Liverpool Banter 2

04 Mar 2026 14:27:23
I keep seeing people say that Liverpool fans only speak up when we lose. That's not true. The reason we speak up when we lose is simple — we're not happy losing. That's not negativity, that's passion. That's caring. That's having standards.

Since Klopp left, things haven't felt the same. Our form has dipped, performances haven't been consistent, and the identity that made us feared across Europe has faded. Under Klopp, we didn't just want to win — we wanted to dominate. It was high-energy, attacking, heavy-metal football. Intense pressing. Belief. Connection.

Klopp wasn't just tactically brilliant — he connected with the fans. He'd fire up the crowd, fist-pump the Kop, and bring the whole stadium to life. He mixed with people in the city and understood what the club means. He was passionate, respectful, genuine — and he touched the hearts of thousands. That bond between manager, players and supporters was powerful.

Now under Slot, it feels completely different. The style looks slower, more defensive, and it doesn't feel like Liverpool's DNA. When you've got top players at your disposal, getting them performing at their highest level comes down to the manager and his tactics. Right now, it feels like the players aren't being unleashed the way they should be.

There also feels like a disconnect. Klopp had an aura — a presence that lifted everyone. That connection mattered. At a club like Liverpool, it always will.

So when fans speak up, it's not because we enjoy complaining. It's because we've seen the standard. We've experienced what this club can be at its very best, and we don't want to settle for less.

If some fans are happy to accept average performances and a style that doesn't reflect the Liverpool we know, that's their choice. But wanting intensity, attacking football, passion on the touchline, and players reaching their full potential isn't pessimism — it's ambition.

We don't demand greatness because we're negative. We demand it because we care. And that's what being a true Liverpool supporter is all about 🔴.

04 Mar 2026 15:00:41
Nobody is accepting bad performances, I don't see why people keep insisting that anybody who says anything other than Slot is dragging us into mediocrity, we are a laughing stock and nobody will want to join us after this season is simply an apologist for poor performances.

For example, I think Slot's tendency to throw first halves away and then try to win games in second halves against tired legs is absolutely inexplicable, especially since the likes of Frimpong were earmarked by the fitness team to be taken off in the second half. Frimpong is a livewire, let him run at defenders and create overloads on the right side, let's get ahead in the first half and then try to control the game aftewards. I can't understand why we constantly look so lethargic and passive in the first half, play well for half of a second half, then completely fall apart the last 10 minutes in games. I find that indefensible when we have players who can and are geared to play aggressive, front foot football, as we have proven in flashes this year.

However, I am also somebody who has been very vocal on here about the difficulties and the manager has faced, and that I think there have been proactive attempts to address them. I think the assessments of last night's game have been quite varied on here, and I do agree with some folks that we did enough to win the game, maybe not comfortably, but we did more than enough to get three points, if better decisions were made (and it's quite inexplicable how better decisions weren't made). Wolves didn't have a shot until close to the 80th minute.

The frustrating thing is that we can look like we've turned a corner one game, then look a complete and utter enigma of a team the next, passive, reactive and restrained. That part of the management I find to be impossibly frustrating. But yet, if we had got three points last night, pretty much nullifying the other team and creating enough chances to win by one or two goals, then nobody would complain. The problem is that when this style of football does not come up with the results, we are justifiably p'd off.

I don't, however, agree with folks insisting that anybody on here cares about the team any less than anybody else, or that they're making excuses for mediocrity. This season has been difficult, bewildering, even mystifying sometimes for all of us, and we're all trying to make sense of it. I think it's completely fair to expect greatness from this team. But I think it's also necessary to try and understand why we have fallen short of expectations. To me, at least, it's a bit too convenient to lay everything at the manager's door.

04 Mar 2026 15:34:26
"I keep seeing people say that Liverpool fans only speak up when we lose. That's not true. The reason we speak up when we lose is simple - we're not happy losing. That's not negativity, that's passion. That's caring. That's having standards."


Exactly, Klopp05. Why should I accept a loss coupled with a feckless performance where my team did not even bother to earn the right to compete or put a tackle in? Yet people will call me "self-entitled" because I dared challenge my team and manager to do the basics in a game of football? There will be a cold day in hell before that happens, I promise you that.

Even when Klopp was here and he was doing the same exact thing, I criticised him and the players at the time.

The diff. was that I never believed for a second that he wasn't trying to do better. Man, he could have gone to Real Madrid and rejected them to stay and right his wrongs. It is these things that make Klopp so dear to most of our hearts, esp. in the times of sheer hardship.

Sadly, I do not have the same feeling with this manager this season. This is why I quit on him in November. Sadly, Slot hasn't changed and clearly he is all about himself and always has been this way this season. Hence, he can get out of my club at season's end if no. 7 is not in the kitty.

04 Mar 2026 16:15:05
"My club" again, Oli? How sweet.

04 Mar 2026 16:58:06
That's fair enough, lads, but just on one thing, Klopp is gone and isn't coming back. Sure, Arne looks and comes across as a bore compared to the big, crazy German. Neither is his team as exciting. But we probably aren't ever going to have another manager with the personality or football philosophy of Jurgen.

They don't exist. I remember the 2 fullbacks bombing on, Virg keeping a high line on the halfway-line and the lighthouse in midfield shoring things up, but even Jurgen moved away from that at the start of the 22-23 season.

I remember at the time thinking it was crazy. Anyway, I'm rambling. I suppose what I'm saying is don't be comparing managers to Jurgen, you'll always be disappointed.

04 Mar 2026 19:30:27
You would still have to say that even the Jurgen team from 22-23 onwards was more exciting than watching what we have to suffer at the minute.
Personally, I don't mind Slot at all. He comes across as a very likeable guy.

04 Mar 2026 19:42:02
Even toned down Jurgen was exciting to watch.

04 Mar 2026 21:31:05
Slot is dragging us into mediocrity, though, that is the point. We won last season when he didn't enforce fully his own style, and, honestly, the quality was only marginally above this season.

A smart decision by him, admittedly. The more of his own ideas he's enforced, the worse we have gotten. A world class team with world class additions is worse somehow? It boils down to the coaching team.

04 Mar 2026 09:59:42
One thing i have to say about our tactics, usually when you have 70% of the ball the other team usually gets very tired and starts to make mistakes, because they are chasing the ball all game, however watching how we pass it around it allows the other team to rest in defence and barley break a sweat! I noticed Wolves was barley jogging to keep us out due to the Ultra slow passing usually sideways or backwards.

Its crazy to focus your entire game plan on control and passing and don't understand one of the fundementals for a tactic like this is quick passes where players are allowed to take risks on the ball!

04 Mar 2026 15:14:39
I think the intention is to bore the opposition to sleep and sneak a goal while they are all having 40 winks.

04 Mar 2026 15:35:19
Been saying it, @Willo. It must be part of the plan despite the shambolic results and performances we have seen.

04 Mar 2026 15:37:15
Unless Gakpo decides to defend for the opposition team, Willo. 🤣

04 Mar 2026 09:55:59
I may be wrong but I though GVB is the number two man. I rarely ever see him get consulted by Slot during games or join in discussions. I though he would be more hands on as the number two.

He does look genuinely happy when we score or win games though.

04 Mar 2026 15:15:31
I think number 2 is a very appropriate job title. 💩

04 Mar 2026 15:21:04
Spike Hulshoff is the assistant.

04 Mar 2026 14:15:44
Our performances have been rubbish for a while, and I lost trust in Slot after the Forest, PSV games. We did improve a bit recently, but Wirtz being out has shown how much we have come to depend on him. More important for me has been how painfully boring we are in most games. However, having said that I am writing this to strongly condemn the abuse and disrespect Slot is getting. Sure things have not gone well, but people are being way too harsh. He is a league winning manager after all.

I will always respect him for that. More so -I have said this a few times already but it's still worth repeating - the way he handled the Jota tragedy, his poise and grace, should never be forgotten in my opinion. He seems like a genuinely nice person too, even though he has not excelled at his job this season. I hope we can as a fanbase understand that there's no need to make personal comments just because his professional standards have dipped. Peace out.

04 Mar 2026 14:37:42
Personal opinion, but I think the decline has been happening since the end of 2021/2. The players were absolutely gassed by the end of that season, and we've never reached the same levels of performance and consistency since.

Last season we were consistent, and that's why we won the league. We didn't blow any teams away, we didn't keep loads of clean sheets, and we often had a poor first half, conceded first, and then played a lot better in the second half.

We weren't that good, but we were better over the course of the season than the rest. We also limped a bit over the line.

The huge recruitment last summer was to try and address the decline, and I genuinely believe they will all have better seasons next season - whoever is head coach.
Salah, Virgil, Becker are all declining. They can no longer make the rest of the team look better.

04 Mar 2026 15:40:21
I disagree, Ron. We wiped the slate clean in the summer of 2023 when the midfield revamp happened, and the rebuild started when Fab, Hendo, Milner, Bobbie left, with Sadio leaving the season prior (21/22). That season, we were on for a league title already until Klopp announced he was leaving.

When Klopp left and Slot arrived, he did his thing, and we won the title (arguably we should have won the season prior) at a canter, and he got all the credit for that.



Again, that whole slate had already been wiped clean, hence it has nothing to do with whatever is happening this season. It has everything to do with the manager and his feckless tactics that are killing our results and sucking the life out of the watching fans. Just my take.

04 Mar 2026 13:00:41
Question for Ed001 if you are around .
Do you think the players actually get bored playing the way that we play?
Personally I'm finding us a really hard watch at the moment as a lot of the fans on here are apparently do.


I just wondered whether you think the players almost feel the same?
I'm not defending the players by the way as I believe they have been way off of this season but it must be hard in my opinion to start games in such a slow methodical way and then increase momentum and intensity when you are already as flat as a pancake?

{Ed001's Note - yes, more of a problem is training than playing, as they don't have a crowd to drive them on and give them something to enjoy. So it becomes a chore, they then don't put their heart and soul into it and their level drops.}

04 Mar 2026 13:57:04
When playing professional sports starts to become like a 9-5 job, players tend to lose interest, imo.

04 Mar 2026 14:17:09
The whole situation is now beyond a joke.

Slot, after the game, saying that it was the same old problem - exactly! How has nothing changed in our performances over the last several months, and yet he still has a job?

Virg, saying that there was no urgency and it was too sloppy - exactly! But why is he telling the press? He is supposed to be the captain. Why isn't he berating the players on the pitch instead of being lethargically eased off the ball for their first goal?

These performances leave me so angry.

I can accept the result - it happens - but that performance looked like a team that didn't care about the outcome. We got right back in the battle for 3rd, and then this happens. It wasn't purely because of selection, tactics, or performance. Every one of those things is wrong right now, and yet nothing seems to be being done to address any of these things.

04 Mar 2026 13:31:10
How is the cardboard cutout still in a job? This is getting embarrassing. Why is the club ignoring the fans Ed01?

{Ed001's Note - it shouldn't be about the fans, it should be because it is obvious he is making things worse, rather than better. Every step forward is following by 3 back. Hughes and Edwards picked him, they are giving him every possible chance to turn it around. They don't want to make a change until the end of the season.}

04 Mar 2026 14:19:19
I can go along with that Ed001. The noticable thing for me is that the players don't look sharp or fit enough this season. Gakpo, Mac Allister and Salah in particular. Even Gravenberch to a certain extent. And they are not the only ones. Obviously, they are fit individuals, but I mean that sharpness in the legs that gets you to the ball first, the endurance fitness that means you can sustain more than the 10 minute spells we see now.

Other teams with much less ability seem sharper, stronger, quicker to the ball, and can produce it over longer periods. I have been questioning what the fitness coaches have been doing but, maybe you're right, it is the sheer boredom of the training routines.

{Ed001's Note - I think it is a mix of both. The fitness and conditioning coaches are not pushing them hard enough and then that is compounded by the players not enjoying what they are doing.}

04 Mar 2026 14:48:14
LavishMctavish, do you think the support at games is baying for his blood? That's simply not the case and historically never has been. We aren't Spurs. I'm not saying that won't change, but I'd be surprised.

04 Mar 2026 14:55:11
Script for Liverpool away games.

Start off slowly, passing the ball around the back 4.
Occasionally pass it into midfield, who promptly pass it back.
Try the occasional long ball that is overhit.
Maintain the slow tempo, hoping that a gap will magically appear.
Dominate possession, but create nothing with it.
Give their keeper the first half off, as he is not required.
No need for any urgency, as there is another half to play.
Come out for the second half with a bit more urgency and tempo.
Win a couple of corners that do not beat the first man.
We miss a sitter.
The keeper makes a save that he should make.
We have another couple of corners that come to nothing.
We hit the post.
The increase in tempo lasts about 15 minutes before the game drifts into a lull again.
Everyone is ok with that, as they are sure someone will produce a bit of magic eventually.
When the game reaches the 75 minute mark and that has not happened, he throws Rio on as a sub.


In the last 10 minutes, the opposition score with their first attack of the half, usually because one of our defenders could have done better positionally or to get the block in.
Throw Chiesa on in desperation, taking off a defender.
About 5 minutes from time, we grab an equaliser, sometimes because of a defensive error.
At this point, Arsenal, City, and maybe even United now, would go on to win.
But this is Liverpool, so we have all the possession in the last third, but the ball is recycled from left to right incessantly.
Near the end of added time, the opposition break on us, with four attackers against our remaining 2 defenders, because Slot has thrown the kitchen sink at it and left us completely unbalanced.
Obviously, they score.
We have no time to come back, so we lose.
In his press conference, Slot says he was happy with possession, but it's a pity we couldn't convert it to chances.
He has been watching and saying this all season.

04 Mar 2026 17:04:59
I haven't enjoyed coming to work in lunchtime traffic today, to do a mind-numbingly boring job until 11pm tonight either, so I can see how the multi-millionaire footballers feel. Unfortunately, my boss just told me to get on with it, so that's what I'll do.

05 Mar 2026 08:28:49
I'd tell you to get on with it Florian because you spend most of your time on here defending the indefensible. I love how your arguments now resort to human morals and as millionaires the players should do better. Still won't call out the fraud millionaire in the dug out though.

04 Mar 2026 11:36:58
Eds can i ask are we going to continue playing with Gakpo and Salah on the wings, who let's face it, are doing nothing every single game? I watch every match, and i am now of the opinion that our midfield needs completely replaced, salah and gakpo have got to go and we need to address the right back situation. The manager losese these games because we cannot score goals unless we go behind, then he empties the bench and makes the team completely imbalanced and then people wonder why we concede in the dying minutes of games. Iv'e watch Liverpool since the 80's and this is one of the worst performing teams i can remember.

We have had worse team that performed better, but now we have a good team (ish) that performs poorly week in week out. That is on the manager. He consistently picks Salah because of his reputation, but i will tell you what, Salah is at risk of ruining his legacy if he continues with these type of performances. There is no one being dropped for poor performance or attitude. Same team every week. It ridiculous. I was genuinely upset and frustrated last night. This is years and miles behind what Jurgen did. Its disgusting and it is disgusting that he will probably get another season to make it even worse.

{Ed001's Note - I expect Slot to stick with them, but I don't expect him to be here next season.}

04 Mar 2026 12:29:33
Hopefully you're right Ed001

04 Mar 2026 13:22:31
We can talk about players all we like. It doesn't avoid the fact that the coach's signature move is to play out uneventful first halves and try to win games in the second half, with players who are clearly not fit enough.

The whole tactical approach is not fit for purpose - literally!

04 Mar 2026 12:39:24
From your keyboard to the heaven, Ed01.

04 Mar 2026 13:46:48
The team is clearly unfit. The tactics are awful, and MacAllister's performance (as an example) was just unacceptable. Salah has been getting away with it all season, and I genuinely just think Allison is bored.

04 Mar 2026 13:40:09
Do u reckon it will be alonso that takes over if slot does go ed1? which I'm sure he will unless we get to a champ league final

{Ed001's Note - looks like it.}

04 Mar 2026 11:52:56
What has happened to Mo Salah? He looked like he has never played at premier league level.

04 Mar 2026 12:09:53
He's the same player of the last 2-3 seasons minus the magic moments. The many magic moments, lol.

04 Mar 2026 12:18:15
Every single year, without fail, people forget Ramadan Mo.

04 Mar 2026 12:22:00
Legs have gone. It happens to every player eventually.

But, that being said, Mo Salah, Liverpool Legend. Simple as that.

04 Mar 2026 12:32:08
Ramadan must have stretched since August this year, in fairness. Then FPF.

04 Mar 2026 12:41:03
Slot has drained the belief out of a title-winning squad and 95% of the fans. It's no surprise he has also drained the confidence out of the league's best player over the last 8 yrs.

04 Mar 2026 12:43:38
It does make you wonder why, at 33 years old and during a period of fasting, he has played 90+ minutes in each game, just a few days apart.

04 Mar 2026 12:48:58
Normally I'd agree, Fly, but Mo has been awful all season. I don't even think you can say it's because his legs have gone, because his pace, or lack thereof, is not the issue.

He struggles to control the ball, to play a simple pass, and his shooting is way, way, way off. How many times in the past has Mo cut in on his left foot and you just think, 'goal'. These days, I'm expecting it to hit row Z, and he never disappoints.

It can only be that he's not working on his game as much as he used to. Even top players need to constantly practice these skills; it doesn't just come naturally under pressure.

The question is, why is he not training and playing like he used to? Is it Slot's training methods? Possibly, but the very best players will train these individual skills on their own anyway.

For me, it's likely that he and a lot of the other players have had a mindset shift after what happened to their mate. Suddenly, training every day is not the most important thing.

I've been in that situation, and major trauma in your life does alter your perspective on things. Suddenly, what you thought was so, so important just isn't anymore, and you tend to want to spend more time with your family and those closest to you.

It's actually quite hard to come back from, and for a player of his age, I doubt he ever will.

04 Mar 2026 12:59:45
Correct Varry, Ramadan just started, but Mo has struggled all season. I've said before I understand the physical decline with age, that makes sense. But his passing, control and shooting all seem to have gone too.

04 Mar 2026 13:04:12
Every year during Ramadan, Mo can't trap a ball, pass, or shoot. It shows you how important his physical capacity is to his game, even when he was in his prime.

Ramadan came around just as he was starting to look good vs Sunderland and Brighton - he put in massive shifts in those games.



However, overall, I agree that his form has dropped this season, much like the rest of the team. Some is probably down to age, some of it to grief, some to the coach's tactics, and some to the changes of personnel behind him.

04 Mar 2026 13:20:47
Yeah, I think you're probably right, Fly. It's hard to pinpoint one thing that has caused such a big decline in so many usually reliable players.

It's hard to quantify how much each aspect has affected each player, as they are human beings and are all very complex and different individuals.



It does go to show, though, that it's not all just about transfer windows and signing players. Even the very best players can be total crap if the environment isn't conducive to high performance.

04 Mar 2026 12:56:30
Ed001 Mo was never the sort of player that once his legs had gone was going to be a good player. Barnes Gerrard were so much better technically than Mo as many goals Mo scored every season he missed as many that he should have scored.
But am not sure this season that it's how much Mo legs have gone or more down to general fitness of the squad that is affecting so many of our players. Because this kicked in from about February March last season.


Ed are you surprised that FSG have not acted already this season with what is at risk with leaving Slot in charge. I feel if Hughes and Edwards had acted when they should have in November I feel we would have been back in the league race only have to look at United if they have acted sooner think they would have too because Arsenal and city are so poor and as the best two teams in the league it shows how poor the league is.

{Ed001's Note - I am not surprised FSG have not acted, they are not well versed in football and appointed people they believed were to run things. The problem is Edwards etc, not FSG.}

04 Mar 2026 13:52:32
If you look at all the players from last season and compare them to this, all have dropped a level, barring Dom.
This is down to coaching and tactics.
Maybe the players won't give their all like they used to with Klopp.
Then, there is maybe being so bored with the way we play that it has infected their overall approach.
Maybe they are no longer fit enough, again, back to the coaching.
With Mo, we can clearly see that the system is designed to get Gakpo on the ball and shooting as much as possible.



If Salah does get the ball, it is a lot later in the move than it used to be, leaving him with more to do, plus with a lot less support.

His confidence is going to have taken a hit, plus he, like all of us, can't see any end to this style of play.

He has lost the legs of Diaz and Nunez, and the chaos and space they created for him.

Yes, he might not be the same player he was, but all of our players are suffering from the Slot effect.

04 Mar 2026 13:52:39
That's a really tough one though, Grino.

Do you really sack a manager who just won the league and has just lost a much loved squad member in tragic circumstances during the summer, just 3 months into the following season?

That's a really knee-jerk reaction, and I'm glad we didn't do it. We had to show some compassion to Slot and the squad, and some loyalty to a manager who just gave us number 20.

It's not all about hire 'em, fire 'em, and quite often there are other things at play which have caused what we are seeing. The guys in charge have to be 100% sure that removing Slot from his position is the right thing for the club, and you simply couldn't have said that with any conviction back in November.



It's still debatable now, although by now we do have much more tangible evidence that it's at least partly his decisions and methods that are having a negative effect on results.

I don't mind Slot, I think he's a nice guy and talks a lot of sense, but it's clear he's not getting what he wants from the players. Then, rather than changing what he does, he just perseveres with something that clearly doesn't work because in his mind it should work.

I just think the players need a change. Someone who isn't bogged down by what happened in the summer and has a new voice and fresh ideas. We need to get the players excited to play football again.

{Ed025's Note - you really have to stop this blaming the sad passing of Diogo on how this season has turned out BP, it is not a reason its an excuse and i feel its not only disingenuous but disrespectful as well mate..

04 Mar 2026 13:58:53
FSG do not interfere in these things, and long may that continue. I don't want the owners of my club dictating who the manager should be nor what players they should sign.

04 Mar 2026 13:58:33
What ever it is Mo has been awful. He will always be a legend at the club, but has his time come to an end. YNWA

04 Mar 2026 15:16:19
Thank you Ed25

{Ed025's Note - it just doesn,t sit right with me JLC..

04 Mar 2026 19:11:55
Not giving the bro Ramadan as an excuse, not for 400k/week.
Sorry, not sorry.

05 Mar 2026 08:29:39
2-3 seasons? I guess last season was a blip.

04 Mar 2026 10:47:08
You think they've turned a corner and then they remind you once again that they have learned absolutely nothing. How many times has that been this season?

There are so many issues with this LFC side that its almost difficult to know where to start.

The issues with Slot are well documented.

The main issue for me is the squad. I think the additions will turn out well, Frimpong, Kerkez, Ekitike, Wirtz all look good additions. You obviously can't judge Isak and Leoni just yet.

The issue for me stems from usually reliable players having a huge downturn in performances, Mo is a genuine liability at RW. He loses the ball constantly, can't beat his man and is making the simple aspects of the game look incredibly difficult. Gakpo on the other flank isn't much better. As much as I hate to say it, Alisson has also had a really poor season for his standard. His save % has dropped considerably and his kicking has been really really poor for a while now. VVD is also not at the level he should be.

The midfield is the next big issue, Szobo has been great this season, Gravenberch largely indifferent (I'd argue yesterday was his worst performance for Liverpool) however Mac Allister is a shell of what he was last season. The back ups are also seemingly non-existent. Jones is a decent squad player, Endo isn't good enough and the other option is Trey Nyoni, far too young. The issue is also there is no one willing to do the dirty work, no one combative enough or defensive minded enough. Teams regularly find our midfield easy to play through.

The squad needs ANOTHER major revamp in summer. 2 new midfielders, new attackers, new fullbacks. It is a mess which would be compounded even further with missing out on UCL football (highly likely).

Slot is also not the man for LFC.

04 Mar 2026 11:15:27
Sacking the manager is not the Liverpool way. However, the style of play he's instilled isn't the Liverpool way. If it's not broke, don't try to fix it. Guy is well out of his depth. However, some still think we will win the Champions League and maybe the FA Cup. Pathetic manager.

04 Mar 2026 11:20:06
At various points of the season, you could point fingers at every player other than Szob, Eki and maybe Alisson.

Now, if more or less an entire PL winning team turns to s***, I'm having the hardest time believing it's the fault of the players, and we need another "major revamp".

The more likely conclusion is the manager has lost his marbles.

04 Mar 2026 11:36:51
I was looking forward to the game as I have missed the last few. It was such a bore fest. I think I slept through about 50 minutes. That last 15 minutes was awful. We were left totally chasing the game, and sadly I could see the Wolves goal coming.
So many players look so far off it still. How can you go from champs to chumps? Slot really has to go.


Last season, I didn't particularly enjoy the footy, but we were cohesive and successful, so you cannot complain. This season, we have been truly shocking. The only good performances have come when we're the underdog, or when teams are passive. Otherwise, we have been second best in nearly every game. It is not good enough, simple as!

04 Mar 2026 11:47:24
Something Red, I would point the finger at Ekitike last night 100%. His performance was atrocious.

He's one of those players that comes alive when he gets the ball, but his off the ball work is just plain lazy. He was sauntering around the pitch with less than a half-hearted effort. One way to beat a low block is to win the ball high, force mistakes, but you can't do that when your centre forward has no interest in pressing the ball.

We also have the back 4 dropping off 15 yards as soon as we lose the ball because we are not getting pressure on the ball, and they are scared of the ball over the top. So you have Ekitike jogging to press the CB, giving him time to get his head up, the back 4 dropping off, leaving a huge gaping hole in the middle of the pitch which no amount of midfielders can ever cover.

It's all wrong.

A forward-thinking team presses even higher, right to the halfway line when you lose the ball, which allows the team to get pressure on the ball, but it has to be aggressive pressure to stop the CB getting his head up.

The problem starts from the striker, which affects what the defence does, which in turn affects what the midfield are able to do.

The whole setup makes it easy for the opposition to play a few passes and get up the pitch, so when we do win the ball back we are in our defensive third, which then allows them to get back and set in their shape and the whole process starts again.

04 Mar 2026 12:04:25
I've been saying all season it's as much on the players as the manager. No point though, you just get called a Slot apologist. There has to be a realistic sharing of blame. People like Macca, Grav, Konate, Salah and Gakpo have had a woeful season.

Alli hasn't been at his best, but they see social media, they know they're ok, that it's Slot taking pelters, getting 99% of the blame.

04 Mar 2026 12:25:37
I think the worst outcome of this season could well be that we lose Dom to Madrid.

04 Mar 2026 12:28:06
Florian, you name five players who you say have had a woeful season. Why then does Slot keep picking them?

04 Mar 2026 12:34:34
Stop picking them, Chippy, and you'd see how woeful our season could really go. Although, I will say I'd have Jones in ahead of Jones or Grav all day long.

04 Mar 2026 12:45:59
@MonkeyMad, I stopped thinking we have turned a corner months ago, because if you watch the way we play for the most part in the PL, even when we win, we are an absolute shambles. Hence, we are never too far away from an embarrassing loss that sticks a dagger into the most optimistic of LFC fans.

I mean, just look at the WH and Forest games. We were crap even though we won. The Forest game alone is one of the most abject performances you will ever watch this PL season, and there is very good competition to rival that perf.

The WH game was one where, had it not been WH, we'd concede 3 or 4 goals easy. Thankfully, many called out both the perfs. as useless so no one was fooled.

Hence why the Wolves game didn't surprise me at all. It is what it is. Again, we are never that far away from a dumpster fire of a loss due to the pathetic system we play, where we win in spite of it, not because of it most times in the PL specifically, IMO.

04 Mar 2026 12:48:02
Come on, Florian, to think any player looks at social media and thinks few I got away with one is nonsense, it's up to the head coach to get a performance out of these players and correct what they are doing wrong through feedback and training.

The fact we didn't see any sort of urgency after halftime suggests Slot is starting to lose the dressing room, or giving poor instructions.

04 Mar 2026 13:16:44
Well, Ernest, we seem to have a higher opinion of our players than we do of Utd (basically since Fergie left), Madrids and Tottenhams players, who we are quick to call out as spoilt brat mercenaries throwing their manager under a bus.

But with ours, it is no, the players are trying their absolute best, it is all down to that horrible Mr Slot. They sure as hell know that when rubbish hits the fan it won't be them sacrificed, it will be the manager.

04 Mar 2026 13:39:48
The problem is the system doesn't suit any of them. We had Grav have an incredible season at CDM, and this season Slot has encouraged him forward, where, let's face it, he's useless. If he was playing sweeper in midfield we might actually stop conceding every time we lose the ball, that's on Slot's system.


And the fact that Mac seems to be sitting further back in the last few months is also insane, considering the fact he has no legs, and is also far better in front of goal than Grav.
At the end of the way, if the system is bad, the players are going to be bad (unless they are freaks like Wirtz and Szob).

04 Mar 2026 10:42:04
do people think salah struggling because of our slow build up play worried now about champions league next season can't see us getting it with no changes been made sadly.

04 Mar 2026 11:39:42
I think Salah is missing Trent. Trent would turn defence into attack in an instant, which would create more 1v1 for Salah. The slow play does not help our wide men, as there is no space to run in behind.
I also think Salah has been on the decline for a couple of seasons, not in regard to output, but physically.

04 Mar 2026 11:59:50
So, if Salah doesn't have Trent, the unicorn RB, behind him, his threat is nullified. Of course he misses Trent, but Salah's decline this season is just him not being able to do the basics right.

The pass to Dom last night, that was a routine pass that would have won us the game. That is down to the player, not the manager, and unfortunately that has been Mo's season.

04 Mar 2026 12:11:06
Imagine being compared to CR7, then every excuse, from Slot's tactics to the RB playing behind him, is used to explain why he constantly dribbles into defenders' legs. lol.

04 Mar 2026 12:29:02
Agree, Faith. And the lazy attempt at a cross with the outside of his left foot, when he realises that he won't/can't beat his man or get a shot off, is something that has always bugged me with Salah.
The difference being, when you are doing so many things right, you tend to forget about the little things that aren't.

04 Mar 2026 12:48:48
Man.of.todd, you may have a point there. Trent is unique in the things he can do, and he served Salah and the team for nearly a decade with his immense ability.

Anyone who thinks his absence is not hurting Salah nor the team is dreaming.

I always knew we would miss Trent's abilities in build-up, creativity, and in attack due to his unicorn-like abilities at RB, and it is showing, imo.

04 Mar 2026 13:29:25
Was listening to Goldbridge talk about Salah earlier, comparing him to Rooney in his last coupla years at Utd. He was saying he had been an absolute legend at United, but was just not that player anymore. That he just could not do the things he used to be able to do. And he felt the same was happening with Salah, that he is just in decline.

I know people will say, "what you listening to Goldbridge for?" but looking at Salah with my own eyes all season, he isn't wrong. Love Salah, favourite player since Stevie, but he is not that player anymore. We saw, only a coupla years ago with Fabinho, how quick this can happen.

04 Mar 2026 19:13:57
Oli, I tend to agree that Trent missing is a big factor for Mo. But I am also the guy who has been saying for years that Mo isn't the most important player in our team.

05 Mar 2026 08:17:22
I didn't say Salah is playing badly because of Trent not being there. Read my reply properly, please. I said it is a factor, along with Slotball and the fact that he is in physical decline.

04 Mar 2026 10:35:27
So glad I decided to go the gym rather than watch us last night.
Just can't get excited to watch us these days.

04 Mar 2026 12:50:51
I don't blame you, Mikey. For me, I tend to expect these limp performances now, and have been for a while. I just watch to see if we win, because at the end of the day, I want the club to win.

Last night, even my son told me we would draw, and, to some extent, I concurred for obv.

reasons. The loss was just laughable, esp. with Ali's howler. That was the cherry on the cake that got me laughing in irony.

04 Mar 2026 09:22:26
We have fallen hard and fast unfortunately. To think that we may surrender a CL qualification spot to both United and Chelsea is just beyond comprehension. We were laughing long and loud at the mess Amorim had made of United whilst Chelsea are just Chelsea! I watched the game last night and it's hard to believe that we actually won the damn thing last year. It's like chalk and cheese. Just an unrecognisable team/ club whatever. Anyway, a couple of months ago I finally resigned myself to the fact that Slot is here until summer, I resigned myself to the fact that we were NOT going back to back, then I resigned myself to the fact that we're NOT even challengers, then I resigned myself to the fact that at least we're going to be in the top 5, now I'm resigning myself to the fact that we MAY get into the Europa league spots! If anyone had bet me 10K last August that I'd be typing this today I'd be 10k worse off.

At least nobody did! thankfully!

04 Mar 2026 10:30:05
Slot should have been sacked after the Forest debacle. Last night was worse than Forest. Losing to a team that, to all intents and purposes, is as good as relegated. That was a hopeless performance.

04 Mar 2026 10:39:58
5 defeats delivered via stoppage-time goals. It just shows weak team concentration and mental strength. That's 10 points lost cuz players can't kill the game. That is mind-boggling statistics.
You can blame it on Slot and training, but it's on the players. And in all 5 games we were the better team overall.

So, despite being rubbish for the whole season, it's these little things that have made all the difference.

We were great at seeing out games last season, and in fact the best at it. Nowhere close this year, and these last-minute goals are all individual/team mistakes.

{Ed001's Note - Harry loss of concentration and mistakes at the end of games is down to lack of fitness and tiredness.}

04 Mar 2026 10:50:34
And if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

04 Mar 2026 10:54:17
Not to be picky, but it's 5 points, not 10, as we were drawing all 5. The overall point still stands, and I agree, despite a lot of mitigating circumstances, Slot should have gone in November, imo, too.

The lack of understanding of the need for a proper DFM is borderline sabotage, amongst many other gripes I have with Slot. Get rid now, not in May, not in July. Now.

04 Mar 2026 12:53:39
Clearly to Cafu (oh sorry, Harry), all these things happen in a vacuum. The fact is that if you are not physically on it, you are mentally off it, hence the constant head loss, panic, and inability to finish games strong, and hold or take leads to win games or take a point at the death.

04 Mar 2026 13:06:40
Alli shouldn't have been tired, either should the likes of Rio, who just strolled as the Wolves player got his shot off.

04 Mar 2026 14:46:52
It's 10 points. Get your math right.

And I said it's down to Slot and training. But players have to realise this weakness and figure it out. 5 times same scenario is just mind-boggling. And all of them were stupid mistakes.


I don't know if that's really training or just players sick and tired of playing football under Slot. At least play for the badge, the fans. I can't completely bail the players out of responsibility here. They need to do better, much better.

04 Mar 2026 10:11:16
{Ed's Note - KeeDal has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool Concerns Over Slot, Standards and Squad Attitude

04 Mar 2026 11:56:49
Perfect summary, KeeDal, sadly.

04 Mar 2026 13:07:14
Lovely read, KeeDal. I just have one point of disagreement below:


"To me, that was Klopp's second league title in all but name."

Sorry, give the guy his flowers for coaching a title-winning season, esp. when no one thought he could.

Slot did a ton of things right, and was able to motivate the players to go win it at a canter, something Klopp couldn't do (not a dig at him, btw) after he announced he was leaving.

It is the way it is.

Give to Caesar what is Caesar's. That is all I ask for.

04 Mar 2026 13:29:36
Great write-up, KeeDal. I agree 100%.