Liverpool face July start to Europa League campaign

[Kenneth]

they'd only take it and when they get knocked out blame us

[PTP]

Totallt agree – regardless of what happens, who our manager is, what transfer finds we have, etc etc – next season is about rebuilding/steadying the ship, and getting back in the top 4 in the league. The europa league is just an added distraction we don’t need and won’t help us in anyway in our fight to get back into the top 4 or better.

I am really hoping it is used to give squad players and youth players a run out. And who knows – the likes of Pacheco, Dalle Valle, this shelve lad etc, might actually get some experience, form, and be in a position to come into the first team when needed.

I have said this before, - i’d be ****ing pissed off if we take our first XI away to outer Mongolia for a Thursday night europa cup tie

[SK]

doesn't the 3rd of the CL qual. usually start early august? so about one week after we're supposed to start this europa league qual.? bollox story, and we all know how we started this season in the league when we were already qualified for the CL so didn't have any worries till september. it's a good thing this, we'll be ready for the league from the start, well at least the players who won't be in the world cup, and those who get knocked out early on (england)

[BigChief]

If the likes of Ecclestone, Pacheco, Nemeth and Ayala don't play in these games I'll give up.

[Matt]

They'll play as strong a side as they can - sure some of the lads won't be back because of the world cup (if we have any international players left by the end of the summer ) but it'll be a strong side.

Why? Because winning = prize money.

[Shaggy]

If the likes of Ecclestone, Pacheco, Nemeth and Ayala don't play in these games I'll give up.

Eccleston has been warming the bench for Huddersfield, what makes you want to see him elevated from there into our first team?

Similarly with Nemeth, he's been sub-standard in a rubbish league.

Generally though I take your point - it's a good opportunity for some the youngsters meriting inclusion to get a run out, i.e. Pacheco and Ayala.

[Liverpel]

They must win away at Hull City and hope Villa fail to win at home to Blackburn Rovers. Liverpool would go sixth on goal difference with a Villa draw.

Jeez, we're hoping for a favour from Fat Sam!

[elrichio86]

Jeez, we're hoping for a favour from Fat Sam!

And Blackburn have got bugger all to play for

[Charly]

Are we not qualifying in seventh only because Portsmouths are not fit to play in Europe because of their debts.

It shows how bad this season really is when you have to rely on that for your european football.

[Mattshark]

Are we not qualifying in seventh only because Portsmouths are not fit to play in Europe because of their debts.

It shows how bad this season really is when you have to rely on that for your european football.

This is the first season in 7 however that our points would not have been enough to get CL qualification, it isn't quite so one dimensional.

[Charly]

This is the first season in 7 however that our points would not have been enough to get CL qualification, it isn't quite so one dimensional.

The implications are greater than that though.

This could be our last season in the CL. If Man City and Tottenham strengthen more than we do, where does that leave us? Unless you take the view that the squad has underperformed and that another manager could inspire the same squad to a higher position. With Torres, we may stand a chance to break back in. Without, well we would have to make another striker our priority, preferably ditiching the 4-5-1 formation, which would be useless without Torres anyway.

So many ifs and but. I cant see next season being a success, as it will take time to sell the club, and I cant see whomever buying heavily investing if they have to pay the yanks inflated price

[BigChief]

Eccleston has been warming the bench for Huddersfield, what makes you want to see him elevated from there into our first team?

Similarly with Nemeth, he's been sub-standard in a rubbish league.

Generally though I take your point - it's a good opportunity for some the youngsters meriting inclusion to get a run out, i.e. Pacheco and Ayala.

For the very brief minutes (or Rafa-minutes) I saw Ecclestone in the first team he did a good job. Nothing spectular, but nothing to suggest he should be on the bench at Huddersfield. He isn't 6'6" and able to knock hoofballs down which is probably why he's not such a good fit there.

Pacheco would be lucky to get on the bench at Huddersfield. As would Ramsay or Wilshere probably.

Rafa 'owes' these four youngsters in particular decent run out time with good players next to them to see what they're made of. El Zhar's had (and blown) his chances now its the next gens turn. Let's hope Lucas and Kuyt don't play every game starting July for us next season.

[Shaggy]

For the very brief minutes (or Rafa-minutes) I saw Ecclestone in the first team he did a good job. Nothing spectular, but nothing to suggest he should be on the bench at Huddersfield.

Ah, I see. You must be right then, the Huddersfield manager must be blind to it.

He isn't 6'6" and able to knock hoofballs down which is probably why he's not such a good fit there.

Like that big six foot plus fella who scores their goals?

Pacheco would be lucky to get on the bench at Huddersfield. As would Ramsay or Wilshere probably.

Er?

[ronanm]

Europa Leage, your havin' a laugh, Europa..........urgh

The sooner football moves onto pay related performance the f*cking better.

[lucas]

Liverpool could still save themselves from that fate, and put Aston Villa into that same unenviable position. They must win away at Hull City and hope Villa fail to win at home to Blackburn Rovers. Liverpool would go sixth on goal difference with a Villa draw.

Jeez, we're hoping for a favour from Fat Sam!

Hopefully they will get a corner or two to score from!