Can't believe I'm saying this, but we might need to support Liverpool in the EL. They have better chances of winning it than most teams out there, and we need EL points to notch up the English co-efficients. Would help to have five English teams in the CL next year, too, and maybe that'll put Italy out of sight for the near future.
Europa League 2015/2016
- Thread starter R'hllor
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Apparently, Benteke, Skrtel, Lovren, Milner, Lucas and Clyne all stayed in England and are out of the game against Bordeaux. Can Liverpool fans confirm?
Can't confirm, but I guess that leaves us with something like...
Bogdan
??? Toure Sakho Moreno
Can
Rossiter Allen
Firmino
Ings Origi?
That's pretty terrifying. We have a chance to do well in the Europa League, and it's definitely not a competition we should be taking lightly. Realistically, we're looking at another 5th/6th place finish, which while not ideal, would be alright for me IF we put together at least two decent cup runs. There's absolutely no reason, manager aside, we shouldn't be winning that group with the money we've spent.
Bogdan
??? Toure Sakho Moreno
Can
Rossiter Allen
Firmino
Ings Origi?
That's pretty terrifying. We have a chance to do well in the Europa League, and it's definitely not a competition we should be taking lightly. Realistically, we're looking at another 5th/6th place finish, which while not ideal, would be alright for me IF we put together at least two decent cup runs. There's absolutely no reason, manager aside, we shouldn't be winning that group with the money we've spent.
I meant terrifying from a Liverpool fan's POV. Not terrifying in the sense that the Bordeaux players will be crapping themselves before coming out 
Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.
Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.I'd expect Coutinho and Lallana to start. Maybe Ibe too?I meant terrifying from a Liverpool fan's POV. Not terrifying in the sense that the Bordeaux players will be crapping themselves before coming out
Rossiter - Can - Lallana
Ibe - Origi - Coutinho
? Not sure though.Ibe - Origi - Coutinho
That's correct. Henderson didn't travel either because he's still injured. Rodgers also confirmed that Origi would get some gametime. I reckon it could be something like:
------------ Bogdan ---------------
Can --- Toure - Sakho --- Moreno
------ Rossiter -- Allen -----------
----------- Coutinho ---------------
-- Origi --- Ings --------- Firmino-
It all depends on how we approach the game though. Allen and Ibe could feature as well, I don't know whether Coutinho will play, ... We've got some youth products like Brannagan who maybe could play a role but it's not all that. I'm quite ashamed of all this to be fair, your first game in a European competition and you're already leaving out your best players, come on now. It's disrespectful to the Europa League, Bordeaux and your own fans.
Last edited:
Well, that can´t be genuine, unless Rodgers tries to get fired. I mean rotating and resting players is of course possible in EL group matches, but you don´t leave so many of them at home and have them not at least on the bench to react.
This would be such a great waste of an opportunity to infuse some confidence in the team again and repay the fans a bit after the poor perfomance vs. United.
Thought Lallana was still out, my bad. Don't like the idea of Coutinho playing while the others get a day off, but I suppose he did miss the United fixture.
I'd play Cou ahead of the three and put Ings & Origi up top together. Ibe as an alternative if things don't work out through the middle. No way Rodgers lines up with two up top, though.
I meant terrifying from a Liverpool fan's POV. Not terrifying in the sense that the Bordeaux players will be crapping themselves before coming out
I know how you meant it and it's what made me laugh.
I would be soo mad if my club would pull something like that.
I mean I also want to see Dortmund in the CL, but as long as we are in this competition, we might as well to try to win it. If Pool would get their shit together they actually would have a chance to be successful, certainly a more likely route to the CL than via the EPL.
It´s too bad they play the same time as us. Would have loved to watch it and properly root against them and hope they fall on their face. If you don´t respect the competition (both the oposing team and tournament), you deserve nothing.
Pathetic attitude.
I am mad but you quickly learn to live with shit like this if Rodgers is your manager. Not too sure about the bolded part though, I'd still say we've got a better chance to finish in the top four than winning the Europa League, but I get your point. I'm always excited for European games, whether it's CL or EL, but stuff like this really pisses me off. I've got football training when we play so I can't watch the game myself, I'm starting to think that's actually a good thing though.
I would be soo mad if my club would pull something like that.
I mean I also want to see Dortmund in the CL, but as long as we are in this competition, we might as well to try to win it. If Pool would get their shit together they actually would have a chance to be successful, certainly a more likely route to the CL than via the EPL.
It´s too bad they play the same time as us. Would have loved to watch it and properly root against them and hope they fall on their face. If you don´t respect the competition (both the oposing team and tournament), you deserve nothing.
Pathetic attitude.
The EL is Liverpool's best chance of getting into the CL imo. Hope he hasn't left those guys out on purpose.
Well, the way I see it the EL or any cup competition for that matter has a way higher emphasis on daily form, direct tactics and a bit of luck, while the league is a battle of consistency. I think that if everything fits together, this Liverpool team can be a dangerous opponent, but looking at your squad as a whole, the chances of getting top 4 are slim unless Chelsea really crumbles.
Agreed. If offered 5th/6th and a chance to go deep in the EL and a domestic cup (with a chance to win both), I'd probably take that.
Yup, logic screams for you to play the 4312/diamond with intensity and high pressing from the front that Ings and Benteke could probably provide, but a 433 with no(?) established wingers in the side seems to be what he's going for.
It's a bit like LvG going for the 4231 when our personnel pretty much favours a 433 where Carrick can sit deep as the anchor and Herrera + Schweinsteiger/Schneiderlin can do the leg work for him.
Disagree with that, we're just not equipped to be a cup team right now, especially against continental sides. We concede way too many goals and have difficulties to put games to bed, two essential qualities in the knock-out stages. We got turned over by Besiktas last year who then went on to lose to fecking Club Brugge. There are probably between five or ten clubs in the Europa League who'd easily kick us out if we meet them in the latter stages, Dortmund surely being one of them.
Well we did have Markovic, who we spent £20m on last year, who's an actual winger... But nope, he's out on loan. Ibe & Markovic either side of Ings would've been decent, but I guess if we're going to be playing 4-3-3 Rodger's will put Firmino up there.
I don't think there's five clubs that could "easily" kick us out. Yeah the likes of Dortmund are very tough matches we'd go into as underdogs, and then you also have the third place teams from the CL dropping down, but if we can't be in a decent enough place form wise going into the knockout stages (which start in December, right?), then Rodgers should just go. We should be competitive with any team currently in the Europa league when we start to find form.
We've got a good chance here. If we get through our group without incident, by the time the knockout phase comes, hopefully, we'll be able to play our best stuff.
Europa league Group stage kicks off tommorow and if Sporting take this competition seriously (which they should ) there is no reason why we should not be making at least the semi finals. Only side in this competition I am worried about is without a doubt Dortmund they have the best chance to win it but Sporting are up there with the best teams in the competition probably top 3 or 4 ( IMO). Our squad has lots of quality especially in midfield and attack, defense could be better but nonetheless a good team. I expect Sporting to get first or second in there group despite there being two teams in our group which could cause problems.
SPORTING vs Lokmotivo Moscow
My predicted starting lineup
Rui Patricio
Joao Pereira Paulo Oliveira Naldo Jefferson
Adrien Silva(C) Aquilani
Andre Carrilo Carlos Mane
Teo Gutierrez Islam Slimani
I made 2 changes to the side that played on the weekend with Carlos Mane starting over Bryan Ruiz who I feel needs to rest and Joao Perreira for Ricardo esgaio at right back. Hopefully our very exciting youth prospect Gelson Martins comes on and gets a good amount of time on the field . Another doubt heading into the game was whether Andre Carrilo would start this game despite being our star player and the second best player in the team behind William Carvalho he has yet to sign a contract extension and he is in the final year of his contract ( I don't think he will sign an extension..... I very much hope I'm wrong). But judging by Jorge Jesus pre match press conference I think Carrilo will start.
Key Player(s): Andre Carrilo and Islam Slimani
Injuries:William Carvalho, Ewerton ( both expected to return soon )
Score prediction: 2-0 or 2-1 to Sporting
Exciting youth prospects coming through who are expected to get some games this season:
Gelson Martins( already in the first team squad)
Matheus Perreira ( B team)
Ryan Gauld ( a player who is known around this forum also from the B team
SPORTING vs Lokmotivo Moscow
My predicted starting lineup
Rui Patricio
Joao Pereira Paulo Oliveira Naldo Jefferson
Adrien Silva(C) Aquilani
Andre Carrilo Carlos Mane
Teo Gutierrez Islam Slimani
I made 2 changes to the side that played on the weekend with Carlos Mane starting over Bryan Ruiz who I feel needs to rest and Joao Perreira for Ricardo esgaio at right back. Hopefully our very exciting youth prospect Gelson Martins comes on and gets a good amount of time on the field . Another doubt heading into the game was whether Andre Carrilo would start this game despite being our star player and the second best player in the team behind William Carvalho he has yet to sign a contract extension and he is in the final year of his contract ( I don't think he will sign an extension..... I very much hope I'm wrong). But judging by Jorge Jesus pre match press conference I think Carrilo will start.
Key Player(s): Andre Carrilo and Islam Slimani
Injuries:William Carvalho, Ewerton ( both expected to return soon )
Score prediction: 2-0 or 2-1 to Sporting
Exciting youth prospects coming through who are expected to get some games this season:
Gelson Martins( already in the first team squad)
Matheus Perreira ( B team)
Ryan Gauld ( a player who is known around this forum also from the B team
Last edited:
Ajax vs Celtic tonight. Exciting match, think the teams are quite evenly matched too.
There's certain excitement seeing England having only three Champions League spots. Also, it's Liverpool. So, no thanks.
What about Coutinho?
That's been confirmed.
And now, after naming Philippe Coutinho , Adam Lallana, Jordon Ibe and Divock Origi in a four-man front line that will take the game to their hosts in Thursday's Europa League group-stage opener, Rodgers said he is determined to return to the front-foot mind-set that so nearly won Liverpool the title two seasons ago.
If he loses this the pressure will mount - 95% of supporters in the Echo poll want Rodgers to take the EL seriously. And so he leaves half the 1st team at home.
Bordeaux just got a draw against PSG away from home in the league and have in total drawn 3 out of 5 games in the league and only lost one so they're not pushovers. Liverpool have been absolutely abysmal in Europe under Rodgers, don't think they've had a single decent game. Struggled even to 3rd in Champions League last year and got knocked out at first obstacle in EL.
Possibly :
--------------------- Mignolet -----------------
Randall --- Toure ----- Sakho ---- Moreno
------------- Rossiter ----- Allen -------------
------------------- Coutinho ---------------
Ibe ---------------- Origi ----------- Lallana
You could also reverse Ibe and Lallana. Maybe Can or Gomez for Randall.
--------------------- Mignolet -----------------
Randall --- Toure ----- Sakho ---- Moreno
------------- Rossiter ----- Allen -------------
------------------- Coutinho ---------------
Ibe ---------------- Origi ----------- Lallana
You could also reverse Ibe and Lallana. Maybe Can or Gomez for Randall.
Last edited:
Isn't that a rather positive front 4, given he's left Benteke at home?
I'm not expecting anything from this. However I don't want to say Toure - Sakho won't be an improvement on Skrtel-Lovren .. because it might well be ! And that forward line is interesting, though I'd prefer Ings to Origi to start. The midfield is mobile and will pass the ball well, it's not very robust though.
It's skilful and creative but there isn't much power there, and none have a proven goal scoring record. Hence why I'd prefer Ings to start.
For me it's strange he didn't really give a chance to Ilori and reportedly loaned him with a buy out clause. I always thought he would be a useful player for Liverpool. He was certainly better than any english defender in the last U21 Euro and one of the best in the tournament. I'd hope that would be a lesson for players who demand to move after just half of season of impressing as professional players. It doesn't surprise me that Dier (although he could have stayed and gained Champions League experience last year) although an inferior player to Ilori is doing better than him after being more cautious in his career planning. I still have big expectations regarding Ilori and on him becoming a key figure on the portuguese defensive setup (Carvalho, Pepe and Fonte aren't getting younger).
Regarding Sporting's match against Lokomotiv, going to the stadium but taking this match as pre season. I mantain my stance of not caring about european football this year but since i have a season ticket that includes european games, i´ll be going. From your team i'd change Teo Gutierrez as well. He might have been one of the best players in South America last year at River but he just doesn't impresses me atm. If it wasn't for Montero seriously sucking against Paços he would get benched. Hope Gelson gets some minutes.
Regarding Sporting's match against Lokomotiv, going to the stadium but taking this match as pre season. I mantain my stance of not caring about european football this year but since i have a season ticket that includes european games, i´ll be going. From your team i'd change Teo Gutierrez as well. He might have been one of the best players in South America last year at River but he just doesn't impresses me atm. If it wasn't for Montero seriously sucking against Paços he would get benched. Hope Gelson gets some minutes.
Bordeaux had a great result against PSG on Friday with a rather 'negative' approach, you could say, where they mainly nullified PSG's threat from midfield. It was a really good tactical performance, with Khazri and Crivelli (the two strikers) positioning themselves tu cut off supply to the middle, and PSG forced out wide most of the time. Their midfield players are quite physical (not especially big and strong, but very good stamina) and had a great game. I'd say their CBs are maybe a bit of a weakness and they don't seem to have full confidence in their fullbacks, but the rest of the team is quite good. Carrasso is a good keeper, though he made a big blunder against PSG.
Dunno what type of approach they'll have, but given their performance on Friday, if they set up the same way tonight, I'd say they'll be able to nullify Coutinho (your main, and only imo, real threat) quite well.
Dunno what type of approach they'll have, but given their performance on Friday, if they set up the same way tonight, I'd say they'll be able to nullify Coutinho (your main, and only imo, real threat) quite well.
Ditto. Not surprised he went out on loan, if he's #4 or 5 at the club it makes sense, however I was totally shocked to hear of the buy-out clause. Awful.
Why? With Jesus' experience in Europa League with two finals to his name surely you should at least mildly care about this?
Now Tim Sherwood says he wants to turn him into a midfielder. That's terrible for his career evolution. Ilori unlike Dier (who always looked he could be useful as midfielder) is a center back by nature and should be developed/evolve in that position. He always impressed there. Remember his great performance as a teenager centerback against Porto and Lázio.
We are making our first strong try for the championship in good knows how many years, i'd prefer to focus on that. Also after the refereeing mistakes we suffered against CSKA most of the Sporting supporters (myself included) are a bit angry with european football. I'm usually nervous in the days Sporting plays but today my mindset is that this is only a pre season match and i'm not getting too emotional about it.
If he fails to get out of their group buy not taking the EL seriously and still showing patchy form in the league, I think Henry will pull the trigger.
It'll be 3-4-2-1 for Liverpool: Mignolet; Gomez, Toure, Sakho; Ibe, Rossiter, Can, Moreno; Lallana, Coutinho; Origi. Confirmed by James Pearce and several others.
Sigh.
Sigh.
3 ? FFS.
Weird team.