Champions League thread

I thought Skrtel was superb for Liverpool last night, Masherano and Kuyt were the only other 2 worth mentioning for Liverpool imo. I thought Adebayor caused most problem for 'pool, pure power and Hyppia couldn't cope.
Hleb and Fabergas are shadows of the players they were earlier in the season. Gallas was good but didn't seem to want the ball and his headless running froward could have cost Arsenal, had Liverpool took their chances in the final few minutes.
Benitez should have brought on Crouch too, the one player that always causes Arsenal problems and an ideal out let for Liverpool when they were under pressure.

Manchester United have got to be the favourites now, and rightly so. They have the best squad, individuals and manager of all sides remaining, and they deserve the favourites tag.

Liverpool have a clueless manager, lack depth, individual flair and are very dodgy at the back.

Arsenal are too tired-plain and simple. The long season has taken its toll on the young boys who aren't mentally tough enough yet either. Wenger has to take some of the blame for not shopping in January.

Chelsea-Who knows?

Barcelona have the ability to win it, but their big game men aren't firing. Henry, Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto'o....and they have proven that they need big players having big games.

United have too much talent all over the park, and on the bench to not win this competition.

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Originally Posted by shanman2

....... why don't they try play football rather than constantly trying to contain the opposition. I'm of the opinion that they can play only Benitez won't let them.

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CL knock out stage is not about playing football and entertaining the audience it is about getting the result by whatever means. If Liverpool advance to semis no one at Liverpool with give a f*ck about trying to play football.

Couldn't believe he brought on Voronin alright. He looked unbelievably unfit and as a sharp as a spoon....

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Originally Posted by joeSoap

Liverpool have a clueless manager, lack depth, individual flair and are very dodgy at the back.

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Indeed, 2 finals in 3 years and 1 win, the man shouldn't be let next or near a football team in the CL.

Liverpool know how to work the CL. get something away and keep it tight over two legs and 99 times out 100 you'll go through. Thought Skrtel was class last night too.
interesting possibility the semi's could see Liverpool return to Istanbul (where they won it in 2005) and should see Man Utd return to Barcelona (1999)

Reckon it's a Liverpool -v-Barca final myself. or at least I'm hoping it is. It's bad enough to swallow losing a Cl Final without losing to the Mancs and I'm sure they'll be praying it's Arsenal/Chelsea/Fenerbace for the same reason's

I don't think I could bear Liverpool getting to another CL final. Watching them try and win the thing on penalties is not my cup of tea at all.

What do you suggest, draw straws instead?

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Maybe we look for different things in a game so. :) I thought they passed it exceptionally. Their movement is class. A bit like Arsenal of last season, just couldn't score. Fantastic team to watch though imo.

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THe game is about scoring goals though. No point in all foreplay and no penetration. Now to me the most effective way of winning a game is controlling the ball and the game but that is a means to an end not the end itself.

I was disgusted with how Chelsea threw the game away last night. They dominated the game for 65 minutes and then let Fenerbahce back in. Anelka should have come on at 1-1 instead of at 84 minutes. Now they have to dig in deep and beat them in the second leg.

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Originally Posted by Roadend

What do you suggest, draw straws instead?

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it would be more fun than watching Liverpool lump it up to Torres :D.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

CL knock out stage is not about playing football and entertaining the audience it is about getting the result by whatever means. If Liverpool advance to semis no one at Liverpool with give a f*ck about trying to play football.

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You see I don't give a fcuk bout Liverpool either. They won't win any friend playing football like that. Carragher to Torres to Gerrard back to Torres. Don't think Carragher passed the ball once all night?
The days of lumping the ball up the pitch should have retired with the likes of Jack Charlton, Joe Kinnear etc..
If I were a Liverpool fan I'd be fairly annoyed that we spent good money on Babel, Torres, Alonso, Mascherano and Kuyt etc and still not play ball

Liverpool are like watching paint dry they really are truly a disgrace to watch at times.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Liverpool are like watching paint dry they really are truly a disgrace to watch at times.

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Here here
Exactly my thoughts.

See the key is that people who support teams by proxy really dont care about what style of football their teams play as its all about bragging rights with there mates down the pub etc. However if they were going week in week out they would be pretty ****ed off by long ball football every week.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Liverpool are like watching paint dry they really are truly a disgrace to watch at times.

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...Try watching my team!:o:o

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

See the key is that people who support teams by proxy really dont care about what style of football their teams play as its all about bragging rights with there mates down the pub etc. However if they were going week in week out they would be pretty ****ed off by long ball football every week.

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Precisely! I can't ever imagine going to a Barca game and approaching the game like that.
I'm seriously worried if Benitez does get offered the job he could ruin us.
He played the same way at Valencia and apparently the Chairman wanted him to play attacking football he refused obviously.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Liverpool are like watching paint dry they really are truly a disgrace to watch at times.

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Says the wannabe Evertonian. Looking at that comment we must be doing fine!

Once again the team put in a solid away performance in the CL and came away from a tough fixture with a positive result when it counted.

Why dont you just sit back in the corner with the rest of your blue comrades and concentrate on beating Derby and holding onto your European place. I hear half you lot have f'ed off and are not gonna bother turning up at games for the rest of the season.

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Originally Posted by reder

Says the wannabe Evertonian. Looking at that comment we must be doing fine!

Once again the team put in a solid away performance in the CL and came away from a tough fixture with a positive result when it counted.

Why dont you just sit back in the corner with the rest of your blue comrades and concentrate on beating Derby and holding onto your European place. I hear half you lot have f'ed off and are not gonna bother turning up at games for the rest of the season.

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Eh sorry, I am not sure but I have not connections whatsoever with Everton. I think youa re mixing me up with someone. I am just commenting as a neutral that Liverpool are really terrible to watch and to be honest Everton are worse.

You're a spurs man if I'm not mistaken

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Originally Posted by shanman2

Precisely! I can't ever imagine going to a Barca game and approaching the game like that.
I'm seriously worried if Benitez does get offered the job he could ruin us.
He played the same way at Valencia and apparently the Chairman wanted him to play attacking football he refused obviously.

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His Valencia side destroyed Liverpool in the CL playing free flowing football.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

THe game is about scoring goals though.

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Arsenal were regarded as the most attractive footballing team in England when they struggled to put the ball into the net though. Roma are a joy to watch, even when they struggle to score. :)

Yeah I would have a soft spot for Spurs but would not loose any sleep if they won or lost. Just like the way they play thats all.

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Arsenal were regarded as the most attractive footballing team in England when they struggled to put the ball into the net though. Roma are a joy to watch, even when they struggle to score. :)

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I know but as much as I admire Arsenal and Roma for the way they play the game is about scoring and winning and Barcelona two years ago reached those heights and Man Utd appear to be doing that this year.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Eh sorry, I am not sure but I have not connections whatsoever with Everton. I think youa re mixing me up with someone. I am just commenting as a neutral that Liverpool are really terrible to watch and to be honest Everton are worse.

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Don't watch, I guarantee you if Bohs were playing like that week in, week out and winning then you wouldn't be complaining.

I think Barca will beat Man Utd with ease, should they meet in the next round.

I think the point is that Liverpool fans are just happy about results, and don't care how they are achieved. This is completely natural, fans of every club will feel exactly the same about their club.

For those of us who aren't fans of a particular club left in the CL, we're just hoping to see good games, and teams who play attractive football. Liverpool, in my opinion, don't play as attractive football as some of the other teams, and so I'd like other teams to win the CL, rather than Liverpool.

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Originally Posted by osarusan

For those of us who aren't fans of a particular club left in the CL, we're just hoping to see good games, and teams who play attractive football. Liverpool, in my opinion, don't play as attractive football as some of the other teams, and so I'd like other teams to win the CL, rather than Liverpool.

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We got a draw with an away goal. Do you think I care how it's got?? :confused: :rolleyes:

Last season we played attacking football against Arsenal and conceded 13 goals. This year, we've conceded 2. u*d, and Arsenal's recent CL records are further proof that free-flowing football gets you nowhere. Practical, or (as Trap would say,) "concreto" football does.

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Originally Posted by mypost

We got a draw with an away goal. Do you think I care how it's got?? :confused: :rolleyes:

Last season we played attacking football against Arsenal and conceded 13 goals. This year, we've conceded 2. u*d, and Arsenal's recent CL records are further proof that free-flowing football gets you nowhere. Practical, or (as Trap would say,) "concreto" football does.

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Read the first paragraph of my post. You quoted the second paragraph, so you must have read the post. To refresh your memory, here it is -

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I think the point is that Liverpool fans are just happy about results, and don't care how they are achieved. This is completely natural, fans of every club will feel exactly the same about their club.

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no need for the confusion of the throwing your eyes up to heaven through smilies.

aren't Liverpool fans touchy.....

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Just like the way they play thats all.

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What, shipping 4 goals against a p1ss poor Newcastle side?

Professional football is about winning, nothing more nothing less. 20 years ago, we played wonderful passing football. Nobody remembers that now.

The mancs always seem to bottle Europe. I know a few mancs who are convinced that they will bottle it this year like previous years. Barca in the semi are prime candidates to take them imo.

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Originally Posted by reder

Barca in the semi are prime candidates to take them imo.

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Based on recent form Utd look dead certs to beat them.

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Originally Posted by reder

What, shipping 4 goals against a p1ss poor Newcastle side?

Professional football is about winning, nothing more nothing less. 20 years ago, we played wonderful passing football. Nobody remembers that now.

The mancs always seem to bottle Europe. I know a few mancs who are convinced that they will bottle it this year like previous years. Barca in the semi are prime candidates to take them imo.

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The Scousers always seem to bottle it in the League.

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Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

The Scousers always seem to bottle it in the League.

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They don't really get the opportunity to "bottle it" in the league since they are out of the running by Christmas every year. For example, would you say Everton bottled the league this year?

As for Liverpool in the CL, i think the majority of Lpool fans would prioritise the league before the CL since they havent won it in so long. Which is a bit funny cause Man Utd and Chelsea would both prioritise the CL

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Originally Posted by lionelhutz

They don't really get the opportunity to "bottle it" in the league since they are out of the running by Christmas every year. For example, would you say Everton bottled the league this year?

As for Liverpool in the CL, i think the majority of Lpool fans would prioritise the league before the CL since they havent won it in so long. Which is a bit funny cause Man Utd and Chelsea would both prioritise the CL

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Everton are not expected to win the PL. Liverpool are supposedly one of the 'big 4'. Liverpool splashed x million pounds on expensive reinforcements this season and were touted by fans and pundits alike as a dangerous title rival to Man Utd and Chelsea.

I don't think Man Utd bottled their semi final against AC Milan last season. 1: They were beaten by a better team 2) They had a lot of injuries with key players missing.

They totally bottled it

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Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

The Scousers always seem to bottle it in the League.

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This thread is about the CL!

Milan were head and shoulders the best side in CL last year; there was no bottling about anyone's losing to them.

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Originally Posted by Marked Man

Milan were head and shoulders the best side in CL last year; there was no bottling about anyone's losing to them.

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Oh right ya, they squeezed past Celtic 1-0 over two legs winning at home after extra time against a team with one of the worst away records in the CL then get by a Bayern team who by their own admission needed a massive overhaul and failed to get CL football through their domestic league for 07/08 such was their form. Ya, you're spot on alright. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Roadend

Oh right ya, they squeezed past Celtic 1-0 over two legs winning at home after extra time against a team with one of the worst away records in the CL then get by a Bayern team who by their own admission needed a massive overhaul and failed to get CL football through their domestic league for 07/08 such was their form. Ya, you're spot on alright. :rolleyes:

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If Milan were that poor/lucky/there for the taking then why didn't Liverpool beat them in the final?