2020-21 UEFA Champions League

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Yet Klopp picked the team, and if it was half-strength that is on the manager. On the hour mark he sent on Firmino, Robertson, Jota and Fabinho, so they certainly didn't finish the game too weakened. If a team is going to be held up as on a level above others as was previously claimed, shouldn't it fare better?

Ultimately, there is an element of the LFC fanbase on this forum that can't accept any questioning of their team whatsoever - not putting you in that bracket btw - and they throw their toys out of the pram whenever one dares to question it in some capacity. I heard the same thing last season when I challenged the view that Liverpool were easily the best team in Europe, and when I said upon being asked that I thought it was PSG I was mocked. We saw which of the two teams fared better last season.

In this instance, this feels exactly the other way around. The comments about Liverpool being the best team in the league were said initially by fans of multiple clubs. Indeed the first statement about it that started the conversation was by a Manchester United fan. I would go so far as to say that in this instance some people just can't let positive comments about Liverpool go. Picking a result that wasn't in the aforementioned league to criticise the team with makes as much sense as saying they weren't the best team in the league last season because they fielded a team of kids in the league cup.

And yes, it is on the manager that he picked a weaker team, safe in the knowledge that worst case scenario this was a game he could afford to lose to rest a few legs. Like in the league cup. And unlike in the, again, aforementioned league. I can very confidently say that Liverpool fans are far less bothered by tonights result than they would be by a loss in the league.

So this all just feels like the absolute wrong game to go shouting 'I told you so' after... wait for a few losses or draws in the league, and for them to drop a few places, and then you can point out that they're not the best team in the league because they won't be.

Are they the best team in the league? I don't know. If the full squad was available I think yes. Even if Gomez was available, I think yes. With both out, and a slew of other injuries throughout defence and midfield it's a trickier call, we just have to see how long some of those injuries last. But as it stands, after what could probably be roundly agreed upon as the toughest batch fo fixtures of any of the current top 6 clubs, they're joint top. The other standouts so far are Spurs and Chelsea. Given Liverpool's current position, as well as being reigning champs, it's hard not to give them the nod for the moment. We'll see how things are a month from now - they'll either be much better, or much worse.

Shakhtar beat Madrid home and away, 5-2 on aggregate, whereas they lost to Monchengladbach 0-10 over the 2 games against them!

Onana so poor there but good finish