Liverpool 2018/19

[Don _ Conte]

He's also on a Chelsea board while he's giving it large to oppo fans on here for being "guests on our forum"? FFS

Apologies meant thread.

Point still stands though, difficult to have a logical debate with someone like him.

Anyway Pool were solid this weekend, tougher tests lie ahead but it looks like you will be able to create enough chances to brush aside 80% of the league easily.

 

[RobinLFC]

Apologies meant thread.

Point still stands though, difficult to have a logical debate with someone like him.

Anyway Pool were solid this weekend, tougher tests lie ahead but it looks like you will be able to create enough chances to brush aside 80% of the league easily.

Damn, I knew that was too good to be true, but I agree yeah.

Closing games against the minnows was a problem for us in the past so I'm happy with the result yeah, it never looked in doubt from the first moments of the game. Keita was great too which I didn't expect so early on. Next week at Palace will give us a better view on where we're at.

 

[Random Task]

Why are they so happy to concede that City (a team they pummel like its their job) are so much better? Still waiting for that to be addressed.

As far as I am aware, It's only the Liverpool fans specific to this forum that refuse to acknowledge this point. Outside of Redcafe, most of them are full of optimism and belief in typical boom-bust fashion.

I'd certainly expect him to improve our points total. Whether it's enough to mount a title challenge, well that's all dependent on how the other top sides, especially City, fare isn't it ? If they have another season last the last one then I don't think anyone will be able to keep up with them. If they, & others, drop their standards to the level we saw a couple of seasons ago when Leicester won the league with 82 points then I'd say Yeah we're in with a great chance. But I think you & I know that ain't gonna happen.

So you're placing your entire season's hopes and expectations on what City achieve. I sincerely do not understand your thinking.

It is commonly accepted among football fans and pundits alike that Klopp has Pep's number tactically, so by extension Liverpool have City's. Should this trend continue over the course of the season; Liverpool getting the better of City over 2 league games, it is by no means beyond the realms of possibility to believe that Liverpool could and perhaps should go on to win the league title.

That said, why is it not a single member of the Redcafe Liverpool Massive are prepared to acknowledge this small fact?

 

[RobinLFC]

As far as I am aware, It's only the Liverpool fans specific to this forum that refuse to acknowledge this point. Outside of Redcafe, most of them are full of optimism and belief in typical boom-bust fashion. Should Liverpool continue the trend of basically outplaying City over the



So you're placing your entire season's hopes and expectations on what City achieve. I sincerely do not understand your thinking.

It is commonly accepted among football fans and pundits alike that Klopp has Pep's number tactically, so by extension Liverpool have City's. Should this trend continue over the course of the season; Liverpool getting the better of City over 2 league games, it is by no means beyond the realms of possibility to believe that Liverpool could and perhaps should go on to win the league title.

That said, why is it not a single member of the Redcafe Liverpool Massive are prepared to acknowledge this small fact?

They had 100 fecking points last season and only seem to have improved. How do you not get that it will be extremely, extremely difficult for any team to catch them? They went to the Etihad yesterday, started almost exclusively players who were at the World Cup and won 0-2 without breaking a sweat. They are the most dominant PL team since United a decade ago, their entire bench consists of (close to) world class players and they have arguably the best manager in the world.

Yet Liverpool, a team that finished 25(!) points off them last season should suddenly run them close. Yeah, I am not holding my breath for this one.

 

[Rajma]

They had 100 fecking points last season and only seem to have improved. How do you not get that it will be extremely, extremely difficult for any team to catch them? They went to the Etihad yesterday, started almost exclusively players who were at the World Cup and won 0-2 without breaking a sweat. They are the most dominant PL team since United a decade ago, their entire bench consists of (close to) world class players and they have arguably the best manager in the world.

Yet Liverpool, a team that finished 25(!) points off them last season should suddenly run them close. Yeah, I am not holding my breath for this one.

I know Emirates are quiet but that's insulting even to gunners.

 

[Kapardin]

They had 100 fecking points last season and only seem to have improved. How do you not get that it will be extremely, extremely difficult for any team to catch them? They went to the Etihad yesterday, started almost exclusively players who were at the World Cup and won 0-2 without breaking a sweat. They are the most dominant PL team since United a decade ago, their entire bench consists of (close to) world class players and they have arguably the best manager in the world.

Yet Liverpool, a team that finished 25(!) points off them last season should suddenly run them close. Yeah, I am not holding my breath for this one.

Alisson (a keeper, but still could improve performance with his distribution etc), Fabinho and Keita being all high level purchases along with a repeat of Salah's performances last season won't bridge those 25 points?

 

[RobinLFC]

I know Emirates are quiet but that's insulting even to gunners.

All those fecking Airlines grounds

 

[RobinLFC]

Alisson (a keeper, but still could improve performance with his distribution etc), Fabinho and Keita being all high level purchases along with a repeat of Salah's performances last season won't bridge those 25 points?

Alisson is only as good as City's equivalent, and Fabinho will take time, not sure he'll even be a starter in the first couple of months as Wijnaldum has been playing excellent and Henderson is our captain. Keita is great, yes, but City bought Mahrez who is as good, and we lost Oxlade-Chamberlain for the season. It's unlikely Salah scores 30+ in the league in consecutive seasons as well imo.

So no, it will not be enough to make up a 25-point gap. I'd argue if we finish within ten points off City, we're a dead cert for second and will end up in the mid 80s.

 

[Random Task]

They had 100 fecking points last season and only seem to have improved. How do you not get that it will be extremely, extremely difficult for any team to catch them? They went to the Etihad yesterday, started almost exclusively players who were at the World Cup and won 0-2 without breaking a sweat. They are the most dominant PL team since United a decade ago, their entire bench consists of (close to) world class players and they have arguably the best manager in the world.

Yet Liverpool, a team that finished 25(!) points off them last season should suddenly run them close. Yeah, I am not holding my breath for this one.

I did notice how you completely evaded the point, choosing instead to bang on about how great a team City are (like we dont already know) in the process of making excuses for Prophet Klopp's inevitable failure. You will be saying the same thing in 5 years time.

Liverpool should win the league this year. But they most likely will not.

 

[Nuts]

I’d say the difference between City and Liverpool is that Liverpool are still a cup side and City have the squad to win the league. That’s not a slight, as I like Klopp and the brand of football they play and I think they’ll run City very close this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if they even won the league this year.

Last year shows it - they can beat City in one-off games, and got to CL final, but they can’t beat them over a 38 game season.

For me, the only thing that separates them over 38 games is the money Pep invested in world class full backs.

Klopp has definitely bought well and filled the gaps he needed to, but I’m not sure that squad has 2 league winning full backs and I think you need that over 38 league games.

Assuming he uses next summer to address that, I think he’ll get Liverpool over the line eventually - they’re certainly improving in a way that suggests they’ll overtake City eventually.

 

[RobinLFC]

Liverpool should win the league this year. But they most likely will not.

Okay then Just don't be surprised if I'm happy if we end up second at the end of the season, even if you don't understand that with your United winning mentality.

 

[Random Task]

Okay then Just don't be surprised if I'm happy if we end up second at the end of the season, even if you don't understand that with your United winning mentality.

Your evasion skills are remarkable.

 

[Irish Jet]

Everyone is overreacting IMO. They have a huge advantage over the other big sides and will do for the next few months – It doesn’t help that managers still seem dead set on playing into their hands with a high line. It’s around Christmas were Klopp’s intensity can take its toll on the players and even with an improved squad that’s where they’ll be really tested. Also exactly around the time we go to Anfield.

I think for Spurs, Chelsea and United the short term target would be to be in contention around January. These teams should be much stronger in the second half of the season and can come on strong – Between the lack of preparation, lack of familiarity and new management at Chelsea it will be a struggle over the next few weeks and I wouldn’t expect too much great football from any of them. City have had issues too but they’re operating at a different level and have a squad that’s ridiculous.

 

[11101]

Hard to judge them on that game. Good in attack helped by West Ham being truly shocking in defence, but Arnautovic got clear in acres of space behind the Liverpool defence two or three times. Much like last season really.

Their problem has long been how they react when they come up against teams that sit deep and absorb their pressing. West Ham are not one of those.

 

[Random Task]

I’d say the difference between City and Liverpool is that Liverpool are still a cup side and City have the squad to win the league. That’s not a slight, as I like Klopp and the brand of football they play and I think they’ll run City very close this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if they even won the league this year.

Last year shows it - they can beat City in one-off games, and got to CL final, but they can’t beat them over a 38 game season.

For me, the only thing that separates them over 38 games is the money Pep invested in world class full backs.

Klopp has definitely bought well and filled the gaps he needed to, but I’m not sure that squad has 2 league winning full backs and I think you need that over 38 league games.

Assuming he uses next summer to address that, I think he’ll get Liverpool over the line eventually - they’re certainly improving in a way that suggests they’ll overtake City eventually.

From a purely financial perspective, City & United are in a significantly better position than Liverpool. The long-term favours the Manchester clubs by quite some distance truth be told. United will continue to throw mud at the wall in the hopes that some of it sticks and eventually create (buy) a team good enough to challenge for the title. Could even be this season for all we know.

Liverpool finds themselves in a position whereby they have a team capable of challenging for the title. The time for them is now. Not next year or the year after. Right fecking now.

Spurs were in a similar position not so long ago but failed to grasp the opportunity.

 

[Nuts]

From a purely financial perspective, City & United are in a significantly better position than Liverpool. The long-term favours the Manchester clubs by quite some distance truth be told. United will continue to throw mud at the wall in the hopes that some of it sticks and eventually create (buy) a team good enough to challenge for the title. Could even be this season for all we know.

Liverpool finds themselves in a position whereby they have a team capable of challenging for the title. The time is now for them. Not next year or the year after. Right fecking now.

Spurs were in a similar position not so long ago but failed to grasp the opportunity.

What’s in Liverpool’s favour is that they have a manager that the board are happy to back strongly, and the board are happy to be patient and think long term. Very hard to do these days, but a powerful force when it happens successfully.

Look at Keita - how many clubs could have identified him and had the patience to wait a year?

It looks like if they don’t win this year they’ll continue to invest. I’d say they’re improving at a faster rate than any of their rivals which makes me think it will end with a league victory eventually.

 

[Cascarino]

Almost everybody is saying that Sanchez is good enough but needs to play better. Almost nobody is saying that Pogba or Matic aren’t good enough.

Anyway, our equivalents to Milner et al would be Hererra, Rashford and McTominay and we are capable of playing well with them in the team, just not consistently. Milner’s a massively under-rated player btw. Would be a great addition to any squad.

Agree about Milner, a footballer's footballer. Does everything well and has few weaknesses. Has a lot of football intelligence and can play a few different positions. Really like him.

I’d say the difference between City and Liverpool is that Liverpool are still a cup side and City have the squad to win the league. That’s not a slight, as I like Klopp and the brand of football they play and I think they’ll run City very close this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if they even won the league this year.

Last year shows it - they can beat City in one-off games, and got to CL final, but they can’t beat them over a 38 game season.

For me, the only thing that separates them over 38 games is the money Pep invested in world class full backs.

Klopp has definitely bought well and filled the gaps he needed to, but I’m not sure that squad has 2 league winning full backs and I think you need that over 38 league games.

Assuming he uses next summer to address that, I think he’ll get Liverpool over the line eventually - they’re certainly improving in a way that suggests they’ll overtake City eventually.

Robertson is brilliant, don't think they need to or will upgrade on him. TAA is very talented and I'm sure he'll go on to have a very good career. I'm not sure in what position he'll end up though. Still only 19 so it's a big ask being first choice for a title challenging team. So maybe they could do with a RB but don't think they need to upgrade LB.

 

[The Bloody-Nine]

What’s in Liverpool’s favour is that they have a manager that the board are happy to back strongly, and the board are happy to be patient and think long term. Very hard to do these days, but a powerful force when it happens successfully.

Look at Keita - how many clubs could have identified him and had the patience to wait a year?

It looks like if they don’t win this year they’ll continue to invest. I’d say they’re improving at a faster rate than any of their rivals which makes me think it will end with a league victory eventually.

They had no choice when it came to waiting a year.

 

[Nuts]

They had no choice when it came to waiting a year.

Other clubs would have moved on.

 

[The Bloody-Nine]

Other clubs would have moved on.

What?

 

[VeevaVee]

What’s in Liverpool’s favour is that they have a manager that the board are happy to back strongly, and the board are happy to be patient and think long term. Very hard to do these days, but a powerful force when it happens successfully.

Look at Keita - how many clubs could have identified him and had the patience to wait a year?

It looks like if they don’t win this year they’ll continue to invest. I’d say they’re improving at a faster rate than any of their rivals which makes me think it will end with a league victory eventually.

Like I already said in this thread though, they're backing him because he's making positive strides, is improving Liverpool and keeping the fans happy at the same time.
Most other managers that are moved on aren't doing all these things.

 

[5red]

From a purely financial perspective, City & United are in a significantly better position than Liverpool. The long-term favours the Manchester clubs by quite some distance truth be told. United will continue to throw mud at the wall in the hopes that some of it sticks and eventually create (buy) a team good enough to challenge for the title. Could even be this season for all we know.

Liverpool finds themselves in a position whereby they have a team capable of challenging for the title. The time for them is now. Not next year or the year after. Right fecking now.

Spurs were in a similar position not so long ago but failed to grasp the opportunity.

Yes but you don't believe Liverpool will win the title this season and neither do most Liverpool fans. The reason being City are still stronger and have greater squad depth and quality, yes we should get closer, if it is a 25 point gap or greater at the end of the season then we have drastically underperformed, if we preduce the gap significantly then we have improved relative to our investment.

 

[RobinLFC]

Spurs were in a similar position not so long ago but failed to grasp the opportunity.

Feck me, you surely expect any half decent team to challenge for a title don't you? Spurs ended more than 10 points behind Leicester and weren't even runner-up. In 16/17, Chelsea ran away with it from start to finish and their title was never in doubt, same for City last season.

At no point, in any season, did Spurs have a title-winning squad. They came closest in 15/16 when they were the best of a bad bunch for quite some time and even then they couldn't even threaten Leicester. That's right, Leicester.

Just accept teams for what they are - good but nog great enough to win a title. Liverpool are currently very good, maybe even close to great, but still some distance from City unless proven otherwise.

 

[Random Task]

Feck me, you surely expect any half decent team to challenge for a title don't you? Spurs ended more than 10 points behind Leicester and weren't even runner-up. In 16/17, Chelsea ran away with it from start to finish and their title was never in doubt, same for City last season.

At no point, in any season, did Spurs have a title-winning squad. They came closest in 15/16 when they were the best of a bad bunch for quite some time and even then they couldn't even threaten Leicester. That's right, Leicester.

Just accept teams for what they are - good but nog great enough to win a title. Liverpool are currently very good, maybe even close to great, but still some distance from City unless proven otherwise.

@SquishyMcSquish @GlastonSpur @balaks @InLevyITrust

Do you share this assessment?

 

[RobinLFC]

@SquishyMcSquish @GlastonSpur @balaks @InLevyITrust

Do you share this assessment?

I don't care whether they agree with my view, they are entitled to their own opinion. I wasn't trying to downplay their achievements, but they would have been punching above their weight if they had won a league title (mainly because the other contenders were even worse at that point). Fact is, no sensible Spurs fan has expected a league title or thought they'd seriously challenge for the title before any of their past seasons, or at least they shouldn't have expected that. I'm sure our Spurs residents would agree with that.

It's the same with Liverpool now - we are close to a complete squad, but unlucky that there already is a very complete squad which is a few levels above anyone else.

 

[Cassady]

Klopp has Zero since birth.

How can you possibly make the claim that Klopp has one of the best track-records in the CL when the guy has never won the competition. Ever.

He's a Fraud.

Someone who is a fraud is conscoiusly being deceptive. Can you please explain how Klopp is doing that .

 

[Ramshock]

Did this short arse really say this?

 

[Kostov]

Is this a joke? We embarrassed ourselves by losing to Real Madrid in the final of the CL while you lot were out played by Sevilla in the round of 16? Sounds a little rich...

Im happy to accept we benefitted from some luck in probably all competitions we played in. Of course, this was only us, and no other team, including yours, benefitted from refereeing decisions or some other form of good fortune last year, which is, I’m sure, the reason you feel the need to bring this to our attention.

You throwing United in the mix doesn't change the story, nor was the subject of the comments. You embarrassed yourself against that same Sevilla side twice couple of months before us, and could have just as easily embarrassed against Roma if the referee didn't bottle a few other decisions. Nothing rich about it, it happens in football, and this time Liverpool had the benefit, as well as against City, which when you take into account that besides that Porto thrashing were two two ties you won on the route to the final where you lost in such a humiliating fashion.

Yeah other clubs benefited from refereeing decisions, but we are talking about Liverpool here, and frankly I feel you had the most luck in last year's CL run.

 

[RobinLFC]

Yeah other clubs benefited from refereeing decisions, but we are talking about Liverpool here, and frankly I feel you had the most luck in last year's CL run.

Whatever makes you sleep at night, I guess.

 

[Can23]

Whatever makes you sleep at night, I guess.

Crazy isn't it we embarrassed ourselves drawing to Sevilla supposedly, yet United get knocked out by them and i guess he would call them unlucky.

The referee helped us even though we won 5-1 against City on aggregate. Lets not mention the pen given against us at Anfield vs Roma which was dubious to say the least or the OG scored by Milner when Lovren smashed it him in the back of the head at Roma's ground guess that wasn't unlucky either.

 

[Kostov]

Whatever makes you sleep at night, I guess.

Karius, among other things.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

@SquishyMcSquish @GlastonSpur @balaks @InLevyITrust

Do you share this assessment?

I think we had a squad who could potentially have won the title in 16/17, it's just Chelsea had an even better one. That was a really good team, with Toby/Vert we had a rock of a CB partnership, the best in the league, and Rose and Walker were also some of the best around in their position at that time. Dembele was still at his best and dominating midfields every other week, Alli was having an incredible year and Eriksen, Son and Kane were fantastic. Oh, and Wanyama was an absolute beast, so annoying that he's had bad injury issues because he was a rock of a defensive mid in his first season. We got 86 points, had the most goals scored, the least conceded etc, but Chelsea won the only stat that mattered. It was a really, really good team, and capable of winning the title had Chelsea not been such a machine that season. First season under Conte they were incredibly consistent. We also had a few injuries, to the likes of Rose and Dembele at points, and that probably cost us a few points. Lack of experience too was an issue, Chelsea had that and whilst I think we were more explosive at times, again they had that consistency and ability to grind out results.

Sadly, we lost Walker then Rose to injury, Dembele started declining a tad, Wanyama was out with injury too and Toby wanted to leave. But yeah, I think that team could have won the title under the right circumstances, but Chelsea were just very good title winners, it wasn't a year where there was no outstanding side.

 

[RobinLFC]

I think we had a squad who could potentially have won the title in 16/17, it's just Chelsea had an even better one. That was a really good team, with Toby/Vert we had a rock of a CB partnership, the best in the league, and Rose and Walker were also some of the best around in their position at that time. Dembele was still at his best and dominating midfields every other week, Alli was having an incredible year and Eriksen, Son and Kane were fantastic. Oh, and Wanyama was an absolute beast, so annoying that he's had bad injury issues because he was a rock of a defensive mid in his first season. We got 86 points, had the most goals scored, the least conceded etc, but Chelsea won the only stat that mattered. It was a really, really good team, and capable of winning the title had Chelsea not been such a machine that season. First season under Conte they were incredibly consistent. We also had a few injuries, to the likes of Rose and Dembele at points, and that probably cost us a few points. Lack of experience too was an issue, Chelsea had that and whilst I think we were more explosive at times, again they had that consistency and ability to grind out results.

Sadly, we lost Walker then Rose to injury, Dembele started declining a tad, Wanyama was out with injury too and Toby wanted to leave. But yeah, I think that team could have won the title under the right circumstances, but Chelsea were just very good title winners, it wasn't a year where there was no outstanding side.

Don't disagree with any of that, but I was arguing that even then when everyone performed to their full potential, you weren't able to finish it off. Before the season, I'm sure you would've said "we have a very good squad that's capable of a title challenge but we do not expect to win the league with them" and that is what you got. There's still a big difference between being able to challenge and being able to win the league, let alone expect to win the league at the start of the season when one team just eclipsed 100 points and got stronger.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

I don't care whether they agree with my view, they are entitled to their own opinion. I wasn't trying to downplay their achievements, but they would have been punching above their weight if they had won a league title (mainly because the other contenders were even worse at that point). Fact is, no sensible Spurs fan has expected a league title or thought they'd seriously challenge for the title before any of their past seasons, or at least they shouldn't have expected that. I'm sure our Spurs residents would agree with that.

It's the same with Liverpool now - we are close to a complete squad, but unlucky that there already is a very complete squad which is a few levels above anyone else.

I agree with this. I also think 'expecting' a league challenge from Liverpool when Manchester City exist is extremely harsh. They had 100+ points last season, if they do it again nobody can be expected to compete. Liverpool have a fantastic starting 11 and on their day can blow anybody, including city, away but what City have is a ridiculous squad. They can have key injuries in a league year and it will barely have an impact because they can bring another star in to replace him. Unless City have a poor year, nobody else can really be 'expected' to compete against them, they're far and away the favourites. I think Liverpool's target should be runners up and a domestic trophy, and I do think anything else would be somewhat dissapointing considering the money spent and Klopp having built his team.

Fact is though Liverpool have improved every season under Klopp, and if you continue to do that your fans will be happy. What else can you expect?

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Don't disagree with any of that, but I was arguing that even then when everyone performed to their full potential, you weren't able to finish it off. Before the season, I'm sure you would've said "we have a very good squad that's capable of a title challenge but we do not expect to win the league with them" and that is what you got. There's still a big difference between being able to challenge and being able to win the league, let alone expect to win the league at the start of the season when one team just eclipsed 100 points and got stronger.

Yeah, see my new post, it's silly to 'expect' a challenge with City present. I think if we'd had that team the year before we would have won the league, but Chelsea were very strong and deserving league winners. Just how it goes ..

 

[GlastonSpur]

@SquishyMcSquish @GlastonSpur @balaks @InLevyITrust

Do you share this assessment?

Largely, yes. But the closest we came was not 15/16, but 16/17, when we finished 2nd, 7 points behind Chelsea

 

[Noo Noo]

I agree with this. I also think 'expecting' a league challenge from Liverpool when Manchester City exist is extremely harsh. They had 100+ points last season, if they do it again nobody can be expected to compete. Liverpool have a fantastic starting 11 and on their day can blow anybody, including city, away but what City have is a ridiculous squad. They can have key injuries in a league year and it will barely have an impact because they can bring another star in to replace him. Unless City have a poor year, nobody else can really be 'expected' to compete against them, they're far and away the favourites. I think Liverpool's target should be runners up and a domestic trophy, and I do think anything else would be somewhat dissapointing considering the money spent and Klopp having built his team.

Fact is though Liverpool have improved every season under Klopp, and if you continue to do that your fans will be happy. What else can you expect?

Sensible post and I agree. We may beat City twice for example, just for arguments sake but it wont matter a jot unless they drop points elsewhere and just looking at the squad they have you have to say it looks pretty unlikely.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Whatever makes you sleep at night, I guess.

You were fortunate, imo. That doesn't take away from the fact you were very good and I think deserved to be facing Madrid in the final, but against City and Roma I lost count of the amount of crucial decisions at key moments that went your way. Offside goals given as onside, penalties not given, valid goals just taken away from the opposition etc. That's the champions league though, remember how fortunate Chelsea got when they won it? Barcelona missed about 100 key chances. Madrid were fortunate against Juventus and Bayern, you need luck to get through these kind of competitions. You were excellent though, it wasn't a case of fluking your way through every game.

 

[RobinLFC]

You were fortunate, imo. That doesn't take away from the fact you were very good and I think deserved to be facing Madrid in the final, but against City and Roma I lost count of the amount of crucial decisions at key moments that went your way. Offside goals given as onside, penalties not given, valid goals just taken away from the opposition etc. That's the champions league though, remember how fortunate Chelsea got when they won it? Barcelona missed about 100 key chances. Madrid were fortunate against Juventus and Bayern, you need luck to get through these kind of competitions. You were excellent though, it wasn't a case of fluking your way through every game.

Won't argue that we were lucky with some decisions, you need them in cup competitions like you say. Everyone seems to conveniently forget that we also were denied a clear penalty in Rome (iirc) though that would've put the tie to bed anyway.

Largely, yes. But the closest we came was not 15/16, but 16/17, when we finished 2nd, 7 points behind Chelsea

On paper, yeah. In my (probably flawed) memory, you were in a genuine title race with Leicester for quite some time in 15/16 and in 16/17 it was already decided by Christmas that Chelsea would win the league. Could be wrong though.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Won't argue that we were lucky with some decisions, you need them in cup competitions like you say. Everyone seems to conveniently forget that we also were denied a clear penalty in Rome (iirc) though that would've put the tie to bed anyway.


On paper, yeah. In my (probably flawed) memory, you were in a genuine title race with Leicester for quite some time in 15/16 and in 16/17 it was already decided by Christmas that Chelsea would win the league. Could be wrong though.

True, but in the first leg you had a couple of goals which shouldn't have stood, against City you should have been 2-0 down by half time but the referee disallowed it, could easily have changed how the second half went etc .. just decisions at key moments which change games seemed to be going your way. Like I said though, pretty much any team who has a good CL run (except maybe the dominant greats like Barcelona) need plenty of luck to get there, it's nothing new.