Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes that missing out on the Europa League could be a blessing in disguise. Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, he said:
“If Liverpool miss out on the Europa League it’s not the end of the world. I’m confident our league form will benefit next season from not being in Europe and we will also be able to have a right good go at both domestic cups. Playing Thursdays and Sundays isn’t great and it’s difficult to prepare for league games. Without Europe, the squad won’t be under massive pressure and the boss won’t have to worry about rotating. We want to get back in the Champions League. That’s the priority next season and it will be easier to achieve that if we don’t qualify for the Europa League.”
Aldo also took time to praise young full backs John Flanagan and Jack Robinson:
“The performance of young full-backs John Flanagan and Jack Robinson on Sunday was absolutely tremendous. It doesn’t get much more intimidating that being up against Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott in front of 60,000 at the Emirates but the two boys were faultless. It was great because we all want to see local lads coming through from the Academy. They got their chance because of the injuries we’ve got defensively and there are others knocking on the door as well. It’s all about taking your opportunities and showing what you can do – they certainly did that. When Robinson came on I feared for him because Walcott is difficult to contain. But Robinson matched him for pace and put in so many blocks to stop crosses getting into the box. It’s hard to believe he’s only 17. On the right, Flanagan ensured Nasri never got a kick. He reminds me of Jamie Carragher when he first came into the side at right-back. He has a great temperament, never shirks out of a challenge and is neat and tidy with the ball. Flanagan has done the business against two top sides in Manchester City and Arsenal.”
WHAT IS THE 5TH MAY REFERENDUM ABOUT?
This week it is LFC WAG Alex Curran!
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We probably won’t make the Europa competition but we should do everything possible to do so, it is a means of giving the second and third choice players games without having to overplay the first team.