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Would its loss be beneficial or a blow to our ambitions?

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The FA Cup Semi final draw on Sunday left Liverpool with a greatly reduced chance of qualifying for the Europa League next season. With Stoke or Bolton guaranteed a place in the final against two Manchester clubs almost certain to finish in the Champions League places, the third Europa League spot will definitely go to either the Potters or the Trotters. It consequently means that sixth place will not be good enough for Europa League qualification and the Reds will have to capture Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, who are six points ahead of the Merseyside club currently, if they want European football next season.

Of course, it is possible to catch Spurs, but the question I would like to ask is whether we actually want a Europa League spot next season. Many fans see it as a Mickey Mouse competition and with the number of games, and lack of prize money, there is a good case to be made that the second tier European competition is not worth entering. Even this season both Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish have not really made the Europa League top priority, despite it becoming the only competition that the Reds could win. While Hodgson used the competition to give game time to either reserve or youth players, Dalglish has taken the competition more seriously in the knockout stages but has rarely risked players if their fitness is in doubt, keeping them fresh for upcoming Premier League matches.

Using three holding midfield players against Braga in the first leg could have been due to the lack of players at Kenny’s disposal and because of the defensive tactics employed in an away European encounter, but I seriously doubt he would see a midfield of Poulsen, Spearing, Lucas, Cole and Meireles as the best one he could have put out on the night.

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10 comments

  • Jay Wright says:

    It’s a good opportunity to try out some of the kids/fringe players/new attacking formations, but seeing as we’re neglecting to use it for that purpose then the competition is largely boring and pointless.

  • Pedro says:

    It’s a good opportunity to give the youngsters a chance to play against continental opponents and gain exposure. I believe it is an important competition for us this season but starting next season, if we do manage to qualify for it, it shouldn’t be taken seriously.

  • Eric says:

    Good article mate. The Europa League is a Mickey Mouse competition for teams like us but for smaller teams across Europe it’s good for them, for both footballing and financial reasons. It wouldn’t bother me much if we do happen to miss out on the Europa League next season since the competition is pretty much a waste of time. It’s a good opportunity for the youngsters to get some experience but if it’s for that purpose only then there’s really not much point. Also, to get to the final you have to play 18 matches in total which is a complete waste of time. The Europa League also screws the squad up as we have to play pointless matches midweek and then a League match three days later with little or no preparation with most players tired and sometimes it could be some arduous trip to Russia or somewhere in Turkey. One of the reasons we finished 7th last season was because the squad was not capable of going for both the Europa League and the Premier League and at the end the players were just worn out. Champions League qualification looks unlikely this season and I prefer we spend next season focusing 100% on the Premier League and not playing pointless games somewhere across Europe.

  • Kenny says:

    Liverpool would be better off without Europa League football next season and just concentrate on the 38 League games. Top 4 in this league is attainable with getting rid of all the dross in the squad and making some proper signings and promoting the likes of Sterling,Suso,Coady,Wisdom,Robinson and Ngoo to play in the FA Cup and League Cup.

  • TRexRed says:

    The only reason I’d like to qualify is that it would be at the expense of either Spurs or Chelsea. Either of these out of Europe would make me piss myself with laughter!!!

  • steve says:

    if we win it this year,i’ll be happy because it’s another trophy and it will boost the team spirit for better things,not for playing again next year..what i mean is i dont care if next year we’ll be playing in europa league..i just want this as a trophy and as something to boost the team for next year..of course i’d rather finish next year top 4 than play again in europa league next season..the team is being rebuilt and next year is the season i cant wait to start..this year i was fed up of the mistakes being made after the 3-0 loss against city..create a great squad,keep kenny and gel the team nicely..kenny’s just said that the current squad depth is good but i think he said that to boost some fringe players like poulsen,jovanovic,joe cole to make some good performances..i dont think he meant it..he knows that for a club like liverpool to be lying in 6th position out of all trophies(except for europa league) is very bad.have faith reds..next season we can go high and if we dont play in europa league we can give it our all for the premierleague(like the writter said)..we are in a good way of success but success doesnt come from one moment to the other,it needs time..i’ve got time,i have faith in Kenny,Comolli,Clarke,owners and all i can say is bring summer!!YNWA

  • elnino77 says:

    i agree with all the above comments and i would be a lot happier if we won the league and then begin from there but we really need to sort out what we want and who we dont want asap as in the players at the club and the players out on loan .i think if we had a good complete squad we would give a good account of ourselves in the league next season !

  • Andy says:

    The only benefit Europa League qualification brings is that you can say to a player from abroad you’ll be playing European football. Otherwise it’s a pain, it’s games we don’t need it means we play a load of games on a Sunday, putting pressure on us to match our rivals who’d probably played on the Saturday. And it would prove a distraction until March at least, if Hodgson could get us out of the group a game early drawing more games than he won it tells you that a club froma top league in Europe should make the last 32 if not the last 16 at least. The league matters most end of.

  • stanley says:

    no matter what anyone says, missing out on europa leaugue is a blow b’coz
    firstly, it is one less chance to win silverware.. no matter which competetion, winning silverware is always a boost for confidence, especially considering our recent trophy draught..
    secondly, it might be a hindrance for potential transfers luking to play in european competetions…

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