Liverpool Banter 3

23 Apr 2026 13:02:49
It all seems to be going t**ts up at the moment. Massive uncertainty in the dugout and boardroom. Almost all senior players leaving, even Alisson is now said to prefer a move to Juventus this season. Van Dijk openly stating that the higher-ups need to get things in control.



By all accounts this is going to be a truly massive summer, and we really need to get it right. How quickly things have disintegrated since Klopp left is truly baffling.

23 Apr 2026 14:29:51
What is surprising is that when our old 'Boot Room' and success/continuity ran out, we spent decades trying to get back to the top and stay there.
We finally managed that under Klopp, and built an identity, leadership group and genuine top-level squad.
From there, you would think it would only require tweaking here and there with the odd player or two each year to keep things fresh.
Similar to what Ferguson did at Utd.

Re-building title-winning teams and squads over and over.
The supposed idea of Slot was that he played a similar way and had a similar philosophy to Klopp.
However, it now seems like it is targeted dismantling of everything Klopp built - playing style, fitness, leadership group.
Why the wholesale change when only tweaks were needed?
You have an overall structure that works - why break it up?

23 Apr 2026 15:13:44
" How quickly things have disintegrated since Klopp left is truly baffling."

Just to try and give a more positive perspective as I feel like the page and general fan base is feeling more negative.

Since klopp has left we have also:
- won a Premier League
- renewed our captains contract and are working to secure the future of our best player this season, Ibou Konate (joke: Szobozlai)
- lowered the average age of the squad
- signed two very promising young centre halves
- reached the knockout round of the champions league twice finishing in the auto places

Not telling you that you are wrong. Just giving a different perspective

23 Apr 2026 15:45:37
We also now seem to lack that extra level of fitness that is required these days and have lost all intensity in our play because of it.
Then there are the continual niggly injuries that could be out down to our players not being trained as hard.
We play absolutely dire football game after game.


We struggle to break teams down and seem to let any team carve us open at will and by multiple methods.
You get the impression that the players have gone from wanting to run through walls for the manager to running through walls to get away from him.

23 Apr 2026 16:19:31
Keith pal, you don't get to decide what people post, positive/negative is irrelevant. When rubbish hits the fan there's no stopping it flying. If you want to distract yourself from the truth of concerning issues at hand with nonsense you go right ahead mate, but don't expect anyone with half a brain to follow suit.

23 Apr 2026 16:46:48
Chewy, you get a bolloxing from your missus or something?!

What did Navy Keith say that deserved such aggression?

He is giving a different view point. He's allowed, whether you or I agree with him or not.

And he gave it very politely!

23 Apr 2026 17:10:51
Keith was simply offering a more positive point of view Chew, wasnt trying to decide what people post.God knows a bit more positivity is needed around here.

23 Apr 2026 17:13:56
What I meant was in the sense of uncertainty and the disconnect between the fans and the club @NavyKeith. I think we are at our lowest point since Roy's days right now in terms of mood, while we are significantly better placed in terms of actual standing right now.

23 Apr 2026 17:35:15
I agree with you there koparmy, it is a weird situation. We are defending champions, should qualify for the UCL next season, have recruited some really good players in the summer, albeit they are not clicking just yet, and yet I do feel as low as the Roy months!

For all the really good reasons already posted, Slot must go, and it will be interesting to see who comes in.

I guess the only time in my lifetime that we would have had multiple different managers in 2 years would have been the Benitez/Roy/KK /Rodgers merry go round from 2010-2012, but that came after some years of no trophies, rather than now.

We should remember to stay positive, as difficult as it is right now, and hope we can start afresh in 2026-7

23 Apr 2026 18:04:22
Thekoparmy, the disintergration was not when Klopp left it was when Edwards came back it started when Klopp seemed to want to go as soon as Edwards was coming back.
YNWA

23 Apr 2026 18:48:41
Chewy, I get where you are coming from but really, our man @Navy didn't deserve that type of tongue-lashing. He made positive points because that is how he feels and is clearly a glass half-full guy. He chose to stay positive and that is within his right. When did that ever warrant such a response?

That doesn't mean you should go all ham on the guy just because he is doing what you wouldn't do. We can all agree/disagree on stuff but let's not forget that people are allowed to be positive and negative and share their views on that, regardless of what others will think of them.

23 Apr 2026 20:56:38
@thekoparmy

I certainly agree on the disconnect between fans and team/manager. It's not in a good place. Even when we weren't flying under klopp, we always had that.

Honestly I don't necessarily disagree with any of what you're saying. I just think there is another way we can look at things also.

@chewy - I don't know who pis*ed on your chips lad! Cheer up, it's Friday tomorrow.

23 Apr 2026 10:29:21
Ed001, you've been around a while, has there ever been such dislike for a current Liverpool manager whilst you've been running the site.

Mr Slot certainly seems to be extremely unpopular here at the moment. I only started reading this site just after Klopp joined so it would be interesting to know who else received the same amount of grief!

{Ed001's Note - no, Rodgers still retains a fair bit of support amongst the fanbase now and Hodgson, while everyone wanted him out, was mostly well-liked. Slot just hasn't managed to endear himself to the fans, even when winning it was difficult to take to him. Souness was another who was terrible but he was Souness and that made him a hero from his playing time, so he was well-protected from dislike.}

23 Apr 2026 13:28:05
Ed001 has been around that long he actually helped launch The Ark 👍

{Ed001's Note - and Bazza was one of those who marched on 2 by 2.}

23 Apr 2026 14:01:41
Im so long in the tooth, I had to go into the ark, looking up at the sky

23 Apr 2026 14:18:05
Dont think I've ever disliked a manager we've had, its the football what they play dictates anything negative, but after a while you just know the writing is on the wall with them.you don't listen to the press conferences etc, you know that its going to to be the same as usual, .

But I didn't want Houllier to be our manager, I liked Roy Evans style of football n think he got shafted by the board big time, I was fortunate to remember Paisley, n then the King, but must admit I loved Rafa aswel

23 Apr 2026 15:12:23
Agreed on Rafa Strom, I think he just came up a little short but I'll always remember THAT game and love him for it. He also seemed to "get" the club in a similar way to Jürgen. Guessing he may even still live in the area??

23 Apr 2026 15:17:39
Honestly, I don't think I dislike Slot. I just don't like his football and man management.

My dislike is for the suits who appear to be unaccountable as the club culture that has been built over the last decade is set fire to.

23 Apr 2026 16:05:12
I never disliked Rodgers, yes he came out with some absolute nonsense, but he was and still is an excellent COACH, he's not a great manager but his football at times was excellent.

Rodgers never had us playing this absolute bizarre way of football with little training and bugger all fitness levels.

Say what you want about Rodgers, but he always for the most part respected who he was representing, Slot has done nothing but goad the fans this year with his utter nonsensical press conferences and obsession with PSG.

23 Apr 2026 16:40:47
Johnnyr.i think Rafa has still got a house in Caldy, yea he was unlucky Rafa, got us a champs league win n runner up, he had to fight tooth n nail with H&G to get anything with better backing he could have won that lot, but he 100% got the team n the City, remember he was in a pub abroad bfr a game watching a game with the fans, top manager n man

23 Apr 2026 18:53:22
Slot invites utter dislike and negative energy all on his own due to how he talks, belittles people and makes excuse after excuse for all the issues he has caused this team this season. The guy has no remorse at all and when you put all these things together, the dislike comes on it's own.

23 Apr 2026 09:07:03
Just had a look at Hoeness and all his games he uses either a 4231 or 3421. We were linked with their young German CB Jeltsch, who is highly rated, along with Stiller. Done really well at Stuttgart. An interesting candidate.

23 Apr 2026 10:52:29
Keegan - I've been pondering this and also scratching my head at how Hoeness CV shows any evidence that he is ready to take over LFC.

I wouldn't be against it but my overriding feeling is we need experience

23 Apr 2026 12:28:53
Didnt know much about Hoeness tbh apart from what is said on here.A look into him shows he struggled at Hoffenheim.Took a club that that finished 6th the previous season to finishes of 11th and 9th in his 2 seasons there.However his 1st season at Stuttgart was superb with a 2nd placed finish.Tailed off horribly the following season to finish 9th.Has them in 4th position this season so has bounced back well.Fair play to Stuttgart seeing enough in that 1st season to show a bit of faith after a more difficult season the following year just like City did with Pep last year when he struggled.Shows that managers can sometimes bounce back.

23 Apr 2026 12:42:32
Mid table bundesliga clubs seem to be like that. A good season and qualification for Europe tends to lead to a struggle the following season. Maybe small squads struggle with the increased number of games. Hoffenheim, eintracht, leverkusen, stuttgart, werder bremen, wolfsburg etc lots of examples

23 Apr 2026 12:53:22
Are you implying that we should keep faith in Slot for next season with the hope that he can bounce back Florian? Because you could have just said so.

23 Apr 2026 12:54:00
Florian you cheeky devil you.

We see what you're doing at the end there.

23 Apr 2026 13:49:00
I'm convinced Flo has to be Richard Hughes and the Saudis have pulled the plug on his deal ;)

23 Apr 2026 14:06:00
Well, does anyone think if Hoeness had a 2nd followed by 9th that people here would be clamouring for him to sign a 10 year extension

As long as he plays attractive football, has no other issues to deal with and makes people feel good perhaps

23 Apr 2026 14:18:24
Well 1st and a possible 3rd aren't cutting it Faith so one can only guess😆

23 Apr 2026 15:26:27
Not having a dig at you fm. I quite admire your optimism, also you keep the site quite entertaining. But during last 12 months can you honestly say that you have found watching us play entertaining? Where have the fitness issues come from? If slot stays, do you think assistant, coaches need to be changed? Or are you fully confident (not supportive but confident) this set up can compete for cl and prem? I am presuming you don't have faith in Edwards and Hughes though.

23 Apr 2026 17:29:46
Lessons would have to have been learned West.Look for all my back and forward with people i've said for a while now i expect him to be gone.But if he's still here the weaknesses in the squad have to be addressed.Attitudes that were lacking this season either have to be removed or back on point.Things that people could have a go at this season like fitness(i think its over egged on here)has to be at 100 from the get go.Them things are done and we can be back challenging.The frontline needs some major work and Macca(if this season is his new norm)has be be replaced in MF.

24 Apr 2026 03:10:43
I think what Florian (and I) are saying is that there is more to the picture than throwing all our toys out the cot and at Slot's direction

23 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Kloppo05 has posted a new article entitled, Why Slot Feels Wrong for Liverpool

23 Apr 2026 10:51:54
There's an argument being made by some on here that FSG would never fire a manager who had won the title the previous season. Why not? Antonio Conte, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancellotti were all gone the next season after winning the title (Chelsea loving this practice the most). And this is all in recent times, for whatever reasons.

I'd be happy for Slot to join this select group. It's not his personality (or lack of) or the methodical, aimless style of play. Success is always due to a combination of factors. I believe we won last year because he mostly left things alone and players were still playing the way they knew how to under Klopp. Once he got his hands into everything, the slide began and it has been sliding ever since.

23 Apr 2026 14:06:46
Doesn't sound like he left things alone if you go by what players said of last season

23 Apr 2026 01:12:37
The amount per touch was not meant as a critical comment on the player, more the way he’s been played with wide players who concentrate on getting goals rather that providing quality crosses and the over valuation that many on here flagged up.

For me, he seems to be good at timing his runs for close high percentage shots, but is lacking in the press and creating shots outside the box. I do hope he does well.

23 Apr 2026 08:20:49
Isak had no pre-season and was in bad shape, had an injury that kept him out and was rushed back (into playing high intensity football) and was getting starts over Ekitike for some reason resulting in another injury soon after making him miss 4 & half months. He is barley 50% fit and has been miss used terribley so far.
He should have played for the u-21's until he was actually match fit instead of trying to get him match fit in serious matches dropping players in much better shape and form to start him. Which resulted in us basically missing him for 80% of the season and having some terrible results with and without him.

Add to that the crappy football we have played all season and you can see that it has been almost impossible for anyone to really shine let alone a half fit Isak who had no pre-season in a team forcing a stupid transition upon itself for some reason. He is not to blame imo, but if next season is the same we will probably have to cut our losses and sell him for 80 million € or so. Hopefully it doesn't come to that and he proves himself, I just find it hard to believe anyone can really really prove themselves under Slot.

23 Apr 2026 10:40:33
Isak doesn't suit our tactics. He's the kind of attacker who needs to get on the end of chances, not be the one who's involved in the build up. If we want him to succeed, he needs to be the focal point of the attack with the other attackers supporting him.

I can't see that happening in our team tbh. Both Salah and Gakpo wants to shoot and we don't use our full-backs to provide width. Not to mention the slow passing football we are playing now which suits no one.

23 Apr 2026 10:44:20
I've been critical of the Isak signing

But, I can see how he would work if we get the recruitment right.

Wingers key, better synergy in the team as well

23 Apr 2026 14:11:12
ArneSlotsBarber, what does match fitness have to do with a leg fracture? It was an awkward tackle which can happen to anyone.

23 Apr 2026 16:11:40
If he was in better shape he gets to that ball a lot quicker and doesn't even get hit by van der ven or whatever his name is! 👌

22 Apr 2026 23:11:55
I think Slot will say that in his time at Liverpool his record in the Champions League was only cut short by going out to the eventual champions twice (if PSG retain their title) which looks good on a CV but obviously doesn’t reflect what a sh** show he’s overseen in the Prem.

22 Apr 2026 23:44:25
Your right.Totally terrible in the Prem.Never going to win it with him.

23 Apr 2026 00:03:08
factually correct statement tho. Well soon, once PSG wrap up their repeat

23 Apr 2026 07:14:57
CL qualification is bare minimum objective now.

We can still get 3rd or 4th.

Top 4 will have got CL on merit alone.

Whoever gets 5th place can thank the other English teams in Europe this season.

23 Apr 2026 07:15:46
Slot talks absolute garbage and anyone taking his press conferences seriously needs their head examining. He should be a politician with the amount of gash he spouts.

23 Apr 2026 09:08:56
Usually when you get well beaten you should learn something from it, improve so when you face the same side again later you do better. But Arnold Slop appeared to have learned absolutely nothing from last seasons tie against PSG and the performance was even more insipid.

And there is one thing which seems clear, his title win was a one off and he lacks the capacity and ability to win another one. Dutch Brendan Rodgers.

23 Apr 2026 09:18:09
Liverpool will finish 4th, my prediction.
3 wins out of the last 5 games is enough to make that happen.
Must beat Villa or United though and I think we will win one of those games and lose the other.

23 Apr 2026 10:45:34
I find some of the rhetoric around Slot troublesome. Call me woke or whatever but I'm scratching my head at what he has done to earn some of the names being thrown his way.

23 Apr 2026 10:56:07
Well beaten on penalties😆

23 Apr 2026 11:46:34
Slot says a lot of things not worth listening too

23 Apr 2026 12:21:29
They played us off the park twice last season Florian. But for Ali, that would have been a cricket score in both legs. PSG had more possession (70% in Paris & 55% at Anfield)? and more shots on target in both legs (10 to our 1 in Paris and 8 to our 3 at Anfield). We barely troubled their keeper in either leg and were dominated twice. We didn't even trouble their keeper in the penalty shoot out thanks to two of the worst penalties I've ever seen taken by anyone in a red shirt.

Don't make out that it was close, because it wasn't. To claim that it was is disingenuous in the extreme. Slop has learnt nothing from it and only regressed further, there's absolutely no reason to think things will improve if he continues.

23 Apr 2026 12:54:14
Played us off the park in Paris alright.Alli was superb.But we won.I've seen games over the years like the nil-nils away to Barca in 01 and Juve in 05 where we barely got out of our half that have gone down in folklore despite being totally outplayed.Anfield match was an even game for me despite them having slightly more possession.There is literally no closer situation you can get to in football than a penalty shootout.PSG's hardest test in winning the Champs League last year came in the last 16.No one else laid a glove on them.They are in the semi's again this year and the only 2 legged tie or final they've been remotely tested in over the last two seasons was us, who took them to the wire.

23 Apr 2026 13:42:55
That was last year, with Klopps team, and Klopps tactics. This year with Arne's tactics we got well and truly destroyed, should have been 10-0 across both legs only for PSG being careless with opportunities.

23 Apr 2026 14:21:58
Course it was Chewy😊

23 Apr 2026 15:25:14
I thought we were the better team against PSG in the home leg last year, we were excellent and should have scored before the sucker punch from Dembele. Absolute nonsense that we were completely outplayed, I'm not sure what game you were watching. Unless you think that being crap in a penalty shootout is being outplayed by the opposition? Yes, we were awful in the away leg and 'should' have lost by a clutch of goals, but Alisson is part of the team and he is allowed to decide a game through individual brilliance the way any world class forward is, surely?

Calling Slot the Dutch Brendan Rodgers seems funny, until you take into account the obvious fact that one won the league and one didn't. I think we can dislike the manager all we like but at least show the bare minimum of respect for a coach who won the Premier League.

This season is a field day for you, Viktor, because you get to indulge in your favorite past time of spewing rhetoric and insults while racking up the plaudits. Fair play I guess, I hope you're having fun.

24 Apr 2026 03:12:05
How do we get the players say that Slot made changes to how they played, but we get couch coaches on here saying last year was Klopp's tactics

22 Apr 2026 18:49:34
Ed001, do you what has been happening with Malick Fofana this season? He seemed to be keen on a move to us and was seen as a decent value LW option if we spend the bulk of our chips on Diomande?

If he's excelled, great, but Lyon have probably put his price up!

{Ed001's Note - sorry mate, no idea, I haven't really followed much French football this season.}

22 Apr 2026 22:31:12
He's played 5 minutes in the league since October.

22 Apr 2026 22:43:54
hes been injured and been in and out of the team so he ruined his momentum.

23 Apr 2026 07:23:11
We've moved on from him obviously. I don't know even if we were ever interested. He was. Don't think it was reciprocal.

23 Apr 2026 09:15:07
Been injured since the early part of the season and before that was not even a starter.
He is not an option for the Liverpool left side.

22 Apr 2026 21:09:33
{Ed's Note - Kloppo05 has posted a new article entitled, Why Slot Feels Wrong for Liverpool

23 Apr 2026 02:13:04
Great article, love the last line (not sure if that was you or Ed033 flexing his AI muscles!).

I take umbridge at equating people who work on spreadsheets as being "grey" - being passionate can coexist with that line of work - but other than that, sums up my feelings perfectly!

23 Apr 2026 06:35:29
Well written 05, that's the Liverpool unfortunately I'm watching too.

22 Apr 2026 19:23:36
One thing I don't understand with the arguement of Slot is now staying is why didn't they help him in the January window for Semenyo and Guehi. Why didn't they allow Heitinga back if it's true Arne wanted him?

Personally, if Slot wants to leave then Iraola for me is the best choice.

Plays the style we like, has worked with Hughes, and has Prem experience. Only snag is the rumour his family haven't settled, so may go home.

If Slot decided to stay for one more season then Enrique's deal ends in 2027 so we could try and tempt him.

23 Apr 2026 00:07:43
Keegan - Who knows the real truth about Semenyo, Guehi and Heitenga. But I think it is totally fair to include the lack of synergy between recruitment and Coach in the overall assessment of this season.

No, default-setting Slot haters, that doesn't absolve Slot of responsibility or accountability. I am just interested in the overall picture and how it has all come together in this way.

If true that Slot wanted to bring Heitenga back, then shows to me that Slot does have a sense for what the team needs including in his coaching group. By all accounts Heitenga was the player's coach and I would assess that Slot knows very well how he and Heitenga balance each other out