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This is exactly what Rafa Benítez did every season – back in the days of regular c.60-game campaigns (a period which remains the high-water mark of the Reds in the Premier League era); except that back then the lost prize was usually winning the title, but continued progress in the Champions League made Europe the obvious priority. Around March, Rafa used to weigh up his options: in 2005, 2007 and 2008, Europe was the better bet; in 2006 and 2009, the focus was domestic. No matter what a manager sets out to win, there comes a time – usually early spring – where he has to prioritise. Sometimes managers talk of quadruples, but they can often see all their hopes dashed in the springtime fixture jam: a period where not only is fatigue starting to set in after six or seven months of the season, and following a tough winter league schedule, but a time when European games start up again.
https://tomkinstimes.com/2016/05/und...s-under-klopp/
https://tomkinstimes.com/2016/05/und...s-under-klopp/