Hansen: We’d challenge Barca.
Former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen believes that the Liverpool side he won four European Cups with would have put up a better challenge than Manchester United, if they were playing the Spanish and now European Champions.
In the Daily Telegraph, Hansen believes that Barcelona decimated an average United side and he believes his Liverpool side were a much stronger outfit and would have tested the Catalans further. ‘You have to make sure that you play really well and that they don’t, but Barcelona are so good that it is always going to be extremely difficult to beat them’, Hansen said, ‘Our Liverpool team were a much stronger team than the present United outfit’. The Match of the Day pundit also believes that Barcelona have to cement their dynasty, just like Liverpool did in the 80’s, to be respected as one of the best sides ever.
Scroll down for rest of article
Skrtel backs ‘Pool for title.
Martin Skrtel believes that Liverpool have the talent to challenge for honours next season, regardless of any additional players manager Kenny Dalglish signs for the club in the summer. The Liverpool Echo reports that the change in fortunes following the Scotsman’s appointment has left him feeling optimistic about what the current crop of players are able to achieve. The Slovakian central defender said: ~‘This was a turning point for our season and we really improved under his guidance. This gives me a lot of hope ahead of the new season’.
Flanagan out of U19 squad.
Young Liverpool defender John Flanagan’s hopes of playing in the England under 19 European Championships in Switzerland have been dashed by a calf injury.
The Liverpool Echo reports that 18-year-old Flanagan has had to return home from the England squad this week and is deeply disappointed at not being able to make his under 19’s debut. Flanagan said: ‘I’m obviously disappointed, particularly as I’ve not played for England before. But I won’t let it overshadow what has been a good season for me and I’ll be raring to go when pre-season gets underway’. Liverpool still have five representatives from the club at the Championships with defenders Jack Robinson, Andre Wisdom and Connor Coady, midfielder Thomas Ince and striker Michael Ngoo.
Do you want to work in football? Find out more…
Don’t forget to check out the Liverpool Club page, updated daily here at A Different League for the latest in-depth analysis.
