Liverpool FC Forum

[Reg]

POS CLUB          P W D L GF GA GD PTS
1Leicester         34 21 10 3 59 33 26 73
2Tottenham      34 19 11 4 64 25 39 68
3Manc City        34 18 7 9 62 34 28 61
4Arsenal            33 17 9 7 56 34 22 60
5MancUnited     34 17 8 9 42 30 12 59
6West Ham        34 14 14 6 57 43 14 56
7Liverpool         33 15 9 9 56 43 13 54


Whilst we only have a question mark over the Chelsea game, our 2 games against Villarreal add to the fatigue factor and raise further injury concerns. Including last night and the UEFA Cup final, 9 games in 25 days !!

LIVERPOOL
23 Apr - Premier League   Newcastle H
29 Apr - UEFA   Villarreal A
1 May - Premier League Swansea City A
6 May - UEFA  Villarreal H
8 May - Premier League Watford H
12 May - Premier League Chelsea H
15 May - Premier League  Liverpool A

Two league games against the Mancs could decide 5th place without us kicking a ball.

WEST HAM
23 Apr - Premier League Man United  Postponed
30 Apr - Premier League  West Brom A
7 May - Premier League  Swansea City A
11 May - Premier League Man United H
15 May - Premier League  Stoke City A

Hopefully if the Hammers and Leicester see United off we'll see them settle in nicely at 7th. Pray that the Bitters come off suicide row in time to beat them in the cup to ensure the Mancs have a terrible season.

MAN UTD
23 Apr - Premier League  West Ham A
24 Apr - FA Cup Semi-final Everton
1 May - Premier League Leicester City H
7 May - Premier League  Norwich City A
11 May - Premier League West Ham A
15 May - Premier League Bournemouth H

I reckon 5th is doable for the Reds but we'll have to rotate a lot.... and that could lead to dropped points.

[maguskwt]

For the Newcastle and Swansea games, Klopp will definitely prioritize the Villareal legs. So some of our reserves must step up especially since Origi could be out (HELLO... I'm talking about you Benteke!).  I would think Sturridge would be reserved for the Villareal matches. Right now I'm not too much concerned with other positions, the younger players are doing a good job coming in and doing the job.

IMHO, I think 5th place would be difficult but we should go for it as a fall back. At least we will be in the Europa league. 6th place seems more likely...

[Klopptomaniac]

If there were a few games remaining I'd be optimistic about getting fourth, under these circumstances I'm happy to rotate the side as required for the Villareal ties

[Reg]

Villarreal got ripped a new one last night 3-0 against RM.

# Team                Pl W D L F A GD Pts
1 Barcelona         34 25 4 5 96 29 67 79
2 Atletico Mad     34 25 4 5 58 16 42 79
3 Real Madrid      34 24 6 4 101 30 71 78
4 Villarreal         34 17 9 8 42 31 11 60
5 Athletic Bilbao 34 16 6 12 51 41 10 54

I think what you need to look at here is the goals scored/goals difference. Barcelona, Athletico and RM are way out in a league of their own, goal differences of 67, 42 and 71 (!!), Villarreal are very average at just +11 though their defense are obviously tight, conceding just 31 goals but they're 18 points behind 3rd place! They're not supermen by any stretch of the imagination, their 4th because everyone outside the top 3 are shi-ite, they're just the best of the very average, rest. Spanish footie is on the decline outside the top 3.