I think the best explanation of the Liverpool mindset is represented by the boom bust cycle graphic:

It's no big secret that future_is_orange, Gary L and myself all support Man U, but equally I think we're all genuinely surprised how well the class of 2010 has done........maybe an FA or Carling Cup trophy, a top 3 finish in the Premiership and a quarter final berth and exit in the CL would have been our expectation. They've been rightly criticised IMO for many of their performances, particularly away from home and for some of the disciplinary issues, verbal rather than physical I hasten to add. BUT this team have shown they've got balls; their work rate is incredible, they work for each other and they never drop their heads, and that's a model for all Prem sides to aspire to. Of course it could all go horribly wrong now, but I doubt they'll be overhauled in the Prem and they have to be in pole position for the FA Cup. As for the Champions League, they still have to overhaul Schalke to get to meet probably Barca where they wouldn't be favourites, but I truly believe that with the variety of skills the current squad have and the increased level of self belief they have grown, it's certainly not impossible.

John.. I am somewhat suprised that we are in the situation of chasing a treble of the major honours. Man U have certainly adapted a little bit this season they are more compact a little less extravagant but capable of churning out the results. They have become moe difficult to beat and that is the basis to where we are now. The defence looks strong, the midfield compact but still missing that creatice flair from central midfield (with the exception of Giggs / scholes when playing) and up front have three top top players in Berba, Rooney ad Chicarito. As already mentioned work rate, balls and belief they have in abundance and of course driven by a manager who is only as good as his last result. Treble...... i dont discount it and like John says its not impossible.

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

---

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Well it is going to be a tricky tie, Man U have picked a fairly positive team again with Rooney and Hernandez starting. I am sure SAF will think he could possibly come away with a win from this however a draw would certainly be a good result as the Germans have been excellent in the CL. Personally i am going for a Man U win tonight.

HT 0-0............but even an "impartial" would find it difficult to find fault with Man U's approach to this game

---

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

No, cheering on a German team would be a bit too much for me.

Man U totally dominant against Schalke04, one of the most one sided games i have witnessed.

Looks like Schalke had their 'final' in the previous round.

---

A shame we couldn't have drawn Schalke, which always was the weakest team left, despite their performance against the hapless Inter.

Instead, we got Real, with the promise of Barca.

For United though, a far easier route to the final will prove all the more frustrating when they lose.

Anyway, down to business tonight - Real vs Barca - the two biggest, richest and probably best teams in football.

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

A reminder as to what happened last time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh5TPzdixhY

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

Of course Man U haven't made it to the final yet, so you'll have to hope they win the home leg as well  If they make it through Man U will undoubtedly be the underdogs whoever they meet, although I suspect they would prefer Barca who play a more open game. Come that day it would really depend on which Man U turn up........They're no class of '99, but I still wouldn't write off their chance just yet, they've already proved an awful lot of pundits wrong so far this season  

---

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

Of course Man U haven't made it to the final yet, so you'll have to hope they win the home leg as well  If they make it through Man U will undoubtedly be the underdogs whoever they meet, although I suspect they would prefer Barca who play a more open game. Come that day it would really depend on which Man U turn up........They're no class of '99, but I still wouldn't write off their chance just yet, they've already proved an awful lot of pundits wrong so far this season  

I would.

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

Of course Man U haven't made it to the final yet, so you'll have to hope they win the home leg as well  If they make it through Man U will undoubtedly be the underdogs whoever they meet, although I suspect they would prefer Barca who play a more open game. Come that day it would really depend on which Man U turn up........They're no class of '99, but I still wouldn't write off their chance just yet, they've already proved an awful lot of pundits wrong so far this season  

I would.

That's the problem with supporting a team that's been underachieving for a couple of decades.....once you've been round the block a couple of times you start to realise that anything is possible     

---

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

Of course Man U haven't made it to the final yet, so you'll have to hope they win the home leg as well  If they make it through Man U will undoubtedly be the underdogs whoever they meet, although I suspect they would prefer Barca who play a more open game. Come that day it would really depend on which Man U turn up........They're no class of '99, but I still wouldn't write off their chance just yet, they've already proved an awful lot of pundits wrong so far this season  

I would.

That's the problem with supporting a team that's been underachieving for a couple of decades.....once you've been round the block a couple of times you start to realise that anything is possible     

The one saving grace is that the Final is at Wembley this year. That means the Utd fans will be able to set off for the game about an hour before kick-off.

Watched the game at the pub tonight. The best way I can describe it in layman's terms was two bunches of tossers acting like 11 year old girls in one the the scrappiest, embarrassing games for a long time. I know the SPL is bollox, but could tge Spanish League be even worse? On this evidence, yes? Messi is a great player, but I still want to smack him into the ground like a nail due to his poncing around everytime anyone breaths on him. It almost makes The Premier League look an attractive proposition to watch. Almost.

---

So the sole English survivors play their first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi final in Germany tonight against Schalke 04.............guess all you guys will be cheering them on

Actually I wanted Man Utd to win as I will take great pleasure watching them being outclassed by Barca/Real in the final.

Of course Man U haven't made it to the final yet, so you'll have to hope they win the home leg as well  If they make it through Man U will undoubtedly be the underdogs whoever they meet, although I suspect they would prefer Barca who play a more open game. Come that day it would really depend on which Man U turn up........They're no class of '99, but I still wouldn't write off their chance just yet, they've already proved an awful lot of pundits wrong so far this season  

I would.

That's the problem with supporting a team that's been underachieving for a couple of decades.....once you've been round the block a couple of times you start to realise that anything is possible     

The one saving grace is that the Final is at Wembley this year. That means the Utd fans will be able to set off for the game about an hour before kick-off.

Very droll

---

Watched the game at the pub tonight. The best way I can describe it in layman's terms was two bunches of tossers acting like 11 year old girls in one the the scrappiest, embarrassing games for a long time. I know the SPL is bollox, but could tge Spanish League be even worse? On this evidence, yes? Messi is a great player, but I still want to smack him into the ground like a nail due to his poncing around everytime anyone breaths on him. It almost makes The Premier League look an attractive proposition to watch. Almost.

The game was exactly as you said but Messi's 2nd Goal..........that was unreal

I was looking forward to the spanish clash last night but all I could hear my self saying was ..FFS get up you soft tart'.