Should Klopp throw the league for the cups?!

[Fierce]

without a striker or two we won't be winning any cups or doing anything in the league.

this notion of, lets just concentrate on the Europa cause that gets into the CL doesn't really make a difference, we haven't got the squad available/goals in the team or a good enough defence.

I'd be shocked if we get to the semi finals

That's the spirit son. Let's **** them ALL off!

[Mattshark]

Now we are in the LC final I think we should keep on downplaying the FA cup and concentrate on the Europa and League. I think a vital part of the rest of the season is putting a platform in place for next season. We need to decide on what parts of the team/squad to keep and what additions we need. Having a settled way of playing and core squad for next season is only likely to happen with consistent selection in the league.

[danperkins]

Europa League is suddenly a really big deal, although it's a very strong standard this year and the way we are playing not a hope in hell. Usually I would say the league no question as it's the bigger picture but we have no choice but to concentrate on the cups. Winning domestic cups instead of a champs league spot is short sighted IMO but this season, it would be great to win anything.

It's great to win cups but at the end of the day you want to progress financially and play against the best teams, in the best competitions. The Champs league is where it is at, the more regular we get into the champs league, the more money we will get, the better standard of player we can afford & attract & the better chance we have of winning things.

[Irishnev]

I know that there is a Champs League place up for grabs for winning the Europa league so what happens in the scenario that Spurs (ahem) win it and finish third say in the league? Who gets the place via the Europa League then?

[dww]

I know that there is a Champs League place up for grabs for winning the Europa league so what happens in the scenario that Spurs (ahem) win it and finish third say in the league? Who gets the place via the Europa League then?

The maximum no. qualifiers is now 5. So it would just be a bonus place. The winner might even get straight into the groups stages too.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2137611.html

[Irishnev]

The maximum no. qualifiers is now 5. So it would just be a bonus place. The winner might even get straight into the groups stages too.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague...d=2137611.html

So the fifth place team in the EPL would get in then?

[dww]

So the fifth place team in the EPL would get in then?

No, the 4 qualifiers from the league + UEFA winner are the maximum 5 (for associations with 4 league spots).

[Irishnev]

No, the 4 qualifiers from the league + UEFA winner are the maximum 5 (for associations with 4 league spots).

Sorry I wasn't clear, let's revert to my original scenario:

Spurs win the Europa League + finish third.

Liverpool finish fifth in the league.

Does that mean Liverpool will get into the Champs League by virtue of Spurs already having qualified via their league position + their place for winning the Europa becomes available.

[Gray]

Negatory

[dww]

Ah, sorry.

Wiki and a couple of links I saw all suggest that the additional place only happens if the UEFA winners do not qualify for the CL.

[Irishnev]

Negatory

So we better win the damn thing so!

[cream]

Finishing as high up the league as possible is more important than any mickey mouse cups. Not sure why we cant aim for both either.

[danperkins]

Finishing as high up the league as possible is more important than any mickey mouse cups. Not sure why we cant aim for both either.

[kev776]

Finishing as high up the league as possible is more important than any mickey mouse cups. Not sure why we cant aim for both either.

[The_weatherman]

I reckon we should aim for fifth for the time being, well doable since we are only three points off. Spurs are looking nailed on for fourth and I can't see any of the other sides losing that much ground either.

IF we could get fifth place, and thus finish above United, and maybe a second good cup run I'd consider that decent enough for this season, despite all the injuries and despite having Benteke upfront.