Liverpool Banter 3

19 Apr 2026 20:14:44
Question for ed001 if you don't mind! I think we're on the cusp of disaster if we stick with slot this summer and I'd love it if you could share your opinion on it please

{Ed001's Note - I do think it would be a huge mistake to stick with Slot. He has to go and take Ruben Peeters with him. To me it has the feel of Everton when Martinez took over. Initially it improved things, he had the solidity of the Moyes era and added attacking flair to it. His first season saw them looking a much better team. But as time went on, the Moyes solidity faded, Martinez was not doing much work on the defensive side of the game and they dropped away. They just kept getting worse until he was fired.

For me it is the same with Slot. He had the strengths of high intensity, high fitness, quick attacking play from the Klopp era, and added a bit more controlled play to it. Now we are seeing the effects of his coaching as the Klopp teachings fade.

Added to that, he just does not get Liverpool, the club or city, he doesn't have that charisma to draw us all in and make us ignore the bad spells. He is not harnessing the power of the fans, even after seeing it in full force last season dragging the team to victory.

Then there is his inability to understand the Premier League. He has not heeded the warnings last season when we were bullied in midfield by every team. Rather than looking to bring in some physicality in the summer, when it was clear that was what we needed most to take the next step, he has slowed the midfield play down and lessened the physicality of the players we do have. I just don't see how he can turn it around if he is not going to spot these issues.}

19 Apr 2026 20:46:36
Ed001 correct me and apologies if I am wrong, but did you mention in previous statements you see him leaving in the summer as he hasn't settled. Do you think that's still the case?

From what he has done and his statements he doesn't seem like a man who is committed to the job. He seems like he's elsewhere and needs to go.

{Ed001's Note - I believe so, yes.}

19 Apr 2026 20:49:06
Thanks for the reply ed001 totally agree with everything you said and that's not even to mention the horrible way he's treated young players and squad players n I feel he thinks he's done a good job this season! Were going to miss out on potential great managers if we stick with this guy

{Ed001's Note - I didn't want to get into man management etc as it was already a long reply!}

19 Apr 2026 21:23:27
Sorry I appreciate your reply, sir, thanks.

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate. I just could have ended up there all night moaning while you were waiting on a reply. I just didn't want to make you wait too long.}

19 Apr 2026 21:25:42
He must have some kind of physic powers...

From... I play very similar football to Jurgen, so I dont need to change much....

To... Eric Ten Hag is my hero and I'm a big fan of over 70s walking football, can we stick a bell on the ball please... I think the LFC legends would outrun us on a good day...



I despise the man more than Hodgson and Bodgers, and no longer even bother listening to his pre and post match interviews as he drains out any joy out of anything... even my dog can be jumping around playing with his ball... listen to Slot for 5 seconds and he is flat out snoring away!

5 games to go.

19 Apr 2026 21:28:10
Let's jus hope for CL qualification and an amicable separation at the end of the season. The club must know that once you lose the crowd, you're on a road to nowhere. Leaving Slot in position is a recipe for disaster, a few bad results in August and he's a dead man walking.

19 Apr 2026 21:16:35
Ok cheers Ed, hope you are doing well.

{Ed001's Note - a lot better than I would have been if we had lost! I was being peppered with texts from my Everton supporting aunt in the build up. Oddly enough, not heard a thing from her since the game finished...}

19 Apr 2026 21:21:05
Great reply Ed001 .I so, hope you're right about Slot choosing to leave in the summer, it is clear we are headed in one direction under his stewardship

{Ed001's Note - I hope so too, I just don't see him having a eureka moment and understanding what is going wrong. Every time I see comments from him, it is like he thinks we are actually playing well and are just unlucky.}

19 Apr 2026 21:50:41
"Cusp of a disaster" is giving him a new contract, staying for one last season would be a mistake, but not a "disaster".

19 Apr 2026 23:04:18
Ron, I think it would be a total disaster if he stayed for another season.

It goes beyond results on the pitch. The disaster would be the long-term problems that him staying for one more season would cause. The culture is already fairly toxic. Players downed tools long ago. 90% of fans are unhappy. Football is boring. Signings aren't right in terms of making the team balanced. Players are extremely unfit and coached to play overly cautious football.

Players are used in wrong positions. Young/fringe players aren't given opportunities. Man-management is extremely poor, etc etc...

There are so many things that are wrong other than just the results. Keeping Slot for one more season could leave us with issues that take years to resolve. He must go at the end of the season or it will be a disaster!

19 Apr 2026 23:47:23
Not only have the players downed tools, but Slot seems perfectly fine that they have. He needs to go before the situation at the club becomes irreparable.

19 Apr 2026 22:32:10
Glad you got the bragging rights in the family Ed. Funny how that happens. My Arsenal supporting mates have gone quiet the last couple of weeks. I suppose that what happens when your 9 point gap is on the verge of completely disappearing.

20 Apr 2026 02:40:15
I'd be very happy for Slot to leave. We have played the worst football we have played in years, and what's even worse is the odd game that shows what we are actually capable of doing.

I still think that, playing very poorly, we are still one of the better teams in a very poor league and I think it's embarrassing from a football perspective that we are happy to qualify for CL by finishing 5th in a poor league.

From a business point of view, I understand the revenue it will generate, but it just doesn't feel right. With the squad we have, we should be top of the league pasting average teams week after week.

19 Apr 2026 22:20:02
Ed001, please could you do a manager comparison between Slot, Alonso and Iraola? Just so you can properly vent your spleen but also look forwards with positivity?

I was tempted to include Klopp in the line up, but I'll leave that to you - much as I'd like to see him compared, I can't see him returning to us so better to look forwards!

{Ed001's Note - OK mate, I will try and get that done after the match round up.}

19 Apr 2026 22:41:55
I'll ask for his man management problems Ed.
Going to bed soon, so will be a nice read in the morning before my job interview
Elliott, Chiesa, Nyoni, Chambers, Salah, Endo and Robertson all having a lack of "man management from him"
The supposed VVD meetings without him.
Wirtz constantly subbed off (bemusing as to why)
Have I stirred the pot enough to get a reply??

One thing I do think. Even the moment Ekitike came into his first squad meet. Slot seemed to disregard him. Maybe just me

{Ed001's Note - you have also forgotten about the way he treated Salah with disdain this season, he didn't want him kept and he made it plain from the start of the season. To the point that the pair fell out so much Salah gave that interview out of pure anger with Slot. And the way he treated Mac Allister, like he was some super star to be given VIP treatment and gave him a long holiday at the end of the season but refuses to sub him no matter how crap he is week in and week out.

He makes Rafa seem like a top class man manager. I keep seeing people say how well he managed the Jota situation, yet also saying that is a reason for our bad form. So did he manage it well? Or has he got it so wrong it is still affecting our players this badly in April?

The Isak thing is bizarre. What kind of idiot keeps starting a half-fit player to be completely ineffective? Bring him on later, when the opposition are tiring and his lack of fitness is not such a hindrance. When he is fitter, then you can start him. But he will start Isak every time he is even 2% fit.}

20 Apr 2026 00:16:55
ed1 - do you have a midfielder in mind who would bring that physicality? I'm imagining that we'd still want that player to be able to play football as well, so not just a bruiser aye?

{Ed001's Note - from what I have seen this season, I like Sadiki.}

20 Apr 2026 08:16:44
I Said very similar watching the match yesterday. Personally I would of started Chiesa to run the defence ragged for an hour/70 mins
Then out Isak on to try and pick some gaps from the tired legs

In what has been said about Salah there Ed, do you think that would have impacted his form. I'm a big believer that the slow side to side passing is not something that Salah could ever adapt to, he's built himself to be fast paced and in the thick of the action

{Ed001's Note - I have said all along that the tactics are hampering him badly. His confidence has suffered because of it.}

20 Apr 2026 10:43:37
I like Sadiki too altho haven't watched a lot of him. This will be unpopular, maybe, but I really like Garner. He gives me James Milner vibes and I feel is going to be a model pro for years. I would make space in the squad for someone like him.

{Ed001's Note - very good player but they won't sell to us.}

20 Apr 2026 10:49:07
Has Johnny Heinteinga going been a huge difference Ed? Do you think he could been a earpiece enough to change things

{Ed001's Note - it made a difference, but the tactics were not his part in things and they are the main issue.}

20 Apr 2026 13:44:58
ed1 - how much to make everton change their mind? lol probably too much to make it worth it aye!?
re:Heitinga, I don't know how true it is that Slot wanted to get him back but given his comments before Heitinga left that it was a season too soon, I wouldn't be surprised if Slot has advocated for his return. And that would be a good sign. Slot must have some awareness of the wider coaching group and how other's strengths and personality balance out his own.

I was expecting Heitinga to return kind of like how Ljinders returned after a failed stint as manager. so was surprised to see it not eventuate

{Ed001's Note - they are not in money difficulties so it would take a huge amount.}

19 Apr 2026 20:03:30
I know people are panicking about Slot staying but does anyone else feel his last few statements don't feel like a man in it for the long term?

19 Apr 2026 20:19:37
Not sure why he aimed his dig at City and PSG as it makes him look a little silly.

Calling them the 2 best teams in the world with unlimited funds when we've just played Everton isn't a good look, especially after what we spent in the summer.

19 Apr 2026 20:26:52
Tbh, the sooner he goes the better, he's a fun sponge, he sucks the joy out of everything.

19 Apr 2026 20:41:26
Wouldn't matter what Slot says, it will be twisted against him anyway. Not the man to manage us, imo, but every word he says will be taken apart, and some hidden meaning taken out of it.

19 Apr 2026 21:06:46
Not sure how I've managed to twist it against him.

19 Apr 2026 21:19:20
Didn't mean u specifically, JK23. I meant in general. If we can't enjoy a 100th minute winner in a Derby without worrying about a harmless comment manager makes in a meaningless press conference, I don't know why we would watch a game at all.

19 Apr 2026 22:56:52
It's just embarrassing to be making statements like that after you spent £450m.

Digger, nobody needs to tear Slot's words apart to twist them. He doesn't exactly speak in riddles, he's constantly shooting himself in the foot with the nonsense he comes out with.

19 Apr 2026 23:04:39
Digger, I've said on other posts, mate, how good the result was, mate. Just jumped on the initial post and kept it to topic.

20 Apr 2026 00:17:49
It wasn't $450m, and he didn't spend the money.

Are we saying that Slot is in charge of everything now?

20 Apr 2026 02:50:50
Correct @Faith, the spending was done by Hughes to a budget set by the club.

People also forget to mention the money we recouped by selling players in the same window. The net spend was around EUR 263.4 / £ 229.4 which isn't a figure that usually gets quoted.



To be fair though, whilst the fact is that net spend was half of what people usually quote, and the person responsible for bringing players was Hughes, I'd just like to say that I think it is still the fault of the evil genius Slot.

19 Apr 2026 19:49:31
Is Right Back actually Jones's best position? He was the best player on the pitch today by a country mile, for either team. Fair play to him. He showed what it means to a Scouser to win the derby.

19 Apr 2026 20:04:26
I thought Jones was excellent today.

19 Apr 2026 20:10:10
Played very well today, but his position is midfield for me.

19 Apr 2026 20:12:40
I thought Gakpo was MOTM.

19 Apr 2026 20:15:18
He played well, but he dithers on the ball too much for him to be a regular right back. He’s not quick enough either. I think he’ll only ever be a back up player.

19 Apr 2026 20:17:44
No, I thought our right hand side looked weak all game, to be honest. Salah wasn't keeping possession very well there and Jones wasn't comfortable.

19 Apr 2026 20:20:03
Great ball from Gakpo for the first goal.

19 Apr 2026 20:23:30
Credit where credit is due. Curtis was excellent today.

19 Apr 2026 20:33:53
Excellent? Not for me. I thought CJ was very poor. He was getting bullied off the ball for the most part, not winning a majority of his duels, and was dallying on the ball way too much.

I know he is in the team to help with buildup and keep the ball, which is fine.

However, CJ was continuously getting caught on the ball, and, in some situations, when being double teamed, he still tried to dribble his way out rather than just clearing it, esp. when oprions weren't available. Just my opinion.

19 Apr 2026 20:34:53
He had a good game but he's not a right back imo.
It's a specialist position.

19 Apr 2026 21:23:20
He was far from excellent. He's not a right back and it shows, switches off too often, still dwells on the ball too much and plays stupid passes when wellying the ball away is needed. Still should be sold. Not good enough.

19 Apr 2026 21:23:40
I thought he was very good, he was under pressure for large parts of the game and dealt with it very well, was always an option for the pass and kept the ball moving.

19 Apr 2026 21:45:18
I thought Jones was shocking at running backwards in this game. Watch that second half again. Walking back constantly.

I thought he was out of gas, but then made a great run forward.

Some really good things for sure, but many really bad things in that game also.



And more bad than good, I would say, to be honest.

Was brilliant in that last few plays though so he gets a big plus for that.

19 Apr 2026 23:04:50
He was good in parts, but he's very inconsistent, today was a derby and he was the only scouser in a red shirt out there, so he's far more up for it than the rest of them. He had a point to prove. It won't b like that week in week out. My issue with him at RB is he's not physically strong enough, or at least he doesn't show it, he goes down too willingly.

He voluntarily goes to ground when he feels a touch, which I absolutely hate, I find it way too risky when you're that deep, especially when considering he likes a feint and a turn.

19 Apr 2026 23:50:06
I thought Jones was quite poor today. He was very weak when defending. He looked alright on the ball, but he could have played it quicker at times. But have to say that he wasn't helped by Konate at all. I lost count of the number of times he was put into trouble by Konate's passes and headers.

{Ed078's Note - I must have been watching a different game

20 Apr 2026 00:00:03
I genuinely might need to watch the game back, because all I remember was Jones being awful. I think elsewhere I said I was amazed he wasn't taken off sooner.
Obviously, others are seeing things I'm not. Fair play.

20 Apr 2026 00:20:59
Am I right in saying that Jones was the only Merseyside-born player on the pitch today?

He played great. Has there ever been the perfect performance from a player? Sometimes it feels like praise by default has to be underlined by pointing out the player's flaw(s) in a game.



It's sport. There will be duels won and lost in a game. Jones was out of position and handled himself well. He was very handy having a cool head on the ball in the backline.

20 Apr 2026 02:55:55
I was expecting this to morph into a 'why doesn't Slot play Ramsey' thread - a chance missed (so far) for the half empty fraternity. If he actually was reduced to walking back (which I really very much doubt), perhaps it was the weight of all the club's fans getting on his back.

20 Apr 2026 09:18:30
Jones is nowhere near the level of right back. For me he's nowhere near the level for any team chasing Champions League. He should be 5th choice midfielder or moved on. The only reason I'd keep him is HG.

Dilly dallies getting back too often, too many touches, too many poor touches, too often he gives away possession needlessly, passing range not great, tackling not great unless he's slide tackling, don't let 1 Merseyside derby fool you.

He's not the level, and at 25 now, never will be that level.

20 Apr 2026 10:46:14
Well, he's in the squad chasing Champions League, so that may suggest he's good enough to be in a squad chasing Champions League.

20 Apr 2026 12:54:48
Dejan Lovren was in a squad chasing Champions League. He wasn't good enough, let's not make silly comments.

{Ed001's Note - that's harsh on a Champions League winner.}

20 Apr 2026 13:46:34
Yeah, it's a bit of a circular argument.

It's like saying we're not good enough to earn Champions League. Until we do, then we are.

19 Apr 2026 19:35:15
Chelsea are away to Brighton on Tuesday this week. A loss means max points 60 or a draw 61 for them. So for me two wins and a draw from the next 5 gets us Champions League.

19 Apr 2026 19:55:31
That's Chelsea, there's more than one team chasing.

19 Apr 2026 20:05:27
Just win the next game. That should be our mindset.

Win.
Win.
Win.
Win.
Win.

If we do that, we will be okay. Earned the place ourselves.

One game per week. Plenty of time to prepare and be ready.

19 Apr 2026 20:33:54
Basically, it means we need to win a minimum of three games to be sure of 5th, which is 64 points. Palace and Brentford look most winnable, but if we can beat Chelsea then that should be enough. Villa and Utd games will be very tough, but hopefully we can get results there too.

So, let's say we end up on 66 points, it's nowhere near where we need to be, but at least CL will have been secured. One fan here trying to look on the bright side at the very least.

19 Apr 2026 20:34:50
Spot on, Kim & Keegan. Focus on the next game.

20 Apr 2026 10:47:36
Yup just the next game mentality.

Also, as much as people may not like to admit this, you can't win a league or earn top 4 by yourself. Unless you go 38-0, you are going to need other clubs to drop points in order for you to end up on top.

19 Apr 2026 19:29:52
Could this summer be the biggest manager merry go round we've ever seen?
Arsenal- surely if Arteta wins nothing they will change.
City- Pep could stay if they win the league. Go trophyless, he may leave.
Utd- Carrick could get the job but surely a bigger name would want it.


Villa- Emery could go if Villa don't win nothing. Taken them so far.
Liverpool- Slot potentially going.
Chelsea- Rosenior is out of his depth.
Bournemouth- Iraola leaving.
Fulham- Silva leaving.
Palace- Glasner leaving.
Newcastle- Howes taken them so far, so maybe moves on.

19 Apr 2026 19:48:12
Arteta, Pep, and Emery will stay as a minimum.

19 Apr 2026 19:51:03
This is why we need to snap up Alonso now cus I hate to see him at Arsenal or City (don't think he'll go Utd), and we stick with Slot!

19 Apr 2026 20:20:31
Arteta will stay. He will deliver Champions League.

19 Apr 2026 20:29:30
I just don't get the obsession with Alonso. One good season and he becomes a shoe in. Slot one good season and everyone wants him out. The next manager after Slot (I'm not convinced he will leave) will not be Alonso. If Slot goes this summer, it will be Iraola. If Slot stays, we will go all out for Enrique in 2027/28. My opinion only.

19 Apr 2026 20:36:01
Arteta? Champions League?

That's a bold claim.
I think I'd be shocked if he got past Bayern.

19 Apr 2026 20:37:02
Arteta is going nowhere and neither is Emery esp. if he makes that EL final and potentially wins it, as that is literally what Emery does.

As for Pep, I have no idea. Same with the likes of Howe. The others like Iraola and Glasner, they will go. As for Slot, wait and see.

19 Apr 2026 22:05:03
The Champions League is a Cup, not a Bottle.

19 Apr 2026 23:13:54
Jari, Iraola wants to go back to Spain. He's not coming to us.

19 Apr 2026 19:23:44
How do we fix Isak's involvement!

19 Apr 2026 19:52:32
He's simply building his fitness and game sharpness. He'll be fine next season, I'm sure of it. I'm just hoping he doesn't get injured at the World Cup.

19 Apr 2026 20:03:02
Get rid of Slot & get a manager who plays at a faster tempo, where the ball is fed into Isak quicker, both from midfield & the flanks.

19 Apr 2026 20:39:32
Exactly, RedJones. This ain't complicated. Fix his fitness and go from there. Cos even today, he was played thru on goal, and, were he fit and sharper, Isak would bury those two chances in the second half.

The fact that he was able to put himself about to get those chances was a small positive for me, personally.

19 Apr 2026 21:04:49
Play him as goalie. He's q tall.

20 Apr 2026 10:49:23
In order for the ball to come in faster from the flanks, we'd need more effective wingers.

He had an opportunity on goal today at the edge of the box, and I was surprised he didn't take a touch to shoot. Instead, he kept dribbling, then eventually lost the ball.

He has a long way to go.

19 Apr 2026 18:32:04
Things could be worse lads, imagine being on top for 9 months and completely bottling it!

19 Apr 2026 19:15:57
Imagine being us, Chewy, and our owners are gona stick with Slot and let him ruin our club. I know which team will finish higher next season if they stick with that clown.

19 Apr 2026 19:23:20
Tbh I'm really not fussed about the performance now at this stage - take the 3 points, hopefully scrape a CL spot & see what the summer brings us !
Just got a sneaky feeling that Arne stays if we do finish top 5 !!!!
Agree with Chewy - totally hilarious if the gooners finish empty handed !

19 Apr 2026 19:35:26
Hush now, Jimjim, let us bask in the glory of the bottle and enjoy it while we can.

19 Apr 2026 19:37:29
Yea, true Bristol, we can always revert to the kinda club we were when the only thing we had to cheer for was other clubs' failures, but I still kinda hope we can still be a club that cheers for our success, not others' losses.

19 Apr 2026 19:54:56
Completely agree, Jimjim, look closer to home, and if we were better we wouldn't have to revel in other teams losing and would be just celebrating our own achievements.

19 Apr 2026 20:31:12
If Slot stays, we will struggle the same way Spurs and Forest have. It will be as bad as Hodgeson. We will be around relegation all season.

19 Apr 2026 20:43:41
Agreed, Jimjim. In this season of all seasons, I am not interested in what other travails other teams are having, and as much as I am all for bantering other teams, let's not take the mick here and get carried away.

Misery does not love company all the time, imo.

We are a shambles of a club at this moment and we need to get our house in order, get real with the situation we are in, make the tough decisions and clean house.

19 Apr 2026 21:03:42
Spot on OliRed. 👍

19 Apr 2026 22:09:34
Bit of banter, lads, keep your knickers, will you.

19 Apr 2026 17:30:28
Did I hear fans singing for Xabi Alonso again?

19 Apr 2026 18:06:25
Has it been sung before, MightyR3ds? I must've missed it.

19 Apr 2026 18:17:59
Missed the game today due to work, great result, just wished Sunderland could have held on for the draw. How did the boy Woodman do when he came on, and will we have a fit keeper for the Palace game, if so, who?

19 Apr 2026 18:19:54
Thought it was sung at the FA Cup City game.

Also sang for Gerrard that game too, but assumed that was just the Gerrard song, as it does get dusted off now and then.

19 Apr 2026 18:30:12
@hunter64, Woodman is 29 years old. I also thought he was a young keeper.

19 Apr 2026 18:33:35
It was sung during the FA Cup game against City, videos all over social media of fans chanting for Xabi as they left the stadium too.

19 Apr 2026 18:35:48
Woodman looked like a 3rd choice keeper, Hunter. Can only hope Alisson is due back.

19 Apr 2026 18:49:10
Rome1977!.... Woodman looked absolutely fine. Did he look like a 3rd choice keeper when, after being on the pitch for just a handful of minutes, he calmly dealt with awful defending by, I think, Konate, who left a bouncing ball and Woodman headed the bouncing ball over the Everton attacker and passed a precise ball out to Robbo? Honestly, credit where it's due is needed at times.

19 Apr 2026 18:53:31
Woodman's distribution was good, just one dodgy moment with the missed punch. He doesn't look physically imposing enough, but let's hope Ali is close to fitness.

19 Apr 2026 19:05:21
Maybe I'm being harsh, Kimuraking. I can be. I do agree with Overkill, though, regards to his physicality.

19 Apr 2026 20:45:12
The kid, (at least I thought he was till someone posted his age), did no harm, and as a back up, that is all I ask for backup GKs.

19 Apr 2026 23:12:42
Woodman is a 3rd choice goalkeeper, but he did well. Alisson is not due back until the end of the month, so maybe fit for the Utd game. Georgi only had a flesh wound, looks like he just got tore up by the studs, few stitches, and he'll be right back to training, I'd imagine.

19 Apr 2026 17:27:36
Aside from the match today, which was a terrible performance and fantastic result. God, I really do hope Slot leaves. So, so bad.

I watched Diomande's whole game yesterday. Spectacular goal. Really exciting dribbler, but low energy off the ball.

He is still young, so could be thought, but it did make me pause. Did run into blind alleys a couple of times too. Potential is massive though, but needs to be right price.

19 Apr 2026 20:35:40
It was a derby game - more whinging about a great result.

19 Apr 2026 20:51:06
Davey, that was a terrible performance, in the long line of terrible performances we have seen this season. The tactics, the subs esp. were bonkers. We won that game despite the way we played and Slot's headcase subs rather than anything else.

As for Diomande, I planned to watch the game to have a good look at him but I forgot and missed it. Hopefully, I get another chance to see him. I did see his last goal and my goodness, what a finish and the kid packs a powerful shot on him, as well.