Filed under: Liverpool, Premier League, Football
Over the past few weeks, a certain section of Tottenham Hotspur's support has started to convince itself that if Harry Redknapp does not get the club into the Champions League again then the Europa League is no consolation.The argument runs that the Europa League is a mere distraction and a hindrance. The bouncer on the door that prevents a side from getting into the Champions League club and a competition that affects domestic form and, consequently, the chances of finishing in the top four.
However, if Spurs really do not want a place in Europe next season then move aside because Liverpool are desperate to take part.
The scale of Liverpool's demise over recent years may be indicated by the fact that the five times champions of Europe are now begging to beat Tottenham to the race for the Europa Leage, a competition that is correctly viewed as Europe's second and distinctly inferior test.
However, the scale of Liverpool's recent resurgence under Kenny Dalglish needs and deserves a pay-off and there is nobody at Anfield who would not gleefully take part in the competition next season.
Since replacing Roy Hodgson in January, Dalglish has guided Liverpool from 12th position in the Premier League to fifth spot and has transformed the mood and optimism around the Merseyside club.
The momentum generated by Dalglish must continue into next term and a place in the Europa League would help achieve that.
Admittedly, Liverpool's players and fans still understand there is a long way to go until they are consistent and regular challengers for top honours but the club's revival has to start somewhere and what better way to indicate that the bad old days are over than a succesful Europa League campaign?
Striker Luis Suarez told the Guardian: "The Europa League is our objective.
"When I came I wanted to help Liverpool get there but when the second half of the season started it looked really difficult.
"But we have kept winning games, we have played really well and got some important victories, and we have just been hoping that Tottenham drop points.
"There are still three games left and we have to prepare ourselves really well to make sure we get all the points we can.
"For me the Europa League is important, the sort of competition you want to play in.
"A club like Liverpool can only think in one way. If you get in to the Champions League, your objective has to be to win that.
"If you get in the Europa League, of course, your objective has to be to win that. That is what a club like this must aim for. We have to do everything we can to win as many competitions as we can."
The way Suarez has performed since he joined from Ajax in January has comprehensively underlined that he is a winner.
His words on the Europa League back that up and are shared throughout the Liverpool dressing room.
To some the Europa League may be a pain and may be a waste of time. But Liverpool, quite rightly, are seeing it as the golden ticket back to the top of English football.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/05/03/premier-league-liverpool-luis-suarez-europa-league/
David Albelda David Beckham David Ferrer David Silva David Suazo
No comments:
Post a Comment