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The chance of lifting the Europa League is scant consolation for players like Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero |
Two of the pre-Champions League favourites, United and City are leading the way domestically and were expected to reach the business end of Europe's premier competition, but what will their demotion to the Europa League mean in the long run?
talkSPORT takes a look at how English clubs have coped both at home and in Europe during previous years when Champions League disappointment has led to an opportunity of silverware in the UEFA Cup or Europa League…
ARSENAL: 1999/00
Final Premier League position: Second
UEFA Cup: Runners-up
FA Cup: Fourth round
League Cup: Fourth round
The Gunners were a point behind Leeds in the Premier League after 12 games when their Champions League adventure ended with defeat to Fiorentina. They got past Nantes, Deportivo, Werder Bremen and Lens to reach the UEFA Cup final, but Patrick Vieira and Davor Suker missed in the shoot-out to hand Galatasaray the trophy. Domestically, Man United finished a huge 18 points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League, while the Gunners crashed out of both cups at the fourth round stage.
LIVERPOOL: 2002/03
Final Premier League position: Fifth
UEFA Cup: Quarter-finalists
FA Cup: Fourth round
League Cup: Winners
Liverpool were ahead of Arsenal in top spot in the Premiership when they bowed out of Europe's top competition at the group stage, following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Basel. The Reds came back from 3-0 down to grab a point, but needed all three to avoid elimination and demotion into the UEFA Cup. Gerard Houllier's side then beat Vitesse and Auxerre to reach the UEFA Cup quarter-final, where Martin O'Neill's Celtic banished their hopes of a second triumph in three seasons, having won the trophy in 2001. Back in England, dreams of a first league title since 1989/90 crumbled as Man United finished a huge 19 points clear of Liverpool, who finished a poor fifth, out of the Champions League places after a horrendous run of form in the middle of the season. Consolation came in the shape of a League Cup final win over Man United, but the rot had set in on Houllier's reign and he only lasted another season.
LIVERPOOL: 2009/10
Final Premier League position: 7th
Europa League: Semi-finalists
FA Cup: Third round
League Cup: Fourth round
Liverpool struggled to cope with the departure of Xabi Alonso in the summer, finishing six points behind second-placed Lyon in their Champions League group. For a team that had reached two finals, one semi, one quarter final and the last 16 in each of the past five seasons, this was something of a shock to the system. Things weren't any better at home, either, where the Reds found themselves 13 points behind leaders Chelsea at the time of their elimination, sat in seventh spot, having lost five of their opening 13 games. That's where Benitez and his underperforming stars finished the season - their lowest league position since 1998/99 - having been embarrasingly dumped out of the FA Cup at Anfield by Championship side Reading. The Europa League looked like providing some solace for Benitez, but Atletico Madrid ended their hopes of silverware in second leg extra-time of the semi-final. Like his predecessor Houllier, Champions League elimination was the prelude to Benitez being ejected from the Anfield hot seat.
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