Announcement

**Mostar** · 13-03-11, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by Mattshark View Post

Nonsense

I agree. A year without International football cannot be a good thing.

You need a decent competition to give opportunities to your squad players especially youngsters to get some invaluable experience and you cannot also discount the source of revenue Europa League generates especially if you can go very far.

Also not playing in any European competition cannot be good for your main sponsor especially as the existing deal is expiring in a couple of years.

**Kinell** · 14-03-11, 02:25 AM

Originally posted by Mostar View Post

I agree. A year without International football cannot be a good thing.

You need a decent competition to give opportunities to your squad players especially youngsters to get some invaluable experience and you cannot also discount the source of revenue Europa League generates especially if you can go very far.

Also not playing in any European competition cannot be good for your main sponsor especially as the existing deal is expiring in a couple of years.

I'm sure the exposure for sponsors from European football will be part of contracts at some point with clauses and more money for higher levels of exposure. It all adds up to especially when your being ambitious and rocking a large wage bill.

SB · 14-03-11, 08:03 AM

The full article is here but this is the gist of it here

It's a big ask. Probably too big an ask. So while it goes against the grain for a club that has the mantra that it “exists to win trophies” it could benefit the club not to be involved in next season's Europa League competiton.

With up to 18 games less, it would give the manager, which will surely be Dalglish, a greater chance of fielding his strongest XI in the Premier League week in and week out, and therefore boost the chance of reclaiming a top-four position – a must if we're to get back to where we want to be long term, challenging for number 19.

The Europa League can be enjoyed and it was under its previous straight knockout format (Barcelona at Anfield and Alaves in Dortmund are two of my highlights following Liverpool). But football has changed, just like the competition. Like the FA Cup, it's been devalued, and now it feels like a grind, and not just for Liverpool.

There’s too many games and for those that haven’t got the time, cash or inclination to follow their team to some far flung corners of the continent, even the TV coverage is second rate. Stan Collymore? Jim Rosenthal? You can barely hear them speak over the sound of the barrel being scraped.

The UEFA Cup did matter, but a bit like Liverpool minus key players like Suarez, Kelly, Agger and Gerrard, it’s lost its mojo. There's been too much tinkering and rule-making. It's also suffered, like the FA Cup, from standing shoulder to shoulder with a competition that in terms of revenue, exposure and prestige is the be all and end all. Parachuting in the third-placed teams from the group stages of the Champions League doesn't help, either. It all feels a bit false and a bit forced.

Liverpool exists to win trophies but football's changed so maybe the mantra should too. Perhaps n

**Lecter** · 14-03-11, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Gingawaria View Post

One less competition to worry about. It's not like the Europa League is a massive attraction for players coming in. Would much prefer less distractions and a return to Saturday matches!

People need to wise up a touch

There are financial benefits of being in the Europa League and bearing in mind the Financial Fair Play Rules (you can only spend what you earn) you have to know that NOT being in the Europa League WILL impact on transfer budgets in the future

**Konstro** · 14-03-11, 10:47 AM

What will happen if we manage to win it?

FA have 3 spots in EL so one will go to Birmingham, one to Us and one to Stoke/Bolton if CIty finish in TOP4.

Does it mean that in this scenario one from Spurs/Chelsea would be out of Europe next year?

I think after Istanbul rules were change regarding holders being able to defend the trophy and UEFA decided that if something like that happens in the future holders will be let into competition instead of the team that earns the right to enter through league place.

Now, that would be class if Chelsea wouldn`t play in Europe at all in next season.

**Exiled_red** · 14-03-11, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by Brzeczyszczykiewicz View Post

What will happen if we manage to win it?

FA have 3 spots in EL so one will go to Birmingham, one to Us and one to Stoke/Bolton if CIty finish in TOP4.

Does it mean that in this scenario one from Spurs/Chelsea would be out of Europe next year?

I think after Istanbul rules were change regarding holders being able to defend the trophy and UEFA decided that if something like that happens in the future holders will be let into competition instead of the team that earns the right to enter through league place.

Now, that would be class if Chelsea wouldn`t play in Europe at all in next season.

I believe that there is a place reserved in the Europa League for the holders, UEFA aren't so picky about how many teams from each country can be in this competition.

I believe that should we win the Europa League the teams qualifying would be:
- those in 5th in PL
- Birmingham (Carling Cup Winners)
- FA Cup finalists
- Europa League Winners
- possibly a place via the fair play league

**The Birdman** · 14-03-11, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by Lecter View Post

People need to wise up a touch

There are financial benefits of being in the Europa League and bearing in mind the Financial Fair Play Rules (you can only spend what you earn) you have to know that NOT being in the Europa League WILL impact on transfer budgets in the future