After an impressive 1-0 away win at Udinese, Liverpool are through to the knockout stages of the Europa League, Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is delighted to be there, but Anfield legend Steve Nicol has admitted that he secretly hoped his old team would get knocked out of the competition last night.
Nicol makes no bones about the fact that he sees the Europa League as an unnecessary distraction, and discussing the game on ESPN last night, the former Reds defender suggested the progression in the competition could cost Liverpool in the Premier League. He explained:
"I’ll be honest with you: I was hoping Di Natale would put that ball in the net in the 90th minute.
"That [going out of Europe] would’ve given Liverpool an opportunity to climb the league.
"Getting through in the Europa League means falling down the league".
The football fan rulebook states that supporters should want their team to win every game, so Nicol's admission will certainly ruffle a few feathers. However, I can see where he's coming from, even if I don't agree with the sentiment.
The league is the absolute top priority for Liverpool this season, and finishing fourth is the most important target this season. Anything that gets in the way of that is a problem, even if it is other competitions.
Most fans would (surely) rather LFC finish 4th than go on a long Europa League run. If the Reds win the competition, but finish 7th in the league, how would that be real progress? The club would again lost out on much-needed Champions League cash, prestige, and the chance to sign better quality players.
It should be noted that Nicol did not suggest he wanted LFC to lose the game; just draw, and his view comes from the heart, not from any desire to see the Reds regress. In this regard, the Scot is defiantly old school in that he truly believes the old Bill Shankly adage that the league is Liverpool's 'bread and butter', a view that I personally share.
Having said that, is it true that progress in the Europa League = regression in the league? Let's take a look at how past winners have fared in their respective leagues over the years:
2012: Atletico Madrid.
* Average League points per game (ALPPG) prior to knockout qualification = 1.36
* League position: 8th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.54
* Final League position: 3rd
2011: Porto
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 2.49
* League position: 1st.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 2.88
* Final League position: 1st
2010: Atletico Madrid.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 1.00
* League position: 13th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.36
* Final league position: 3rd
Note: I couldn't get accurate stats for the Russian winners in 2008 and 2009.
2007: Sevilla.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 2.21
* League position: 2nd.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.77
* Final League position: 4th
2006: Sevilla.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 1.64
* League position: 8th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.88
* Final League position: 3rd
And what about when the Reds won the competition in 2001:
2001: Liverpool.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 1.59
* League position: 6th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.91
* Final League position: 3rd
It appears that there is no real correlation between progress in the Europa League and poor league performance. In fact, the opposite appears to be true: the more a team progresses in the competition, the better the league form becomes.
Here's hoping LFC go on and win the competition!
REMINDER: Any post insulting Nicol will be deleted. He's entitled to his view just like everyone else.
Jaimie Kanwar
Nicol makes no bones about the fact that he sees the Europa League as an unnecessary distraction, and discussing the game on ESPN last night, the former Reds defender suggested the progression in the competition could cost Liverpool in the Premier League. He explained:
"I’ll be honest with you: I was hoping Di Natale would put that ball in the net in the 90th minute.
"That [going out of Europe] would’ve given Liverpool an opportunity to climb the league.
"Getting through in the Europa League means falling down the league".
The football fan rulebook states that supporters should want their team to win every game, so Nicol's admission will certainly ruffle a few feathers. However, I can see where he's coming from, even if I don't agree with the sentiment.
The league is the absolute top priority for Liverpool this season, and finishing fourth is the most important target this season. Anything that gets in the way of that is a problem, even if it is other competitions.
Most fans would (surely) rather LFC finish 4th than go on a long Europa League run. If the Reds win the competition, but finish 7th in the league, how would that be real progress? The club would again lost out on much-needed Champions League cash, prestige, and the chance to sign better quality players.
It should be noted that Nicol did not suggest he wanted LFC to lose the game; just draw, and his view comes from the heart, not from any desire to see the Reds regress. In this regard, the Scot is defiantly old school in that he truly believes the old Bill Shankly adage that the league is Liverpool's 'bread and butter', a view that I personally share.
Having said that, is it true that progress in the Europa League = regression in the league? Let's take a look at how past winners have fared in their respective leagues over the years:
2012: Atletico Madrid.
* Average League points per game (ALPPG) prior to knockout qualification = 1.36
* League position: 8th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.54
* Final League position: 3rd
2011: Porto
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 2.49
* League position: 1st.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 2.88
* Final League position: 1st
2010: Atletico Madrid.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 1.00
* League position: 13th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.36
* Final league position: 3rd
Note: I couldn't get accurate stats for the Russian winners in 2008 and 2009.
2007: Sevilla.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 2.21
* League position: 2nd.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.77
* Final League position: 4th
2006: Sevilla.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 1.64
* League position: 8th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.88
* Final League position: 3rd
And what about when the Reds won the competition in 2001:
2001: Liverpool.
* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 1.59
* League position: 6th.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 1.91
* Final League position: 3rd
It appears that there is no real correlation between progress in the Europa League and poor league performance. In fact, the opposite appears to be true: the more a team progresses in the competition, the better the league form becomes.
Here's hoping LFC go on and win the competition!
REMINDER: Any post insulting Nicol will be deleted. He's entitled to his view just like everyone else.
Jaimie Kanwar
Liverpool have not once played a full strength 11 in the EL, so we have done well to top a tough group. We have blooded plenty of kids and we should be happy, let's just chill-out and see where we end up!!!
ReplyDeleteNicol comes out with a load of crap! LFC need to be going for both of those targets
ReplyDeleteIt is all down to BR to make wise choices. And we need some high quality games for the youngsters- those we can afford to lose so we can evaluate if they are ready for say Mercyside darby.
ReplyDeleteThose statistics are surprisingly encouraging!
ReplyDeleteFrom now i would start with my first 11 all the time in EL !
ReplyDeleteIf we dont get Atletico or Inter i can see us getting forward easily with our best 11!!
what about Valencia in 03/04
ReplyDeleteHe is so stupid He is wanting to do Himself out of His TV job ?.
ReplyDeleteWe would beat the crap out of Inter...
ReplyDeleteYea, EL is good for keeping players active who wouldn't normally see the PL. So much as I roughly agree with Nicol, there is a better argument that the EL is doing Rodgers a favour and giving more players a focus to stay fit and on their game.
ReplyDeletei remember last season went we wern't in europe and still finished 8th personally i enjoy watching liverpool play as much as possible we have enough about us as a squad to handle both if we buy a couple of extra strikers in january
ReplyDeleteLiverpool u21's 4 - 1 Palace u21's........Liverpool are the only u21 team in England still unbeaten, Alex Inglethorpe has won his first 3 games in charge. Rodolfo was promoted 2 weeks ago so best of luck to Alex and the kids.......................superb!!!
ReplyDelete* ALPPG prior to knockout qualification = 2.07
ReplyDelete* League position: 2nd.
* ALPPG after knockout qualification: 2.01
* Final League position: 1st
We could probably win it with the right buys, it is a Major Competion ridiculed by idiots, Man City couldnt get in it.
ReplyDeletelets hope Liverpool can emulate Rafa's Valencia then
ReplyDeleteIf Liverpool is struggling in the league, because of the Europa League, then what do we do when we get back in the Champions League ...
ReplyDeleteI hate all those football pundits nowadays ... doesn't matter if they are ex LFC players or not.
Like AVB said it's only really this country that puts down the Europa League.
ReplyDeleteit was a fantastic result last night, some really good performances from the lads. As much as I don't like slagging anyone out the team but Henderson seems to me that he tries to damn hard to impress, great engine but he does make some bad ricks when completing short passes, but he certainly works hard, I'd wish he'd enjoy the game more, he looks so nervous on the ball for at least 80% of the time....but with more game time and experience he might build into a fantastic player...we'll wait and see eh!....BR is certainly making headway with the team in such a short time...plus I don't know if anyone has noticed but we seem to be getting better press, never on the back pages anymore for negative reasons but for the positive of late...Daily Mirror backs BR for what he said about the contract situation with Sterling as the papers did not tell the whole story but picked out sections to misguide the public and also the Guardian's take of the current saga over the Gareth Bale contract situation...saying that he should take a leaf out of El Pistelro's book and sign a longer contract and helps Spurs to win more trophy's.....maybe the tide is turning...watch this space!!!!!
ReplyDeletehow about if we finish 8th in the premier league with no europa cup how does that sound? ya nice 1 nicola
ReplyDeleteye thats great but what has it got to do with this article?
ReplyDeleteIt has to do with our club, not an info all of us knew- thanks Gano.
ReplyDeleteSteve Nicol. As much as I liked him as a player I truly think that he is an unnecessary distraction. If I had an ESPN subscription I'd complain every week about his persistent negativity. Give the man a job away from TV cameras for the sake of sanity. Rather have no 'expert' than him. He is so negative that I wonder whether he should see a psychologist as it is way beyond moaning. There clearly are some deep lying problems within Mr. Nicol and he should be kept away from the public for his own and everybody else's benefit until he is cured. Rant over.
ReplyDeleteGuess????
ReplyDeletePleasure!!
ReplyDeleteno we went to wembley twice for two finals
ReplyDeletePlaying for Liverpool doesn't make him a fan. He's a former employee, so to criticise him as 'a fan' is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteDani Pacheco MOTM and a goal, he's been putting in some impressive displays for the reserves for a while now. Anyone think he should get the nod to lead the line Sunday against the hammers?
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any of reserves matches, but yes, give him an hour- BR have given chance youngsters on all other positions, it's time to give a chance to one of those hopefully future Liverpool's homegrown attackers.
ReplyDeletePacheco is getting sold MAYBE in swap deal for Ince.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a report that he's getting sold. I say that because he's been one of the best players in the reserves and that would be a waste of talent IMO. Granted a couple of loan deals didn't work out as he'd have liked but each time he's returned to the reserves set-up he's banged in the goals. Rafa is the only one who gave him time and it was 5mins every blue-moon out on the wing. Its a long shot, but if BR was to play the kid this weekend, I have a feeling we might all be pleasantly suprised by the lad
ReplyDeletePersistent negativity? Deep lying problems?? Should be kept away from the public for everybody's benefit???
ReplyDeleteSounds like someone not a million miles away!!
A very narrow minded view from Nicol.
ReplyDeleteWe have used this competition to test young players and, resultingly, moved them into Prem League squads.
There is also a revenue stream from this competition and players like playing in Europe.
Bet Falcao liked tearing the competition up last year.
We can't cherry pick the competitions we want to be interested in, success breeds success, if young players excel in a floodlit home leg in Anfield it could boost them hugely.
Hendo reportedly had a blinder the other night, could be the making of hm.
I'm not a fan of Nicol's comments that he makes for a North American audience
Shouldn't Rodgers give the chance to an out and out striker, Yesil or Morgan? Don't get me wrong, I think Pacheco deserves a run in the first 11 providing his attitude is right, but not out of position, he is better suited to playing on the flanks or in the 2nd striker role, not leading the front.
ReplyDeleteHe did have a job away from the TV cameras as you say, for most of last decade, he was the coach of the New England Revolution, so to be fair, he does have some expertise in the coaching of a team.
ReplyDelete..
ReplyDeleteReplying to Gaz- Well Tesoman said he should lead the line- like I said never watched reserves(only couple of after match clips), thought he is a striker...
ReplyDeleteAnd Gaz- respect and being thankful to Rafa yes, wishing him well in another English club- never, and Rooney brake a leg- of course...
ReplyDeleteIn case you didn't read my reply...
spot on!
ReplyDeletenicol rarely has anything good to say. our kids are getting games there, were barely 'burning out' any players because were in 2 competitions.
ReplyDeletein fact, the experience the kids are getting means that they are improving, and therefore so are we as a team.
4th is up for grabs, regardless of if were in the europa or not, and with a few new purchases, we'll be able to compete on all fronts.
we went to wembley 3 times the semi was the best
ReplyDeleteI agree but he has been like this ever since KD was sacked!
ReplyDeletelol i know just making a point
ReplyDeleteI know and that's why I hope that someone will give him another job. Though who would want such a negative person to manage one's club?
ReplyDelete