Liverpool banter 8

10 Feb 2026 17:09:43
Fully take on board what Carra said, (and I'm not questioning his information-its valued)

I just find it baffling that the club would happily wait it out until the summer for some kind of face saving for Arne Slot, its Liverpool, not a charity. Why wait and it cost us millions in cl money and potential for longer term costs in having to rebuild with lesser targets and then potentially need to upgrade again when we get back in the cl.

I don't think someone knowing they're going to be sacked has ever reaped positive results, if we know he's not the right man in August he isn't the right man today.

10 Feb 2026 18:34:53
Agreed. I called nonsense back when Carra first claimed that Slot was informed that he would be getting a P45 at the end of the season, but would be allowed to finish it out. It makes no sense. You might as well tell me Alonso agreed to takeover from Slot last Summer in case Real didn't work out.

If you deem a manager unfit you don't give him another 6 months to cause further damage and cost the club potentially hundreds of millions in revenue. There's absolutely no chance of that sort of scenario playing out. None whatsoever.

10 Feb 2026 18:53:09
Totally agree. I have been convinced slot needed to go for months, but did not necessarily think that meant STC and Edwards needed to go. The stubbornness slot has shown has been baffling and therefore would be hard to predict and people change; slots pressers this year compared to last are totally different for example so maybe Slot just doesn't handle pressure well or let the early success get to his head. Point is, it's difficult to predict the future.

However, letting this continue this long and ruin the entire season, damage the club, and harm player development is a problem and just as bafflingly stubborn as slot has been. Now, the people in charge absolutely need to answer some difficult questions, and their compounding mistakes have fewer and fewer reasonable excuses. Obviously, there are still some good possible reasons why they haven't acted; maybe Alonso refused to come in immediately so slot is just seeing out the season (although that's problematic too).

If they let this continue until summer and don't take action when there is literally nothing left to lose, then I agree that they are part of the problem.

10 Feb 2026 19:13:21
Slot should have gone after the PSV debacle. The fact that he's still here reflects poorly on the decision makers above the manager. We would all love a crystal ball in life but there really wasn't one required here. There won't even be a legitimate hindsight excuse come the end of the season. It's been clear for months now that change was needed.

Slot's arrogance and stubbornness is making a mockery of those above him that insist on staying the course.

10 Feb 2026 19:28:14
I don't necessarily agree Chewy. The whole "Slot is going, but hasn't been sacked yet" thing could well be true.

If it is true, the implication that we can draw from it is that either Alonso is not willing to commit to Liverpool now (or possibly at all), or the planned next manager is not Alonso and is someone currently employed who plans on staying put until the end of the season, such as Iraola or Luis Enrique.

Then it's a case of it being Slot vs. a caretaker manager until the end of the season. It's more understandable that they're not in a hurry to make that call (although personally, I probably would've pulled the trigger on it by now to hope for some new manager bounce and because knowing he's going to be gone next season undermines Slot, but I don't have to live with that choice going wrong) rather than install the next permanent manager.

Who would come in as a caretaker? Gerrard? Management career's hardly been stellar and half the people on here were falling over each other to say they didn't want him even when he was doing well at Rangers.

10 Feb 2026 22:18:09
You can make a very good case, imho, that from a fan's perspective there is very good reason to remove Slot.

However, from a business perspective and with respect to the money being generated from the various revenue streams, it is probably on track in line with the owners' expectations.

Given the owners' view that it is a business Slot is (in a financial sense) doing the job expected.

We are within striking distance of CL qualification for next season.
We qualified automatically for the last 16 in this season's CL
We are still in the FA Cup.

The business will move to protect itself when revenue streams start to fail. Like I say, not the yardstick I'd use being a football fan, but if someone can provide me with £ 3, 999, 990.00, I be more than happy to provide the extra tenner and make a business decision.

11 Feb 2026 10:20:32
"Slot should have gone after the PSV debacle. "


This!

10 Feb 2026 16:57:20
Hi Ed,

Does Slot really travel back to the Netherlands for a few days every week if there is no midweek game? If this is the case even when we are struggling, this just shows that his head is not in this job anymore.

Honestly end of season seems a long way from here, and watching a Jekyll and Hyde Chelsea and a pathetic United team be over us is just disappointing.

The Sunderland game is at 1.45 am in India, and I just do not feel like taking the pain of waking up middle of the night to see another thrashing.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know if he does so every time, I am told he did go back last week though.}

10 Feb 2026 18:30:30
I've been meaning to ask Ed.
If he went for a few days, who would oversee training? .
That is just downright disgraceful from Arne. Sorry.
You can't half ass the job.


If your family don't want to come over, then that's a s**t situation your going to have to live with while your in the job. Or, get a new job.
I wish I could do 4 day weeks in my job!

{Ed001's Note - GvB would oversee it. But they gave the players a few days off last week as well. Obviously the poor lambs were exhausted from running much less than every team we face!}

10 Feb 2026 18:30:33
So he ups and runs away before probably our biggest game of the season? Tells a lot about how committed he is. This should not be allowed by SLC and Edwards.

10 Feb 2026 14:25:46
One for Ed001. Why do you feel the powers that be haven't pulled the plug on Slot yet? The performances clearly aren't improving and we a stumbling towards a very poor end to the season. Is it because preferred options aren't available or is it due to the ineptitude of the hierarchy blindly backing Slot.

We've seen the bounce that the mancs and Chelsea have had with changes of managers. Maybe we are missing a trick with not doing the same.

{Ed001's Note - stats. They are stats guys and the stats say that we have lots of possession and makes lots of chances.}

10 Feb 2026 16:09:31
Maybe the stats should focus on the number of goals being conceded post 90 mins.

10 Feb 2026 16:14:15
Too bad they can't include the league table stats.

10 Feb 2026 16:19:43
The stats may prove their rhetoric in their eyes. Only until the reality on the pitch proves them otherwise. And that is when the rubber will meet the road.

10 Feb 2026 16:19:57
He's lost all the Fans. He should've been gone ages ago

My question would be, "What game did you finally give up on Arne Slot"?

I personally went very early after the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge, I know a drowning team when I see one, I've seen enough of those in my time, and when we looked like winning that game and he Brought Endo on instead of Chiesa to go and win it, invited pressure and we Lost because of Him, that was it for me I knew he had to go.

I believe if we Sack him there, we still go on to win the Premier League This Season at a Canter.

10 Feb 2026 16:14:14
Hi Ed

So what happens if we win games but the stats are terrible?

{Ed001's Note - they will no doubt say the most important stat is the score.}

10 Feb 2026 16:43:09
The most important stat shows that we are currently not even in the Champions League places.

10 Feb 2026 16:52:35
For me it was 3-0 battering at home to Forest LFC8, that was unacceptable and things have not improved. He should have been relieved of his duties then and there.

10 Feb 2026 17:04:37
Moral of the story, we have those above slot who are equally as useless as he is. Any other club would've sacked him months ago. Yet we stick with him? You can't make it up.

10 Feb 2026 17:14:30
LFC8, if we were to have sacked him when you say, which manager would you have brought in which would have won the league at a canter? Interested to know.

10 Feb 2026 17:35:37
I fully agree VV. That's the Night he lost the majority of the fanbase to be fair.

To think we deliberately chucked a trophy for This now, totally unacceptable in front of our Own mate.

10 Feb 2026 17:52:12
It was the PSV defeat for me.

10 Feb 2026 17:59:03
As someone said there's only one stat that counts who scores more wins the points.

10 Feb 2026 18:06:50
Agreed Vik, closely followed by the 4-1 home defeat to PSV. No Liverpool team should ever lose 2 games in a row at Anfield by 3 goals to anyone let alone those 2.

There have been signs of improvement at times but he just keeps making the same mistakes over and over again.

10 Feb 2026 18:15:47
Getting tanked by PSV wasn't much better Viktor 😏.

10 Feb 2026 18:38:06
@lfc8: For me it was the 2nd half of the first game last season.

10 Feb 2026 19:07:29
I remember a fellow Liverpool fan tried to convince me Lucas Leiva was a better player than Xabi Alonso because his "passing" stats were higher. Common sense prevails and if our owners are still pulling the stats thread then they're as useless as I initially thought too.

10 Feb 2026 19:18:10
In fairness Salah United and Chelsea only sacked their failed managers a couple of weeks ago and they had been crap from the start. Slot was always going to be giving grace after delivering a title.

10 Feb 2026 19:35:30
You're almost as miserable as me, scouse John, but I don't think even you mean that. Made me chuckle though.

11 Feb 2026 10:22:15
it was the Sun. game that IO gave up, right after the two batterings from PSV and Forrest. I was done.

10 Feb 2026 14:50:21
{Ed's Note - Slottheboard has posted a new article entitled, Why Liverpool Need Clarity on Slot’s Future

10 Feb 2026 16:20:08
The Roundtable already provided the clarity, IMO.

10 Feb 2026 15:22:03
I'm not a Slot fan by any means but to imply the squad has been strengthened is simply untrue. We lost TAA, Jota, Diaz, Elliott, Quansah, Nunez and brought in Frimpong, Leoni, Kerkez, Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike. These were not like for like replacements and midfield was crying out for a real no 6, whilst short at CB and left wing. my criticism of Slot has been having favourites like Gakpo and chucking the likes of Robbo on the scrap heap before Kerkez was ready. He's ripping up the formula from last season and tried to be more expansive (mainly due to the PSG defeat in the UCL) and it's backfired spectacularly. He underestimated the league and over estimated the capabilities of McAllister, Gravenberch, Kerkez, Gakpo and Wirtz.

There's little point in I told you so however I thought renewing Salah and VVD was a mistake at the time, out of the 3, TAA was always going to be the greater loss. We should not have gone all out for Isak when CB, CDM and left wing were bigger problem areas. I hope Isak recovers well and comes good as he's our player now, I'd rather have signed Alvarez, plus Wharton and Guehi and played Ekitike off the left. Another pivotal summer looms, no faith in Hughes and Edwards to get it right so hopefully they are both removed.

10 Feb 2026 13:52:43
I've stuck up for Slot a little bit on here recently because I think some of the criticism he gets is unjustified and people are just looking for reasons to have a pop at him.

However, I do think he should be sacked mainly because the results are not good enough.

There are many reasons for that but my number one gripe is Gravenberch. Last season he was the best number 6 in the league and a big reason why we won the league. He can receive the ball with his back to the play and his awareness of space is incredible so he sucks players in then turns into space and he's away. It's such a potent weapon.

So why have we put him further up field this season and had Macca in the 6? It literally makes no sense whatsoever.

I saw an interview with Grav at the start of the season where he said his dad wanted him to score more goals. Is this Grav saying to Slot that he doesn't want to play there because he wants to score more? If so, why is Slot not telling him I'm sorry mate but that's your best position?

He looks totally lost at times playing higher up whereas last year he was imperious.

It's like Slot has found something that works and then just shot himself in the foot. I just don't get it, it's almost like self sabotage.

10 Feb 2026 14:24:22
I think it was Gravenberch who wanted to be given reign to get further forward. But Gravenberch is not the manager Arne is so he should have been told to stay quiet and concentrate on improving even further in the position you thrived in last season. I' ve backed Slot a lot this season, that's a thing he got wrong though.

10 Feb 2026 14:31:32
Varry, that what most of the fans/ posters have been saying since October.

10 Feb 2026 14:56:20
Varry, nobody needs to find a reason nor excuse to slam Slot. The guy does a bang-up job of providing the required material he darn self. All you have to do is listen to him and what what he does. It's that clear.

10 Feb 2026 16:19:47
We can give Slot credit for the success that Grav was last season. On the flip side of that same coin, it's been very clear that Grav is not at all suited to 8. Bayern didn't rate him as an 8 and neither did Klopp. Same with MacAlister: a poor 6 a much better 8. How Slot doesn't see this who knows.

10 Feb 2026 16:22:10
But that's just it Oli, I do listen to him and I have no problem with anything he says. Some people are saying he's making excuses but I don't see it that way at all. He's just very honest.

If we have issues with set pieces he says so. If we can't break down a low block, he says so. If we are outplayed he says so.

He's just very honest and matter of fact in his interviews and people pick at everything he says. It's really unnecessary.

What I will say is that he always seems to know what the problem is but he's seemed to do nothing to actually improve it which is a bit baffling really. Carrick has shown at United recently that football can be a simple game. You just play the players in their preferred positions and in a system that suits them and away you go.

Moving Grav to a position that he's not suited to and in turn moving Macca to a position he's not suited to and them persevering with it even though we can all see it doesn't work is beyond crazy.

I've got no problem with Szob playing RB because he is the best we have available in that position and we have other options in midfield. What I can't get on board with is taking off the RB and moving Szob to RB when we are chasing a game. I get the theory behind it but he's tried it at least 10 times and it's never worked but it's still his go to substitution if we need a goal towards the end of a game.

By all means try these things but when it's clear they don't work don't keep doing it! It's like he's determined to prove it works but all he's doing is digging himself a hole deeper and deeper.

You see it happen and you know you can kiss the game goodbye because it's not going to work.

It's beyond strange, almost like he's trying to get sacked.

10 Feb 2026 15:06:02
We've needed an out and out no 6 for 2 years. Gravenberch was only ever filling in, McAllister has never been any good in a 6, every game he's played there has been poor, last season included. Biggest mistake the club have made and if Slot has been complicit in that then, like his love in with Gakpo, he will eventually die on that hill.

10 Feb 2026 15:37:33
WE have not moved Grav further forward.
WE have not moved Macca further back

SLOT has reversed their roles.
Its on him VB.

10 Feb 2026 17:33:01
Varry, so what your saying is, he is honest and knows what the problems are, but he hasn't got a clue how to fix them. That not the sign of a good manager is it?

10 Feb 2026 18:38:58
That's what I was saying JLC.

Dougie, I thought Grav was amazing in the 6 last season. Yes his defensive play needed some work but he's young so I expected him to improve on that aspect as he matures as a player.

Given how good he was in his first season in that position if he'd stuck to it and specialised in the 6 he could've been one of the very best DM's in the world in my opinion. There was no reason for us to sign anyone unless it's for cover.

Then Slot decides in his wisdom to move him to more like an 8. Why? I think the original plan was for the midfield 3 to rotate but why would you even do that when Grav had done so well in front of the back 4?

But what is even more irritating is that we can see the current setup doesn't work and last season it worked with Grav holding and Macca further up. Just do that! It's not rocket science!

Some managers get too much in their own heads and try to reinvent the wheel when it's just not needed. The answer is staring you in the face.

10 Feb 2026 19:09:20
Florian tells Grav to keep his mouth shut despite Slot destroying us tactically, and then expects Grav to play the same. Irony.

10 Feb 2026 19:32:31
VB, I agree with your last sentence about trying to get the sack. I've thought the same at times. I think at this point he's taking the p. with his utter inability or refusal to try something different.

10 Feb 2026 19:37:07
VB I think Grav sees himself as an 8 and that's where he wants to play. It's all fine Slot giving him more freedom to get up the pitch, but the problem is we're either not filling the space or we're leaving MacAllister there who is devoid of pace, is far from press resistant, easily dispossessed and weak in the tackle.

So all of that is on the manager. It's been a season long issue that he can't see or can't solve. Playing two players out of position and not to their strengths. Baffling.

10 Feb 2026 12:48:55
So, fair to say Ramsay will never see the pitch again in a Liverpool shirt, long as Arne is still the manager.

Never seen a manager routinely put down a player unpromoted, when it does not feel at all warranted. Almost personal at this point. Just say he is under consideration to play, even if you know he is not, rather than basically call him out as not being good enough in his own position, where we have a dearth of options available to us. His man management is appalling.

His treatment of Elliott and Quansah last season already raised concerns. Now, concern has moved to a significant area in need of improvement.

10 Feb 2026 13:43:37
Another reason to add to the list of why he should be shown the door.

10 Feb 2026 13:05:09
Quansah Elliott Morton Ramsay

Look it doesn't really matter what potential youngster we have he doesn't inspire at all he's stubborn and quite frankly I am
Sick of listening to him
If I was a youngster no way am I joining Liverpool while he's the manager no chance.

10 Feb 2026 13:17:15
Another reason why he must go. Compared to Kloop's work on developing young players Slot is shameful.

10 Feb 2026 13:27:44
agree Mango, he's totally out of his depth.

10 Feb 2026 13:28:21
Hey Mango.

But it was said that Slot is staying because he can bring out the best in youngsters?

I suppose Ali will play RB tomorrow with Mama in goal.

My advice to you, don't listen to this guy any more.
Its not worth the stress that it gives.

10 Feb 2026 13:31:14
Yeah, I cringed when I read the quote. We know Ramsay's probably not going to have a long Liverpool career, but to basically say "I'd rather play anyone else there" seems harsh.

The only thing I could think of to defend it was perhaps it was a linguistic mistake, and he just meant "tomorrow I yet again have to find a solution at RB", but I like to see the good in people!

10 Feb 2026 13:38:41
But Ramsey isn't good enough at the moment. We all know it.

If he wants to play it's up to him to work hard and put himself in the manager's plans. I don't agree that the manager should always protect the ego of a player. It's down to the player to prove he's good enough to play.

Football is a cut throat business if you can't handle a manager saying he's got better options and that doesn't spur you on to work harder then you shouldn't be at a top club in the first place.

10 Feb 2026 13:42:50
Not to mention Morton, who we are seeing excel out in France.

10 Feb 2026 13:50:31
Has Ramsey ever given you reason to think he is a good right back? He made very few appearances on loan at Preston/ Wigan/ Kilmarnock and didn't get a look in at LFC even when TAA/ Brad were injured under Klopp, what makes you think he would add anything to an already struggling defence? Quansah started the season last year and was hooked because he was trying to do his best cool Virg impression, but without the talent to pull it off and Harvey just isn't good enough to be anything other than a squad player, given his performances for England last summer, he rightly thought he needed a move to get a regular start.

Turns out he isn't good enough for AV either.

10 Feb 2026 13:57:40
Since he said it I haven't listened to a word he's said, I can't watch him - he gets on my nerves too much.

10 Feb 2026 14:01:08
Klopp did something similar in the season we saw Philips and Williams at the back. He kept putting midfielders back there to cover but it just weakened our midfield. When he stuck those two in results improved, even with a soft underbelly.

Slot is under pressure and clearly doesn't trust the youngsters, but I am of the opinion that's it's better to have a weak RB, then shoehorning someone else in there that just weakens somewhere else.

Throwing Ramsey and Chiesa under the bus I'm his presser will not help his case.

10 Feb 2026 14:03:23
even if a player is not good enough u don't drop them in it in public his man management is shocking and embarrassing we are Liverpool meant 2 look after ourselves ynwa man doest know what it means.

10 Feb 2026 14:03:24
He's flapping.

Poor Ramsey and Chiesa catching strays along the way.

10 Feb 2026 14:04:39
Ramsey may never be good enough, not everyone will be, that's fair enough. But why have him on the bench? Have another youngster with potential to actually play instead. Or do those youngsters now presume they are even further behind than Ramsey?

10 Feb 2026 14:04:53
100%salah me 2.

10 Feb 2026 14:17:32
Remember when we first signed Ramsey and before he got injured, he looked really good. The injury must of set him back a year. But for slot to publicly criticise him is well out of order . the minutes he gives Rio also is shocking . he might as well leave for his own good too.


1 of the worst man managers I've seen at Liverpool. Excuse after excuse that guy. Loved the spotlight last season . working with klopps team and tactics. Guys pathetic and if he stays well are back to being a Europa league team at best. Absolutely no character whatsoever.

10 Feb 2026 14:28:15
In fairness to Ramsey he's never had a bad game in the Premier League.

10 Feb 2026 14:29:48
Ramsay's hardly Phil bloody Neal, but with our options being what they are, it's surely worth trying him at this point.

What's going to go wrong? He'll make a mistake and cost us the game? We've been doing that all season without him because of how we sit off the opposition, so it hardly seems an extra risk worth talking about.

10 Feb 2026 14:36:57
Mans a tosspot.

10 Feb 2026 14:24:53
How to kill a young persons confidence with one statement. Slot was well out of order saying what he said about Ramsey he should of kept it to himself what he thought about the lad also how has his statement helped LFC to
Sell the lad if they decide to.

Anyone remember Gareth Bale at spurs they played him a left back and people said he was rubbish he was taken out the team Redknap came put him on wing and the rest was as they say history as we found to miss fortune.
The lad may just need an arm around his shoulder and a quite word to build his confidence. YNWA.

10 Feb 2026 15:00:57
FlyPelicanFly, exactly. When Slot was taking direct/ indirect pops at Chiesa early on, a lot of fans said nothing and looked the other way. I didn't. I caught that, immediately.

I knew Slot was flapping from then and clearly, he has not changed. Now, it's Ramsey's turn to be thrown in the basement.

10 Feb 2026 15:42:38
It was mentioned before than Nyoni is not happy either, due to apparent unbroken promises

This man is going to destroy the confidence in all these youngsters.

Pro football is hard enough. how can they improve if they don't play?

If they are not deemed ready to play, get them loans to teams where they are guaranteed to play. Its all about game time for the youngsters.

Generally as a club, we are hopeless at looking after the youngsters. Its basically sink or swim.

10 Feb 2026 15:44:42
Don't forget Klopp, OliRed. Slot's had a few pops at him too. His heads gone.

10 Feb 2026 15:49:34
Will he get used in the Cup match though?

10 Feb 2026 16:30:25
Winning the league when it was weak really gave him too much credit. It's even weaker this season and he's been woeful. Results aren't great but if we play well and you can say 'ahhh unlucky' I wouldn't mind so much. We're lucky to be where we are opposed to unlucky to be so low.
Awful tactician and man manager so what does he bring? We went from one of the fittest sides in the league to being gassed by 60 minutes. I'll credit him for helping win the league but the longer this continues the more it seems we won't it in spite of him.

Klopp with this squad walks the league this season and I'll die on that hill.

10 Feb 2026 15:22:08
What had Slot said about Ramsay this time?

Regards to Morton, I didn't think he had what it took to make it with us. Good to see him doing well in France.

Regards to Quansah, I'm reading that we could be exploring buying him back. I find this bizarre if true.

10 Feb 2026 15:23:33
The point is also it doesn't benefit anybody coming out to make those statements.

If he isn't good enough for the club it's hardly going to be great for his sale value when you come out and say you'd rather play the team lady than the poor lad.

Not to mention what it does to the lads confidence.

He's been on the bench a lot this season. If you don't fancy him that much he shouldn't be on the bench to begin with. Just don't include him then at all.

10 Feb 2026 15:34:58
Ramsay acquitted himself reasonably well against Palace in the cup (was one of the few who could walk away from that debacle and say he'd played ok), in my mind there's no way anyone can say he'd be any worse than either of Endo, who's too slow, or Jones, who's too braindead, at right back. For reference, back in 20/ 21 Klopp realised it was better to play two reserves in Big Nat and Williams in their natural positions and give them a decent midfield to protect them than it was to rob Peter to pay Paul and continue with midfielders at centre back, it was that decision that stopped the rot that season.

Slot ought to take note from that.

10 Feb 2026 18:03:16
How does anyone know someone isn't good enough until they've tried?
I had hoped we learnt our lesson on this as a club playing our core midfield in defence a few years back. Didn't work. Okay defenders in defence, regardless of their previous experience, and look at that, we tightened up and got a CL spot. There is literally no point in having a reserve or youth team if they are not going to be at least tried when all other options are exhausted.

That's on Slot.
Plus it's also well known that sometimes players are simply better in a competitive game than in training. Rashford prime example. He was nowhere near the first team but injuries struck and bang, he's a regular and for all his nonsense and inconsistency, he's not a bad player at all.
All of this is also asides from the the evidence. I think I have seen Ramsay play twice. Neither time do I remember him doing anything untoward.

10 Feb 2026 19:11:46
I refuse to believe Ramsay isn't good enough until I see him under another manager. That bald fraud would make prime Messi look poor.

10 Feb 2026 20:05:26
When did everyone get so soft? So Slot said the kid isn't good enough - these kids are given everything and have plenty around them constantly inflating their ego's and coddling them, and you all feel the need to rush to their defense the minute their coach says they don't have the talent.

the moment this kid makes a mistake, you'll roast him as you do with all our players.

10 Feb 2026 20:30:44
Ramsay for me played w a swagger against Palace and wasn't looking to just play the simple ball. His highlight reel from that game was very impressive. Maybe that's why Slot doesn't fancy him.

11 Feb 2026 10:27:30
Hey MKS, I wasn't going to say anything about all that mess so i'm glad you said it. Indeed, I saw what he said and the pops he had at Klopp and the club, for sure. I just let that go because trust me had I posted about it, I would have gotten banned.

10 Feb 2026 12:03:10
Regarding Mane, I'd try and sign him up and loan him back to wolves to Continue his development. He'll get more game time/ experience doing that. My opinion we're shocking at loaning out players and developing.

I am shocked LFC don't loan academy prospects more, I know we were shocking a few years back at this! Ed01, have we improved? looking in it doesn't look like. Cheers,

{Ed001's Note - no, not at all.}

10 Feb 2026 12:38:12
The academy just seems to be an exercise in ticking the box for regulatory purposes.

I think there should be some incentives or laws lit in place that the academy needs to produce x number of 1st team players every year or something along those lines.

10 Feb 2026 12:48:35
Didn't we invest a lot in the academy over the past few years, Ed? Because I don't know much about the academy players—I haven't really watched any academy matches—so it's hard to tell whether we genuinely lack good prospects to integrate into the first team, or if it's just that the manager hasn't really given academy players a proper look.

{Ed001's Note - it takes a long time to bear fruit mate. At least 10 years for the full effect.}

10 Feb 2026 13:07:31
The current state of the academy reflects the disruption in the Sporting Director role.

10 Feb 2026 15:03:47
Klopp played the academy guys that he felt good enuff to help at the time. I saw a stat that Klopp gave 43 youngsters their debuts over his near decade here. And we all raved about how good our academy was. We don't even know if our academy is good or bad because the manager couldn't be bothered. just like BR wasn't bothered in his time here.

So for me, you can have a good or bad academy BUT if you have a manager who couldn't be arsed about actually playing them then, we will never know. Just my take.

10 Feb 2026 15:43:58
And how many of those 43 youngsters are at the club still Oli?
It would be interesting to see how many of them that left, left during Klopps tenure or Slots.

10 Feb 2026 15:50:50
Wasn't the guy we sacked as set-piece coach actually hired to focus on developing younger players? How he ended up as set-piece coach in the first place is beyond me.

Maybe when it became clear that Slot has no interest in the academy we thought that we would see what he was like designing corner routines - turns out he was very bad.

10 Feb 2026 16:27:24
JLC, that was not my point. My point is that Klopp actually gave them all chances to perform and we saw many of them perform. The EFL Cup at Wembley in 2024 vs Chelsea in extra time was their crowning moment.

Who gets to stay and go is another matter for obvious reasons. We had a lot of them perform very well. For ex. Brewster, Neco and Kellerher had to be let go because they got offers and didn't want to stay. because we either couldn't keep all or half of them for whatever reason is irrelevant.

They got their chances under Klopp, something Slot is not interested in. That is my point.

10 Feb 2026 17:04:18
That's the problem with these online forums Oli 🤣🤣

I wasn't trying to question your post, I was simply just asking a question.

Im genuinely interested in knowing of all those youngsters, who of them during Klopps time and who left during Slots.

Im not sure of its just my perception that Slot has got rid of most of our quality youngsters.

10 Feb 2026 18:21:22
Lol Oli I get your point but please don't act like Klopp had a choice for the EFL Cup in 2024. We had 11 first teamers out injured and the game went to extra time.

10 Feb 2026 19:38:45
MK, Slot's Europa League comment today I thought was beyond passive aggressive and a direct slight on Klopp.

10 Feb 2026 20:03:18
With all our injuries RedMob, Slot has had ample opportunities to play the youngsters and give them a chance.

Hell, he's had ample opportunities to give Chiesa, Endo, Ramsey, Gomez, Rio, Nyoni and i'm a few other youngsters as well, but he didn't.

Sometimes you need to be brave and give the youngsters a chance, but its even been said that Slot has no to little interest in even watching the academy teams, so how will they get an opportunity with Slot here?

11 Feb 2026 10:29:49
Hi JLC, apologies if I was a bit petty in my retort. You're one of the guys whose posts I like reading. My bad, mate.

Nuff respect.

11 Feb 2026 10:32:13
RedMob, I get that BUT Klopp had given many of those youngsters chances before that game so the moment wasn't too big for them because they had been training with the first team already.

Again, Klopp invested in them from the off and they bore fruit in the end. Slot is is not interested in any of this. That is the point here.

10 Feb 2026 10:02:24
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Manchester City - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

10 Feb 2026 11:12:46
A sad but true read. From Champions to mid table fodder within a few months. Hard going.

10 Feb 2026 10:32:07
"This game was entirely predictable, it is rinse and repeat from Slot. Come out slowly, struggle badly in the first half, second half play much better and have the lion's share of possession and then score, only to sit back, invite them on and lose. "


Well, that just about covered it so not going to add anything mlore on that front. As for the game, it was a poor watch substantively from both teams. That City team is a shambles under Pep and had we just played them a lot smarter by playing in a block (a mid block) and pressed them as a team rather than a half press, we do them over completely, as the second half already showed even while not playing cohesively at times.

We gave them the game with the way we played overall (esp. with individual errors all over the team) and the way we setup, vs a team that would have gotten their bells rung by other City teams that we battered, btw back in the day.

Again, the manager and his decisions and tactics have done us in for the upteenth time this season. CL is becoming a mirage, at thi point.

10 Feb 2026 10:53:34
Good analysis of our team which seems to be full of demoralised players. Konate seems to be constantly auditioning for Strictly Come Dancing.

10 Feb 2026 10:57:28
Thanks Ed, reading that and actually seeing all the issues laid out bare is pretty damning.

It is just so bizarre that Slot sticks with the same players despite them obviously struggling. He consistently leaves subs until the last 5-10 minutes which is just odd.

I'm wondering whether Slots team negotiated a clause whereby he is allowed to travel home X times a season to Holland.

{Ed001's Note - I had to cut it short as well, there were so many things I wanted to really get off my chest but my parents are staying and they want to go out. They are not safe on their own, they can get lost in the building these days. I feel like I am looking after two toddlers!}

10 Feb 2026 11:05:06
Totally agree with that Ed1. One of the (many) things that irks me the most this season is watching players pulling out of 50/ 50 challenges. In a lot of those they are jumping out of the way to avoid contact.

It's embarrassing. There is no passion or fight in this team. We are getting bullied and out fought. The most fundamental expectation every player should have is to fight for every ball and run themselves into the ground.

{Ed001's Note - my biggest bugbear is players pulling out of tackles. I was particularly annoyed with Gravy as he did it at one point when he was 90/10 to win the ball. One the third City goal, though it was disallowed, watch him get out of the way of the initial ball through. He could have got in there and challenged, at least put his body in the way, but he bottles it and just stops short. Weak minded. Klopp would never have allowed that.}

10 Feb 2026 11:30:50
Klopp- "I love it when we read after the game that we ran more than the opponent", We need to stop inviting intensity and put it back on the other team, and it all begins with running and pressing.

10 Feb 2026 12:16:14
the lack of fitness all season has been terrible and it will get worse as Slot only trusts a handful of players,
The officials were awful i have to agree, what i couldn't understand was if he sent Dom off why didn't he give Haaland a second Yellow for pulling him after or does the first offence stop the second.

who knows we keep watching and hoping though.

10 Feb 2026 11:38:54
Ed001, we're weak all through midfield. On the whole our midfielders are a bunch of soft lads who shirk challenges and don't appear to have any defensive nous between them (Endo doesn't have the legs anymore, so he's exempt from that criticism).

Also doesn't help that Slot is clueless at organising that shower of rubbish either. We've never adequately replaced Fabinho and we're now reaping what we sowed.

10 Feb 2026 11:39:45
Cmon Ed. tell us how you really feel.

Im waiting patiently for the super fans to come at you with how this isn't Slots fault, the players are to blame, and he won us the league, and its not his team, and the sky is blue ( actually its red), and the sea is blue, (again its red) blah blah blah blah blah.

Popcorn is at the ready.

10 Feb 2026 12:09:25
Ed, correct me if I'm wrong here. Liverpool kept Rodgers and backed him by spending over £100m after finishing 6th and losing 6–1 to Stoke on the final day, all because he finished 2nd the previous season. The person responsible at the time, as DoF, was Edwards.

Granted, this time Hughes is the DoF, but Edwards still has the power to remove Slot if he wanted to, so him taking his sweet time with Slot, even after all the new, worse records and stats this season, is not uncommon at all. It's a red flag for me.

10 Feb 2026 12:11:41
Maybe it was just my interpretation Ed001 but in that first half where they literally man marking Semenyo at times during open play?

It seemed at times like both of them were following him around.

I remember thinking what is Kerkez doing so centrally and he was literally following semenyo with Gakpo covering in at left back during that particular City attack.

As I said - might have just been me!

{Ed001's Note - I thought there was a fair bit of man marking of Semenyo.}

10 Feb 2026 12:19:48
Thanks Ed001, a good read albeit depressing. I found myself with my eyebrows raised silently nodding along to that.

It's so strange seeing the change in results from last season. Part of me thinks if we had this seasons Salah and Gravenberch playing last season we would have seen similar results last season. Those 2 are like completely different players, their form is the polar opposite to last season.

I was interested in Slot's PC today. He talks about being better in both boxes. I think that's an oversimplification and massively ignores the most important "box" i. e. the middile of the field. I'm astonished if he can't see that and maybe that's part of his problem - he's ignoring the midfield.

I was also interested in Slot talking about never having lost 2 games in a row before and I wonder if this is a problem with inexperienced managers like Slot and indeed Alonso.
They haven't experienced the really difficult runs of form and what it takes to adapt and pull the team mentally out of that position.
Until a manager has experienced difficulties, we don't know how they'll manage them.

Slot has been found out on that score. He doesn't seem to have the strength of personality to turn around and galvanise team spirit, create that warrior mentality that Klopp and indeed Fergusson were so good at. I don't know if any of the names mentioned as replacements have been through those difficult times either.

I feel the exception is Iraola who has been through tough runs of form and loss of key players but has seemingly kept his squad out-performing expectations.

10 Feb 2026 12:28:40
Do you think the pulling out of tackles is down to it being a World Cup year? They're all afraid of an injury?

10 Feb 2026 12:34:13
A another Gripes aside from pulling out of challenges.

Aside from VVD, we seem to let the ball bounce a lot instead of attacking it with a header.

When I was at school that was always drilled into us as standard - NEVER let it bounce.

Baffles me how often I see that happening on high balls from goal kicks etc in midfield but also sometimes in our defence.

10 Feb 2026 12:48:17
Ron considering where Leverkusen were before Alonso took over he seems quite capable of pulling players out of a bad mental space. Slot seems to reinforce it though.

10 Feb 2026 12:56:58
We get it Ron you don't like Alonso.

10 Feb 2026 13:25:15
Good read, Ed, thanks.
I had a question about VVD. What is your opinion on him as a captain? I could be wrong, but I just don't see it with him, regardless of his class as a player.

{Ed001's Note - he did well last season but I am not a fan of him as captain. Too laidback.}

10 Feb 2026 13:37:24
I think Ron likes Iraola.

10 Feb 2026 13:46:36
Hilarious blaming Salah and Gravenberch for Slots tactics!

10 Feb 2026 13:51:02
Thanks Ed. You put into words all of my thoughts and frustrations. Tough times and difficult to see how we can get out of it with the current regime.

10 Feb 2026 15:01:28
At no point did I blame anybody for the form of Salah and Grav. I said their form is the polar opposite of last season. Now, take that how you wish, but basically at one end of the spectrum - Slot benefited from Salah and Grav being great last season and the reason we won the league but they can't carry the team forever. Or at the other end - Salah and Grav are the reason we're underperforming. I didn't say either.

At least interpret my posts with honesty. I'm not Arne Slot so having a go at me won't change anything.

I don't have any feelings towards Alonso the manager. He was a great player for a few years, he also went missing for at least one season. I don't like the way he turned us down when he was at Leverkusen. I don't like any player or manager that snubs my team, as far as I'm concerned they only get the chance to do that once. That was the attitude of all our great managers and the principles which made us winners.
As far as Iraola is concerned, he's a risk too, but I think he might be the least worst option. Anyone looking at our squad knows there is going to be many many changes ahead due to ageing and poor form.

Iraola knows the prem, he knows Hughes so he's obviously not phased by working with him, he has dealt with players coming and going, he has dealt with poor form and turned it around. He has a lot of reasons why the risk is reduced with him. But he's never had a chance at a big club and going from small club to huge club is a big jump. He has also not had to deal with big name players.

Whatever we do, there is no slam dunk success story out there waiting to join as our manager like Klopp was. It's a big job for whoever gets it.

10 Feb 2026 14:43:24
One of the best reviews you've written, 001! I can't add a word to it, and I was nodding away because all the issues you pointed out resonated with me, including the inconsistent refereeing on the day.
Tough times for us, but Slot is cheating us by being this half-arsed aboutbthis job running to the Netherlands every week while the house burns down.

It's so disrespectful to the Liverpool institution and unfortunately, Hughes and Edwards are too arrogant to hands up in the air and say we got it wrong. The owners are too aloof to take action. Until it pinches them in the pocket, they're going to let this foolishness continue to play out. It's very sad indeed.

10 Feb 2026 14:46:34
ED001, 2 things really bothered me from this game, well a few more but these 2 are my gripes, surely the manager must know we can't absorb any pressure for more than 10 mins bfr conceding a goal, yet he continually does it and the tackling, i said in a post after the match I was watching who actually tackles and it was only Kerkez, the rest try n block or as u you said bottle it, are they coached not to tackle or they scared of getting booked.

It's baffling.

{Ed001's Note - makes me angry mate. Nothing worse than seeing someone pull out of a tackle.}

10 Feb 2026 16:30:07
@Strom also, if you're not fit physically, you're not fit mentally. hence, you're going to get scared of getting injured hence, why you pull out of challenges. It's a mental thing, IMO.

10 Feb 2026 15:04:24
DirtyMic:

A new manager joining a club that's underperforming with fresh ideas is completely different from a current manager going through bad results and being able to turn that around.
It's about the message the players are hearing and whether they engage. Takes a strong personality to get it across when your results are bad.

10 Feb 2026 17:40:10
True oli, but there is some players who's job it is to get stuck in, namely the midfield n defenders, but the likes of grav trying to poke it instead of tackling does my head in esp in the position he plays, Kerkez n Endo are the only 2 who do it, n one doesn't play, VVD 6ft 5 built like a brick outhouse doesn't want to get his shirt dirty etc.

i'm old skool so tackling is a big part of football for me.

11 Feb 2026 10:38:00
For me, as well.

10 Feb 2026 07:24:28
Ed001
In your opinion, what is the core of our collective demise this season?
Some talk about the death of Diogo but I don't believe that is a reason, if anything it should push the players to do better in his memory.
I have it down to 3 key things.

1- Our defence as in Bradley/ Frimpong- VVD- Konate is as weak as p. and all need replacing. I still have doubts about Kerkez but I have seen improvement so he deserves a chance.

2- Slot has meddled with our style and strategies and he is completely out of his depth in the Prem.

3- Our midfield lacks strength and guile and they are far too easy to get past.

Fix 1 with an established CB such as Schlotterback, Bastoni and 2 with Alonso and then 3 with a Ederson or Sidiki or Stiller type and we will be challenging again.
I suppose the right side has to inevitably change this summer too.

{Ed001's Note - 100% on the coaching and tactics. Slot wants to play a way that just doesn't work.}

10 Feb 2026 08:44:00
I think we won the league last year Ed because there was a mix of Klopps style too.
How on earth, come February now, can slot still be insisting on his style? How can a man be so utterly delusional. It is incredible.

{Ed001's Note - I do think he has made changes to it, but he still has not addressed the actual main problems with it - the midfield lacking any bite at all.}

10 Feb 2026 09:18:00
While we are on this topic, what is your impression of Kerkez?

He seems to be hurried/ rushed in all things he does and most of the times comes acorss rash/ clumsy. I mean there is absolutely no poise or control even when there is no threat.

Also Gapko is not helping by being blind. Whenever Kerkez makes a run, Gapko never sees or ignores and just cuts back which makes the run useless and leave us one less in defense.

Though he has time on his end to improve, his general positional sense is not there at all. These is no anticipation of sort and holding positon to cut opposition attacks.

All the pace in the world will not help if there is no positional/ anticipation of how the game is going.

Everyone says he is not being used according to his strengths which is bombing forward, but he just runs with gay abandon.

Absolutely no idea on when to go/ run and when to restrain.

{Ed001's Note - I think Kerkez is fine, he just needs Gakpo to actually pass to him and Virgil to get off his case. Yes, his end product needs work and he is just purely a head down racing forward at every chance, but that can be worked with.}

10 Feb 2026 09:24:38
Just keep Grav deeper as he did last season solves a good bit of that issue.
Why change a winning formula.
He really does frustrates me. What is the obsession with completely vacating the midfield!

10 Feb 2026 09:31:39
The demise to me is slot changing tactics and high quality players who left the club in key positions

Then new players who need a full season to adjust

A serious lack of squad depth an quality in certain areas - more players needed

Plus add the tactics or whatever style we use not working at all

So overall too many changes to have a solid season - if he kept things the same I believe the results would be less painful.

10 Feb 2026 09:45:45
Squad doesn't suit 4/ 3/ 3 anymore.

If we'd have known this was the formation then replacing Diaz was priority.

I just assumed like everyone else the formation was changing and we didn't need wingers anymore.

10 Feb 2026 09:48:27
Slot changing Gravy and Macca round, WHY? , it worked well last season. Then not adapting to the new players and how they should be played. Last season Slot tweaked what he had and it worked, this season he has had to do a lot more and has been left behind, its too much for him.

10 Feb 2026 10:07:57
still maintain that there is a break in synergy between the recruitment and how Slot wants to play.

10 Feb 2026 10:37:56
I think there is a break in synergy on how Slot wants to play and how fans want to see Liverpool play (obviously not the best fans)

10 Feb 2026 10:38:21
@steviep62, that is the part I can't get. keep in mind that Grav in the 6 with Macca ahead of him a bit, won us the title at a canter. However, it is clear that Slot doesn't want to play that way as that is not his style.

Also, remember that Slot wanted Zubimendi in that deeper role, who is not a DM with bite in the tackle because Slot doesn't play with a true DM. Hence, this is why Ed01 kept saying he didn't want Zubimendi because he was more like a Macca in the 6. And now we see why.

W/ o a true DM (with bite and aggresiveness) in the now rough and more athletic PL in this day and age, you will struggle. Slot is yet to get that memo till this day. Ironically, as soon as Klopp figured that out, he got Fabinho and we know the results.

10 Feb 2026 11:32:39
We didn't replace Diaz because we didn't want to block Rio getting minutes. Allegedly.

Seems to me like Slot doesn't want Rio to threaten Gakpo's place in the team, hence why he plays Ekitike/ Chiesa there at every opportunity.

10 Feb 2026 11:51:07
Do we really need a true DM? Grav arguably isn't one and we won the title at a canter last year. Folks on here have been asking for the likes of Ederson, Sadiki, Anderson and Baleba and none of those are really 'true dm' type players in the mould of say, Palhinha, either. Players like Rodri and Fabinho are honestly unicorn players who are mobile, incredibly intelligent, but can play ball and carry with the best of them too.

I'm wondering if there is another player quite like that nowadays, which is why 6s who can do that sort of thing are so incredibly expensive. Bouaddi looks like he could be that player in time, though he doesn't have close to the passing range of Rodri or Fabinho, he very much has Grav's composure to turn and carry in tight spaces.

10 Feb 2026 12:22:31
Said above it's interesting Slot has not been through bad runs of results before.

Maybe he just never had the man management skills to pull the team spirit off the floor and galvanise them.
Maybe the death of Jota had more of a profound effect because Slot didn't have the man management skills to guide them through it? .
Maybe it's more than just tactics because despite tactics I see a lot of low morale, lack of confidence and lack of belief in our play.

10 Feb 2026 12:59:44
CK confirmed it last week and other fans will hear no different.

10 Feb 2026 13:26:49
Agreed, the biggest issue for the team is actually not the defense, it's our midfielders. They look leggy, no bite, not brave enough to demand the ball. Essentially hiding and they are leaving our defense completely exposed. To my eye they are the main culprit (along with slot) as to why this whole season has been a disaster.

10 Feb 2026 15:00:40
The only reason we're struggling this season, is because the manager has changed a champion winning formula to one we're seeing now, this slow play does nobody any favours. Just look at Salah for instance, we all know he will miss a lot of chances but usually comes out on top in the end, now he gets scraps, his confidence is at a low but if we carried on playing the way we have been for years Salah would still be our top scorer.

People just say he's finished n in this system he is, but even a 50% salah in the old system would have still got a lot of goals. that's my opinion anyway.

10 Feb 2026 15:13:13
PB at least from last season, Grav was good in the DM role provided he sat in and screened, something he did so well and was voted Best Young Player last season.

The issue we have now is that Grav is now being played in the 8 with Macca in the 6, which is what Slot actually wants clearly. That is an issue because in the PL, you cannot play a Macca in the 6. You simply can't because in this day and age of the PL where athleticism and physicality are the norm, a midfield with no DM with bite in the tackle will struggle and we see that now.

Now who can we get in midfield with the bite and physicality we need? I have no idea BUT that should be the midfield priority right now, IMO.

10 Feb 2026 18:32:01
Oli, I agree with everything you have in this thread. But I think needing a player in midfield, with physicality and athleticism has been the norm in English football for years.

10 Feb 2026 00:07:38
If the current league form continues for the rest of this season Liverpool will be 25 points down on last year despite winning their first 5 games of the season.
To put it into some sort of context
Arsenal + 11 points
Man City + 5 points
Aston Villa + 5 points
Chelsea - 4 points
Man United + 25 points (in a season that they deemed it necessary to sack their manager)
In the last 20 games we are averaging 1.2 points a game which over the course of next season would leave us on 45 points.


The only teams that have a worse drop off ratio to us are Forest (26 points) and Wolves (30 points) who are both fighting relegation.
Safe to say in my opinion things need to change and they need to be changed quickly.

10 Feb 2026 06:38:37
Sunderland, Forest, West Ham, Wolves and Spurs are our next 5 in the league. We will either be right back in the mix for top 5 or cast a drift after those.
On paper all very winnable games.

10 Feb 2026 07:54:11
We should win them all but with slots tactics, you never know.

10 Feb 2026 08:08:03
"We are right back in the mix for top 5"

This should be coming from a Man United fan. Shocking that it's come to this 😏.

10 Feb 2026 08:58:55
Ernest Millar - It's not the next 5 that worry me. We need 7 wins 6 draws minimum to stand a chance at top 5, and we've still to play Fulham, Everton, Palace, United, Chelsea, Villa and Brentford. We genuinely need a miracle. And to be honest, I'm praying we don't get one. If Slot manages top 5 he'll be here next season, so will the other two muppets.

Best thing for the club now is a nosedive in form, finish 8th so FSG have doubts about coming in and cleaning house. I absolutely hate saying it, but I fear the alternative will bring us back to the mediocrity of the pre-Klopp era. The club has worked too hard over the last 8 years to let Temu Ten-Hag ruin it.

10 Feb 2026 10:37:21
Agreed Irish but its where we are unfortunately, light up top, no bite in midfield with a mentally weak defence, that corner we've hinted at turning still seems a long way off.
The list for player of the season so far is far too small, as discussed a million times its a product of the tactics, coaching and a sprinkle of old age.

10 Feb 2026 10:39:33
"On paper all very winnable games. "

EM, not with the way this team plays under this manager. Just saying.

09 Feb 2026 23:25:22
Guys don't worry, Paisley won the league in 79/ 80 and then had a crap season in 80/ 81 and still won the European cup. it's still on 😂.

10 Feb 2026 07:54:51
Paisley was a great manager though, slot isn't.

10 Feb 2026 10:40:16
Kloppers if you had to go all the way back top Paisley then, we are really up ship's creek, man.

10 Feb 2026 11:47:32
That side had the probably the greatest centre midfielder the game has ever seen in Graeme Souness, that man had more bollocks than all our current lot have combined, if you think this side is getting past City or PSG, boy are you in for a shock.

10 Feb 2026 12:03:24
I find it shocking that a journalist posted that expecting a positive reaction . The great paisley also didn't have £450 mill to spend on his "transition" squad .

09 Feb 2026 21:38:34
Ed001 what's your thoughts on the game against Sunderland on Wednesday I just can't see us getting anything from the game think they will be to intense for us to cope with.
Then I think we will beat Brighton in the fa cup and the pain goes on.

{Ed001's Note - I actually think we will get a result against Sunderland, because they will come out and attack us at home. Brighton are dreadful, but I fear playing them more as we just don't seem to have any enthusiasm for games unless they are 'big' these days.}

09 Feb 2026 22:09:36
I think Sunderland will run all over us.

09 Feb 2026 22:31:14
I would take a win over Sunderland Ed and going out of the fa cup because I think we could do without the run of extra games if we have any chance to finish in the top 5.


I don't get how some people think we have a chance of winning the champions league because playing like this we will be lucky to get get out of the last 16.

{Ed001's Note - by result against Sunderland, I was more thinking about a draw to be honest.}

09 Feb 2026 23:17:39
Sunderland know how to get a result against us, Slot has no answer to that. Their midfield is more physical than our bunch of soft lads.

09 Feb 2026 22:43:55
Well Ed I bet if you tried you could not have put it any better to say how far we have fallen when us getting a result against a promoted side is a draw. lol 🤣.

09 Feb 2026 23:20:01
Sunderland haven't lost at home all season. Just saying.

09 Feb 2026 23:41:32
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey . "

I expect it to be a good game with a. 3 - 2 win for us.

You heard it here, first.

10 Feb 2026 07:30:58
I'm hoping Sunderlands game against Arsenal at weekend may have taken it out of them a bit. Other than that not too optimistic, would be v afraid Sunderland just walk allover us in midfield. Would like to see Ramsey at rb, I've only ever seen him play once and that was in cup v palace and he played v well on a v v bad nite.

Surely he worth a go at this stage, endo is the only other option I can think of as jones will be needed in midfield at some stage of game.

10 Feb 2026 08:42:06
many posts on here said newcastle would run all over us.

10 Feb 2026 10:43:11
Faith, I never thought that. Newcastle were a shambles before that game and have been a shambles since to the point of some of their fans want him out. How ironic, right?

Did I think we would smash them like we did? No but I thought we could win esp. at home because Newcastle don't win at Anfield.

As for Sunderland, I ain't looking forward to that game, at all. Doesn't mean we can't get a result nor outright win it, btw.