LFCMike

People go on about the League Cup being devalued but they now want Liverpool to play a team of kids in the semi final

This competition won't finish any later and there's two midweeks in January where the two legs can be played. I don't see the issue?

If Liverpool were trying to pull a fast one I don't think they'd do it in a period that covers two League Cup games and a game at home to Shrewsbury in the FA Cup. The two League Cup games will be played while they're still away in any case.

You didn't look hard enough 5 NON-FULFILMENT OF FIXTURES 5.1 If, a Club is unable to fulfil its obligation to complete a Competition Match due to either: 5.1.1 the Club’s Player(s) having returned either a positive lateral flow or PCR test result or are self-isolating in accordance with the action plan set out in the Return to Play/ Return to Training Protocols resulting in the Club not having a sufficient number of Players to fulfil the fixture; or 5.1.2 the requirements of the UK Government or any public authority result in the Club not having a sufficient number of Players to fulfil the fixture; or 5.1.3 any other requirements or directions of the UK Government and/or by any public authority, then the Management Committee shall use its reasonable endeavours to rearrange the fixture for the earliest reasonable opportunity (including but not limited to arranging for the Competition Match to be played at a neutral venue) which will not be later than the date of the first Competition Match scheduled to take place in the immediately following round. Where the Management Committee determine that the Competition Match cannot be rearranged the Management Committee shall have the power to declare that the Competition Match shall be abandoned. Where the Management Committee declare that the Competition Match shall be abandoned, the Club shall forfeit the Competition Match, pay the opposing Club’s expenses in accordance with Rule 5.8 and the opposing Club shall receive a bye into the next round of the Competition. Guidance – Sufficient Number of Players The EFL’s general position is that if a Club has enough registered players eligible to participate in the fixture, i.e. they have 14 Players (11 starting and 3 subs) then the Club will have a sufficient number of Players in order to fulfil the fixture. However the EFL will review each circumstance on its own merits. Guidance – Rearrangement For example the Second Round of the Competition is scheduled to take place on 24 August 2021, in the event that a First Round Competition Match was postponed, the rearranged a match must take place by 23 August 2021. In the event that the match cannot be rearranged for a suitable date before 23 August 2021 then the Management Committee will award a bye in accordance with Rule 5.1.

The EFL website

Can't believe that Liverpool are the first team to ask for a fixture to be postponed.

That's not what the EFL's rules state. They state that any match that needs to be rearranged should be done so before the following round commences.

They can play the first leg next week and the second leg the midweek after. The final isn't until the end of February.

There was a week between the third and fourth round last season so no time to rearrange? There's ample time to sort something for the two legs of the semi final.

Different competitions, different stages of those competitions. What happened in the FA Cup third round last season is irrelevant to this tie.

EFL rules state that the tie must be rearranged before the next round is due to take place so they've got into the end of February to do that.

Rumours that the first leg of the League Cup semi and the game at the weekend could be off because of Covid.

I've already stated that Liverpool need to add some younger players to the squad. If that doesn't happen over the next few windows I'd be concerned. I see no reason why it won't happen though given they've been doing just that over the last couple of years. Bissouma is someone who was constantly linked but I'd probably say that Liverpool have done their homework on him and decided he's not for them.

Since winning the Champions League, Liverpool have signed Elliott, Minamino, Tsimikas, Thiago, Jota and Konate. How many more should they have signed at this point? They didn't sign anyone for the first team immediately after winning the Champions League but then went on to win 26 of the first 27 games the following season. I don't think you can be critical of the decisions that were taken that summer given that we know what followed it. Most clubs aren't able to keep hold of their biggest players though. Most clubs see their biggest players pinched by someone higher in the league. Liverpool have invested heavily in Kirkby, Anfield, keeping their best players and have added the players I mentioned above. There's no money going missing or being held back.

You didn't want just any fucker in the summer then? There is proof that you did! Liverpool have a pretty good success rate in the transfer market since Klopp came in and it's because they know they have to make sure they wait for the right signing. They can't afford to get many wrong unlike two or three of the teams we're competing against. It's not too long ago that you were saying how much Liverpool are going to miss Michael Edwards. Then you're critical of the recruitment that same man is highly influential in! Make up your mind.

It's the same conversation every couple of months. We all know by now that Liverpool will wait for the right player to become available and not just sign any fucker like you want them to.

I mean, Liverpool have spent a lot on wages to ensure they've kept their best players together. They never used to do that. As always, I come back to the point that there was nothing to suggest that Klopp was unhappy with what he had to work with in the summer. Unfortunately the best Liverpool side we've seen is around at the same time as a Manchester City side that have raised the bar for winning the league to 90-100 points. The best way of Liverpool trying to compete with that over the medium to long term is investing in things like the training ground and stadium. Keeping hold of their best players and adding younger ones like Konate while bringing through youngsters. There's no doubt Liverpool need to add some more to the squad who are in their early to mid 20s but I'm sure that will come. All a lot of us wanted when we were owned by Hicks and Gillett was to spend what the club earned. I don't think there's any evidence that they haven't done that.

Financially they are in a completely different league and you know it.

Not really but he's about 7th choice in the forward positions. You really need to stop comparing Liverpool to Man City.

'Shambles'. You don't half go over the top.

My missus' grandad had it last year and he won't drink coffee anymore because he can't stand the taste. Sounds like you need new mates. In all seriousness I don't know anyone who's a denier. I remember having a conversation with someone in a smoking area of a pub who was chatting shit but just told him to fuck off

The BBC

Also double jabbed here. Sore throat that lasted no more than two days. Was due to have my booster a couple of days ago but obviously had to cancel. I know a few people who are testing positive now or have symptoms and are waiting PCR results back.