I think in the general tide of joy and indeed anticipation that is sweeping the LFC world one fact remains unexamined this morning. "English winners of the UEFA Champions League finishing outside the top four places (but who qualify for the UEFA Europa League through their domestic Barclays Premier League position) go forward as Winners to the group stage along with domestic champions, runners-up and third place." 1st Liverpool +49, 71 4th Arsenal +19, 64 I for one am no longer looking back at 5th place, I'm looking back at 4th. We have 7 points now on arsenal with 6 to play. Lets get this straight. We have more than 2 extra wins on them with only 6 to go and 3rd is now something we should be favourites for. With this we do not need to go into qualifying and will be straight into the groups. This is HUGE. Lets win the title if we can, its a great dream but we are far exceeding expectations and I for one and quite gleeful about being so close to CL group phase qualifications. Lets hope for an arsenal everton draw next week and an LFC win to all but assure this and keep the title chase going too.
Everton play Man City in the 2nd to last game of the season. They need to still be fighting for 4th place to help us the most.
They seem ok with it so long as they get 4th http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/256200-Faustian-pact
I'm glad tobes is still suffering at any rate. Mind you.... everton? its all about killing off arsenal not seeing yet another real hopeful for 4th. I personally would be just as happy with a closed club at the top as long as we are in it! ha ha.
Not sure what relevance this has? So long as we finished third or higher then its the same outcome; group stage of next seasons CL. Finishing fourth is the only difference and as you've already pointed out, that is more or less secured already. In reality, Arsenal need three wins on us as we are not going to lose four giving them two wins and two draws for the eight points they need taking goal difference into account.
I do think we are getting a little carried away. Champions league was the target, that now seems very very likely. Top 3 should be the next target and going straight into the group stage, makes a big difference knowing you have guaranteed champions league and no qualification required. If we win against West Ham and Arsenal vs Everton game is close, both those targets could be confirmed. Then we can head into Man City aiming for the title.
As I just said above (#6), I think third is already secured. I don't think the next target can be second with it being so close between us, Man City and Chelsea so its all or nothing time #onboard
Another forgotten fact is would we also want Arsenal to drop out of 4th? If Everton get 4th they would be lower seeded than ourselves and if Arsenal were not in the draw for the group stage, it increases our chances of not drawing a horrible group. Arsenal would be seeded in the 1st pot I imagine? And since teams from the same association cannot be drawn in the same group stage, we would have a slightly less chance of drawing Bayern or Barca for example. This is helped by Manyoo not being in the draw either since they too would be top seeded. For instance, if we were in this seasons draw .... POT 1 Barcelona Manchester United Chelsea Bayern Munich Arsenal Real Madrid FC Porto Inter Milan We could only be drawn with the teams in bold. With Utd. Or Arsenal not there, the promoted teams from pot 2 look a lot nicer potential draws. POT 2 AC Milan Lyon Shakhtar Donetsk Valencia Benfica Villarreal CSKA Moscow Marseille
I don't see the problem with this. Surely the reason we want to be back in the CL is so that we can these big clubs? If we can mix with the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea then why not look to beat the top European sides? We won't win it at the first attempt so surely next season and possibly a couple more after will be about the taking part and using the financial benefits to build for future campaigns?
I was thinking about this last night. We need Everton to have something to play for, come their meeting with City. I hope Everton batter Arsenal this weekend.
I always said if we're going top four then we should be looking at third as it's genuine CL qualification. I'm still in disbelief that we are actually in the hunt for the title though I'm thinking about it all day now. Might get a leetle bit crazy if we win it.
I think everton will have to much fight for arsenal. Hopefully they can take two points off city with a draw. There are still so many permutations left in the last 6 games.
Teams from the same league wouldn't be able to play against each other, so that wouldn't happen. I think we'll be in pot 4. Which could lead to a tough draw. On the other hand Dortmund got to the final from pot 4 last season
You're right MITO - 3rd will be a massive achievement and we really should get it. Avoiding the qualifiers would mean we can get transfers done quickly (attracting the players as we are definitely in the competition and we will definitely receive CL money).
