Liverpool banter 7

26 Feb 2026 14:24:16
Question for Ed001 if you have the time. With the summer transfer what would be your ideal midfield targets? I see Endo and Macallister moving on. Plus there's rumours of Curtis Jones potentially moving. I think we can would need at least 2 additions in midfield. Personally I would like us to make moves for Elliot Anderson and Angelo Stiller. Anderson looks very athletic and mobile, someone who presses well from the front and breaks up play. (Based off only if handful of times I've watched him) Angelo Stiller looks to be a good passer of the ball, similar to Zubimendi, in a deep 6 role. What would be your pick for the midfield?

Red Wisdom.

{Ed001's Note - Sadiki and Anderson or Stiller for me.}

26 Feb 2026 18:08:54
Would love Anderson to sign for us. I think he'd cost a fair bit, though.

26 Feb 2026 18:26:59
I heard Rodri is going to Real Madrid and Anderson to Man City. City stockpiling players because they know the outcome of 115 charges. Look who they have bought in the last 12 months.

26 Feb 2026 19:11:05
Won't have anything to do with the 115. That won't get sorted before 2030.

26 Feb 2026 17:50:05
Do you rate Stiller Ed?
How would you describe him as a player?

Not seen him myself, but have see many say he's not mobile enough. Similar to Macca in that regard

{Ed001's Note - he is a playmaker - great passer of the ball. Bit more bite than Macca for me and more mobile.}

26 Feb 2026 19:20:32
Hi Ed, I was expecting you to say Baleba, what's changed? I suspect we'll try for Wharton.

{Ed001's Note - he got injured and has never really recovered, plus I would expect him to cost much more than Sadiki without showing a much higher level than him.}

26 Feb 2026 19:52:19
Baleba has been poor this season, anytime I've seen him.

26 Feb 2026 21:04:05
Sadiki & Stiller for me.

26 Feb 2026 21:04:40
Sadiki would be my number one transfer, and I do like Anderson or Wharton.

26 Feb 2026 23:47:17
Thanks for the reply Ed001, Sadiki is an interesting choice. He's quite combative in the midfield, a profile of player we've lacked for a number of years since Fabinho. He seems to be a player whose interested in the"dirty" side of football, doesn't look to add much to the top side of the pitch but frees up the attackers to allow them to play more freely. Although he does drive forward with ball well, holding off players. Would you want Sadiki and Anderson or Sadiki and Stiller? I would have thought Sadiki and Stiller would be a better pairing as Stillers passing is more progressive. Plus with Sadiki and Stiller in behind it would allow Szoboszlai to be able to push up and press further up the pitch.

Also what do you think in regards to our defence. With Jacquet and Leoni coming into the defence next season and Konate looking likely to sign a contract extension according to Carra. Do you see us signing someone to add to those 3 and VVD? Do you think we'll go back in for Gertreuda in the summer? As I could see him replacing Joe Gomez, since Gomez only has a contract till 2027 I think he might be sold in the summer.

Red Wisdom

{Ed001's Note - I think either Stiller or Anderson works, Anderson is more combative and suited to the Prem, plus the advantage of being home grown, he can sit or drive forward. Just don't let him take the set pieces! Stiller offers more of a playmaker role, but we have Wirtz and Szobo who can do that, so I am not sure he is as necessary. I would rather have the extra bite of Anderson, simply because our midfield is weak as a new born kitten.

We still need a long term replacement for Virgil and Konate should be gone, not given a new deal. He was always the weakest link in the team anyway, before this season's horror show. Just replace him. We just brought in a stack of young centre-backs, which suggests we are going to be idiots and stick with him and Virgil for at least another season.}

26 Feb 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 27 - Quick Round Up

26 Feb 2026 13:58:01
Could say that was "muy bueno" from Wolves.

26 Feb 2026 14:43:22
Is the plan still for xabi to come in in the summer ed?

{Ed001's Note - I don't know sorry. As far as I know they were backing Slot and would assess in the summer.}

26 Feb 2026 19:05:19
Cheers, Ed.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

25 Feb 2026 19:48:01
Cara's update is nice but seriously we need loads of bodies in that Squads short 4/ 5 players now and if you add in this summers rumoured departures (Mo Gakpo konate robbo jones etc ) we ain't bringing in 9/ 10 players are we going to threadbare again?

What's peoples thoughts!

25 Feb 2026 20:16:35
I agree, we are going to need a lot of new players in the summer. I've a feeling there's going to be a clear out.

25 Feb 2026 20:22:03
We'll be fine. We've got the bodies. We just need a coach to get a tune out of them.

25 Feb 2026 20:22:16
Think Konate might stay, which would mean a CB wouldn't be a must. RB for me has to be sorted. LB, I'd either have Robbo or Chambers as the backup. I'd move Endo on and replace him with a Wharton/Endo type player. If no one wants to offer us decent money for Harvey, I'd reintegrate him.

What makes me nervous is the wings; on this season's form, the only one you'd keep would be young Rio. Maybe if Danns managed to stay fit, we could put Hugo out on the left sometimes. So that's a RB, CM and THREE wingers. 🤢 FSG are going to have to get the chequebook out again.

25 Feb 2026 20:22:58
We already have a full squad. The issue is that Slot isn't using them all. So, I can't see why we would add any more players without selling some first.

25 Feb 2026 20:56:01
I hope we don't have that many going. Ideally, the players we bring in are able to come in and compete, not carry the responsibility to lead the team.

25 Feb 2026 21:16:14
I've seen the future. Nobody comes in. But Harvey Elliot returns and it's "like a new signing". Mo Salah gets a new contract worth £1 million a week. And Edwards is sacked. Cody Gakpo now oversees the club operations, whilst also becoming the new pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

25 Feb 2026 21:22:54
I think we need about 4 players to come into the squad to compete for starting positions. We need a winger, a midfielder or 2 (depending on departures), a CB.

25 Feb 2026 21:25:05
Is Mystic Meg back?

25 Feb 2026 22:07:37
Bit of steel in midfield and speed on the wings, that do for me.

25 Feb 2026 23:00:08
Carra's update didn't mention Chiesa, but is it a given that he is going as well? I would bring Elliot back and integrate him into the squad. He isn't Mo, he isn't Assaidi, but he is a player you need in your squad - first-team experienced, great pro, loves the club, can start or come off the bench.

Not unlike Shaqiri. You need guys like him. Assuming the above, then the front line is Ekitike, Isak and Rio. Woozers, that is a long way removed from the front line we had in 2024/25! I think we will need to bring in 3 new forwards, ideally wingers, maybe 2 if we do bring Harvey back.

26 Feb 2026 00:37:39
Depends entirely on how we need to set up. I agree with the above poster that we do have a good squad, but they are being hindered by the style of play. Gakpo didn't just become a bad player overnight; the tactics don't suit him. Until Szobs' recent patch, he was still our 2nd top scorer.

If Salah and Gakpo do leave, though, we don't necessarily need wingers. You can get width from your fullbacks, like we did with Trent and Robbo when we were at our recent best. Mane and Salah have always been more inside forwards than out-and-out wingers.Priority for me should be a midfield general.

26 Feb 2026 01:24:27
Completely agree with all of that. (In a 4-4-2 diamond).

26 Feb 2026 04:10:05
GK: Ali, Marma, Pecsi, Jarod, Woodman LB: Kerkez, Robbo, Chambers, Beck, Scamlon CB: VVD, Konate, Leoni, Jaquet, Gomez, Nallo (plus the three youngsters we just signed) RB: Bradley, Frimpong, Ramsay MF: Grav, Dom, Macca, Jones, Endo, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Elliot, Morrison, McConnell, Wirtz CF: Gakpo, Chiesa, Mo, Hugo, Isak, Danns Not sure that we are missing 5, to be honest.

We are short of a genuine defender at RB, imo, and we need a CM who can also defend and who isn't afraid to put his foot in. Other than that, I think 3 or 4 replacements maximum to replace players who may leave.

26 Feb 2026 04:24:09
We need bodies. I imagine Mo, Gakpo, Chiesa, and Endo are as good as gone. I can see MacAllister leaving too if he gets the right offer, and possibly Jones. He's looked very frustrated at times. If Slot's here come August, I could see Jones moving on. We've nobody fit at RB; even if Frimpong and Bradley are both fit for the start of the season, they've proven far too unreliable. Starting the season with one fit RB will be throwing it away again. If Dom ends up playing half the season at RB again next season, he'll be off to Madrid on the first flight next summer. So, RW, LW, ST, RB if Gakpo, Salah, and Chiesa are gone; possibly CM and DM, depending on movement.

That's how I think the club will be looking at it, although I have a feeling they won't do anything about RB. I'm not even going to talk about a senior CB because obviously we're allergic to them. It should be a priority, but I'm guessing with Jaquet on his way, Leoni coming back, and the slew of kids we brought in, the club feels otherwise. Personally I want two tricky speed demons for the wings and a monster in the middle of the park, somebody who's seriously dominant in front of the back 4 and can really dictate a game. A reliable RB would be a nice bonus.

26 Feb 2026 05:12:23
West Derby, you've named off a load.Of those players, I'd prob argue 11/12 of them will never be starters, or are just not good enough. You're rattling off names there when you know well that the squad needs more to compete!

26 Feb 2026 07:09:08
I think we just need a winger who can play both sides and a dm. If everything Carra says comes true we will have: Forwards Ekitike, Isak, Diomande, Chiesa, Rio (Frimpong, Szob and Wirtz back up). Midfielders Grav, Wirtz, Szob, Macca, Jones, and whoever else we sign. Defenders Kerkez, Ibou, VVD, Leoni, Jacquet, Bradley, Frimpong (Gomez can cover across back 4, Chambers can also deputise lb).

Goal Ali. Personally would sell Marma and bleed through that youngster who looks good but I cannot remember his name. The biggest weakness is probably the forward positions, maybe needing one more body, depends on whether Chiesa can step up and progress of Rio.

26 Feb 2026 07:49:46
@Jay, I think you are right up to a point, but I think a lot of them will still be here next season and will be the basis of the squad. This year's starting eleven will almost definitely all be there next season, and a bench of Mamar, Gomez, Endo, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Chiesa, and Isak or Hugo will make up the bench.

We are short of a CB and a (D)CM, and whilst the club indicated in last summer's window that it was the start of a 2 or 3-year overhaul, I don't think there will be a massive turnover of players like last summer. Just the way I see it, though, and I might be way off in terms of what the club actually do.

26 Feb 2026 09:08:11
Surely RB is a priority. Bradley is never going to be a starter permanently. Frimpong is also really only cover, and wants to be more up the pitch.

26 Feb 2026 09:32:46
Sadly, Bradley is neither fit enough, nor consistent enough, and, on recent form (before injury), not even good enough to be the starting RB. Also, I am not sure how Frimpong fits into the side, or why Slot and Hughes decided he was a good fit, so yes, RB is a problem area.

26 Feb 2026 09:56:23
Sorry, I actually meant RB not CB.

26 Feb 2026 10:06:59
We are not short of bodies. We have plenty of players, and at least 2 players for every position. What we need is to upgrade some (either due to quality or reliability), and replace some that will potentially leave in the summer.

26 Feb 2026 10:49:18
I think it'll be a massive summer. Potentially, if the player we assume will leave, and factoring in positions that we need to fill as well, 2 CBs if Konate and Gomez go. Left back for Robbo replacement.

Right back - Bradley replacement or someone who can cover. DM. LW Gakpo replacement. RW x2 for Salah and Chiesa. And that's not even considering if McAllister and Jones leave too.

26 Feb 2026 11:09:50
Do we need 5 centrebacks? I've never liked having that many. Some poor sod is going to pick up a nice wage but not kick a ball all season. Don't think they'll buy a LB to replace Robbo either; they may give Chambers or Beck a chance to make that spot their own.

26 Feb 2026 11:12:51
So, would everyone be happy with a transition season? Adding this amount of players would create this issue.

26 Feb 2026 11:23:40
ShipleyKopite, I think we are short in terms of actual options for the first 11, not that we are short of players entirely, squad-wise. So, in midfield, for example, we have players indeed, but we need players suited to play in the type of midfield required in today's PL, that is, those with bite, physicality and athleticism.

The likes of Macca, Jones, and even Grav are not known for possessing enough of these qualities, imo.

26 Feb 2026 11:30:47
We definitely need midfielders. Mac Allister, Jones, Endo could leave, a winger for Salah, but if Bradley n Frimpong can stay fit we're ok there. Konate looks like he is staying. Think we can upgrade on him though.

26 Feb 2026 11:40:14
I agree with Oli. I'm just looking at it from more of a practical squad point of view. We can't just bring players in as the squad is already full (we already had to initially leave Chiesa out of our CL squad before Leoni got injured), but I would love to see us upgrade somebody like Endo with a player like the one you are describing.

I fully expect 4 or 5 arrivals this summer, but only to replace 4 or 5 players currently in the squad.

26 Feb 2026 13:01:07
Hip, I get you completely. Players have to go so others can come in. And, like you, I think 4 of 5 players at best should come in as actual comp. for first 11 spots (as that's how you bolster your squad overall, imo), but they should have the qualities (esp. in midfield) that fit what the PL is today.

26 Feb 2026 13:13:32
If we include players who have Liverpool contracts who will be 21+ years old next season, then by my count we currently have 42 players who will need to be registered in order to play. 7 GK's: Alisson, Mamardahsvili, Jaros, Davies, Pecsi, Woodman, Mrozek 5 RB's: Bradley, Ramsay, Stephenson, Davidson, Mabaya 5 CB's: Virgil, Konate, Gomez, Jacquet, Miles 5 LB's: Kerkez, Tsimikas, Beck, Chambers, Scanlon 4 DM's: Gravenberch, Endo, Bajcetic, McConnell 4 CM's: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Pilling 3 AM's: Wirtz, Elliott, Balagizi 3 RW's: Salah, Frimpong, Gordon 3 CF's: Ekitike, Isak, Cannonier 3 LW's: Gakpo, Chiesa, Koumas By the way, those 42 players over the age of 21 at the point next season begins do not even include Leoni, Nallo, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Morrison or Danns, who have all played first team minutes already, so it is actually a 48-man senior squad in reality.

Threadbare? I think you can certainly question the quality of the depth in some positions, but to describe it as threadbare when we can quite comfortably name 3 starting XI's just seems misleading. Maybe, just maybe, Arne Slot should have given some more of these players a chance, and/or Richard Hughes should have done a better job of finding them new clubs to make space for new signings who Slot will utilise. It is a mess how many players we have hoarded. If you include Robertson and R. Williams, who are still on the books right now but out of contract in the summer, we actually have 50 players on the books either over 21 or who have played for the first team already as things stand today. Just let that sink in for a second, because only 8 of those 50 are out on loan. This is why I cannot take Arne Slot seriously when he says he has no options.

26 Feb 2026 13:38:39
I expect it will be a similar number of incomings to last summer - ie 5/6 players again. Is it enough? Well, it would be if we trusted the academy more.

26 Feb 2026 13:57:08
It makes me laugh. People want more and more new signings, then get upset when high-potential youngsters want to leave.

26 Feb 2026 16:15:23
Are we not also meant to be interested in Mane from Wolves as an addition to the forward line? I believe that was suggested previously.

27 Feb 2026 09:37:31
I hope not, Shankly. We're not that desperate, imo.

25 Feb 2026 16:01:39
Ed001, interested in your opinion on this matter whilst understanding it's not Liverpool related but football related nonetheless. I'll start by saying I'm neither a believer or a doubter of what's been accused by Vinicius with the Benfica lad, I won't pretend to know by Benfica lads actions or Real Madrid's actions, I will say however it's not out of the ordinary for Madrid to play act but I suspect this may be different.

Having lost to Benfica in the league stages, now this and Benfica lad being suspended, does it offer Real an advantage? Has a player ever been suspended before the investigation has even concluded? If Real have misled people and gain an unfair advantage, is this going to be the start of more dark underhand tactics? I don't want to sound cynical and I know there's no way any of us can really know but there has to be doubts.

{Ed001's Note - it is a difficult one, but suspension is common when someone is under investigation. It is normal practice in business.}

25 Feb 2026 16:33:59
It certainly is, Ed01. I'm a union representative. I have not long come off the phone after talking to someone who had been suspended. For the record, they weren't phoning from Portugal with a Spanish accent!

{Ed001's Note - are you sure it wasn't?}

25 Feb 2026 17:48:06
Personal opinion, I don't think Vini would claim this if it didn't happen. I think, given the history of toxic racism in the game, you have to go with the accuser. The accused should not have covered his mouth. Then it would have been easier to exonerate him. Just my opinion. Heavy-handed, but it's the only way, really.

{Ed025's Note - im with you Ron, i think the shirt over his mouth tells you all you need to know mate..

25 Feb 2026 18:01:18
You've got me thinking now, Ed! I'll have to see if I can wangle a flight to Lisbon, just to make sure!

25 Feb 2026 18:41:26
It says a lot about Presstiani that he used homophobia as his defence to racism.

25 Feb 2026 18:42:56
Normal practice in most businesses is to suspend until the outcome of the investigation on HR or H&S matters. I agree with Ed025 that it's most likely, but, unfortunately, as ol' Gerard Butler once rightly said, "it's not about what you know, it's about what you can prove."

25 Feb 2026 19:20:52
The only problem is that if he gets found not guilty, he has been punished. But even if they find him not guilty of racism, does homophobic language not carry the same discipline? So, I suppose it does not matter, as he has admitted guilt in one way or another.

25 Feb 2026 20:16:32
The decision to suspend him was based on a review of evidence submitted and statements from all parties. It was established that there is a prima facie case to answer. It's the equivalent of someone accused of a criminal offence being remanded in custody pending a trial based on the initial evidence.

Let's not forget that, according to many reports, the player refutes racism but admits homophobic comments, which carry the exact same sanction as racism, as it all falls under discriminatory conduct.

25 Feb 2026 21:26:36
Dow-ney, it is normal for people who are anti-LGBTQ/homophobic to also be racists or possess deep racial bias. One does not stop someone from being the other.

26 Feb 2026 00:29:13
My thread is not to discuss whether they did or didn't. Footballers cover their mouths with their hand when talking to players or coaches after games, or even during games for free kicks, etc. I don't see it as a big deal personally. Our Bobby was accused of racism, a clear misunderstanding. It is not always so clear cut. I just think it's gained Madrid an advantage, be it right or be it wrong. I'm not saying Vinicius did it, but cry racism now and a player is suspended.

In normal line of work, nobody really gains advantage, but in football that can happen. I know the world's gone super woke now, but a lot of the 'homophobic' slurs used to just mean a bit soft, not always about sexuality, especially to younger lads. But I dunno. I don't like any of it. I don't like racism in football, I don't like suspending without proof, and I don't like gaining advantages. A lot not to like about football at the moment.

26 Feb 2026 00:32:01
How can people find someone guilty of an offence because they think it happened? None of us know. It was a packed stadium, so I don't think anyone else heard it either.

26 Feb 2026 04:38:16
Sadiki to Ekitike - What do you mean "without proof"? Prestianni openly admitted he used homosexual slurs. That's all the proof you need for a suspension, racial or not; it carries the same weight. Apparently, a number of other Real players have given witness statements claiming he also used racial slurs. If we were talking about your mother or your sister here, no disrespect, I'm sure 4 or 5 witness statements would be more than enough evidence for you.

I see a lot of people shrugging this off because it's Vini and Real, but I'd be willing to bet an astronomical amount of money that if it were Virgil or Konate on the receiving end, all the Vini naysayers would be absolutely certain Prestianni was guilty and calling for his head.

26 Feb 2026 07:20:54
Take a brave man to racially abuse virg or ibou! I would imagine he'd get lamped!

26 Feb 2026 11:28:09
Rebel, they know who they pick on and when to pick on them. Just saying.

26 Feb 2026 12:39:52
Like I said Chewy, the world is super woke now. Words all of us said in our younger days just meant joking about with your pal, now they're derogatory and you should be hung by your bollocks for having said it.

Some people need to have a day off I think. Words all have different meanings, like 'poof' and he was gone, calling someone certain words now solely has one meaning but that's wasn't always the case.

26 Feb 2026 16:44:07
I really don't think players need to be insulting their opponents. Sledging is just really boorish behaviour. That said, I still think Slapshot is one of the funniest sports movies ever made, so my moral compass is all over the place.

26 Feb 2026 21:38:09
It's sport, it's not a court of law. There are plenty of injustices occurring every game and plenty of incidences of players being unjustifiably suspended as a result. On that basis, I'd take the heavy-handed approach and suspend first and investigate later. Covering your mouth puts you at risk. 🤷‍♂️

{Ed001's Note - exactly Ron. If you deliberately cover your mouth and admit it was to throw nasty slurs at someone, you have to be suspended.}

25 Feb 2026 14:59:23
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 27 - Quick Round Up

25 Feb 2026 15:38:51
Thanks for the write up, Ed. Much appreciated.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

25 Feb 2026 18:43:46
Thanks, Ed. Always look forward to reading these.

{Ed001's Note - glad to know you enjoy them mate.}

25 Feb 2026 18:53:05
The fandab pun literally had me laughing out loud, Ed. Can't believe I hadn't picked that one out before now. Nice one.

{Ed001's Note - I had to throw that one in to see if people actually noticed.}

25 Feb 2026 21:36:54
Still scratching my head about what fandab means.

{Ed025's Note - fan-dabi-dozi was the catchphrase of the Krankies Taurus, its a slang term for fantastic, hence Fandab-Edozie...Edozie being the player who scored the equalizer for Wolves against Arsenal, i hope that helps mate..

26 Feb 2026 09:04:03
love the write ups Ed, the Kranke joke i got i suppose you have to be an old giffer like me to know.

{Ed001's Note - I am only young though, so maybe not! 😑

26 Feb 2026 11:31:21
I think it's mad that they were married! Wouldn't have thought it, would you!

24 Feb 2026 19:50:49
Hi eds1
Have you much of Diomande mate. Would he be worth the gamble with him being expensive. I've never seen him play at so would be good to get your opinion.?

{Ed001's Note - I have only seen a little but it was outstanding.}

25 Feb 2026 06:13:12
He is a very good player, extremely fast, and can play both sides. He is primarily right-footed but generally plays on the right for some reason. He's only had one season of top-level European football, though. He isn't really a goal scorer; he is very much a skin-you-on-the-outside, cross-or-pull-it-back-to-the-strikers type winger.

Considering we have two world-class strikers, though, that's probably what we need right now. He's also 19, so plenty of time to develop, and he is a big Liverpool fan.

25 Feb 2026 08:36:43
He looks very exciting, but I'd be quite nervous spending 80m on a 19-year-old who was playing near college level in America 18 months ago.

25 Feb 2026 09:03:59
I doubt he would cost £80m. I think that was just RBL putting an impossible January window price on his head. It would still be a lot of money, though. Maybe 60 odd. Leipzig also usually admire one or two of our youngsters, so there may be some sweeteners in any deal.

25 Feb 2026 12:34:04
FPF Leipzig were, IIRC, interested in Harvey in the summer, so maybe that's something that could be reignited to help defray some cost and give the lad a fresh start.

25 Feb 2026 13:15:14
A right-footed winger of his pace should absolutely be playing on the right. Everybody moans about Gakpo cutting in, so why would you play a tricky, speed merchant on the left? I hate this modern predilection of playing the opposite-footed attacking player on the left/right flank.

We don't do it with defenders, and if we are serious about having a striker rather than a false 9, they need this type of service.

25 Feb 2026 13:17:55
Indeed they were, Zed. They love an LFC youngster, and even Fabio Carvalho was loaned to RBL for a period there.

25 Feb 2026 13:03:19
Ed001 with Salah looking very likely that he will go now can you see us signing Diomande and Malick Fofana as we have looked very light out wide this season.

{Ed001's Note - we were certainly keen on both and both want to join, but I don't know if we will follow up on the interest. After January, I have no idea what is happening though, as the club seem intent on doing exactly the opposite to what is expected.}

25 Feb 2026 14:59:08
St Etienne, If you want your winger to cut in and shoot, play a lefty on the right. If you want your winger to hit the byline and cross, play a righty on the right. That's how I see it, anyway.

25 Feb 2026 16:19:07
Ed001, I expect a Championship goalkeeper (late 20s) and a 14-year-old CB to come in to replace Gakpo and Salah. jk.

25 Feb 2026 20:57:55
Silvered, ideally we have wingers who can do both.

26 Feb 2026 05:13:10
Agree with Faith here. Either get wingers who are two-footed or mix the tactics a bit. Last game, Rio found himself on the right instead of the left and pinged crosses from the byline. If Salah and Gakpo are getting no luck cutting in, why not swap wings at different periods of the game and use their strongest feet to cross? We have Palindrome, who's a tall lad, or cut it back for Dom and Flo.

24 Feb 2026 17:55:40
Forgive me if this has already been asked ed001 but who would you like to see as the long term Salah replacement? I think we will see countless names mentioned over the next few months.

Despite the odd troll there are many of us who value your opinion 👍

I'd take a bargain Kudus in the unlikely event that Tottenham go down, Olise for me at least ticks all the boxes. Maybe someone else a bit more under the radar shifting the focus to Isak for the main goal threat?

{Ed001's Note - I like Estevao, but he is unlikely to be worth buying from Chelsea. Maybe Yan Diomande might be the best choice, he can play both wings.}

24 Feb 2026 19:09:32
More chance winning Spot The Ball then getting Estevao out of Chelsea I think Ed1. If we are sticking with wingers I'd like olise but he'd have to learn to work harder. If wingbacks maybe The new Jimenez at Bournemouth looks a hand full??

24 Feb 2026 20:29:43
Estevao's class. I was only saying to a workmate today that if I had my pick of wingers, I'd love to get him. Maybe Chelsea may need to sell players if they miss out on the Champions League. 🤞

25 Feb 2026 09:19:07
The club really wanted Estevao, but Chelsea did what Chelsea do. It seems unlikely he will play for another PL team unless he flops. I wouldn't see it as trying to replace Salah. We brought in Wirtz, Isak, and Ekitike to produce the goals and assists. We now need the speed, running power, pressing, and the ability to beat a man in the wide areas. Diomande seems the most likely, as he can play either side.

Fofana has struggled with injury this year, but can also play both sides. Minteh is an interesting, and perhaps unfashionable, option. Only for the right wing, though. Bazoumana Toure is getting rave reviews at Hoffenheim, but he is more of a left winger. Olise is a good player, but I'm not sure he is the profile we need alongside the already silky Wirtz, Isak, and Ekitike.

25 Feb 2026 09:59:16
I agree, Pelican. You can't replace Salah, the player, the legend, the super star. Why? Because there is only one. What we have to do is replace him and try our best to replace with something close to his output "by committee", as they say in the NFL. As in, with good production from the likes of Isak, Ekitike, and Wirtz, who are already here, while getting another wide player who can contribute his own quota in G/A (whoever that may be), and, at the same time, tighten up our defence, making us hard to score on and hard to beat.

imo, it should be a holistic approach.

25 Feb 2026 11:22:02
Every player is replaceable, OliRed. Yes, Salah has been outstanding, but we have had outstanding players before and replaced them. I have been lucky enough to see, from Sir Roger Hunt, St John, Toshack, Keagan, Kennedy (R)Dalglish, Rush, Johnson (D), Gerrard, Suarez, Torrez, Alonso and many more.

They were superstars, but we replaced them. Footballers come and they go; they drift into the history of the club, and along come new footballers to start their own history with the club. It is what we have built upon year after year and made us the club we are today. YNWA.

25 Feb 2026 11:32:05
We've had 10 years of playing a false 9 with the wide forwards coming out to in, but all that changed the moment we spent big on 2 strikers who both want to score goals. The wingers will now primarily be assisting the strikers, not the main goal threat, so a different profile than Salah is needed. I had hoped Salah could adapt and become more of a natural winger, but it's apparent that he can't swallow his ego and accept he's not the main man anymore, so he has to be moved on before he causes more issues.

I love the guy, but I can't help feeling let down by him this season. He could've really helped the new players and become a mentor to help the transition, but instead he made it all about him. He's been amazing, and I hate criticising him, but his attitude this season has stunk the place out. Time to move on and look to the future.

25 Feb 2026 11:58:57
How do you know Salah hasn't helped the new players and become a mentor? You talk about posters knowing nothing about the workings of a football club, yet here you are, a day or so later, talking about stuff you know Jack s*** about.

As for not wanting to criticise a club legend, well, you are not doing a very good job, as it's far from your first time.

25 Feb 2026 13:24:32
Albey, you are making a point I am not making. You are too focused on trying to drive home the point that Salah can be replaced like other stars and icons of our club were. That is not my point. Those stars we replaced were just like Salah, not stars when they came to us, at least for the most part. We created them as stars and legends. That is not guaranteed.

Hence, in the short term, we should pace ourselves and try to replace Salah's output with a wholistic approach, and if a star or two rises, then so be it. Looking for another Salah right off the bat, or trying to prove that Salah can be replaced by player X, is a recipe for disaster, in my view, and the wrong way to go. Hope this helps.

24 Feb 2026 09:49:25
Morning Ed001,

As we draw closer to the end of the season, do you think Rio should start a few more games, all be it he is still young and needs to be managed?

Cheers
Drogie.

{Ed001's Note - not really, he has not done enough to deserve a start.}

24 Feb 2026 10:53:18
I kind of agree, but I feel like he should be used more than 15 minutes here and there. He was impactful against Forest. See how he is given 30.

24 Feb 2026 11:10:05
I'd love nothing more than Rio getting more game time if he's shown enough, but apart from a few good cameos, I've not seen anything to suggest he is ready. Yes, he loves a step over, but defenders know what he is going to do, so it's easy to defend.

It's the defensive work and hard graft that I need to see before I'd say he is ready. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Gakpo is playing great at the min. I just wouldn't start Rio before Gakpo. Some more mins each game would be good for the kid.

24 Feb 2026 11:09:37
Ridiculous he should be starting over Gakpo without a doubt. Maybe this is why you were never a manager hey Ed01 you seem as clueless as Slot lad.

24 Feb 2026 11:45:50
Hope I'm wrong, but I see a similar player to Doak, imo.

24 Feb 2026 12:21:32
I keep saying that Rio is not ready to start, but everyone seems to disagree. He has potential, but, for me, has a lot of development to be considered a Liverpool-calibre player. I know the only way to get that development is through game time, but the boy is still just a kid and needs time and should not be thrown in with all those unfair expectations.

He is clearly still growing, and that needs to be taken into consideration, too.

24 Feb 2026 12:22:05
He's already shown he's got far better end product than Doak, Fatwallet. He's a great prospect, but he's a kid. I just feel that the only reason people want Rio to start is born from annoyance at Gakpo starting, which emanates from the fact that he's Dutch and therefore perceived as Slot's love child, which in turn gives people another opportunity to criticise Slot for starting him.

It's pretty obvious, actually. Gakpo isn't playing well, but neither is anyone else, and throwing a 17-year-old kid to the Wolves is not the answer.

24 Feb 2026 12:23:32
I would start Rio over Salah or Gakpo currently.

24 Feb 2026 12:25:49
Could have done with Doak this season. I liked Doak. I think Rio might be a bit cooler, though, when he gets in good positions.

24 Feb 2026 11:56:21
Calling Ed01, clueless, Lucas R? .I await his right to reply.

{Ed001's Note - there is little point Rome, have you not read his posts? He is just a troll trying to provoke a reaction.}

24 Feb 2026 12:16:14
Ed01, has he really been given a fighting chance, tho? I don't think so.

24 Feb 2026 13:21:37
Personally, I'd like to see him get a start against West Ham. With Gakpo + Salah well out of form most of the time, I don't see it as a big gamble.

24 Feb 2026 13:21:56
Ed01, Ed025 and I questioned his support for Suarez's behaviour last week, saying he'd do the same.

{Ed001's Note - yeah, exactly, something not right with him.}

24 Feb 2026 13:21:30
Lucas stop being disrespectful you absolute spanner. If there is one thing for certain it's this - Ed1 knows more than you'll ever know about football so zip it you tool.

24 Feb 2026 13:26:57
Sad ed as the man he's taken his name from was an absolute gentleman. Not sure about on the field but off it Lucas Radebe was an excellent human being.

{Ed001's Note - fantastic player as well mate. I would have loved him for us.}

24 Feb 2026 13:43:35
Is there anyone on here that's been a PL manager? Seems like an idiotic statement to me. 🤷‍♂️

24 Feb 2026 13:41:57
I'm surprised Lucas hasn't been banned yet to be honest. Some of his posts the other day were clearly designed to stir up racism and hatred.

24 Feb 2026 14:20:17
Kid has bags of potential. He looks infinitely more dangerous than Gakpo every time he steps on the pitch. I look forward to seeing him develop next year. No idea why you'd think that he might get a few starts now.

The season is nearly over, we're still scrapping for 4th, and Slot's hardly going to start benching his golden boy at such a critical point in the season.

24 Feb 2026 14:20:32
On the subject of young Rio. He should be getting 10/15 min cameos most games, but I don't think he should be starting games. As poor as Gakpo is, he still got a decent scoring record, but when he plays as badly as Sunday, Rio should be on, but he still has a lot to learn.

24 Feb 2026 13:55:20
Ed001 I don't think Rio is ready yet too but can he be any worse than Gakpo at the minute.
I find Gakpo to be so predictable and he might get away with it if he moved a bit faster but he just seems to slow down every attack we have when he gets the ball.
I would have said put Wirtz there play Sobs in the number10 but feel he is needed more in the number 8 role.

Or maybe if Mac is going to be played he could move to the 10 role but seems a lot of messing around with players but someone needs to change after Sundays performance.

{Ed001's Note - and what makes you think that Ngumoha is any less predictable? Waving his foot over the ball and then running at them until he loses it is no better. They both need to be receiving the ball earlier so they can go at a defender 1 on 1, but we are not playing the ball forward quickly enough. Nothing would change if Rio was there, just people moaning that he is not good enough or too predictable.}

24 Feb 2026 14:14:02
May I request a player profile then ed? I was a bit young when he was playing but I think he's one of the few South Africans that did well in the Premier League.


He did a lot of work for hospice here in SA after his wife passed. Still see him on tv doing ads and the like, always has a huge smile on his face.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, added to the list.}

24 Feb 2026 14:57:27
The Irish Rover, hey mate, I managed Liverpool in the PL for many a year. I won it so many times, and also won the CL a few times. Easy. Loved by all the fans and players. Great night's sleep, that I'll tell you.

24 Feb 2026 15:05:46
I don't think it matters who or who isn't playing. We play too slow, get it to the forwards quicker, not pitty patty across the back 4. Every time we have played quickly we have looked infinitely better.

24 Feb 2026 15:41:28
Rio excites fans. He should be getting more minutes.

24 Feb 2026 16:06:37
I actually managed Rushden & Diamonds in the Premier League back in 2006. My front three was Ronaldo, Messi, and Clayton. We must've averaged 5 goals a game on the highest difficulty setting as well. I just wish Clayton hadn't been a faceless regen.

24 Feb 2026 16:26:04
Radebe was an excellent cb. We don't seem to get many players in the Premier League from South Africa these days.

24 Feb 2026 16:49:33
Interesting one, Rio is. He has skill, but as pointed out by others, he is not ready. Yamal at Barca was deemed not ready, but injuries forced the hand and he had to play.

He is being developed through his playing time. Can we not do the same with Rio? More minutes will surely speed up his development, without the need to run him into the ground.

24 Feb 2026 16:56:20
I'd like us to try him starting against West Ham, though; we can't do any worse than Gakpo at present. Start him, and at least it's a learning experience for him.

24 Feb 2026 16:57:13
Hi, Rome. I must have missed that re: supporting Suarez. What was that about, mate?

24 Feb 2026 15:03:29
"Maybe this is why you were never a manager hey Ed01 you seem as clueless as Slot lad."

Wait, who is this guy?

24 Feb 2026 17:58:52
I would actually start Rio against West Ham because Salah and Gakpo are just not playing well enough right now to justify a start. It feels like being 2 men down most of the time. I'd like to see Ekitike up top, with Rio on the right wing and Wirtz on the left wing.

Then I'd play Mac Allister as the ten, with Gravenberch in midfield next to Szoboszlai. Gomez at right back, Kerkez at left back, and Konate and Virgil at centre back. Obviously, Calvin Ramsay in goal. 😉

24 Feb 2026 17:58:58
I may be in the minority here, but I'd prefer Gakpo rather than Rio. If the system was better, Gakpo would be better. I think Gakpo is a really good player. Currently a bit one-dimensional, agreed, but he's big, strong, quick, a great striker of the ball.

Rio isn't a Liverpool first-team player yet, if ever. Quick football would probably suit him better too, I would suspect. Again, just my opinion. I was looking forward to Ed01's reply though. From behind the couch!!. 😂😂

24 Feb 2026 18:16:12
Cantremember, basically, Lucas said he would have done exactly the same as Suarez did when on the pitch. Therefore condoning the biting of another player and racially abusing another.

24 Feb 2026 18:32:46
I don't think Gakpo or Salah are playing well enough to start. Rio is still too soon to start for me. I'd play Hugo, with Wirtz off him, and all four midfielders. We need to tighten up in the centre of the pitch, and the front 2 work really well together. Just my opinion.

24 Feb 2026 18:34:37
Thanks, Rome. Jesus, what a troll.

24 Feb 2026 06:55:06
Morning Eds,
Assuming Slot does move on in the summer what would your view be on Fabregas as an option.
Would surely have respect of the players, seems to get his sides playing attractive football whilst being tactically flexible.
Not saying Xabi wouldn't be a good option btw just an alternative to throw into the conversation.

{Ed001's Note - no thank you. Has had a huge budget and wants older players, because he doesn't want to have to coach them to play the way he wants them to. He has barely even begun his career and you want him at Liverpool? Not a person I would want anywhere near the club thanks.}

24 Feb 2026 09:10:11
Interestingly, we have spoken to him. Won't go anywhere. Ta.

24 Feb 2026 09:40:32
Absolutely not. He'd have the respect of the players for about 5 minutes, until they realize he won't be leading them to success any time soon. And, regardless, Fabregas was a very good player rather than a great one.

Playing attractive football is an overrated addition anyway - it doesn't matter a jot if the team doesn't win. The best teams are multi-faceted units that win games just because they win games, no matter the style.

24 Feb 2026 09:26:34
I think I remember you saying a while back, Ed01, you rated Sebastien Hoeness. Do you think he'd be a good fit? Apologies if I remember wrong.

{Ed001's Note - I actually really like what I have seen of Hoeness, but he has never had a proper tough spell to measure his ability against. He does look like he would be good, but it would be a risk.}

24 Feb 2026 09:49:14
Next season, the Liverpool manager will be Arne Slot or Xabi Alonso. I just hope we use the summer to get the players in to play either system, because right now, we don't suit either.

24 Feb 2026 10:01:25
I have no opinion of Fabregas as a manager because I've not watched Como play. But to say he was only good and wasn't a great player is crazy to me. He is probably the only player I've seen step into a Premier League midfield at 17 years old and immediately run the show. Literally no other midfield player in Premier League history has done that. He won multiple major titles with Arsenal, Spain, Chelsea and Barcelona. And, by the way, getting into those Barcelona and Spain teams of 2008-2014 as a midfielder took some bloody doing! I believe he is still 3rd in the all-time Premier League assists chart as well. That's absolutely staggering when you consider how much of his career was spent abroad compared to the likes of Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, etc. The only players ahead of him are Giggs and De Bruyne. Fabregas was an absolute genius of a player. He was a flawed genius, for sure. A bit like Pirlo or Scholes, he offered very little defensively, but he was, without a shadow of a doubt, not just a great, but a world-class midfielder and a creative genius.

People always sleep on his time at Barcelona for some reason and pretend he was not a key player. But his 3 seasons there were 1) 48 games, 15 goals, 20 assists. 2) 48 games, 14 goals, 13 assists. 3) 55 games, 14 goals, 17 assists. Those are absolutely insane numbers. Imagine playing in a team with Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets, but still managing to be the player pulling the strings offensively. 42 goals and 50 assists in 3 seasons. Then he came back to Chelsea and reinvented himself as a deep-lying playmaker alongside Kante and/or Matic. Honestly, you're either being weirdly bitter about a player who never played for a rival, or you're just too young to remember him. He was at the very top of the game from 2004-2018. From a young star boy at Arsenal, to a winning machine at Barcelona, to an experienced orchestrator at Chelsea. Most players dream of retiring with 4 league titles, a World Cup plus two Euros with their country, a Europa League, a Club World Cup and 7 various domestic cups. Revisionism at its finest and not a particularly good look on anyone, mate.

24 Feb 2026 10:14:56
Lowe, I don't think you've been following most of the narrative on here about our style, then. lol

24 Feb 2026 11:15:39
@rome, I thought I saw an article a few days ago about Hoeness and what a great fit he would be as he plays similar to early Klopp. (Not seen it, so I can't say I've seen his team set up.) I do believe the days of being rigid and this is how we play are going, if not gone already. An adaptable manager, not scared to change things and multi-formation tactics, is what's needed.

Which is why it is so frustrating watching what Slot has done this season. It was great last season watching us win games in different ways, having answers to what the opposition brings, unlike now where we can be beaten simply by working harder and having a low block! And him refusing to change.

24 Feb 2026 11:54:17
Thanks for that, MightyR3ds. All the best.

24 Feb 2026 12:18:22
Lowel, Playing style does matter, though esp. at a fundamental level.

24 Feb 2026 12:22:41
MKScouser, Fabregas was an excellent player in possession of the ball. He had superb vision, and if the final pass was there, he genuinely made it 49 times out of 50. That said, he was a very good player rather than a great, and I stick by that. To be even half as effective as he could be, he needed a powerful, mobile partner (or two), doing pretty much all the donkey work. I don't point to Fabregas' time at Arsenal - he was very young for most of it, though Arsenal were much more soluble after losing Vieira and Gilberto Silva.

At Barca, he was the fourth midfielder in a team that played with three. He was nowhere near the level of Xavi, let alone Iniesta. His stats might look impressive, but Barca were utterly crushing the opposition most weeks, and, notably, their last CL wins were the seasons both before he signed and after he was sold. At Chelsea, he had a very defined role that he was certainly good at, but needed one of the best box-to-box midfielders of the past 30 years behind him. A very good player, but far from the pantheon of all time greats.

24 Feb 2026 15:26:19
Lowe, with all due respect, you are objectively wrong about his time at Barcelona. In his 3 seasons there, he played 3327 minutes, 3251 minutes, and 3768 minutes. So it's not my opinion that he was a key player; he just factually was. By the way, I agree with you fully that he was the 4th best midfielder in their squad, but they found space for him to start by either moving Iniesta to LW/LM, or by playing a midfield diamond with Fabregas at the tip, almost like a false 9. Are you suggesting that Barcelona altered their system and moved a generational talent in Iniesta out of position to make room in the team for merely a "good" player? Fabregas made 110 appearances for Spain, by the way, in an era when his midfield competition included Xavi Hernandez, Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, David Silva, and Juan Mata.

I mean, what more can you say? To make 100+ international appearances for any team is a remarkable achievement, but to do it for the greatest Spain team ever (and probably the best crop of international midfielders ever) is absolutely incredible. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, mate. Fabregas more than earned his stripes, and will rightly be remembered as one of the best midfield players ever in both La Liga and the Premier League, as well as for delivering at major international tournaments for Spain. The 5 players with triple figures for Premier League assists are Giggs (163), De Bruyne (118), Fabregas (111), Rooney (103), and Lampard (102). That's some company for a "good" player to be keeping, considering the rest of them all played in the Prem throughout their prime years.

24 Feb 2026 18:39:52
Agreed, MKS. He was fantastic.

24 Feb 2026 20:23:13
Only LFC players are world class. The rest of them are all crap.

25 Feb 2026 08:47:03
Apparently, most of Liverpool's players are poor, too.

25 Feb 2026 09:51:11
Thanks for the reply, Ed. Interesting that Carra said we spoke with him and decided not to take it any further.

25 Feb 2026 10:15:15
Ed01! What about the guy in charge of bodo glimt? He seems to be on some cheat code in fifa at the moment!

{Ed001's Note - naw, he takes a cut of transfer fees and runs everything there, I don't see him being able to adapt to having to hand over control of 75% of the job.}

23 Feb 2026 22:49:24
I know it's not Liverpool-related, but it still pertains to the PL. I just wanted to ask Ed001 if you've heard anything about PGMOL changing rules regarding corners, because if you watched the United and Everton game tonight, it wasn't football, whatever was going on at each set piece.

Surely the higher-ups are aware it's killing the spectacle of football, and it's gone too far now. Arteta has started a set-piece cult now, surely it's gone too far, Ed001?

{Ed001's Note - the laws are already in place to deal with it, there is no need to change anything other than to bring in competent officials.}

23 Feb 2026 23:26:12
It's absolutely insane. The amount of pushing, grabbing, blocking, wrestling, and nothing is given, yet Kolo Muani touched Gabriel's back and it's a foul. In tonight's game, Ndiaye touched Shaw with a hand, and Shaw just flopped to the floor and got a free kick.

Why do they give fouls for minimal contact like that, but at set pieces anything goes? Surely the head of the PGMOL needs to pull them all in and demand answers? I won't hold my breath.

23 Feb 2026 23:36:51
That wasn't football, it was more like rugby.

23 Feb 2026 23:22:10
Ed001, thank you for the reply, but surely if the laws are in place, then it allows for a grey area being exploited by teams? I think if they made it so before the kick is taken, the keeper has a certain area that can't be entered, perhaps? i'm not sure, but what I do know for sure is that the idea that the player is just standing his ground when, in fact, he's boxing the keeper in and stopping him from moving is not what the laws of football all them moons ago started off with.

{Ed001's Note - there is no grey area, what is going on is wrong, but the officials are weak and incompetent. It is the same with diving and time wasting, the laws and powers are there for officials to deal with them, but they are a bunch of weak cowards.}

24 Feb 2026 06:38:24
Just like the pundits Ed. Refs give it there's clear contact. They don't, it's a "coming together."

{Ed001's Note - pundits annoy me, talking about 'clever play' when someone cheats. They need to start calling it cheating if it is to be eradicated.}

24 Feb 2026 08:01:10
One rule change I hope they introduce in the near future is for throw-ins and set pieces. I'm sick to the back teeth of every dead-ball situation taking over a minute. Even throw-ins now, you have to wait whilst Aina, Kayode, etc., waltz the full width of the pitch from RB to launch a long throw into the box. I think the rules should be that if you take longer than 60 seconds from the point the ball goes dead, you are automatically booked for time wasting, and the set-play/throw-in is given to the opposition.

Free kicks and throw-ins flipped, and corners become goal kicks, or goal kicks become corners. The only exception should be if the ref blows his whistle to delay the restart for some reason. The alternative is they need to start stopping the clock and just change it to 60 minutes, because it's got to the point where they're now sapping about 45 minutes away with throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, and free kicks. The Premier League in general is bordering on unwatchable this season.

24 Feb 2026 09:45:50
I have thought for years and years that no attacking player should be inside the goalkeeper's six-yard box until the ball is kicked for the corner.

24 Feb 2026 10:06:13
I think "competent officials" is an oxymoron in 2026. Globally. Also, I love the time limit on deadball situations, but I would only allow 30 seconds. As for players rolling around on the floor, if they are not on their feet within 30 seconds, a stretcher comes on and they go off for treatment, minimum of 10 minutes.

Retrospective 10 match bans for play acting as well. Cheating is cheating.

24 Feb 2026 11:06:37
The referees need to be stronger rather that give a yellow for simulation make it a red instead that way players just may think twice before cheating.referees also need to stop this mobbing as players do that with the chance of influencing the referees decision I thought it was the capitan only allowed to speak with the ref others would be guilty of mobbing yet so far no action has being taken i'd love to hear Mr webbs spin on this.nail the 1st one to come near you and the rest will stop surely

24 Feb 2026 12:21:31
I agree with Ed. The refs are lazy as hell and are not interested in actually doing their jobs at a basic level anymore. All you have to do is look at the absolute howlers on show during the last FA Cup weekend.

Absolute shambles. It's like the refs rely so heavily on VAR that when it became time to actually ref the game, they looked clueless and their relentless incompetence was there for all to see.

24 Feb 2026 13:32:08
Edd 1 Mike Dean a few seasons back gave a penalty for grabbing and pulling in the penalty area at a corner. He had the balls to give the pen, then was lambasted from everywhere in football, so the referees can't win.

I am not a fan of Dean or any of the referees. I think this had to be pointed out over the debate on corners. YNWA

{Ed001's Note - which is why I said they need the pundits to back them and start talking about the cheating that is going on.}

24 Feb 2026 14:27:40
ED001 what do you think about following the rugby by yellow card, sin bin, then off for 3 silly fouls, like kicking the ball away, time wasting n feigning fouls etc.

The set pieces n corners do my head in, more or less wresting each other but even worse is 6ft odd men falling at the slightest touch, I think all this would stop if addressed properly and your right about pundits saying clever play, that's just cheating in my world

{Ed001's Note - I would be happy to try anything right now to fix this, but rule changes will not matter unless officials enforce them. They need to start booking players for diving or pretending to be injured.}

24 Feb 2026 19:38:52
Ed I thought after Euros 3-4 years back the PL raised the foul bar for about the first 15 rounds. The pundits seemed to say "that would have been a foul last year and it's nice to see the higher bar this season" etc. Didn't last. The pundits are afraid to rock the boat. Some of them are making more than they ever made as players.

23 Feb 2026 20:55:54
If anyone wants a good laugh Brendan Rodger's is now sheikh Brendan.

24 Feb 2026 09:56:03
Pretty sure he's laughing all the way to the bank while I sit here complaining about the price of the weekly shop!

23 Feb 2026 16:44:26
Hi Eds, can I ask a stupid question, was Slot's plan, in buying two number 9's, for Ekitike and Isak to play up front together? I assumed it was and then Isak got injured. Or was the plan to play Isak up front with Ekitike and Mo behind, with Wirtz in-between? I never really understood what the plan was. Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - the plan was for Isak to be first choice and Ekitike as rotation cover or back up.}

23 Feb 2026 18:06:00
It's going to be a nice problem for the next manager. How to keep both of them happy. Ekitike is solidly first choice right now and won't want to lose his place, while Isak is a brilliant player when actually fit.

23 Feb 2026 18:13:40
I think this was the biggest problem, and why the season has failed massively. The formation and slow style just don't suit the squad anymore.

23 Feb 2026 18:19:15
The goal we scored at Tottenham when Isak was injured was interplay from Wirtz, Hugo and Isak. Like to see more of that when Isak comes back. Both Hugo and Isak can interchange and play off the left or play Wirtz behind the pair. Nice problem to have.

23 Feb 2026 18:25:35
Agreed, LFC8, we're not playing to Isak's strengths at all.

23 Feb 2026 18:28:52
Having two top class strikers is never a bad idea.

23 Feb 2026 18:32:02
When we get a good manager in charge, then hopefully they can deal with it.

23 Feb 2026 18:46:27
Don't see the issue with playing both of them, to be honest. It's made out to be some mystical phenomenon these days, playing two up top, but it really should be. There are plenty of ways you can play with two strikers, whilst packing the midfield to counter the typical 4231 these days.

23 Feb 2026 19:03:29
Shouldn't be, I mean.

23 Feb 2026 19:06:24
We need to get a manager who knows how to play Wirtz, Hugo and Isak, and find the answer to Gapko, Grav, Maca and a replacement for Salah, and we need him very quickly before we fall any further behind. YNWA.

23 Feb 2026 19:07:14
Isak is not top class, and is pretty poor in all aspects of his game apart from finishing. I doubt he will score over 50 goals for Liverpool before he is released on a free.

23 Feb 2026 19:24:05
I sense someone might have upvoted their own post. 🤣🤣

23 Feb 2026 20:05:39
Well, I think Isak is top class. Finishing is the most difficult thing to do in football.

23 Feb 2026 20:46:34
Competition for places and rotation is exactly what we want and need. I felt it worked a treat last season with Gakpo and Diaz on the left, both players benefited and so did the team. I felt almost 40 goals between them, I think.

When we signed Wirtz, the general consensus was Szobo would lose his place, but it's brought his game this season to another level. By far our best player. Isak and Ekitike should bring out the best in each other.

23 Feb 2026 20:59:50
Frimpong, Bradley, Endo, Jones, and Gomez have all pushed Szob on to be a better back up right back this season.

23 Feb 2026 21:08:33
Whatever the plan was, it was always starting behind the start line, as Isak was never fit enough and then broke his leg.

23 Feb 2026 22:01:24
@Lucas: Please. ✋

23 Feb 2026 22:37:55
Didn't Man United win the league with Rooney, Tevez, and Berbatov? They had Ronaldo as well, but I remember him playing more on the left. City used Marmoush / Haaland as two up top yesterday, and Real had Ronaldo / Benzema. Actually, I think Ekitike and Isak would work better than either would with Gakpo; they seem to be the least flexible, play-wise.

23 Feb 2026 23:44:38
Ekitike is slightly overrated. Big potential but lots to work on.

24 Feb 2026 07:25:38
I don't think Ekitike is overrated at all. He exceeded all the expectations I had when he first joined. There are still some areas that he needs to work on, particularly his heading, but I think he has been good for us so far.

24 Feb 2026 09:45:36
Maybe ask Crouchie or Shearer to give a bit of heading coaching to Eki.

24 Feb 2026 12:25:35
imo, Isak should never have seen the pitch that early to begin with, with no preseason. That would never have happened under Klopp or Rafa. He would have been put on a programme to get fit, and, esp. with Hugo starting well, we would not have needed to rush him.

Using actual games as preseason training to bed in Isak was a massive mistake. I know he got injured via a bad tackle, but, in terms of his fitness, that was a massive mistake by Slot, in addition to his other failures that have been well-documented.

24 Feb 2026 12:28:46
I suspect we may end up playing more of a 4-3-1-2 formation next season with Wirtz playing behind a front 2 of Isak and Ekitike.

It's obvious Salah is pretty much done and i don't see a natural replacement for the output we've seen in the last few years so it makes sense to play 2 strikers who cost us £200m at every possible opportunity!