Next Up: Highway to Hull (Away) Tue 28th 7:45pm

[RichC]

The Beeb had a good article on this topic ... two ticks ...

EDIT: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31470797

I didn't think I was making this up. I think that clearly shows the disadvantage of having to play the Sunday/Thursday game cycle.

Unfortunately for Brendan he's most likely going to have to get on with it and try and buck the trend otherwise he's likely to be in trouble come the end of next season.

[The Birdman]

I understand people say they don't like it, but for the life of me, I can't see why. There is no single reason why it should be any problem what so ever.

Even the playing catch up argument is rubbish. In general a certain amount of points will you have you in a similar position each year. About 86 and you're in with a decent shout of 1st/2nd. 76 points and you're in with a shout of top 4. 40 points and you're generally safe.

This season people started saying it'll be a high number of points needed to finish 4th. It's not going to be. It'll be about 76 again. Same as every season. So if we want top 4 next season, forget about everyone else. Just look at six game blocks and aim for a minimum of 12 points each time. Reach that and you're on track. Exceed and you can aim higher. Fall below and you're in trouble.

As for the rest periods, it's all similar. Only difference as I say is you could end up playing one of the big boys on a Sunday, you'd have played on Thursday and they may have only played Tuesday or Wednesday. So less rest period. But as shown v City this season, you can overcome that with the right mindset.

I agree, don't care what the stats say.
Playing Thursday Sunday is absolutely no different to Wednesday Saturday.
Same hours difference between the days.

It's a self fulfilling prophecy, everyone says it has a detrimental effect so in turn players and fans think the same.
Other clubs in other leagues don't have any issues with it.

Bit like saying Lallana is better than Coutinho.
The stats prove he is after all.

[Phoenix07]

The squad and the manager need the Europa League for their own development, whether they like it or not.

Rodgers could cope with 50+ games with Swansea in the Championship (league + cup games), so he needs to learn to handle high profile games twice a week here. The squad is young and needs to learn against different styles on a regular basis. Otherwise, we'll be stuck in a rut.

[Reece]

I had no idea we were playing tonight.

[Yozza]

I had no idea we were playing tonight.

[cream]

Is this on the telly?

[Yozza]

Is this on the telly?

Nope

http://www.live-footballontv.com/

[ChrisDR1968]

They should have three cups -

European Cup - Cream of Europe - Top two places from each country.
UEFA Cup - 3rd to 5th
Venga Bus Cup - 6th to 10th - Have a bit of a laugh in Europe against the rest of the ****.

There was nothing wrong with the Cup Winners' Cup.

The only major trophy Liverpool have never won

[BigChief]

I agree, don't care what the stats say.
Playing Thursday Sunday is absolutely no different to Wednesday Saturday.
Same hours difference between the days.

It's a self fulfilling prophecy, everyone says it has a detrimental effect so in turn players and fans think the same.
Other clubs in other leagues don't have any issues with it.

Bit like saying Lallana is better than Coutinho.
The stats prove he is after all.

That's what Robbie Savage was saying on MOTD2.

But Shearer made a good counter point that you have less recovery time from a Thursday game as you're likely going to be in an east european city somewhere and probably won't get back until next day - to rest.

[frank the tank]

I agree its about recovery time. Everton this season had a good run in europe bit their league form went tits up. Some toffees in work were even asking for martinez to go (the same martinez that was the best manager in the league a year ago). They were even worried about being sucked into a relegation battle.

As soon as they got knocked out of the europa though, they had a game a week and tbeir results went great again - something like 6 on the bounce And they are probably sorry the season is ending now....

If we are in the europa next season, i would like to see it used for players like harry wilson, ojo, rossiter etc get experience. Especially the away games. Any senior player playing should be either needing game time coming back from injury or else not be part of the managers plans.....so a jose enrique or someone like that if necessary.

Next year we should go all out for the league.... blitz teams again like last season.

[dww]

I'm not sure it is just about recovery time - I think that the rhythms of how the club/manager work can get disrupted. The best obviously adapt but I suspect that experience of it plays a big part.

[baitman]

There's a rumour going round Twitter that Yesil will be involved and may even be starting.

as suggested exclusively on EST


disc; may not have been exclusive to EST

[danperkins]

Nope

http://www.live-footballontv.com/

Bollox thought i tight have been on Setanta ireland or BT

[Dalglish]

I had no idea we were playing tonight.

Nor had I. I'm now at the stage of thinking "Of for ****'s sake, we have a game this evening"

[Dalglish]

25 years ago today we last won the league. Since then Liverpool have spent £770,340,000 on 190 players.

STAT ATTACK!