Liverpool

The team did it. Not just the fans.

 

I thought they walked straight into it.

 

I think when they win the league this year it will be a flash in the pan like Leicester. They don't like it up em' and teams are sussing them out now.

 

IMO they lost last night by under estimating Atletico. Going into the game believing “how good are we “
Makes a mockery of the decision to drop players for this game.

 

You might be right - but in my eyes flash in the pan teams don’t lose two league games in two years.

I think they’ll be strong for a while.

 

Man City were the first team to do the domestic treble last season. They must be some side to have beaten Liverpool to the league title last season.

 

They were.

But an over reliance on an ageing Fernandinho and to some extent Aguero, defensive frailty and the fact they’ll be signing a lot of players this summer, and with a European ban from a reduced market size, makes them difficult to predict.

If as expected they have no European football they could dominate domestically but that might depend on who the can retain as well as recruit.

They clearly don’t want John Stones for example - but they will do well to recruit anyone who would be markedly better. They’ve missed Laporte this season, but with no European football for two years would he and people like De Bruyne stay? Sterling has said he will, can’t see them all doing so.

 

I think although Liverpool have been the most consistent team this season and thoroughly deserve the league title Man City can still field two sides and could have won the World Club thing and stayed in the League Cup. I don't think Liverpool have the squad depth City have. As you say that will probably change.

 

For me it all goes back to being at school in the 70's / early 80's when all the plastic fans were Liverpool fans. The school I went to most of the kids were either Leeds fans or Liverpool fans and the vast majority of the Liverpool fans were plastic and never went anywhere near Anfield. And I wouldnt say I hate them but I do get a lot of satisfaction from seeing them lose.

 

I've had Liverpool shirts and kits bought for me as a kid but couldn't understand why as my Dad is a Barnsley fan that likes Tottenham and I have never leaned towards Liverpool myself?

 

Liverpool will be around for at least 4 or 5 seasons. If you look at their first 11 & even squad there’s only back up players Lallana, Milner & Lovren who are in their 30’s.

Their only real issue is the quality of the squad. They don’t have the depth of City or even Chelsea but a versatile full back, a better sub goalie, Minamino improving & another quality forward would change that

 

Weren’t most football fans horrible in the 70’s?

Similar to Man Utd in the 90’s then! There are loads of Barnsley fans my age who support United and I never really understood it. I remember visiting family in Devon in the early 90’s and a kid there was obsessed with Blackburn Rovers - he’d never travelled past Exeter! Successful clubs will always attract plastic fans.

Liverpool were a powerhouse for quite some time. When a club is so dominant it’s normal for fans to become cocky. I guess the problem for Liverpool is that they were the best club in the country at a time when hooliganism amongst football fans was rife. I guess people stick to those memories. It’s also a common occurrence in football for fans to relish in a clubs demise. When a club is dominant for such a long period it’s probably quite normal to enjoy seeing them struggle.

I do think the hatred towards them depends on your age. Personally I love to see Man Utd struggle. I don’t hate them though.

It’s about time they won the Premier League and they deserve it. They’ve come close a few times and last season must’ve been so frustrating for the fans in the end.

 

For me just goes back to them winning everything when I was a lad. Nowt more than a petty grudge rather than hate. Turned up at Everton a couple of years ago and got the tour of the ground by the blue noses. Shocked how friendly they were.

 

After Barnsley, I always want Liverpool to do well. As I've said before, my former boss and some of my best mates are fans of the Club and another former colleague I worked with and who I have kept in touch with, was born in the suburbs of the City. They all take a genuine interest in the welfare of Barnsley and like me, want nothing but the best for us.

Like some have already said, the " hatred" possibly stems from jealousy over success. Manchester United were hated because of the number of trophies they won and the lack of humility shown by Sir Alec Ferguson particularly after any game that they had just lost. He never ever complimented the opposition for their performance, plus he was always attempting to influence the match officials over the amount of time left to play.

I disliked them and Scholes in particular after his taunt when the ball had hit our net in the 7-0 hammering at Old Trafford. Quite frankly, there was no need for it. Having said that, you have to concede that Scholes was a very influential player for both United and England.

To a lesser extent Manchester City have carried the mantle of " hatred" as did Leicester City briefly. A cross section of supporters from other clubs have voiced their dislike of Pep Guardiola by dint of his purported arrogance. I disagree personally. I find him to be quite personable and ready to compliment the opposition when and if it is warranted.He is extremely confident in his own ability which in my view could be misconstrued as being arrogant.

 

A few Man Utd players such as Scholes and Neville haven't acknowledged their defeat to us in the cup. They look back on it as a bit of a joke. I can't believe we lost to Barnsley attitude.

 

I liked the way Pep says there's always things to learn when he plays lower league teams. And genuinely means it.