Liverpool banter 2

03 Dec 2025 23:51:30
Ed001 the past couple of games I've been paying attention to the intensity and the uncoordinated press during game and one thing you've got right is the lack of basic fitness from the players. Instead of getting fitter as the season has gone its gotten worse and you can expect the intensity to lull midway during the second half until the side has to chase a goal and even then the lack of fitness and intensity is apparent.

Surely the coaching staff can see that before talent and tactics you are already starting the game on the backfoot in the PL if your opponent is much fitter and physical than you?

{Ed001's Note - you would like to think so, but there has been no sign of it improving, which suggests they can't see it.}

04 Dec 2025 04:14:00
Ed, do you know why, when the ball gets to Gakpo, he always wants to cut inside onto his right foot? It’s either a cross that gets easily cleared by the opposition defenders, a shot that gets blocked, or a sideways pass. It’s really annoying because there are plenty of times when a simple pass to someone overlapping on the outside, especially when Kerkez plays, would be a much better option.

Is that Slot’s instruction, or is that just his built-in default setting?

{Ed001's Note - he is right-footed, it is natural he wants to do that. He can be very effective doing it.}

04 Dec 2025 06:14:02
The only time we showed any effort was when we went a goal down and even then it was so disjointed.

04 Dec 2025 06:46:56
I really don't get why people keep targeting Gakpo at the moment. One of the few players this season that is providing an output in a very malfunctioning team and our second best attacker on numbers alone last season despite everyone pining for Diaz.

Yeah he cuts back a lot, but so does Salah, so did Mane, so did Diaz. It's the whole point of an inside forward playing on their stronger foot towards goal? One of few along Szob who can hold their head up right now in my book.

04 Dec 2025 07:10:53
He’s 6ft 3 and is on the floor more than Macca. Doesn’t make challenges or tackles, twice he pulled out of challenges in space of 30 seconds. One trick pony, all he does is come inside and try and shoot into the top right corner. Not good at passing so things break down or slow down when he gets the ball.

Been at fault for leaving the back post twice against Utd and Palace which has cost us points. Slot was right to hook him at half time but wrong to replace him with Salah as Wirtz and Isak were non existent when Salah came on.

04 Dec 2025 07:47:45
I used to wonder if it was the players or Slot’s tactics that left the winger’s so isolated and basically one dimensional. But hearing his comments about Gakpo after this match it’s clear to that it’s Slot’s tactics.

Gakpo can be effective cutting onto his right, but i wish we had more movement on the wings between wingers, fullback, CM and CF/ CAM. Feels like it’s just give the ball to the wing and then see what they can do.

04 Dec 2025 08:10:52
Was Gakpo good, his stats wouldn't back that up
Touches- 26
Passes completed-7
Passes into final third-0
Dribbles completed-0
Crosses completed-1
Shots taken-1
Duels won-1/ 5.

04 Dec 2025 08:15:13
I have no problem with Gakpo coming inside but it is no going to be as affective if the fullback is allowed to make overlapping runs and create the space for him.

04 Dec 2025 00:51:04
How was Wirtz goal taken off him when the Sunderland goal was a deflection it hit VVD on the arse ( turned his back) and Ali may well have saved it?
YNWA.

04 Dec 2025 01:02:46
It's based on whether the ball is heading towards the goal when the effort is taken, or not. Wirtz's attempt was going wide, and was deflected into the path of the goal by the opponent. Talbi's effort was heading towards goal (Straight at Alisson) but diverted into the side netting off of Van Dijk, so stands as Talbi's goal.

Either way, Wirtz really starting to improve, so I have no doubt the goals and assists will come. Although, if Arne is still in charge, it might be a lil while, as Wirtz doesn't play slow enough for his liking and will no doubt bench him for even thinking about creative plays.

04 Dec 2025 06:11:06
One was on target and the other wasn’t.

04 Dec 2025 00:46:19
I don’t recognise this team anymore. We had a legend of a manager create us an identity of playing that all supporters relate with and this current manager is tearing down each of the foundations that gave him the pedestal to succeed in his first season. The press is all but gone, there is no bravery with passing and we are being second best to very challenge because the players aren’t fit enough.

Yes Sunderland have shown this season they are a team that can cause problems for any side but they can not come to Anfield and be the better team for 70 minutes that is just unacceptable. Slot now needs to step away before this becomes a mountain to climb for the next man in charge to bring us back to our ways.

04 Dec 2025 02:10:24
Agreed the style of our football is dire, I’m not enjoying watching the reds at the moment.

04 Dec 2025 03:04:08
It's really not great watching is it. What I can't understand is that the majority of passes are being played to a player who is simply standing still. He then fiddles around with it before playing another pass to someone else who is standing still
Where are the runs, the link up play, the "excitement!? "

It's just so dull and predictable, I really don't enjoy watching them play much anymore
And that is a very sad thing I admit.

04 Dec 2025 08:13:30
Like many have already said, it's a boring spectacle of slow build-up, sideways and backwards passing. No desire, pace or press. Unforced errors, poor defending in open and set plays. Later in the game it's panic stations, take off defenders and chuck on all the strikers, get caught out on the break.
Rinse and repeat.

03 Dec 2025 23:54:15
When you look at the stats the ones that annoys me the most are the duels. We won much fewer than Sunderland both in the air and on the ground, winning 40 odd percent. It's been the same in most of our matches.

This tells me the players are shirking and not getting control of the games.

With over 25 shots on goal and only 4 on target smacks of desperation, while they had 9 shots with 6 on target.

I don't know where we go from here, because it's the same every game. We're being outplayed and outfought by everybody.

03 Dec 2025 23:44:13
The decision to replace mac with Hugo.
Wtf?
Our midfielders couldn't get hold of the ball, Isak couldn't get a touch so what do we do?
We take a ball winner off for a body up front.
Even weaker thru the middle, even less service to the front line
Sunday league stuff.
Angry and drunk so excuse ne if I'm talking 5h1t3
Len.

04 Dec 2025 00:12:09
I don't think I've ever replied to my own post b5 but I'm walking the dognuntil i calm down.
Almost 3 hours after the game and I'm raging.
Just saying.
Len.

04 Dec 2025 00:26:03
Settle down Lenny. We got a point at home. Be happy with that. Slot is.

04 Dec 2025 07:49:38
I would have taken Macca off earlier than that to play Dom at CM and move Wirtz to CAM.

03 Dec 2025 23:25:23
It's time to go his excuses every week should be reason enough to sack him.

04 Dec 2025 02:14:59
It sure is grim people, VVD is poor this season, our midfield is weak and gets out played every game, Ekitike looks pissed off and Isak looks alike a championship player.
Something is wrong, and the need for change is NOW.

04 Dec 2025 07:50:42
Shughes - it’s kinda funny not funny. But often I watch Isak and think “WTF” lol like did we literally spend champagne money but get the Temu version.

03 Dec 2025 23:18:59
You really can't assess the new signings until the football changes. Not one signing should be assessed too harshly because of how we're set up and the slowness to our play.
This is Hodgson stuff we're pissing out. We look like we could lose every match and also not create a thing.


We look like a team who has an imposter taking them for training and putting them out on the pitch. It's awful stuff. Slots adamant on persisting with this because it's rinse and repeat every match. He's forcing what we're witnessing here.

04 Dec 2025 00:10:00
Agreed Batman.

03 Dec 2025 23:18:11
Really not enjoying watching us at moment, zero excitement just so pedestrian it's painful.
He's got to go .

03 Dec 2025 22:12:28
I won a spread bet on Konate heading the ball straight up in the air more than 50 times and Old Man Mac being outpaced by the corner flag five times.

03 Dec 2025 23:06:47
I can’t take much more of him or that football! I’ve zero clue to what the game plan is that team looks horrendous! It’s not like we are watching it improve every wk it’s getting worse! How can world class players look so bad and clueless!
Why can’t we do the basics and clear the lines row z etc! Get back regroup!
Slot reminds me of Rafa in the final days talking absolute bubble!
I hate saying it but I want him gone and it’s awful but that team won’t get better!
And it can get worse!

03 Dec 2025 23:25:37
Totally agree Jay.

03 Dec 2025 22:55:18
It’s got to the point now where I’m watching us play and I’m expecting us to lose or draw, which surely must be a tell tale sign that slot isn’t the right man and his tactics aren’t working, I think his position is untenable.

Loved the way chiesa came on and the fight and passion was there, typified by that goal line clearance, and yet he doesn’t get a start. Gakpo has been so poor, so predictable and never gets dropped, time for someone else to take the reins.

04 Dec 2025 00:17:47
Slot wouldn't even acknowledge what Chiesa did to clear that shot, spoke more about Ali's shepherding out part! Makes you wonder what he has on Slot, as he deserves more game time.

03 Dec 2025 22:49:05
Sad times.

Ta.

03 Dec 2025 22:53:01
Carra . should have said sad times, Ta ra Slot.

03 Dec 2025 22:53:52
Carra

This is brutal. but mind blowing as we have some really good players. Surely something needs to change. We are too soft and keep making mistake after mistake.

03 Dec 2025 22:56:16
And sadder still, it won't get any better while Arne remains in the job, Carra.
We’re dreadful under him.

03 Dec 2025 22:57:30
You think that the final nail carra?

03 Dec 2025 23:00:52
Need change quickly, this is disgraceful boring clueless sh#t.

03 Dec 2025 23:02:32
That pressing in the 1st half was the saddest thing I’ve seen in a long time. We looked clueless! Please put an end to the misery.

03 Dec 2025 23:05:32
Drawing with Sunderland or something else?

03 Dec 2025 23:04:43
Slot and Jones confirmed the tactics is to play slow and draw the team out.

And Slot is happy to continue doing it from his interview.

Time to sack him is nigh. I'm done now. Converted to getting rid.

03 Dec 2025 23:12:38
Slot isn't going anywhere is he?

03 Dec 2025 23:26:21
What pressing?
Slots not the man. We've had poor teams, but under klopp, no you don't get all the time and space on the ball at anfield. Slot does not get this club or it's stature. You cannot sacrifice what we are as a football club for dinosaur tactics at our home ground.

Tonight was the confirmation for me. I don't care about the pressure or defensive issues. To play soo negatively as we did in that first half at anfield with top players all across that pitch, you're not a Liverpool manager. You're an imposter who'll ultimately be shown the door.

03 Dec 2025 23:46:36
I have no idea what's going on at my club but something bloody stinks.

04 Dec 2025 00:18:25
It was so turgid from the first minute.

We really need to act now to save the season as the culture is eroding quickly.

04 Dec 2025 01:26:32
Davey, judging by Slot's post match comments, I'd say your first sentence is correct if you just take off the words "the team out. ".