So we have to finish fifth then...

[peterhague]

[quote author=Fabio link=topic=44543.msg1299456#msg1299456 date=1300056519]
[quote author=peterhague link=topic=44543.msg1299453#msg1299453 date=1300056157]
i think in terms of attracting players it's CL or nothing, really. the europa league isn't worth a hill of beans to anyone, certainly much less than the general appeal LFC still holds.

FWIW i still think we've a reasonable chance of finishing 5th, though.
[/quote]

at the expense of who though? spurs aren't slipping up as much as i'd like and chelsea might be finding form . hard to see past them. it would be hilarious if we stopped one of them being in europe next year though
[/quote]

realistically, spurs or city, but i wouldn't rule out chelsea completely, either. if we have a good run - and i mean, a REALLY good run - then i'd be pretty confident that one of the 3 would fuck up enough to let us in. but, firstly, it's still a less than 50/50 chance, and secondly, i couldn't really give a fuck either way anyway.

oh, and we seem to be forgetting that it's not exactly impossible we'll win the EL itself and qualify that way.

 

[FoxForceFive]

[quote author=refugee link=topic=44543.msg1299455#msg1299455 date=1300056497]
[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=44543.msg1299443#msg1299443 date=1300049584]
The intertoto cup was wank.
[/quote]

Tell that to Scott Parker.

Look at the unreserved joy on his face.

[/quote]

Hahahaha. I dont know what's more funny, the look on his face or the fact that looks EXACTLY the same as what they gave the retards in school as 'certificates of good attendance' simply cos they'd never ever be capable of getting anything else.

 

[Woland]

If we don't qualify for europe we'll have hodgson to thank when we win the league next year

 

[Red Mullet]

[quote author=RolandG link=topic=44543.msg1299411#msg1299411 date=1300039828]
Red Mullet: I don't understand your thinking?

The only thing that guarantees titles is winning. I never said or insinuating that not playing in Europe does.

However, only have one major competition to concentrate on apart from the FA and League Cups is not necessarily a bad thing considering that there'll be more than a few possible personnel changes to integrate into the first team.
[/quote]

My thinking is that Liverpool exist to win trophies. Ergo the more competitions we're in the more chance we can actually win trophies. Be it the World Club Cup, CL, Europa, the FA Cup, the tin pot and the holy grail the PL. Be in it to win. Really simple, cos guess what if you're not in Europe you can kiss three of those goodbye.

 

[Wizardry]

I'm surprised more hasn't been made of the financial aspect.

Whether the cup is rubbish or not being in Europe still means you get seen and heard about across the continent; players remember the name and remember it was only a few years ago we won big ears itself.

More important is the financial aspect. I haven't looked at it in a couple of years but I remember the last analysis showed that making the final of Europa was worth as much as getting through the first knockout stage of the CL - that's a lot of dosh. Our owners clearly want us back on top but there's no point us making it as hard as possible from a financial aspect. We bring 15 - 20m through from Europa and that can only help their budgeting for new players.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Most importantly - being in the Europa means we get an additional chance to blood youngsters and give games to guys who're missing league action to regain fitness and sharpness.

Shelvey got his full debut against Napoli (after being a 99th min sub in the CC)
Kelly made the RB spot his own on the back of promising performances in the tournament this season (after Kenny arrived, that is)
Spearing started several of our European games this season

and let's not forget the morale boost probably given to the young lads picked to travel with the team for the European games.

It may not be as rewarding financially, but it's a useful (if not important) opportunity for the development of the younger lads.

 

[Sunny]

[quote author=studsup link=topic=44543.msg1299481#msg1299481 date=1300077569]
Most importantly - being in the Europa means we get an additional chance to blood youngsters and give games to guys who're missing league action to regain fitness and sharpness.

Shelvey got his full debut against Napoli (after being a 99th min sub in the CC)
Kelly made the RB spot his own on the back of promising performances in the tournament this season (after Kenny arrived, that is)
Spearing started several of our European games this season

and let's not forget the morale boost probably given to the young lads picked to travel with the team for the European games.

It may not be as rewarding financially, but it's a useful (if not important) opportunity for the development of the younger lads.

[/quote]

True.,

But it would be nice to go to the match on a Saturday again

 

[spider-Neil]

it's better to be in europe than not. simple as.

 

[Hansern]

We will qualify for the Europa league if we win it, finish 5th or if City wins the FA cup and finished 5th and we 6th.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=44543.msg1299546#msg1299546 date=1300102501]
We will qualify for the Europa league if we win it, finish 5th or if City wins the FA cup and finished 5th and we 6th.
[/quote]

So the losing FA Cup finalist doesn't rank higher than the team finishing 6th in the league (as far as European qualification is concerned)?

 

[6TimesaRed]

Re: Re: Re: So we have to finish fifth then...

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=44543.msg1299546#msg1299546 date=1300102501]
We will qualify for the Europa league if we win it, finish 5th or if City wins the FA cup and finished 5th and we 6th.
[/quote]

edit the way city are playing at the mo it is certainly possible

 

[keniget]

I want us to be in Europe because it means there is more of Liverpool to watch (although one might argue that it's be quantity over quality) and it's another trophy we have a chance of winning.

That said, it seems unlikely that we'll finish fifth. We have a relatively tough run in and we're like six points behind Spurs who have a game in hand.

 

[themn]

If we qualify, cool.

If he dies, he dies.

 

[King Binny]

Fulham football club chairman Mohammed al-Fayed has said he is fully committed to bankrolling the Premier League side, despite its posting a £16.9m loss for the last financial year.

Reaching last season's Europa League final helped the London side bring in additional revenues of £12.5m.

But annual losses rose by £10m, mainly due to higher wages and new contracts.

 

[themn]

Bump.

 

[Hansern]

It's not impossible. Spurs will be very distracted by the games against Real.
We play better against the teams higher up the table aswell, so our run in could give us the needed points.

We play Spurs in the second to last game of the season at home, that could be the decider.

 

[Richey]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=44543.msg1301672#msg1301672 date=1300450106]
It's not impossible. Spurs will be very distracted by the games against Real.
We play better against the teams higher up the table aswell, so our run in could give us the needed points.

We play Spurs in the second to last game of the season at home, that could be the decider.
[/quote]

Not impossible, but difficult.

Spurs would need to lose 3 of their last 10 for starters - say they lose to us, Man City and Chelsea

We would still need to win all of our last 9 games just to match their points. I can't see that happening.

I think we will just miss out.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe?]

Who gives a shit.

Gerrard, S. 2004: "I don't want to wake up tomorrow morning in UEFA Cup".

This sentence echos through my head every time someone mentions the Europa League. This is really how the top players think about, and please do not counter argue about it. It is really the top flight for the players, or nothing at all. I'm sure each player would be motivated to play in a Dublin final - There's no doubt about that. But the tedious group stages and endless knock-out stages really kill the feeling.

 

[Red Mullet]

[quote author=JimmyK link=topic=44543.msg1301695#msg1301695 date=1300452528]
Who gives a shit.

Gerrard, S. 2004: "I don't want to wake up tomorrow morning in UEFA Cup".

This sentence echos through my head every time someone mentions the Europa League. This is really how the top players think about, and please do not counter argue about it. It is really the top flight for the players, or nothing at all. I'm sure each player would be motivated to play in a Dublin final - There's no doubt about that. But the tedious group stages and endless knock-out stages really kill the feeling.
[/quote]

*Wonders what the top players will say if you ask them if they want to be in Europe or not*

 

[King Binny]

Pepe Reina claims Liverpool must win seven of their last nine games – or miss out on Europe.

The Reds’ humiliating Europa League exit against Braga means they must overhaul fifth-placed Spurs – six points ahead with a game in hand – to book a Europa League spot next season.

Reina, whose Anfield future will be under scrutiny this summer, knows Liverpool’s erratic form makes it a difficult task.

“We know finishing fifth will be difficult, but having Tottenham still in the Champions League can maybe distract them a little bit,†said the Spanish keeper.

“We have to win at least seven from nine. We have to raise ourselves now, there’s no question. We are a good team, but we have to be a better one. Everyone needs to think about improving and getting better.

“We are really good against the top sides, but unfortunately we don’t play them every week. We have to find the balance that makes us strong throughout the season, not just for a few games/b].â€

 

[Woland]

Well Spurs just dropped a couple of points and have to come to Anfield. 5th would be amazing but hoofing it from Carra to Carroll ain't the answer and without SG on the pitch I dunno what else we're going to do.

 

[Wilko7]

5th is a real possibility. Suarez and Carroll from now to the end of the season.

Carragher needs to cut that shite out though. For 90k per week, he needs to remember that he plays for Liverpool FC and not some dockers 11.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Do we qualify for the UEFA Cup if an English team wins the Champions League?

 

[Red Mullet]

[quote author=Gerry_A_Trick link=topic=44543.msg1302049#msg1302049 date=1300550422]
Do we qualify for the UEFA Cup if an English team wins the Champions League?
[/quote]

I was thinking that. Surely if Spurs, Man Utd or Chelsea win it then 6th place means Europe?

Can someone confirm this?

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

There may be a maximum of four places in the Champions league, so it wouldn't make a difference. I don't know.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

If an English team wins the European Cup then it's still only 4 that qualify. The winners and the top 3.

Say Spurs won it and finished 5th, the team in 4th would not qualify for it.

 

[Atlas]

What about the FA cup?
Does the team who win this not get Europe? and if its a team who already have Europe then its the next placed team?

So I got this wrong, the runners up would get the spot and that will be stoke ot Bolton

 

[SummerOnions]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=44543.msg1302058#msg1302058 date=1300552089]
If an English team wins the European Cup then it's still only 4 that qualify. The winners and the top 3.

Say Spurs won it and finished 5th, the team in 4th would not qualify for it.
[/quote]

When we won it and finished fifth though, both us and Everton (who came 4th) got in the CL, no?

 

[SaintGeorge67]

they changed it

 

[SummerOnions]

ah, fair enough.