Liverpool banter 10

03 Nov 2025 09:54:22
Here Ed001 if you were in charge of the last transfer window who is the player that you would NOT sign?

{Ed001's Note - that is a tough one, as it would depend on what the alternative signings would be. I mean if the alternative to Frimpong was Kayode, I would have taken Kayode all day long, even though I like Frimpong. But if the alternative was say Walker-Peters, I would then sign Frimpong. The only player we have signed recently that I still don't understand the reasoning behind is Mamardashvili. I hope he proves me wrong, but right now I don't see anything but a very average back up keeper.}

03 Nov 2025 10:58:33
Agree on Mama, the guy can’t kick the ball to a teammate and I would think it’s only a matter of time before he makes a massive error trying to play a ball out from the back. The way we play at times it can be a major issue.

03 Nov 2025 11:00:16
I agree with you ed and I was saying this on every thread on here about Mamardashvili, I am a fan of what he does and I love watching the Georgia team play, he is a very unique and pretty old-school type of keeper in terms of his height, reflexes, the length of his limbs etc. but he is absolutely not the kind of keeper for us or the way we play. I think the transfer committee just saw a very highly-rated keeper with a growing reputation and a very low price, and decided that he was a good market opportunity.

It could have been worse though, ed, we could have ended up with somebody like Trafford as a backup.

03 Nov 2025 11:06:38
Kerkez for me. and the alternative would have been Inacio. well Hato the ideal replacement, but seemed like he was destined for Chelsea

The way we are deploying our full-backs, I am struggling to understand why we bought attacking fullbacks who like to bomb forward on the overlap. was looking at heat map of kerkez for Liverpool vs his heat maps for bournemouth and Hungary and it so clear to see the difference in his role at Liverpool being less out wide and taking up positions inside his left wing.

Personally, I think Kerkez should be afforded time to adjust before he gets slayed, but that's just me.

03 Nov 2025 11:49:16
I'm going to be honest, I don't really understand getting Isak and Ekitike. It would be easy to say Isak in hindsight as Ekitike has hit the ground running and is younger and cheaper, but at the time, I didn't really understand signing 2 players who play through the middle, make similar runs and aren't particularly versatile. It would have made a lot more sense to get an Alvarez type in for that sort of money to me (even if it wouldn't be Avarez himself.

The rest of it, I kind of understood what they were trying to do, even if we probably need someone else in midfield to make it all work.

Hopefully I'm wrong on the Isak thing, but neither he or Ekitike are going to be happy on the bench.

03 Nov 2025 12:12:03
When we signed Frimpong really early, I thought that would mean we would likely get a left back that could invert like a Hato, Hincapie, Lukeba, Inacio.

But soon after that we signed Kerkez and Wirtz.

At that point I was sure we would need another ball playing CB that could carry and pass long and would add a defensive minded midfielder to be able to compensate for the attacking FBs and enable a no10 like Wirtz to play. We did neither of those - granted we missed out on Guehi at the 11th hour.

The Leoni signing made a lot of sense. We needed to bring in a young CB to nurture as a Virg successor in the long term. Hope he recovers strongly!

The Ekitike signing is excellent but I was surprised we went for both him and Isak. I suppose the Jota tragedy forced that.

Losing Lucho and Darwin without bringing in one more direct speedy wide forward. I will put this omission down to making a promise to Rio Ngumoha. Also, Cody signed a new deal recently.

Much like Ed, I am surprised we brought in Marmar given his footwork limitations.

To me, it looks like there's more business to do. Which is crazy given how much we spent.

Priority has to be adding a CB (possibly two if Ibou leaves), DM (to replace Endo) and wide player (ideally able to play either side) .

With Robbo's contract up at the end of the season, you wonder whether he will want to move on for a payday or look for a one-year rolling extension like Milly did. If he does go, we might choose a LB of a different profile to be able to invert giving us more options.

After that, Bradley and Frimpong will have to prove they are good enough. Again, Bradley would have been assured of a chance to step into 66's positions over the summer in order to sign his new deal.

03 Nov 2025 12:41:43
Mamardashvili Is a spit of Damien Sandow
I watch Liverpool in the hope Miz comes out trying to save a shot and Mamardashvili copies him 😂.

03 Nov 2025 13:06:18
See this is why I love this site. You never know what’s going to be mentioned next and I certainly didn’t have a Damien Sandow reference in today’s bingo card 🤣.

03 Nov 2025 13:23:54
Isak for me. I would have preferred us to go all in for Alvarez, even if that meant waiting a year. Alvarez would have been a more complementary player to Ekitike than Isak, as well as covering the 9 and being an upgrade to Gakpo at LW.

03 Nov 2025 14:09:41
Babbity, we did go for Alvarez but he was never going to come back to England, let alone the PL as reportedly, his wife really hated living in England thru out his time at City. The City fans said that, btw. That was never going to happen.

Ed01 for me, I have no issues with the players we signed cos that is what we needed esp. as you say, with the alternatives available at the time. I wouldn't have gotten Kayode ahead of Frimpong, btw since I watched him play at Bayer and was very good, just like Wirtz was. Used to like Walker Peters but he has stagnated for years and kinda lost his way, I think.

Marmadashvili? I'll give it time. I think he is a good GK, very steady on his line but he still needs some work around the edges with his feet and decisiveness, for starters. Hell, even AB1 needed some fine-tuning when he came to us even tho, he was already on the cusp of world class status.

03 Nov 2025 14:47:26
I feel Isak may struggle for various reasons - the prolonged, agent driven move and bad vibes created by it, injuries, system, limited pressing abilities . I saw a stat stating that only 7/ 27 players over 80m have been deemed a success.

Mammar can be sold at a profit, or at least not at a loss if he can't improve his kicking.

03 Nov 2025 15:17:35
Oli, apparently the rumours about Alvarez hating England were fake news. Regardless it wouldn't have happened this summer anyway because he only moved to Atletico a year ago. But that is the profile of striker I would have preferred as opposed to an Isak.

03 Nov 2025 16:43:05
Babbity, not sure if it was fake or not. Just saying who said those things and it was the City fans who said so. Like you said, it was never going to happen.

For me, I wanted Isak too. I mean, who wouldn't at the time? Also, Isak is not fit as he had no preseason (hence, his injury) so let's see what happens when he is fully ready to go.

Now if you indeed never wanted Isak (cos there a lot of hindsight punditry going on out there) then, that's fine as I can understand such an opinion cos I wanted Alvarez, as well.

03 Nov 2025 17:08:36
Yeah, my issues with Isak were his fitness record and I think it's profligate to spend so much money on two clear 9s when there are other positions that need strengthening. I still think he's a great player. But it feels to me that with both Ekitike AND Isak, at least one of them is being set up to fail.

03 Nov 2025 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United Show Resilience Despite Worst Performance Since Brentford

03 Nov 2025 09:56:19
I wonder if Shappy is a Flogging Molly’s fan. ‘The worst day since yesterday’ sprung to mind.

03 Nov 2025 10:16:39
"‘The worst day since yesterday’".


You're killing me, WDW. Seriously tho, it seems to be the norm these days in society.

People doing WAY too much regardless of where the wind is blowing.

03 Nov 2025 10:23:26
Love it WDW, i've spent many a night on "The Devils Dance Floor".

02 Nov 2025 21:44:37
Ha. just looking at the table.
how bizarre that how poor we have been we currently sit 3rd
Then if Sunderland win their game *and surely being relegation favorites) tbey go above.

Must be wonderful for the neutral.

{Ed025's Note - it wont be for me if Sunderland win Karlos.. :)

02 Nov 2025 23:21:12
Bizarre you’d think a team going above us in the league with a win would be relegation material, absolute nonsense.

03 Nov 2025 00:13:35
From 10th to 3rd in one game and the funny thing no matter what happened w City today we were third no matter the result.

03 Nov 2025 01:26:49
if we're not first, we're last

lol

yeah, we may have an up and down season. but the meltdown was ridiculous all the same.

03 Nov 2025 06:49:19
JR_1977
I don't think its absolute nonsense to suggest that Sunderland were favourites for relegation.

They are doing much better than most would have thought. Fair play to them.

03 Nov 2025 08:25:41
I think it's the way it was initially phrased, Karlos. It made it seem like Sunderland are still favourites to be relegated despite them being 7th or potentially 2nd, depending on how their game goes later.

And Faith, I don't think the meltdown was ridiculous or unwarranted at all. We were initially 1st with a 5 point lead over Arsenal but now are 3rd and 7 points behind them. That's a 12-point swing in an extremely short period. Granted, Arsenal have had an amazing October. I read somewhere that they won all their games without conceding a single goal across all competitions. But we were in freefall for an entire month. Hopefully we can pick ourselves up now and start chasing down Arsenal.

03 Nov 2025 09:33:52
I still think Sunderland will go down, like Blackpool did. They were right up there at Christmas and got relegated.

03 Nov 2025 10:04:17
I think Sunderland will be fine, they have some very good new players and Xhaka and Hendo have shown how important it is to have a leader in the spine of the team to push their teams up a level. Wolves and West Ham look pretty putrid and Burnley can't score to save their lives, Leeds will also invariably be in the mix relegation wise.

03 Nov 2025 10:25:24
Eh, not sure how Hendo playing for Brentford can help Sunderland push up the table PB.

03 Nov 2025 10:44:53
Burnley, Leeds and Wolves for me to be relegated. Big win for the Hammers yesterday and now they’ve a decent manager. I think they’ll be fine. Sunderland could do a Blackpool, anything is possible but i think they’ll be fine.

03 Nov 2025 10:19:31
That was funny, Ed25. As for Sunderland, they could have a very good start to the season and still get relegated. We've seen that happen before multiple times.

At the end of the day, it's still early and pretty sure that Sunderland are just taking things as they come.

{Ed025's Note - Sunderland are doing a lot better than expected Oli, but i thill think they will hit a wall and be in the relegation mix mate...and so might we if we dont get our act together..

03 Nov 2025 11:01:40
I brought up Hendo as an example as to why a player like him or Xhaka can be very important to a young team or a team in transition. Of course I know he plays for Brentford lol. Millie probably plays a similar role at Brighton.

03 Nov 2025 11:32:10
Apologies PB, that obviously went over my head.

03 Nov 2025 11:36:04
No problem, Robbie, I get how you might have thought that the way the sentence was phrased.

03 Nov 2025 11:46:26
I absolutely agree with the point you make, Hendo and Xhaka were really clever signings for their respective clubs. Hendo coming in under a very inexperienced manager is a massive help and then in Xhaka's case for Sunderland, he could be the difference that sees them stay up. Two excellent bits of business.

03 Nov 2025 14:11:02
Indeed, Ed25. Sunderland will hit that wall and that is where we will see if they will be alright or if they will fold and panic. Time will tell.

02 Nov 2025 19:04:34
Ed01 - who would be your picks for our next signings, CB for one and certainly midfield and a forward position.

{Ed001's Note - I would be happy with Guehi, he has stepped up a level this season.

I like Baleba, though he is struggling to get his fitness this season, but pointless buying a player like him while Slot is in charge as he wouldn't get a game. So instead I would pick Anderson from Forest.

The more I think about it, the more I think Semenyo would provide us balance as a forward and allow Wirtz more freedom and license to roam.}

02 Nov 2025 19:28:00
Apologies if it's been asked before Ed001 but how would you set us up to get the best out of Wirtz, both this season and moving forward? Personally I think we should have two up top with Wirtz behind. Keep the midfield from last year and allow them to work together (eventually replacing Mac) I.

e if one goes forward the other two cover the space to limit being hit on the counter and allow the RB/ LB to provide the width. Formation wise it'd either be called a 4-3-1-2 or a 4-1-2-1-2 but the same idea either way.

{Ed001's Note - I would prefer a 4-2-1-3 myself. Wirtz playing in behind the 3 forwards. Basically similar to what we did last season, but with the central pair of mids sitting deeper and allowing the full backs more freedom to get forward and staying out of the way of Wirtz. But if one of the mids does go forward, I would like to see the full backs noticing and one drop. More speed on the pass and hit crosses early, stop checking back as it makes it difficult for forwards to time runs, so just get it in early. That also makes sure the opposition haven't got time to organise defensively. The longer you take to put the ball in the less effective it is likely to be, so either cross early or look to pass short quick one twos into the box in the centre. But don't mess about wide and then throw it in when everyone is set in defence.}

02 Nov 2025 19:57:04
I know a Palace season ticket holder (who vaguely knows Glasner, has certainly met him several times) and he believes Wharton will join us. When we were trying to sign Isak I posted asking why we even needed Isak, as Hugo had hit the ground running and that surely we need a defence minded midfielder and The Fields replied, who I think is ITK and said it will be Wharton.

02 Nov 2025 20:05:14
That was def an issue for us yest Ed and in the past too not moving the ball quick enough. I'm yet to see a footballer who can run faster than the ball can be passed.

02 Nov 2025 20:56:37
We looked much better without Kerkez and Wirtz. If we’re to fit them in, I reckon we’d need to change shape personally.

If we’re sticking to this set up, then they’re better on the bench.

02 Nov 2025 21:01:42
It was noticeable yesterday some great moves on the edge of villa’s box but midfield just putting there foot on the ball. Oh for a Thiago.

02 Nov 2025 21:25:43
ed1 - did you notice the slight tweak to our set-up once we had established possession of the ball? with Robbo and Bradley basically in the forward line but playing inside the wingers?

It's a real interesting set-up, which I personally don't like given the profile of fullbacks we've bought. But open to seeing how it develops.

{Ed001's Note - yeah, I prefer to see them mix it up and sometimes underlap others overlap. Bradley has always looked to underlap, he does like to try and score.}

02 Nov 2025 22:45:54
You find a way to incorporate a generational talent like Wirtz, although Slot may well have to change his vision for him.

02 Nov 2025 23:01:14
Faith, we used that setup last season. If you watched the preseason highlights from last term, this setup allowed us to really open up spaces for us to hurt teams, leading to some goals scored.

Ed01, I agree re: Wirtz. he is such a baller that you have to let him have the freedom to let him cook with a wall behind him with fullbacks tucking in to help in midfield in def. transition. Just look at Buendia at Villa who is nowhere near Wirtz's level. They have Onana and Kamara behind him and he has been cooking of late.

03 Nov 2025 03:05:26
Ed1, it is that simple is it. That's probably why it won't happen. Most managers don't think that being simple will win you games. Making things complicated is the way to go these days. By the way, what's the difference between 4-2-1-3 and 4-2-3-1?

{Ed001's Note - there is very little real difference, it is just how attacking the front 3 is. I would like to see us leave players up the pitch at set-pieces to force the opposition to leave defenders back.}

03 Nov 2025 07:01:20
Chelsea done that against spurs at weekend ed1,left 3 players up when spurs had a corner. It definitely led to less congestion in box.
Now spurs looked that disinterested I'm not sure they would've scored if Chelsea hadve given them the box to themselves but interesting to see if it something that will get more common.

{Ed001's Note - it used to be standard to leave at least 1 up, no idea why that changed because it doesn't work.}

03 Nov 2025 07:05:13
Thanks for the reply ed001, my only issue with the 4-2-1-3 is after the money we've spent. I feel we would still need a new RW, you'd shoehorn Ekitike out left and I think he's better in the middle. And do you think it'd suit grav and Szobo?

And I completely agree about leaving people up top for set pieces. By bringing everyone back you are basically giving the attacking team a free hit. Plus there's no space to actually defend as there are too many bodies. Leave two or three on the half way line and give the attacking team something to think about. Set pieces are the flavour of the month so surely leaving a big threat of the counter is going to counter that to some degree.

{Ed001's Note - I wouldn't shoehorn Ekitike out left, he would play through the centre while in form for one. Secondly, he has played from the left a lot. Grav was better last season when he stayed back, so defo suits him. Szobo, as we have seen, can pretty much play anywhere, anyhow.}

03 Nov 2025 07:26:47
Wharton isn't a defence minded midfielder though, I don't know why he is always pegged as such here? He is a playmaker from a deeper position, for us he would be something akin to Mac allister, he performs pretty much the same role for palace with the kinds of short and incisive passes that he plays, though he can also play longer ones, which macca does not tend to obviously. However, he is physically slight and does not fare well in individual duels.

He"s an interesting player because he kind of combines traits of grav and macca in one player, he likes to receive the ball on the half turn, get into space and pick a forward pass through the lines. If folks think he is adding 'steel' or physicality to our midfield they would be mistaken, though.

Elliot Anderson is a star, he has technique, work rate, engine, intelligence, I feel like he could play 6/ 8 (next to grav) or 10 (the szoboszlai role) for us no problem. He can tackle and is pretty good in the air too. He's not a pass specialist like Wharton, much more of a carrier so not sure about the balance playing next to another carrier like grav, but he gives you so much off the ball while offering press resistance on it.

03 Nov 2025 09:35:22
Anderson would be a much better signing than Wharton. The latter is an excellent player, but Anderson would be a big upgrade on Mac Allister to play alongside Gravenberch or Szoboszlai as a sitting midfielder.
The fact remains that Wirtz is one of the best players in Europe and we NEED to provide him the platform and structure to demonstrate it.

03 Nov 2025 10:01:03
If Wirtz is to ‘make the grade’ in the PL it is most likely to happen if the team is built around him. He doesn’t appear to have the authority (maturity? ) as yet to take a PL game by the scruff of the neck.

03 Nov 2025 11:00:47
This thread takes me back to the days when Sturridge and Suarez both were lingering by the half line during corner kicks. And opposition teams were visibly stressed out and more concerned with them, than actually scoring themselves.

03 Nov 2025 11:12:51
Bayer were built around him, and they reaped the rewards. Right now it is not simply that we are not built around him, we don't even have the structure that let's him operate where he wants to be or where he can optimally affect the game, in the opposition third in the left half space or central, rather than having to chase the game when we lose the ball or drop into the halfway line to pick up the ball to help us progress it.

The Anfield Wrap chat about the Villa game made a good point- against Eintracht, which was arguably Wirtz' best game in a Liverpool game so far, Wirtz lost the ball near their box and Eintracht were able to get from there to our box in a matter of seconds.

The brunt of the blame seemed to fall on Wirtz shoulders for losing the ball, but it shouldn't be a big deal losing the ball on the edge of the opposition box, attackers are always going to play risky balls up the field, Wirtz should have done better with that ball maybe but somebody should be covering for Wirtz in the contingency that we lose the ball, the problem is how the opposition can go from there to our box in an instant.

I thought that was an astute point, personally.

03 Nov 2025 14:19:59
@WY-red, I think shoehorning players is one of the reasons we are where we are. I think we should just play players in their proper positions where they have the best chance to flourish and help the team, IMO.

@PB, I agree. I don't subscribe to blaming a player for losing the ball in the oppo. box leading to the team conceding a goal 70/ 80 yards later hence, protecting his team mates behind him from any scrutiny. Creative players lose the ball. It's what they do hence, wy a wall is built behind them to protect the defence. Personally, I think it is just a case of gratuitous scapegoating.

02 Nov 2025 15:50:23
Quick question if you have a spare moment Ed1 (apologies if someone else has already asked) i thought Ekitike didn't look particularly happy at coming off last night. his facial features don't give a lot away so not sure if it was to do with his goal being chalked off or something else.

I really like him by the way and he certainly looks like he has a bit of everything in his locker but wondered whether you thought anything of it or whether it's to do with Slot? I know you mentioned he ignored him after his last goal. hopefully its just me overthinking it.

{Ed001's Note - he just wants to play every minute.}

02 Nov 2025 16:40:29
Slightly of topic but I’d love ed001 opinion on Semenyo. Do you think he could be the natural successor to Salah with the pace to burn with good close control and finishing?

{Ed001's Note - he is a bit inconsistent, because he is not that good technically, but he is physically exceptional and has an excellent work rate too. To allow Wirtz freedom in the middle, a player like him would be a good option, he is like a better version of Kuyt. And he gives options as he can play either flank. He has certainly come a long way from when I saw him first playing for Bristol City alongside a lad I used to train with over the summer. He has come on in leaps and bounds since then, which suggests he is very coachable and hard working away from the pitch.}

02 Nov 2025 16:58:38
Cheers ed001 for reply. Hope your well pal and family all good.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate. All,good thanks. How are things with you and yours mate?}

02 Nov 2025 17:07:49
Yeah all good Tris. Believe it or not the kids made me dig the Christmas tree out today. I didn’t mind too much as I am still in a jubilant mood that we actually won yesterday with a slightly better performance.

{Ed001's Note - if you were in the Philippines, you would have done it 2 months ago. They start the build up when the 'ber' months begin. Crazy.}

02 Nov 2025 17:19:31
Oh jeez I’m not telling them that otherwise they either want to move to the Philippines or move the day in putting the tree up earlier 😂.

{Ed001's Note - ah but in the Philippines they would only get one prezzie and it would be something very small.}

02 Nov 2025 17:27:19
Love your info like this Ed!

After last season and his start to this year, I feel semenyo could be a great option for the RW.
Can’t replace Mo, no one can.
But semenyo would make us an even stronger, more athletic team and give us so much more work rate and pressing from that side then Mo has recently.
Making us a more balanced team and he could definitely hit double figures for goals and assists with us.

02 Nov 2025 17:36:50
Just to add to the OP's post. I thought it would have been better to have taken Gakpo off, and then Ekitike and Wortz could have interchanged between wide and the middle.

02 Nov 2025 18:10:03
Ed i haven't seen much of Wirtz before he joined us I only watch PL. What do you feel would be his best position? I fancy him off the left but that would mean dropping Gakpo who seems to be undroppable and a Slot favourite.

I feel for Wirtz he's looked good in moments and he's always looking to drive us forward. I think yesterday would have been a good game for him but obviously Slot felt differently.

02 Nov 2025 18:51:46
Thanks for all the info, Ed. Really appreciate it.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome and to answer Red_Flyer's question, as the post was not held for me to see at the time, Wirtz is best given a free role in the centre. He is not best as a wide player. He could play there, but it doesn't make best use of his assets. He does need a solid base behind him, which hasn't happened, and space to operate, which again hasn't happened. Instead we have had both central midfielders in the areas he is looking to use and so he is constantly crowded off the ball. The opposition are able to just put bodies in there and block off anything he can do. He has no passing angles as everyone seems to end up in one straight line alongside him.}

02 Nov 2025 19:08:27
Thx Ed. I'm no expert but that all makes sense. I've been crying out for the full backs to give us the width and sit 2 mids to protect the counter and give Wirtz space to play.

Yesterday was perfect for him but he chooses to push all 3 mids at times into that space. Have to feel for Florian i def do. I know Slot needed the win so went "tried and tested" but his tactics i feel would def have benefitted Wirtz.

Macca still offering very little on the ball unlike Dom and Grav so for me could have been statement game for Wirtz.

02 Nov 2025 22:28:36
Great info ED01. Very much appreciated.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome sg.}

02 Nov 2025 23:05:49
"Wirtz is best given a free role in the centre".

Preaching to to the choir, may man. That being said, do you think Slot may go horses for courses in midfield cos the title winning midfield did the job vs Villa cos Villa had 3 physical midfielders in there as their 10 Buendia was absent?

While in other games, Wirtz will get his chances in the 10 with 2 in behind him for protection depending on the oppo.?

{Ed001's Note - probably yes.}

03 Nov 2025 08:25:38
To be fair ed we kind of have enough cute technical players as it is, we need more grafters and players who can run up and down for 90 minutes. Though if we can get a player like Anderson, who has technique and guile and can run up and down for 90 minutes, that would be even better.

{Ed001's Note - that is exactly how I see it as well mate.}

02 Nov 2025 15:28:55
I was out on the razz last night so didn't get to see the game. Although I've seen highlights and it appears that last night the team were pressing harder and running more so perhaps a slight change in focus as regards to tactics.

Can anyone who was at the game or saw it on TV confirm that or was it just the way the highlights made it look.

02 Nov 2025 15:41:15
Kimuraking, you are spot on with your assessment. Definitely pressed harder and ran more. Well I thought they did anyway.

02 Nov 2025 15:41:40
They were definitely pressing, because Villa were intent on playing out from the back and that led to both goals that we scored.
I was astounded at Villas tactics as the teams that we played recently that beat us mostly played the ball long and we couldn't cope with that tactic.
Anyway Unai Emery is now on my Christmas list.

02 Nov 2025 16:10:05
Well I think you should go on the lash every time we play now til the missus I said it’s ok. And to pick you up afterwards.

02 Nov 2025 18:12:07
Villa played their share of long balls I thought and we dealt with them well. I thought Konate was especially dominant winning headers/ duels etc. His best game for a while. Solid all around. I'd say Bradley was poor first half esp with his positioning but better second half.

02 Nov 2025 18:59:56
Red_Flyer69, I saw people saying Villa "played into our hands" and I thought that was hilarious. Villa play the way they play and Unai Emery has always tried to pass out the back for years. They're not going to change what has been working for them fundamentally just for one game.

As you say, they played their share of long balls too and even though we won the first ones, we did well to challenge for the second and third balls, which is what we had been asking for. Just compete.


As for Bradley, I think he was getting overloaded a bit with MacGinn, Digne and sometimes, Watkins hence why I think he struggled at first. Notice, none of that happened in the second half. All in all, he had a solid game, IMO.

02 Nov 2025 19:09:45
We def fought for the second and loose balls yesterday. Set piece set up def changed too. Nice to see.

03 Nov 2025 07:12:52
OliRed, and how did that not play into our hands? Did you see the first goal?

03 Nov 2025 14:24:07
Rigsby, "Did you read my first paragraph"?