Liverpool banter 5

09 Jan 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 20 - Quick Round Up

09 Jan 2026 04:25:08
Ed001
Other than the glaring need for a CB (2 for me) would you say the team lacks energy or drive from the wide positions or a combative midfielder the most?
I honestly think the team misses Diaz more than anything he was a constant threat, sometimes bsllsed up too, but he was an energy we lack badly.


Coupled with Mo having a stinker of a season so far, it feels like we lack cutting edge from the flanks?
What's your thoughts? I would love to see Olise or Barcola join we need someone exciting as it's all very lethargic at the moment though I thought we were really good 2nd half last night.

{Ed001's Note - we have two very good attacking wing-backs that have spent most of the season shackled in defence that can give us some energy and drive out wide. We do not have bite in the midfield. It says a lot that a player as weak as Zubimendi was able to give them a battle. That guy makes a wet paper bag look tough.}

09 Jan 2026 07:07:07
I'm not convinced Slot wants to play with conventional wingers going forward, I suspect that might be why we didn't go for Semenyo. Of course Slot might not be here next season, but Kerkez and Frimpong providing the width as full backs looks to be the future.

09 Jan 2026 08:08:52
I thought we won the midfield battle comfortably Ed. Zubi and Rice were just getting frustrated in the second half because they couldn't get the ball off us.

Macca was much better, Grav was much better and Szob was his usual Duracell bunny.

Grav and Macca weren't back to last season's levels but given how poor they've been for the last 3 months it was a big step in the right direction.

I do think some fans have gone so far down the Slot Out route that they can't just give credit where it's due.

{Ed001's Note - no, you are just so deluded you see things that don't happen. Mac Allister was so much better I never realised he was on the pitch until he went down feigning injury towards the end of the first half. We were awful in the first half when Arsenal took the game to us, but in the second half they just sat back and we offered and created nothing. All very well passing the ball around, but the idea of the game is to put the ball between the white sticks and win, not play out a bore draw with neither team having the bottle to go for the win. Waste of an evening watching that.

As for the snide dig at the end, stop that, I am sick of these petty little childish digs because you can't handle someone having a different opinion from you. It is that kind of prickish behaviour that really ruins any chance of a decent discussion.}

09 Jan 2026 08:26:35
I agree, PB. SLot simply won't play that way. It is what it is. For me, we played the way we always play esp. with no CF's (even tho, Chiesa could have played there cos he can play there) . With Arsenal? They did a bit in the first 20 mins and put us under pressure which was expected. However, they seemed to run out of ideas from then, on.

In the second half, Arsenal sat back hoping we would pass it around, make a mistake and pounce hence, they stopped pressing us. We handled that well and Arsenal seemed to run outta gas and looked tired. We were almost no threat to them overall and that is frustrating BUT we got a result so hats off to the players and Slot.

{Ed025's Note - you know you harp on about about teams parking the bus and the low block against you Oli...how do you feel about Liverpool in that first half mate?, you parked more buses than Arriva so im interested in your view on that..

09 Jan 2026 08:37:28
Sorry but it was an abysmal game and we were pretty poor but shows how poor the premier league is this season if Arsenal can win title with ease. If Slot had anything about him not only would we be challenging but we would comfortably win the premier league and this is the problem.

Poor fitness poor tactics and Slot has doubled down on these mistakes. Only my opinion but it's pretty glaring.

{Ed025's Note - and these are 2 of the top 4 sides in the country Coul, it was pathetic mate and they are kidding the public..

09 Jan 2026 08:40:48
A lot of Arsenals best play goes through Saka, no surprise with that as he's a good player. Once we nullified that better second half it was easier together hold of the game. The final ball has been lacking most of the season, and was again last night, but obviously without Ekitike it made things harder to convert anything.

I thought we defended well, and although it wasn't exciting to watch I took something out of seeing improvement in that side of our play, better performances from Kerkez, Konate, and VVD.

Zubimendi doesn't look anything special in any of the games I've watched tbh, including last night.

09 Jan 2026 08:51:21
Ed, it's very obvious that the midfield lack bite. But, is it just me that feel like the team as a whole is just soft? The opposition could just bullied and shove our players and nobody will do anything about it.

{Ed001's Note - yes, we are very soft. It is frustrating to see us get bullied, despite having some big guys who should be able to put themselves about.}

09 Jan 2026 09:04:13
Agree with Oli. Hats off to Slot and the players for a solid performance, though not exactly pretty to watch, I agree.

And I agree with Sean's last paragraph, so I expect a torrent of abuse as well!

09 Jan 2026 09:11:32
All in all a poor game from us, no attacking options. Gakpo should be a sub at best. Frimpong on 2 occasions should have gone on to shoot atleast. Chiesa should have been brought on for last 10 minimum. Too negative, just like arsenal played against us at home. Macca was woeful barring 1 piece of skill where actually took on 3 players and was brought down. This is slots tactics? Poor, playing for a draw or a lucky draw 1 nil is Crap.


As for arsenal, huffed and puffed for 25 mins then disappeared. Bradley hitting crossbar made them sit back, Get it though, a point for them is a good result, even though they should have beat us really. A point when you're going for title against a top team is a good result. A point for us isn't for me sorry, pathetic boring system. Sooner lose and play for a win with attacking football myself. As for martinelli what the heck man.

{Ed025's Note - spot on for me Magico..

09 Jan 2026 09:31:08
"We were almost no threat to them overall and that is frustrating. "


Ed25, did you miss this part? Obvioulsy. Also, when have I ever harped or complained about teams parking the bus against us? You are aware that I have NO issues with teams playing this way and used to criticise Klopp whenever he complained about it, right? You must have mistaken me for the manager who complains about that all the time we don't win. Teams play the way they play and it is our job to figure it out.

Also, you think I was happy about the way we played in the first half or even in the whole game with NO shots on target? I have been the one slamming the manager for being scared of his own shadow all season to let our players play on the front foot yet you come on here asking if I was happy with the first half?

Again, you must have me mistaken for the manager.

{Ed025's Note - you have certainly complained about the "low block" in the past Oli, maybe you have forgotten mate due to your resentment of the manager?. i do agree that it is awful to watch though even though you actually played better than Arsenal last night..

09 Jan 2026 09:35:28
Disagree Magico. I don't buy that "rather lose and play attacking football". It was not a poor game from us. It wasn't exciting, for sure, but we defended well, which made a change.

I enjoy our banter on chat, when I'm not at the game. We never agree with one another, but that's what makes the chat enjoyable.

09 Jan 2026 09:44:38
Last night, first half was " we aren't conceding". Second half was better . But we are going from a low base saying that.

09 Jan 2026 10:08:15
Ed25, I never did that. That is not true. Resentment for the manager? Mate, I used to hate it when Klopp complained about it. Why would I complain about something that I criticised our great manager in the PL era for complaining about? If Klopp could get it then, Slot ain't getting a pass at any point from me.

You've had a 'mare here, mate.

Let it go.

{Ed025's Note - come clean Oli...you know you want to mate.. :)

09 Jan 2026 10:18:44
I find it very odd that we play a team who are 6 points clear at the top of the PL, at there place were they have only dropped points once this season (to Citeh) and all the fans can come up with are pages and pages of criticism about why (in their opinion) we aren't any good.

Considering the Oracle predicted a 6 - 1 loss I think it's fair to say that the team exceeded the miserable expectations of the nay-sayers. And yes, I accept that we are still not playing well but without our three best attackers we are a little hamstrung up front.

09 Jan 2026 10:47:08
WDWIV, I agree with you 100%.

09 Jan 2026 11:27:43
I don't know, I think Macca played quite well? Is it just me? At least he didn't look like he was a liability and a hindrance to the team like he has on certain occasions this year. I thought Grav was really good too.

I wouldn't go as far as some folks on here calling that a great performance but we have to remember that most people on here were saying we were going to get smashed and Arsenal would want to make an example of us after City dropped points. We didn't concede on a set piece, we gave them nothing in terms of big chances, and if we weren't so disjointed in attack (and we have been pretty much all season) and Frimpong delivered one or two better balls when he had the chance, we would have won that game. We do everything decently well until we get to the final third usually.

I think the players didn't disgrace themselves out there, they could leave the pitch with some pride. One could say it was a weak and conservative performance but from another angle it could be said that we had the mettle to weather the first 20-25 mins, forced our way into the game gradually and eventually imposed ourselves enough to boss it for periods of the game.

09 Jan 2026 11:46:12
I agree WDW I just don't understand what people expect.

We have been awful at times this season so to go away to Arsenal and be as comfortable as we were is a huge step forward and should give us confidence going into the second half of the season.

Ed1 I wasn't having a snide dig I genuinely think that is the case. There's been so much noise about Slot needing to go I think it's hard for some people to admit that we actually did ok.

I've said myself that Slot should go, especially after the PSV game but I'm not so arrogant that I can't admit that we actually played ok last night and he is showing signs of getting us set up better defensively at least. that's not a dig at you or anyone else it's just how I see it and I welcome your views if you think I'm wrong which is what having a decent discussion is all about isn't it?

09 Jan 2026 12:03:43
I take your point wdw and Rome…. i get we played well in the defensive department of the game, and why haven't we been doing that all season I have no idea, however you don't win games playing this way normally. reminiscent of Burnley against us.

, if we'd of had thrown Rio, Chiesa and even jones for Macca on mate I'm more likely to change my mind, and we could of won that game. In hindsight 4 points off arsenal in a season is great. But I'll never change my mind on slots woeful tactics sorry.

09 Jan 2026 14:01:04
May i ask a question to all the liverpool fans who think that was a good performance.

Title winning team, added half a billion to it, over 97 minutes did not register a single shot on target an entire game, and call it a good performance?

09 Jan 2026 14:47:39
You could use that argument every game we don't win and say the same thing, you wouldn't even need to actually watch the game or any of the games before or after it. It's easy, I see the talksport graphics and other such memes on social media every day.

09 Jan 2026 14:47:47
I thought it was a good performance, dio1989. Not exceptional but good.
Arsenal are the form team playing at home where they don't let in goals, riding the confidence of being top of the table. They had a full squad to choose from and thus played their strongest eleven.
We had lost 3 first team forwards and are trying to build momentum after a dire loss of form in November.
Arsenal too spent an absolute stack over summer and only registered 2 shots on target all game.


On paper we should have gotten spanked (by as much as 6 goals according to some on here) but our defence held strong and were arguably the better team over all. A goal and a win would have been nice but with 3 missing goalscorers (the leagues 2 highest scorers last season and our top scorer this season), a draw away from home was a decent result.

09 Jan 2026 16:32:37
Dio, we did not add half a billion to a title winning team. We lost players and had to replace them.

Arsenal have added £300m of players to a side that's finished 2nd for the last 3 seasons without losing anyone and it showed with the strength of their bench compared to ours. Strictly speaking they should walk the league this season.

09 Jan 2026 16:57:28
dio1989, that wasn't a title winning team, last night.
TAA, Robbo, Diaz, Salah would have all most likely have started last season. With maybe Elliott, Nunez and Jota featuring from the bench. I'm not sure about Jones.
And when you talk about adding half a billion's worth of talent, you conveniently forget about the £200m+ of talent that left in the summer.

09 Jan 2026 16:58:20
We never had an out ball, we could of literally just gave Frimpong the ball an he would of gone past Skelly every time, he had him, lack of players in the box, that first half we lined up 5-5-0, Wirtz is a different level player, it's clear to see, he has nothing in front of him to pass to or play through, we need a manager who plays front foot, movement based, in behind the last line style, we have wasted this new squad we have this season, played right and without the side / backwards passing we would be in a much better position.

Slot has turned stubborn, he clearly see's his style isn't up to it, like Amorim it has become his downfall, I hope we get a forward thinking coach in asap and let's this talented squad off the leash, we could upset a few in the CL if we are smart and brave enough.

09 Jan 2026 22:18:24
@Dio, of course you can ask.

Of the roughly 430m we spent, roughly 230m was unavailable through injury (Isak, Ekitike and Leoni) . You also failed to mention that our opponents, top of the PL had a greater net spend than us in the summer transfer window.

You could also add that our strike force consists primarily of Ekitike, Isak and Salah, none of who, were available.

As has also been said, there were a number of players in the title winning squad that left, so saying we added half a billion to a title winning squad isn't quite true

I'm not sure how many times people have said this but, once more, we are not playing well, and we are not meeting fans expectations (which is quite a different thing) .

Hope this helps?

08 Jan 2026 23:58:45
I think most posters won't want to use the new 'ignore function' available on here now. But if you don't want to see another posters posts and replies, then you can go to the My Profile page, scroll down and enter the exact username (s) that you want to 'ignore' in the textbox - one username per line and tap the Submit button. If the username(s) stay in the textbox, then the usernames will be 'ignored'.

This doesn't effect anyone else and if you're not logged in then all posts and replies are shown. Max 5 usernames can be 'ignored'.

09 Jan 2026 00:15:03
We're going to need more than 5 options to cover all of Harry and Leek's multiple personalities, Ed033 😂😂

Seriously though, good idea. I'm going to put Zeddicus first as I talk a load of bs most of the time 👍.

{Ed033's Note - Harry stopped posting didn't he? Not sure about Leek.

It's to hide regular posters' posts and replies that other logged in people/posters don't want to see when they read the main pages on here.

09 Jan 2026 01:43:26
Great idea.

09 Jan 2026 02:48:43
This is an excellent addition to the site Ed33. On current users, I won't be adding anyone to the ignore list but probably most certainly will pretty soon. Last season I could've added a few!

09 Jan 2026 05:01:59
I have a different view and most probably won't be adding anyone to the ignore list. At the end of the day, this site thrives on differing opinions and I wouldn't want to be in an echo chamber where I am only surrounded by those who only share the same views I do.

The Eds do a fantastic job moderating this site already so posts that are derogatory don't get through at all anyway.

09 Jan 2026 07:13:44
Aye, it's not for me. I like to read all types of post no matter how bizarre. Agree on the Eds Drac 👍.

09 Jan 2026 08:09:07
Could this be the end of the drama between JK23 and Oli?!? Say it isn't so!

09 Jan 2026 08:27:19
Thanks, Ed033. I'll be needing that.

09 Jan 2026 08:50:43
Can we add eds to the list? That 25 one is bit of hard work ;-)

{Ed025's Note - you can deffo add me SSH mate.. :)

09 Jan 2026 09:04:10
Thanks Ed33

Great idea and functionality.

{Ed033's Note - It does hide Eds posts and replies, but it doesn't hide Eds notes.

09 Jan 2026 10:51:11
This was created with me in mind wasn't it Ed033. 😄.

{Ed033's Note - How did you guess? 😄.

09 Jan 2026 18:22:59
I'll be on Oli's ignore list alongside going to games.

08 Jan 2026 23:21:45
Evening all looking for opinions :- with what looks like a very serious injury to Bradley do you think the clubs hand will be forced into getting in a versatile defender asap surely with the injuries mounting up we have to add to an already undersized and weak squad.

Sure wished Konate had took the head off of that p###k of a Martenilli but then he'd have been sent off and banned I guess, still think it would have been worth it though 🤔😉.

09 Jan 2026 00:38:00
Looks like it could be an acl. Wouldn't be surprised if that's his season done. There's absolutely no way we can continue without bringing somebody in. We already needed 1 defender, we now need 2. There can be no compromise here. Bradley, Gomez and Frimpong have missed 182 days and 30 matches between them this season. there's no reliability on that right hand side.

09 Jan 2026 00:43:42
Loved Konate's yellow. Mac and Szob also did well - and not one of them lost it. Konate's yellow should be cancelled.

Ps Konate and Kerkez have been excellent for a couple of games now. Slot has got us solid again. Just a matter of time before we start scoring again.

09 Jan 2026 03:13:41
Master I thought we were looking to play more vertically in the second half. From Virgil to Macca, etc. much more direct. Shame Frimpong missed a couple good opportunities to put a better ball in. Wirtz could have done more for me.

Cleary Slot didn't trust Chiesa or Rio to make an impact, Gomez being our only sub and forced at that. I think Chiesa's pace and direct running through the middle could have given us an outlet the last 10-15 which we didn't have.

But if we keep this up, get some players back, we can solidify top 4, make a run in the CL and FA Cup. Let's see.

09 Jan 2026 05:09:01
Bradley's Injury was the only down side to last night's performance a hate gary neville comments on our games he seems a twat let's hope we can build on that especially with MO coming back soon . question if treats not getting a game at Madrid could he or would he come back?

09 Jan 2026 06:51:16
Neville might well be a wally but he was right in saying he would take a red card for Martinelli. Total scumbag.

09 Jan 2026 08:30:58
We have Ramsey if Slot would show the confidence in him, i think there's a player there, CB is the obvious one we need and if we end up without getting Guehi then people need sacking.

09 Jan 2026 08:35:13
As soon as Bradley pulled up, I and many of us, knew something bad had happened. We've seen those before plenty of times.

If I could see it, what's Martinelli's excuse? First, he drops the ball on Bradley cyniclally while on the ground in Then, proceeds to drag him off the pitch even with the physios there attending to him to the point that the physio almost pounced on him, as well.

Mate, if AB1 is mad at you and thinks you're a bellend then you know, you don messed up, for real. Personally, I would have punched Martinelli's lights out (twice), I promise you that. Shambolic behavior.

09 Jan 2026 11:06:05
OliRed, you didn't know something bad had happened. Stop making things up.
I do think Martinelli should have a red card because he didn't know what had happened to Bradley, though.
Players and posters can't know whether a player is badly injured or not and decide to take matters into their own hands.

09 Jan 2026 15:21:31
I knew he was badly injured Rigsby. Pretty much straight away mate🤷‍♂️.

08 Jan 2026 22:43:41
Eds

I thought that was a decent performer tonight but with Bradley's injury looking pretty bad it leaves our squad strength at the back looking pretty bare and we've still a lot to play for this season.

With Man City seemingly showing their hand regarding Guéhi can you see us responding and making a real push for him this window

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think they want to buy when the seller can smell desperation. But they might be forced to.}

09 Jan 2026 00:11:57
Cheers Ed

I think he'll be a brilliant addition for us but I can sense City aren't going to go away!

Thanks again.

09 Jan 2026 05:36:58
I love Bradley but he's worrying me he'll end out like James, great player but picks up so many injuries. I understand they both suffer different types of injured but poor Bradley seems to have no luck.

09 Jan 2026 08:36:54
@Sailor, that was an accident that can happen to anyone. He slipped and his ankle buckled and jarred his knee. It happens.

I do agree overall that Bradley needs to get his fitness up cos the litle injuries he picks up do worry me.

09 Jan 2026 08:44:50
Guehi can cover right back as well as being a good CB. Why not pay the £30m as we're not getting anyone better in the market for less.

09 Jan 2026 10:01:45
Valid point, Hugo.

08 Jan 2026 22:41:29
Last season we took a lot of flak from opposition supporters that we ran away with the league because the standard in the league was poor. Of course, we knew better and told them so. We won the League because we were excellent.

I just watched us play Arsenal, the team clear at the top of the League and we held them off comfortably. In fact, we were the better team for much of the second half.

We are playing poorly this season but over half way through the season we are fourth in the League and only the top two have won more games than us.

For me, there are two seperate things.

1. As a team we are playing (mostly) badly. We seem to have no established plan, our execution is poor and it seems that the head coach and his staff have no clearly defined plan.

2. In the context of the League, however, we actually aren't 5hat bad comparatively speaking. City are playing well, Arsenal have the knack of eking out wins (which we had last season and at the start of this season) but we aren't far off being one of the best of the remaining bunch.

So, from this Liverpool fan's perspective we have been mostly poor this season, with the occasionally, very frustrating, glimpse of what we might be able to do, but within the League we will probably end up in a CL qualification spot, which keeps the sponsors happy and the revenue streams healthy.

It's a shame, from a club perspective, that our head coach can't or won't adapt.

It's a shame, from a general football perspective that business trumps the game and poor football is becoming the norm and dross is
Ok providing the money keeps coming in.

08 Jan 2026 23:00:45
We should've won the title this season.

We chucked it away with stupid negative football, and not getting a CB and replacing Diaz.

08 Jan 2026 23:10:48
It's as clear as day that when we go after the ball and teams we play well and when we sit off we play crap.

Watch the players in the first half. Standing in front of Arsenal players with no attempt to get the ball. Allowed Arsenal to do what they want. They had so much possession and luckily had little clue what to do with it.

Second half we tried to get the ball all over the pitch. We tried to tackle.

And when we got forward we attempted to get down the sides at long last. Some poor crossing and no striker hurted us but we tried.

I just feel that we won't learn from that second half and we ll start off the next game messing about half heartedly again.

And I keep saying it. How to beat a low block is not "patience". A low block begs for patience. You hammer though it. Over and over and over again until it caves in.

Is some of the stuff we saw in the second half there the start of something or will Slot revert again. Nothing annoys me more than not learning from mistakes.

We can press and cover the spaces in behind. It's very possible. The passive crap needs to end now. That first half again. My good lord. Seriously. I felt like we were a relegation battler in that first half.

08 Jan 2026 23:51:48
We should be walking this league. Standard is atrocious.

09 Jan 2026 03:35:20
Well I hope we turned a corner tonight. I think second half we seemed to abandon the side to side passing for a more vertical approach. That has to be coaching because we haven't done so much of that this season.

Maybe Slot learned a thing or two tonight and will be more expansive in the upcoming games. We have the players to do it. Not that he cares, but i can support the manager if he plays progressive football and let's the boys play.

09 Jan 2026 08:10:48
The team always plays better against teams who don't want to sit deep and play on the counter. It's those kind of teams who cause us trouble usually with powerful runners breaking through our unfit midfield.

The other problem with playing against the park the bus teams is that they can handle our slow buildup passing game easily. We only score from opposition mistakes at the moment. Relying on wirtz for a moment of magic is too unreliable. We should counter attack the counter attack with accuracy and speed. This is where we miss Trent, his passing to Salah or mane could open up teams like a surgeons scalpel.

09 Jan 2026 08:51:05
That's right King.

We haven't got the right quality at the moment, shown by poor final ball and lack of clear chances, to carve up teams in the final third. At the moment that's partly due to injuries, and AFCON, but Mo and Isak weren't playing well.

That's bizarre when you think how much we spent on offensive players.

The only one who we haven't seen much of offensively at all is Kerkez. So perhaps if we gave him that bit more freedom it would help our chance creation. We're too predictable atm. To do that we may need to change midfield as we can't carry Macallister any longer.

09 Jan 2026 12:01:34
There's no point saying 'we should'. The simple fact is, we haven't. The fact we haven't down to mis-management rather than player capability. Going to Arsenal and keeping them scoreless isn't a bad effort at any time and is a positive step forward. Ten games unbeaten is also a positive step forward - especially with the current injuries and player availability - but we have to rake the next step from 'positive steps / signs' and start to take games by the scruff of the neck.

We are good enough to do it with the squad we have + now it's time for Slot to introduce a system that plays to our strengths.

09 Jan 2026 12:02:22
If either manager had been brave enough then there could have been goals last night.

Yes, frimpongs crosses were poor but he nothing to aim for. Liverpool tallest attacking player was on the opposite line making no effort to attack the penalty area most. of the time.

08 Jan 2026 22:35:11
I wish Martinelli no end of pain or misery. I don't know what could possess someone to see an injured person on the floor, and rather than aid or ignore, he decides to throw a football at them, then attempts to drag them off the pitch. Absolute piece of work.

And now we have Arteta defending him. He has installed these types of values into his players, the underhanded type that we used to criticise Mourinho and other dinosaurs for. I. e. Time wasting, diving, crowding opposition players or the referee, whining and complaining incessantly about anything, believing the world is against them and understanding that they have to resort to such tactics.

I will cheer for anyone but Arsenal for the title this year, even City.

08 Jan 2026 22:42:05
I'm here with you brother, it was disgraceful.

08 Jan 2026 22:53:04
Damn him. Disgusting player.

08 Jan 2026 22:57:31
As an Arsenal fan, I can't condone what Martinelli did and can only put it down to a moment of madness. He'll go home, reflect on this and know that he was insanely wrong to do what he did. I believe he'll even feel remorse.

I find it absurd that anyone would think Arteta instilled this in him. It's an isolated incident by this player. As for the rest of your rhetoric, we all saw enough of your players rolling about the ground, time wasting, diving, whining and complaining incessantly. Arsenal aren't unique in that respect.

08 Jan 2026 22:58:52
Calm down! Deary me. I've just listened to your own manager give an interview saying that he shouldn't have done what he did, but in the heat of the moment how was he supposed to know he was actually injured. If he'd have known that then there is no way he would have reacted the way he did.

He gave a very honest and balanced opinion I thought.
I don't condone what Martinelli did but you're equally as bad for your sad comments. I don't think any Gooners will lose sleep about you not wanting us to win the title either.

08 Jan 2026 23:00:32
, Mango im with you mate.

08 Jan 2026 23:04:35
You're clearly losing sleep by being on this page. Additionally Slot is a reserved manager, I don't think he's ever lost his temper so that doesn't excuse what the little rat did. He was quite clearly injured as he wasn't touched as he went down.

08 Jan 2026 23:06:37
Ok gooner but he's still a Cnut simple.

08 Jan 2026 23:09:44
There is absolutely zero excuse for it and I'm even more enraged Slot has been so considerate over it.

Anybody with functioning eyes could see it was a potentially bad one.

He throws the ball at him, knees him in the back to edge him off and then when that doesn't work he throws him off.

There is no defence to that. At all. It's a disgrace from a professional footballer.

Martinelli is a complete bell end and anybody even remotely trying to justify or defend it is a bell end as well.

08 Jan 2026 23:11:15
Arteta literally tried to defend him. Saying he didn't mean to do it, laughable comment.

08 Jan 2026 23:16:15
Gooner, anyone saying a moment of bad behaviour reflects the ethos of your team is wrong.

It was an aberration, but a really disgraceful one. As Szob said, a player's health is more important than winning.

One Gooner totally lost his head. I do think a ban is in order as we can't have a precedent of clearly injured players being dragged around, but if it is a serious injury then I suspect Martinelli will be subject to a serious insurance claim. All of us know that you literally cannot touch someone injured on the ground unless you are a medical professional. If someone has, for example, an acl and you push them around - you may well aggravate the injury, and be liable for huge damages. If you do that in anger, then it's way more serious - aggravated assault.

It's a big deal.

08 Jan 2026 23:20:06
Mango best post this year for me.
How Martinelli didn't see red is beyond me.
Ref saw everything and if he says he didn't, then VAR did.
God forbid if Martinelli has exacerbated an already serious (highly likely) injury.
You could potentially disable somebody by doing that (from early years everyone knows that you never move someone until you know what might have transpired) and to have his so called.

Manager then act the way he did in the post match interview, well for me it speaks. volumes for the type of human being he is and the type of traits he is instilling in his team.
I'm with you Mango, anyone but Arse.
Get well soon Connor ❤️☘️.

08 Jan 2026 23:23:24
Gooner Jim, is that "calm down" a stupid reference from a comedy show from the 90s, anyway you are a very boring dirty team, Martinelli first threw the ball at him when he was on the floor, then leaned into Bradley with legs n then pushed him off the pitch all while the lad looked seriously injured ya muppet.

08 Jan 2026 23:26:02
What Martinelli did was disgraceful but when players go down feigning injury 10+ times a game then is it that surprising that he wouldn't immediately think that Bradley was seriously hurt. This is something that needs to be stamped out of the game. We have one of the worst offenders in the league in Mac unfortunately.

08 Jan 2026 23:34:44
I enjoyed Arsenal when I was a kid, played some great football.

Unfortunately Arteta is a horrible, very unlikeable little man who's personality has rubbed off on that team. Falling over at every touch and banking on free kicks and corners. Might well be the worst team in my memory to win the league.

08 Jan 2026 23:36:18
Gooner Jim.
You might not lose sleep but your certainly bothered as you've come on the Liverpool pages to comment.
What Martinelli did was cowardly, disrespectful and down right disgusting. Just because he's used to Arsenal play acting and time wasting doesn't mean everyone does it.

08 Jan 2026 23:36:27
Gooner Jim, don't make excuses for him! If he thought Bradley wasn't actually injured why not just try to help him up? Same way Gabriel did with wirtz!

08 Jan 2026 23:40:04
This is how fickle and biased football fans are.

What Martinelli did was inexcusable yet here you two are making excuses for him. Your team is an image of your manager who is horrible, cheating little turd so it's not a stretch to say he's instilled this attitude into his players.

08 Jan 2026 23:49:35
Arsenal have shown the rest of the league that playing "anti-football" ie diving, cheating, call it what you like, can and does win games and stifle the opposition by continual breaks in play and time wasting.

Take for example the amount of time Arsenal took to take the final corner of the game tonight. Same as at Anfield, zero urgency. The ref should have just blown the whistle.

Teams have taken Arsenal's lead this season in mastering the dirty arts and dirty tricks and it's now a big stain on the PL and the quality of the football. So if LFC are doing the same, which we definitely are this season I hate to say, it's because that's the way the refs have allowed and directed the game to go. Can't beat them, u have to join them. So Arsenal fans enjoy what you brought to the top end of the table.

08 Jan 2026 23:56:33
Spot on Mango.

As for the moaning ass Gooners, they're just rattled because they know their about to commit the biggest bottle job since Newcastle 95/ 96 😂.

09 Jan 2026 00:39:00
Made me laugh when the commentator talked about their final corner: "This is the set-piece Arsenal have spent the whole second half trying to get".
It sums up their anti-football. The roar that goes around their stadium when they get a free kick or corner.

The diving that goes on around the box. The fist-clenching from Legohead when their player manages to con the referee.
Horrible, dirty team typified by Martinelli.

09 Jan 2026 01:00:11
Arsenal fans, worst fans ever!

09 Jan 2026 01:26:31
Arsenal are the worst team in the league for cheating. i've watched them live a few times and what i noticed is on attacking corners they are the most aggressive physical players i've ever witnessed. But when it comes to defending around their own box or defensive corners they go down quicker than players in la liga.

I used to love arsenal they always played beautiful football. This tripe these days is stoke with a lot more quality. They have a good team they don't need to do these things.

09 Jan 2026 01:27:36
Darwin, not to mention Trossard screaming when Connor didn't push him to the ground. Should have been a second yellow for simulation. Thought baldylocks might have had a better grip on the game.

09 Jan 2026 02:17:24
Imagine Arteta's response if Bradley and Martinelli's positions had been reversed. I imagine Arteta wouldn't have been of the same opinion. I'm surprised VAR kept quiet.

09 Jan 2026 03:37:43
Well VAR also kept quiet when Wirtz was clipped by Trossard. I would say that's a pen in this day and age. Never played the ball but there was contact. City yesterday got a very similar decision in their favour.

{Ed078's Note - the commentators noted that if Wirtz had the ball within reach, it would give VAR a decision to make. Why? Can I trip someone if the ball is further away? When is a foul not a foul? For the record, I don't think there was much in it.

09 Jan 2026 03:59:08
Well there are some farcical decisions Ed as u know this day and age and the inconsistency is the same. I'd like to see a much higher bar for what is a foul and a lot more yellow cards for diving.

If someone is say pulled to the ground on a corner and a pen is given, they are often nowhere near the ball but it's still a foul. So ball within reach or not I don't see that matters. I recall the ball being close to Wirtz since he'd just touched it if memory serves.

I find the commentators generally agree with the refs. Job security.

09 Jan 2026 05:55:25
Bad moment for Martinelli who has come out and publicly apologised.

So what is the actual issue we're holding on to now?

09 Jan 2026 07:22:24
Pity we didn't have a Tommy Smith type player on the pitch to absolutely throttle Martinelli. And that's another thing our players should of been all over him but no they are to bloody nice.

{Ed025's Note - im not defending Martinelli in the slightest Endo but its got to the stage now where we dont know if a player is genuinely injured or not these days, MacAllister at it again last night rolling around after the slightest touch then Slot coming out and decrying cheating..the bloody cheek of the guy!, i was actually bored to death by the time that happened though mate..

09 Jan 2026 08:22:53
To hell with Martinelli and his fake apology. Let's hope what goes around comes around. Shame we don't have a Souness in the team who would have snapped the little cretin in half.

09 Jan 2026 08:39:32
"Ed078's Note - the commentators noted that if Wirtz had the ball within reach, it would give VAR a decision to make".

That was exactly what I thought. And like you, I didn't think there was anything in it even tho, we have seen those given.

09 Jan 2026 10:04:18
Gooner Jim. typical. Sh! th@us. Manager, players, fans.

09 Jan 2026 22:25:27
@25, I actually disagree with you on this one. I played contact sports from the age of 7 to my late 30's and have seem a fair number of serious injuries and, as a player, you know instinctively if it is a bad one.

Even watching on the goggle box you could tell from the lad's immediate reaction. I suspect the Arsenal players nearest to the incident knew as well, they didn't exactly charge to Martinelli's defence.

{Ed025's Note - i think some seen that it was bad WDW but maybe not Martinelli, he was too close and knew there was no contact by him, its plain watching it on tv and im not making excuses for him but it did happen very fast, it looked bad though and Bradley screaming should have been a clue, i should declare that i have no sympathy for Martinelli..

08 Jan 2026 22:29:22
With a combative midfielder and a top class CB we would p. the league I still believe we are a better team than Arsenal but they have been more consistent this season but to me don't look like champions.

08 Jan 2026 22:31:46
If Kerkez keeps improving he's going to be mega.

{Ed025's Note - very decent tonight SP..

08 Jan 2026 22:43:32
Kerkez will come good lad's. I really felt very sorry for him at the beginning. He was all over the place because of Slot's ridiculous tactics and then he got dropped even though he played very well the match before.

08 Jan 2026 23:42:45
2nd half was best I have seen of Kerkez for sure.

08 Jan 2026 23:43:37
Saka is all kinds of trouble mate and he was mostly in milos pocket. Brave and energetic play.

09 Jan 2026 00:40:05
Thought Macallister had a decent game too. Even Konate was fairly solid.

09 Jan 2026 03:39:05
Kerkez needs to work on his timing a bit but otherwise grew into the game and was fantastic second half. I think the second half will do wonders for morale and confidence. I think it helps Slot too.

09 Jan 2026 05:28:55
Also worth noting that Gakpo played Kerkez on the overlap more than once. Progress indeed.

09 Jan 2026 05:39:01
Saka is a good player but I've never seen someone get so much praise for what they do.

09 Jan 2026 08:40:54
When Saka booted Kerkez in the mid-section then you know he head was gone and Kerkez was in it. Very good game from him.

08 Jan 2026 20:58:17
Good Evening Eds. It looks like there has been a focus on young defenders in the market so far with Ndukwu, Ndiaye, and Adekoya. Just curious if you know if these players have all been long term targets?

I believe Ndukwu and Ndiaye both played at the U17 World Cup and was curious if there was interest before that, if you know.

Thanks!

{Ed001's Note - I don't know mate, they are kids, it is hard to find out info on kids.}

08 Jan 2026 23:02:43
Ed1 checking out the youngsters is frowned upon in certain circles.

09 Jan 2026 08:42:17
@phil, not sure The Dumpster frowns upon any of that, "allegedly".

08 Jan 2026 18:41:17
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 20 - Quick Round Up

09 Jan 2026 05:16:44
That's for the round up Ed. Much appreciated.

08 Jan 2026 17:32:35
ED001, I was talking to my mates about players who were good enough but for some reason that never did make the grade at Liverpool. But remember Adam Hamill, I seen him play and he had plenty of skill n was quick, seemed to be a knocker to play for us .

Do you know why it never happened, I saw his stats of who he'd played for afterwards but nothing looked like he was the player who id thought he'd be.

{Ed001's Note - he wasn't very good mate. Was fine at youth level, but couldn't make the step up.}

08 Jan 2026 18:04:23
Yeah, I remember a bit of buzz around him. If football is at all like cricket, there are lots of young players with innate talent and promise - but few of them have that other-wordly drive and self-belief to make the step up, and the application to keep improving every day.

This is by no means a criticism of those who don't "make it". I just think elite sportsmen/ women are more obsessively driven than most mortals.

I do also think sports science has some way to go in handling young players. Too many pick up a destructive series of injuries when playing in their late teens and early 20s. Robbie, Owen and even Heskey saw their fitness issues hobble their careers way too early on.

We got lucky with Stevie G. Maybe he played less games as a teen for us?

08 Jan 2026 18:06:38
Thats when I watched him . he looked a lot better than most, just shows you the difference in the step up between youth n first team . did he have a attitude or fall out with people aswel.

{Ed001's Note - there is a huge difference. He just didn't have that will or desire to succeed that you need to keep driving you on. It often works like that when they stand out at any level, they can lose their way as they are better than their peers and lose their targets to better. Often players get their drive from trying to beat someone else, whether it be the player currently occupying the position they want or an opponent. He just seemed to think he was there and ready but still had a lot to do.}

08 Jan 2026 18:40:02
ED001, shame really, I get what you mean with the drive and desire, Jordan Henderson and James Milner are the perfect examples of that. thanks for the feedback Ed.

{Ed001's Note - Michael Jordan is probably the best example though. As he said in that documentary about himself, he would literally make up reasons in his head to start a beef with an opponent to drive himself on. That is another level of competitiveness.}

08 Jan 2026 18:58:45
A guy I knew was genuinely a brilliant young player. He joined the youth team at a top League 1, then Premiership club at the time. He spent a couple of days there with someone who went on to become one of our best 90s midfielders, and very quickly realised he could not compete with that singular vision, and drive to succeed.

These guys are just on a different level. Personally, I think Man U has put too much faith in youth players who show the talent, but not the application.

08 Jan 2026 19:01:43
They recently asked MJ if his Bulls would beat the current LA Lakers. Jordan's response was that the Bulls would win by a few points. When pressed on why a "few points", he said, "because we're in our 60s now. " 🤣. Born winner.

08 Jan 2026 19:05:03
It's also why most top sports players are not easy people to get on with: in normal life, stubbornness is a nasty personal quality, but it's a key factor in sporting success.

08 Jan 2026 19:17:57
Any other past promising Liverpool players that stand out? I remember watching Richie Partridge and Jordan Rossiter and thought they'll make it but never did unfortunately.

08 Jan 2026 19:20:09
As a youngster I played high level cricket. I was captaining the mens county team when I was 15. I was approached by the England setup and asked if I would come train at the academy, at which point I said no. I then discovered going out with mates and girls!
I think I had so much pressure and expectation at such a young age I ended up just getting fed up with it all.


Do I regret it, absolutely! But never mind, still had a good innings so far!

{Ed025's Note - love it Stuie..

08 Jan 2026 20:00:33
I know Adams brother, Leigh, very well.

08 Jan 2026 22:12:00
I know his brother Mark extremely well. The force is strong in him!

08 Jan 2026 22:46:50
Love it S2 😂.

08 Jan 2026 23:15:57
From my experience in sport younger siblings often make it, as they spend their lives battling against a rival with a size, strength and maturity advantage, they learn to win against the odds.

09 Jan 2026 00:36:48
I think the player I was genuinely most excited about for the longest time was Harry Wilson. Ripped up the youth leagues and is currently showing his potential. I know he might not ever have been top level, but I love seeing great players come through the ranks.

08 Jan 2026 16:58:41
Mane of Wolves looks like one who's going to be commanding a ridiculous fee at some point.

{Ed025's Note - thats MOTD fever Bob, hes only starting out just yet mate and while he has been quite impressive he is still very young, a lot of things can happen to a lad of his age...like birds, hanger on mates and booze...well it did for me.. :)

08 Jan 2026 17:51:44
The fact his surname is Mane is a big plus.

08 Jan 2026 18:05:27
I'm always wary of signing a young winger who skins us in a game. Remember Mark Kennedy?

08 Jan 2026 19:05:24
Thought he looked miles away against us recently. Never passed the ball and kept losing it trying to beat his man.

Obviously very young a plenty of room for growth, but I saw nothing exciting personally.

08 Jan 2026 20:51:07
Kroupi of Bournemouth?

08 Jan 2026 22:07:17
Kroupi is very good still a baby but I honestly think he will be a great player in time.