Liverpool Banter 4

01 Nov 2026 18:31:09
It's got to be corruption now. If you're on VAR in front of a screen. Whichever way you look it's a penalty.
No-one can be that inept that they didn't see. Clear and obvious. yes.
FFS!!

01 Nov 2026 18:44:39
And the ref laughing with Gabriel under the tunnel and fist pumping each other.
Arsenal are a horrible side. They dive all across the pitch constantly disrupting the game.
This game shows me we're still a way off. Forward players weren't great atall. Kerkez isn't a Liverpool full back.

01 Nov 2026 18:50:52
That was the reason for VAR, that exact scenario.

01 Nov 2026 18:54:37
If the ref and Var were corupt they could have easily sent Nyoni off for his two mistimed challenges.

In every other league below the Premier League they aren't red cards but in the PL I've seen them given multiple times.

Saying that watching back I agree the Isak one should be picked up by Var for the ref to
Look at.

01 Nov 2026 19:03:25
Isak was no threat at all either. Thought Barcola was poor. No shots on goal is inexcusable.

01 Nov 2026 19:06:08
I thought we were only a "Camara" away from a title win. 😂🤣😂.

01 Nov 2026 19:16:23
Ron
I agree we are not ready to challenge this season.
I will be controversial too, Allison is nowhere near the level he used to be, way off, and replaceable.
Kerkez is crap.
Araujo and Jacquet are exceptional.

01 Nov 2026 19:21:48
Corruption? Give it a rest.

01 Nov 2026 19:26:48
Unfortunately we can't really complain about diving when we have Mac Allister in the team.

01 Nov 2026 19:41:16
I did say last week Barcola doesn't do enough and got shot down. Think we've been spoilt with previous front 3s with had unfortunately. Plus side Nyoni is looking the part.

01 Nov 2026 20:07:55
Corruption implies premeditation and planning. Both require a degree of competence. Something we know for a fact that PGMOL completely lack.

01 Nov 2026 20:10:01
Agree with JK, they're not corrupt (for the most part), just absolute dog rubbish, smooth-brained, gob persons who can't do their job with any level of competence whatsoever. There needs to be a panel of neutral ex-pros sitting over VAR's shoulder with the power to call them out and force them to reassess decisions on the spot.

01 Nov 2026 20:38:28
Chewy, they are 100% incompetent.

Players don't help mind falling over and trying to con the officials all game. Managers need to take some responsibility as well.

I watched a good level grass roots game yesterday and the striker made an embarrassing dive and effed and jeffed when he didn't get it and the manager subbed him straight off for it.

Then told him In club house he was a wally or words to that effect.

01 Nov 2026 21:01:31
In response to Rome 1977.
You have to admit that decision must either be inept to not see a shirt pull or the VAR have taken a bung.
In my opinion and everyone without exception that I've spoken that CANNOT have been missed. To appoint a professional who cannot see that is NOT an option. Therefore it must be a bung!!

01 Nov 2026 21:13:04

Inept, incompetent, shower of s****, absolutely. But I don't buy that they're corrupt. That said, I haven't seen 50 replays like you probably have. But, even if I had, I won't be screaming corruption.

01 Nov 2026 21:17:13
The play acting has to be dealt with by the refs, the rules are there, but they don't enforce them whatsoever. Gabriel today grabbing his face and throwing himself to the ground when Nyoni never touched it, it was even reviewed by VAR and no decision was made. Either it's a foul or he's diving, it's one or the other, it has to be a yellow card, if Nyoni had have touched his face, even accidentally he would have been booked, so why wasn't Gabriel when we can all clearly see he's diving and completely faking 'injury'.

It's a complete and utter joke, so long as these handbags aren't being penalised for diving, the game will remain a joke. The players will always try and get away with it when refs and pgmol allow it. Straight yellows for diving, end of story, no leniency for seconds. Blatant dives should be a straight red. It would change things overnight.

01 Nov 2026 21:40:20
I haven't seen 50 replays Rome. I saw it clearly live as it happened then the replay confirmed it 100%. You didn't need to see it again but the boys on VAR would've done. Nobody is that inept. They can't be.

02 Nov 2026 00:09:34
The officials saw the incident. They saw the shirt pull but deemed it not worthy of a penalty as it didn't restrict Isak enough.
Iraola is 100% correct, sadly. We need to start diving to get the decisions.

01 Nov 2026 18:30:28
Genuinely. We are miles off a title.

That's City & Arsenal both beating us at Anfield

Our squad is good enough to get top 5, but in terms of going for the Premier League / Champions League, it's years away.

01 Nov 2026 18:37:43
I don't think many expected us to win the PL this season. but what i did expect was a bit more urgency in our play.

We looked like a Slot team at times today. so very slow.

01 Nov 2026 18:41:20
Did you just pick up the result on teletext?

01 Nov 2026 18:43:59
Why would you think we would be competing that quickly? It's it arrogance of being a Liverpool fan or just being spoiled for the last 10 years? Teams in transition to a new coach massive positives last few weeks we will be in and about in all comps to me.

01 Nov 2026 18:46:17
It's not years. That game requires cool heads and silky passing especially against this Arsenal side. We're still soft especially upfront.

01 Nov 2026 18:50:59
Apologies LFC8. I read that first time that we don't have a squad good enough for top 5 which I thought was way over the top.

I don't think we are years away. But this year was always a stretch. I'm not that impressed by Arsenal to be honest. They are hard to score against which is great but they are nowhere near the City side in their pomp (cheated as they did to get there). They are very catchable. Winning close games is a good skill, don't get me wrong but that will run out eventually.

We need a bit more gelling and a couple more additions but I could see us going close next season already.

01 Nov 2026 18:53:26
I disagree mate.

Klopp arrived and talked about culture and identity. We are playing much much better and the signs are there.

As for the title, well that's classic fan fiction. Truth is, we aren't in the running and that's fine! But we are building something, we are getting that fight back. We are definitely not miles off.

Couple quality signings and we may see a title push in the future. Right man, right job!

Well done Arsenal. No excuses.

01 Nov 2026 18:55:24
Arsenal defend like Wimbledon, I think if and when the strike force click we'll be better. Gakpo was on fire earlier in season but we have moved him to accommodate barcola?

01 Nov 2026 18:56:06
Correct.

01 Nov 2026 19:00:53
Just maybe it was more than Slot that was the problem.

01 Nov 2026 19:02:50
We were all over them after the goal and spent large portions of the second have as the better team. They have a great defence and scored early. Cop yourself on a small bit.

01 Nov 2026 19:03:20
It's not years away. I could be as little as one good transfer window if the club pick the right players.

01 Nov 2026 19:10:27
Arsenal and Brighton for the title then with Liverpool, Chelsea and City all in new coach transition.

It beats being in "Spent 400 million defending champions transition" that the club were in last season.

01 Nov 2026 19:21:22
I'm not sure how many miles the club are off challenging but they are currently 9 points off Arsenal which isn't massive and 8 points clear of United in 17th.

01 Nov 2026 19:21:53
If that game was at Emirates and we narrowly miss out on a point due to some terrible referee decisions

I'd say the opposite of what I said there, but that was anfield, 1 shot on target, we are miles off challenging

It's not a criticism, I never thought we was close to the big trophies, I didn't think the summer window indicated that Challenging was our season objectives, it's just merely a fact that we're not at the level of Liverpool teams under Jurgan Klopp that constantly was in the top 5 teams in world football.

01 Nov 2026 19:50:42
LFC8 no idea what you expected. tell you what I expected, Arsenal to be much better. We were clearly the better side and they were clinging on through last ditch defending. pretty good from AI after 10 games when Arteta has had 8 years to build his side.

Really pleased with the effort and pressing today, only yet another bent ref prevented a positive result - onwards and upwards for LFC under AI.

01 Nov 2026 18:30:25
Two good teams, two losses. It was unlucky and i think we played our best football in the two games we have lost this season!

01 Nov 2026 18:35:41
Two horrendous refereeing decisions changed both games.

We have to work on ourselves but having such wrongful decisions go against you doesn't help.

01 Nov 2026 19:20:48
What game were you watching we played shocking? The game was there for the taking but the team couldn't barely string a row of passes together. Barcola honestly I don't think I can remember seeing a performance that poor from a Liverpool player in years.

Futures bright under Iraola i think so this season il give him permission to try things to find his team for the future.

01 Nov 2026 19:28:57
Garbage. The referee decision is irrelevant. There's half a billion pounds in the front four and Raya doesn't have to make a proper save or two?!?!. That's more relevant to me. That's in our control. Something is seriously amiss.

01 Nov 2026 18:29:23
Arsenal are a team only a fan can love.

The are absolutely tripe to watch.

Think we are improving all the time. Once we get fully up to speed, we'll knock this boring lot off their perch.

01 Nov 2026 18:58:33
How's your grapes.

{Ed025's Note - sour..

01 Nov 2026 18:28:20
Don't even know what to say about that to be honest.

01 Nov 2026 18:27:43
Quality of refereeing is pitiful another game changed by poor refereeing.

Madley is probably one of the worst.

We couldn't hit the target but that doesn't excuse the referee and VAR missing at least one clear as day penalty.

Turned the sport into a clown show.

01 Nov 2026 18:31:12
They are all completely terrible Sailor. There's not one good one.

01 Nov 2026 18:33:07
Other than the missed penalty I thought the ref did well, let the tackles go, let the game flow.

01 Nov 2026 18:33:57
Can't blame the ref for £375m not having a shot on target.

{Ed025's Note - exactly WM..

01 Nov 2026 18:35:44
Surprising more wasn't made of the slight pull back on Isak and even by Isak himself. To me that's a penalty! It only needed a slight pull for Isak not to get his head on the ball and if it's a penalty then it's also a red card, denying a goal scoring opportunity but again why doesn't Isak make more of an appeal 🤷‍♂️.

{Ed025's Note - all the refs seem to pick on Liverpool...Hmmmm

01 Nov 2026 19:19:34
I haven't had the benefit of replays, but based on what I've seen I'm not blaming the ref and I'm certainly not screaming corruption.

01 Nov 2026 19:52:30
Clearly the penalty incident looked different with bitter goggles on then.

01 Nov 2026 19:06:31
Ed, nowhere in TIR post did I read him even implying that the refs were exclusively picking on Liverpool. He was making a factual statement about an awful decision by the ref and VAR. It happens in every match and it is inexcusable especially with VAR. That's the point.

{Ed025's Note - all teams get bad decisions at times Stone its just the way it is im afraid mate, and all players have a tug of a shirt now and again its become part of the modern game sadly, i think we would get 10 penalties each every game if these were called out every time, maybe if they did call every one out it would stop but i suppose it goes on the severity of the pull and that makes it subjective...but i think we have to stop this "woe is me" culture as well..

01 Nov 2026 19:14:11
Nobody said the referee picks on Liverpool ed025? He missed an early yellow for nyoni? The referees are poor and again potentially changed the outcome of another game. That's just fact as Rafa would say.
But witty comment I guess.

{Ed025's Note - it is what it is Jerry, every teams get bad ones mate but we just have to move on my friend..

01 Nov 2026 15:17:45
Nyoni and Macca in the middle. People have been calling for it on here, let's see how it goes!

01 Nov 2026 15:58:13
It would be fine if wirtz was not playing 3 slight mids is a disaster. Arsenal will overpower lfc midfield today and that will cost them

People need to realise it's like 424 u get zero tackles ans defensive graft from the number 10 btw i'm not blaming him in merely stating the manager needs to see how much of a big hole we have in midfield when we have Macca outnumbered.

01 Nov 2026 16:20:37
While I'm delighted for Nyoni I partially agree with Postklopp, I'd be worried about getting bullied in the middle or the kid making a rookie error, but he has shown to be a betterchoice than Grav. I'm absolutely rooting for him, he's worked hard and fully deserves this, but I'd be lying if I said this mid 3 fills me with confidence.

Very much looking forward to the game though, 7 wins from our last 8 and an in form Isak. Collectively, we've massively improved on last season already, and there's still room for more.

01 Nov 2026 16:24:10
Nyoni is good enough. He just needs to be switched on and head smart.

01 Nov 2026 17:30:00
Well we can safely say he has not been bullied in the midfield.

01 Nov 2026 17:34:17
Nyoni has been fantastic lad's.

{Ed025's Note - decent i would say Barry..

01 Nov 2026 18:28:18
Nyoni played a blinder. We dropped off when Dom came on to replace him. He is good enough.

01 Nov 2026 18:36:25
We were too slow to progress the ball or went long when Szob came in. Treys strength is his ability to play progressive passes early, from relatively deep positions he helps get us up the pitch quickly. Taking him off was a mistake, also couldn't understand bringing Tzimi on.

We lost shape and quality second half with the subs. That's where our squad quality just isn't quite there. Fine margins but not quite good enough.

{Ed025's Note - revised player values
Wirtz £2m
Isak £1m
Barcola £500,000..

01 Nov 2026 18:52:43
Nope not good enough. Kerkez is a liability and the midfield is non existent.

01 Nov 2026 20:13:13
25- do you really think we'd get that much? If so we should cash in now .

{Ed025's Note - i have been bitterly disappointed with the 3 of them JB, not just this game mate but since they came..

01 Nov 2026 10:23:58
What's the predictions for today?

01 Nov 2026 12:24:06
0-0, arteta is always too afraid to beat us.

01 Nov 2026 15:29:29
My money is on the ref deciding it.

01 Nov 2026 15:58:30
3-1 Arsenal.

{Ed025's Note - no chance...2-0 to Liverpool..

01 Nov 2026 15:58:36
1-1.

{Ed666's Note - 3-1 or 3-0 Liverpool.

01 Nov 2026 16:07:05
2-1 Liverpool.

01 Nov 2026 16:16:14
As long as we don't get beat and a good performance and I'll be happy 👍. Bench still not the best! A few players back from injury please 🙏.

01 Nov 2026 18:36:33
You called it! Referee decided it, again.

01 Nov 2026 10:19:27
It is a huge game today. No one really thought we would be near the title this season and the favorites are still Arsenal as there is such a big question mark over City.

But a win today and we are right in the mix going in to a game against a poor Palace team next weekend. A loss however and it will be defeats at home to two of the 4 teams above us. The City loss was hard to take for a number of reasons, no least as the game was in the balance until a ridiculous red card. But non the less it was a loss.

I feel this will be a score draw and as you were. But dreaming of a win as that would be lift off for us I think.