Topic: The Push Square Football (Soccer) Thread

@BAMozzy @JohnnyShoulder fair play lads. Allison, Trent, Matip, Henderson, Fabinho, Mane and then Wijnaldum all 10/10. Unbelievable.

The atmosphere was the 12th man, Coutinho was the 13th.

@themcnoisy The crowd were amazing and 100% played their part, their strength of belief feeding into the players and driving the team forward and into the Final.

Such an amazing comeback. They should never have lost the 1st leg by 3-0 and outplayed Barca there so it was always possible. Those 2 quick goals by Gini too set up the platform for the final half an hour and plant a lot of doubt into Barca.

Liverpool were without two of their strongest front 3 needing to score at least 3 against the 'favourites' who were able to rest players having already won the Spanish league. Such an amazing comeback and both scorers aren't regulars, and Gini isn't known for scoring...

Alisson, VVD and Fabinho - they were all bought last year and such a strong spine. Only lost once in the EPL, yet still likely to lose it unless Brighton can keep them out. Another Champion's League Final in consecutive season's though is still a monumental achievement...

Come on you REDS!!! YNWA

What a game that was. Seeing Suarez kick Robertson only for Wijnaldum to then come on and score two was a beautiful bit of karma. And the fourth goal was my favourite goal of the season. Barca's defence turned into the cast of Fawlty Towers trying to defend that corner.

@JohnnyShoulder @BAMozzy Who would you rather have in the final?

@Gremio108 Personally, I don't care right now. Ajax can't be discounted as the 'easier' team having knocked out Real and have an away goal lead tomorrow night and Spurs could have a number of key players back and playing a team from your own league always adds something that throws the 'form' book out of the window - as City have found out in their CL exits.

As a Neutral and as someone from England (I say England as these teams play in the English league and the Scots may not care too much), the most 'interesting' final would be Liverpool vs Spurs. At least the cup is guaranteed to come to English soil.

An English club win may open up a 5th CL spot - although not sure if that rule still applies where the holder gets automatic qualification and, if they finish in the top 4, the 4th (or cup holders) CL league spot goes to the 5th place team. If that's the case, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs (if they lose to Ajax or Liverpool) could end up in the Champions League. All 3 are contesting 3rd and 4th place this Sunday.

As a Liverpool fan, I obviously want Liverpool to win so I don't really care who Liverpool have to beat in the Final to get that win. After knocking out Barca, especially overturning a 3 goal deficit has to make them favourites regardless of who gets through tomorrow night. Liverpool Should have Salah back and maybe Firmino too Keita is likely to miss the Final but, unless something happens against Wolves, they should be at nearly full strength. Whoever gets through to face Liverpool will also have some weeks to prepare and I doubt either will be 'easy' opponents - hence they have made it to the final and knocked out big name teams that were 'favourites' to beat them. As such, I don't really care right now...

Wow. Just following the text feed of that match on BBC sport was tense enough

@BAMozzy There are a few stipulations to the champions league spots. The Winners of the CL will always be in next year's group stage and the Winners of the Europa league also. Next come the top 4 positions in the League.

You can have a maximum of 5 teams from one Country in the Champions league. So finishing 4th in the Prem could still rule you out. Although its very unlikely. You would need to have both The CL and Europa winners finish outside of the top 4.

Runners up for domestic Trophies do not receive spots in Europe anymore either. Stoke achieved this once before.

Start of season
4 CL spots top 4 in Prem
1 CL spot Champ league Winner
1 CL spot Europa league Winner
1 Europa spot for 5th in Prem
1 Europa spot for FA cup Winner
1 Europa spot for League Cup Winner

As Man City have won the league Cup already 6th place will now receive a Europa league birth.

If Watford win the FA Cup they will qualify for the Europa else 7th place in the Prem.

Wow, it's almost a complete opposite to the first leg. This time it's Barcelona who didn't convert their chances and Liverpool did.

@Gremio108 Ajax, so we can take them to the cleaners lol.

Seriously though part of me wants Spurs as you kinda know what you are gonna get from them. But it would be good to have Ajax to have the feel of a proper European final.

Another special european night at Anfield. As Cochise from The Warriors would say, "Magic. Whole lotta magic."

@themcnoisy So if Liverpool were to win the Champions League and Qualify for Champions League as holders, will there 2nd (or 1st by some miracle) place league finish then go to the 5th place or not? Arsenal or Chelsea could qualify via the Europa League too and if either do, will the top 3 who didn't win a European cup qualify. Assuming the League positions remain the same next Sunday, If Liverpool wins the European cup, would Man City, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea also qualify because Liverpool qualify as Holders? Would Arsenal (currently 5th) have to win the Europa Cup to qualify for CL next Season?

That was all I was saying. I know a max of 5 teams can qualify for Champions League but I wasn't sure if a 5th place finish in the league is 'good' enough as route into Champion's League football. If Arsenal, currently 5th, don't win the Europa for example, would they be cheering Liverpool on in the Final vs Ajax (I can see them cheering on LFC over Spurs regardless LOL) hoping for a 'backdoor' pass into CL. Liverpool could Qualify as Champions League Champions so that at least 2nd place league finish spot is not taken so does that pass down to 5th place finish or not?

@themcnoisy I know that if Watford win the FA Cup they get the next auto spot for the Europa Cup, so no qualify stages straight to the group stages. That means Man United would have to start in the qualifying rounds in mid June.

@BAMozzy 5th in the prem is never good enough for a CL spot. Unless you are 5th and win either the CL or Europa.

Sorry BAM I glazed over your comment. I had the answer and didn't write it lol.

@JohnnyShoulder haha that would be funny as. In the true words of Alan Shearer; Man Utd are f****d.

@ApostateMage The Warriors is a great film. Barcas theme tune. No where to run to baby, nowhere to hide.

Can't stop watching the goals from last night. That Trent corner! Great stuff.

@Kidfried Yeah Ajax deserve to go through with the teams they have beaten already. Spurs look spent the last few games and need to seriously up their game to stand any chance to go through.

@themcnoisy So if Liverpool were to win the Champions League and Qualify as the holders, their place that they earned through their position in the league doesn't get passed down to 5th. Obviously if Arsenal or Chelsea win the Europa, then only 3 spots could be allocated from League position.

Regardless of the result on the 1st of June, Liverpool will qualify so its not affecting my team. I just wondered if their spot for qualifying in the top 4 could be passed on to 5th if Liverpool were to win the Trophy and qualify as holders.

The way the other Semi-Final is going, it looks like it will be Ajax vs Liverpool (Liverpool will be the 'away' team). I can't see Spurs winning this match. They need 3 goals in 45mins away from home to go through on Away goals...

Well maybe I was wrong....

Spurs have scored 2 of the 3 inside the first 15mins of the 2nd half...

2-2 and 3-2 (to Ajax) on Aggregate so if Spurs get 1 more (3-3) they could go through - that too would be a fantastic comeback....

Harry Kane: "Can I borrow your t-shirt?"

Mo Salah: "Okay, but I need it back by Sunday"

@BAMozzy You can't qualify for the CL in 5th position.

If say Liverpool win the CL the hole that leaves in the 4 prem allocations is then given to the 3rd place team in France as they are the 5th most powerful league. If I remember correctly, when Real Madrid won that has happened. They only have 2 births direct to the CL league stage. Equally if Chelsea win the Europa then the next hole left from our Prem allocation is given to the 9th or 10th league but they start in qualification mode. I would check but I am watching the champs league right now.

@themcnoisy Would you have believed Spurs would reach the final after being 2-0 down away from home against a team that has beaten Juventus and Real Madrid...

I know in the past that if a team won a European cup and qualified for Champions League, their league spot would be passed down to 5th spot. It makes sense that other countries, like France, who only have a few spots to get the 'spare' place. Liverpool for example can't be 'two' spots so the 'spare' spot used to stay in the country but I can see why Fifa would give that spare spot to one of the 'weaker' leagues.

Anyway, what a week for football comebacks!!

@BAMozzy You really should know better to write a team off like that after last night's result...

Two great games, two great come backs by the English sides. The neutrals will probs want Spurs to win seeing as they've not won this competition before.