Champions League football is the aspiration for the big boys of English football and there are six real contenders for the four available qualifying places. In recent years the so called big four have monopolised the qualifying positions, until last season that was, when Spurs gatecrashed the party. Liverpool were the big four side who missed out last year and it appears they are going to miss out again this time, with Manchester City looking favourites to take 4th spot. After their sensational Champions League campaign this season it seems only the prospect of Champions League football appeals to Harry Redknapp. He has been quoted as saying how the Champions League takes its toll on teams, but the Europa League takes a bigger toll and how it’s a competition that teams get in and try to get out of. I wonder how the Tottenham and Liverpool fans feel about the competition though.
Of course the fans of these two clubs would rather be watching their team in Champions League action and for their team to end up in the Europa League will be seen as a disappointment. However, isn’t European football supposed to be a reward for finishing in a decent league position, not the poisoned chalice it seems to be labelled as? Dedicated fans who follow their teams all over Europe would surely rather be going to watch them in European action, than not!
It is a challenging schedule though, and as the Champions League proved to be this year to Spurs, a long run in the competition is likely to have an effect on league form. To win the Europa League a team must play a total of seventeen matches across the continent on Thursday evenings, which then leads to playing Premiership games on the Sunday. However, surely this presents a great opportunity for managers to blood young talent and play fringe players, keeping important first teamers fresh for league games.
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Definitely an opportunity. Even if we dont want our topguns playing, it will give an oppurtinity to players on the fringes, to keep them fit and sharp, and a chance for some of the better youngsters to have a chance, which could in turn force them into the equation for the Premier league if they perform to a good enough standard
It will also bring in more revenue, which may in turn allow us to sign 1 more player, which could increase the squad so we have the capacity to play in the UEFA cup
For me, its a no brainer. Liverpool have to be in Europe.