Liverpool FC Forum

by **ian cooper** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:32 am

The hardest part of the competition is done with, the group stages. Getting through the group stage in my opinion is the hardest, obviously it's based over 6 games as where the knockout stages your not playing for points and you can start to count the games away from European success.

Anything is possible, like loads and loads have said already "Porto did it last year, so why not?" ok our chances are slim, there are better sides about and sides that have been together a lot longer than our current side, playing in the knockout stages of the competition each year.

If I was told at the start of the season we would of made it to the last 16 I would of been happy, we're past that and any further for me is a bonus. Being in the quarters will only help our name as a club across the globe and attract those players who want to be competing at this level in the CL.

Another advantage in my opinion is the fact that we're allowed to play our game without any pressures because all the focus is on the sides like Chelsea, Milan and Inter. We have nothing to lose and I think we are all proud of how far we've got, considering the squad size and quality we have at hand. With a new set of staff to, I think the culture change in the side has made us take that big step in Europe, we look comfortable in Europe matching the big sides and I think thats down to the influences the new players have on the side and the coaching staff.

So whilst our chances are slim, lets not put aside the fact that while we are still in the CL, with 8 sides left in it, we still have as much chance as any other side in it.

by **Roger Red Hat** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:46 am

It is NEXT friday

by **Ciggy** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:07 pm

Lee J wrote:It is NEXT friday

silly me thought it was today

fumin now I wanted to know who we are playin cant wait

by **azriahmad** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:20 pm

The group stage is not necessarily the hardest, unless you are grouped with at least 2 very strong teams. Fos instance, if we were in Barca's and AC Milan's group, our inconsistencies coupled with opponents who punish even half mistakes, we would not have qualified for the second phase. There are 6 matches in the group stage and hence, the teams can rectify one or two adverse results.

In the second stage, you get only one home and one away game which will be aggregated and the losing team gets knocked out. You don't get more games to make up points or opponents' tripping up to help you overcome them. Bremen were already certainties to be out after losing 3-1 at home to Lyon. Same as Manure because AC Milan pulled off a win at Old Trafford and they don't lose so heavily at home in Europe.

Let's not kid ourselves that we lack sufficient squad quality depth with the injury problems and even at full strength, we don't have the same quality, man for man and at this point in time, as Barca, AC Milan, Mardid, Chelski, Juve. We don't have a Ronaldinho, Guily, Deco, Eto'o, Schevchenko, Kaka, Zidane (although waning), Joe Cole, Del Piero, Zalyetta, Nedved etc. who can create and destroy in a moment of inspiration. Our strenght is in the collective and our best striker is cup-tied while Gerrard needs to do too much at times because he does not have sufficient quality around him.

The CL is the highest echelon in football and we need some fortune in the passage of the draw, just like Monaco and Porto had last season. Last season, the Porto avoided the real big hitters and only contended with Manure, while Monaco had the tougher task in having to clash with Madrid. The rest of their opposition were relatively easier.

If we can get a kinder draw or if the players can get consistency in games against any of the remaining big hitters, we would have a fair chance in the CL. The best bet is to get a kinder draw - PSV or perhaps Lyon (not really pushovers) or Porto (if they beat Inter next week) - and avoid the Italians, Bayern and Chelski.

by **ian cooper** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:56 pm

cisses_gona_get_ya wrote:
Lee J wrote:It is NEXT friday

silly me thought it was today fumin now I wanted to know who we are playin cant wait

Easy mistake to make, bet you have the anticipation already built up now thinking the draw was today lol.

Can't see why they make us wait this long, what holds the draw back?

by **azriahmad** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:11 pm

I think they will only draw after all of the last 16 games have been played. Inter-Porto is only to be played next week because UEFA rules don't allow for the same stadium to be used as the home stadium within the same week - AC Milan and Inter Milan share the same stadium.

Makes you wonder why they did not have one of the Milan teams playing home first while tghe other plays away and then have the corresponding game in 2 weeks' time, instead of both having away games in the first leg and both having home games at the same shared venue in the second leg.

by **taff** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:11 pm

Agree with everybody about squad size and were kinda lucky and were all happy to have reached the quarters etc etc

But I also cant help thinking

WE ARE BACK

by **Leonmc0708** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:36 pm

The Ace1983 wrote:Hate to tell you this, but even if Liverpool pull off the amazing and win the CL and that is a massive IF, Everton will still qualify for the opening rounds IF they finish fourth. A Uefa spokesman, talking to Sky Sports News yesterday stated that if Liverpool win, England could have 5 teams in next seasons CL. Sorry, but that's straight from the horses mouth and the T*ffees could still get in should they finish fourth.

You are so full of sh!t it is not real.

by **el_stinger** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:55 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
el_stinger wrote:This would happen only if we win the Champions League, there was numerous discussions a while back about the legality of such, and that if we win would we kick Everton off, or what would happen in such an event. However now UEFA have seen that this could be a possibility, and have stated that the winner of the CL would gain automatic entry to the comp, at the expense of the last placed qualifyed team.

from skysports.com

Everton have been warned that they could miss out on the UEFA Champions League, if local rivals Liverpool go on to win the competition.
Uefa have confirmed that only four teams from any one nation will be allowed entry to next season's competition.
If Liverpool remain outside of the top four at the season's end, a victory for The Reds in the European flagship club competition would mean they receive automatic qualification.
The number of league places that qualify would then be reduced to three - meaning that, as it stands, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal would be granted entry.
The news will come as an enormous blow to Everton, who may well now be dependant on their neighbours bowing out of the tournament.
Liverpool sealed their progression through to the quarter finals of the Champions League with victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, but are some way off the pace in the Premiership.
Rafa Benitez's men are eight points behind The Toffees - and now a major up-turn in form is necessary to pin back their neighbours.

Do you people not bother to look at other threads before starting one??

This has been done to death.

***YAWN***

thats twice you've had a go at me d1ckhead, im not gonna be nice to you now. If ou care to read what i wrote, then you would have realised what was being said.

I did say this topic had been discussed before, but there wasn't anything concrete about the issue at hand. And with ALL your "research" on the topic, it was still up in the air as to whether we would gain automatic entry if we win the league over the 4th placed english team. Only NOW has it been official that we would, and only NOW you have showed everyone on this board that you are indeed a d1ckhead!

by **Judge** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:15 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
The Ace1983 wrote:Hate to tell you this, but even if Liverpool pull off the amazing and win the CL and that is a massive IF, Everton will still qualify for the opening rounds IF they finish fourth. A Uefa spokesman, talking to Sky Sports News yesterday stated that if Liverpool win, England could have 5 teams in next seasons CL. Sorry, but that's straight from the horses mouth and the T*ffees could still get in should they finish fourth.

You are so full of sh!t it is not real.

no, the FA will ask UEFA to include LFC in the CL, if LFC win it and Everton finish 4th. thats it. you cannot have 5 english teams in the CL, thats UEFA rules.

check yer facts ACE83

by **anfieldadorer** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:43 pm

Uefa confirm Everton's CL concerns
15.46

Uefa has clarified that finished fourth will not be enough for Everton to claim a Champions League spot next season, if Liverpool win the competition outright.

The Reds would automatically regain entry to next season's tournament if they were defending champions, and because no country can have more than four representatives, Everton could effectively lose out to their fierce rivals by a roundabout route.

A Uefa spokesman told the BBC: "One country cannot have more than four places - it would be up to the FA to make the request for Liverpool."

Now, while the odds might be against any such victory for Rafael Benitez's side, the fact is they have reached the quarter-final stage and that is sure to be causing some anxiety for the blue half of Liverpool.

by **stmichael** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:44 pm

the funniest thing is, if we win the CL and chelsea win the premiership, manure and arsenal will have to go through the qualifiers. :laugh:

by **Ciggy** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:00 pm

stmichael wrote:the funniest thing is, if we win the CL and chelsea win the premiership, manure and arsenal will have to go through the qualifiers.

And btw the Bluenoses are friggen gutted at what they have been told today , hope they say to themselves arrrr feck it where not gona get it anyway

and play sh#te for the rest of the season :;):

They are sh#te anyway so they will just be playing as per usual.

Im very sorry but like Weir V Ronaldhino

jesus gimme a break :glare:

by **anfieldadorer** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:06 pm

The Return of the Judge wrote:
Leonmc0708 wrote:
The Ace1983 wrote:Hate to tell you this, but even if Liverpool pull off the amazing and win the CL and that is a massive IF, Everton will still qualify for the opening rounds IF they finish fourth. A Uefa spokesman, talking to Sky Sports News yesterday stated that if Liverpool win, England could have 5 teams in next seasons CL. Sorry, but that's straight from the horses mouth and the T*ffees could still get in should they finish fourth.

You are so full of sh!t it is not real.

no, the FA will ask UEFA to include LFC in the CL, if LFC win it and Everton finish 4th. thats it. you cannot have 5 english teams in the CL, thats UEFA rules.

check yer facts ACE83

perhaps: "...no, the FA will ask UEFA to include LFC or Everton in the CL, if LFC win it and Everton finish 4th. thats it. you cannot have 5 english teams in the CL, thats UEFA rules.

by **stapo1000** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:33 pm

Isn't alonso back for the next round of the cl. 2nd of april i think. That would be a boost Maybe, just maybe

Liverpool FC Forum

Its official! - Everton will not qualify for the cl.....

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