Sorry Liverpool, but Fulham are England’s favourites in the Europa League
Posted by Eric Beard on April 24, 2010 | 29 Comments
To all Liverpool fans, I really am sorry. I love watching the in-form Reds when they put it all together, but Thursday night’s display against Atletico Madrid was nothing short of abysmal. While I do not want to take anything away from Atletico and their 1-0 home victory, the truth is that the Spanish side has been in horrible form losing three consecutive La Liga matches (3-0 away to Espanyol, 1-2 home to Xerez, and 2-1 away to Villarreal). I know that there was a volcano and all that forced Rafa and the rest of the Reds to travel on the ground to Spain, but there’s no excuse for not getting a shot on target. Seriously, this is Liverpool Football Club. You are supposed to be merciless and ruthless when going forward, not simply allow players to run at you freely. I’m confident that things will be sorted out at Anfield, but with the current set-up I just do not enjoy watching this club, which is not something I am happy to admit.
Anyway, Diego Forlan capitalized early, and while I, along with most football fans, see Liverpool reaching the Europa League final via a win at Anfield, the club has done nothing to deserve it. Call me a bellend, but I believe Liverpool are too big of a club for the Europa League. Form is temporary, class is permanent, but trophies are based off of form. I watch the Europa League to see the underrecognized play exquisite football, and that is exactly what Roy Hodgson has been able to do with Fulham. The Cottagers look slight favourites to progress to the Europa League final after holding Hamburg in Germany to a nil-nil draw, thanks greatly to a brilliant display from Mark Schwartzer. The “total football”-esque style of play Roy has his London lads playing is nothing short of breathtaking. Dominating possession and downing the likes of Shakhtar Donestk, Juventus, and Wolfsburg sounds like a great run by a side going far in the Champions League.
And yet, Fulham has made strides by reveling in its modesty. After all, the club doesn’t play in front of 60,000 supporters at home; they have a cool 26,000 at most matches. No one is here to deny that Liverpool are the better club with a bigger mission and a grander history. Rather, all I am saying is that the club that plays the best football in the matches they have participated deserves to come out as the champions. It doesn’t always happen, and Liverpool may very well beat Fulham if the two reach the Europa League final. However, if the two face off in Hamburg, where the Europa League final is, England’s neutrals, as well as football’s neutrals, will be pouring out support for the blokes based out of the River Thames.
Who are you cheering on?
Eric Beard is the co-founder of afootballreport.com
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29 Responses to “Sorry Liverpool, but Fulham are England’s favourites in the Europa League”
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April 24th, 2010 @ 5:27 AM
Don’t compare Fullham and Liverpool. Fullham was lucky not to face Benfica and Atletico Madrid. Playing almost all the matches defensively is not something good to watch as well. This is just a once in lifetime thing for Fullham but a 1:1 draw in London is enough to see Hamburg enter the final.
April 24th, 2010 @ 5:42 AM
If it was about favorites, fulham would have been knocked already…lol
Dont wast your time on headlines like fulham being favorites….
The names you mentioned were all favorites against fulham and all top opposition… fulham have done remarkably well to have beaten those teams, thanks to the much travelled roy!
So theres no shame in liverpool being in a compition with them in it….
Just wait and see who lifts the cup
April 24th, 2010 @ 7:04 AM
Clearly the chuckle who wrote the article did not see the recent match when Fulham struggled to get out of their own half. The game was played in Fulham’s half of the field. One of the most one sided games I have ever seen. IF the two teams meet in the final my bet is Rafa will be very happy. In Europe LFC have the knack – which Fulham lack. Bring on one of the worst teams I have seen playing LFC this year.
April 24th, 2010 @ 8:56 AM
I dont know anyone except Liverpool fans who will be cheering Fulham on. Lucky not to play Atletico? They’ve won ONE European game this season. Oh hang on, after Thursday, make that 2. Its almost as scandulous that Atletico are in the Semi Finals as Liverpool.
We’ve beaten the German Champions, the holders in Shaktar and Juventus in these knockout stages who can seriously call that easy? We’re now playing a talented and expensively assembled Hamburg side who have the added incentive of playing the final in their own stadium. With won through superb defensive displays mixed with great attacking and fluid football.
In Woy we twust!
April 24th, 2010 @ 9:20 AM
Well its 4 points from Liverpool this year and we have knocked out the favourites, the holders, the German Champions beating the current Premier League Champions en route. Liverpool are living on former glories and need to have a big clear out starting with Rafa.
We may not win it but we certainly don;t have the arrogance of Liverpool fans in believing they only have to turn up to win.
April 24th, 2010 @ 9:44 AM
Good, we prefer it like that, we all know no-one likes us, that makes us stronger.
We don’t want you to support us even if we do get there, we’re not english, we r scouse!! we have more pride in our city than our country and thats what made us the most successful english team in europe.
April 24th, 2010 @ 11:37 AM
hahaha. what arrogance from the mickey mousers.
they have to be proud of their team of course, because the rest of the city is such a benghazi.
fulham got this far throough hard work, team spirit and on a shoestring budget.
we didn’t happen to fall into this competition as a consolation prize because we were too barry white for the champs league (and the last time the bindippers were champs was……?)
coyw
April 24th, 2010 @ 11:45 AM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 24th, 2010 @ 4:44 PM
Typical liverpool think they now every thing stp goin on like your great come back to me when u win the premiership
April 24th, 2010 @ 9:29 PM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 25th, 2010 @ 1:54 AM
hahaha. what arrogance from the mickey mousers.
they have to be proud of their team of course, because the rest of the city is such a benghazi.
fulham got this far throough hard work, team spirit and on a shoestring budget.
we didn’t happen to fall into this competition as a consolation prize because we were too barry white for the champs league (and the last time the bindippers were champs was……?)
coyw
April 25th, 2010 @ 1:56 AM
From what I seen and read, neither Fulham or Liverpool really pushed the boat out and went for the win or away goal.
Think they will both do well to qualify now as can’t see either of them keeping clean sheets in the return legs.
Fulham have conceded in most home games so far, and a scoring draw will not be enough. Add to that Bobby Zamora is a doubt and it is going to take another gigantic effort for Fulham to do the business again.
Liverpool do have a chance as Atletico have been awful in La Liga at times this season, then again they have beaten Barcelona.
Think this one will depend on which Atletico turns up on the night. If the Spanish side score though, Liverpool are out for me.
April 25th, 2010 @ 3:02 AM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 25th, 2010 @ 7:52 AM
If it was about favorites, fulham would have been knocked already…lol
Dont wast your time on headlines like fulham being favorites….
The names you mentioned were all favorites against fulham and all top opposition… fulham have done remarkably well to have beaten those teams, thanks to the much travelled roy!
So theres no shame in liverpool being in a compition with them in it….
Just wait and see who lifts the cup
April 25th, 2010 @ 10:20 AM
Clearly the chuckle who wrote the article did not see the recent match when Fulham struggled to get out of their own half. The game was played in Fulham’s half of the field. One of the most one sided games I have ever seen. IF the two teams meet in the final my bet is Rafa will be very happy. In Europe LFC have the knack – which Fulham lack. Bring on one of the worst teams I have seen playing LFC this year.
April 25th, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
Good, we prefer it like that, we all know no-one likes us, that makes us stronger.
We don’t want you to support us even if we do get there, we’re not english, we r scouse!! we have more pride in our city than our country and thats what made us the most successful english team in europe.
April 25th, 2010 @ 2:07 PM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 25th, 2010 @ 8:11 PM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 25th, 2010 @ 10:38 PM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 26th, 2010 @ 5:09 AM
If it was about favorites, fulham would have been knocked already…lol
Dont wast your time on headlines like fulham being favorites….
The names you mentioned were all favorites against fulham and all top opposition… fulham have done remarkably well to have beaten those teams, thanks to the much travelled roy!
So theres no shame in liverpool being in a compition with them in it….
Just wait and see who lifts the cup
April 26th, 2010 @ 10:32 AM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 26th, 2010 @ 1:16 PM
Good, we prefer it like that, we all know no-one likes us, that makes us stronger.
We don’t want you to support us even if we do get there, we’re not english, we r scouse!! we have more pride in our city than our country and thats what made us the most successful english team in europe.
April 26th, 2010 @ 4:11 PM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 27th, 2010 @ 12:57 AM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 27th, 2010 @ 3:28 AM
Wouldn’t get too worked up, the mickeys won’t make the final. Truth of the matter is they are a has been club who without Torres are rank average.
April 27th, 2010 @ 4:45 AM
Clearly the chuckle who wrote the article did not see the recent match when Fulham struggled to get out of their own half. The game was played in Fulham’s half of the field. One of the most one sided games I have ever seen. IF the two teams meet in the final my bet is Rafa will be very happy. In Europe LFC have the knack – which Fulham lack. Bring on one of the worst teams I have seen playing LFC this year.
April 27th, 2010 @ 7:14 AM
If it was about favorites, fulham would have been knocked already…lol
Dont wast your time on headlines like fulham being favorites….
The names you mentioned were all favorites against fulham and all top opposition… fulham have done remarkably well to have beaten those teams, thanks to the much travelled roy!
So theres no shame in liverpool being in a compition with them in it….
Just wait and see who lifts the cup
April 27th, 2010 @ 12:53 PM
If it was about favorites, fulham would have been knocked already…lol
Dont wast your time on headlines like fulham being favorites….
The names you mentioned were all favorites against fulham and all top opposition… fulham have done remarkably well to have beaten those teams, thanks to the much travelled roy!
So theres no shame in liverpool being in a compition with them in it….
Just wait and see who lifts the cup
May 1st, 2010 @ 5:28 PM
Who is the Final now, certainly not Liverpool!