Liverpool banter 7

07 Jan 2026 09:44:11
It kindae got lost a little but further down the page there is a discussion with ed1 talking about the tolerance for Wirtz goal and him being offside.

I think we would all be furious if the goal was given against us. I agree he looked very much offside. I even agree with having a 50mm tolerance to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacker and promote more goals.

What I cannot understand is how this seems to be the first time it has been used in the four years since in was introduced.

07 Jan 2026 10:03:29
If there is a tolerance then surely it needs a linesman decision equivalent like Cricket?

I was always led to believe it was black and white. But one thing football was lacking is officiating grey areas so it's great to see one added to the game.

07 Jan 2026 10:07:22
Definitely looked offside to me.

07 Jan 2026 10:07:51
Can't help but feel the technology failed and rather than admit that they just all pretended it was onside and everyone's eyes don't work.
VAR continues to be both sucking any fun out of the game and a complete joke at the same time.

07 Jan 2026 10:08:29
My guide dog says it was never a goal in a million years,

07 Jan 2026 10:13:20
KD7, I knew about this feature a couple of years back but simply did not know what distances they were using.

As a result, I don't think it is the first time it is being used. I think it was already being used prior esp. since all the clubs knew about it and approved of it.

The fact that us fans are hearing about it fully for the first time does not mean it wasn't being used esp. with the semi AI offside system being used now, which incorporates this feature. Just my opinion.

07 Jan 2026 10:45:03
At least 4 inches off, absolutely no doubt. If that goal was given against us I'd be furious.

07 Jan 2026 11:05:23
This goal was discussed by Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd on referee watch. The guidelines have been in place for I think for 4 years. If I remember correctly there is also a tolerance as to the exact time of the pass.

as we never see the pass just the players position. Also this is not the first time the rule has been implemented.
Another thought we tend to use the lines in the turf as an indicator, but how accurate are they.

07 Jan 2026 11:13:57
Well either the lines on the pitch were off or the technology was off because it looked clearly offside if you go by the lines on the pitch.

I've often thought this though, we tend to judge offsides by the cut of the grass as we assume this is perfectly parallel to the goal line. But what if the groundsman has made an error and his lines are slightly off? I know Ed1 has said the tolerances of the lawn mowing is less than the tolerances of the technology but what if the bloke mowing the grass has simply made a small error? I have seen a picture (not sure if it was doctored) that shows the cut of the grass is not perfectly parallel to the 6 yard line suggesting that Wirtz was at least level.

I thought Fulham's first goal looked extremely tight too using the lines on the pitch but the technology had him clearly onside.

I do agree though if that goal had gone against us we'd all be fuming but wasn't there one with Haaland a few weeks ago where the technology showed his foot in the air and onside but the still pictures showed has foot was planted and offside?

The semi automated offside is obviously not fool proof which is a shame given there's a load of fools operating it.

{Ed001's Note - they said it was offside but within tolerance. Personally I think they should go with the decision on the pitch if they are not sure. I know that would have ruled it offside, but they have said they think it was off too but just not by enough to be sure of the tech.}

07 Jan 2026 11:25:34
I actually don't mind it being given and wouldn't if it was the other way around, I think there should be a tolerance and the benefit of the doubt given to the attacker, more goal in games is a good thing.

What I do care about is the inconsistency, I have never heard of this tolerance before and we fully know that other goals of the same amount will be given offside in other games.

07 Jan 2026 11:29:47
For those of us who remember Diaz disallowed goal against Spurs, VAR mistakes are just part of the game now.

You win some, you lose some.

They should be using AI and VAR should only be used by manager appeals looking for specific errors.
Everything else should be as per on the field.

07 Jan 2026 11:42:20
I have never understood the idea of tolerance on what should be black and white decisions. All you are ever doing is moving the point of offside but you will still have marginal contentious decisions regardless.

Like all the people who say ah it was only his toe that was off so we should allow for that, okay so we move the line and then next ah we'll it is only part of his metatarsal that is over the line that should be given. It would just repeat over and over.

I am still with others that looks plain as day offside but it is close and in fairness the offside part of VAR has been 99+% accurate apart from the couple of obvious noteworthy blunders. I don't think it is anywhere near the biggest problem in football currently from a refereeing or rules stand point.

07 Jan 2026 11:57:34
We should not compare the accuracy of a line drawn by a man pushing a lawnmower versus a line drawn by a person computer using a grid. It should be a no brainer.

Unfortunately, the persons using VAR draw lines akin to Mr Messy.

{Ed001's Note - you do realise they don't mow like that any more? They have GPS steering the mower, so it should be accurate within millimetres.}

07 Jan 2026 12:17:23
Ed, they should have simply said it was offside based on the feature in place and moved on rather than with the way you said they described it. Just causes too much chaos and loose ends, IMO.

07 Jan 2026 12:46:52
I think they should just scrap var altogether, its ruining the game.

07 Jan 2026 15:17:44
Yes VAR shld be scrapped.

It just feels like it is fueling corruption, with PGMOL coming out with new terms to justify the shocking decisions week after week.

The old offside system, at least they still shows the process of drawing lines. Although where they draw the lines is debatable. Armpit offside, toenail offside canes to mind.

But now they do not even show you the lines. The 3D images shown, they can just conveniently show us what they want us to see.

My personal opinion but I believe there is definitely some form of corruption in the game.

07 Jan 2026 16:17:03
The var for Wirtz goal shows a line but it does not show when the ball left Jones boot the var is when the ball reaches Wirtz . and the ball has traveled several feet . You are not offside until the ball leaves the players boot! YNWA.

07 Jan 2026 09:37:28
I know it would never happen Ed001 but would you take Guardiola at Liverpool?

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

07 Jan 2026 10:42:35
Interesting. I was actually expecting a NO from you Ed1 concerning taking Guardiola.

I guess since we are spending big now, he fits the bill.

07 Jan 2026 11:31:28
People who say they would take him would be lying.

07 Jan 2026 11:32:37
Who wouldn't take him?
He's a serial winner.

07 Jan 2026 09:12:58
I saw a few people question my claim yesterday that this is our best squad ever. I thought I'd clarify because I 100% stand by the comment, but feel it's been misinterpreted.

I'm not for one minute suggesting this is our best starting 11 ever. I never saw the great teams of Paisley and Kenny to make that assessment. However, I am obsessed with everything Liverpool, including the history of the club. So let me take a moment to explain, and I'm going to use the attacking squad options as examples.

Paisley's best team is widely regarded as the 1981 side that beat Real Madrid in the European Cup final, with Kenny and Rush up top. Does anyone know who the forward options were on the bench that day? Howard Gayle. 5 appearances and 1 goal in 4 seasons (! ) at Liverpool.

Dalglish's best team is universally believed to be that 1988 side that pasted Forest 5-0 with Beardsley and Aldridge up top. Liverpool didn't even have a forward on the bench that day as you could only have 2 substitutes! The forwards in the squad that season? Paul Walsh (9 apps, 0 goals) and John Durnin (0 apps, 0 goals) .

Klopp's best team is that 2020 league title winning side with Salah, Firmino and Mane. The back ups that season were Origi and Shaqiri. I think we signed Minamino in the January. All of them were just run of the mill players who weren't really good enough but Klopp got the best out of them.

Now look at the forward options this season. For the right wing we have Salah, Frimpong and Chiesa. The left wing we have Wirtz, Gakpo and Rio. Up top we have Isak and Ekitike.

We have never in my lifetime had squad depth like this, and prior to my lifetime, squad depth wasn't even really a thing. So yeah, maybe on the face of it for a club this size it seems an outlandish claim, but If anybody wants to try and convince me Howard Gayle, John Durnin, Paul Walsh or Divock Origi are better than Hugo Ekitike, I'm open to hearing the logic behind that. Never in our history have we spent this much money to give a manager such depth of quality.

I don't mind if people still disagree of course on whether this is the best squad, but I'm just clarifying my statement.

07 Jan 2026 09:48:46
Agree mate, the talent that's there is for all to see!

Once they're all fully fit and settled into a system that works and gets the best out of them (and has the right coach in place implementing it) then we'll be frightening.

The problem we have is at the back in my opinion (and many others) . We need at least 2 Centre backs who can read the game and don't shy away from challenges along with a strong no nonsense defensive/ box to box midfielder. (One that can either play with Grav and sit or one that's happy to interchange positions so that we don't lose any quality if one is injured or needs a rest)

07 Jan 2026 09:53:57
MK, I agree with your entire statement which you really shouldn't have to defend. I think more importantly is that, while having a strong squad is obviously an advantage, my problem is how slot isn't getting the best out every individual and confounding that on the field
I watched the Barcelona comeback with my 8 year old last night and i rewatched a team that was completely "out-talented" but had something Barcelona didn't have - desire! Your argument shouldn't even need to br defended!
I say it time and time again to my son, there will always be someone more talented or genetically superior to you (unfortunately has my genes and therefore he should get comfortable that lol) but getting out worked is a choice! That's where I get frustrated! Tactics aside (which are a huge problem), I'd rather watch 11 hard working players than a team full of depth, and I'm not saying you can't have both - but at a minimum, you should have the hard work in the kit bag, ready to fire on all cylinders.

I didn't read your original post and excuse me if I've missed something but after watching Hendo/ Milly/ Origi and the like dismantle a very good Barcelona team. I sat and thought why can our boys not replicate the easiest thing in sport (effort) .

All comes down to coaching and inspirational leadership and therefore the buck stops with Slot.

07 Jan 2026 10:05:16
Ian Rush didn't play in the 1981 European Cup final, though.
MK, you talk about back up options and then mention Chiesa and Rio. What have they done for Liverpool?
You talk about squad depth but I don't see a good enough replacement for Konate. Thompson, Hansen, Lawrenson, Gillespie and Ablett were all far superior to Konate.
I look at Grav, Mac, Szob, Jones in midfield and think about what Souness, McDermott, Ray Kennedy, Sammy Lee, Steve McMahon, Nigel Spackman, Ray Houghton, Jan Molby and Johnny Barnes would do to them.


Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum and Milner would also dominate them.
Frimpong ans Kerkez would also struggle against the likes of Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Stevie Nicol and Steve Staunton.
Isak, Ekitike and Wirtz all cost a pretty penny but I would take Dalglish, Rush, Barnes, Beardsley and Aldridge over all three judging by what I've seen so far.
Besides, how can you compare squad depth now to a time when it 'wasn't even really a thing'?

07 Jan 2026 10:10:47
MK, I'd love to sit around a pub table with you and have this discussion. Typing stuff out is impersonal.

Here's my reply to you. The 87/ 88 squad knocks this one into fits. I'll cut you some slack with the forward line, though Isak hasn't been fit, so you're basing your argument on how he performed for Newcastle not us.

However the 87/ 88 defence comprised
Ablett
Gillespie
Houghton
Lawrenson
Nicol
Staunton
Venison

The midfield comprised
Barnes
Dalglish ( hardly played)
Houghton
Johnston
Macdonald
Molby
Spackman
Wark
Whelan

I stand by my argument that our current squad doesn't come close.

07 Jan 2026 10:12:26
Mk, I know you say squad but years ago we only had one sub so the squads wasnt as big . but i think the players were better standard than they are now, look at the players Rush Dalglish, Hansen, souness etc all better than we've ever had.

07 Jan 2026 10:12:45
Until the last couple of decades it's not been a squad game so there is a small sample size to compare to.
However, I think the quality of what we have up front is nowhere near what we've had in the past.
Mane, salah, firmino.
Suarez, sterling, sturridge, coutinho.
Today salah has lost a yard or two of pace, Isak has shown nothing here yet, chiesa the same. Only ekitike has reached the levels above.
Last seasons forward options I'd challenge were better.
Then we get into midfield and the whole defence.
Three good centre mids but lack of quality behind that.
One great centre back in VVD but he's getting on and can't do it on his own. Only Joe Gomez as backup.
TAA and Robbo in their pomp far better full backs than our current options.
Compare this to Arsenal. Genuine quality across first XI and squad. Defensive depth and forward depth is unreal.


This to me raises serious questions about our recruitment.
We've moved away from our tried and trusted template of buying the £30-70m lesser known names tha are a great fit. I think Wirtz is and will be a great player but was that the area that needed to be addressed? Isak great for Newcastle but with his susceptibility to injuries and the fact that we'd already bought ekitike was that the best use of resources?
Not buying a centre back whilst selling Quansah is as negligent.
We've been unlucky with Leoni and he looks good but given konate's and gomez's injury records there was a clear need for another centre back. This shouldn't have been left until the last day of the summer window to address.
I also find it strange that we didn't go back for zubamendi when he became available.

07 Jan 2026 10:20:14
Let's break this down a little though mate. We have on paper at least some amazing (and expensive) talent. I totally get your point, this should be the best team ever, but it's not.

In reality:

Salah: best days are long gone. Been terrible all season.
Frimpong: done pretty much nothing in a reds shirt so far.
Chiesa: done pretty much nothing in a red shirt so far either.
Wirtz: criminally underused and not performing at anywhere near the level expected.
Gakpo: been terrible all season.
Rio: a child who shouldn't be in the first team let's be honest.
Isak: if you had never seen him play before playing for Liverpool you would think we had picked some random out the crowd to play up front.
Ekitike: the only player here who is playing at a high standard.

I don't think I'm being harsh here based on this seasons performances. There is obviously huge potential in our team but for them to be the best ever we need a new coach who is going to get the best out of them.
On paper we are one of the strongest teams in the world. Football matches are not won on paper though.

07 Jan 2026 10:20:58
I agree, Para-red. MKS, why do you feel to defend your statement in any way? It is your opinion which you are entitled to esp. when you have actual valid points to back it up. If they were misinterpreted then, you can clarify and leave it there.

Speak your mind, my friend. If people disagree (which is also their right) then they are free to prove you wrong and let the debate begin.

As for my opinion on the matter, I can agree that the level of actual proven talent on this team/ squad is above the level of any other squad we have ever had in the PL era, for sure. Hence, I agree with your statement to a point.

07 Jan 2026 10:42:27
Sorry, but having a decent bench doesn't automatically make you a better squad. I'll take 11 absolute legends and couple of nobodys over 20 good players any day.

The fact that you admit you never saw the great's play says it all.


Salah, Virgil and Robertson are basically gone, Alisson will not be far behind. Fantastic players but 3/ 4 have had massive drop off this season with retirement knocking. Gakpo? 1 good season, he has as many critics as he has fans. Wirtz is unproven at this level. Chiesa was a good player, 4 years ago, no disrespect. Isak's had 2 good seasons and just broke his leg, his whole career is up in the air. Hugo has been great but it's his first season. Rio looks to have great potential but he's 17 and has only 48 premier league minutes this season. Grav, 1 good season. Mac, 2 good seasons, massive drop off. Kerkez and Frimpong are only in the door. Szoboslai, fantastic payer but nowhere near the realms of a Dalglish.

You want to claim this lot are better than our 14 major title winning golden era legends, come off it. Names look good on paper but trophies are won on the pitch.

I find it hilarious that you somehow think mentioning the 2 sub limit and minimal app's from the bench weighs in your favour?! Firstly, having such a small limit on sub's massively reduces the need, want, possibility of, or effectiveness of squad depth. Secondly, these guys played more matches, in worse conditions, got absolutely booted off the pitch with tackles that would end the career of most modern day players, and they did it for 90 minutes almost every game. Almost no rotation and no sending youngsters out for cup games.

And just so you know in Paisleys era it was 1 sub. now talk to me about squad depth.

07 Jan 2026 10:52:58
Sorry, I missed Mcmahon out of my 87/ 88 midfield, to add even more weight to my argument.

07 Jan 2026 10:59:45
88/ 89 squad we had defensive squaddies like Hooper, Venison, Abblett, Burrows. Players like Molby, Whelan and McMahon vying for two spots in midfield. An aged Dalglish on the bench along with either Rush or Aldridge. Then of course that 11st eleven whìch would crush our team of today.

07 Jan 2026 11:04:04
The most depth we have had was probably 21/ 22 season when we challenged for all four trophies right to the death. We were able to do this because Klopp could make 5/ 6 changes every game and get a good enough performance out of them. Even then we were short of one defensive midfielder and the Thiago and Fabinho injuries at the very end of the season scuppered the Champions League final performance by the few percent we needed.

We definitely lack depth at centre back, defensive midfield and in wide positions at the moment.

07 Jan 2026 11:09:47
Look guys, I've said everything I have to say, if you still disagree that is fine. I'm not interested in this becoming a carry on. I just think our current squad is being massively under rated because of how severely mismanaged they've been. But we can all have differing viewpoints on what it means to have a good squad and subjectively which squads are better than others. That's football.

I only felt the need to reply because some people seemed to be implying it was an outrageous statement due to the comparative success past teams had. Appreciate everyone's replies, including those who still disagree.

07 Jan 2026 11:41:46
Totally disagree for the simple reason that the squad completely lacks balance.

Our defensive options are utter gash! Inexperienced or injured full backs.
Van Dijk (25/ 6) is not Van Dijk (19/ 20), he's slow and ponderous and has lost confidence and composure. No-one else is good enough to play alongside Virgil.
Salah (25/ 6) is not Salah (19/ 20) his legs have gone.
Robertson (25/ 6) is not Robertson (19/ 20).
Our midfield lacks strength and solidity.

You can't name these stellar names and say, they're still great players. Salah, Virgil, Robbo have been superb, but they're not the same anymore. They're old and finished.

We used to have a 'strong central spine'.
Becker (often injured now), Virgil at his peak, Matip alongside, Fabinho, Henderson, Firmino.
Experienced, durable, solid players.

Now who have we got?
Marmadashvilli, Virgil's grandad, dying-swan MacAllister, 1-season Gravenberch, unfit Isak and Hugo (God bless him) who keeps getting messed about.

This squad is weak, old and unbalanced.

07 Jan 2026 11:48:49
Agree with Rome. This squad is nowhere near.

I hardly know the past but comparing this team with some of the great names is hysterical.

Out of the current squad, I'd call Salah, VVD and Alisson as world class and can be compared.

Others are just starting and have a long way to go - Eki, Szobosz, Wirtz, fit Isak are next level and still need to prove over long term.

Don't want to next level.

07 Jan 2026 11:59:55
It's a great discussion between Reds of different generations, it seems. MK doesn't have to defend his views but he wants to. He started a new thread about it. If he doesn't want to continue it further, we can leave it and agree to disagree but it would be a shame.
I will agree that we did buy some attacking talent in the summer and it was reminiscent of the Barnes, Beardsley and Aldridge signings.
They all hit the ground running though and Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike have not. That is not just down to Slot.
Also, I watched Liverpool regularly in the 80s and Dalglish and Rush played nearly every game. They picked themselves but we also had back ups.

David Hodgson, Michael Robinson and Paul Walsh, for example.
They were never going to be first eleven but they were bought for decent sums as squad players.
Currently, I look at Salah, Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz, Gakpo, Chiesa, Ngumoha and Danns and how many will be available to start tomorrow and are in good form?
Drop one of the midfield and I would ask the same. The same also applies to one of the centre halves and both fullbacks.
The first eleven is far from great and the alternatives are just not there or not in form.
The summer window was huge and exciting but the reality is that we are weaker than last season. For now, at least.

07 Jan 2026 12:31:44
I think disagreement could easily be managed if you just clarify it's the best Liverpool squad in your lifetime as a fan and clarify you didn't see us during the past glory days.

07 Jan 2026 12:59:00
Agree with that, Rigsby.

07 Jan 2026 08:58:54
Luis Enriqe
I would take him in a heartbeat
Ed's, you 'd think there is a chance he 'd come to LFC?
Thanks!
Happy new year all!

{Ed001's Note - of course there is a chance he would, but I expect him to go to City.}

07 Jan 2026 10:21:23
Really, Ed? Enrique to City?

07 Jan 2026 11:04:57
Are we all assuming City do not get any meaningful punishment now?

Disappointing if so.

07 Jan 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Fulham v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

07 Jan 2026 07:59:17
Thanks for the write up Ed01 agree with most of your posts. I think the most damning thing I can say is that I no longer enjoy or look forward to watching Liverpool play. Under Klopp I wanted to watch every game (of course there were bad performances too) but Slot has taken that excitement away….

it is actually embarrassing how unfit and how little fight we have when under Klopp our mentality and fitness is what set us apart! It feels like Slot despite winning the league and we can never take that away from him. Has set us back 5 years in the space of 16 months.

07 Jan 2026 09:32:36
thanks Ed for the write up, i think like you most of our issues are fitness they have gone from the fittest team to the unfittest, when did we ever see players go down with cramp under Klopp? its just sad to see.

{Ed001's Note - I hate to see it as it is the easiest thing to fix.}

07 Jan 2026 09:47:22
Great analysis Ed001. Unbelievable how the fitness and intensity has evaporated from this team.

07 Jan 2026 10:28:49
Good analysis, Ed. Just one thing on Kerkez. I agree that he is being misused esp. whenever he gets forward and doesn't receive the ball.

That being said, I think he needs to work on his crossing and end product cos I see him get forward and just keeps crossing either blandly or always cutting it back. He should add more variation and unpredictability to his crosses is all Im saying.

But then again, maybe he is being told to do this exactly as I see it and not think for himself.

07 Jan 2026 13:17:14
When Kerkez gets the ball he can't cross a ball maybe one out of ten crosses get to the target and he has a habit of getting ìn peoples way who have the ball . He is going to have to improve 100% for me just does not look like a LFC player.

06 Jan 2026 22:13:39
Hypothetical question for Ed001 possible please.
If the club did sack the manager now and asked Klopp to be caretaker manager till the end of season.
Do you think he would accept?
I personally think he would just because of his love for the club.

{Ed001's Note - no, he is retired and has a job. His wife would not let him because of the stress, I expect.}

07 Jan 2026 07:06:36
The real question is- would you want to do that to him, his health and his happiness?

07 Jan 2026 07:29:14
Answer is no Pat, and his legacy. I'm sure he'd love to, but it's wrong on too many counts.

07 Jan 2026 07:53:33
Honestly even if he accepts, if the results and form ( (entertainment) ) don't improve, the super Klopp fans here would be the first to turn on him.

Let him enjoy his retirement and many of the Klopp fan army here should move on and not use Klopp stick again and again to beat Slot.

This is getting boring. We don't want to become next MU or Chelsea. Let the season finish and we take stock when there are more options available would be a sensible approach.

07 Jan 2026 08:00:11
Just a shame we can't clone him…Think I have been watching too much x files 😅.

07 Jan 2026 08:24:37
Another reason is Edwards.

So unless you're willing to sack Slot, Edwards and Hughes just to bring in Klopp part time then it's not going to happen.

07 Jan 2026 08:52:53
Maybe Klopp would show Slot some solidarity, too.
Klopp has also experienced the impatience and fickleness of some fans. He finished fifth one season when the midfield broke down and we had to wait until the summer for him to fix it.
And I'm still waiting for it to be fixed properly, tbh 😂.

07 Jan 2026 09:12:45
I fully revitalized Jurgen would be the dream, but alas it is not going to happen, take away any titles, and the man still deserves all the adoration just for bringing the club out of the doldrums, re-instilling the passion, the pride and belief

He seems to be enjoying his new role with Red Bull and his trivago ads bless him. 😆

I believe we over achieved last year, and would have been content with champions league qualification this year.

The new set up has undone all that, we no longer believe, we can't see any passion, pride or belief, the football is as exciting as watching beige paint dry.

we are bullied, and fought and out worked in most games, so even if we managed to qualify for next years champions league, I still think Slot has to go, unless he reverts back to the fundamentals that made us elite again - fitness, passion, fight, desire and intensity in our game.

07 Jan 2026 10:29:46
Please, leave the man alone and let him leave a normal life, the very thing he asked for when he left.

06 Jan 2026 21:04:36
Hi Ed1 it's been alluded too that Slot was hired to play a smiliar way to Klopp which it appeared had some merit for some / most of last season. This season he appears to have pivoted majorly away from that way of playing, is this due to GVB coming in as assistant and listening to much to the fitness coaches, it seemed during the cup final v Newcastle he played similar to how we are this year and we looked shot, so I'm unsure who is responsible, bit whoever it is either needs to adapt or be let go.

{Ed001's Note - this is on Slot, he sets the style of play and wanted to go this way. He began moving towards it last season. The lack of fitness, and injury issues, are on the fitness and conditioning coaches, who learnt nothing from working with Klopp and need to be relieved of duty.}

07 Jan 2026 08:30:38
That for me SlotTheDross, is one of the things that I just don't understand.

The players that were brought in, are not suited to the current style. They would have flourished under the style we played mostly of last season.

Its baffling mate.

07 Jan 2026 09:03:25
I think Slot changed this season to stop shipping so many goals. We were wide open earlier in the season. He used an extra midfielder and left out Salah who wasn't the best at tracking back.
It's not good to watch but we are conceding fewer. To make things worse we lost some of our already reduced attacking threat with Salah going to Afcon, Isak's serious injury and Ekitike still adapting to the PL.


A midfielder or two and a good centre half could have meant not limiting our attacking options. Do we really need three number tens?

07 Jan 2026 10:32:54
JLC as a result, the question you have to ask yourself if these players are not suitable to playing this system (which they aren't) then, were these players signed to play more like last season and then, Slot just said, "Screw all that. I'll play my system and basta"?

06 Jan 2026 19:02:56
Ed001 do you think if we take a bad beating at Arsenal what I think is very possible that could be the final straw or will slot get more time.

{Ed001's Note - it would depend on the performance. If they went down fighting, he would almost certainly survive it. If they fold, that would be it, I would expect. There is too much needle now behind the scenes.}

07 Jan 2026 07:06:45
Are you aware of how long the issues behind the scenes have been going on Ed?
I know the last few weeks you have said they continue to back him despite all the noise.
Only in the last few days it seems, the rumours of a fallout between slot and Hughes have come to the public eye.

Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - there have always been issues mate. There was unhappiness with his lack of usage of Chiesa, the lack of youth players getting a look in etc but he was winning the league, so it was excusable and nothing much was said until the summer. It has been really brewing since then, Slot feels he was let down by not getting an extra centre-back, which he has a point about. Hughes is annoyed by Slot failing to get the most out of any of the players he was given, other than Ekitike, continuing to make Chiesa a bit of a laughing stock (they are bothered about it due to his wages rather than caring about him) and the lack of minutes for youth players. Add that to the performances and it becomes a big issue. But they don't want to change midseason, which is why I expect them to back him until the summer.}

07 Jan 2026 08:58:53
Ed, do you know what's really happening behind the scenes? I'm in the Slot-out camp, but I was certain he would at least last until the end of the season as long as we stayed in the top four. Now, with reports coming out about him falling out with Hughes, is he really on a tightrope right now? Is it really falling apart behind the scenes?

{Ed001's Note - things are coming to a head - it is the transfer window, Slot wants players, Hughes wants him to make use of what he has first and foremost. If Edwards wasn't so weak, this would have been sorted long ago.}

07 Jan 2026 09:12:38
Thanks Ed.
Appreciate the info.
It really does sound like a mess atm.
However, I can see both sides.
We NEED a centre back, slot is right.
After spending 450mil though, Hughes is right. Slot needs to find so so so much more from this great squad that he is destroying the soul of.
I just can't see him lasting the end of the season, I think results and performances will get worse the next few weeks.

On a side note Ed. Do you know any realistic options for intermim boss? Someone the club have spoken too, or maybe someone you like?

Thanks again.

{Ed001's Note - exactly mate, this is the problem, both sides are right to a degree, if one side was clearly wrong, I think even Edwards could have made a decision.

I know Gerrard is desperate for the job, I think that is probably the most realistic option, so long as it is just short term. I am not convinced he has what it takes to be a long term head coach of LFC.}

07 Jan 2026 09:18:54
Edwards being weak reminds me of the criticism you had about him years ago, when he bowed down to Klopp on extending players' contracts on big wages even though he wanted to otherwise. Some people are not cut out to be in a leadership position and I guess Edwards is one of those people.

{Ed001's Note - that is the point for me. He was very good in his previous role, but then got promoted again and again and is well out of his zone of competency.}

07 Jan 2026 09:22:27
So Ed, this is like Amorim at United then. The manager wants new players, while the DoF wants the manager to get the best out of what he has. It seems like everyone is annoyed with each other.

That's a recipe for disaster. We need a strong figure to sort this out, and like you said, Edwards is not it. What do you think will happen, Ed? You reckoned both Slot and Hughes will be shown the door?

{Ed001's Note - it is very similar to both Amorim and Maresca. This is the issue with the SD/head coach set up, you need to find two people that fit together well, rather than just a manager. But it is needed in this era, where one man simply cannot do it all. The problem, imo, is that we have 3 men who came in ahead of last season who are all wrong - Edwards, Hughes and Slot. It needs a reset and first and foremost, we need to get the right man at the top to really achieve a reliable and repeatable success. That starts with Edwards, who really is not the right man at all imo.}

07 Jan 2026 09:32:55
Cheers Ed!

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

07 Jan 2026 10:40:14
Nice info, Ed. thanks. I liken this to the NFL and the NBA. When a General Manager (DOF in footie) is hired, he/ she then hires Head coach (or head coach in footie) . You know what they say after that? They say, "Both are joined at the hip".

So both will then decide on then playing style and the players to come in via free agency or the draft. There will be compromises and all that but all in all, that's it in a perfect scenario. and when we have disagreements and parties dug in, this is what you get.

As a result, it seems what we have here is that there were clear disagreements btw Hughes and Slot regarding personnel and playing style however, both parties (Hughes and Slot) have dug in their heels esp. since results are crumbling. And with Edwards being who you thought he was, the needling is now out in the public.

07 Jan 2026 10:09:03
ED01 can i ask, who would you replace Edwards with?

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, sorry.}

07 Jan 2026 11:27:23
In this situation I'd have to side with Slot, we desperately need a center half and we missed out on signing Guehi in the last window, it would be pretty dumb to not bring in some cover at least, if not somebody who can start and rotate with Konate.

{Ed001's Note - why side with either? Like I said, both are right to a degree and both need to concede that point.}

07 Jan 2026 11:33:22
I read on here fans saying bring Klopp back and other fans saying you can't go back it never works . Well why did we bring Edwards back he left under a cloud allegedly because him and Klopp could not agree on things so why bring him back yes we won the league but that was down to Klopp and Arne and now look at us in a mess so it has not worked had it?
YNWA.

07 Jan 2026 13:10:59
2lbey, it was FSG that brought Edwards back and created a position for him as head of footie operations at an FSG boardroom level cos we are looking to acquire other teams. That's it.

The issue here is that Hughes and Slot have some beef and both in isolation could be right and it is up to both to sort it. Edwards is not in a position to come in and baby sit them.

The comparison you make is unfair and a false one, IMO.

06 Jan 2026 18:07:26
Ed001

What are you thoughts on Luis Enrique as a manager. What in your opinion are his major strengths and weakness and if Slot was to leave in the summer, would he be a good fit?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - he would be a great fit, but Citeh have set their sites on him as Guardiola's replacement, so he is likely to go there.

An excellent man-manager, like Klopp he inspires his players to play for him and work hard. He works them hard in training and gets them playing good football as well. Having been through so much with his daughter's death at such a young age, he seems to have no issues with stress as he knows it is just a game now and that family is more important.

Weaknesses? He has never really worked with lesser players, so not sure how he would get on with that or a small budget. Can he produce this good football and improve lesser players? Not that it matters, as I doubt that will ever be an issue for him. Also, his tactics are as you see, if someone figures out the answer to his set up, we have no idea if he can adapt.}

07 Jan 2026 07:05:00
Always love the insight Ed.
Between him and Xavi for me.
Everyone else is just to risky imo!

07 Jan 2026 07:55:45
Xavi isn't risky? Bit odd that you would put him anywhere near the same level as Enrique.

07 Jan 2026 08:26:01
Xavi? The ex-Barcelona player and manager?

07 Jan 2026 09:03:07
If Slot do leave, do you think we have a chance with him Ed? My concern is whether Hughes can convince a manager of Enrique calibre to work under him. But, we are Liverpool though. Managing Liverpool would be a huge attraction to any manager I would assume.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think he will join us when he can go to City and get all the power Pep enjoys.}

07 Jan 2026 10:42:12
Makes sense, Ed re: Enrique. I remember when he was Roma manager over a decade ago and Roma did play some good stuff when he was there.

06 Jan 2026 23:08:56
So Glasner is now saying if a big bid comes in for Guehi and the player wants to move ( to City ) they will sanction it, you couldn't make this stuff up.

07 Jan 2026 03:07:41
I honestly find it shocking how weak a club CP are. They've effectively handed the keys to Glasner and let him rule the roost. No structure, no authority above him - just a club drifting while one man calls all the shots. Shocking.

On Guehi, if City are willing to overpay for him, they can have him. It'd be stupid for us to do the same when he's out of contract in the summer, and it's stupid for City to do it purely based on injuries.

Guehi seems like a good lad. The real question is whether he waits for the club he actually wants to join, or chase the money?

It's one of them, if he joins City he will soon end up on the bench doing pretty much nothing and he will probably know this as well.

It'll be an interesting one.

07 Jan 2026 04:14:30
Can't agree, Salah. Guehi will go to City and be a success, as will Semanyo. If they came to us they would be a success too as they are both top players.

07 Jan 2026 08:26:48
Not looking good for Hughes.

07 Jan 2026 09:31:56
I think too much is made of the price, the real question should be, do we need a centre back, to which the answer is a resounding yes, and given the limitations on our squad due to maximum number of non HG players being nearly reached, a HG player seems sensible and they do come at a premium. Also Konate isn't signing his new contract and his form is patchy, Gomez is made of crisps and his form is patchy, Leoni is out long term injured, we've no under 23's capable of stepping up.

Missing out on the champions league would be far more costly than investing on players who'd likely help us secure that spot. It's negligence that we missed out on Semenyo and that's bad enough, and before anyone says "but X can play centre back", well that is the same crap argument that was bandied about in 20/ 21 and that was wrong then as well.

07 Jan 2026 10:43:11
I told you Glasner would spit his dummy out would we go for Guehi this Jan.

08 Jan 2026 01:05:15
DE, I've got no doubt Semenyo would be a success, but Guehi? I'm not fully convinced. I wouldn't go as far as calling him a top player either. An improvement on Konate this season? Absolutely.

From what I've seen this season he's looked solid, but last season he was making mistakes regularly - not quite Konate levels this year (that takes some doing lol), but he was clumsy far too often. We're only halfway through the season and yes, there's been clear improvement, but it's still too early for me to label him a top player.

That said, I do want him at Liverpool - we need a cb, or two! He just wouldn't be my first choice. What I like about him is his attitude, he seems grounded, like a good lad, and clearly focused on improving. That matters. I think he'd fit in well here.

What we can't do, though, is mess this up. If he's out of contract in the summer, we need to get it done without overpaying. If we let this one slip as well and he ends up at City, that's on Hughes. If you can't sign a player who actively wants to join us, something is seriously wrong.

And if we do overpay? Well, it'll be no different to the summer anyway and if that's the case why is Hughes even at the club? he is not a good negotiator and in such a position? it makes little to no sense to me.

06 Jan 2026 21:48:19
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Fulham v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

06 Jan 2026 22:28:29
If slot had not made the sub that was Gakpo for Gomez there's a good chance that Gakpo would have been close to reed and tried to block the shot. But like you said Slot panics and try's to close the game out.

06 Jan 2026 23:13:12
Thanks Ed

Pretty depressive reading - Again!

07 Jan 2026 03:42:35
I said it before Kerkez didn't become a bad player overnight. Unfortunately it's Slot's ridiculous tactics that are making him look at lot worse than he is. Brilliant review again Tris thank you 😊.

07 Jan 2026 03:50:15
Surely Slot can't get critcism for players attacking too much with a lead and then criticized for trying to protect a lead

But hindsight to me.

07 Jan 2026 04:17:11
Longthing, so if we didn't bring on a defender then our left winger would have been marking a player in the right-back area?

06 Jan 2026 22:35:40
Cheers Ed, I'd agree with most of what you said other than the Wirtz goal. It looked offside if you go by the lines on the pitch but it was so tight that if those lines are just slightly off it can be misleading. We have to assume the technology is more accurate than the lawn mowing.

I also thought Ali should've saved the first goal. He got to it easily but misjudged the height of the ball and it went under his hands. Nit picking really but only because the standards he's set are so high.

{Ed001's Note - the technology said it was offside. What are you talking about? They just said it was within an acceptable tolerance of offside to not give it in case the technology was calibrated incorrectly. So they don't believe the tech is more accurate than lawn mowing as I know full well, having trained for a time as a groundsman, that the tolerance on those lines at a Premier League pitch is much smaller than the tolerance they allowed on that offside. Wirtz was off.}

06 Jan 2026 22:43:34
ED001.its like groundhog day isn't it, best just copy and paste your last 10 match reports, n put them up, saves you a bit of time . Thing what bothered me most this game was their last goal, ok it was a screamer but surely someone has to come out n challenge him, must be hard work for you re- watching these games without booting the TV in.

07 Jan 2026 07:26:07
Ok I'll bow to your better knowledge on the groundsman issue but if those lines are straight then the 6 yard box isn't because they are not in line. The white line of the 6 yard box runs slightly off the line on the grass.

Also on the semi automated offside stills I've seen it shows he's onside not offside as you stated. Maybe I've seen the wrong ones.

Whatever the case is I don't like the statement on ref watch about a tolerance on offside decisions. They've never used that before from what I've seen so why use it on this one?

I'm sure they just make it up as they go along.

07 Jan 2026 07:44:36
Darwin evolution I don't know if you actually watched this game but Gakpo played as a striker so could have quite easily have moved over to reed.

07 Jan 2026 07:08:14
Thanks Ed001…

Am I correct in saying Edwards left the club in a bit of a mess last time round?

I really can't believe we came back in for him, just look at the mess we are in now, both on and off the field….

Cheers
Drogie.

{Ed001's Note - yes, I kept saying it then, we needed the Saudis to come in and rescue us as we were absolutely bang up against FFP due to the huge wages he handed out. I know Klopp wanted those players to get new contracts, but, as I kept saying at the time, Edwards was his boss, he could have blocked the deals or just limited the salaries better in negotiations. He is not right for a management role - rose above his level of proficiency. He wasn't even the key figure in the recruitment anyway, that was Graham, who is the one we should have brought back. However, he isn't Henry's mate.}

07 Jan 2026 08:05:24
Faith in works the criticism is that we no longer play on the front foot. Under Klopp we pinned teams in recycling possession and grinding them down. Under slot every time we get a bit of momentum, we back off or make defensive subs or tactics handing the initiative back to the opponents.


Reed's goal was a wonder strike, but why was he afforded so much time? Because yet again Slot made defensive changes which puts the players in an ultra defensive mindset, of "let's sit deep and protect this lead". All that does is invite pressure as we keep seeing week in week out. You must see this?

07 Jan 2026 10:46:08
Edwards didn't have the guts to challenge Klopp. Worse, he is still not stepping in to handle the tensions btw Hughes and Slot. Weak as they come.

07 Jan 2026 11:49:52
To me slot and the team just look terrified of losing right now. I don't know how we're going to get from here to playing brave football, at least for the majority of a match, again, it looks like to me that slot is sticking with this weird mid block with a pointless press that feels and looks so uncomfortable for the players.

That being said, like I wrote yesterday, we have scored the most goals in the league from a press leading to an opposition mistake (6 I believe), so clearly the players are good at it and it is still our best way of asserting ourselves and creating chances.

07 Jan 2026 13:13:57
I agree, PB. the players can play the high tempo and high press system cos we still see them do it in moments. The issue here is that the manager has lost his way and since the players aren't fit to play the way they want or can, we get what we get.

And with the manager scared shirtless of losing his job, draws are like wins for him.

10 Jan 2026 11:08:36
I do see it, i just don't see that it is a long term change in tactics.

06 Jan 2026 21:42:29
I know he just scored an own goal today, but, I have to say, I have been impressed with Murillo every time I have watched him play. He has that level of aggression, speed, ball playing ability, etc, that I have always valued in a defender.

Maybe in the minority, but I wouldn't mind signing a player of his quality. Especially when you consider that Nottingham Forest may not be in the Prem this season and, if they are, I doubt a player of Murillo's ability would wish to stay there.

06 Jan 2026 22:18:36
I agree him and Anderson is who I'd take from them if they go down or just scrape survival.