Liverpool Banter 2

25 Apr 2026 20:21:14
Letting go of Robbo is a mistake in my book, he's still our best LB and proved it yet again today. What a goal. Great to see him score. Sad to think it might be his last. Tsimikas is a big downgrade in every way.

25 Apr 2026 21:39:22
Agree. I don't know why it didn't occur to me until today, but given the slow, boring way Slot wants to play, with relying on individuals to have moments of brilliance to create goals rather than develop a system that creates them, why hasn't Robbo been played more? It actually makes no sense because, of course, we all accepted he lost a bit of pace, but I don't actually see how that matters with slotball.

Additionally, I'll just reiterate that losing Salah, Robbo, VVD, and Allison all in one window is a huge problem.

That removes what little memory of mentality/industry that Slot hasn't mismanaged out of this team already. It's a huge on the next manager (still praying that has to happen, right?) to bring their system, get the squad fit again, and instill a new mentality/unity with no senior players who were part of our past success. A massive ask. Let's hope whoever we get is up to the challenge.

25 Apr 2026 22:17:38
Chew, it was a great goal and I only wish it was the last game of the season to say goodbye.
But he is not our best left back anymore by a long shot. Robertson's legs started going three seasons ago, and it would be wrong for a club of our size to offer him a new contract, even as a backup.

It's not right for him, us, or him.

25 Apr 2026 22:41:20
Robbo has sentiment on his side when he plays like this, let's not forget, though his legs have unfortunately started to go.

We need to be ruthless, he's not the player he once was. Father Time catches up with us all. If we want to win major trophies, we need to say goodbye.

25 Apr 2026 23:06:28
Robbo has been a great servant and has been involved in many great occasions and trophy lifts, however, in the last couple of seasons where he was the starting left back he was, in most people's opinion, the worst performer of the 11 and the easiest to upgrade due to his age. Robbo is a fan fave and will leave that way, but age is against him and someone will replace him sooner rather than later. It's time to look forward and support the future of our club rather than look back. Kerkez has been good for 6 months or so now, has he been as good as Robbo was 4 years ago? No.

Will he ever be? Probably not, but the fact is Robbo isn't as good as he was then either. Respect to Robbo for what he's achieved, but don't use it as a stick to beat Kerkez or whoever else ends up there. I hope we don't compare next year's right winger to peak Mo Salah because there's another comparison that can't be won. It will likely be a long time before we get it as good as we've had it recently again. People who wish after Kelleher & 25 year old Robbo & 30 year old Salah & Klopp & Gerrard & etc etc, it's now the past. Support the present & future.

25 Apr 2026 23:36:12
I might be sentimental about it and sure he's not as fast as he used to be, but if his legs are proper gone, how'd he score that goal today? He put Isak to shame with that run.

I'm not saying he should be starting every game ahead of Kerkez next season, far from it, but Kerkez is a bit scatterbrained at times, let's be honest, and I do think he should have been shadowing Robbo this year, not the other way around.

Robbo's consistent, reliable, and intelligent enough to know he's not going to beat everyone for pace. Although I bet at 32 he's still faster than Tsimikas.

It's the end of the season, crunch time. We need reliability now more than ever, and who's been the starting LB in 4 of the last 5?

26 Apr 2026 00:24:07
No Chewy, as much as I love Robbo, think the times right for him to leave.

26 Apr 2026 00:58:55
I would have given him a contract for sure. Nobody is expecting him to be in the starting 11 every week, but he is a great sub to have.

26 Apr 2026 01:31:06
I'd of liked him to stay, experience alone is worth the price.

26 Apr 2026 01:33:58
Maybe Robbo still thinks he can still start every match, Irish Rover, and not want to be that sub, Carragher didn't.

26 Apr 2026 02:24:07
Keith, Robbo's been on the bench all season, he knows he's not first choice, he's also not leaving by choice, he wasn't offered a contract, so he has no say in the matter. I'm certain if he was offered an extension he'd sign it without hesitation.

26 Apr 2026 03:18:23
It is the right time to go. Leave while the memory of you is still positive. Don't stay longer than you should.

26 Apr 2026 07:01:35
Chewy, no one wants Robbo to stay more than me, he's my favourite signing of the Klopp era, a fellow Scot and for me the best LB we have ever. But his time has come. Robbo wants to be starting, he's the captain of his country and is likely to beat Kenny Dalglish's cap record soon. He needs to be starting to feel like he validates his selection.

He has the odd great game in him still, but he is nowhere near as consistent as he once was.

If he was happy to play a big part and carry out the "Milner" role then fine, but he's not willing to, as I said, he sees himself as a starter.

We need to be ruthless to win titles, no passengers. Sentiment, you're remembering the Robbo of old and letting it cloud your judgment if you think he's a starter over Kerkez.

26 Apr 2026 08:42:11
It's not even just the fact that he wants to be playing. I guarantee that he wouldn't accept the contract on offer for him if we decided to go down that route. Some issues aren't singular, think for example Robbo 200k (made up figure) pw to sit the bench, or we can save 140k pw (made up figure) to have Tsimikas sit bench, from Robbo's perspective this season he's been okay with sitting bench on 200k (still a made up figure) but would he sign a new deal to sit bench on 60k (made up again)? No, absolutely he wouldn't. And that's why the club wouldn't offer him a deal as it's disrespectful to him, and you don't do that for legends, you just say look Robbo, we love you but if you want to play football more regularly or earn the same kind of money you do currently it's best you find a new club. As for Robbo's legs, it's not all about sheer pace, it's about agility, it's about response time, it's about how quickly he recovers to play 3 games in a week.

It's about the fact we still have to have this conversation every other week, because we've not had a clean break already. It's about the fact he might be team Mo when the new guys are team Slot. It's about what changing his name does to someone like Kerkez, who must take that as a dig every time he hears it. And, btw, we only have to look back to last week for a goal Robbo cost us, falling asleep, not following his man, getting beat to the ball and goal. This will and has happened with Kerkez too, but the difference is Kerkez is now our guy and Robbo won't be. Supporting one harms the other. We need clear 1st and 2nd choice players who are happy and confident in their roles, who are paid accordingly to their roles.

26 Apr 2026 09:19:18
Sentiment, my arse, he's more than good enough to stay. The question is, does he want to, given he'd be in and out because of Kerkez. I personally think he's better.

26 Apr 2026 09:24:26
Frode, you think Robbo is still good enough... that's the issue, he isn't.

26 Apr 2026 09:29:09
Kerkez is half the player that Robertson was, but now is twice the player that Robertson is.
Anyone who thinks Robbo should be starting must believe King Kenny, Rush and Barnes should be our front 3.

26 Apr 2026 09:33:16
I disagree, he is on the decline, bad is losing his running power which is his greatest asset. Now is the right time for him to go, Father Time waits for no one. Great goal though and lovely to see it.

25 Apr 2026 18:17:51
xG: Liverpool (0.95) 3-1 (2.64) Crystal Palace

Honestly pretty insane we won that with our 3rd keeper. He put in a good shift.

Usually we concede on any attempt they have so this feels like an oddity.

25 Apr 2026 19:52:50
A big chunk of that Palace xG is the Strand Larsen double post that looked offside but wasn't flagged.

25 Apr 2026 20:01:49
ArnieJ, and they got a corner. How can that be? The player was offside, had a shot at goal, but offside not given. If the ball had gone into the net it would have been given offside. ????

25 Apr 2026 20:07:42
Good game, third spot still on. Hoping Salah is ok, he's finding a bit of form. Nice to see Isak and Wirtz score, will do them the world of good.

25 Apr 2026 20:08:29
Just wondering if Slot mentioned the xG this game in the post match presser like he normally does to justify the performance after a loss?

25 Apr 2026 20:16:39
Van Dijk gave away the corner when there was absolutely no pressure. Also, on their goal, Van Dijk and Konate tried to hold the offside line instead of dropping onto the ball line to cover an obviously injured goalkeeper.
Our defending this season has been absolutely awful.

25 Apr 2026 20:25:31
Jiddon, only when it justifies his existence.

25 Apr 2026 20:40:30
Eh, we did win, didn't we?

25 Apr 2026 20:55:50
The most important stats tonight are the 3 goals scored and points gained, and the position in the league. It's been a really frustrating season, but three more points will get CL, and then we can go again next season.



According to reports today, Arne has been set four conditions for staying on next season, one was playing more attacking football. With a few new signings on the wings, things can surely only get better, whoever is in charge.

25 Apr 2026 21:05:26
We certainly did Wdwiv, but you can't please all the people all of the time! Very good 3 points, let's be positive people.

25 Apr 2026 21:15:27
Im more annoyed I didn't take ed25s advice on wirtz and isak to score.

Lottery numbers next please ed

{Ed025's Note - lotto is a game of chance RS, i deal in what i see with my educated eyes mate...its just what i do.. :)

25 Apr 2026 21:43:19
Agree only the points matter, but only if Slot is gone at the end of the season.

If that's not a certainty, then another low xG game because of Slotball does matter, and should concern everyone if Slot can limp us into CL and the point to CL qualification as a reason to keep his job.



There are no conditions in this universe that should let Slot keep his job.

25 Apr 2026 22:22:23
And yet, Snuggle, it's looking increasingly likely.

26 Apr 2026 00:26:44
Molby, was a strange decision by Van Dijk to give away a corner, was expecting them to score from it tbh.

26 Apr 2026 03:20:38
People have backed themselves so far into the anti-Slot corner, nothing can bring ya out.

Well, enjoy the corner, cos if he ain't going, it's gonna be miserable for ya.

26 Apr 2026 07:59:59
And still some ppl. want Slot to stay because he's scrapped into the top 4 with a mega team. Let's face it, I reckon I could get 4th with the players we've got.

25 Apr 2026 17:45:17
Hi Eds and fellow Reds,

As a Nepalese supporter, I've always been keen to see Asian teams make a deeper impact at the FIFA World Cup.

From a structural point of view, is the gap between Asian nations and traditional powerhouses mainly down to factors like youth development systems and domestic leagues—or are deeper elements like football culture, competitive intensity, and governance more decisive? In countries like Nepal, political influence seems to play a significant role in shaping football progress.

Given current trajectories, is it realistic to argue that an Asian team could become the first outside Europe and South America to win the World Cup? Or are African nations still better positioned for that breakthrough?

{Ed001's Note - there are so many issues. Missed opportunities is one, such as when India (and all the Asian nations offered a place after them) turned down the chance to go to the 1950 World Cup. At the time football was huge and they were very good at it, but they chose the Olympics instead. At the time there was no realisation how big FIFA's comp would become, but it saw them left behind. The lack of investment into infrastructure in Asia holds them back from ever competing properly.}

25 Apr 2026 19:08:01
Japan are making real, steady progress. They are a genuine threat to the big teams, but are still probably at least 15-20 years away from becoming one of the big teams themselves, providing they continue to make progress.

I don't see the way forward for any other Asian team to potentially win the World Cup if nothing changes.

25 Apr 2026 19:48:13
I remember in 90 + 94 World Cups when Cameroon + Nigeria were excellent that the talk was that there would be an African winner of the World Cup within 20 years but never materialised. In fact, that was as good as it got for African teams, nothing as good since that I can think of. Not quite sure why it hasn't happened.

25 Apr 2026 21:04:27
The great Pele, himself, said that an African side would win it within 20 years. Can't ever see it happening, myself, to be honest.

25 Apr 2026 17:16:09
Guys. It was nice knowing you folks. For next 3 days I am an all out Brentford supporter.

25 Apr 2026 17:52:50
I think I'll just stick to being a Kelleher supporter.

25 Apr 2026 17:55:43
The "Brentford" above shows the level we are at, relying on other teams to do us a favour. That has never been the LFC way for the top echelon of managers LFC have had. In the past, LFC have always been the trail blazers, never among the also ran's, ye lead from the front and stay there!

For the Clot in brigade, had we finished last season, where we will finish this season, you cannot be serious for the Clot to have a third season?

I've seen Wharton four times this season, anonymous like today, and deffo not worth the money wanted, he's an average player in a poor team.

25 Apr 2026 17:59:19
007, it's spelt Slot.

25 Apr 2026 18:13:09
I was a West Ham fan today and Wolves. Really want Spuds to go down.
As for Liverpool, as long as we finish top 5 I'll be content.

25 Apr 2026 18:37:20
007, We've not always been trailblazers. Also, there have always been seasons when we've wanted other teams to do us a favour.

I agree with you about Wharton.

Ps, at least show the coach some respect by spelling his name correctly. I know this is a banter site and you do what you can to shed humour, but calling him Clot isn't the remotest bit funny.

25 Apr 2026 19:05:24
Win all our remaining games, we get top 3. That should be the target.

25 Apr 2026 19:11:24
Adam Wharton wasn't v good today, but I did see him play the through ball to Larsen when he hit both posts.

25 Apr 2026 19:35:15
Calling him Clot is rather pathetic considering he's won the Premier League title, unlike you who seems to be a bitter armchair pundit. Show some respect.

25 Apr 2026 20:09:28
Calling him clot may not seem funny but it is apt.

25 Apr 2026 20:44:19
And it's really classy as well, @SJL8.

25 Apr 2026 23:18:54
Are people really getting their knickers in a twist because someone referred to the manager as clot? I could think of a few other choice words for him, tbh.

26 Apr 2026 01:36:43
Not me, Nukem, mate. I smile when I see it.

26 Apr 2026 03:22:26
009 - If Slot had us in first place this season would you be on board?

Stupid unrealistic comparison, isn't it?

26 Apr 2026 04:14:31
007, you will find Liverpool have always required favours.

25 Apr 2026 12:03:01
Anyone watch RB Leizbig or the highlights last night?
Diomande was a right handful.

25 Apr 2026 12:37:36
Sadio Mane regen. He looks like he's going to be a star, mate. Would 100% want him at us, he'd be perfect. Hopefully heir Klopp is talking us up.

25 Apr 2026 12:51:27
A star for Man City if the rumors turn out to be true.

25 Apr 2026 13:24:11
He is a special talent, but to get close to Mane levels, he needs to work a lot on his off the ball and pressing.

Mane was absolutely incredible, to be fair. If he gets close to his level, we would be absolutely laughing.



Think he'll take a season to warm to the Premier League. Much like Wirtz. Just to get used to the speed and aggression.

25 Apr 2026 14:09:09
Thankfully City are fully stocked with Wingers. I'd fancy us to land Diomande in the summer. He publicly declared his love for us.

25 Apr 2026 14:11:30
How many Wingers do City need? Calling Bull on that one.

25 Apr 2026 17:17:23
There isn't a winger in world football right now who is on Mane's level in his prime, to be fair. He was so ridiculously strong, had insane acceleration, skill, was incredible in the air, combined brilliantly with his fullback, could roast a defender outside or in, was superb with his back to goal, tracked back constantly to cover for Robbo when he advanced, and could score any kind of goal.

25 Apr 2026 17:30:48
Davey, the real elite players don't need a season to adapt to the PL. We all Want Wirtz to be that player, but I'm doubtful that he is. He hasn't shown enough for me to consider it otherwise.

25 Apr 2026 18:04:39
Wirtz needs pace and runners around him.
We have got no one even looking to run in behind. Give him runners, and you will see him shine.

25 Apr 2026 23:34:59
City have been trying to get rid of Savinho, so they'll probably go for another winger, hopefully not Diomande.

26 Apr 2026 01:42:20
Wirtz is a really poor Coutinho for me. Everyone gives him the ball expecting magic. At least Coutinho grabbed some games by the scruff. Hopefully he makes me eat my words.

{Ed078's Note - I loved Phil when he first came. I was excited. But, with Wirtz, it's not excitement, it's a deep confidence that he has the quality to make Phil look like a flash in the pan.

25 Apr 2026 10:40:17
A lot of ITK folks on X are claiming Premier League is pushing for saving Spurs from relegation. Sounds crap, but if anything funky happens in games involving Hammers it won't be a nice look for the league.
Hammers have the blues today while Spurs visit the Wolves. I expect Spurs and Hammers both to win.

25 Apr 2026 12:18:24
West Ham to beat Everton I'd be very surprised at that.

25 Apr 2026 12:31:16
Sounds plausible...
They are doing everything for Arsenhole to win the league, so why not help Spuds stay up as well... The revenue for those 2 games must be heavenly for the PL.

25 Apr 2026 12:38:18
I never understood why Spurs have always been one of the establishment's favourites. I swear they gaslit themselves into being a "big club."

When I was a child, Spurs were a midtable/bottom half team, but the media always talked about them like their rightful place was in the Champions League. In reality, Leeds, Newcastle, and Villa were bigger at the time, and historically. Spurs don't have much of a history in Europe or of winning things.

They eventually got to the Champions League, but I feel the media's positive portrayal of them helped in a way.

Would some of those players have joined if they weren't perceived as a "big club"? There was a period when we were losing out on players to Spurs. Villa are consistently getting into Europe now, and the media almost treat them like interlopers, even though Villa have actually won the European Cup.

The way Spurs received a permanent seat at the table for the failed European Super League was the biggest shock to me. One of those things was not like the others.

25 Apr 2026 13:00:36
The league isn't doing a very good job of trying to make Arsenal win since City won their game against them and are now leading the table. ;)

25 Apr 2026 13:05:41
Spurs are like Everton, living on past glories. They are both big teams, both have new grounds, both have struggled at the wrong end of the league, and both have gone through managers like there is no tomorrow.
I think Spurs will stay up by skin of their teeth and Everton will get a European place.

25 Apr 2026 13:10:55
That's on Arteta, Drac... If ever there was a manager more scared of taking risks, it's him.

A******** should have been champs a month back already...

25 Apr 2026 13:16:05
Don't forget Spurs won a European trophy last season.

25 Apr 2026 13:27:14
It's because Spurs have a high European coefficient compared to other clubs.
Losing Spurs means automatically fewer CL positions next year.
However, if Villa and Palace win their respective European trophies this year, Spurs won't be missed much.

25 Apr 2026 13:32:51
Babbity, Spurs have won 4 European trophies. Villa have won 1 and still sing about it. Spurs are a bigger club than Villa.

25 Apr 2026 13:56:57
Rome, that's a disingenuous statistic.

Spurs have won 1 Cup Winners' Cup and 3 Europa Leagues, the latest being last year. Villa won the European Cup.

Spurs have won just 2 league titles in their entire history. Villa have won 7.

25 Apr 2026 14:10:05
You put forward a good argument for Villa, Babbity, but my loathing of them can't persuade me to agree with you. Also, most of their league titles came in the 1800s, which is still on the record books, but it's stretching things a tad.



Regarding the argument from other posters that the powers that be are pushing for Arsenal to win the PL and Spurs to stop up. In a word, Tosh.

25 Apr 2026 14:29:01
Yeah, I'm with Babbity on this. Spurs maybe make top 10 clubs.

25 Apr 2026 14:29:13
So how are the League doing everything to win Arsenal the League then? If anything, Arsenal are doing everything not to win it! More conspiracy nonsense.

25 Apr 2026 14:47:26
Babbitt, you said Spurs have no history. They were the first team after the war, to do the double, and they were the first British team to win a European trophy.

25 Apr 2026 17:26:42
Babbity, obviously they're not on par with the likes of us or Utd but they do have a fairly large fanbase. I believe they're ranked about 6th or 7th for most trophies won in England, depending on what you include, and ranked similarly for fanbase too. They were part of the original "big 5" along with Everton back in the 80's before Chelsea and City bought their way in.

You could argue that it should have stayed big 5 and that Tottenham should have been dropped from the conversation along with Everton as they were shocking during the 90's, but they did manage to stay fairly relevant by comparison, outside of poor periods where form did fluctuate quite drastically, they have managed to finish top 5/6 on many occasions since the early 2000's.

25 Apr 2026 17:32:55
I'm with Rome. Just garbage talk all that.

25 Apr 2026 17:41:49
Elliott, I wouldn't say no history, but not enough to justify the media gassing them up during periods when they were completely average as a team.

I'm not sure whether it's a London bias thing or if it's because their owners Alan Sugar and then Joe Lewis have connections to the media, but the media seem to have had an agenda to push Spurs for a few decades.

25 Apr 2026 18:14:37
Since 2005 they've finished top 5 13 times including 2x 3rd place and 1x 2nd place finish. Exactly what part of that is "an average team"? Sorry, mate, but you're dead wrong on this one and need to rejig what you think constitutes average.

For reference, the next closest for top 5 finishes in the same period are:

Everton: 4.
Newcastle: 3.
Villa: 1.

25 Apr 2026 19:10:30
I'm talking before 2005. The media have always gassed Spurs up.

25 Apr 2026 08:49:55
There's every chance Villa drop points at Fulham today, 3 points from us and the table looks a lot better.

25 Apr 2026 09:07:08
Palace will be tough, getting 3 points today is not guaranteed and I think it's a draw personally.
Still, say 9 points from the last 5 games gets us CL and 5th place though.

25 Apr 2026 09:13:22
We have lost to Palace 3 times this season... With Slot in charge, people actually think we have a chance not to go 4-0 for the season.

25 Apr 2026 10:28:37
Let's just focus on beating Palace.

25 Apr 2026 10:57:20
Palace have lost Guehi though, and he played well in all the games against us.

25 Apr 2026 11:09:37
Think we will beat Palace today, we're due a win against them. Bit of momentum from previous 2 league wins, hopefully. Extremely important we win today as I think more r less sorts Champ League football for us. Our next fixtures v difficult, so we need gap going onto them.


Read earlier we haven't beaten Palace at home since 2021! Couldn't believe it, but they've always being a bogey team for us, I've still the mental scares from when they beat us 4-3 in Cup semi final 1990!

25 Apr 2026 14:23:14
A win now is a must.

25 Apr 2026 14:30:26
I still want 3rd spot. It's certainly possible.

25 Apr 2026 14:34:29
Isn't a win a must every time we play?

26 Apr 2026 00:08:38
Of course it is WDW, but have you seen the state of us this year.

25 Apr 2026 07:16:14
Ed001 I thought Slot press conference said it all yesterday.
He will be gone in the summer back home mutual agreement with Slot wanting to be near his family.
I do wonder how it would have gone if they had moved over Ed because I don't think he is a bad coach and I would say it is just the fitness letting us down.

When you are out run in just about every game but still in touch I think that would have made the difference in most of our defeats.
Players like Mac Allister who are not the most natural athletes will struggle.

25 Apr 2026 09:03:11
He's not a good coach either, mate.

25 Apr 2026 09:09:00
Or a nice person.

25 Apr 2026 09:16:17
Slot is not much of anything, he has not understood what Liverpool FC is, it's a huge empire that he failed to connect with or control.

Slot is just there for the pay cheque and who could blame him, weak management should have sent him packing months ago, yet allowed him to stay to save face and ego.

His way of coaching and approach to fitness, which maximises how little he has to do and can nip home whenever he wants, make work in leader leagues but won't work in elite leagues like the PL.

He has his priorities all wrong as does his coach staff.

A couple of weeks to go and the fans and Slot will be out of their misery.

25 Apr 2026 10:10:23
If the fitness is letting us down, then it's because he isn't that good a coach, Grino.

25 Apr 2026 11:27:48
If you don't think he's a bad coach, you must be watching the wrong team, Grino.

He's tactically clueless, and has allowed Peeters to implement a substandard and highly experimental periodisation programme that goes completely against decades of elite sports science, against the club's own performance data and conditioning programmes that have made us arguably the fittest team in the league for the last 8 years, resulting in a team that has not been match fit for most of the season.



That's not just bad coaching, that's ignorance and arrogance on a whole new level.

25 Apr 2026 12:37:21
What's worse, his wife didn't think there would be as much scrutiny Slot is under and the media and social media. What did she expect from one of the biggest clubs in the world.

25 Apr 2026 14:32:33
How do you know Slot is not a nice person? Do you know him personally? Can we not just keep it to what we can see with our own eyes, without the character assassination of a person we know nothing about? It's beyond childish.

25 Apr 2026 14:27:29
You've got a point there Fatwallet, behind every terrible coach is an out-of-touch wife, she's definitely not been catching enough flak on here.

25 Apr 2026 06:47:31
025 You were on fire last week, predicting a loss for us against PSG but a win in the derby, pulling in £225 each with your mates. 👍
What’s your prediction today for the Palace game?
I’m going 2-2 draw.

{Ed025's Note - i think they will be easy meat for you today Hughesy, they have one eye on the Europa cup and are safe in the Premiership now, im going for a very comfortable 2-0 for the reds and Wirtz to score mate..

25 Apr 2026 09:09:18
I hope you're right, sir, as our last 4 games are tough, and I think we need 9 points minimum from the last 5 games to get 5th.

25 Apr 2026 16:57:41
You were right about Wirtz!

25 Apr 2026 08:52:46
Hope you're right Ed025, Palace seem to be our "bogey team"!

{Ed025's Note - easy peasy Willo..