Liverpool Banter 3

13 Mar 2026 18:51:59
Surprised Slot saying we haven't been consistent this season.

I'd say that's the one thing we actually have been.

We've been consistently pretty crap all season long, give or take a game or two where we played decent. Could easily count them on one hand.

13 Mar 2026 20:29:30
I agree, Davey. 😂 Could've never predicted how bad this season was gonna be in summer. How they got it so wrong I'll never know.

I just assumed coz we got Wirtz and both Isak n Ekitike that we'd be building the team around them in the 442 diamond.

When you put that formation on paper, we currently have a massive squad with so, so many options off the bench.

And yet, for some reason we've gone with a 433, which makes it feel like we have zero bench and a load of players playing out of position. It's totally bizarre to me, and what baffles me the most is it's not worked the whole season and we're still not changing anything. 😂 🤷🏻‍♂️

So slow and boring, consistently.

13 Mar 2026 21:05:50
Davey, for me I can't remember one outstanding performance, and I think the half decent performances are probably more down to how poor the other sides were in them games like Madrid and Villa.

13 Mar 2026 21:19:41
The performances have been pretty bad. I know two former captains who have said the same. B

13 Mar 2026 22:56:14
Remember this line?

We're not going to defend the title, we're going to attack it!

13 Mar 2026 23:04:25
Not even a full hand, Davey.

LFC8, same here... When Arne Slot was dropping a very in-form Ekitike for a rusty Isak with zero preseason, I was screaming for a 442 diamond. How the man can't see simple things like that, or is too stuck in his ways to adjust, showed me early on how out of his depth he is.

13 Mar 2026 23:25:50
To be fair, Lenny, at the start of the season, I think we did try to attack it, but then the other teams attacked us, and we got spanked a few times, so it had to change.

14 Mar 2026 12:15:47
Davey, I don't know how you and others deal with listening to this guy speak. Really, I'm struggling.

13 Mar 2026 18:02:02
I recommend Fowlers Sports, LFC TV and YouTube, short sketch show.

13 Mar 2026 21:02:35
It's brilliant.

13 Mar 2026 21:11:34
Might be cheesy, but I haven't smiled so much in weeks watching that! Love Robbie Fowler.

13 Mar 2026 22:18:24
So good. A ray of happiness in crap season.

13 Mar 2026 22:57:10
The Frimpong bit had me a wee chuckle.

14 Mar 2026 11:30:02
This ain't getting anywhere near enough coverage.

Nicely done. Loved Rushie at the end "we're going to Tockie!"

13 Mar 2026 17:56:58
What happened with slot from winning the league? Did we all think he was great last season, with the training, fitness of the team, tactics changing the system when needed, to this season looking like he is out of his depth?

13 Mar 2026 18:38:00
It's a bit of everything, I don't think we can pinpoint one exact flaw that's caused this monumental failure of a season.

But if I had to say the exact time where the most damage was done, it was deliberately getting knocked out of the League Cup at home in front of 60,000 of our own.

13 Mar 2026 18:49:17
I think it's that he's allowed the standards to slip. He came in and suddenly was calling out players for poor performances, and being decisive, subbing those or dropping those. Now he's playing players who have been poor for months, and blaming the schedule, the low block, the long ball, the opposition changing their own tactics to make things difficult.

Last season he was ruthless and honest. This season he's a snake oil salesman. Doesn't help that the bloody Spice Boys are back, but I suppose he's probably allowed the club/players to do that; in short, he's given them the rope and they've strung him up.

13 Mar 2026 20:27:09
Defo a touch of Spice Boys about us.

13 Mar 2026 21:15:51
I think last season, early on in games, what was quite regular was we started poorly, even the first game against Ipswich, and it was a revert back to Klopp style high press football, and we turned things round in those games. As the season went on I thought tiredness
kicked in, and the players had a drop off, but judging by this season I would guess more that the fitness levels have gone down, and now we struggle to press too high, with no pressure on the ball, with opposition players having time to pick out space and runners getting space to run into, and we look wide open.


Individual errors have been rife, and that will probably go down to players not being fit enough, and that's why so many late goals have gone in against us.

13 Mar 2026 21:36:40
My thoughts have become that Slot brought a methodical element that initially blended very well. Klopp's ideas were still there, and the squad blended the new ideas nicely with that.

The greater distance to Klopp's ideas we get, the worse we have been getting.



It started midway through last season. It does really look like we need to change this quickly now. It really doesn't seem to be working out.

13 Mar 2026 22:13:14
Slot was a breath of fresh air last season. Sometimes, under Klopp, we needed to slow it down a bit. We were always on the attack even when we didn't need to be. Slot got it spot on, made the right subs, got a bit of luck n seemed perfect for us, but this season has been nothing short of a disaster.

Terrible football, terrible results, bored fans n nobody seeing any positives. Roll on next season, new manager, new idea. We've got the players n one or two more right additions and we will be fine.

13 Mar 2026 23:28:40
I'd say in its simplest form, Slot overcoached the team in a way that doesn't suit the league and the players.

Last season, we had the perfect mix of Klopp's aggressive, high-energy attacking football and Slot's more organised defensive solidity.

Then came this season, where Slot completely coached the team into his style and away from Klopp's.

That, coupled with other things like low fitness levels and an unbalanced squad, totally killed us.

Sadly, Slot is too stubborn and stuck in his ways, so there was no return to previous winning ways, and I don't think he'll change, hence why I believe he needs to go.

Slot would probably do alright in Spain or Italy with his style, but not in the EPL.

14 Mar 2026 12:18:39
Fully agree, Strom. I loved the way Slot coached and managed the team. Sure, we needed a bit of luck but that's baked in if you're gonna win a title. Slot was the guy and even tho we later struggled to finish the season, Slot and the guys had gotten the job done.



Sadly, as you can read, there is a whole lot of "was" in the paragraph above.

13 Mar 2026 09:52:32
Ed001, any thoughts on Bodø/ Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen, he's really getting some fantastic displays and results from his team. One to watch in the future or have you heard of any teams interested in taking him on sooner, maybe this summer?

{Ed001's Note - he has worked miracles there, but you have to wonder how he would cope with egos and not being in total control of everything like he is there. Added to that, he is very settled there, he gets a percentage cut of all transfers, so I am not sure he will look to move anywhere, despite having plenty of offers over recent years. I know he was considered as the Alonso replacement by Leverkusen, but they failed to convince him to leave.}

13 Mar 2026 10:34:28
I've watched them a few times now and the players don't half have some self belief. He's really getting the most out of them. Plus, they are really entertaining to watch. Would love to see him take on another team of underdogs in the prem to see if he can do it again. Would love to watch one of his teams on a regular basis.

13 Mar 2026 12:03:36
Wow percentage cut of transfers! That sounds like a good gig. I've not heard of that before.

13 Mar 2026 13:00:17
To be fair, Long thing, Alex Ferguson and co have a similar thing at United, hence why the players they sign are always from the same small pool of agents for extortionate fees.

{Ed001's Note - no he didn't have a cut from the club at all, which is why he wanted all the youth players to sign for his son's agency etc. And he would get envelopes from agents, but the club never formalised a cut in his contract.}

13 Mar 2026 14:59:19
The secret to Bodo Glimt's success is not just the manager but the team, the fact that it is balanced, that the players have been hand-picked by the manager as they buy into the philosophy, are all pulling in the same direction, and would run through brick walls for the manager.

Sound familiar?

Makes you wonder why so many clubs persist with the DoF model, foisting players onto a manager who does not want them or know how to use them.

{Ed001's Note - because it is very difficult to find a manager with a long term plan, usually they just look at the current season and that is not the best way to run a football club.}

13 Mar 2026 15:05:00
Even if he did go to Leverkusen he'd still have a Glimt in his eye.

13 Mar 2026 15:47:09
Bodo-mtss.

13 Mar 2026 16:51:44
At Bodo they brought in a former airline pilot who studied psychology
and he worked with the players he drilled into the players not to worry about the score but to concentrate on their positions on the pitch and team work together to achieve their aim as a unit.

And having watched Bodo on TV you can see how the psychology installed into the players works it does not seem to bother them which system teams play against them they stick to their shape and team work. YNWA

Maybe Liverpool players need someone from the same ilk psychologist?

14 Mar 2026 12:19:41
Wait Ed01, is all that even legal?

{Ed001's Note - which bit?}

13 Mar 2026 08:56:22
So we have YLFP. We have STC. I definately think we need to adopt the WGB as described by VV.

Weapons grade bellend.

Can't wait to see this when referencing anything Man U. Pickford, Tarkowski, Neville.

13 Mar 2026 09:48:12
I'm all for this.

13 Mar 2026 10:30:55
Is there a translator around?

13 Mar 2026 10:45:35
Has anyone got a scooby what that means?

13 Mar 2026 10:56:27
Well, if you have been on the site in the last 6 months...

YLFP - Young lad from Parma.

STC - Silver tongued charlatan (Hughes).

And WGB was described in the post.

13 Mar 2026 11:11:38
Okay, so YLFP and STC I understand, referencing individuals. But WGB? Are people now just going to post a list of capital letters, and let posters work out the content?

13 Mar 2026 11:24:30
RTFP - As said by a legend of these parts!

13 Mar 2026 11:39:50
WTf***??

13 Mar 2026 11:45:23
Gaga, WGB is in reference to last night and ViktorVaughan posting that Camavinga was a Weapon Grade Bellend.

Scroll a bit further down and you'll find what it's about, mate.

13 Mar 2026 11:45:28
At least with RTFP everyone knew the meaning. Thankfully, I never received one.

13 Mar 2026 13:32:52
I don't. What does it mean?

13 Mar 2026 14:29:22
What about the SOLFP who went to City in the end?

13 Mar 2026 18:02:10
Sounds like a bunch of millennials texting each other.

13 Mar 2026 20:31:39
The acronyms are boring. Just say it as it is. Many of us weren't born in the smartphone era.

14 Mar 2026 12:20:23
Who is STC?

14 Mar 2026 17:43:10
Silver Tongued Charmer = Richard Hughes.

13 Mar 2026 07:14:29
For the sake of consistency and plan to have less change than last summer, I think our current squad needs only 4 additions this summer (still quite a bit of change but not what some would hope for in here)

CB we are covered. VVD to see out his final year, Jacquet, Leoni, Gomez and one of the two other youngsters we bought to fight for the two places.

RB 100% we need one. Dumfries, Gertruida, would be cheaper options and short term cover, Kayode much more expensive but with a greater chance of growing with the current team/ squad and becoming a regular starter.

My Choice= Kayode £40-50m

LB 100% we need a back-up unless the club rate Beck enough?

My Choice= Not sure on this one?

CM 100% we need an upgrade on MacAllister and I back Ed001 on Sadiki or maybe Stiller, or Ederson from Atalanta
MacAllister to be sold, Grav to play DM full time, and McConnell to rejoin the squad as back-up would be just fine in my opinion.

My Choice= Sadiki or Stiller happy with either.

RW 100% time to say goodbye to one of our greatest ever, Mo Salah take a bow. Diomande from Leipzig to be brought in, would have the same of better impact to the Semenyo uplift City have witnessed.

Only one choice it has to be Diomande 👍

Most will say we need a left winger too, and whilst I admit Gakpo is disappointing too many times, he is still a decent player if we play to his strengths. I'm certainly not wanting the likes of Fofana for the left,

13 Mar 2026 09:40:57
Gravenberch DM? The same player who can't or won't tackle or head the ball, and doesn't want to play DM.
What happened to midfielders who could do more or less everything?
Tackle, pass, box to box, win headers, and read the game?
And today's players are supposed to be so much better.

13 Mar 2026 10:00:24
They were given an easy way out the minute all this 6, 8 and 10 nonsense came into the game. I blame Makelele. 😁

13 Mar 2026 10:10:10
We will bring in a top-level centre back if Konate leaves, relying on just Gomez and Leoni (not sure how he will recover from the injury) as backup is a dangerous game to play.

13 Mar 2026 10:39:36
For the sake of consistency? Why on Earth would we want to remain at this level of consistency? The team has been awful for over 12 months. Salah, MacAllister, Konate, Mama, Robbo, and Gakpo will likely leave in the summer, with the possibility of maybe Gomez as well.

We need 2 CBs who can challenge to start games, preferably one who can play to cover RB as well, another LB, a DM, a replacement for Mo, and a replacement for Gakpo. There's 6 straight off the bat.

13 Mar 2026 07:08:26
Question for Eds. In the last two games there have been too many examples where Konate and VVD as a pairing aren't applying the basics when defending.
I've coached many kid's footy sessions on pressure, cover and balance and how to defend as a unit from u10 level.
Why is it that Konate regularly abandons this basic principle and either leaves too big a gap from his defensive unit by just wandering off and moving in the direction of the ball rather than maintaining the shape of the unit and moving Collectively.


This looks wrong on so many levels. Suggests lacks of awareness, lack of communication, lack of concentration, lack of football intelligence etc.
There were so many examples of this v galatasary that made me wonder who's to blame and why does it keep happening. I'd have thought post game analysis would highlight this issue but it seems to be a bad habit that's repeated once or more during a game.

{Ed001's Note - it is the way Konate plays. He has the brains of a cabbage, a complete lack of concentration and only talks about 'fashion'. Added to the poor coaching discipline currently at the club, which means he is not being drilled enough in shape and positioning etc, he is just devolving as a player.

Klopp used to get round it by playing the high press to ensure opponents were constantly under pressure, so were not as able to pick out the spaces left vacant by his wanderings. Without that pressure, we get targeted and Virgil then runs away, rather than trying to maintain cohesion high up the pitch, leaving massive spaces behind the midfield.}

13 Mar 2026 09:15:17
We have never properly replaced Matip.

Not world class, but I would take him in a heartbeat.

13 Mar 2026 11:02:44
I rated Matip as well. Just not sure he would be any better in our setup than what we are seeing currently.

13 Mar 2026 11:06:48
Matip was a top class defender, he was intelligent, could read the game well, technically excellent, and could actually defend (brilliant in the air too).

13 Mar 2026 13:39:54
I agree, just a bit injury prone. Top player, though.

13 Mar 2026 19:02:23
I've been saying exactly that Ed. We are kind of in between a high press and a mid block. The attack try to press but aren't very good at it so the defender can get their head up which makes VVD panic and drop off way to deep and all the time Konate is away with the fairies not realising or reacting to anything.

The midfield try to support the half press so go forward whilst VVD is backing off so it leaves acres of space between the defence and midfield whilst Konate is away with fairies not realising or reacting to anything.

Then the defender has so many options because he's not under enough pressure so can get his head up and one pass through the middle opens us right up and they are at the back 4.

They can even pump a ball up to the centre forward because even if VVD wins it we have no one in front of the defence to pick up the pieces so they win the second ball and are at the back 4.

None of the back 4 retreat with VVD so they can run off Konate and play a ball over the top with VVD keeping them onside.

There was a prime example of our disjointed press on Tuesday. Szob and Ekitike were the forward pressers and their keeper had the ball. He played it to the left back which triggered Szob to start the press and run to the left back. He actually pointed to the keeper asking Ekitike to block the pass back to the keeper but Ekitike just stood there motionless. Szob then had to bend his run to stop the pass back to the keeper which allowed the left back to get his head up and play the ball forward to a Gala player and they started an attack.

It's such basic stuff and Szob actually pointed to where Ekitike should go but he just stood there. A high press is a dangerous tactic and every player on the pitch needs to recognise the trigger and act accordingly but we have players just standing around making it so easy for the opposition to play through the press.

They obviously haven't done any coaching on this at all and just expect it to happen. It's so frustrating to watch.

{Ed001's Note - excellent description of what is happening.}

14 Mar 2026 12:22:24
Varry, this is where you point your finger at the manager. Anytime now, btw.

13 Mar 2026 00:49:49
I know many of us including myself would give anything to see Jürgen back on the touchline at Anfield, but since that's unlikely, I've been looking closely at who could truly carry forward that spirit. After watching a lot of VfB Stuttgart lately, I'm convinced: Sebastian Hoeneß is the man.

Here's why I think he's a "Super Fit" for Liverpool:

High-Intensity Football: His tactical style is so similar to Klopp's. He loves aggressive pressing, quick transitions, and playing with a high energy that would get Anfield rocking. It's that same "heavy metal" feel we've grown to love.

Commanding Respect: From his interviews, you can tell he's a natural leader. He comes across incredibly well—calm but authoritative. You can see his players absolutely run through brick walls for him, which is the exact culture Klopp built here.



Communication: A huge plus is that his English is fantastic. We know how important communication is in the Premier League, and he wouldn't have any "lost in translation" moments. He could connect with the fans and the squad from day one.

Proven Results: What he's done at Stuttgart—taking them from the bottom of the table to beating the likes of Bayern Munich—is nothing short of a miracle. He knows how to over-deliver and improve every player he touches.

If we can't have Klopp, I genuinely believe Sebastian is our man. He has the tactics, the personality, and the drive to lead Liverpool back to the very top.

What do you guys think? Is Hoeneß the one we should be looking at for the future?

13 Mar 2026 06:36:40
I have mentioned Hoeness on here in the past, and I do rate him. I don't know if the powers that be rate him, though, as a new coach, but they should definitely have a good look at him.

13 Mar 2026 07:16:06
Looks like Jurgen as well. Just needs some glasses. Does he do post match fist pumps as well? If so, Im in.

13 Mar 2026 08:48:41
I've said this before about Hoeness. take out the obvious affiliate with XA. as in he didn't play for us. I would be giving this guy a chance. there has been a couple of articles about his fit and tatical balance that is similar to Klopp early years. (although I stand by we did drop our heavy metal football a lot in the last couple of seasons)

I can't help that my heart says XA. I just can't get passed it. the players that then manage the club in history. it just seems like it's written in the stars.

That being said. if Hoeness turned up. I think none of us would be disappointed.

Ed1 I believe likes him a lot. but as we all know. managing the monster that is LFC. takes a very unique kind of character.you have to be all in. you have to take the journey with the fans. not some detached suit stat man.

Defiantely rock solid 2nd choice. XA 1st.

To be honest I'm surprised spurs are not stalking Hoeness. or some degree Man United but more understanding given it seems they have no idea what they are about at the moment.

13 Mar 2026 09:59:23
Be it Alonso, Iraola or Hoeness, they're all gambles. They may or may not succeed. The only top level manager, imo, in the game currently is Enrique, but he isn't coming to LFC. I know nothing of Hoeness other than he manages Stuttgart, and I have no idea whether he and they are good or not. I obviously know Alonso and his achievements with BL, but he may not be able to replicate that with ourselves.

I do like Iraola. I think he's going to make whatever club he is appointed to an excellent side. Something about him. Going by Carras' post, he may be destined for United, which will be a good day for them, but not as good for us, unfortunately. It'll be the only sensible decision they have made in the last 15 odd years.

13 Mar 2026 10:30:53
I think Xabi has to be first choice. He has proved himself at Bayer and, to a degree, at Madrid. He will have the team fitter, even if he probably plays a style more similar to Slot than Klopp.
On that, I've never seen Stuttgart play, but to compare Hoeness to Klopp's early years at Liverpool has me slightly concerned. That was 10 years ago, and the high-octane football got found out after a while to the degree that Klopp changed his own style.

The PL has moved on in style too, and the current thinking is that possession and set pieces win games. It's boring as bat s***, but I would worry that the current crop of managers and their methodologies would have a modern answer to heavy metal football.

{Ed001's Note - did the footie get found out or did he just change over concerns about the style being too taxing on the players and wearing them out quickly? Because I have heard of no one saying it was found out, but everyone involved thought it ended players careers too quickly - such as Fabinho, whose legs went far younger than you would normally expect.}

13 Mar 2026 13:37:16
Didn't do Henderson r Milner much harm, they still getting around the pitch.

{Ed001's Note - I didn't say I agree with it. Personally, I don't care if they get a shorter career at the top end, as I am quite sure they would rather play for 5 years and win everything than 40 and win nothing.}

14 Mar 2026 12:23:34
I would give everything to not have Klopp back. He looks very well and healthy in his new gig. Long may that continue.

12 Mar 2026 22:38:35
My post regarding us only winning one home European knockout game since Barca, 2019. Utter nonsense. A classic case of not believing everything you read.

13 Mar 2026 07:53:19
Ho ho ho, you surely tricked us all, Rome.

13 Mar 2026 08:02:06
DirtyMic, upon further research, it may be only 1 CL home knockout win since 2019. I'll stand corrected, if I'm wrong, as I often am!

13 Mar 2026 08:30:14
Rome, it's incorrect, mate.

We beat Villarreal in 22 and Leipzig in 21.

Our last 2 CL outings have both ended in the last 16, mind. Hopefully, third time lucky.

13 Mar 2026 08:51:46
Morning, JK. You're correct, mate. Like I say, don't believe everything you read, especially if I say it!

Hopefully you and your lad have a cracking day on Sunday.

13 Mar 2026 09:53:25
I think whoever wrote the stat should say that Liverpool have only won one CL knockout game since 2019 in front of fans.

13 Mar 2026 10:00:47
I believe in you, Rome. Keep it going!!!! 🥳🧨🤫

13 Mar 2026 10:25:26
You've made me chuckle, Shanklys Ghost! I'm glad you've got my back! I'm going to get some fresh air and see if I can get a life! All the best, mate.

13 Mar 2026 10:32:33
Throwing darts at some stats on a dartboard, Rome? 😆😆

13 Mar 2026 11:06:55
"Like I say, don't believe everything you read, especially if I say it!"
Rome1977!

I say the above should be bookmarked !!!!.

🤣 🤣

13 Mar 2026 11:32:36
Just back from Aldi. Got everything I went for, but I couldn't find a life!

Darwin and JLC, kick a man while he's down, won't you! Whatever happened to YNWA! x.