Liverpool Banter

06 Apr 2026 09:57:49
I was hoping he was being serious. Can't take much more of this! 😞.

06 Apr 2026 07:57:23
Have we got a world class player in the squad anymore? Wirtz show glimpses now and then and under a new manager mite unlock that like he does for Germany. Isak again looked no where near when he joined but totally unfit and very unlucky with a bad injury.

Salah is finished as is VVD, Alisson can’t stay fit and his kicking is not there anymore. We have a World Cup winner that is weaker than my Nan. I’d say no we haven’t yet.

{Ed078's Note - I understand your point. Alison's injury record is by no means the worst, but not great. That withstanding, I'm not saying he's the best in the world, but IMO he's in the top one :)
Agree re Salah. VVD is not exactly finished, but the focus on his errors are based upon years of being the best in the world, unfairly putting a spotlight on him that others don't have to bear.
From an LFC perspective, only time will tell with Isak.
Wirtz? Hmm. I wasn't worried about his adaption to the PL at the beginning of the season, I'm still not worried about his apparent lack of "stats". I think there are very few teams that he wouldn't walk in to. I think he is the most gifted and intelligent player we have.
Sboz. His recent scandal aside, he is a top midfielder. Energetic and committed, the sweetest strike around, a workhorse engine.
Grav. Last season, one of the top DM's around. What's changed? Tactics, motivation, who knows.
The phrase "world class" is often so unhelpful. Think about it, of all the thousands of really good pros plying their trade, only a handful could be described as "world class". How many of those can one team claim to have?

06 Apr 2026 08:34:01
Isak is probably the closest we have, but we haven’t seen him in a red shirt. The rest, no, other than Ali when fit.

What we do have added to that is about three or four who are often first choice internationals in their positions in strong international teams, in Wirtz, VVD, Grav, and Macca.



So we have six who should be top drawer, plus Szob and Kerkez.

They’re not necessarily world beaters, but there’s a strong core that shouldn’t be getting beaten by four several times a season.

06 Apr 2026 08:44:38
If you're winning Bundesliga best player twice, you're on the cusp of world class.

06 Apr 2026 08:43:33
Virgil and Ibou need help. If we're going to push all the midfielders so far up the pitch, we need to press from the front aggressively and not retreat into this weird passive mid block that we have, everybody needs to engage the ball instead of hanging around and thinking we can defend purely through zones and numbers. Virgil isn't young anymore and he can't defend an entire half of the field on his own, expecting him to do anything close to that is just asking for trouble. I'm sure, or at least I'm hoping, that he has indicated to the coaching staff that he needs help and that he isn't getting any younger.

I can only assume that Slot thinks that this team can't press high and aggressively on a consistent basis, which is why he doesn't do it. We have shown that we can do it to devastating effect in certain games, but maybe the cost physically is so high that given our lack of rotation options, we immediately look knackered the next game/Slot drops the high press for something more conservative if we have two or three games a week.

The 4-4-2 with players spaced closer together and everybody knowing their jobs when it comes to squeezing the player in possession high up the field and forcing them into traps, with two forwards running the channels in behind and looking to receive balls early over the top or through the lines, the lines much closer together out of possession and the center halves jumping up to make up the numbers in midfield off the ball has given us our best performances this year, but because of injuries or lack of fitness we haven't been able to see it consistently for more than a game at a time.

I don't think it's a matter of whether we have world class players, but of the overall shape that masks each players deficiencies while accentuating their strengths. When the spacing is better Grav doesn't need to play passes that he can't execute, he can either turn and leave a defender in the dust if they are getting too close to him, or do a simple 6 yard pass to somebody else. Macca doesn't need to cover huge amounts of grass that he clearly can't cover. Wirtz has runners in behind, Ibou can play on the front foot engaging players (which is where he is best) and isn't marooned on an island in possession trying to figure out how to pass to, Mo can stay tucked in the half space and doesn't have to start out wide trying to beat two defenders, we can more effectively cluster around players pressing when we lose the ball.

When we've lined up like this, everybody's job is easier and everybody looks good, even Macca has looked back to his best in such situations because he isn't left exposed trying to do things that he can't do.

I personally think that the problems with this team aren't that the players are not as good as we think, I think they are as good or close to as good as they have been, it's that they haven't been playing in a structure that makes up for their deficiencies and puts them consistently in positions where they can make the most impact on or off the ball. A lot of that has to do with Slot, yes, and overall fitness has a lot to do with it as well (not all of that is the coaching team's fault either, Ekitike for example is still acclimating himself to the league physically and playing two games a week is clearly a stretch for him), but the stop start situation with injuries also doesn't help.

06 Apr 2026 08:58:26
At their peak VVD and Mo were undoubtedly world class. Their brilliance week in week out made them icons, and if you were picking a world 11 they'd be in it or around it.

Isak and Wirtz would be in the conversation, but we've not seen Isak, and Wirtz is far too inconsistent at the moment.

He probably needs another two or three years to reach his peak level and he simply needs to do more each week.

If we had a world class coach we'd be doing better.

06 Apr 2026 09:36:27
I think Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez, Leoni and Gravenberch all have the potential to be world class. No amount of potential is a guarantee though. They need to keep working at it. I think Szoboszlai already is world class and he's proven it time and time again in big games this season; he reminds me of David Beckham is his prime, as he is capable of winning a game with a moment of sheer magic and also does a deceptive amount of work out of possession. Isak and Alisson are world class when they're fit, which is unfortunately not that often this season. If both of them can get back on the pitch next season, though, that will be a huge boost.

Van Dijk and Salah were definitely world class, but not anymore. The really disappointing thing is Macca and Konate, I think, had the potential to be world class.

There is a reason why a team like Real Madrid was interested in the the both of them. Their drop off this season has been as sharp as the drop from Virgil and Salah, though, and they're still in their mid twenties so it makes absolutely no sense to me. Application in training, maybe?

All these players need is a manager who will get them fit and get them playing at a higher tempo. They've been asked all season to conserve energy and play at half pace for some stupid reason, and now we're reaping the seeds that were sown. We have a team miles off the pace of the football at this stage of the season who've lost all belief in the manager and his tactics.

06 Apr 2026 09:47:56
If we were to name a current world 11 starting line up, only Allison makes it. If we include subs, maybe Isak, Witz or Szoboszlai, at a push.

06 Apr 2026 10:13:46
No.8, that's only your definition of "world class" though. It is a largely subjective term in a football context. World class means something different to every football fan. If you asked every football fan on the planet to name all of the world class players in the world, I reckon you'd get well over 10 million different combinations/lists.

I've always considered it to be the top 10 in the world in your position. That's just my own criteria though based loosely on the Cambridge Dictionary definition of world-class which is "Someone or something world-class is one of the best that there are of that type in the world". According to that definition you do not have to be the best, you simply have to be among the best of that type. You have to break it down by position, because how do you compare a GK to a striker? I also don't think you can limit it to one player per position by saying they have to make a World XI, because doing that would mean that Salah was never world class (as he was behind Messi for virtually his whole career) but someone like Ashley Cole was world class because he was the best LB in an era of quite poor left backs in general.

Was Ashley Cole a better footballer than prime Salah?

I think the criteria for what is world class in football has been warped in recent years anyway. It's been overused at times because the younger generations love hyperbolics (legend, hero etc) but also due the emergence of Messi and Ronaldo who were simply in their own league way above world class, what world class actually is has become even more subjective and muddled. Are Messi and Ronaldo actually the only world class players in the last 30 years? Nobody else even comes close to their sheer levels of output and dominance in the Ballon d'Or conversations.

06 Apr 2026 10:25:55
I'd take a high functioning team over world class players.

06 Apr 2026 10:28:34
I don't agree with it, but I don't think the average football fan would have Ali as No. 1.

I still think he's the best. Dom, Isak and Wirtz are knocking on the door. Vvd and Salah have dropped out of the discussion in the past year or so.

06 Apr 2026 10:33:36
Not having a dig at your opinions, MK, but not a cat in hells chance is Szob world class. Given he has stood out in probably the worst performing Liverpool team in a decade, also some fans calling for him to be captain, not a chance he's a poor man's Gini for me.

06 Apr 2026 10:38:40
This season no one has been world class. Last season, Alisson, Vvd, Grav n esp Salah was playing at world class level. We got a few who potentially could be, Wirtz, Isak, Slob maybe Grav if he played in his natural position, but I think whats more important for the team is work horses like Hendo, Milly, Fab, thats what we really need.

06 Apr 2026 10:41:05
Consistency makes a player world class, and at the moment Szob is the only player who comes into that bracket. At times this season, Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak and Grav have shown their potential world class ability, they have just lacked the consistency and the continuity to keep them all fit together.
If we can add a Diomande to the attack for sheer pace, and shore up the defence with a fit Allison, with at least 4 players who can tackle and stay in a position to defend, we should be okay. Let's hope next season we can move on players and coaches who need moving on.

06 Apr 2026 10:42:33
I would love to see an in-depth investigation on how we have got to where we are in such a short period of time. In all honesty, we are playing like a team fighting relegation, and the players look like they believe we're finished.
There has to be a reason behind this, yes we can blame everyman and his dog, but there has to be something wrong within the football club, and it needs to be given the resources and time to find out what it is. YNWA.

06 Apr 2026 04:59:30
You know what, I get what Dom was asking for. I don't agree with it, but I get it. Team was down and he hoped that fans would just applause even if that was a ridiculously bad performance. He expected it from fans cuz he is not getting anything from the club, there is no support from within the club, no reviews, no discussion and players also don't look totally behind each other.

So he hoped fans were still behind him.

I think it boils down to maturity and realising as a man you are always alone when the odds are stacked against you.

He should bloody well know at LFC YNWA, but no, you won't get applauded for bad performances.

06 Apr 2026 08:05:19
You obviously don't know LFC YNWA of old mate.

I remember many occasions at Anfield where the crowd would roar with support when we went a goal down. I'd even seen the crowd applaud the opposition for a great performance.

I'm sure Szob probably regrets his actions that would have been in the moment when he was probably feeling very frustrated/embarrassed etc.

06 Apr 2026 08:05:26
Dom is one of the few players that have been praised this season. Also, the fans he was making faces at and gesturing to were those fans that stayed and supported to the end.
He deserves criticism for it. Fair play to Chiesa (I think) for trying to stop him.

06 Apr 2026 08:15:19
I think we Liverpool fans are among the most supportive around, and have been particularly supportive all season. There is a point though where feelings are let known, and that point is now. Surely, he doesn't expect us to applaud heinously bad performances week in week out. He's made a poor judgment call in having a go at the hand that feeds him, when his frustration should have been aimed towards his fellow underperforming players, and at Slot and the board.

He's gone down in my estimation as a player and should know his place. It's not the fans' fault we are getting spanked week in week out.

06 Apr 2026 09:03:10
I still don't really get why what Dom did was so bad.

To me, there is a lot of emotion on all sides.

The idea that Dom should just sink his head and walk off the pitch is as stupid as is the idea that the fans should send the players off the field with a standing ovation after watching that tepid performance.



Obviously, the reality is somewhere in the middle, but the fallout since has been way over the top to me.

06 Apr 2026 09:09:19
I thought yet again Chiesa shows his class by trying to calm Szob down and take him away. Where was the captain?

05 Apr 2026 22:06:40
Been reflecting on the last few weeks and players' attitudes culminating with Szob at the weekend. Won’t talk about Slot as enough has been said about him and sooner he goes the better.

If we missed out on champs and had an exodus of players wanting to leave personally I wouldn’t be fussed. With Salah, Virg and Ali coming to the end I don’t think there is a single world class player left in the team who couldn’t be replaced.

My view is have a massive clear out in the summer and anyone who wants to go let them. There is not a single player other than maybe Szob who has shown any desire when the chips are down so as talented as some others may be they are not indispensable.



Lastly Wirtz, should be the difference maker in our team but I don’t think I’ve seen a player more suited to City or a Barcelona tiki taka style of play. Prefer pretty patterns and making the right pass over taking a risk and doing something decisive. Not a match winner and needs a fully functioning team around him to perform. We need some serious pace and power in the middle of the park to compensate having him as a 10 or it will never work.

For all the money spent the team needs a total revamp in terms of energy but most importantly attitude. If we don’t get it right this summer I don’t think we will see success any time soon no matter who the coach is.

05 Apr 2026 22:34:16
Agree with all of that.

05 Apr 2026 22:38:51
Going into a season with a slow squad perfect to line up as a 4/4/2 diamond, compact midfield, overlapping wide fullbacks.

And then try operating a 4/3/3 without replacing any speed. Didn't replace Diaz, didn't use Rio whatsoever.

Then get to January, knowing the right back area was a serious problem, seeing mostly midfielders playing there, and refusing to go into the market.



It was set up to fail. From day one. And not once have we tried to change anything. Not the tempo, the fitness, the style, the formation, the players, or the manager.

And now, all the excuses have been used up. They've started to blame the Liverpool fans.

Disgrace, mate. FSG need to wake up.

05 Apr 2026 23:05:49
We have some good players who will have great careers.
Isak is class. He just needs a pre-season and to play in the right tactical set up.
Wirtz has ability in abundance. He will step up next season.
Hugo has shown a lot of promise.
Kerkez is looking good now.
Leoni and Jacquet are very highly rated.

There's plenty of players to feel positive about.

06 Apr 2026 02:02:41
You're missing out on a vital point, a mass exodus of players puts us in an extraordinarily difficult position. It's irrelevant as to whether you think players can be replaced or not. In fact, no player is irreplaceable, the real issue is the inconvenience and difficulty in replacing them, and that will be amplified x100 if we miss out on CL and our best players start looking for moves. We will be a far less attractive project, making it extremely difficult to replace outgoings adequately. It's not like the old days when scouts could find gems for pittance, nowadays we don't go near players unless "computer says yes". This makes us far too slow to secure signings that could have been had for half the price had we moved at the right time instead of waiting for the data men to gather enough stats. Look at Olise and Semenyo, could have had the pair of them for less than 100 mill had we moved on our initial interest, you wouldn't get either of them for 100 mil now.

Konate has 1 foot out the door, probably Macca too, Salah's gone, so is Robbo, that's 4.

Dom still hasn't renewed, and he's on everybody's radar, he's clearly fed up and would likely jump at a move to Madrid if we continue to drown. If PSG or similar came knocking for Hugo, are you confident he wouldn't down tools? I'm sure many teams would jump at a cut price Isak after his nightmare season and I'm guessing the idea of a fresh start in sunny Barcelona is very appealing to him right now. Virgil's probably contemplating Saudi, and Alisson would likely be gone this summer if we didn't have that extension up our sleeve.

Whether or not you'd be bothered by any of the above looking for moves, based on your own perceived notion of a lack of quality or desire, is completely irrelevant, you should be bothered because of how it affects the club and the difficulties it presents.

We already have considerable moves to make in the market this summer, we really don't need to add to that headache.

Florian, not a peep out of you for 2 days. Nice of you to rear your head and tentatively chime in on a post that shoots down the players.

06 Apr 2026 04:35:12
What Ron said.

I will caveat that by saying there isn't an outfield player who I'd lose sleep over if they left. Wind back a few years, the thought of losing Bobby, Sadio, Mo, Virgil, Ali would have been unthinkable. When Coutinho left it felt like a big loss.



Fast forward to now, I'd keep Ali, Virgil, Kerkez, Dom, Wirtz, Hugo, Isak of our first XI. I'd be rid of Konate, MacAllister and Gravenberch stat. All lazy and don't give a toss. Not Liverpool players.

06 Apr 2026 08:16:51
Guys, look at Carrick. He has turned that club around with the same players Amorim had. Why can't a new manager do the same and then get rid of a few rotten eggs in the summer?

06 Apr 2026 08:24:20
Look process of re building starts with having a conscience and understanding where you went wrong and then reacting and rectifying the mistakes.
I don't see hughes and edwards capable enough to realise the mistakes with their ego and its almost like players have given up too.

So now we have to first change Edward Hughes and slot. Then add a couple of players - a solid CB and a RW and then see where we are. There is no immediate solution and throwing money at players very rarely has ever worked for majority of clubs in our situation.

Here is my step by step
1. Sack Edwards and get Jorg back

2. Sack Hughes and identify a new business guy

3. Get a coach in - someone like Alonso or better

4. Bid farewell for vvd but get some money for him

5. Bid farewell to Salah. But keep him close so he can visit matches and keep the spirits around the club.

6. Sell macca for 100m ( only to get the funds parked in case we loose out on CL next season)

7. Get a new CB - experienced lad like Lacroix schloterback

8. Get a RW - olise will be impossible without CL so wait a season.

9. Sort out pricing of tickets

10. Sort out academy - revamp entire structure around kiddies and invest in grass roots level.

11. Get a new branding deal that can cover some costs of the losses we are bound to make with no CL

12. Sort out every impending contract renewal, if players are not willing to sign, they are not are for sale.

06 Apr 2026 09:15:59
Exactly, RedTom, Utd players all playing well and looking happy and in the top 3. Those same players were being slaughtered by their fans who also thought all should be sold. And that team of players hadn't won the PL last season.

06 Apr 2026 09:25:02
Agree with the thread of what you're saying, Cafu. Need to be a miracle worker to get above £60m for Macca though!

06 Apr 2026 09:56:37
Brummy, with all due respect, I have to assume you've never seen Wirtz play for Leverkusen or Germany before. He took full ownership of making things happen when he was given the freedom and license to express himself and take risks. He regularly used to beat players and take on shots from range. Now he seems like he is under instruction to keep possession rather than try to play with cutting edge or directness.

It is no coincidence that Kerkez went from a flying wing back who was constantly overlapping and whipping in crosses, to someone who plays more passes to Van Dijk than anyone else in the side. It is no coincidence that Szoboszlai and Gravenberch have stopped carrying the ball through the lines.

Everything is disjointed, and nobody is trying to make things happen because they're obsessed with their horseshoe passing pattern. LW, to LB, to CB, to the other CB, to RB, to RW, to RB, to CB, to the other CB, to LB, and back to LW. Rinse and repeat until Gakpo or Salah have had enough and lose possession trying to dribble past a full back or shoot through a crowd. It's so predictable. Watch out for it next time you watch one of our games, we follow this exact pattern repeatedly. Sometimes, with the odd CM dropping in with the CB's to try and get a touch of the ball. It's abysmal, and I'm not sure what Wirtz is supposed to do in such a slow and turgid set up.

06 Apr 2026 09:57:16
I agree on Gakpo being dropped, but what has Rio done other than step overs? The goal at Newcastle is the only thing he's really done. Yes, he brings speed, but if there's no end product, it's just speed and tricks, and before anyone has a go, I know he's a kid.

06 Apr 2026 10:01:13
You paint an exaggerated picture, Chewy.