Liverpool bowed out of the Premiership some months ago, and instead put their focus on the Champions league. They finished 21 points behind Manchester United, and were able to rest players in the league to strengthen their team for Europe. This is the second final in three years the reds have reached, but it is also the second time they have sacrified their league chances to get there. Back in 2005 when they won the Champions League, they were a massive 38 points behind Chelsea, who they knocked out in the semis. Last season they had a stronger league campaign, after being knocked out of Europe in the Round of 16.
|
|
Similarly, AC Milan have prioritised the Champions League, finishing 33 points behind Serie A winners Inter Milan.
Chelsea have lost to Liverpool on both occassions in the semi-finals, and Ashley Cole has today claimed that if Liverpool were challenging in all competitions, they would not have made the final.
"They got to the final on merit because they beat everyone they had to along the way," he said.
"But if they had been fighting for the top position in the Premiership, as well as the FA and Carling Cups like we had, I am not sure they could have got to the Champions League Final.
"Their squad isn't big enough or strong enough to do that."
delicious
digg
reddit
magnoliacom
newsvine
furl
google
yahoo
technorati
icerocket
pubsub
