Liverpool Banter 2

04 Nov 2026 21:23:47
I've seen teams less talented in my days as a Liverpool supporter, but I've never seen a team with less spine as this one.

04 Nov 2026 21:37:33
I think it is time to accept we are entering into our Manchester United post Fergie era.

04 Nov 2026 21:53:17
Who cares about tonight's game.

Do we know if opta have changed the shots on target for Sunday. That's the real outrage.

{Ed025's Note - quality JK..

04 Nov 2026 22:01:34
We would've been OK tonight, JK, if not for that pesky ref. He was corrupt.

04 Nov 2026 22:21:37
It's all slots fault and we should get Darwin back.

04 Nov 2026 22:26:01
Not worried about tonight's game. The only aim in this phase of the CL is to finish in the top 8 - otherwise it's irrelevant where you finish.

{Ed025's Note - nice bit of spin there Ron..maybe the players thought the same..

04 Nov 2026 22:33:05
Ron - it's about building a winning mentality and a team capable of going to tough environments and grinding out wins -atm we're miles away from that!

And top 8 in the CL is no way in the bag with that sort of display.

04 Nov 2026 22:44:33
It's also about managing workloads over 2 very busy months ahead.

{Ed025's Note - are you head of PR at LFC Ron.. :)

04 Nov 2026 22:46:08
I'd be worried about tonights game. It showed all the things that are wrong with this side. The only consolation was Nynois contribution.

04 Nov 2026 22:48:27
I never knew that losing is a good way to prepare for those busy two months ahead.

04 Nov 2026 22:53:59
you weren't watching last season?

04 Nov 2026 23:18:43
Last season is over. And I watched every bit of it. Unfortunately. Losing didn't get us anywhere then and it won't again this time around. We need to build mentality and confidence. We're sorely lacking in both and I cannot see a leader in the team to consolidate the team when either leading or trying to get out of a losing fight.

A team without those attributes isn't going to get very far. That's a job Iraola needs to fix and it's the most important one. IMO only.

05 Nov 2026 06:43:36
Ron you do know we are now in that top 8 by the skin of our teeth don't you?

05 Nov 2026 06:56:42
At what point are we going to start criticising Irola for the results. Just asking for a friend.

05 Nov 2026 07:27:08
Next season after he's had a chance to replace half the team.

05 Nov 2026 07:35:37
So you want to chnage half the team @War? Well then we would chave kept slot in charge and chnaged half the team.

05 Nov 2026 07:43:40
Sonic has a point though WM!

Iraola shouldn't get a free pass over performances like that. He's paid big bucks to get these players to perform and if he was under any illusions about how weak mentally this squad is he certainly knows now.
Time to get tough and a that means getting tough with a few big names that are clearly on the wain.
Our first loss last season away to Palace and people on here wanted Slot out at that very point and so there's no free ride at this level.

05 Nov 2026 07:54:56
V strange decision to play Barcola upfront when he could have started Koumas there and either given Barcola a rest or played him in his proper position.

05 Nov 2026 08:00:07
You can't make Ron captain. he don't speak English! Not now not never. Haas to be a scouser.

05 Nov 2026 08:27:22
I'm still waiting for the heavy metal football to return. It's better than last season but it's not even soft metal yet.
And I wonder how long it will take for Iraola to earn a new moniker like the one Slot got 🤔.


It's not the end of the world. We've had a bad few days but Iraola needs time. I didn't think I'd see the day when fans turn on Alisson. Again, he has earned the time to put things right.

05 Nov 2026 08:40:42
I wouldn't turn on Allison Rigsby. He's an all time great like Vyrgil BUT they are on the wain & it can be rapid,
What makes a great keeper is their instinct & reaction to situations, Ali is struggling but he's still the best we've got which isn't filling me with confidence.

05 Nov 2026 09:20:48
There's zero room for sentiment in professional football. Once Paisley saw a player on the wane, regardless of their past achievements or reputation they were out the door. Both VVD and Allison fall into that category. Come summer 27 they need replacing. That's not a slight on either of those 2 greats it's just reality.

05 Nov 2026 09:46:01
SG, I remember The Kop booing Phil Neal because he was on the wain and Bob Paisley still picking him.

05 Nov 2026 10:42:02
I can't say otherwise Rigsby. I wasn't there and I can't remember last month let alone 50 odd years ago!! I do think ED01 always thought Klopps big weakness was being over loyal to his stalwarts. We can't repeat that. But I'd certainly repeat every other thing he did when with us!! Anyway Onwards and Upwards!

05 Nov 2026 11:38:20
Paisley would replace you if he could sign someone better. That has to be the standard.

05 Nov 2026 11:44:36
Full head of hair fraud, doesn't have the same impact does it really, Rigsby?

05 Nov 2026 12:55:34
Iraola Out.

05 Nov 2026 16:03:20
Fair dos, SG, and not at all, Rome 😂.

04 Nov 2026 20:52:10
Liverpool teams can't be soft, but some of our senior players are absolutely spineless, and one or two are spineless and useless in equal measure.

Hope the club back AI to get rid of the wimps and bring in players with some guts.

04 Nov 2026 21:24:36
Would you care to name them?

04 Nov 2026 21:49:04
Sadiki, Camara and there are others.

05 Nov 2026 00:33:08
@Den, nice try and thank you for playing. Perhaps @Longthing was asking about the 'wimps'.

04 Nov 2026 20:25:10
The higher ups at Liverpool have a big decision to make concerning Alisson and Van Dijk. Both out of contract at the end of the season, and neither have shown they are worth keeping on. Both can't cut it at this level anymore, one is physically gone, the other has been played so far into the ground that he is no longer able to operate at former levels.

Difficult decision, but we need to rebuild, rather than retain players far past it.

We need a new right back (Should have been done this season). A new centre back (Hope in Ndwuke). A new left back (Tsimi couldn't hack Italy! Italy! Yet he was allowed to stay with us. A new left back should have been brought in this season). A 6 has been needed since Fabinho left and we still do not have this profile of player, despite all top teams having it.

Don't even get me started on the offensive unit. Complete mismatches and, worst, highly expensive. We will take a loss on these players in the future, and understandably so.

Extensive work needed, and hopefully, when the new owners take over majority ownership, they'll look to make their mark and get us back to where we need to be. Hughes and Edwards destroyed all of Klopp's work, but there is still time to rebuild. There will certainly be years of hurt, but with the right people, we can get there.

The worst thing I can say about this squad, is that it resembles Man United's period of buy for reputation, over consistent squad building. No thought for balance, just names, zero plan to integrate or with a thought for playing strategy.

Don't know whether to feel for Iraola or partly blame him, because I expected more from him, but I also expected him to be sufficiently backed. So a rather awkward position. Same issues persist, and I can not go through another season like the last, especially considering the mentality of the players we have.

04 Nov 2026 20:56:51
Couldn't agree more Mango

Our purchases are like a kid in a candy shop, with no apparent plan of how the individual pieces of the jigsaw would knit together.

We have seriously missed the boat on strengthening post Klopp's title winning side but have spent a lot of money to get our current squad.

04 Nov 2026 21:13:56
Our play has improved a great deal under Andoni, and he can only work with what he has.

I believe he'll take us back to something closer to what we were under Jurgen, although there will be some big-name casualties along the way. By and large, this team is too soft-centred.

04 Nov 2026 21:25:26
Can we give the sporting director time?

Arteta is now lauded but every year Arsenals fans were calling for his head
We need fullbacks and another midfielder
Replace Chiesa endo elliott (maybe Frimpong)
Look how many spaces that frees up

We need some windows an some time yes the money paid means it should be way faster but money doesn't mean guaranteed results
We were never going to win the league or champions league this season so relax let the man build this team.

04 Nov 2026 20:43:01
There's a distinct lack of mentality there Mango. Unfortunately.

05 Nov 2026 01:45:44
Extend VVD but have him as cover. sign a LCB. Let Ali go. Best keeper we ever had but he's been poor for quite some time now. Mamardashvilli isn't the answer maybe the Belgian kid is.

05 Nov 2026 08:01:01
Jaros.

05 Nov 2026 08:38:52
Mango, you talk about mentality and then say you can't go through another season like the last one!
You have to; it's football. Arsenal had years of it and look at what City might have to go through.
Look at United. Everton have one centre forward and that's Thierno Barry.

Spurs have been in a relegation battle for the past couple of seasons.
If your team has a big impact on your mood you have to accept disappointment.
I'm was disappointed last night but today's another day and we've another game on Sunday.

05 Nov 2026 12:58:29
Indeed, Postklopp re: Arteta. Man's in year 7 yet people want Iraola to do miracles in month 4 just because we spent a bunch last season with a manager who's no longer even here.

04 Nov 2026 20:15:49
It's time for the club to be ruthless in it's decision making. For me Ali and Virg need a huge send off in may along with Gomez. No new contracts. Big decisions need making at fullback and in that midfield.

04 Nov 2026 20:31:14
The most worrying thing is I don't think Andoni has got the bottle in him to make the above decisions, he's at the crossroads now it's on him to decide if we take the high road or the low road.

With Bonfire night being tomorrow, there's more than enough deadwood for a thousand Bonfires.

04 Nov 2026 20:42:10
Don't know where you get that from 007.

Iraola has got plenty of bottle.

04 Nov 2026 20:55:12
Is it realistic to get rid of the 3 of them next summer along with a LB, RB, possibly 2 midfielders and a striker needed? I'd keep Van Dijk and Allison because if we get the right personnel in the other positions both of those have experience and are driven to win trophies.
The only other option is to buy 2/3 players in January so they have time to settle and become regular starters before next season.


Otherwise it's going to be another summer of disappointment as 6/7 decent players won't be signed.
Please god they don't spend the summer chasing Olise and wasting all the transfer budget on him.

04 Nov 2026 22:18:48
Hello RK,

Then why did Becker play tonight after another howler on Sunday that's player loyalty and rewarding failure/mistakes. Sloboszlai first game back since injury played the full game went to RB (square pegs, round holes, slotball) why was Araujo kept on the bench all game, he should of come on for Dom when Isak got the lead, a fresh and experienced defender, and a better header of a ball. LFC had their backs to the wall, ideal time to take a brave decision with Ronald

There were no big expectations at Bournemouth, the expectations at LFC are huge. I want him to be totally successful, but he has to make the right decisions, not just hope on a wing and a prayer.

04 Nov 2026 22:28:45
I don't know why Becker played, maybe the manager doesn't judge him on one mistake in a game and instead judges him in training and compares him to the alternatives?

I do know it's a nonsense to challenge the manager's bottle.

Can't you stick to abusing the midfielders instead of the manager?

05 Nov 2026 06:55:02
Keep Virgil. But actually give him some rest instead of starting him what seems like every game. For club and country. Let Gomez and Alli go. Gomez should have been gone years ago and the only difference between Alli and other keepers now are the massive wages he's on.

{Ed025's Note - maybe you need a £100m+ keeper FM?..

05 Nov 2026 10:06:46
I'd give the lad Brughmans the shirt straight away Ed. Young Pecsi is also doing well in Austria.

{Ed025's Note - i think we have seen the best years of Alisson FM and im afraid time moves on, to be honest i think there is a dearth of good keepers now mate and i dont know why, maybe its because they all think they are footballers now playing intricate passes and having the odd dribble, they have to realize that they are in goal for a reason...they are crap at football and were usually last pick in the school team so got the gloves..

05 Nov 2026 13:01:45
Ron, stick to abusing midfielders? For some on here, abusing our players is their reason for being.

04 Nov 2026 19:46:51
No Araujo = No energy, No physicality, No passion and No desire.
Van Dijk is sleep walking through games and at times doesn't look interested.
The kids put the established internationals to shame.
I am afraid to say that Iraola's tactics are not going to work with some of these players.

04 Nov 2026 20:08:02
This is Edwards' team, with a few Klopp leftovers. I doubt Andoni would have chosen many of Edwards' signings.

I suspect Edwards was so opposed to Andoni because he knew his tactics wouldn't suit the players he'd assembled.

Alonso went from first choice to nowhere, rather unexpectedly, because he wasn't prepared to play within Edwards' vision for the team.

Behind the scenes, it's been a real mess, with constant changes and power struggles. I suspect FSG are selling partly because of this, but also because they realise that taking the club to the next level requires a number of factors to align.

Klopp, Ian and Edwards worked well together, but as many here have pointed out, Edwards' reputation was built on the shoulders of giants.

How and why he became so revered is partly down to publications like The Athletic, which often seemed little more than an FSG mouthpiece.

Jurgen and Ian were far more important to our success than Eddie.

04 Nov 2026 20:15:34
A coach should adapt their tactics to suit the players and to win matches, until they get the squad they need to suit their preferred tactics.

It's not even that clear what tactics we're deploying other than trying to be front foot and high energy. Defensively we're not great in European games and typically we don't score enough in the prem so it seems we can be the worst of both in the space of a few days, which is a recipe for failure.

04 Nov 2026 20:19:35
Agree totally. Massive couple of transfer windows coming up.
I really hope they back Iraola!

04 Nov 2026 20:20:44
But didn't Ai know the Liverpool squad when he agreed to come in as manager.

We were told he would improve everyone. Only players who have improved on last season is Isak who posters seem to hate and Macca, but apparently that has nothing to do with Ai and everything to do with him wanting a new contract.

04 Nov 2026 20:29:27
Macca was brilliant under Klopp and during the title-winning season. He was also brilliant for Argentina at times.

This level of performance is nothing new. The issue is that his form seems to oscillate between good seasons and bad ones.

The added motivation of playing for a big, dream move brings another dimension into the equation. Everyone knows how important the psychological side of things is in elite sport.

04 Nov 2026 20:53:53
Everything will be OK once Slot's gone.

04 Nov 2026 21:41:55
That dead horse is being flogged and flogged and flogged again.

04 Nov 2026 21:51:23
You can't reiterate a good point too much, Mcgov.

04 Nov 2026 22:29:40
Could be true Rome, give it a go 👍.

05 Nov 2026 08:13:06
I suppose I'll keep churning out the same stuff for as long as I banged on last season, saying it wasn't all down to Slot. I think that was about 8 months. So I reckon I've about another 5 months to continue to be an agitating git!

05 Nov 2026 08:54:32
Wasn't Edwards team also Klopp's team?
I don't get trying to distance your team from certain individuals that were a part of it or to put its success down to other individuals.
It's Iraola's team and he needs to work with it.
He's the Liverpool coach and he coaches Liverpool players not Edwards, Slot or Klopp players.


He needs time and I'm sure he will replace more Liverpool players with what he thinks are more suited but we can't keep doing it and resorting to the blame game when we lose.

04 Nov 2026 19:43:20
The team lacks real characters and leaders. Where's the spirit and quality from players on the highest wagebill in England?
This is a very poor Turkish side. We've a group, that if they feel the managers way isn't getting results, their heads drop and everyone drops a level.


There's no Gerrard in this squad that will save us. Why is Araujo an exception with his attitude than the rule? What are we doing here because these lads are winning us nothing.
I believe this is a dressing room problem than quality. There's more than enough quality to win this match.

04 Nov 2026 19:49:04
The senior players let the team down today. Horrible performance.

04 Nov 2026 19:49:50
No idea what we're going to do. Szob doesn't seem to lead, virg is past it, lots of players just go invisible in these games.

04 Nov 2026 20:07:11
Dean this has been a common theme even before slot. Klopp had to go mental at them to perform to what was required.
I said this before. We need characters. I don't know if he's signed an actual Contract renewal yet but I'd want bellingham in and screaming at fellow teammates.


It's not good enough and Allison looks half asleep.
You can't carry anyone. I hope those above andoni are already planning to make moves to Improve Where's needed.

04 Nov 2026 20:54:16
We are second on wage bill after city. Look at Arsenal who are very well drilled and fight for eachother. We need a few leaders in the team.

04 Nov 2026 19:42:31
A real rubbish away performance

And another big sign that this time
Is far too weak to rotate too much

Plain and simple.

04 Nov 2026 19:38:29
Has something happened to Alisson that I'm not aware of??

04 Nov 2026 19:43:54
He needs replacing.

04 Nov 2026 19:45:40
He's got old.

04 Nov 2026 20:08:47
If he keeps this up, it's definitely his farewell season. If the club think mamadashvilli is the answer we'll turn into United and waste years with poor recruitment.

04 Nov 2026 20:11:42
I think he wanted out last summer but was talked into staying. No doubt he's aware of his declining performances.

04 Nov 2026 22:42:54
Who would replace Ali? Is Marma good enough? If not who? I really don't know.

05 Nov 2026 08:03:55
Jaros.

04 Nov 2026 19:29:15
This is worrying. Liverpool are playing as badly as they did last season.

Jacquet has had a stinker. 2nd game in a row he's made a mistake that will cost the team. he's a young lad who has been fantastic up until the last week but he looks like he's got a mistake in him and may need a little time out the team on Saturday. Palace at the weekend is a must win. Cannot fail to beat a team that is massively struggling.

04 Nov 2026 19:35:33
He's been awful tonight but what did he do at the weekend? That was Ali fault.

04 Nov 2026 19:40:57
Jacquet has probably been our best defender overall. VVD and Alisson need to have a look at themselves.

04 Nov 2026 19:42:12
At this point, any thought of a contract extension for Ali needs to be revoked. He is genuinely costing us, can't even make simple decisions without messing them up. He's done.