Following a whole season of shock-and-awe performances at Anfield, Liverpool make a long overdue return to Europe’s elite competition. The 5-time European Champions last featured in the competition back in 2009 when a Steven Jovetic goal for Fiorentina dumped the Reds out of the competition. 5 years and countless troubles on, under the careful yet exciting management of Brendan Rodgers, the Reds from Merseyside are back to where they belong.
Participation in the Champions League has its own perks. While people only prefer focussing on the pro’s let’s take a look at everything that comes along with the Champions League.
Disadvantages:-
- Draw
One of the Reds major concerns on their return to the Champions League will be the kind of group they get from the draw. Seeded in Pot 3 after having been absent from the competition for the past 5 years, Liverpool face a very tricky draw for the group stage. With a worst case scenario of – Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Roma all being in the same group as the Merseysiders; Brendan Rodgers will be vary of the task he faces in his first taste of the competition. - Player Fatigue
Despite having added extensively to their squad, every club barring the likes of Real Madrid get stretched in Europe’s elite competition. With the pressures of the Premier League and other domestic competitions player fatigue is something Rodgers’ will have to deal with by carefully rotating his squad. - Travel Issue
One of the problems teams face due to the Champions League are the travel issues. Having to travel to Moscow for a midweek fixture and then having to travel to Southampton in the league is just an example of how travel can be very tiring for all teams. - Fixtures Cramp
Towards the business end of the season, juggling domestic and Champions League responsibilities are something Brendan Rodgers will encounter for the first time in his career. Managing an ageing Steven Gerrard and a very young squad is going to be a tough job for the Ulsterman.
Advantages:-
- Prestige
The repute of being among Europe’s elite is something that matters a lot to football clubs. Being part of the champions league signifies that every club participating in the event is one of the clubs held in the highest regard all across based on their domestic performances. A club like Liverpool deserve to be part of the Champions League year-in year-out. - Revenue
The added revenue that clubs acquire from participating in the Champions League has been well documented in recent times. When the matter is about clubs that do not necessarily have the financial power to back their ambitions and goals, the revenue earned from the Champions League becomes invaluable. - Players
Players of all standards love playing in the Champions League. It’s one of their life’s ambitions – the Champions League. Moreover the Champions League is a major attraction while signing players. Few seasons ago, Liverpool were linked with the likes of Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia and now the Reds are chasing Radamel Falcao and Ezequiel Lavezzi. - Fans
The Champions League is a special tournament in Liverpool history. Tales about the famous European nights are always going to be the talk of The Kop. Its been 5 years since the Anfield faithful have witnessed the thrill of the Champions League and its not too far away now.
