FC Sion (H): Build Up

[Bender]

UEFA Europa League Group stage
Thursday, 1 October, 20:05,BT Sport.
The Conspiracy against Jesus Continues.

[BobTheCharmer]

I won't be watching again but really want us to win the match.

Be interesting to see what team we put out. This competition is a distraction for me as the league must take priority. The carrot of champions league qualification is a long shot, at this stage our best bet of getting in the CL is to finish in the top 4. We need to just scrape a win and do enough to get through. Then the champions league drop outs enter the competition. Everton game is priority so I don't expect Sturridge to feature.

[Bender]

I won't be watching again but really want us to win the match.

Be interesting to see what team we put out. This competition is a distraction for me as the league must take priority. The carrot of champions league qualification is a long shot, at this stage our best bet of getting in the CL is to finish in the top 4. We need to just scrape a win and do enough to get through. Then the champions league drop outs enter the competition. Everton game is priority so I don't expect Sturridge to feature.

does winning the Europa League guarantee group stages for the champions league or do you have to qualify as you would by finishing 4th?

[dww]

I won't be watching again but really want us to win the match.

Be interesting to see what team we put out. This competition is a distraction for me as the league must take priority. The carrot of champions league qualification is a long shot, at this stage our best bet of getting in the CL is to finish in the top 4. We need to just scrape a win and do enough to get through. Then the champions league drop outs enter the competition. Everton game is priority so I don't expect Sturridge to feature.

Other than Sturridge who we obviously need to manage I hope we go for this. Every game at the minute needs to be about gelling and developing a functional first team selection + options from the bench. Once we have a solid position in the group we should look to give time to younger players to protect the first XI.

[frank the tank]

Not sure. (Spain have 5 teams in the group stages this year but.not sure if sevilla had to qualify)

To be honest i dont think LFC will need to worry about it....

[BobTheCharmer]

does winning the Europa League guarantee group stages for the champions league or do you have to qualify as you would by finishing 4th?

I have no idea. But to say winning the Europa league is our best shot is ridiculous. We could spank every team 4 nil all competition and then get to the final and it comes down to toss of a coin like most finals do. Cup competitions are a lottery and whoever wins will have normally had some luck along the way. Luck in the form of injuries for and against, the draw itself and many other things that make football far from predictable. If you ask ten people who will win it, you will this stage probably get ten different answers.

The premier league is rubbish. The worst utd team in 30 years is currently top ffs.

[BobTheCharmer]

Other than Sturridge who we obviously need to manage I hope we go for this. Every game at the minute needs to be about gelling and developing a functional first team selection + options from the bench. Once we have a solid position in the group we should look to give time to younger players to protect the first XI.

I get what you say and momentum is important, however we need to be mindful of Everton away on Sunday. Sturridge, Lucas and possibly coutinho should be rested.

[Phoenix07]

We're fortunate to have an easy group, so we can rest players. Later on in the competition, I'd prefer to see the first team getting games, because they need the experience of playing European competition in a Liverpool shirt.

A win and a good performance please.

[G]

I have no idea. But to say winning the Europa league is our best shot is ridiculous. We could spank every team 4 nil all competition and then get to the final and it comes down to toss of a coin like most finals do. Cup competitions are a lottery and whoever wins will have normally had some luck along the way. Luck in the form of injuries for and against, the draw itself and many other things that make football far from predictable. If you ask ten people who will win it, you will this stage probably get ten different answers.

The premier league is rubbish. The worst utd team in 30 years is currently top ffs.

The league is still our best chance of CL next season. The standard is rubbish so it's just a case of who's less rubbish than the others.

Also for those wondering, it's guaranteed group stage place for the winners of the Europa League.

[Fredo]

Yep, league must be our priority. Winning the Europa League is a bonus.

[redmike65]

does winning the Europa League guarantee group stages for the champions league or do you have to qualify as you would by finishing 4th?

You go straight into the group stage, As for the whole EL/PL thing - chances of qualifying by winning the EL is about 4 times longer than doing so by finishing in the Top 4 I reckon.

Esp with the current race looking a bit weird - City suddenly vulnerable, Chelsea poor, Man Utd mediocre but winning, Arsenal mixed, Liverpool been terrible yet not without a chance, Spurs likewise.

[dww]

I find it odd that people think of things purely in terms of CL qualification rather than there being value in winning things.

[redmike65]

I just think about the likelihood, to win the EL will almost certainly mean getting past a couple of heavyweights in games that might fall just when the side also need to win in the Prem to stay in the race.

[Exiled_red]

We're fortunate to have an easy group, so we can rest players. Later on in the competition, I'd prefer to see the first team getting games, because they need the experience of playing European competition in a Liverpool shirt.

A win and a good performance please.

[DannyMan2006]

I have no idea. But to say winning the Europa league is our best shot is ridiculous. We could spank every team 4 nil all competition and then get to the final and it comes down to toss of a coin like most finals do. Cup competitions are a lottery and whoever wins will have normally had some luck along the way. Luck in the form of injuries for and against, the draw itself and many other things that make football far from predictable. If you ask ten people who will win it, you will this stage probably get ten different answers.

The premier league is rubbish. The worst utd team in 30 years is currently top ffs.

Sevilla won it two years running, it's not that random. This Liverpool side should get far in this competition at least. It's all about being concistent and then hitting form from March onwards as the draw gets tougher.