Moctezuma

Normally try and get together with my dad, brother and cousins back home or in Liverpool, but given we're hundreds/thousands of miles apart this time is more difficult. Watched the Sevilla final in central London and disliked the experience thoroughly with loads of blurts ripping into our injury depleted side, so I could imagine that'll be up a notch against Spurs. So will probably watch it at home like a sad act with endless phone calls after the final whistle if we win.

Thanks for the info, that lot are just odd with their orange kits and BBC conspiracy theories. When I was growing up Sectarianism was reasonably rife and that was on the north east coast let alone Glasgow and the immediate vicinity, it does feel odd that it's locus is now almost entirely football related. I'm in Islington and their London supporter club pub is on my road, load of Union jacks and Red Hands of ulster with the word 'Loyal' cropping up on the banners as much as possible, it's located in a really ethnically diverse community, it feels weird and I wonder what those without knowledge of the background make of it.

Clarkes family are still based down south (from his Chelsea playing days) so I suppose the national team manager post is a bit of an easier sell with them as he won't have to be up in Ayrshire so often. Also I'd imagine Scotland will pay him more than the Killie job so that probably suits him, now he has to get a tune out of a squad of mainly peripheral premier league players with a smattering of Celtic and Championship first teamers. The level of sectarian abuse he's been getting off Rangers fans is bizarre, I've never really looked into it but what is his actual link to Celtic? Or is it that he is a catholic?

To be honest I'm seeing this as a massive relief, not only in terms of what he has achieved with Kilmarnock, but also because the Scottish F.A. haven't appointed Malky Makay which would have sent an amazing message out just prior to the womens teams getting to the world cup. I really wouldn't have put that past them.

This chimes with my experience working down here, actually about two of the lads I know who 'support' them have a significant soft sport for Newcastle 'because, I liked them in the nighties', you just know they were wandering round with those brown ale tops. I've also found that a lot of new emigres to London tended to have Chelsea as their favourite team, especially among the Portuguese and Russian fraternity. To be honest if they do go into a period of decline it couldn't happen to a nicer club, they are the absolute pits.

This seems pretty specific.

Can't help but feel that 1-0 won't be enough, should have capitalised on the opportunity to a greater effect.

Looking at outgoings this summer there are four of our squad players whose contracts are expiring: Milner Moreno Sturridge Randall Of course it would be fantastic if we could retain Milner for another year, with Moreno and Sturridge presumably leaving that does cut a decent slab off the wage bill, you would think that could release funds to buy a more consistently fit striker than Sturridge and bring in someone for competition at left back (unless -as previously discussed in this thread- the idea is to give Adam Lewis a pathway to the first team with Milner as cross cover if he stays). Of those whose contracts expire next summer Lallana, Matip and Origi the latter two could do with extensions being signed after their efforts this year. Lallana is a difficult one as I'm sure the club reckon they could get more out of another player given his wages, but he was previously a captain at Southampton and has decent leadership qualities plus Klopp does seem to appreciate his presence in the squad. Also given his age and the fact he would be entering into the last year of his contract perhaps the calculation is that he would be likely to try extra hard next year to prove his worth to the club. Those leaving outright probably consist of the loanees: Clyne Ings Karius (though probably a year hence dependent on how his loan works out with Besiktas) Kent Ejaria Ojo Chirivella Allan Bogdan-if at all possible! Pre-season is vitally important for Wilson and Grujic as to whether they will be sent out on loan again, sold or incorporated into the squad. Of the rest of the squad Mignolet may go dependent on his desire to play first team football, supposedly Grabara is an able deputy so he may not even need replacing. Lovren and Shaq may also want more consistent first team football, but I'm unsure this will happen given the former is loved by Klopp as a cohesive dressing room presence (the lad can speak 6 languages or something). Shaq may just not fit in terms of the teams style of play, but has made important contributions this season, so if he can up his fitness and tactical understanding of the teams style of play then he may be retained. Looking at all of the above I don't think there will be a huge amount of transfer activity, I reckon if the club do anything it might be to get one or two 'hot prospects' in, esp. to midfield and the forward line. So the Asensio links make sense.

Would far prefer it to be Laporte, I just think that would do more damage to their side as he is a better centre half than anything else they have.

That result was really satisfying the other night with regards the Coutinho move, we will have been to two champions leagues finals post him departing, I'm sure his constantly miserable little face will have paused and thought about that at various points over the past couple of days*. *However if we had not sold him we couldn't have been able to get in VVD and Alisson who have been two of the main components in our recent successes.

Give him 5 years with the explicit intention of playing him in every derby game. With a roman-esq triumph to be planned down scotty road after each one with origi out the front with his face painted red and lightning bolts coming out of his head.

Actually feel sick with happiness. Liverpool I love you!

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only republican I know, then I pop into the GF for some bubble reassurance and feel ok, thanks everyone.

Well, a fantastic effort to make these financially doped state backed bawbags sweat until the last game.

Virg Robbo Salah