half but that is what happens with a 3-5-2 formation it becomes a 5-3-2 with no get out ball.

[lfc91]

Yes my only gripe was the pitch, thought that with a flat pitch we may well have converted one of those first half chances that wouldn't quite sit for us.

Easy to say in hindsight though, bottom line is we didn't do enough to deserve the win. Last thing we needed before City was a 120 min defeat...

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The Athletic Bilbao Torino game is a cracker

[Fernando]

Strange move by Everton....Muhammed Besic is on for James McCarthy - Besic is a yellow away from a suspension and they are 5 goals clear...

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Silver lining is that Liverpool wont have to worry about Thursday->Saturday/Sunday games any more in the fight for 4th.

[lfc91]

Silver lining is that Liverpool wont have to worry about Thursday->Saturday/Sunday games any more in the fight for 4th.

True enough, but in my eyes the point of spending big money (as we have) is that you have the squad to compete on both fronts, which obviously we don't yet have. If hendo, gerrard, and Sahko aren't back for Sunday we are in big trouble!

[Guest]

Why did Sterling bottle a penalty, Lovren shouldn't of been put in that position, not when a striker is still on the pitch.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Why did Sterling bottle a penalty, Lovren shouldn't of been put in that position, not when a striker is still on the pitch.

Not being funny like, but kind of not upto them who takes the penalties

[lfc91]

Why did Sterling bottle a penalty, Lovren shouldn't of been put in that position, not when a striker is still on the pitch.

Not being funny like, but kind of not upto them who takes the penalties

From the sounds of BRs interview the 5 who took them were the 5 who volunteered. Personally, I may have put Lovren behind even mignolet in my preferred order!(he did score in our last shootout after all).

[Hammersmith harrier]

Why did Sterling bottle a penalty, Lovren shouldn't of been put in that position, not when a striker is still on the pitch.

Not being funny like, but kind of not upto them who takes the penalties

It's usually the players choice, it's a case of who wants to take one and i'm disappointed but not surprised Sterling didn't put his hand up, happened a lot during the world cup; young attacking players shirking the responsibility leaving it to the defenders.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Or hes not a very good penalty taker? His finishing isnt great and its not really a strikers skill, its about nerve and clean hitting

[CFCNick]

Lovren shanks it to send Liverpool out of the Europa League...

Bet some of the scousers are wishing that ITV didn't come back now

Isn't it a rule now that every time ITV cut to adverts Liverpool get knocked out?

[Guest]

Why did Sterling bottle a penalty, Lovren shouldn't of been put in that position, not when a striker is still on the pitch.

Not being funny like, but kind of not upto them who takes the penalties

It's usually the players choice, it's a case of who wants to take one and i'm disappointed but not surprised Sterling didn't put his hand up, happened a lot during the world cup; young attacking players shirking the responsibility leaving it to the defenders.

I'm with John/HH on this. Pathetic he bottled that penalty. People defending him & saying it was BR's decision is laughable. Offensive players are better technically & hit the ball cleaner than woeful defenders like Lovren. Lovren will get the slack, while golden boy hides away in the corner, pooping his pants. Mentally weak & vulnerable to the pressure situation, no wonder England lose penalties with players like these being brought through the ranks. Liverpool deservedly out & dropping players usually means you get what you deserve.

[Guest]

Has Lovren's penalty come down yet or is it still orbiting the planet along with Chris Waddle's?

Agree with the sentiment that we were poor last night and deserved to go out. We allowed Besiktas to chase and harry us off the ball all night. Sturridge still taking far too many touches and seems to have reverted to his selfish ways. I appreciate he wants to get back into scoring but needs to remember his priority is the team. yes the pitch wasn't great but Anfield appears to rival Bradford's at the minute so that's no excuse.

To be fair, despite all the talk off "disappointment" at going out, I got the impression that no-one really cared about winning. Lallana seemed to be the only one with any sort of desire but looked like a guy who'd turned up late to the team talk in which the plan was to get knocked out and go home.

Sod's Law says we'll be in the battle for 4th only or the bitters to win the Europa League and nick the 4th CL place.

[hampo17]

Why did Sterling bottle a penalty, Lovren shouldn't of been put in that position, not when a striker is still on the pitch.

Not being funny like, but kind of not upto them who takes the penalties

It's usually the players choice, it's a case of who wants to take one and i'm disappointed but not surprised Sterling didn't put his hand up, happened a lot during the world cup; young attacking players shirking the responsibility leaving it to the defenders.

I'm with John/HH on this. Pathetic he bottled that penalty. People defending him & saying it was BR's decision is laughable. Offensive players are better technically & hit the ball cleaner than woeful defenders like Lovren. Lovren will get the slack, while golden boy hides away in the corner, pooping his pants. Mentally weak & vulnerable to the pressure situation, no wonder England lose penalties with players like these being brought through the ranks. Liverpool deservedly out & dropping players usually means you get what you deserve.

Who did we drop last night? You don't half talk rubbish mate, have you seen Sterlings shooting? He scuffs the majority of his shots, and they tend to come off with no power, he also missed his last penalty against Boro, but clearly being an attacking player you simply have to be good at penalties.

[Stella]

I would hope a forward who's valued at millions could take a pen ahead of Lovren, though it doesn't always work like that. Dennis Irwin being a better penalty taker than Messi, proving that.

[Guest]

Had we shown any intent to win the game last night this whole issue would be moot. As it stands, we were poor, deserved to go out at least on the 2nd half and extra time showing. Granted I was playing spaceships with my children at the time, but from what I did see of the match, we deserved very little indeed.

The only saving grace is that Gerrard wasn't there to witness that performance.

Anyway, moving onwards and upwards for Sunday where we really need to be back on form to keep within touching distance of top four

[Guest]

Who did we drop last night? You don't half talk rubbish mate.

Clearly don't follow Liverpool or know the first team. Henderson & Coutinho dropped, clearly not injured.
.

[Guest]

Who did we drop last night? You don't half talk rubbish mate.

Clearly don't follow Liverpool or know the first team. Henderson & Coutinho dropped, clearly not injured.
.

Henderson has an ankle injury they hope will clear up for Sunday and Coutinho was rested after playing 19 games on the bounce.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Who did we drop last night? You don't half talk rubbish mate.

Clearly don't follow Liverpool or know the first team. Henderson & Coutinho dropped, clearly not injured.
.

Henderson has an ankle injury they hope will clear up for Sunday and Coutinho was rested after playing 19 games on the bounce.

Schooled

[Guest]

Not sure how that is being schooled. clearly if that was a final, henderson would of played, along with Coutinho, thats means they were dropped. BR can play the 'injured' card, we all know Henderson will be fine for Man City. Pretty pathetic Coutinho needs resting at 23 years old, in the form of his life, in a match he could of won for Liverpool.

@dolph - pretty pathetic & childish 'in LiamB's mum' location remark. Grow up.

[hampo17]

You clearly know more than the staff at the club, and every other poster on this forum. Henderson had an ankle injury as had been mentioned, pointless saying if it had been a final because it wasn't, fact is there is a huge game on Sunday which is just as important as this one, Coutinho has played no stop for a while now and again, rest before a huge game on Sunday.

I also hate this argument "He's only 23, why does he need a rest?" they are humans, and eventually their bodies will give up on them believe it or not. If you had ever done any form of serious exercise you would know this, it happens to everyone.

But we all bow down to your absolute knowledge of the inner workings of a football club.

[Guest]

But we all bow down to your absolute knowledge

well, someone has to talk some sense on here. What was easier, win the europa or qualify for top 4? Clearly the Europa. Easier opposition than the PL & only five games away. Doubt Liverpool will make top 4.

[Guest]

But we all bow down to your absolute knowledge

well, someone has to talk some sense on here. What was easier, win the europa or qualify for top 4? Clearly the Europa. Easier opposition than the PL & only five games away. Doubt Liverpool will make top 4.

Given our p!ss poor start to the season it was always going to be a big ask to qualify for the CL when essentially we didn't hit our stride until the beginning of the year.

The fact we're still in the mix says much for the improvement of the team and (shock horror and two fingers to the doubters) Rodgers' ability to change the system....eventually. Nice to see in some sections of the media that people have revived their "Rodgers is clueless and will be sacked next week" fall back position and he still gets more stick than Pellegrini and Wenger combined despite their recent catastrophes

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