Liverpool Banter 2

09 Jan 2026 19:09:40
Hiya lad's I hope everyone is well! I just to comment on the performance against Arsenal. Never in the history of the club have they ever gone out and played for a draw in their own domestic league. Yes people could argue that Liverpool would play for a draw away from home in the Europe but that was purely tactical. People will talk about the injuries or Mo being away but no matter what was happening on the field Liverpool always found a way to win or at least give it a bloody good try. Lad's you all know me I only come on when I've something to say but I'm not on Slot's case because there's enough people on here doing it for me.

I actually had to wait until now to post otherwise Ed001 or Ed025 would definitely would had to have put me on the bold step. The dross that is being played in the name of football is embarrassing to not only the club but to the fans. Look we all know what the answer is so until that time when we are all put out of our misery all we can do is back the club and the team. We will bounce back and decent football will return YNWA.

09 Jan 2026 19:42:36
I'd dispute that 'we played for a draw', we just had no way of winning the game with Gakpo, who I don't think is fully fit after being injured yet, as the closest thing we had to a forward. The only thing Slot could've done differently, that would've been sensible imo, and I'm disappointed he didn't do it, was put on Chiesa and maybe Rio about 60-70 minutes in when we were on top to try and force something.

That being said, the performance is nowhere near good enough to change my view on Arne Slot. I still don't think that he has his ideas right and doubt he'll get good enough results in the medium term. We were largely solid yesterday. That's about all you can say though. The only saving grace is the league has been poor, so we might thieve enough points to get fourth.

As an aside, even if you do think we played for a draw yesterday, I'd draw your attention to our away game against Man U near the end of the Rodgers reign. (The 3-1 loss where Martin Tyler had an aneurism when Martial scored) Our approach then made last night look ambitious. And Rodgers had Benteke, Ings (who played as an extra left back for most of it) and Firmino available to him that game whereas Slot was missing his equivalent players. So it wasn't the first time.

09 Jan 2026 19:46:51
Maybe it will take an Enrique type joining one of the 'top' clubs to wake this league up a bit.
I think we all keep hoping for a turning point this season, who knows come the end of May when we're looking back if or when it will happen.

I didn't mind the second half against Arsenal which says a lot for how low the bar has been lately, i still think the first 30 or so minutes against Athletico Madrid is how we should be playing.

09 Jan 2026 19:47:10
Considering who were missing up front, I thought we did quite well. Dominated the game and made Arsenal look ordinary.

09 Jan 2026 19:49:51
Dominating the entire second half away from home against the league leaders without the majority of our attacking players and people still want to complain about something.

{Ed025's Note - so its ok to play like crap in the first half and not have a shot on target in the whole game then Thundrbird?, maybe they should have a parade..

09 Jan 2026 19:57:40
Barry it's happened for over a century, you go away to a title rival thinking you don't give them anything in the first half an hour. Or more to the point you don't allow them to get the crowd going as it could make it a very difficult evening. Then you work your way into the game and hope to take your chances when they come. If they don't, you take a draw. This isn't new, away at a title rival a point is a very good point.

We did it consistently under Rafa and Klopp did it more than once against Utd, Everton and City. Klopp would even do it at home against Everton and Utd.

I can understand people moaning about a 0-0 at home to Leeds but a 0-0 away at Arsenal where we've largely dominated proceedings doesn't warrant this reaction.

I don't even think we played for a draw anyway, that's just something people are making up so they can have a go at Slot. But we got a draw and it was a decent result given their home form and our general form of late.

Slot is in a position now with some of you where he simply can't do anything right. He could win 10-0 and you'd say it should've been 11 and Chiesa should've started.

I'm not saying all is rosy and we should give him a 10 year contract but be a bit realistic, even at our very best we would never go away to the title favourites and go hung ho leaving loads of gaps to be exploited.

I really don't know what some of you were expecting.

09 Jan 2026 20:02:20
Sorry Barry but I can't agree totally agree with you. You're right about the football we have played and you're right about what needs to be done but I was really happy with how we played last night. You are right, its not the entertaining football we are used to see or want to see but the way we defended and dug in for each other in the first half hour was something we've not really seen this season. In games gone by we would have capitulated under that kind of pressure so it was really pleasing to see.

I thought we pressed them really well in the 2nd half as well and pretty much dominated it. I think any team in the league would miss their 3 main forwards and would struggle to create many chances. We did have the best chance of the game as well. I just thought it was really pleasing to see a bit of pressing and having a bit of fight about us.
Just my opinion and fully respect yours.

09 Jan 2026 20:09:36
I genuinely think we would have been thrilled by that tactical approach at Arsenal away in any previous season. Slot is showing he is still a tactical wizard in these big games - it's our inability to narrate the game in home matches that worries me.
I get it that most fans want Gerrard to come in this season, on the off-chance Alonso may become available next season.


Neither have Slot's track record, so I would suggest we treat this season as the transitional one we all knew would be coming - and stick with the guy with a rare track record.
If Stevie G's time at Villa makes you think he should replace Slot, then fair enough. But on an evidence based approach, I think it would set us on a Man U style path.

09 Jan 2026 20:25:13
It's called football Ed, not one team this season has gone to Arsenal and played well against them. To expect this Liverpool team with some many attacking players out to go there and play entertaining attacking football is just unrealistic. There are many things to complain about this Liverpool team but the performance yesterday is not one of them.

{Ed025's Note - you done ok second half mate but that is setting the bar very low imo, this is LFC we are talking about not Burnley..

09 Jan 2026 20:26:05
Barry you normally post well but your comment about playing for a draw is completely wrong and unfair. We played well second half and could have easily won the game.

09 Jan 2026 20:27:06
I'm fairly certain we have played for a draw in the League throughout the history of the club.

In 1989, we would have taken a draw at home against Arsenal and won the League.

I watched a lot of Bob Paisley's teams and they knew how to accumulate enough points to win the League. The end would justify the means.

I've also read about a game when we had already won the League and Souness led the lads on an afternoon out on the ale before a night match. We drew with Middlesbrough.
I don't think anyone would've cared had we lost.

09 Jan 2026 20:33:11
I don't think we played for a draw whatsoever but we had to respect Arsenal as well. They are in good form, scoring more goals and conceding less than us.
For the first 25 minutes they had us under the cosh but I can't remember Becker making too many saves. After that we played better and the second half a lot better but without being threatening, Frimpong having maybe the best chance and inexcusably not taking his shot.


It wasn't a great game to be honest. Maybe if had a forward on it might have helped us a bit more. I can't complain about the effort of the players either.

09 Jan 2026 20:42:45
Ok I'll put my hand up and maybe I was wrong about playing for a draw but everything else I stand by. As I said we all know what needs to happen and the sooner the better because I for one cannot watch this horrendous football for much longer.

No before anyone says that I don't have to watch it I will tell them that I do because I'm a loyal fan.

09 Jan 2026 20:43:00
A wizard in big games? We were embarassing against Chelsea and United.

09 Jan 2026 20:56:46
Put down that hand again to f××k Barry, your 100%, it was absolute rubbish of the highest order is all it was and has been for half of last season and all of this one. there is zero excuse for the rubbish we are witnessing week in week out, and I don't blame the players.

09 Jan 2026 21:19:09
Let him p. off back to ibiza with the gang and play back up sets for armin van beat box or whatever other breed of amadán was so important to him.

09 Jan 2026 21:51:16
I've been a fan for 40 years nd i've seen us play far worse or been totally outplayed to secure a big point or away win against big teams over the years! many times infact, and the fans were always delighted. Realising how hard it is to get a result at these places.

Then throw in our 3 best attackers were missing. Wasnt the greatest of games but how many are between top sides? Always tense affairs. Im sorry no one can convince me that its only because of Slot being manager that people on here are moaning.

09 Jan 2026 21:54:46
You're not wrong Barry, some twaddle getting spoken on here.

09 Jan 2026 22:08:44
I'm not going to chuck pelters at Slot for that performance under the circumstances. But I'm not going to declare him redeemed either.

09 Jan 2026 22:11:17
I understand what you're saying.

But I can't understand where it's come from? 😂 we've been absolutely terrible all season. Genuinely utterly pathetic. What makes this game any different when the season is completely over anyway?

Weeks ago I'd understand, but why after Arsenal away, what was we expecting other than the same?

09 Jan 2026 22:02:09
Barry, I agree with every word and was even more surprised after the game coming on here seeing people saying how well we did - even when we couldn't get a shot on target lol. Yeah we did great! 😁

Each to their own of course, we all see things and think differently but that for me was far from good enough. Same old. It does my head in because we all know what this team is capable of and we're not seeing so much as a glimpse of it.

09 Jan 2026 22:15:59
Steve McMahon telling his teammates "one minute, one minute" as we trailed Arsenal one nil at home. That would have been enough to win the League and everyone would have been happy to lose 0-1 that night.
I sat stunned in front of the telly in the dark for an hour after Michael Thomas scored and gave Arsenal the League.


I don't remember how we played that night but I know everyone who cared about Liverpool FC would have taken a draw that night.

09 Jan 2026 22:32:47
We played solid enough that night Rigsby. All Barnes needed to do was take the ball to the corner flag and kill time but he went for goal, turned over possession and the rest is history.

Poor game management for one split second is all it takes. So why try and micro-manage 90 minutes? It is impossible to cover every eventuality on the training pitch, so let the players play and give them the tools to work it out on the pitch.

09 Jan 2026 23:04:36
Totally agree Barry mate. Standard of football we are playing is nearly as bad as I can remember.

09 Jan 2026 23:11:38
Absolutely Rigsby, I sobbed my heart out that night. 😭
I'd have taken a 1-0 defeat.

Also we needed 7 points from 3 games under Brendan to win the league and he went to play for a win against Chavski. We lost that game, then tried to score 9 against Palace and threw away a 3-0 lead.

09 Jan 2026 23:15:07
Barry, Salah you're on the money. I'm totally in agreement with your opinions.

09 Jan 2026 23:45:55
Fair play SG. Come on The Town 😉.

10 Jan 2026 00:08:47
That's a good shout with the Chelsea game, Ron.
Mourinho would have been happy with a point and it would have meant the title was still in our own hands. You can't account for Gerrard slipping and it shows how things can quickly change in a game. Chelsea were not that interested in scoring but they get gifted a goal.
A team happy with a draw will also take a goal and the three points. We'd have done the same against Arsenal. Conor Bradley didn't deliberately hit the bar. And not conceding a goal makes it easier to win a game.

I watched great teams under Paisley, go out, keep the ball, silence the crowd, don't concede a goal and nick one if you can. If you can't, take a point. There are always two teams and you can't always just do what you want or play how you want to.
What mattered the most was the table at the end of the season.

10 Jan 2026 06:01:58
"Is what it is" comes to mind mate.

Bee saying this for a few months now, but I just think this is where we are at and we are working towards where we want to be. Some things are getting in the way but I still believe in the squad and what we're trying to do.

Kerkez is getting more comfortable and just needs time to build his chemistry on the LW with whoever is there.

There have been so many disruptions pre and during the season that have gotten in th way of building chemistry. It's taking time and will continue to.

10 Jan 2026 10:33:49
H'ON THE TOWN BAZZA! 🥳🥳💥💥🚀🚀😁😁🏆🏆🤣🤣.

10 Jan 2026 11:21:50
We weren't trying to win that game whether we had strikers or not. All you have to do is watch the way we have played over the past 5 games to come to this conclusion cos even w/ CF's, we play crap. What do you think was going to happen without CF's? Double down, that's what.

09 Jan 2026 17:43:38
I have read so many posts of contributers saying we need to buy another CH but they haven't really thought this through. We have Konate and Van Dykk at the moment but believing Guehi will sign for us either now or in the summer and Leoni coming back, if we signed another CH now he would want to be a starter and that will cost circa 60m, so who would start with Van Dykk, would it be Konate if he signed a new contract or Guehi or this new CH.

If Guehi signed he would demand to be a starter. I think we will only sign a top CH on loan who is close to finishing his contract in the summer.

09 Jan 2026 17:52:38
I imagine the list of decent CBs available for loan is pretty slim.
VVD can't play on forever, Konate hasn't signed and more often than not is an accident waiting to happen, Gomez can't stay fit and we don't really know how good Leoni is or how long it will take him to properly recover. I'd say a CB signing is essential.

09 Jan 2026 17:52:46
Konate is out of contract at the end of season and on his form this season, I wouldn't give him a new one.

van Dijk will be 35 in June.

So there's definitely room for a starter there.

09 Jan 2026 17:59:02
Gomez and Konate are out of contract in the summer.

Virgil will be into his final year.

Leoni is really young and will need time to get over his injury.

As of right now, I think we will need 3x CBs between now and September - with perhaps one that is able to also play fullback.

We don't guarantee starts for any player.

{Ed025's Note - try telling Salah that..

09 Jan 2026 18:01:50
Why are Liverpool the only club that's allowed to have 2 decent central defenders. Arsenal have about 17.

09 Jan 2026 18:09:40
Whoes the 2nd one Thunderbird?

09 Jan 2026 18:12:12
We don't have 2 world class centre halves and VVD won't last many more seasons. If Guehi wants to play for us we need to go get him now.

09 Jan 2026 18:23:17
Given Konate is out of contract this summer, it is not a problem if Guehi immediately takes his spot. I know some people are down on the guy's heading ability, but he strikes me as a top class cb, who can also cover rb and dm. And a leader, with great passing ability.

I will be gutted if he goes elsewhere.

09 Jan 2026 19:05:26
We have Van Dijk who is in the twilight of his career, Konate who is injury prone and likely out of contract in the summer, we have Gomez who is injury prone and likely to leave in the summer and Leoni who is long term injured. If the OP is seriously suggesting we should rely upon Gomez and Konate for the rest of the season and that should be fine, he's deluded.

Just remember the cluster f*ck that was 20/ 21 and consider that we have no Fabinho to protect the defence and no Nat Philips to hold the defence together in a crisis. We do need a centre back and it's neglect if we don't bring a good one in.

09 Jan 2026 21:39:10
OP, a couple of weeks after the window closes and one of Konate or VVD is injured (God forbid) and Joey, who will be the regular RB starter with Bradley out, has a flare up of his recurrent injuries who would yo play in the back 4? I'm fairly sure that those of us who see the glass as half empty would be quick off the mark to remind us that we had the opportunity to bring in players a couple of weeks before the injury crisis started.

10 Jan 2026 00:17:14
Guehi wouldn't be able to demand to be a starter at us, City or especially Arsenal.

10 Jan 2026 06:09:11
Even with a fully fit Leoni and facotring contract uncertainty with Konate, Gomez fitness issues and VVD under 1.5 years left, We have room in the squad for another starting calibre CB right now.

So it is a reasonable spend this window if we get the player we want. Worse case Konate stays and we end up with 3 starting calibre CBs plus Gomez and Leoni. That's an ok place to be for a title hunting club.

10 Jan 2026 11:23:40
@Faith potentially, we have room in the squad for 3 CB's since Gomez and Konate will be off in the summer and with Leoni still trying to get up to speed after his recovery.

09 Jan 2026 17:27:22
Mark Guiya is essential to rebuild Liverpool from the back , he's a born leader . We can not afford to city or Arsenal getting his signature .

09 Jan 2026 17:49:33
I prefer Guehi personally.

09 Jan 2026 17:50:22
Who's he? 😂.

09 Jan 2026 18:08:33
Marc yeeehaaaa.

09 Jan 2026 18:16:21
I wouldn't be surprised to see us move to a 3-4-2-1 formation eventually. I think it would have happened already had we signed Guehi in the summer. So 2 centre halves are needed.

09 Jan 2026 17:04:40
Hi all.
Ive just red down the posts and I think it was grino, saying they want United to win the league before arsenal do.
I don't even know how to react to that. actually I do. Unless liveerpool win it im not overlly bothered.
No disrespect to ed001 in any way as I've been on this site for years and years now but I just feel its attracted the wrong people. Can we quit the bitching and moaning our just a bit. Im allways rose tinted glass half full kind of guy but I just think we support our team.

Even this will bring the haters 🙄.

09 Jan 2026 17:30:15
Just add them to your ignore list mate, public forums will always attract those just looking for a reaction.

09 Jan 2026 19:44:41
Billynwa . so do you want people just agreeing with each other, if Grino said that, so what. im sure ppl. have looked at some of your posts n raised their eyebrows while swearing . there is a few on here who I'd know for a fact if we met we wouldn't get on or agree on anything but I still like to read posters even if I 100% don't agree with them .

as for the can we quit the bitching n moaning, practice what you preach eh . I enjoy a good argument/ discussion.

09 Jan 2026 20:27:57
Well said Billy, I agree with posters the football at times is not pretty and we should be doing much better. There's no argument about that, but when we do play well like last night posters still whinge on. Beating Arsenal at home has always been a very tough assignment.

09 Jan 2026 20:46:57
Easy fix lad stop reading.

People moaning have tended to have genuine concerns. Someone having a different opinion is normal. It's literally a forum for discussion and passing on info.

I can't understand these people moaning about people moaning.

{Ed025's Note - i agree Jerry..

10 Jan 2026 12:39:46
The only team i have no emotion towards (positive or negative) is City, if they win its like a free hit

The Arsenal hate i would say is more of a modern thing, if you spend enough time online you can't help but hate them because of their fans - i've only ever met 1 Arsenal fan in my life that wasnt at least a little bit of a prat

And tbf the worse the mancs have gotten over the years, the less they have gotten under my skin as well - id say the fans are more similar to ours than most would care to admit too.

09 Jan 2026 16:51:48
It would be some story if Calvin Ramsay comes in and does a job for us at RB. I know there were high hopes when he first signed but for one reason or another it hasn't happened yet. This is as good of a time as any.

09 Jan 2026 18:08:41
We all know he will shoe horn sbzo there!

09 Jan 2026 18:17:11
I am sure he plays against Barnsley on Monday but as he uses one of the non-HG spots, the club might still choose to loan him out if they intend to bring some non-HGs in this window.

09 Jan 2026 15:33:00
Thoughts and prayers going out too Ed001 who unfortunately has to watch this dross again for his match review 🙏.

09 Jan 2026 15:59:37
This is just my take on getting Guehi .

I think Pep is staying until his contract runs out (27) and I think he sees Guehi as a huge part of his re-build as he did with Semenyo - really good Prem proven players . I think he also thinks he can reel Arsenal in this campaign and getting Guehi now this month gives him a great chance as I still think Arsenal will blow up - they've done it before .

For us I think getting Guehi this month gets us CL football next season which for our outlay last summer and the clubs ambition either with transfers or attracting a new manager is imperative and a chance in the FA cup ( draw allowing ) .
CL is out of our grasp with how we're performing so I'll settle for a decent run last 16 perhaps

Im not saying he's world class but he improves us as of now, unless Hughes has anyone else up his sleeve that is?

A lot will disagree on this but be interesting to know your thoughts.

09 Jan 2026 16:12:58
I hope I am wrong, but I think it is a done deal that Geuhi is going to City.

09 Jan 2026 17:07:20
I'm still not 100 percent sure he is the right CB for us. He is not the tallest and there's a danger of simply being too small at corners etc.

He has a lot of good points that would make me happy to have him though and I do hope we get him but another I won't lose sleep over. We do however need a CB.

We have some serious players but Slot really needs to get them playing more like the second half against Arsenal and not the pathetic first half. can't wait for the next prem game to see if we start how we finished last game or go back to type this season. If I see passive again, I might have a heart attack.

09 Jan 2026 18:32:39
Well we are going to need atleast 2 in, 1 goes straight into team for konate, he should be gone end of season and I believe Gomez is out of contract at same time and should be released, leaving a aging vvd and Leoni, not good that, if someone says Gomez is a good squad player….

is that good enough reason to give him a new contract and signing on fee? Made of crisp anyway.

09 Jan 2026 15:06:34
Someone needs to ask Slot how easing up on training and playing a slower more controlled game has helped prevent injuries this season. Its working wonders by the look of it.

09 Jan 2026 15:18:09
Kimuraking, no matter what method of training we use, it wouldn't have prevented Bradley's injury. Unfortunately, and sadly, he's just prone to injuries.

09 Jan 2026 15:41:22
Blaming the manager for a probable ACL injury. A new low for you.

09 Jan 2026 15:41:49
Lack of fitness always leads to more injuries. That's Leoni, Isak x2, Ekitike, Wirtz, Jones x2, Gakpo, Bradley x2, Endo, Frimpong x2, Gomez and Alisson who've all suffered injuries now this season already. 15 different injuries to 11 different players. Thank god we're not over working anybody though, eh!

09 Jan 2026 15:42:28
Exactly Rome so why not have fit players that can last 90mins and freak injuries will still happen.

09 Jan 2026 15:46:13
Last year we were great with injuries, this year we're getting more. Luck of the draw it happens.

09 Jan 2026 16:15:11
Did you put money on the 6-1 result you predicted, kimuraking?

09 Jan 2026 16:28:09
It's a wonder we got away with it in the 80s when players were less fit and squad depth wasn't a thing. We were known for not overtraining especially towards the end of seasons.

09 Jan 2026 16:31:00
Longthing, our players did last 90 minutes.

09 Jan 2026 16:37:51
MK how many injuries do City have? Is their training wrong as well? Like Florian says, injuries happen to some players more than others. Alisson was picking up injuries under Klopp, as an example. What did Leoni's injury have to do with training methods? If you're an expert on sporting injuries, I apologise.

You want Slot out, I get it, but you don't have to continually conjure things up just to suit your narrative.

09 Jan 2026 16:39:53
What was Endo doing to get injured because he doesn't play and we don't train.

09 Jan 2026 16:40:26
Right back will be a problem area for us. You can just see it. We've got our 2 regulars, and yet halfway through the season we've had Szobo, Gomez and Jones there multiple times each

It's certainly not looking good.

09 Jan 2026 17:04:53
Injury's that we are seeing bar the ACLs are down to poor fitness. The ACLs for me though are freak injuries that while maybe caused at times by lack of fitness I think both ours this season were due to impacts instead of not being fit.

But I agree we are having more injuries as the players are not fit. Isak was either carrying and injury when we signed him or he was still unfit due to poor conditioning. The fitness team really need to be looked at as well as Slot and held to account.

09 Jan 2026 17:22:11
Isak's injury was not down to his lack of fitness.
And I thought Ekitike was being managed because he's not fully up to the rigours of the PL yet.

09 Jan 2026 21:50:22
Bradley, freak accident - nobody near him, awkward landing.
Isak, accident - broken ankle from contact in scoring
Gomez, requires careful management for ongoing issue
Ekitike, requires short term management for issue cauded by impact in contact sport.

Stick to your score predictions @Kim, it's obviously what you are best at.

09 Jan 2026 22:38:50
Add Leoni freak accident to that too.

09 Jan 2026 23:17:12
Maybe pre-season training affects fitness levels?

Just a thought….

09 Jan 2026 23:40:27
Look, there is lots of speculation but LFC just don't advertise who they want to sign. They are not like RM who seem to use Marca to publish their targets in the hope of unsettling the player,

LFC brought in some top tier players in the summer, they haven't all settled in, no debate there, but their quality is undeniable. We are already seeing that Eki/ Wirtz/ Frimpong and to a lesser degree Kerkez are improving. Isak was very unlucky he got injured scoring a goal laid on by Wirtz, if he hadn't, he probably would have kicked on. Isak is one of the best strikers earning a living right now and hopefully will be a star for the next few years.

This season has been crap so far for a variety of reasons and Slot deserves fair criticism, but it not many teams would have continued to play the way they did after replacing half the starting 11.


We have to hope that having spent so heavily on bringing in replacements who were absolutely needed up front, the Board will now focus much needed attention on the defensive unit.

So luck, there is 3 weeks left in the window, let's have faith, look at this season as a bedding in period for world class players additions. It wasn't that long ago that LFC needed a headed goal from the keeper to qualify for the CL soon after winning the PL and a new midfield was needed the year after losing the PL by a point and the CL final.

Some of the crap from so called supporters is stomach churning. The PL has changed, none of the teams are playing that counterattacking, flowing football we saw a few years ago. Arsenal and MC are grinding out results, I haven't seen one good game of football this season.

09 Jan 2026 14:47:22
Would of loved Martinelli to have done that in the early 80s too one of our players and to wonder how long it would of took Souness to find him on the pitch then at least for the first time he would have had a reason to roll around the floor.

09 Jan 2026 15:47:36
Am honestly amazed that none of our players didn't get a red card for smashing that martinelli all over the place. I know I would have.
On another note. Martinelli pushed him by the neck/ head and if you raise hands to someone face it's a red so no idea why he didn't get one.

09 Jan 2026 15:56:29
Or Steve McMahon!

09 Jan 2026 16:59:05
Souness would have broken his jaw. When the ref wasn't looking. Or absolutely clattered him next tackle.

09 Jan 2026 13:08:09
I know that the 0-0 yesterday wasn't the most exciting game and Liverpool were toothless up front but, at least for me, the performance overall was far better.

We've complained all season about a lack of defensive nous, yesterday I thought Arsenal had almost nothing but for one or two good runs in the first 20 minutes. Kerkez has been slandered all season, yet I don't see what he ever really does wrong. He offers genuinely good one on one defensive work (barring the occasional silly dive in) and offers so much down the left flank in terms of energy and drive. Gakpo really needs to be replaced, he is so poor with general link up that he hampers the whole attack down the left. I think he's a pretty competent player but is in a horrible run of form, and could do with some genuine competition.

I understand the frustration at a lack of clear cut chances, but once again we have a massive lack of firepower due to injuries and AFCON. The spaced in behind Arsenal's team was apparent, Frimpong found it constantly. There was just no focal point in the middle to also make those runs and get on the end of the crosses. I think with Isak or Ekitike in that side we really give Arsenal a run for their money.

The general fight and energy levels were much better, especially in the second half where Arsenal were seemingly devoid of confidence and were penned in. They are so poor in general play it is a wonder they are so far out in front in first place. Gyokeres is a shocking signing; Konate and Van Dijk won't come up against an easier opponent all season. They will win the league comfortably and yet have been one of Liverpool's easier opponents this year in the PL.

I think this Liverpool team should comfortably be able to get top 5 this season, but another injury to the backline could derail the season. If Bradley's injury is bad (suspected to be season ending), then Liverpool need to bring the summer plans forward and sign a defensive player. They can't afford to sit on their hands. If Chiesa is also sold to Juve they need a genuine quality forward option to replace who Slot trusts to be used.

Lets wish Bradley well in his recovery, I was very disappointed with Martinelli's reaction - thankfully he has apologised.

Lets get behind the lads for the upcoming fixtures.

09 Jan 2026 14:37:16
My fear is Gomez coming in to play right back, getting injured and us having to stick Dom in at right back for most of the rest of the season. Please let us buy at least another defender, preferably two.

09 Jan 2026 14:38:52
"Thankfully", he didn't really have a choice it was a such blatantly awful thing to have done.

09 Jan 2026 15:04:31
I agree Wassa, I just prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt as I choose to believe that surely someone isn't that much of a scumbag. An apology is better than nothing at all.

09 Jan 2026 15:12:48
Patrik, I too have the same worry. It would be ludicrous to not look to the market, Konate and Gomez are incredibly injury prone and will no doubt end up with an injury at some stage. We are light as it is in the squad anyway, another long term in Bradley with a risk of Gomez getting injured would compound the issue even further.

Whilst I don't want to look at Arsenal as a benchmark, their squad is incredibly deep (I don't think it's sustainable long term) . Realistically this Liverpool team could do with at least a CB coming in and potentially another attacker in January, but that won't happen.

Hopefully Bradley's injury is better than anticipated, although I don't hold out much hope sadly. If it truly is a season ender then it won't be until late this year/ next we see him, meaning we lose a starting fullback until this time next season. A signing only makes sense in that regard, and I'm sure Hughes and Edwards would see that.

09 Jan 2026 15:15:23
Martinelli is honestly just covering his own arse, it would be a PR disaster for him if he didn't come out to say anything. It's still shocking watching the incident again, dragging him off the pitch like that could have made a bad injury considerably worse.

09 Jan 2026 15:50:35
Were worrying about Gomez breaking down injured before he's even in the team. This is why i've been saying he should have been sold 2 or 3 years ago. Been a nice likeable bloke should not get you a career at Liverpool if your incapable of staying fit.

09 Jan 2026 16:30:25
I think he can probably capably start a game here and there Florian, it's just he can't be expected to play week in week out anymore. Still a very capable player when called upon though.

09 Jan 2026 17:15:45
Easy to say sorry after the fact martineli should of walked i bet if it was a lfc player he would of walked and that was a 100% pen on Wirtz all day long . So we did not have a shot on target but we run them ragged in second half .


They never really troubled Ali in our goal .
5 points we have taken off them let's hope it helps man city catch them up . YNWA.

09 Jan 2026 20:40:25
Pretty sure Gomez is playing with regular injections in his knee. No way will see out the rest of the season at right back but I certainly don't want Szobo playing there either.

09 Jan 2026 20:52:05
Yeah sod Martinelli. Too much 'hold hands and be respectful' BS in football these days, a PR spin of an apology and everyone's clapping him.

The lads a known diver, Arsenal wasted time all game and then he acts like that. Should have been sent off.

I'll never wish injury on a player, but next time he goes down I won't bat an eyelid.

09 Jan 2026 21:57:39
I'm fairly sure we will line up against Martinelli again, if it was me I'd ensure that I'd have a plan to ensure he remembers the experience.

09 Jan 2026 13:06:00
You have to love Szobo, when sly asked him are you playing the new champions tonight?

"No we don't play the champions, they play the champions"

Have some of that!

09 Jan 2026 13:55:45
Szobo was unlucky not to score last night.

I reckon if he'd had another 32 shots at least one of them would have been on target and tested the keeper.

{Ed025's Note - if the goal was 80ft wide and 40ft high he may have hit the woodwork JK.. :)

09 Jan 2026 15:10:39
Talking of shots. Why didn't Frimpong not just pull the trigger when he was thru? Appreciate it was a slightly tight angle of a right footer but surely he has to put his boot thru the ball? Couldn't believe he cut it back to no one in particular 😏.

{Ed025's Note - im with you Irish..

09 Jan 2026 15:11:52
Super shout JK23 and beautiful reply from Ed25.

Made my day😀.

09 Jan 2026 15:17:42
Szobo needs to do more in and around the box for me. Goals being one, I can't fault his work rate and he's been our stand out performer this season but I'd like more. I'm with the Ed the goal needed to be 80ft tall haha.

09 Jan 2026 15:19:49
Agree, Irish. I was screaming at the tele.

09 Jan 2026 21:59:57
Ah, you do that too @Rome 😁😁.

09 Jan 2026 12:06:55
Ed001 after watching the game last night it just showed up even more what an awful job Slot has done this season.
For us to be that far behind that Arsenal team is totally unacceptable if anything we should have the league done already such a week league.
As for Arsenal I truly can't stand them players manager ex players and fans. If one incident could sum up a team under a manager then it was Martinelli last night for Arteta'a Arsenal.


They just remind me of Brentford under Frank players going over with the slightest touch to try to win a free kick to load the box as they just never look like scoring an opening goal without a set piece.
I can say hand on heart I would rather anyone even United winning the league over them hopefully Pep can get city on a run and do them on the last day of the season or even better Aston Villa.

09 Jan 2026 13:37:26
Aye, not having the League done in January is totally unacceptable.
If some of you were more realistic then you'd be a lot happier and that's coming from a miserable old goat like me.
Give it a try.

09 Jan 2026 13:59:45
United winning it over them, grino? Can't be having that mate lol never in a million years. I know what you mean though, can't stand them - I think City will end up snatching it and to be honest I hope they do. They've played the best football this season by far.

09 Jan 2026 14:22:27
The only team i want winning the Premiership less than Arsenal are Man u. Hopefully both teams implode before the seasons out.

09 Jan 2026 14:39:06
Another day, another 'we didn't perform well in the least and we're rubbish as usual, the opposition was just crap and didn't punish our incompetence' post.

09 Jan 2026 14:42:24
I'm with Grino on this.

Arteta is such a hateful guy I don't want to see him win a damn thing under any circumstances (and I've felt that for a long time) .

It would also legitimise everything he's turned Arsenal into.

09 Jan 2026 14:54:19
Gringo yes it is a week league and if the premier league don't do anything about it soon people will save their pennies and do something else . The football is boring having ten men behind the ball is killing the game awful to watch . Players cheating and diving holding their head so game is stopped and time wasting .

referees are so poor none them can make the right decision that the rule book states they don't no what a foul is they have not got a clue on this . Football is a beautiful game if played right but it is awful when it is played wrong and seriously needs looking in to by the FA, FIFA and UEFA .