Topic: The Push Square Football (Soccer) Thread

Pretty buzzing on Liverpool in the final! Champions league if they win it aswell, not sure we would be ready for it if we won of course... @Kyroki: I reckon Mahrez, Vardy etc will stay but not sure about Kante as he does have a buyout clause I've heard. Don't see why they wouldn't want another year with Champions league unless they want ridiculous money.

I think the majority of the players will stay. There is even more crazy money in the premiere league next year so all the players whether good or bad will be negoiating big pay rises. Leicester are collectively good as a team and they play the right way to suit the players they have. If the players move they are taking a risk because not many other team will play to that players strength. They will be going to an established team and will have to fit in. Even if they sell players Leciester seem to have a good scouting setup and know the types of players that will fit in the squad

@PostmanPatinator: Getting to next seasons Champions League can change our 'summer'. The extra money that brings and the fact that LFC can offer CL football could change our transfer aspirations and chances. For example they are linked with Goetz - Why would he want to sign for LFC if they can't offer CL football like Dortmund? The extra money could also make a difference in who LFC target - it could make a difference between who they keep and who they sell. Klopp could well attract a higher calibre of player but without the finances or the chance to play on the biggest stage - CL, it could be a more difficult summer. Our 'squad' is definitely not ready or good enough in depth to play CL and be competitive in the EPL too.

Its clear that the big guns, on their day, can beat anyone. The depth and quality though isn't there. I know they have been hampered by injuries and will end playing more matches than any other EPL team. Origi, although hit a great vein of form, isn't a 'great' scorer - more likely to go weeks without scoring - something he has done throughout his career so far but he is still very young. Ings hasn't really had a chance to show what he offers and Sturridge will always have 'injury' concerns over him - He certainly won't play the majority of a season. To win the EPL you need at least 1 striker that will score 20+. Mignolet has made mistakes too and Ward, I don't think is 'ready' yet to step up. If certain players aren't fit though, we have struggled - look at the difference Can made last night - and Sturridge too. Lovren was immense and Kolo played his part but is showing his age.

Winning the Europa can change our summer and help us be in a position to challenge for a top 4 as well as 'compete' in the CL - probably more so than Leicester. Klopp has done well with an 'average' squad and we have seen improvements in a number of players that people were questioning - Lovren, Lallana...

@BAMozzy @PostmanPatinator I'm so happy we actually managed to get to the final! This has easily been one of the most exhausting and entertaining seasons in my history of watching Liverpool - I never expected to get this far in the Europa League, so that's all down to Klopp's excellent managing. I really hope we win!

Emre Can was easily the best player last night. Not only did most of the plays and passing moves go through him, but he also did a really good job of covering Toure and Lovren, as well as winning a load of tackles and interceptions. He's starting to become one of our most important players, and I didn't realise how much we missed him until now.

Firmino was excellent too. He wasn't good in the first leg, but he gave the defenders a real hard time and created so many chances - he got hat-trick of assists! Lallana and Clyne both did well too - our right side is looking really strong both defensively and offensively, and they're always at the forefront of counter-attacks. Lallana in particular always keeps possession and works his way into the box.

I think we should play another youth squad against Watford, not only to rest our players but also to prepare for next week's game against Chelsea and the final after that

Give klopp time to buy his own players, and Liverpool will soar. People laughed at me when i suggested Gotze may join Liverpool ,they wont be laughing in the summer.

The premiere league players and agents will be rubbing their hands come next season with all the extra cash coming to the clubs.

@dryrain: I feel a career change coming on.

I'm absolutely over the moon after my team, Middlesbrough finally clinched promotion today. So great to be back in the big time again.

@adf86: congrats man, middlesbrough belong in the prem, i have fond memories of the juninho, ravenelli, emerson and mendieta.Phase.

I would like to see Hull back in the Premiere League I like Steve Bruce think he is a bit of an underated manager and is always good with his players and the press. Plus Hull is my my most local team which is in the highest division so my loyalty is with them. Whoever goes up will be laughing all the way to the bank..

@TripleGK: The provisional squad was pretty predictable I thought. Obviously at least 3 will be dropped for the final Euro squad but with the players available because of 'injuries' and fitness concerns, it's quite predictable.

I know Rooney is the Captain but I can't see him starting - not if we want to do well. In Midfield, I think Alli and even Barkley offer more than him. Up front, all 4 offer more of a 'constant' threat but his versatility and experience may be helpful for the squad.

Looking at Rooney's stats for goals and assists really he should not be in the team as striker or midfielder. His record at any tournament is also very questionable he has rarely performed well when it comes to the crunch. Rooney can probably help the team because of his experience but not sure he should be playing.

I am not even sure what teams are in the finals. France are looking strong so would not mind them winning.

I do not think Rashfords earned his place. He has played well but can not see him getting game time and if thats the case then players should not be going just to experience the tournament. I would have taken Andy Carol he would have given us a dfferent striking option from the other players. Wlitshire I am not sure of either he has hardly played this season.

@Kyroki @TripleGK I reckon France will win it, but my second team this time around is gonna be Iceland. I've just got a soft spot for them because of how football mad their country is despite not being the best, and while I doubt they'll get past the round of 16, it'll be fun to see how they play. The Euros will be a lot more interesting this year thanks to there being 24 teams!

About the provisional squad - some very odd decisions from Hodgson here, the biggest one being Fabian Delph. I get that the squad will be cut down by 3 after our set of friendles, but Delph's done next to nothing for City this season - as has Wilshere for Arsenal, though he has the excuse of injury - and he's only played 17 games this season. In my opinion, Mark Noble would've been a better shout considering how well he's done for West Ham this season.

In terms of Rashford and Rooney - obviously I'm biased because I support Liverpool, but if you look at the stats it shows that they are far better options for strikers. Rooney's 11 goals and 5 assists isn't bad, as is Rashford's 7 and 2 - I get that taking a young player like Rashford is a good idea, but there are more deserving players - but if you look at Troy Deeney's 15 goals and 7 assists, or Defoe's 18 goals and 1 assist, then it shows that maybe taking those two players would've been a better idea.

The fact that we only have 3 centre-backs is worrying to, considering the squad is very midfield-heavy. Smalling is our only reliable CB right now, so I think that taking Jagielka would be a good idea in case of injuries.

Other than that, it's a strong squad! Vardy and Kane upfront excites me, as do Milner, Alli, and Dier in midfield

@Anchorsam_9: France certainly have a good shout with home advantage. I think Spain will do OK but won't win it and Germany will certainly have to be Favourites - they seem to always hit their peak just when they need to. I can't see Italy doing well but then they always seem to do better than their club sides would have us believe they should. Funny how very few are mentioning Belgium - the highest Fifa ranked team.

I agree about Delph and see him as being a dead cert for the Cull (unless someone gets injured). Mark Noble has hada good season and think he was certainly more deserving. It seems Hodgson has gone for more high profile or flair players than grafters.

I think Dier can play in the back if needed so he does have that option and I don't know how well Jagielka has played in an under-performing Everton team. I personally wouldn't have included Rooney but as captain I guess he almost has to go. He adds a bit more versatility than Defoe or Deeney as he can play in midfield. Defoe has to feel a bit overlooked as he was the difference between EPL survival and relegation - you almost always know he will pop up in the right place and score - certainly a good option from the bench.

Its not the most 'exciting' of squads but that could also work to our advantage. England got through without dropping a point but can't think of any 'exciting' matches as such.

Big game tonight - Europa League Final. Liverpool vs Sevilla

Will you be watching? Any predictions?

I will certainly be watching but as a LFC fan I am unwilling to make a prediction. I know its ridiculous but I wouldn't want to 'jinx' it!!

I kinda want Liverpool to win but only because I want them to knock City off the fourth spot.

@WanderingBullet: How will that work??

If Liverpool win, City will still be fourth and will still qualify for the CL along with Leicester, Arsenal and Tottenham because of league position. If Liverpool win, England will have 5 teams in the Champions League instead of 4 - Liverpool won't take City's place but give us an extra CL spot. Regardless of what happens tonight, City will be unaffected. As it stands at the moment, Utd qualify for Europa from League position, Southampton because of Man City qualifying for CL via league (their league cup win Europa spot goes to Southampton) West Ham or Crystal Palace will qualify for Europa depending on the outcome of the FA Cup - Palace by winning it but if Utd win, their spot (having already qualified via 5th) from FA Cup success goes to West Ham.

The more teams we have in Europe, the more 'points' we can accrue and more likely to keep our guaranteed '4th' spot in the CL. Italy have 3 but are the closest country to be able to take that 4th spot away from England so as long as we can keep getting more 'points' than them (points are awarded for wins and getting teams further in the European competitions and is averaged out over the last 5 years), we will keep the top 4 CL spots.

Hope that makes sense...

@BAMozzy: Oops, what I meant to say is that the Europa League winner (in this case Liverpool) will get Champions League spot instead of Man City. Anyways, thanks for clearing that up.

Sevilla to win