Source: Liverpool_Echo
The Jury: Liverpool FC fans on the West Ham win & the Europa League semi-final at Atletico Madrid
PAUL ANDERSON, Orrell Park[LNB]TONIGHT Liverpool will take part in their fourth European semi-final of Rafael Benitez's tenure.[LNB]We all agree that the Europa League is not the trophy we want to be competing in, but it has to be remembered that we exist to win trophies.[LNB]As important as fourth place has become financially, you don't get a medal and you don't get a day on an open top bus for coming fourth. The race is not entirely over however a trip to Hamburg looks like the best way to finish the season on a high.[LNB]Against West Ham we played with a freedom which almost signified the players have accepted that the prospect of playing Champions League football next season is beyond them.[LNB]With the controversy over travelling to Madrid due to flight disruptions, perhaps now the players realise the lengths supporters go when travelling abroad. UEFA have again had no consideration for supporters planning to go to Madrid with it becoming almost impossible to get there. I must mention a couple of mates who have embarked on a 25-hour road trip to make it tonight, and hopefully that commitment will be rewarded with a performance their dedication deserves.[LNB]PAUL O'LEARY, Allerton[LNB]ALTHOUGH there is a slim chance of achieving fourth place, Thursday's game represents a glimmer of hope in what has been the most disappointing season we have had for a long time.[LNB]Presently, there are lots to complain about regarding our current plight, but I feel it is only right to try and talk positively ahead of our semi-final![LNB]Fortunately for us, Atletico's form has been considerably more volatile than ours this season, they have been leaking goals like there is no tomorrow and have one of the worst defences in La Liga.[LNB]This combined with our dreadful away form leads me to the conclusion there will be goals in tonight's tie, 3 or 4. However, we must be smart to their attacking flair which is undoubted. Aguero, Forlan and Simao are as good a front three as there in Europe, they have scored well over 2/3rds of Madrid's goals this season. Thus, they will almost definitely score, but so will we, a 2-1 win or a score draw will be a good result to take home. on the train!
