Liverpool banter 8

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.

06 Jan 2026 21:25:19
Has Carra bailed on posting on the site?

06 Jan 2026 21:43:14
Carra said he'd be away for 3 weeks due to being on holiday. So, we won't hear from him for a while.

06 Jan 2026 21:44:34
He's away on holiday.

06 Jan 2026 22:08:30
Cheers everyone.

07 Jan 2026 08:06:02
During a transfer window who sanctioned that 😅.

06 Jan 2026 21:11:22
Semenyo to City deal done just pending medical, being widely reported now.
One down, one to go.

06 Jan 2026 22:05:27
Im confused, do you support Lfc or City?

06 Jan 2026 22:25:11
City have signed one of our "targets" and he thinks they'll now get Guehi too.

07 Jan 2026 03:50:44
Wasn't Wirtz one of City's targets?

07 Jan 2026 07:14:34
I'm not confused. I know Mcgoveb supports Liverpool. Are you new to this site Florian?

06 Jan 2026 20:10:01
For those that make it to the games is the general feeling amomgst the supporters reflective of this site in regards to performances and the manager? Its hard to gauge through the tv but Anfield does seem quiet of late.

06 Jan 2026 21:05:33
The atmosphere has been pants for ages.

06 Jan 2026 21:24:18
I would say 3/ 4 are grumbling under there breath and pretty fed up with what they are seeing. Also the vibes at Anfield are about as dead as I remember.

06 Jan 2026 21:44:14
E M im a season ticket holder, and I can only reply based on what I hear and conversations I have with fans sitting near, I would say their is frustration but no one saying, sack Slot just yet.
With regards to being quiet, Its been like that for a long time even during Klopp times he was known to ask for a noisy stadium, the crowd seem to turn it up for the big games!
Leeds was a typical example, you could argue the players didn't do enough to get the crowd going but equally the crowd weren't exactly getting behind the team as loud and vocally as
We know they can.

06 Jan 2026 21:49:26
Agree with Drogie, there. Agree with Kaiser regards people being fed up. I sit all over the Kop, and occasionally in the Sir Kenny stand. My general opinion is that those who I sit by aren't as anti Slot as is reflected on here.

Others that go might have a different experience. I understand that it's similar with those that travel. I don't get to many away games.

06 Jan 2026 21:57:34
Its not at the levels of fans shouting slot out but there is nervousness in the crowd . they know its not going well but they support but its gets quieter . But the more it goes on the more it will likely happen . Its hard to keep singing, shouting n supporting, when the play is so boring.

{Ed025's Note - I agree Strom..

06 Jan 2026 23:47:35
It won't be long before the crowd is no longer the 12th man.

06 Jan 2026 23:58:25
I don't think you can gauge it in the ground to be honest. I'm vehemently Slot-out but when I go to the game later this month I'll be fully behind the team. The stadium itself is not the place to vent your frustrations. On match day, it's all about supporting the side.

To do otherwise, is to actively try and hamper your own team, and harm their chances of winning. If you want what's best for Liverpool, that's not the time or the place to be angry at anyone associated with the club in my opinion.

07 Jan 2026 02:30:35
Absolutely spot on, MK. I know a couple of season ticket holders and they have said pretty much exactly the same thing as you - they're there to support the team, afterwards and behind the scenes? they are just like the majority and want Slot out.

As much as I want Slot out - I don't want to see the crowd pushing for it. It can cause too much hassle.

07 Jan 2026 07:14:51
The crowd can demand more attacking football from the off, and chant as much. That would pressure Arne and the players without criticising them or booing. It would send a clearer and better message than silence.

07 Jan 2026 08:35:21
The atmosphere has sucked for a while, it streams through on the tv and even more in the ground, there is no Stevie G type tackle, bar Bradley on a euro night, or a guy taking 2/ 3 players on, get people out their seat, our style of play couldn't be further away from the type of player we have, we need a reset for Boss an SD, the next 2 to replace them need the same philosophy and thought of player, we will get battered by Arsenal, they just steam roll us as we can't cope with wave after wave, especially Konate who has been less than embarrassing all season, I would rather Endo play there who would play his heart out, Slot has treated many of the fighting players disgracefully, Rio and Chiesa prime examples, I can't wait for him to go and before last March, when results and style changed for the worse, I didn't think after the summer that would be the case.

06 Jan 2026 20:09:31
The genuine City interest in Guehi will test the narrative that LFC are prepared to act should a target become attainable this month! I am not confident but let's see!

06 Jan 2026 21:03:18
He's going to City. Get over it.

06 Jan 2026 22:07:58
He's not that good anyway which is why we're not pushing hard for him. I still expect him to sign for us anyway but he's not the transformative player people seem to think he is on here.

There are much better CBs out there.

07 Jan 2026 01:39:10
It's not about whether there are better CBs or not, in terms of value and fit for the team in terms of personality and skill set, he is probably top of the list. We need a passer at the back, plus he has gone up a level as a defender this season.

06 Jan 2026 19:59:46
Has any other club bid for semenyo? If we haven't, why not?

06 Jan 2026 20:35:00
Done deal with Man City (dependent on medical) according to BBC Sport.

06 Jan 2026 22:59:22
Seemed the perfect fit, very surprised we didn't bid.

06 Jan 2026 18:39:06
Hello people, new to the forum! I work close to the players so can get some information here and there will post if anything is worth the post!

06 Jan 2026 19:06:00
Welcome. Look forward to reading your posts.

06 Jan 2026 19:09:23
Thanks mate and welcome!

06 Jan 2026 19:15:55
Thanks mate.

Let's test the waters shall we.

Since you work close with the players, have you seen or heard about any tension between the players and Slot?

Some of us are of the opinion that the players are not really taking to his tactics, so are not really playing for him (Yes, I am of this opinion btw)

06 Jan 2026 19:56:31
I'll test the waters

Get us some tickets please.

06 Jan 2026 20:06:07
Nice one, @Jord. Welcome aboard.

Pls, feel free to share whatever you can.

Greatly appreciated.

06 Jan 2026 20:06:41
Since you're close to some players can you ask wtf they are doing in training as it looks like 11 lads out for a game of Astro at present!
Thanks and welcome.

06 Jan 2026 21:24:29
Jord, surely you already know a lot? Bad start for someone "itk"?

06 Jan 2026 22:34:15
Hi Jord, welcome.

Please can you put a rocket up the players as most of them seem to be coasting and not running hard.

KR
Ron.

07 Jan 2026 00:28:40
Yes jord initiation ceremony determines you've got to dish some dirt mate…we're easily pleased just make summat up.