With the EFL cup already in the bag and an easy (on paper) tie with Villarreal in the semi-final of the UCL, Liverpool can still dream of trumping Man U's famous treble of 1999. If they beat Villarreal in the UCL then they will have two end of season finals against either City or Real Madrid and Chelsea.
All things being equal they should beat Chelsea in the FA cup final, though it is certainly no gimme. I would imagine they would rather have Real Madrid in the UCL final to avenge the infamous final of 2018 when Pool's keeper Karius threw one in for Real, who went on to lift the trophy after a 3-1 victory. A game in which Salah was targeted and injured by Sergio Ramos (who received no booking) resulting in Salah being subbed off after only 30 minutes. I'm pretty sure the players would love to stick it up Real in another final rather than playing a chess match with City.
Liverpool are much better than they were in 2018. I am a firm believer that you need a strong bench to win big competitions and in that UCL 2018 final in Kyiv Liverpool started with Mignolet, Can, Solanke, Clyne, Klavan, Lallana and Moreno on their bench. Last Saturday their bench consisted of Kelleher, Milner, Henderson, Firmino, Jota, Gomez and Matip. Much improved!
Liverpool are much better than they were in 2018. I am a firm believer that you need a strong bench to win big competitions and in that UCL 2018 final in Kyiv Liverpool started with Mignolet, Can, Solanke, Clyne, Klavan, Lallana and Moreno on their bench. Last Saturday their bench consisted of Kelleher, Milner, Henderson, Firmino, Jota, Gomez and Matip. Much improved!
It would not surprise me in the least if Liverpool won both the FA and UCL Cup finals. What would surprise me is if they win the League. This is the one trophy that worries them the most. Last Saturday they beat City 3-2 in the FA cup semi-final after City had rested Ederson, Dias, Laporte, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Rodri and Gundogan. Considering they were 3-nil up against a weakened side and only scrapped a 3-2 win will not fill them with confidence. As City supporter, I was happy to see Pep start with the team he did and to keep the experienced players for more important fixtures, especially after the tough April we have already faced.
Liverpool's next 2 league fixtures are at home to Man U and Everton, their 2 oldest enemies. And while on paper these fixtures look like routine victories you can bet your bottom dollar that both teams will be desperate to end Liverpool's title ambitions. The first game, against Man U, kicks off tonight at 8 pm. The first of many squeaky bum matches for the Scousers. I think Mackers will be back on the whiskey again for that one!
Liverpool's next 2 league fixtures are at home to Man U and Everton, their 2 oldest enemies. And while on paper these fixtures look like routine victories you can bet your bottom dollar that both teams will be desperate to end Liverpool's title ambitions. The first game, against Man U, kicks off tonight at 8 pm. The first of many squeaky bum matches for the Scousers. I think Mackers will be back on the whiskey again for that one!
 |
| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports. |
It doesn't bare thinking about
ReplyDeleteI'll be amazed if they win the quadruple. I think to do that a team has to be dominant across the board and impregnable. As good as this time are too often they don't win convincingly and a slip always beckons. They took the Carabao Cup on penalties. Three competitions left. Unlike Peter I think they could do the Premier L:eague and falter in either or both of the cup competitions. City are a great team but have they ironed out the gremlins that have blighted their progress to a championship that in mid January looked unarguably theirs?
ReplyDeleteAM
ReplyDeleteYour next 4 games: Man U(h) Eve(h) New U(a) Spurs(h), City's: BHA(h) Wat(h) Leeds(a) NewU(h) If you are still only 1 point behind or better then the league is on. Going to be interesting! CR7 not playing tonight due to the sad death of his baby.
apart from a few lapses of concentration at the start of the second half tonight's outing was very one sided. Some scintillating stuff in the first half from LFC.
DeleteThe direness of the opposition should be noted though.
DeleteFour trebles have been done - Lfc 1984, M U '99, Lfc '01, City ' 19.
ReplyDeleteGreat start for the Reds tonight, recruitment is 🔝 notch. I'd take one of the big 2 trophies every season, no worries about the other 3 # Prem or 🆑