Champions League

[El Gato]

Sure, lack of bench is one thing however it is by no means exclusively a Liverpool problem, we (Barca) and some are even worse, I'd argue. Perhaps only you guys and City (?) are better in that regard.

With regard to crosses, it is the most effective way to break down a bus or playing against an ultra-defensive team like Atletico. I wish we Barca would use it but we have neither the players nor the tactical flexibility/versatility to do it. That said, I think Liverpool was not resorted to making just crosses though, they played fast counters a few times yesterday as they probably have the fastest defensive-offensive transition among all elite teams.

I can't predict how they will fare next season but I think they should be fine, among the top, top contenders for all trophies, even without major reinforcements.

Our bench sucks for what it needs to be so we can be successful. Almost each and every player we have (or don't have) there could and should be improved upon. There wouldn't be issues of overdependency if we had a good bench. At this moment we have a loanee keeper, no RB, a rather green CB in Militao (which is OK), an old LB (which is not okay), a very old RCM (which definitely is not okay), an RM in Vazquez who I love but if anything he's a deep fringe player at best and shouldn't be in regular rotation as he just doesn't add anything in attack, and a striker who either sulks or sucks.

City's bench has issues too.

Liverpool's issue with the bench in my book is that they recruit for plan A only. 20-23 of the same type of player. Their plan B is plan A with more legs. And this way they'll never have a moment of unpredictability that is necessary to remain a dominant side. Guardiola was able to ride this build for 2 years and had far better players, far better. And still Mourinho was able to not only compete, but eventually beat him. If you can't deviate and be pragmatic in certain moments, if you can't recruit players who embrace the main style, but are also creative enough to do things differently, you're doomed long term.

 

[Luftstalag14]

Our bench sucks for what it needs to be so we can be successful. Almost each and every player we have (or don't have) there could and should be improved upon. There wouldn't be issues of overdependency if we had a good bench. At this moment we have a loanee keeper, no RB, a rather green CB in Militao (which is OK), an old LB (which is not okay), a very old RCM (which definitely is not okay), an RM in Vazquez who I love but if anything he's a deep fringe player at best and shouldn't be in regular rotation as he just doesn't add anything in attack, and a striker who either sulks or sucks.

City's bench has issues too.

Liverpool's issue with the bench in my book is that they recruit for plan A only. 20-23 of the same type of player. Their plan B is plan A with more legs. And this way they'll never have a moment of unpredictability that is necessary to remain a dominant side. Guardiola was able to ride this build for 2 years and had far better players, far better. And still Mourinho was able to not only compete, but eventually beat him. If you can't deviate and be pragmatic in certain moments, if you can't recruit players who embrace the main style, but are also creative enough to do things differently, you're doomed long term.

I think the problem you outlined with Liverpool's bench is exactly what we Barca have, and many others.

You guys will be fine next season with all those loanees coming back. You will have two A teams.

 

[Neymessi]

Bayern's peak was destroying Juve 4-0 and us 7-0. And they beat Mou's 100 point RM team the year before in the CL semis.

Pool's biggest achievement in CL has been beating a limp Barca and a limp Bayern. I guess you could throw in the City beating but City themselves are not historical giants with pedigree in CL. Got beat both legs by AM. Lost easily to RM.

That peak Bayern when they beat Juve and us was that one season only when they won the CL of 13, also that were 2 legs so Juve 4-0 isn't really that big of a deal. This Liverpool side has only got beaten once this entire season in a much more competitive league than anyone else's. They look to cross 100 points very very comfortably and only lost by 1 point last year with a really high points total that would have otherwise led to an EPL win since the last many many years winners total points were less than them. Sum up 2 consecutive team total points domestically and I doubt many teams would come close to Lpool. Now a lot would say oh come one EPL isn't all that, maybe it isn't all that but it still way tougher and way more competitive than any other league.

Staying at the top is very tough. We managed to do it cause we were exceptional, RM were never exceptional in their 3 consecutive wins imo even with all the silverware to show for. 2 seasons Liverpool are doing really great. Let's not indulge in revisionism because anti football AM tactics eliminated them when Lpoop created tons of chances and could have easily won and are on course to win a stomping victory in EPL rarely seen before.

Saying stuff like they beat 100 point mou RM is too selective. A comeback against even an okayish barca is a much bigger deal.

 

[KingLeo10]

That peak Bayern when they beat Juve and us was that one season only when they won the CL of 13, also that were 2 legs so Juve 4-0 isn't really that big of a deal. This Liverpool side has only got beaten once this entire season in a much more competitive league than anyone else's. They look to cross 100 points very very comfortably and only lost by 1 point last year with a really high points total that would have otherwise led to an EPL win since the last many many years winners total points were less than them. Sum up 2 consecutive team total points domestically and I doubt many teams would come close to Lpool. Now a lot would say oh come one EPL isn't all that, maybe it isn't all that but it still way tougher and way more competitive than any other league.

Staying at the top is very tough. We managed to do it cause we were exceptional, RM were never exceptional in their 3 consecutive wins imo even with all the silverware to show for. 2 seasons Liverpool are doing really great. Let's not indulge in revisionism because anti football AM tactics eliminated them when Lpoop created tons of chances and could have easily won and are on course to win a stomping victory in EPL rarely seen before.

Saying stuff like they beat 100 point mou RM is too selective. A comeback against even an okayish barca is a much bigger deal.

Have you forgotten how good Dortmund was 11-13?

Made the CL final. Beat RM in the CL semis, including 4-1.

Won the BL 2 times. That Dortmund team would give current Pool a strong run for its money.

 

[El Gato]

I think the problem you outlined with Liverpool's bench is exactly what we Barca have, and many others.

You guys will be fine next season with all those loanees coming back. You will have two A teams.

There is only one loanee that is guaranteed some minutes. Even Reguilon's fate next season isn't certain.

Nobody knows what Zidane will choose to do in the summer, even less so because we're technically now in the offseason and the transfer market will be bonkers. The fact that it's possible transfers could take place in the middle of all the fixtures that are being pushed back is quite crazy to me. Agents of players with contracts that are running out June 30th this year also have a problem on their hands. Because players don't really know their negotiating grounds.

 

[Vilarrubi]

[tw]1238409253897023490[/tw]

 

[jairzinho]

[tw]1238409253897023490[/tw]

Wow.

What a time to be alive

 

[Messi983]

[tw]1238161997297930240[/tw]

lol

 

[defyqa]

[tw]1238161997297930240[/tw]

lol

BBZ logic right there

 

[raedkuwait]

They totally deserve it

 

[Xaviniesta]

it's gonna be canceled. no one will win it.

 

[mc_lovin]

A bit late, but regarding Atletico-Liverpool: can we finally stop rambling about a plan B or talking about outdated football? EVERY team can lose against a team like Atletico. Doesnt matter if you are prime Barcelona, Madrid or Liverpool. Which in consequence means its just about building the best possible team. Its really that simple.

Before someone mentions that Liverpool created chances, true, but so did Guardiolas Bayern against Atletico back then (was even more onesided) - the narrative was different though.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

A bit late, but regarding Atletico-Liverpool: can we finally stop rambling about a plan B or talking about outdated football? EVERY team can lose against a team like Atletico. Doesnt matter if you are prime Barcelona, Madrid or Liverpool. Which in consequence means its just about building the best possible team. Its really that simple.

Before someone mentions that Liverpool created chances, true, but so did Guardiolas Bayern against Atletico back then (was even more onesided) - the narrative was different though.

Anyone who knows Atletico from the past few years knows they can beat anyone especially if they can play their game.. play tight defense and use counters
Very tough team to beat in general.

 

[Barcilliant]

Real Madrid owned Atleti in the cl. Can anyone explain that?

Also that was a much better team than this current one.

 

[KingLeo10]

Real Madrid owned Atleti in the cl. Can anyone explain that?

Also that was a much better team than this current one.

RM was a team tailor made to punish AM in the CL.

Mobile defense in Ramos, Pepe, Varane.

Top class fullbacks most years.

A midfield that was technical and couldn't be bullied (Casemiro).

Penalty box predator up top in CR7. Bale and Benz could break the bus too.