CL/EL Semi Finals Draw | Pool to face Bayern/Real in final

[RedMane]

Mustafi couldn't stop me, never mind Costa.

I like the Europa league. I like having more footy to watch. I would make it a tad smaller & stop the 3rd place CL group finishers from dropping down though.

Well third place finishers from UCL is what makes EL interesting, otherwise there would be like 4-5 quality teams with rest nothing but cannon fodder for those clubs.

 

[rm4eva]

You really don’t know much about our club do you. The fact we’re in the semi final is more than enough for most of us to know we’re heading in the right direction. If we don’t win it yes we’ll be disappointed but to think it’ll have that much of an effect on our team morale and fan morale is laughable. A lot of us were hoping we would make it to the quarters before the season started, we’re delighted to be in the semi’s and the morale at this club hasn’t probably been higher in years. Klopp’s done a fantastic job and let’s not forget this is only his second full season at this club and we’re looking very likely to make back to back top 4 seasons which we haven’t done in nearly a decade.

Madrid are a great team no doubt, but you’ve underperformed this season and you really shouldn’t underestimate us. Look what Juventus almost did to you, when Ronaldo doesn’t perform, neither do you guys it seems. You’re probably right that only 2-3 players from our squad would get in your best 11 but honestly it’s a similar story with City and we’ve beaten them 3 times this season. Our players typically step up when it matters and I’d have complete faith in them to give you a run for your money in the final if we can both get past our respective semi finalists (though it wouldn’t shock me if one of us don’t). Who knows if we’ll win it but I’m confident whatever happens our club certainly won’t “derail” because of it. Just think we deserve a little more respect myself that’s all.

Look what happened to Liverpool, right after Gerard slipped against Chelsea. They crumbled under pressure, their subsequent season was a disaster and their manager was sacked. If Liverpool lose a final, then I can see a feeling of fatigue set in next season. Liverpool have just had one good season so we can't say that "they step up when it matters" for sure. They may revert to normal next season (4th to 7th place team).

Its not that Liverpool can't beat Madrid, its just that I think its highly unlikely and Zidane should be sacked if we lose to Liverpool/Roma (not Bayern).

 

[Claude Cat]

Look what happened to Liverpool, right after Gerard slipped against Chelsea. They crumbled under pressure, their subsequent season was a disaster and their manager was sacked. If Liverpool lose a final, then I can see a feeling of fatigue set in next season. Liverpool have just had one good season so we can't say that "they step up when it matters" for sure. They may revert to normal next season (4th to 7th place team).

Think this would require us losing our far and away best player like we did in 2014, and replacing him with Lambert/Balotelli tier talent. Think we can draw a bit better now, especially since it’s looking like we’ll finish top 4 two seasons in a row.

That CL stability is essential before we start talking about winning leagues or anything.

 

[ShadesOfTomato]

I'd rather play Madrid than Bayern, for what it's worth. We're capable of running over either of them, and I think we will when the time comes.

Look what happened to Liverpool, right after Gerard slipped against Chelsea. They crumbled under pressure, their subsequent season was a disaster and their manager was sacked. If Liverpool lose a final, then I can see a feeling of fatigue set in next season. Liverpool have just had one good season so we can't say that "they step up when it matters" for sure. They may revert to normal next season (4th to 7th place team).

Its not that Liverpool can't beat Madrid, its just that I think its highly unlikely and Zidane should be sacked if we lose to Liverpool/Roma (not Bayern).

We went from Suarez and Sturridge to Balotelli, Borini and Lambert. That's all that's need to be said, in a nutshell.

 

[Peyroteo]

Look what happened to Liverpool, right after Gerard slipped against Chelsea. They crumbled under pressure, their subsequent season was a disaster and their manager was sacked. If Liverpool lose a final, then I can see a feeling of fatigue set in next season. Liverpool have just had one good season so we can't say that "they step up when it matters" for sure. They may revert to normal next season (4th to 7th place team).

Its not that Liverpool can't beat Madrid, its just that I think its highly unlikely and Zidane should be sacked if we lose to Liverpool/Roma (not Bayern).

Zidane won't get sacked no matter what happens now and Liverpool are in a very healthy position to be even stronger next season as long as they keep their key players. It's pointless to talk about a final when there are semifinals to be played, both of which are 50-50 matchups.

 

[Jamie L]

Very strange paragraph, over-rating Roma and under-rating Real at the same time.

You are very likely to beat Roma, but very unlikely to beat Real (or even Bayern).

Nothing strange about it (for anyone with a brain in their head). Not under-estimating Roma, whilst acknowledging that a one-off final match is never a foregone conclusion. Especially not at that level.

 

[Jayus20]

Look what happened to Liverpool, right after Gerard slipped against Chelsea. They crumbled under pressure, their subsequent season was a disaster and their manager was sacked. If Liverpool lose a final, then I can see a feeling of fatigue set in next season. Liverpool have just had one good season so we can't say that "they step up when it matters" for sure. They may revert to normal next season (4th to 7th place team).

Its not that Liverpool can't beat Madrid, its just that I think its highly unlikely and Zidane should be sacked if we lose to Liverpool/Roma (not Bayern).

Believe me that wasn’t down to team morale dropping :’) it was because of us selling Suárez (who was probably the 3rd best player in the world that season) and losing Sturridge to injury nearly all season and then replacing them with Balotelli and Lambert. That won’t happen as none of our best players are off anywhere.

I’m not talking about for the entirety of a season, I’m talking about individual games against good teams we generally step up and that’s proven by our track record against top 6 sides last season and our results in the UCL this season. I really don’t think you know much about this club at all. As it’s been pointed out by the Liverpool fans on here we’re here for the ride and hoping we can win it, if we don’t, of course we’ll be disappointed but this is the best Liverpool squad we’ve had for years and it’s only going to get better. We’re all very positive and the touted additions this summer are only going to make us stronger and probably give us the best Liverpool team and squad I’ve seen in my lifetime. It’s a very different situation to the one we were in with Rodgers, this team is far more balanced and doesn’t rely on one player even with Salah in such crazy form.

I think it’s harsh to think Zidane deserves sacking if he loses to us when we have some very good players, a brilliant manager and fantastic fans. As I said before, I really do think you underestimate us as a club and team.

 

[Cal?]

Nothing strange about it (for anyone with a brain in their head). Not under-estimating Roma, whilst acknowledging that a one-off final match is never a foregone conclusion. Especially not at that level.

That's one of those cliches that's not actually true, like "penalties are a lottery".

 

[rm4eva]

Think this would require us losing our far and away best player like we did in 2014, and replacing him with Lambert/Balotelli tier talent. Think we can draw a bit better now, especially since it’s looking like we’ll finish top 4 two seasons in a row.

That CL stability is essential before we start talking about winning leagues or anything.

You may yet lose your best players in Firminho and/or Salah. Your transfer strategy has been to acquire young players, and that can be very hit and miss. If it misses, and you lose Salah/Firminho then you will have big problems. Your team is being carried by its attack. Liverpool is like a Real Madrid, but with a much worse defense and a much worse midfield. I'm not saying Liverpool can't beat Madrid, I'm saying that it is highly unlikely.

 

[Borussin]

You may yet lose your best players in Firminho and/or Salah. Your transfer strategy has been to acquire young players, and that can be very hit and miss. If it misses, and you lose Salah/Firminho then you will have big problems. Your team is being carried by its attack. Liverpool is like a Real Madrid, but with a much worse defense and a much worse midfield. I'm not saying Liverpool can't beat Madrid, I'm saying that it is highly unlikely.

You are falling for the old hype about their defence I suspect, you might want to check as to how much more solid they have actually been since Van Dijk, Robertson and Karius been regulars. Better than Real? No idea, never watch the Spanish league.

Liverpool's big issue is their midfield, which I suspect is what they target strengthening over the summer. Although shows how good a coach Klopp is that he has the likes of Henderson, Can (when fit) and Milner performing so well in it.

 

[Jayus20]

You may yet lose your best players in Firminho and/or Salah. Your transfer strategy has been to acquire young players, and that can be very hit and miss. If it misses, and you lose Salah/Firminho then you will have big problems. Your team is being carried by its attack. Liverpool is like a Real Madrid, but with a much worse defense and a much worse midfield. I'm not saying Liverpool can't beat Madrid, I'm saying that it is highly unlikely.

Honestly you clearly know barely anything about the club so I really don’t know why you’re making so many comments about us.

We don’t sign that young anymore and all of our signings under Klopp have been pretty successful so wouldn’t say it’s hit and miss. Also our defence has been pretty solid since we signed Van Dijk and since Robertson and Karius have come into their own. Firmino has already said he loves this club and wants to be here for the rest of his career and Klopp has said Salah won’t be going anywhere this summer and he “knows that for a fact” nevermind how much Salah goes on about wanting to win the league with this club and stuff.

I expect these sort of comments from United fans but not a Real Madrid fan. Doesn’t it show how wrong you are when some United fans of all people are attempting to correct you. Our midfield is admittedly weak but it’s something we’ll be improving this summer and even so it still seems to get the better of other far better midfields like De Bruyne, Silva and Fernandinho. Like I said before you’re massively underestimating us, but that’s fine I guess because then you won’t realise the best way to beat us and you’ve seen what happens when better teams go toe to toe with us by what happened to Man City.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Someone change the title ffs. Let's not assume Scousers will make it past Roma. Believe.

 

[Retrokicks]

Honestly you clearly know barely anything about the club so I really don’t know why you’re making so many comments about us.

We don’t sign that young anymore and all of our signings under Klopp have been pretty successful so wouldn’t say it’s hit and miss. Also our defence has been pretty solid since we signed Van Dijk and since Robertson and Karius have come into their own. Firmino has already said he loves this club and wants to be here for the rest of his career and Klopp has said Salah won’t be going anywhere this summer and he “knows that for a fact” nevermind how much Salah goes on about wanting to win the league with this club and stuff.

I expect these sort of comments from United fans but not a Real Madrid fan. Doesn’t it show how wrong you are when some United fans of all people are attempting to correct you. Our midfield is admittedly weak but it’s something we’ll be improving this summer and even so it still seems to get the better of other far better midfields like De Bruyne, Silva and Fernandinho. Like I said before you’re massively underestimating us, but that’s fine I guess because then you won’t realise the best way to beat us and you’ve seen what happens when better teams go toe to toe with us by what happened to Man City.

Whilst he's off about Liverpool's transfer policy, his bottom line is right. Any team, not just Liverpool, will have a hard time beating Real in a final.

What Liverpool did to City was widely predicted, but Real is a completely different proposition! They won't be naively steam-rolled like City were and Klopp is a bit one dimensional in finals.

 

[GatoLoco]

I'd rather play Madrid than Bayern, for what it's worth. We're capable of running over either of them, and I think we will when the time comes.



We went from Suarez and Sturridge to Balotelli, Borini and Lambert. That's all that's need to be said, in a nutshell.

I rate Liverpool and Klopp very highly, but Bayern and Madrid are European elite, extremely experienced in Europe and have great quality in all their lines. They don't crumble when things don't go their way, they keep their mind calm and know how to perform in moments of high tension. In football everything can happen, and of course, Liverpool might win the trophy if you eliminate Roma first, but to say you are capable of running over either of them in very special circumstances when you are yet to do something like that is a little bit daring.

 

[ShadesOfTomato]

I rate Liverpool and Klopp very highly, but Bayern and Madrid are European elite, extremely experienced in Europe and have great quality in all their lines. They don't crumble when things don't go their way, they keep their mind calm and know how to perform in moments of high tension. In football everything can happen, and of course, Liverpool might win the trophy if you eliminate Roma first, but to say you are capable of running over either of them in very special circumstances when you are yet to do something like that is a little bit daring.

Meh, those are just cliches and platitudes. It comes down to which football team is better. Madrid have shown their vulnerabilities at various points this season - that's why they sit 15 points behind Barca in La Liga. We are more than capable of beating them.

 

[GatoLoco]

Meh, those are just cliches and platitudes. It comes down to which football team is better. Madrid have shown their vulnerabilities at various points this season - that's why they sit 15 points behind Barca in La Liga. We are more than capable of beating them.

First of all I talked both about Bayern and Madrid, not just Madrid.

Second, you are not very aware of history I see. When Champions League comes into play Real Madrid players completely change their mindset no matter what their position in the table is. I've seen this club win the CL five times in spite of their league form being poor, and there are powerful reasons behind it. You can choose to ignore them, but it doesn't mean they are not there.

Third, I've seen many very good sides look much worse than they were in European finals due to them not having the experience. Again you can choose to ignore that factor saying that everything comes down to which football team is better. Maybe in a football game it's mostly about that, in an European Cup final I'm sorry but it's not.

 

[redman5]

Meh, those are just cliches and platitudes. It comes down to which football team is better. Madrid have shown their vulnerabilities at various points this season - that's why they sit 15 points behind Barca in La Liga. We are more than capable of beating them.

How about we get to the final first before indulging in such bravado. If we fail to beat Roma over 2 legs then your words will be absolutely meaningless. If we can't beat the 10/1 outsiders, then you're not really standing on solid ground proclaiming that we can beat a side that's won 3 CL's in 4 years.

 

[ShadesOfTomato]

How about we get to the final first before indulging in such bravado. If we fail to beat Roma over 2 legs then your words will be absolutely meaningless. If we can't beat the 10/1 outsiders, then you're not really standing on solid ground proclaiming that we can beat a side that's won 3 CL's in 4 years.

Where have I shown bravado? I'm simply suggesting that we're capable of beating them. Why? Because there is a possibility that we may be facing them in a CL final in the next month. Or should people refrain from discuss potential future scenarios? Perhaps you need to grab yourself a pair of reading glasses.

First of all I talked both about Bayern and Madrid, not just Madrid.

Second, you are not very aware of history I see. When Champions League comes into play Real Madrid players completely change their mindset no matter what their position in the table is. I've seen this club win the CL five times in spite of their league form being poor, and there are powerful reasons behind it. You can choose to ignore them, but it doesn't mean they are not there.

Third, I've seen many very good sides look much worse than they were in European finals due to them not having the experience. Again you can choose to ignore that factor saying that everything comes down to which football team is better. Maybe in a football game it's mostly about that, in an European Cup final I'm sorry but it's not.

No doubt they're a hugely experienced side with quality. No doubt they'd be a difficult opponent. I just don't subscribe to the opinion that they're so much better (or better at all) than Liverpool, or unbeatable.