Liverpool FC Forum

[Benny The Noon]

Yes Benny, the principles of being in a comp on merit

The season doesn't begin in July Benny - that's called PRE-SEASON Benny the thing almost ALL teams do before the season begins.

The teams that we would face in the early rounds are like teams we would face in pre season - it would also be games for Suarez to get competitive Football - it could also be games that could possibly help keep Suarez and possibly attract better players because they could be playing in Europe. The early games in the qualifying rounds would be treated as part of pre season - it just means less money for the club and no travelling to Australia or Indonesia to play in games which are for purely marketing and financial reasons.

I remember when we played in the early qualifying rounds of the CL against teams like TNS in July - I'm guessing that was ok to play in that.

Getting into the Europa league via Fair Play is a recognised route into the tournament - it's been around for years and should never ( again in my opinion ) be turned down.

[7_Kewell]

If anything, Benny is amusing

[Kenny Kan]

The teams that we would face in the early rounds are like teams we would face in pre season - it would also be games for Suarez to get competitive Football - it could also be games that could possibly help keep Suarez and possibly attract better players because they could be playing in Europe. The early games in the qualifying rounds would be treated as part of pre season - it just means less money for the club and no travelling to Australia or Indonesia to play in games which are for purely marketing and financial reasons.

Now Suarez comes 'before' the team. 

I remember when we played in the early qualifying rounds of the CL against teams like TNS in July - I'm guessing that was ok to play in that. 

Different time, different needs etc.... Plus it was the Champions League and not the competitions poor brother.

Getting into the Europa league via Fair Play is a recognised route into the tournament - it's been around for years and should never ( again in my opinion ) be turned down 

Merit or nothing, for me.

Anyway Benny, why are you getting your knickers in a twist? I mean, we haven't actually qualified through the fair play route yet anyway and Rodgers has only given his opinion on the matter. What's the issue?

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

if the opportunity to compete in europe is there we should take it, i wouldnt worry about merit too much, in 2006 we got into the CL after finishing 5th and everyone knew back then winning it didnt mean you automatically qualified the following season.
we didnt look a gift horse in the mouth back then and i dont think we should now either.
just because we are in the europa doesnt mean we have to put our best XI out, we have a lot of promising youngsters that have hardly played since we have been knocked out of the cup competitions, the likes of the carling cup and europa league are great for giving the likes of sterling, suso, shelvey, texiera, flanagan, robinson, coady etc etc game time.
they are also a good opportunity to give some of the more experienced players on the fringe of the first team game time as well (assaidi, borini, jones)
tournaments like these play an important role in this era of large squads, if players arent getting games they quickly become bored and disillusioned.

[Benny The Noon]

The teams that we would face in the early rounds are like teams we would face in pre season - it would also be games for Suarez to get competitive Football - it could also be games that could possibly help keep Suarez and possibly attract better players because they could be playing in Europe. The early games in the qualifying rounds would be treated as part of pre season - it just means less money for the club and no travelling to Australia or Indonesia to play in games which are for purely marketing and financial reasons.

Now Suarez comes 'before' the team. 

I remember when we played in the early qualifying rounds of the CL against teams like TNS in July - I'm guessing that was ok to play in that. 

Different time, different needs etc.... Plus it was the Champions League and not the competitions poor brother.

Getting into the Europa league via Fair Play is a recognised route into the tournament - it's been around for years and should never ( again in my opinion ) be turned down 

Merit or nothing, for me.

Anyway Benny, why are you getting your knickers in a twist? I mean, we haven't actually qualified through the fair play route yet anyway and Rodgers has only given his opinion on the matter. What's the issue?

Did i say Suarez before the team ? Cant see that posted anywhere

Europa maybe the smaller of the European comps but its still more important than a meaningless friendly in Australia that is based on financial reasons.

Merit or nothing ? really - so if it was a fair play route into the CL you would turn it down ? And when they changed the rules to allow us into the CL you had no problems then ?

And BR ( again in my opinion ) shouldnt be saying what he did - one minute he says some very good things in the press - the next he counters it with something that will not go down well.

[Kenny Kan]

Did i say Suarez before the team ? Cant see that posted anywhere

Europa maybe the smaller of the European comps but its still more important than a meaningless friendly in Australia that is based on financial reasons.

Merit or nothing ? really - so if it was a fair play route into the CL you would turn it down ? And when they changed the rules to allow us into the CL you had no problems then ?

And BR ( again in my opinion ) shouldnt be saying what he did - one minute he says some very good things in the press - the next he counters it with something that will not go down well.

What was the Suarez pitch for then?

That meaningless friendly in Bangkok and Melbourne will probably rake in more spondoolies than the Europa cup, and when your implying in other threads that you'd be happy to have a sugar daddy and owners to spend like there is no tomorrow as money runs the sport these days, I find this questioning a bit 'rich' coming from you.

There isn't a fair play route into the CL though is there? - the two comps are clearly stratified.

Well, BR said what he said and that's his opinion, surely he is entitled to that? He's hardly doing a 'Hodgson' and getting all support off side is he, some can see the pragmatic approach in what he's saying.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

Did i say Suarez before the team ? Cant see that posted anywhere

Europa maybe the smaller of the European comps but its still more important than a meaningless friendly in Australia that is based on financial reasons.

Merit or nothing ? really - so if it was a fair play route into the CL you would turn it down ? And when they changed the rules to allow us into the CL you had no problems then ?

And BR ( again in my opinion ) shouldnt be saying what he did - one minute he says some very good things in the press - the next he counters it with something that will not go down well.

What was the Suarez pitch for then?

That meaningless friendly in Bangkok and Melbourne will probably rake in more spondoolies than the Europa cup, and when your implying in other threads that you'd be happy to have a sugar daddy and owners to spend like there is no tomorrow as money runs the sport these days, I find this questioning a bit 'rich' coming from you.

There isn't a fair play route into the CL though is there? - the two comps are clearly stratified.

Well, BR said what he said and that's his opinion, surely he is entitled to that? He's hardly doing a 'Hodgson' and getting all support off side is he, some can see the pragmatic approach in what he's saying.

rodgers is probably just toeing the party line.
without the likes of the europa league we are going to have to watch out that we dont get more tom ince type situations.
the likes of sterling, suso, wisdom etc are going to struggle to get a game next season.

[Benny The Noon]

Did i say Suarez before the team ? Cant see that posted anywhere

Europa maybe the smaller of the European comps but its still more important than a meaningless friendly in Australia that is based on financial reasons.

Merit or nothing ? really - so if it was a fair play route into the CL you would turn it down ? And when they changed the rules to allow us into the CL you had no problems then ?

And BR ( again in my opinion ) shouldnt be saying what he did - one minute he says some very good things in the press - the next he counters it with something that will not go down well.

What was the Suarez pitch for then?

That meaningless friendly in Bangkok and Melbourne will probably rake in more spondoolies than the Europa cup, and when your implying in other threads that you'd be happy to have a sugar daddy and owners to spend like there is no tomorrow as money runs the sport these days, I find this questioning a bit 'rich' coming from you.

There isn't a fair play route into the CL though is there? - the two comps are clearly stratified.

Well, BR said what he said and that's his opinion, surely he is entitled to that? He's hardly doing a 'Hodgson' and getting all support off side is he, some can see the pragmatic approach in what he's saying.

The Suarez pitch was to allow him to be able to play competitive football early instead of wating around until September so when his ban does end his fitness levels will be high and he can move seaminglessly back into the team.

Money is needed into the club yes - but not at the expense of playing in a recognised European Comp regadless. I would bin off any friendly in favour of proper competitive football. Im pretty sure even you can see the difference . Ill take watching the team at Anfield playing against some minnow from Slovakia in the qualifiers than seeing them fly all the way to the other side of the world for a meaningless friendly.

So you didnt mind the rule being stretched to allow us into the CL then ? So its only merit when it suits you ?

I would hope that a Liverpool manager ( and even fans ) would understand the history of Liverpool in Europe and when asked if there was a chance to play in Europe would jump at the chance and even state it that it would be a fantastic chance to play in Europe because thats where the club belongs - the same Europe that Kenny was proud to take us back into and was even moved to tears at the thought of getting us back into Europe. As oppossed to the next manager saying "na rather not this year".

[Kenny Kan]

The Suarez pitch was to allow him to be able to play competitive football early instead of wating around until September so when his ban does end his fitness levels will be high and he can move seaminglessly back into the team. 

I find it quite amusing and highly ironic that you're advocating getting Suarez to play competitive football again, seeing as you were the most vociferous in condemning him. It seems the goal posts have moved somewhat and rather than giving the squad a good pre-season you'd rather them play competative football to allow Suarez time to get his fitness levels up. 

Money is needed into the club yes - but not at the expense of playing in a recognised European Comp regadless. I would bin off any friendly in favour of proper competitive football. Im pretty sure even you can see the difference . Ill take watching the team at Anfield playing against some minnow from Slovakia in the qualifiers than seeing them fly all the way to the other side of the world for a meaningless friendly. 

Money is needed but we should turn it down to play in a second rate comp.

So you didnt mind the rule being stretched to allow us into the CL then ? So its only merit when it suits you ? 

Different competitions though Benny. Ones more prestigious and lucrative, the other has been designed to sit in it's big brother's shadow - that wasn't my doing.

I would hope that a Liverpool manager ( and even fans ) would understand the history of Liverpool in Europe and when asked if there was a chance to play in Europe would jump at the chance and even state it that it would be a fantastic chance to play in Europe because thats where the club belongs - the same Europe that Kenny was proud to take us back into and was even moved to tears at the thought of getting us back into Europe. As oppossed to the next manager saying "na rather not this year". 

This manager has different principles and priorities. Possibly entering the Europa cup on a fair play award doesn't ring his bell, I don't see what the fuss is about.

[devaney]

Not sure that getting into the Europa League through the fair play route cannot be deemed as meritorious anymore than being a losing finalist in the FA Cup. I'd prefer to be in it though as the later stages do get interesting. The competition does however need a financial upgrade.

Melbourne sold out the MCG in a few hours for the Liverpool game:  http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/268659,s ... -gone.aspx - the capacity of the MCG is approx 100,000 and the development of the LFC brand is massively important. We have got to be involved in these showpiece games.

As for using the Europa League to give Suarez match practice I find that an amusing suggestion especially when it came from somebody that personally wrote almost nearly 10 pages castigating Suarez on the biting incident and what should and what shouldn't happen.

[Kenny Kan]

“I’ve never thought of it,” said the Liverpool boss. “Maybe we should get a couple of sendings off or bookings!

“There’s a pride thing and we want to get into it with our performance level and it’s highly unlikely we’d get that route [anyway].

“It’s the top three countries and we’re fourth. It’s not something I would be keen on. I want to get there through the right means.

“If we have to have a year where we are not in it, it’s going to give us an opportunity to push on.”

“It was a long journey in the Europa League this year,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed it and we were disappointed when we came out of it, but I think down the Fair Play route means the competition starts even earlier.

“I’d prefer to be in it by qualifying through the league or winning a trophy.

“If it’s not that way then, we as a club are better suited to re-aligning our focus to domestic cups and the league.”

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I really don't see the big deal in what he's said.

[redno7]

Benny can, but he would argue grass was blue if Brendan said it was green. His dislike of our manager is obvious for all to see.

[Benny The Noon]

The Suarez pitch was to allow him to be able to play competitive football early instead of wating around until September so when his ban does end his fitness levels will be high and he can move seaminglessly back into the team. 

I find it quite amusing and highly ironic that you're advocating getting Suarez to play competitive football again, seeing as you were the most vociferous in condemning him. It seems the goal posts have moved somewhat and rather than giving the squad a good pre-season you'd rather them play competative football to allow Suarez time to get his fitness levels up. 

Money is needed into the club yes - but not at the expense of playing in a recognised European Comp regadless. I would bin off any friendly in favour of proper competitive football. Im pretty sure even you can see the difference . Ill take watching the team at Anfield playing against some minnow from Slovakia in the qualifiers than seeing them fly all the way to the other side of the world for a meaningless friendly. 

Money is needed but we should turn it down to play in a second rate comp.

So you didnt mind the rule being stretched to allow us into the CL then ? So its only merit when it suits you ? 

Different competitions though Benny. Ones more prestigious and lucrative, the other has been designed to sit in it's big brother's shadow - that wasn't my doing.

I would hope that a Liverpool manager ( and even fans ) would understand the history of Liverpool in Europe and when asked if there was a chance to play in Europe would jump at the chance and even state it that it would be a fantastic chance to play in Europe because thats where the club belongs - the same Europe that Kenny was proud to take us back into and was even moved to tears at the thought of getting us back into Europe. As oppossed to the next manager saying "na rather not this year". 

This manager has different principles and priorities. Possibly entering the Europa cup on a fair play award doesn't ring his bell, I don't see what the fuss is about.

Is that what you really see me typing when i suggest it could be good use for Suarez and all the other players to get match fitness ? Competitve matches are far better than any meaningless friendly to help with players fitness - no goalposts have been changed. I believed he deserved to be punished for the incident and he was. There is no better pre season than proper matches.

Second rate comp ? says who ? You ? Are those three trophies we have in the cabinet second rate then ? Did you see the reaction of the players after the Anzhi match - was that the reaction of players in a "second rate comp" ! Didnt look like it too me.

And if the manager has different ideas about the club being in Europe than the fans then he isnt the man for the job - Kenny understood what it means for this club to be in Europe and so do the fans ( will most it appears )

We havent qualified on the pitch for thr CL - so you take the next chance possible to play on the continent against some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Most of the fans will understand that. Hopefully our manager will and if the chance is given - it is taken with open arms and any pre season friendly is knocked on the head.

[Benny The Noon]

Benny can, but he would argue grass was blue if Brendan said it was green. His dislike of our manager is obvious for all to see.

Do you have something to add to the subject ?

[Kenny Kan]

Lets take this argument back to the beginning where you implied Rodgers said that he'd turn Europe down for a lucrative tour. That wasn't the truth was it Benny?

Since, we've been arguing the merits for and against playing in channel 5s Europa cup.  I'd agree with what Rodgers has said, given our circumstances you don't, fair enough. But to make out he'd rather the money than the comp like you initially said he did was very disingenuous of you.