Who will win drop points against first?

,.....darren!

having europa last season didn't impact anything

it was just a chance to give the fringe players a go

That would only be true if you didn't play an first teamers.

Midweek competitions always have an impact on league form. It's silly suggest it doesn't.

We've often suffered in the league following away matches in the CL.

Put it this way. If from now until Decemeber Spurs and Arsenal are regularly playing weekend then midweek games, and given the gap in class between the teams isn't THAT great, then it puts Liverpool at an advantage.

The question is whether Liverpool can take advantage and whether Arsenal and Spurs deal with these fixtures well.

arsenal got knocked out of the cups and it destroyed their confidence and derailed their league campaign

there's always two ways to look at it

there aren't that many extra matches

Last season when Arsenal got knocked out of the CL they went on a run that was only bettered by us, I believe.

I know there aren't that many extra games. But playing midweek and then weekends does have an effect.

I suppose the issue with the league cup is a little different but not having those midweek European games could play into Liverpool's hands.

We'll see, I guess.

my point was that it's not the end all and be all

If Spurs use mainly their best fringe players in the ropey, then they're match fit to step in when needed. If they win even better for confidence.

Liverpool won 5 trophies making the final of every comp played in (before rotation). United won the treble.

Winning begets winning.

Getting knocked out can relieve pressure rather than effect fitness. It can also knock the wind out of your sails and make opposition think you're there for the taking while at a low point.

If some of our younger players end up playing their first minutes at xmas in a tough match that probably won't bode well.

It's not simple or predictable IMO.

I've never said it's the be all and end all. But it has an effect.

It depends how the team responds to it. Arsenal have often responded negatively whereas United and Chelsea have responded positively.

AVB usually plays a strong team in the Europa anyway. And Arsenal have a very tough group and have a mounting injury list.

I'm not saying it will be a huge advantage for Liverpool, just that I believe it can be.

It won't surprise me if Liverpool have the better start these teams up until around Xmas, if I'm honest.

Whether they can keep it up for a whole season will be the year of how far you've come along.

Should be a good battle.

fair dos

can't "drop points" you can only win them.

go in thinking you have zero points and go win the 3 or the 1.

Good prediction this time round.