Liverpool Banter 3

05 Apr 2026 10:19:28
Putting aside the front to back shambles that Slot is now presiding over, Salah's decline is astonishing. Personally I would have him out of the team for the rest of the season, maybe try him off the bench a few times and, dependent on circumstances and if there is anything at stake, give him the last home match. I can't recall a top tier player having such a huge and immediate drop off; usually it's gradual decline - maybe they lose one aspect first like pace but still have the quality on the ball, or the vision or the finishing. Salah has lost the lot all at once. It's painful and sad to watch, and obviously also very frustrating.

I guess his head is elsewhere now, probably has been for a long time. We don't know how the
loss of Jota affected him; he seemed to be hit harder than most by it. Shame it's ending like this. Easy to say now but would have been better if he'd left as a title winning hero at the end of last season and we'd kept Diaz.

05 Apr 2026 10:30:55
We were singing the best midfield in the world song which included Gerrard, Mashcerano and Sissoko.

05 Apr 2026 11:28:48
Tbf, did anyone in our starting line-up deserve to be there in the first place? Every single one of them deserves to be dropped, but then again, we have no one else who can come in to take their place. Our entire team stinks, and when that happens, we should be looking at the coaches as the cause.

05 Apr 2026 12:01:18
Regards Mo, he's always played like this. Well, except for the scoring part.

At least since the 2020/21 season, I've marvelled at how average he can look as a footballer, yet how amazing he is at taking the goal scoring opportunities that came his way.

Absolute legend.

05 Apr 2026 12:21:03
When pretty much the whole squad stinks bar a couple of players, it means there's more than meets the eye.

Players are normal people in a job. Yes, a mighty cool job with obscenely high wages, but they're just like us in a way...

People are highly affected by their bosses and work environment. We've all had a s****y boss that created a toxic environment at work. Your performance drops.

You become indifferent and, over time, start caring less about the quality of what you do. You can't wait for the days to be over etc...

Salah, and the rest of the team, right now, have not just one but 3 absolute s**** bosses in Slot, Edwards and Hughes who have totally destroyed us.

You can tell by how quickly the winning mentality of this squad was completely gone.

05 Apr 2026 10:11:29
Don't think enough has been said about Szobozlai's actions at the end of the game.

His arrogance is becoming a problem. After that, he would be the first out of the club for me.

Fans give up a lot to attend these games, and after that performance, and many this season, he had no right to do that.

Take away a few free kicks, he's a bang average player.

05 Apr 2026 10:41:23
I actually don't have a problem with the fans who voted with their feet yesterday. Of course, we usually support the team until the death and, as we know better than any club, even at 3-0 it's not over, but that was so limp and pathetic yesterday that the team deserved to be left there with no support.

And I certainly wouldn't be giving out to the fans about it if I was one of the team who have been serving up such dross week in week out. Give us a bit more sign that you care on the pitch during 90 minutes, then the fans will be right behind you even when we lose.

05 Apr 2026 10:46:35
He has carried this team all season, mate. I was up there clapping the team. He needs help from the others, on the pitch, but he knows they are playing below the levels required to win at the Ethiad. He took it personal. He probably thinks the fans leaving was a dig at the whole team. I have only left early once, when my wife called to say her father had been rushed to hospital and he died hours later.

But everyone is entitled to support them the way fit. I have no problem with the crowd leaving early. I clap the badge, not the player.
Unfortunately some are just not worthy of wearing that badge anymore.

05 Apr 2026 10:54:41
SPECIAL K yes he shouldn't have done it but clearly you know nothing about football he's been our best player or season he's ran his socks off he's been messed around playing him at right back when at times we have had 2 right backs on bench so ye he made a mistake but good god supporters like you who needs them🤔

05 Apr 2026 11:17:20
Other than Alison, Robbo, Bradley and probably Kerkez (not including the kids), I’d put prices on all their heads. Let them go. This season, too many have got too big for the boots. Szob is the biggest culprit for me. All walking round like they own the gaff because they are the champions. None of them look like they want to put the graft in; they’re riding the train instead of pushing it, as Klopp would say. All overseen by a weak manager and clueless dof. Money is not going to fix this. Bring in any player you like, they will drop to the level we are at, not pull the rest up.

We need a strong headmaster at the helm, someone who will bomb out those taking the p*ss. Is Alonso that man? I don’t know. I’m not harping on about Klopp, but if you was playing crap or injured, he had no problem dropping you for the kids. I’d have them all in tomorrow, give p45 to Slot and Hughes, make Mo or Robbo player-manager til end of season (if you don’t want to hire Stevie etc). What’s the worst that can happen, we miss out on everything? Let’s put the cat amongst the pigeons.

05 Apr 2026 12:03:35
I think people need to step back and take a breath.

There is a lot of emotion out there and people are getting overly irrational.

05 Apr 2026 09:16:54
Hello ed1 another crap weekend for lfc. Do u not think daglish would be ideal now as interium for whatever left of season? Fans immediately back onside, players would know they won't get away with the lack of effort they've been getting away all season. slot has taken the flak for that not players, wouldn't happen that way round if daglish manager. slot no doubt main culprit but players not innocent either imo.

I can see hesitancy in appointing gerrard as interium as he may do too well and fans demand he get job full time and I think he not the long term option.
I know u have said previously that u thought daglish bit old for it but it only 7/ 8 games now and kenny comes across as a very fit and sharp man in his mid 70s. Really anything worth a go at this stage is it not?

{Ed001's Note - if the King was younger, I would love him to come back, but he is too old for the stress and he deserves to enjoy his retirement.}

05 Apr 2026 09:38:10
With how we're playing, he could probably still get a game.

05 Apr 2026 09:55:14
He'd certainly put in more effort.

05 Apr 2026 10:24:44
Maybe send King Kenny into the changing room to give them an inspirational speech before the game on Tuesday, because Slot can't get a tune out of them. YNWA.

05 Apr 2026 10:36:24
Sacking Slot would do that.

05 Apr 2026 09:16:45
A question for the Eds and anyone else who fancies getting involved.

What are your thoughts on Nagelsmann as potentially next manager?
I think after Klopp it appears that a lot of us wish to see the return of a high energy, win the ball back quickly style of play.

Isn't Nagelsmann's contract with Germany up after the WC?

{Ed001's Note - he doesn't really play like that, he is far more like Guardiola, overly technical and too much passing. Hoeness is the closest to Klopp-style footie. Nagelsmann also is a bit of a Brendan too, talks crap and slips it to a sidepiece when he gets his big job. Avoid him at all costs imo.}

05 Apr 2026 10:07:56
Nagelsmann got found out as soon as he stepped into Bayern, and arguably before, when he took some absolute thrashings as the Leipzig coach in big games. His reputation stems from his age, not his career to date.


The side piece issue is also relevant. People that have no integrity to the ones they are supposed to love above all simply should not be in positions of great influence. The same should apply to politicians.

{Ed001's Note - it is not just that, when you are in a job that should be so all-encompassing, if you have the time to dick around, then you simply aren't focused on your job enough.}

05 Apr 2026 09:45:16
Thanks Ed for your insight

No chance of you felling off the fence!

{Ed001's Note - I do get a lot of splinters.}

05 Apr 2026 10:12:27
Got to be honest, the longer it goes on and the more I read .. the heart's desire Alonso is not as strong and the Hoeness rock n roll style is appealing more ...

Just so inexperienced, though .. would he be wise enough to get in an older assistant who may be able to offer him some insights that only experience gets you ..



I don't know but if Hoeness turned up I wouldn't be asking why didn't we appoint Alonso ... if Alonso turns up .. I wouldn't be asking why didn't Hoeness..

Then the only thing I would question, though, is if Slot sees June 1st!!!!!!

05 Apr 2026 10:14:23
Ed001, do you think Hoeness is closer than Iraola? I know Bournemouth are one of the teams which covers the most ground in European football and they play pretty intensely.

{Ed001's Note - good question, it is difficult to compare as they have never managed in the same league to directly compare and they obviously have a very different set of players. They are the two I have seen closest and I would probably edge slightly towards Iraola, mainly because I have seen a lot more of his teams play.}

05 Apr 2026 10:44:22
Fully agreed, Ed. I have the same expectations of players, too, but that one is a lot harder to ensure.

05 Apr 2026 08:41:21
My keep/ sell list for the summer in a world where there is always a buyer. Just focusing on the main matchday squad and not including those so far undecided on contracts

Allison - keep
Mamardashvill - sell
Kerkez - keep
VVD - keep
Gomez - sell
Frimpong - keep if Alonso is the new manager
Bradley - keep
Gravenburch - keep
Szoboslai- keep
Macallister - sell
Wirtz - keep
Jones - sell
Gakpo - sell
Ekitike - keep
Isac - keep
Endo - sell
Chiesa - sell
Rio - keep
Nyoni - keep

Jaros comes back as no.2 injury permitting
Elliot for the bench
Tsimikas sold unless Robbo goes

Leaves us a couple of midfielders, wide players and CB short depending on the Konate situation.

05 Apr 2026 09:25:48
Doubt very much Frimpong would be sold after one season.

05 Apr 2026 09:41:33
You forgot about Konate. I broadly agree with most of this list, but I would actually keep Konate and sell VVD. The big man has been awful this season, and I think a lot of the problems are coming from his lack of leadership.

He is also old, and maybe, like Salah, his body is just not where it was a season or two ago. I personally think he has always been a bit over hyped.

05 Apr 2026 09:47:10
Van Dijk had a good spell last season.
This season he has shown the "form" he had when we were underperforming in prior years.

For me, he should be dollars we can still get a fee.

{Ed025's Note - you will probably let him go for free SB because he has been such a fine servant like Mo, they can both then get a massive signing on fee from their new clubs which will negate the need to get a job collecting trolly,s in Tesco to supplement their income...the world has gone mad mate..

05 Apr 2026 10:20:24
Whatever happens to VvD, he deserves a bit more respect than he is getting. He has suffered like everyone else has this season, but let's not kid ourselves where he is on our all time lists. He has carried that defence for seasons, playing non stop, never injured (other than Pickford horror show).

He shouldn't be free of criticism, but also he deserves some time to put it right. ... not quite the same as Salah, whose legs have completely gone, centre back can adjust your game a bit more and can rely on experience and reading the game without pace.

...

Is VvD on the decline? Obviously yes, but we would let him see out his final year and let him leave with his head very high and proud to what he achieved with us...

Same as Robbo... sometimes you just let players leave, it's more than about money.

05 Apr 2026 10:37:29
VVD's problem is too much football since he came back from knee injury, the man needs a rest. A small injury, nothing bad, say hamstring, so he is out of the team for two or three weeks to rest up. Let's face it, we can't do any worse than we have been doing with him in the team.


Another thing, he knows whatever happens he is playing every game, which leads to complacency, and that has shown in his game over the last few months. YNWA.

05 Apr 2026 10:47:53
Sack the manager first and go from there.

05 Apr 2026 11:00:56
Van Dijk catching brickbats here is very unfair. We lack any competent cover to give him a break. So he plays almost every minute. He plays behind the worst midfield in the league. You could have peak Hansen & Gentile in there and they'd struggle. He has to play behind Gravenberch, who is always at the wrong end of the pitch, Mac Allister, who doesn't have the legs, Szoboszlai, who is more concerned about his hairband slipping, or Jones, who stands around gormlessly with his mouth open catching flies.

That makes any defender's job harder.

{Ed001's Note - he has been abysmal, strolling about like he hasn't got a care in the world and offering nothing. His positioning is non-existent because he makes no attempt to get into position. He does nothing to make angles for passes when we try and play out from the back and his 'leadership' consists of abusing other players when he has made a mistake. His arrogance is astonishing.}

05 Apr 2026 10:11:04
I can see that happening Ed.
Especially as we have a World Cup simmer to get a sale done, and hopefully, a shake up involving Edwards and Hughes

05 Apr 2026 07:58:49
I like the idea of Xavi Alonso as LFC manager. But if Diego Simeone was available I would be adding him to the short list. Hopefully Carlo Ancelotti is another candidate we could also be talking to. That is a 3 man short list who else would others consider?

05 Apr 2026 08:38:56
Xabi*.

05 Apr 2026 08:44:17
Why would we want Ancelotti? He's absolutely finished.

05 Apr 2026 08:46:25
I love Carlo, but his ties to Everton, and for me, Real make it a non-starter. Enrique would be a great choice if he chose a new project. After yesterday and this joke of a season, we may as well get big Ange in, and add red noses to the home kit, go full clown mode.

05 Apr 2026 09:19:38
Lijnders had ties with Liverpool, but it didn't stop him celebrating yesterday. What is the issue with Carlo having ties with Everton or indeed Alonso with Madrid? Doesn't he also have ties with Madrid as a player and a manager?

05 Apr 2026 09:29:37
Carlo will be in the World Cup with Brazil and would likely need a break after. Doubt very much we'd go for him as he would get a very short preparation time for the season.

For me it's Enrique as number 1 choice by a country mile. After him, Alonso, Iraola or Hoeness all fairly similar level in my opinion.

05 Apr 2026 09:32:36
If you think you're bored now. Wait till you have to watch Simeone football week in week out. Think what Arsenal have been doing but on steroids.

05 Apr 2026 10:05:17
Xabi or Hoeness for me.

05 Apr 2026 10:16:31
Agree with Gregarious, but Bournemouth press like Klopp's teams used to press, so Iraola has the edge for me.

05 Apr 2026 10:32:48
Yeah, Ron, I'd be totally fine with Iraola if he got the job and also got a say on the right players to get for that system.

05 Apr 2026 10:49:27
Exactly, VV. Ancelotti is old news and needs to stay there. The managers we can get are out there with Alonso, Hoeness etc. about. Go for them. These other guys like Carlo are washed.

05 Apr 2026 10:57:26
We would need a whole new team to play Simeone style. None of our team know how to run, close down, never mind make a tackle. Though Mac Allister would be alright feigning injury, we have too many players who can't stay fit to pretend to be injured.

05 Apr 2026 04:35:43
16 Apr 2025 09:25:28
Just an opinion, I sometimes get the feeling that Slot can't seem to get the best out of his players, doesn't seem intrested in getting the players to their best. The players that are on the bench, he is okay with them being just on the bench, doesn't want them to improve or impact the game, he just uses and exhausts the playing 11 that he thinks can only win us games!
Any one else feels the same or is it just me?
This was what I felt about Slot almost 1 year back, but was shot down for putting this up as “ we are winning the league”.

Blindfolds were on some of us!
But would have been happier if I was proven wrong and we would not been going through this nightmare of a season!
I just want him gone and he should have gone long back when we had any hope of salvaging the season, atleast he should be sacked now so that the new manager knows what he is dealing with.

05 Apr 2026 08:45:45
It's not just the non-use of the bench, Trip

There were a couple of us last year from about halfway through saying our football is regressing, but got the same "we are winning the league" response.

And here we are...

05 Apr 2026 10:05:45
I'd be more worried than what I currently am if what we were seeing was the best he could get out of them!

05 Apr 2026 10:53:38
Trip, I think it is his system that can't get the best out of his players. Remember, he had to tweak the Klopp system to get the best out of them and walked the league doing that.

His system is useless and doesn't work in the PL, and, rather than realise that (which I think he does) and change, he has tripled down on it, which has made us worse, and even worse than worse, consistently over the past months.



So if we are gonna keep many of the players we have and he won't change then he should have gone months ago. He didn't cos he was protected by the cowards Huges and Edwards. So here we are, sadly.

04 Apr 2026 23:05:30
So my wife wanted me to watch the match today. But was too busy today and told her we'd get beat 4-0 so what would be the point. And *this* is my issue with Slot. He's taken me from being 300%committed to watching every game to about 30% committed.

@ed025 no jabs intended but how do you reconcile yourself with this? ( I'm sure you've had today deal with this in the past) (No jabs intended).

{Ed025's Note - you ride the storm out Ted and hope it gets better, its not easy my friend but at least your fans have seen you win things, if your a Blue you have to be 30 something to have witnessed that, next season will be different im sure and thats all we can ask for mate..

05 Apr 2026 10:09:03
So basically, you only watch the team when they are playing well?
I don't care how poor they are playing and yes, it's a hard watch at times, but I'll always try my best to watch my team. At least I'll still feel part of the journey and know why it's going wrong.

05 Apr 2026 11:03:01
Bigh81, I don't think that is what that means. I think people are genuinely frustrated and sad at the state of affairs of the club right now and they have a right to feel the way they feel like RedTed does.

That does not automatically mean they only watch us when we are playing well. It is not that binary. For ex. I had a family/friends get together yesterday and I chose to go to that rather than got to my local and watch the game when I knew the way we play wouldn't change and City would dominate and prolly win. It was hard to do but the outcome proved the right decision for me on both sides.

Whereas I have watched LFC play well, crap, both & in-between batter teams and got battered for decades. Ed25 is correct that you ride it out as much as you can but people should be allowed to feel the way they feel and do what is best for them in the end. Just my take.

05 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What a Manchester City Punishment Could Change

05 Apr 2026 08:55:20
An interesting read and it's hard not to empathise with the grass roots clubs that have sprung up to reflect supporters being marginalised by the money men in charge of their clubs.

Thus far, FSG has felt at the more benign end of this, so let's see how fan orientated they are when they deal with the aftermath of this shambles of a campaign.



We all felt on cloud nine after last summer's activity, i.e. felt good about them flashing the cash, but this year is far more important in terms of where we go next.