Liverpool FA Cup s/f (N) | Post Match Thread

[Bluechipblue]

Lots of plaudits for their 3rd goal. Is anyone going to mention the half hearted attempt at a tackle by Cancelo during that passage of play. I thought it was awful. As much as he deserves all the credit for the outside of the foot passing he does, he has to defend better than attempt yesterday, very disappointing.

Noticed this too. He's attempted this ridiculous sticking a leg out behind him on a few occasions this season. It really grinds my gears. I think he did the same at Anfield in the lead up to Salah's goal.

 

[John Wayne]

The uncomfortable truth for a lot of people is that a greater number of people just don't care about the domestic cups if their own team is no longer involved.

There was a time when the FA Cup was indeed a special competition but the efforts of the FA, managers and broadcasters have reduced the competition to a shadow of its former self. There is no doubt that it was the biggest competition in its own right up until the MOTD era, and then at least the equal of the First Division up until the Premier League era. It is now firmly third place in the pecking order or, in Pep's case, sometimes fourth place.

Broadly speaking, however, top-level football is a two-tier hierarchy - the PL and CL occupy the top tier and the domestic cups occupy the bottom tier. Commercial realities have only made this chasm more noticeable. Modern football is such that there is little recognition for winning the domestic cups. There was a time when people could tell you everything about every postwar FA Cup final - scorelines, goalscorers, captains, etc. Can anyone really reel off the winners and details about the finals from the last 15 years without really having to think hard?

The point here is that the game is full of people who were not brought up on the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is one of those people. It's really not his fault that he doesn't place as much emphasis on winning the FA Cup as some fans would like. He is ultimately judged on his ability to deliver league titles and Champions League trophies by his employers and the football world alike.

Domestic cups can be the icing on a title-winning cake (think 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021) but in isolation they have very little value. Our 2019/20 season was not regarded as a success even though we won the League Cup that season.

So Pep had a decision to make - rest our key players after a gruelling tie in Madrid in a competition everyone says he needs to win, or play them with a real risk of fatigue or injuries jeopardising the competitions against which he is ultimately judged. Even in the latter scenario, he has to be conscious of the fact that he might still not win.

I was at Wembley yesterday and was disappointed with how things turned out, but I do see Pep's point-of-view. He has assembled a really talented group of players but the depth is not what it was three years ago. When he put out a strong team at Swindon in the 3rd round, he could not have known what would have happened in April. Well, we got to April and found that circumstances had conspired against us; we were up against an excellent opponent that was well-rested and in a better position to play its strongest available team. The manager felt that he had to make a decision that was in the best interests of the bigger picture and the more pressing priorities. I might not like it, but I understand and respect his choices.

 

[fitzy blue]

I went yesterday and the whole trip probably cost me close to a grand for me and my lads. I also left at half time with both of my boys in tears.

But I don’t blame Pep or the players one little bit. If I blame anyone it’s the dirty bastards at Atletico and the fixtures computer. We had no choice but to play that team and I’m happy to see the bigger picture.

Think there should also be a place in the blame box for the FA for forcing us down there. Hope they've changed having semi finals there by the time we get there again but I doubt it.

 

[WestGorton]

Think there should also be a place in the blame box for the FA for forcing us down there. Hope they change having semi finals there next season, but I doubt it.

I went down quite relaxed but having to share Wembley Way and the services with some people from Merseyside has made me realise it's a joke. It was toxic.

 

[Bill]

The uncomfortable truth for a lot of people is that a greater number of people just don't care about the domestic cups if their own team is no longer involved.

There was a time when the FA Cup was indeed a special competition but the efforts of the FA, managers and broadcasters have reduced the competition to a shadow of its former self. There is no doubt that it was the biggest competition in its own right up until the MOTD era, and then at least the equal of the First Division up until the Premier League era. It is now firmly third place in the pecking order or, in Pep's case, sometimes fourth place.

Broadly speaking, however, top-level football is a two-tier hierarchy - the PL and CL occupy the top tier and the domestic cups occupy the bottom tier. Commercial realities have only made this chasm more noticeable. Modern football is such that there is little recognition for winning the domestic cups. There was a time when people could tell you everything about every postwar FA Cup final - scorelines, goalscorers, captains, etc. Can anyone really reel off the winners and details about the finals from the last 15 years without really having to think hard?

The point here is that the game is full of people who were not brought up on the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is one of those people. It's really not his fault that he doesn't place as much emphasis on winning the FA Cup as some fans would like. He is ultimately judged on his ability to deliver league titles and Champions League trophies by his employers and the football world alike.

Domestic cups can be the icing on a title-winning cake (think 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021) but in isolation they have very little value. Our 2019/20 season was not regarded as a success even though we won the League Cup that season.

So Pep had a decision to make - rest our key players after a gruelling tie in Madrid in a competition everyone says he needs to win, or play them with a real risk of fatigue or injuries jeopardising the competitions against which he is ultimately judged. Even in the latter scenario, he has to be conscious of the fact that he might still not win.

I was at Wembley yesterday and was disappointed with how things turned out, but I do see Pep's point-of-view. He has assembled a really talented group of players but the depth is not what it was three years ago. When he put out a strong team at Swindon in the 3rd round, he could not have known what would have happened in April. Well, we got to April and found that circumstances had transpired against us; we were up against an excellent opponent that was well-rested and in a better position to play its strongest available team. The manager felt that he had to make a decision that was in the best interests of the bigger picture and the more pressing priorities. I might not like it, but I understand and respect his choices.

applauds .

 

[Roachy]

7-8 players were the same. No need to single-out any 1 individual.

True mate. The standard of play from us in that first half was beyond comprehension. I expected rotation but was unprepared for that absolute horror show. So disappointing to see that many players perform like that when you know they are much better.

 

[nellyonthewing]

The uncomfortable truth for a lot of people is that a greater number of people just don't care about the domestic cups if their own team is no longer involved.

There was a time when the FA Cup was indeed a special competition but the efforts of the FA, managers and broadcasters have reduced the competition to a shadow of its former self. There is no doubt that it was the biggest competition in its own right up until the MOTD era, and then at least the equal of the First Division up until the Premier League era. It is now firmly third place in the pecking order or, in Pep's case, sometimes fourth place.

Broadly speaking, however, top-level football is a two-tier hierarchy - the PL and CL occupy the top tier and the domestic cups occupy the bottom tier. Commercial realities have only made this chasm more noticeable. Modern football is such that there is little recognition for winning the domestic cups. There was a time when people could tell you everything about every postwar FA Cup final - scorelines, goalscorers, captains, etc. Can anyone really reel off the winners and details about the finals from the last 15 years without really having to think hard?

The point here is that the game is full of people who were not brought up on the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is one of those people. It's really not his fault that he doesn't place as much emphasis on winning the FA Cup as some fans would like. He is ultimately judged on his ability to deliver league titles and Champions League trophies by his employers and the football world alike.

Domestic cups can be the icing on a title-winning cake (think 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021) but in isolation they have very little value. Our 2019/20 season was not regarded as a success even though we won the League Cup that season.

So Pep had a decision to make - rest our key players after a gruelling tie in Madrid in a competition everyone says he needs to win, or play them with a real risk of fatigue or injuries jeopardising the competitions against which he is ultimately judged. Even in the latter scenario, he has to be conscious of the fact that he might still not win.

I was at Wembley yesterday and was disappointed with how things turned out, but I do see Pep's point-of-view. He has assembled a really talented group of players but the depth is not what it was three years ago. When he put out a strong team at Swindon in the 3rd round, he could not have known what would have happened in April. Well, we got to April and found that circumstances had transpired against us; we were up against an excellent opponent that was well-rested and in a better position to play its strongest available team. The manager felt that he had to make a decision that was in the best interests of the bigger picture and the more pressing priorities. I might not like it, but I understand and respect his choices.

Accept that argument-but Pep certainly tried to emphasise the importance of the Carabao Cup...So a bit disingenuous.

 

[Dodge]

The uncomfortable truth for a lot of people is that a greater number of people just don't care about the domestic cups if their own team is no longer involved.

There was a time when the FA Cup was indeed a special competition but the efforts of the FA, managers and broadcasters have reduced the competition to a shadow of its former self. There is no doubt that it was the biggest competition in its own right up until the MOTD era, and then at least the equal of the First Division up until the Premier League era. It is now firmly third place in the pecking order or, in Pep's case, sometimes fourth place.

Broadly speaking, however, top-level football is a two-tier hierarchy - the PL and CL occupy the top tier and the domestic cups occupy the bottom tier. Commercial realities have only made this chasm more noticeable. Modern football is such that there is little recognition for winning the domestic cups. There was a time when people could tell you everything about every postwar FA Cup final - scorelines, goalscorers, captains, etc. Can anyone really reel off the winners and details about the finals from the last 15 years without really having to think hard?

The point here is that the game is full of people who were not brought up on the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is one of those people. It's really not his fault that he doesn't place as much emphasis on winning the FA Cup as some fans would like. He is ultimately judged on his ability to deliver league titles and Champions League trophies by his employers and the football world alike.

Domestic cups can be the icing on a title-winning cake (think 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021) but in isolation they have very little value. Our 2019/20 season was not regarded as a success even though we won the League Cup that season.

So Pep had a decision to make - rest our key players after a gruelling tie in Madrid in a competition everyone says he needs to win, or play them with a real risk of fatigue or injuries jeopardising the competitions against which he is ultimately judged. Even in the latter scenario, he has to be conscious of the fact that he might still not win.

I was at Wembley yesterday and was disappointed with how things turned out, but I do see Pep's point-of-view. He has assembled a really talented group of players but the depth is not what it was three years ago. When he put out a strong team at Swindon in the 3rd round, he could not have known what would have happened in April. Well, we got to April and found that circumstances had transpired against us; we were up against an excellent opponent that was well-rested and in a better position to play its strongest available team. The manager felt that he had to make a decision that was in the best interests of the bigger picture and the more pressing priorities. I might not like it, but I understand and respect his choices.

Nailed it mate.

 

[jrb]

The uncomfortable truth for a lot of people is that a greater number of people just don't care about the domestic cups if their own team is no longer involved.

There was a time when the FA Cup was indeed a special competition but the efforts of the FA, managers and broadcasters have reduced the competition to a shadow of its former self. There is no doubt that it was the biggest competition in its own right up until the MOTD era, and then at least the equal of the First Division up until the Premier League era. It is now firmly third place in the pecking order or, in Pep's case, sometimes fourth place.

Broadly speaking, however, top-level football is a two-tier hierarchy - the PL and CL occupy the top tier and the domestic cups occupy the bottom tier. Commercial realities have only made this chasm more noticeable. Modern football is such that there is little recognition for winning the domestic cups. There was a time when people could tell you everything about every postwar FA Cup final - scorelines, goalscorers, captains, etc. Can anyone really reel off the winners and details about the finals from the last 15 years without really having to think hard?

The point here is that the game is full of people who were not brought up on the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is one of those people. It's really not his fault that he doesn't place as much emphasis on winning the FA Cup as some fans would like. He is ultimately judged on his ability to deliver league titles and Champions League trophies by his employers and the football world alike.

Domestic cups can be the icing on a title-winning cake (think 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021) but in isolation they have very little value. Our 2019/20 season was not regarded as a success even though we won the League Cup that season.

So Pep had a decision to make - rest our key players after a gruelling tie in Madrid in a competition everyone says he needs to win, or play them with a real risk of fatigue or injuries jeopardising the competitions against which he is ultimately judged. Even in the latter scenario, he has to be conscious of the fact that he might still not win.

I was at Wembley yesterday and was disappointed with how things turned out, but I do see Pep's point-of-view. He has assembled a really talented group of players but the depth is not what it was three years ago. When he put out a strong team at Swindon in the 3rd round, he could not have known what would have happened in April. Well, we got to April and found that circumstances had transpired against us; we were up against an excellent opponent that was well-rested and in a better position to play its strongest available team. The manager felt that he had to make a decision that was in the best interests of the bigger picture and the more pressing priorities. I might not like it, but I understand and respect his choices.

Good post

Hypothetical question.

Do you think Pep would have played our first team if City had played Benfica at home, whilst Liverpool played Atletico away?

I think Pep would have still gone with Steffan and the team he picked. Pep wouldn't have done a Klopp and picked his 1st team.

You're correct, Pep doesn't see the FA Cup as a must win compared to the PL and CL. But to lose 3 FA Cup Semi-Finals in a row is frustrating and disappointing.

 

[BillCarlisle]

The uncomfortable truth for a lot of people is that a greater number of people just don't care about the domestic cups if their own team is no longer involved.

There was a time when the FA Cup was indeed a special competition but the efforts of the FA, managers and broadcasters have reduced the competition to a shadow of its former self. There is no doubt that it was the biggest competition in its own right up until the MOTD era, and then at least the equal of the First Division up until the Premier League era. It is now firmly third place in the pecking order or, in Pep's case, sometimes fourth place.

Broadly speaking, however, top-level football is a two-tier hierarchy - the PL and CL occupy the top tier and the domestic cups occupy the bottom tier. Commercial realities have only made this chasm more noticeable. Modern football is such that there is little recognition for winning the domestic cups. There was a time when people could tell you everything about every postwar FA Cup final - scorelines, goalscorers, captains, etc. Can anyone really reel off the winners and details about the finals from the last 15 years without really having to think hard?

The point here is that the game is full of people who were not brought up on the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola is one of those people. It's really not his fault that he doesn't place as much emphasis on winning the FA Cup as some fans would like. He is ultimately judged on his ability to deliver league titles and Champions League trophies by his employers and the football world alike.

Domestic cups can be the icing on a title-winning cake (think 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021) but in isolation they have very little value. Our 2019/20 season was not regarded as a success even though we won the League Cup that season.

So Pep had a decision to make - rest our key players after a gruelling tie in Madrid in a competition everyone says he needs to win, or play them with a real risk of fatigue or injuries jeopardising the competitions against which he is ultimately judged. Even in the latter scenario, he has to be conscious of the fact that he might still not win.

I was at Wembley yesterday and was disappointed with how things turned out, but I do see Pep's point-of-view. He has assembled a really talented group of players but the depth is not what it was three years ago. When he put out a strong team at Swindon in the 3rd round, he could not have known what would have happened in April. Well, we got to April and found that circumstances had transpired against us; we were up against an excellent opponent that was well-rested and in a better position to play its strongest available team. The manager felt that he had to make a decision that was in the best interests of the bigger picture and the more pressing priorities. I might not like it, but I understand and respect his choices.

Got it in one, mate.