Since we find ourselves facing a league cup semi-final today I've been thinking about the priority of the cups.
Come the first weekend of Jan and the PL clubs first involvement in the FA cup any teams left in the league cup will be at the semi-final stage, with this in mind where would your priorities lie?
My thinking is, and this is even without us playing in Europe this year, that as we're in the semi-final stage of the LC I'm quite happy for us to take a risk, fixture dictating (as Klopp did v Plymouth) and play a reserve / youth side. (If we’d drawn Everton / united we have to go 100% no matter how tired)
My reason being we have given ourselves a huge chance to reach a cup final, one that we can now win with only 3 more games. So say we get through to the LC final over the 2 legs but again play a young side v Plymouth but go out, how annoyed /disappointed would you be?
I think most fans want us to do well and go for both cups, that's only natural, but our squad isn't that deep, especially when we get a few injuries to key players, if we were to go out of the FA cup it would give us some nice rest weekends during a hectic period of football, other clubs could be in Europe and the FA cup which may give us an advantage in league games having more of a break when the FA cup is on, this gives Klopp not only more rest time but more importantly more training ground time, we all know the longer Klopp has to prepare the better we play.
So would you give up the FA cup this season for a LC final appearance? Of course we could well lose the final, not win the league and end up with nothing, not even a CL place, but also, being very optimistic we could win a trophy early and then have nothing but the league to play for the rest of the season.
It's a tricky one, I love both cups, even the sometime tiresome early round games as its more football for us as fans to watch. But the logical side of my brain is saying we will struggle to maintain a high level of performance if we get to the LC final, continue in the FA cup and have to try keep pace with the top 6 sides in the league all of whom IMO are still capable of winning the league.
Without Europe it could be pointed out to us that we should have enough to have a go at the FA cup too, this I do agree with in terms of number of games we have to play still being most likely less than teams still in Europe, especially the intensity of the games these teams will face as / if they progress to the latter stages of the EL / CL. But while I feel we have a very competitive first 11 and a strong bench when all fit, it only takes a few injuries for our squad to look thin and we have to look to unproven youth, can we afford to do this in a season where we genuinely have the chance to mount a serious title challenge.
FA cup v League Cup
posted on 11/1/17
I actually wouldn't mind United winning the league cup. Guaranteeing them EL football if they don't finish 4th.
Best thing that happened to us last season was losing to City.
We definitely wouldn't be 2nd in the league if we were playing EL football.
posted on 11/1/17
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 4 minutes ago
Domestic trophies aren't important. They give you Europa League football (unless you finish in the top 4)
How many people go into work and will boast to any fan of Chelsea/Man City/Man United/Arsenal about winning a domestic trophy?
They're shiite and irritating.
Fair enough if you're squad is strong enough to accommodate the extra games - but no first team players should be anywhere other than Merseyside tonight.
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Clearly not a Liverpool fan
Anyone who thinks like that is clearly on the WUM
posted on 11/1/17
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 4 minutes ago
Domestic trophies aren't important. They give you Europa League football (unless you finish in the top 4)
How many people go into work and will boast to any fan of Chelsea/Man City/Man United/Arsenal about winning a domestic trophy?
They're shiite and irritating.
Fair enough if you're squad is strong enough to accommodate the extra games - but no first team players should be anywhere other than Merseyside tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly not a Liverpool fan
Anyone who thinks like that is clearly on the WUM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Who am I trying to wind up?
It's logical thinking. Are you going to go Into work and boast about winning a trophy which you beat Plymouth on the way to winning?
I'd rather finish top 4 every year. Chances of then challenging for the title increase dramatically.
And I probably go to Anfield significantly more than you.
posted on 11/1/17
Then there's the old "cup win is a catalyst" and "winning mentality" b0llocks.
Helped out Wigan, Portsmouth, Swansea, Birmingham, Boro an awful lot didn't it.
Domestic trophies are for small clubs or mega rich. If you're in the middle like Arsenal, Liverpool and potentially Spurs they should be fooooked off.
13/14 we lost in the LC 3R and FA 5th? After the FA loss we THEN went on that winning run before Gerrards slip.
Leicester did well in the domestic trophies last year - that must have helped their title challenge....
Oh, no. They were out of both domestic cups by January. (FA 3R - LC 4R)
posted on 11/1/17
I've always thought the league cup a good trophy to win. In fact it always annoyed me a little that. Fergie didn't always take it seriously. There aren't many trophies to play for, it's early in the season and a win takes pressure off and sets you up.
posted on 12/1/17
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 7 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 4 minutes ago
Domestic trophies aren't important. They give you Europa League football (unless you finish in the top 4)
How many people go into work and will boast to any fan of Chelsea/Man City/Man United/Arsenal about winning a domestic trophy?
They're shiite and irritating.
Fair enough if you're squad is strong enough to accommodate the extra games - but no first team players should be anywhere other than Merseyside tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly not a Liverpool fan
Anyone who thinks like that is clearly on the WUM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Who am I trying to wind up?
It's logical thinking. Are you going to go Into work and boast about winning a trophy which you beat Plymouth on the way to winning?
I'd rather finish top 4 every year. Chances of then challenging for the title increase dramatically.
And I probably go to Anfield significantly more than you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You'd rather finish 4th every season and never win a trophy again? You must be a laugh at parties.
posted on 12/1/17
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 7 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 4 minutes ago
Domestic trophies aren't important. They give you Europa League football (unless you finish in the top 4)
How many people go into work and will boast to any fan of Chelsea/Man City/Man United/Arsenal about winning a domestic trophy?
They're shiite and irritating.
Fair enough if you're squad is strong enough to accommodate the extra games - but no first team players should be anywhere other than Merseyside tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly not a Liverpool fan
Anyone who thinks like that is clearly on the WUM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Who am I trying to wind up?
It's logical thinking. Are you going to go Into work and boast about winning a trophy which you beat Plymouth on the way to winning?
I'd rather finish top 4 every year. Chances of then challenging for the title increase dramatically.
And I probably go to Anfield significantly more than you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You'd rather finish 4th every season and never win a trophy again? You must be a laugh at parties.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No. I'd rather finish in the top 4 every year and potentially win the CL and have a crack at the league.
Long term benefits.
posted on 12/1/17
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 7 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 4 minutes ago
Domestic trophies aren't important. They give you Europa League football (unless you finish in the top 4)
How many people go into work and will boast to any fan of Chelsea/Man City/Man United/Arsenal about winning a domestic trophy?
They're shiite and irritating.
Fair enough if you're squad is strong enough to accommodate the extra games - but no first team players should be anywhere other than Merseyside tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly not a Liverpool fan
Anyone who thinks like that is clearly on the WUM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Who am I trying to wind up?
It's logical thinking. Are you going to go Into work and boast about winning a trophy which you beat Plymouth on the way to winning?
I'd rather finish top 4 every year. Chances of then challenging for the title increase dramatically.
And I probably go to Anfield significantly more than you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You'd rather finish 4th every season and never win a trophy again? You must be a laugh at parties.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No. I'd rather finish in the top 4 every year and potentially win the CL and have a crack at the league.
Long term benefits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah. The model that's worked so well for arsenal over the years.
Let's be honest. I bet you can better remember the league cup finals since the turn of the century than the games that clinched a 4th placed finish.
posted on 12/1/17
Why are you so concerned with boasting at work?
Do you actually like football or just use it as a manhood extension?
posted on 12/1/17
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 5 hours, 2 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 7 hours, 12 minutes ago
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by MaccaRuss (U18932)
posted 4 minutes ago
Domestic trophies aren't important. They give you Europa League football (unless you finish in the top 4)
How many people go into work and will boast to any fan of Chelsea/Man City/Man United/Arsenal about winning a domestic trophy?
They're shiite and irritating.
Fair enough if you're squad is strong enough to accommodate the extra games - but no first team players should be anywhere other than Merseyside tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly not a Liverpool fan
Anyone who thinks like that is clearly on the WUM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Who am I trying to wind up?
It's logical thinking. Are you going to go Into work and boast about winning a trophy which you beat Plymouth on the way to winning?
I'd rather finish top 4 every year. Chances of then challenging for the title increase dramatically.
And I probably go to Anfield significantly more than you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You'd rather finish 4th every season and never win a trophy again? You must be a laugh at parties.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No. I'd rather finish in the top 4 every year and potentially win the CL and have a crack at the league.
Long term benefits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah. The model that's worked so well for arsenal over the years.
Let's be honest. I bet you can better remember the league cup finals since the turn of the century than the games that clinched a 4th placed finish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arsenal over the past 10 years have won more trophies than Liverpool. And been in Europe every year.
They also finished 2nd last season.