The UEFA Cup appeared to be eternally popular for good reason, providing spectacle after spectacle. Yet, following the amalgamation of Europe’s second-string competition with the Cup Winner’s Cup back in 1999 the European cup has suffered from a steadily diminished reputation, especially during the rebranding of the contest into the Europa League. Surprisingly, the supposed decline of Europe’s secondary cup competition has now appeared to have come to somewhat of a halt after a slew of changes, thankfully in perfect timing for what should be a serious challenge from a new-look Liverpool side.
Many fans fairly insist that qualifying for the contest seriously jeopardises domestic opportunities. Indeed, many believe that fielding a team of youngsters or a second string squad is just about the only option for a competition that can lead to a congested fixture list punctuated by long-haul flights and playing teams you only pretend to have heard of. Yet, with Liverpool’s Premier League struggles firmly in mind and domestic opportunities slim at best, the Europa League could represent a foreign sanctuary far from the horrors of West Ham and Manchester United.
Certainly, this year’s iteration of the Europa League should be taken as anything but trivial with the winner being gifted a route to the Champions League, something that Liverpool will likely struggle to attain through qualifying in the top four. Moreover, the revenue offered to clubs through a successful route to winning the competition has risen to £11 million, compared to the seemingly meagre £2 million offered by winning the Capital Cup or FA Cup.
However, benefits from the Europa League are not just financial. The Europa League represents a testing ground for Liverpool’s squad in all areas, with youth and fringe players given the opportunity to feature and even forge a way to the first eleven. The likes of Origi, Ings, Rossiter, and potentially even a highly rated French defender by the name of Mamadou Sakho are likely to be involved at some point, theoretically giving Rodgers a tangible challenge to his stoic selection process (Origi in particular may prove especially useful against Bordeaux, a side he has faced numerous times with Lille).
Undoubtedly, Brendan Rodgers’ managerial abilities will be more than tested, with his previous European campaigns insufficient at best for a club that prides itself in European success. Rodgers’ team selection at the Bernabeu certainly left little to be desired, and falling to defeat in the first knockout round in his debut season before being eliminated at the earliest opportunity last season indicates there is much to be learned for the Northern Irishman.
If fans were worried that long flights could dent player’s focus or fitness, then rest assured that Liverpool’s schedule will be similar to last year. With a straightforward trip to southern France for Bordeaux, followed by a comparable journey to Switzerland the only real complication is the away fixture against Rubin Kazan. However, Liverpool also played Ludogorets Razgrad last season and so it’s unlikely it could phase many players. If we are also to consider the fact that playing a midweek Premier League game and a match on Saturday is the same as featuring in the Europa League and playing on Sunday, then many put too much emphasis on the fitness implications of travelling in Europe.
There is a danger in selecting Liverpool’s strongest line-up in both the Premier League and the Europa League, even disregarding fitness issues, injuries could easily derail our rather thin squad. Certainly, our lack of natural width in the squad is baffling when considering Jordan Ibe remains our only natural winger, thanks to the departure of Lazar Markovic.
Yet, with our £32 million lead striker not making the trip it is clear Rodgers’ feels Liverpool will have enough to see of Bordeaux without one of their best performers. If the likes of Coutinho are to start as expected, then perhaps it is a sign that Rodgers’ does value the competition, and is preventing the Belgium from burnout. Nonetheless, it is apparent with key placers like Jordan Henderson and Sturridge unavailable through injury, the depth of our squad will be put to the test.
As all transfers were completed on the 22nd July, more than a month in advance of the transfer window closing it is clear Brendan has faith in his young and inexperienced squad. Yet, worryingly a poor start to the group can set the trend for failure, something that is possible to predict thanks to previous campaigns from his side. This certainly makes the exclusion of the Belgium from the squad even more baffling, as providing an option from the bench may have been vital. Disturbingly, Benteke isn’t the only significant name left out: Clyne, Milner, Lucas, Skrtel, and Lovren have also failed to make the trip to Bordeaux, something that will surely concern even the most optimistic of fans.
That Liverpool were seeded in pot two of four for the draw in Monaco is a clear indicator of why not taking the secondary European competition seriously has damaged Liverpool’s European stock. A decade on from Istanbul and Liverpool’s European nights have been scattered to say the least, with only one Champions League appearance in the last six seasons. In light of this Liverpool’s deterioration in the UEFA Rankings has left them languishing in 55th place, with teams like Celtic, Genk, and Trabzonspor seemingly rated more highly than a team that has one Europe’s premier competition five times. In broader terms, the recent failure of English clubs in Europe could easily lead to the Premier League losing it’s fourth place Champions League qualification. An implication that may damn Liverpool’s chances of league qualification for years to come.
Although talks of European coefficients hardly inspire chants from the Kop like winning the cup five times, reaching the latter stages of a high profile tournament could provide a stepping stone for greater success in Europe. With even prosperous teams like Manchester City failing to make the step up in the Champions League it is apparent that a team needs to be bedded into playing in Europe. Both the Champions and Europa League clearly require different tactics from the manager, and a confidence and desire to perform at the highest level – and a failure to commit fully to this may see Liverpool fall further behind competitors within the continent.
Another disappointing European campaign, with or without qualification for either competition is also sure to affect player recruitment. A worrying thought with Liverpool already struggling to entice players wanting Champions League football, a clear weakness of the club illustrated damningly by Steven Gerrard in relation to his role attracting world class players like Toni Kroos and Willian. In this aspect an ambitious cup-run could do much to help, as although players want to play in Europe’s top competition they would certainly rather play for a competitive European club rather than a team perennially focused on merely qualifying for Europe in the league.
Clearly, at the time of writing Liverpool do not look like top four material. With Manchester United beginning to hit their stride and Manchester City gaining points for fun, there will certainly be limited room at the top. If we listen to the old adage that Arsenal always finish 4th, and Chelsea are only 3 points behind Liverpool despite performing disastrously, competition for Champions League places will not get any easier as time goes on. Add to that strong shows from West Ham and Leicester and even a new contender may feature ahead of Liverpool at this rate.
With this in mind it is possible to suppose that the best chance of qualification is through the Europa League. Thus, if Liverpool continue to perform inadequately in the league, they should treat the cup as their premier competition in service of the future of the club. With a far greater financial bonus at stake it is clear the redevelopment of the Europa League is not all talk, and juggling both competitions with a focus on playing their best eleven in Europe could pay dividends.
Subsequently, the myth of “Thursday night football, Channel 5” must be dispelled if Liverpool want to achieve Champions League football. The competition must now be viewed as opportunity and not an inconvenience. Back in 2001, 2005 or even during most of Benitez’ reign Anfield was a European fortress, far from the place it is today. Our away form wasn’t half bad either, as Rafa broke Bob Paisley’s record of 40 European wins as Liverpool manager, reaching 48 wins in 2010. Although this can largely be attributed to a better manager, with a better squad containing his players, the full support of the fans could certainly turn Anfield back into an arena European teams feared visiting.
Yet, with a litany of notable names left out for Liverpool’s first trip, you get the sense that Rodgers’ does not value the competition as much as he should do. For Liverpool it represents a solution to Champions League qualification previously damaged by our inconsistent league form, but it will only remain a solution for so long if Rodgers’ fails to hold the competition as one of Liverpool’s paramount priorities. If, however Rodgers’ (or whoever is in charge) reignites Liverpool’s love of European football with a win in Basel, come May, then a return to Champions League will be ensured, and with it a more successful future for the club.
Max
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