As a Brit, I’ve always been amazed at the betting situation in the US. When I was in the MGM’s sportsbook, the range of betting options was dire and largely limited to who would win (admittedly it was the EPL, but it wasnt that long ago). It’s that advanced/established in Europe that I can bet on how many corners…

Heavy night drinking?....

Haha, that’s glorious. Those men have earned a solid high five

I think if it was a case of playing a team of 17 year old European/S American kids then it’d almost certainly be an easy win for the soccer team.

It’s crazy how the atmosphere and behaviour can differ between clubs. I’ve been in the pubs around Anfield with Newcastle fans coming in and being welcomed, yet I’m sure Chelsea fans, for example, would get a much poorer ‘welcome’. I guess the tip to a non-UK resident would be to do your research and pick the game…

I’m a Machester-based Liverpool fan and I’ve never been to a derby game. That being said, I’m led to believe that the fan atmosphere is fine; families are often split between blue and red, but in a friendly banter sort of way. The real animosity is reserved for the pitch it seems, so I’d say that you’ll be fine.

Of course they aren't, but that's irrelevant; Real Madrid are arguably one of the best two clubs in the world... they are equipped to handle every opponent and be favourite (or close). It has taken a greater effort from Liverpool to get to the stage they did than for Real, that's my point.

Even if you think the opponents are close to each other in ability, Liverpool and Real are not.... it takes a lot more effort and guts for Liverpool to do what they’ve done.

City are better than Villarreal, let’s face it. But even if all of Real’s opponents were better than Liverpool’s, LIVERPOOL ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS REAL MADRID. That must be considered when assessing the route to the final. Liverool have had tough ties and have performed very well. Real have strolled to the Final

Haha, we’ll see. I’d take Hector, Mustafi and Horn for sure. Especially Horn! I’ll fully admit to not having seen much of the others (Vermaelen aside) though.

... aside from the prize money and, you know, an actual European trophy that most clubs in the world have never had and would die for. Actual competition wins are weirdly overlooked these days. In 20 years (let alone a hundred) will people look back on Arsenal’s 4th place finishes with dewy eyes? Will they fuck. That…

Klopp has said a number of times that he’s happy with the squad. Now, of course he will say that but I can see it as he’s got a mix of decent and good players that have bought into his plan and will die for him. I don’t think he’ll want to disrupt that too much.

Never, ever, ever going to happen with regards to Memphis. Neither club would sell each other a tin of beans on the off-chance one could be magical. Memphis could come good, but even if he was a journeyman they wouldn't sell, just because....

Surely Bournemouth are on lower wages. I’ve not checked, and I’m not being a dick, but the likes of Schmeichel and Huth with their experience, let alone whoever’s had a new deal to boost their value, must be higher earners than anyone at Bournemouth. They had Cambiasso last year too

I understand your point, and as a Rugby League fan that has the play-off system I know how exciting the playoffs can be. To be fair though, the English league has two cup competitions that provide such drama and intrigue. On top of that, there’s the chance that a top team is in a European competition to boot. Teams…

A large proportion may be fleeing a war zone, but why lie about the situation if you can or can't provide the paperwork?

I’m not saying that at all. My original comment said that it wasn’t an uncommon practise (lying or destroying documents) with a number of migrants/refugees. I think you’d have to be pretty uninformed to deny that that’s the case.

I know. Did you ever see the Lazio player... he was 17!

That doesn't work with humans?

It’s hard to judge sarcasm in text so I didnt realise that; it read like a genuine, snarky comment. I apologise if I got the wrong end of the stick, but I'm unsure what it is about my reaction that you find revealing. I was careful with what I said to avoid the kind of knee-jerk response I thought you were making.