Liverpool banter 9

22 Feb 2026 18:57:45
I think Spurs could be in serious danger of being relegated, they certainly look worse than both Nottingham Forest and West Ham and a 4 point gap could disappear fairly quickly. If they do get relegated I wonder if we'll try for 1 or 2 of their better players.

22 Feb 2026 19:32:40
Why would we be after Spurs players if they get relegated, Red Kie?

22 Feb 2026 19:36:59
They are desperate, Red Kie. I always liked watching Spurs through the years, as they are generally a good watch, but this present outfit is atrocious in every way u take them.

22 Feb 2026 19:39:56
Possibly for the same reason LFC signed Andy Robertson and Gini Wijnaldum.

22 Feb 2026 19:55:48
Get yourself a bargain, Albeydered. We previously got Robertson, Wijnaldum and Shaqiri from relegated teams. With most teams that get relegated, there's always 1 or 2 players that you'd back to step up and be capable of playing for Liverpool. Spurs would have a few that would be good squad players here.

22 Feb 2026 20:02:17
Van Der Ven and Porro are the only two that would interest me, tbh.

22 Feb 2026 20:58:58
Richarlison and Romero?

22 Feb 2026 21:15:16
I don't think we want anyone from this Spurs team, tbh. They're all awful and aren't an improvement on our players at all.

22 Feb 2026 21:23:17
Ben Davies?

22 Feb 2026 21:25:43
I'd take Porro.

22 Feb 2026 22:08:00
If they go down, we need to buy Vaskovic while we have the opportunity. That kid is going to be the next generation's Virg (not saying he'll be as good, that will be difficult). I think he's the best cb of all the young cbs around. Better than Jacquet, Leoni, Yoro, Huijsen etc. I recommend watching some compilations if you're interested.

22 Feb 2026 22:26:06
Luka Vuskovic does look exceptional, but will likely end up next season next to Huijsen.

22 Feb 2026 23:21:47
Van Der Ven had his chance to join, and picked Spurs. I wouldn't even get the barge pole out of the shed, let alone try and touch him with it.

23 Feb 2026 09:20:36
WDW, the guy can't even defend properly, to begin with, imo. Take away his pace, and then what do you have, imo? A guy who lacks positional sense, gets caught out of position a lot, and can't read the game, hence can't anticipate danger before it happens. Wouldn't touch him either.

23 Feb 2026 10:21:25
They don't call the Spurs players 'Spursie' for nothing. We have enough in our club; we don't need any more. I would not touch any of them with a barge pole after watching them v Arsenal. If they can't get up to play a derby, how would they do in our derby? They would crap their pants.

22 Feb 2026 18:54:47
At this stage of the season its all about the points, we were absolutely garbage today but we won. I'll take that all day, the teams above us are dropping points n we needed this win to stay contention. but let's face it we need to improve drastically on todays performance.

22 Feb 2026 19:47:13
Take a look at LFC/MU/Chelsea next 5 matches.

22 Feb 2026 20:15:18
D-day, just looked at the next 5 games, all favourable for us n hard for them, hopefully fingers crossed we end up ahead of Chelsea, United n Villa, but we need to improve big time.

22 Feb 2026 20:57:17
The only positive from today was that, although they were very poor in the first half and only slightly better in the second half, they stuck at it and got the winner. At least they never threw their hands in. It seems to me that, as Slot hasn't beaten Forest in his previous matches against them, he set us up to not lose rather than to win. He got lucky. If (great big if) we play well in our next 5 or 6 matches, things should look a bit healthier, but I'm starting to get concerned about Hugo - great prospect for the club, but he's carried the attacking threat for most of the season and it's starting to show.

I also think Gomez should be playing at Rb whenever he is fit. He looks like a defender, and he makes Konate look a lot better when they play together. Anyway, poor game, better result than we deserved overall. Let's move on and set ourselves up for the next game.

22 Feb 2026 21:03:59
Seems like there's a lot of Liverpool fans gutted that we won today. Not me.

22 Feb 2026 21:13:56
Just before we scored the disallowed goal, I turned to me Ma and said this is the worst performance I can remember. We deserve nothing from this game, but I'll take a late winner, take the 3 points, and forget about it altogether. Did we play today?

22 Feb 2026 21:14:18
No one is gutted that we won, Ron. I think fans are simply perplexed at how bad we play week on week, the fact we're sat in sixth, and that we have a manager who isn't held to account by anyone.

22 Feb 2026 21:16:45
I don't think anyone is gutted that we won, Ron. Most are saying that we were lucky to win, but glad that we did.

22 Feb 2026 21:17:07
How do you work that out, Ron?

22 Feb 2026 21:29:13
Of course we love the win, Ron, but how on earth Jones was kept till the 83rd minute when he played like not even a Championship player, while we had a totally capable RB in Gomez, is beyond me. Slot has no freaking clue, and it's hella frustrating to watch.

22 Feb 2026 21:58:42
Think Slot is well held accountable, Frode.

22 Feb 2026 22:25:59
I am certainly not gutted that we won today, Ron. Just absolutely perplexed as to how bad we played, and also how Slot still has a job.

22 Feb 2026 22:54:11
I celebrated plenty of wins in Klopp's first 2 seasons where we played like that. Some people have an agenda against Slot and won't be happy with anything until he's gone. I just want my team to be successful.

22 Feb 2026 22:56:57
Ron, I don't know who is gutted that we won, but I can assure you, my eyes bled watching that dross we served up, plain and simple. Absolutely atrocious stuff. We take the win and happy days, but sorry mate, that was a shambles, end of.

22 Feb 2026 23:29:02
It was an ugly win, but great that we got the 3 points. With the squad we have, we shouldn't repeatedly struggle to win. The squad contains Ali, VVD, Wirtz, Dom, Mo, AI and, perhaps, Hugo, who are top notch. Not playing them in a manner to allow them to play to their strengths is just a teeny weeny bit frustrating for fans who want to get enjoyment from watching one of the best club squads in the world play to their potential (especially frustrating, as we have seen them play well very occasionally this season, so that we know they can actually do it).

22 Feb 2026 23:54:18
I've got the attention span of a gnat, but I don't remember any of our performances under Klopp being like that. My first memory of a Klopp team was v Spurs. Was it Lallana who collapsed into Slot's arms when he was coming off?

23 Feb 2026 00:08:17
I don't remember a Klopp team playing that dross either, SJ.

23 Feb 2026 00:41:39
Just re-watched the match, and to be fair, the Forest manager was doing a fair impression of someone with the hump when we scored / won. 😉 On second viewing, and I've been a fan and advocate for him for years, Curtis had a shocker. He was off the pace for the entire match.

23 Feb 2026 06:41:16
But none of Alli, Virg, Wirtz or Dom had bad games yesterday, WDW, and I'd probably add Kerkez to that. But the rest of them were awful. Of course it's not their fault; it's big bad Arne Slot's fault.

23 Feb 2026 07:22:04
@FM, do you think they have a raffle every week and whoever has the winning ticket chooses the way we play? The common denominator is Slot. His job is to ensure that he has the squad at his disposal, playing to their full potential.

Hand on heart, do you think he's doing that? Do you think he is providing entertainment for the fans and providing value for money for fans and supporters around the globe who pay their hard-earned money to watch their team?

23 Feb 2026 07:28:53
Ron, you still haven't explained why you think people are gutted that we won.

23 Feb 2026 07:43:15
I must have watched a different Liverpool under Slot for 2 years also.

23 Feb 2026 09:22:55
Florian Musiala, your namesake Wirtz was injured and didn't play. And VVD was poor, and so was Ali, suddenly flapping at things.

23 Feb 2026 14:45:27
No-one watched us beat Augsburg 1-0 with a Milner penalty in 2016 then? I did, and thank God it rained because it gave me something to do.

22 Feb 2026 17:53:07
I've been on this site a long time. i'm pretty sure in the past I would have read hiw today's result showed grit, determination. Maybe luck. I agree not a great performance.
That said it was a smash and grab 3 points. Do you think when it happens to LFC the other set of supporters are moaning about the performance?

22 Feb 2026 18:44:43
That was not a smash and grab. To call it that, you have to be pinned in, defending for your life, and grab a goal with your one shot on target. Today we played a very poor team that could not really create anything, but we made them dominate us with our poor passing and slow play. Just another example of our football this season, but for me, that was the worst performance in the league this season, if not the whole season.

Forest also dropped off after half time because of playing on Thursday night. Thank goodness we were lucky enough to get them after a bit of a Thursday night game.

22 Feb 2026 19:04:32
Einstein once said, "You can't polish a turd," and that today was a turd.

22 Feb 2026 19:10:44
I'll take 3 points away against a bogey team every time - bring on the luck and the turds. Today was a game of 2 halves. First half - poor; second half, LFC were the better team.

22 Feb 2026 18:08:35
Its called standards mate. And we are not a team that is happy to just be in the league every year we want to win it, and a team having an attitude of being happy with smash and grabs are not going to be sitting happy on the throne.

22 Feb 2026 18:18:46
No they sure aren't 420, they don't give a toss.All about the points at this stage of d season.

22 Feb 2026 18:18:47
The result was indeed a smash and grab.

Maybe if we did show grit. determination or any kind of energy people may accept losing with a fight. we can't won them all.

I think most people struggle to accept the walking pace football. lack of press.puting in a tackle. 2nd balls. shirking tackles. unable to pass to a team mate.and general slow walking football. for best part of a year. bar the odd game when they tease us of some sort of performance.

22 Feb 2026 19:53:57
I normally agree with most of your posts, Ron, but that isn't one of them. I would substitute the word poor for abysmal. First half abysmal, second half equally abysmal is a more accurate description of what happened today.

22 Feb 2026 22:21:15
Embarrassment of a performance. We made them look like a top 6 team in the first half, not a team about to drop into the relegation zone. There's no other way to look at it.

22 Feb 2026 22:58:21
I take the 3 points. But anyone thinking Slot should still be considered to keep his job for next season is off his/her/their rocker. That was abysmal. End of.

23 Feb 2026 06:43:04
And the players, Oli?

23 Feb 2026 09:25:15
@Flo, if a majority of the players played crap, it's the manager's fault, plain and simple. That's been the way in football for decades. It is your job to keep up with the football times, not for football to cater to your needs and agendas.

22 Feb 2026 17:40:20
Just feel sorry for the players. Even our senior players look lost. Coaching must be dreadful if we have come to this.

22 Feb 2026 18:22:42
Wouldnt be feeling sorry for half of that lot today.Coaching doesn't make you lose duel after duel, not show fight, not be able to pass a ball 5 yrds.Wish people would stop giving the players no blame nd throwing it all at slot.Only a few of them should be able to look at themselves in the mirror today

22 Feb 2026 19:22:59
Just wish someone could motivate them a bit more, it doesn't seem like it's coming from the top. But yes, agreed, they all need to take a hard look at themselves. None of them deserve to hold their heads high after this.

22 Feb 2026 23:58:36
Florian, you can lay the blame at Slot. If it was Klopp, he'd go bananas. And if they did it again, he'd have no problem playing kids instead of them, so, yeh, it's on Slot. Use the squad if you're not happy with players' performances.

23 Feb 2026 06:45:07
Klopp and his kids, like a kindergarten: the matchday squad under Jurgen.

23 Feb 2026 07:11:40
If you blame the coach and not the players, let me ask you a question. If Gerrard had been in yesterday's team, how would he have played?

23 Feb 2026 09:26:05
Duffer, if the majority of the players are that crap, it is the manager's fault. It is that plain and simple.

22 Feb 2026 17:40:19
To all the peeps on the live chat today. thank you my good mates 🙏

That was some of the most excitement I had for most of the afternoon.
From curling, skirting boards, favorite paint colour and watching it dry. it was a great live chat.

Well done peeps
Keep it up.
At least we can't say we that we completely lost 2 hours of our lives there!

22 Feb 2026 19:09:51
You forgot about the hockey and Trump/Putin stuff, but yeah, it's honestly more fun in the chat than actually watching the game. Until next game.

22 Feb 2026 18:15:13
I lost two hours of time I could have been installing my skirting boards and I wish I could say it was worth it!

22 Feb 2026 18:25:49
Stopped going on the live chat, only seem to talk about everything except the match that is taking place. So much negativity. saying this player, and that player is crap. Too many armchair critics and wannabe managers

22 Feb 2026 19:22:45
Jlc, don't forget my advice on sage paint. And, please keep us posted on your skirting boards. That conversation was genuinely more enjoyable than our first half performance.

22 Feb 2026 20:06:40
Today's chat was great fun. You know what? Isn't that what life's all about? Good craic, even though we're scraping the barrel for football quality. Loved it. Fair play to all others on there. Sage paint will never look the same again.

22 Feb 2026 20:10:07
Sounds like I missed a legendary chat today. Hope I'll be back for the next one. Sage the colour, Rome? My home office is sage colour. Very calming.

22 Feb 2026 20:28:05
Missed you today, Red-Will. You're a man of taste, mate. Sage is very much on trend! My real name is Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen!

22 Feb 2026 20:33:22
You're bang on, Shanklys Ghost. It's not about agreeing with each other. In fact, very few agree with me; it's about having a laugh. It's only football. One day we'll all be dead. Here's to the next game. Enjoy life between now and Saturday.

22 Feb 2026 21:56:21
It was my birthday today. All I asked for was three points and a clean sheet. You can all thank me.

22 Feb 2026 23:00:04
Sadiki to Ekitike, no way the final 5 minutes of excitement (and I'm happy for the 3 points) can replace the two hours of my life I'm never getting back, either. What a shambles.

23 Feb 2026 02:45:39
I did say on the chat that we were going to win it in the second half. Somewhere along the lines, yes, we are bad, but Forest was absolutely not going to take the opportunity to punish us, and if we survive the first half, we'll win it. I'll bring the crystal ball again another time, when appropriate.

{Ed025's Note - you should be a very rich man with forecasts like that Kaizer.. :)

23 Feb 2026 06:45:15
As long as I continue to disregard every time I got it wrong, I sure should be 25!

{Ed025's Note - im sure the bookies are running scared Kaizer.. :)

22 Feb 2026 17:32:25
Best part of that game was just after half time when my stream froze for 5 mins.
Considering we won with one of the very last kicks of the game, that was absolutely dreadful to watch.
I almost switched off at 80 mins I was that bored.
I think the creativity has disappeared as well as the fitness now.

22 Feb 2026 17:37:23
Another great game of football. Not sure my heart can continue with such excitement. At this stage, I feel like I'm ripping the club, Sky and TNT off with what I pay to watch such spectacles.

22 Feb 2026 17:38:13
Yeah, agree, Mikey, it was an absolutely shocking performance. The first half was non-existent again. We were lucky to get anything, let alone 3 points.

22 Feb 2026 17:50:41
I might be wrong, JK, but I detect a whiff of sarcasm. Only a hint, mind. Forgive me if I'm wrong!

22 Feb 2026 17:53:20
We've been shocking to watch for the majority of games for a year now. Some may point to the changeover of players & the tragic Jota loss, but ignore our stuttering form for the last 3 months of last season. Fact is, the downturn started after Slot had time to install his philosophy into the players.

Yes, we've not been losing so much recently & not conceding as much, but dear me, fancy paying your hard earned money to watch that dross every game. It's a hard watch indeed.

22 Feb 2026 17:58:05
I turned it off at half time, then switched it back on for the last 10. I love watching football, but I could find better uses of my time than watching us right now. I only turned it back on out of FOMO.

22 Feb 2026 18:28:47
Bet you were one of those who turned off at half time in Istanbul.

22 Feb 2026 18:45:32
Wow, I recorded the game and went to watch my lad; his game kicked off at the same time. I heard a kid saying McAlister had scored, which made me hopeful. I have to confess, I watched parts of it through my fingers. I've never seen us give the ball away so many times. Not even under pressure.

VVD started it, Jones took it on, then they all joined in. My god, how Mo had the cheek to be playing the fool after he came off! There is no excuse for that performance. Yes, Slot is lost. But surely this squad should have some pride? Young Rio showed intent when he came on. I'm worried.

22 Feb 2026 19:16:28
After watching such a poor performance, there should now be no more talk of keeping the head coach and his staff for next season. That poor performance should highlight the failings of the manager and his coaching staff. They had all week to get ready for Forest, but it did not show. The team were under pressure for large amounts of time, and if Forest had a forward that could score goals we would have been well beaten. Fortunately, we scored in the last minute, but we have to take into consideration that Forest are in a relegation dogfight, so us scoring so late on does not cover our failings.

I really do not enjoy asking for people to lose their employment, but Liverpool Football Club are becoming a laughing stock and it needs addressing as soon as possible. If fans are happy with the way we are performing, then my apologies, but I do not think I am on my own with these views. YNWA.

22 Feb 2026 19:53:09
Albeydered, I hardly think we've become a laughing stock. Last 16 of the CL, 6th in the league, level on pts with 4th, and still in the FA Cup. I seriously don't think anyone's laughing at us. Though I'm not happy with the way we're performing, that's for sure.

22 Feb 2026 17:28:52
From marauders to meanderers paint drys quicker than we play. Wouldn't think we are the champions.

22 Feb 2026 15:07:07
Shocking first half, jones again taking too long on the ball many times hook him. The rest giving the ball away can't seem to pass to each other. Depressed.

22 Feb 2026 16:08:11
How we won that I will never know, but anyone sticking up for Slot now is ridiculous. He clearly does not want to be here, but just wants the pay off. With how we have been playing this season, he gives the players two days off just so he can piss off back home.

If anything, we should be taking advantage of a full week in between games to do some extra training to try and sort something out.

22 Feb 2026 16:21:45
How have Liverpool won that? Apt that the game was won by pretty much the worst player on the pitch (and that's saying something), nearly with his ass (but it turns out to be his elbow), and nearly in offside (but it turned out not to be). Guess beggars can't be choosers? Will take the 3 points, thank you very much.

22 Feb 2026 16:24:11
The result should not overlook that dismal performance. The players were stood still when they received the ball. No urgency, no pressing. Simple passes were going astray. This has been going on for a long, long time now. I'm at a loss as to why Arne Slot's bosses think this is acceptable.

22 Feb 2026 16:35:17
By far the luckiest team this weekend to get that win. We were dire, but right now, the three points are the only important thing. Did we expect more? A good performance? I did, and was stupid to expect it, but we got the win. The only thing for certain is my position hasn't changed and won't change. Slot out.

22 Feb 2026 16:39:28
This isn't me sticking up for Slot, but when you say, "we should be sorting something out," Grino, we had won the previous 2 games. Had we not, I'm sure no one would've had time off.

22 Feb 2026 16:45:25
Ekitike, Salah, Gakpo, Gravenberch, MacAlister, and Jones were all atrocious. They should all have a long hard look at themselves. Gravenberch couldn't trap a cement block.

22 Feb 2026 16:53:41
Agree with you there, Redmick.

22 Feb 2026 17:08:24
Rome, even when we win, the team is all over the place. We were not good against Sunderland, and getting the odd result when not playing badly is OK when you are normally playing well, but this form has been a year now. Managers moan because they don't get enough time to work with players, and our performances have been some of the worst in the league this season for the talent our manager has at his disposal. And he gets a full week to work with the players, and he pisses off back to Holland. And yes, you are sticking up for Slot like you seem to every day on here. First of all, it was admirable of you, but now, given where we are, you are coming off as an ostrich with his head in the ground.

He is clearly not committed; otherwise his family would have moved over with him. I can't think of another manager who signs a three-year contract at a club of Liverpool's size and whose family stayed in another country. He clearly just wants some payoff so he can go back to Holland and stay there. No way would a manager have a player who is not committed enough to move near the club, and the manager should be setting an example. Klopp left because he could not give 100% anymore. Now we have a manager who is not giving 100% out of choice.

22 Feb 2026 17:28:21
About 50% of our victories this season have felt like losses. That was another one today. It's a difficult watch. But 3 pts, we go again next week.

22 Feb 2026 17:32:45
We were muck, but I don't care. We won. We have deserved more in some games, and the luck hasn't been with us; today it was. Over the moon with that result. The team gets enough stick on here when we lose, be happy today, Redmen. Arne continues the turnaround.

22 Feb 2026 17:43:49
Good response, Grino. I wish I was sat having a pint with you, instead of tapping on my phone. As for the line "pissing off back to Holland", I can only assume that, when he signed his contract, the club were aware that his family wouldn't be moving and were happy with this.

He was flying back last season and it was never mentioned. I'm far from happy with our performances since we won the league, and Slot will ultimately be judged on where we finish and what we win come the end of May. If we aren't in the CL next season, he needs to go, and I'm sure he'll be gone.

22 Feb 2026 17:49:58
Yeah, it wasn't great, but give me another 11 not great wins, I'll take it. We've had games where we deserved more and lost, so take the win however it comes and move on to the next.

22 Feb 2026 17:50:11
I'm confused. Is this Slot's second turnaround of the season, or are we still on the first one?

22 Feb 2026 17:59:44
Well, it's 2 defeats in 20 after 9 defeats in 12, so I think that's worthy of being called a turnaround, Irish.

22 Feb 2026 18:02:01
Problem is another 11 not great wins will likely give us another 38 not great performances next season

22 Feb 2026 18:13:20
We've only lost 8 games in the League all season mate

22 Feb 2026 18:14:41
Reds, what are we doing in training, what is being coached?? Oh hang on, let's have 2 days off everyone. Unbelievable. I've been a red all my life. I've seen some bad performances. But with the players we have, defending champions, dross like that is churned out. Yes my family all jumped around when Macca scored, delighted we won but

22 Feb 2026 18:21:57
Unbeaten in 3 Irish.possibly the start of the 3rd turnaround

22 Feb 2026 18:26:10
What he hasn't turned around is my ability to stay awake during our matches. Was out cold once again. Couldn't care less about champions league football next season if this is Slot ball. And f no I don't want to be happy with the result.

Most of the players today was abysmal and the entirety of the first half performance was an embarrassment to the badge IMO. I do not recognize my club and that breaks my heart more than winning games brings me joy currently

22 Feb 2026 18:26:34
Rome i don't know how but i have stopped drinking and to had a pint in 6 weeks and with watching them it's hard let alone the main stress factor in my do deal with.
But am not sure if the club would have none how his family situation would have been but maybe that's one of the reasons he is going in the summer.


Don't know if you see the press conference the other day he did mention how last season come march he really need a break 7 months into a season that's not a good look and it's not something you would expect a manger to come out with that far into a job.

22 Feb 2026 19:30:37
Flo turnarounds are not just about wins; they also include performances, and even you have to agree, we have had very few good performances, so I do not class it as a turnaround.To be truthful, it really is lucky that the Premier League has been so poor, or we could have been in a bit of trouble.YNWA.

22 Feb 2026 20:43:19
Or maybe the Premier League isn't poor.

22 Feb 2026 21:34:49
Oh, here's Florian. The contrarian. If the sky was blue, they'd say it was red. We are crap to watch, and we are sixth in the league with a squad most would die for. Yes, I will blame Slot.

22 Feb 2026 22:12:32
Florian posts a lot, so I'm getting content, oodles of it, for free. It keeps the site ticking over. I have stuff to read. Perfect.

23 Feb 2026 06:49:51
I know we were crap, Frode, don't care. Robbed many a win under practically any manager in my lifetime. Ah yes, this magical squad, you're right, Frode, the options on the bench yesterday were absolutely frightening.

22 Feb 2026 12:56:02
Szoboszlai at right back with Gomez on the bench, this I don't understand this. two areas are weakened.

22 Feb 2026 13:28:22
Gomez only just back from injury. Probably not up to a full 90.

22 Feb 2026 13:50:07
I thought Jones might have started there. I think we get the win regardless. No excuses for this one, there has been plenty of time to prepare. Prediction 3-1 win.

22 Feb 2026 13:51:18
Jones played well at RB last week.

22 Feb 2026 13:56:55
Which two areas are weakened? Personally, I think Szoboszlai is a good choice at right back, where he has filled in with good effect.

22 Feb 2026 14:07:43
Gomez is a better defender. Szob is a better midfielder than Macca.

22 Feb 2026 14:18:48
Slot doesn't subscribe to the idea of playing the best players in their best positions.

22 Feb 2026 14:49:50
What's the excuse for this performance, apologists?

22 Feb 2026 14:53:00
Clearly the plan is to bore them to death and then sneak a goal when they fall asleep.

22 Feb 2026 16:08:05
Well. It seems to have worked, Something Red. Lol.

22 Feb 2026 16:18:38
That was so difficult to watch. How can that be handball? Macca's arm was by his side. Terrible decision, but at least it was put right with Macca scoring again. VAR is killing the game, it is useless and needs dropping. YNWA

22 Feb 2026 17:34:16
Excuses are for losers, James. Today, my friend, we are winners.

22 Feb 2026 17:40:30
It's the rules, Albey. If the ball goes in off your arm it's disallowed regardless of where your arm is. It was the correct decision. We got lucky today but we have been unlucky many times this season so we take it and move on. It was a painful watch though.

22 Feb 2026 23:04:05
Respectfully, @Varry, if your arm is well stuck to your body, then it is not handball, so that rule makes no sense at all. I'm sorry.

22 Feb 2026 12:54:40
Hi all
So I watched a few prem games yesterday and noticed something that got me thinking. In the Chelsea vs Burnley game (i think) there was a free kick into the penalty area, the back line were holding there line and a attacker was pushed off.

The attacker was pushed into an off side position by a defender And I thought I wonder if he had scored would the goal stand. Then the same thing happened in the city vs Newcastle game.

A Newcastle player was pushed into an off side position and this time he did score. The goal was ruled off side even though he was pushed into that position. It's a clear foul so why rule no goal or just give another free kick.

22 Feb 2026 13:32:43
The rules don't seem to count at set pieces, Longthing. I would guess the refs would say he was pushed before the ball was in play, so it's not a foul, but we all know it is.

22 Feb 2026 13:52:56
Pushing is not allowed before a free kick is taken according to IFAB Laws of the Game, which are enforced by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). While jostling for position is normal, any push that is deemed careless, reckless, or using excessive force is a foul. Key points regarding pushing before a free kick: Direct Free Kick Offence: Pushing an opponent is a specific offence under Law 12, punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick if it occurs while the ball is out of play (before the restart).

"Set-Piece Shenanigans": PGMOL has been urged to strictly penalize holding and pushing during set pieces to stop tactics designed to obstruct defenders or goalkeepers. Referee Discretion: While "mutual shoving" is sometimes tolerated to keep the game flowing, a one-sided push, particularly in the back, is a foul. Attacker-Defender Conflict: If an attacker pushes a defender to get to a ball during a free kick, it is a foul. Conversely, if a defender fouls an attacker in the box, it is a penalty. TheFA.com.

22 Feb 2026 17:43:34
Referee discretion being the pertinent phrase there, Ernest. For me, I think the refs don't give it because they think VAR will look at it, and then VAR will say it's the referee's call, so we end up with nothing happening.

22 Feb 2026 12:53:56
Liverpool team v Forest : Alisson; Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

22 Feb 2026 08:37:49
Win away to Forest later and we're back in the Champions League places. Up the Reds!

And yes Ed25, I'll be watching and cheering with you on Monday evening. So, up the Blues too!

{Ed025's Note - its your motives im questioning Pompey, are you wanting us to beat United because it will help Liverpools cause for a top 4 spot or are you wishing the blues well to enhance love and unity on Merseyside mate?.. :)

22 Feb 2026 09:05:05
Top 5 getting Champions League may benefit us, but it certainly feels cheap. Like when you are forced to let your little brother play.

22 Feb 2026 09:09:54
Both. ❤️

22 Feb 2026 09:15:39
Without trying to come across as negative, we'd need to win by a 5-goal deficit to leapfrog United and by 11 goals to leapfrog Chelsea. A win, though, does take us level on points with both, and puts pressure on United tomorrow.

22 Feb 2026 09:26:18
Only focussed on points today, JK. If it comes down to GD at the end of the season, then we get what we deserve. Scrappy win with the winner off Jo G's arse would do me today. But I'd obviously prefer a Wirtz master class, Dom 30 yarder and a Hugo hat-trick.

22 Feb 2026 09:37:16
Pompey, agree mate. 3 points is 3 points. I think they'll be up for this today after beating us earlier in the season, which could mean they don't park the bus. But after playing on Thursday, they should be tired, and we're now at peak fitness after 39 games and no pre season.

22 Feb 2026 09:43:08
JK23, 😂 peak fitness got me. I'm looking forward to today's game! No doubt I'll be annoyed by full time.

22 Feb 2026 10:29:01
I blame Slot for there being 5 qualification places this season.

22 Feb 2026 10:29:44
Ed25, I'll be cheering you on against Man United because Man United losing is always hilarious.

{Ed025's Note - fair point SR.. 🤣

22 Feb 2026 10:26:12
I'm sure ed25 it's love+ unity..!
Your home record ain't so good any more ed25, traditionally everton at goodison was a v difficult fixture for everybody. Do u think it's the new ground that as nice as it is just lacks a bit of goodison feel to it? Strangely enough your away form has improved a lot would I be right in saying?

{Ed025's Note - very much so digger. Our attack is poor and that’s why we are better on the counter mate which suits us away from home..

22 Feb 2026 10:53:45
I blame Slot for everyone being a year older than at this point last year. Unforgivable. What message does this send to my imaginary children, Torben and Piechnika?

22 Feb 2026 11:13:56
Ed025 did you go the Merseyside finals in the 80s? , I went in the Everton end with my blue mate for the milk cup final, n jumped and celebrated when we won n nobody said anything nasty to me, except a bit of Scouse humour.think that was the last time that would have been allowed, pity its toxic now, you wouldn't get me in the Everton end in a Derby for love nor money but i'd always want you to beat United

{Ed025's Note - i was at both of them Strom, i was in the Liverpool end and was jumping up and down when Lineker scored and there were a few remarks to me but nothing nasty, also in the pubs before and after the game and on the train i never seen any trouble at all and it was very good humoured mate...mind you if Liverpool had lost im not so sure it would have been so peaceful.. :)

22 Feb 2026 12:29:57
Yea I went to both, but in the Liverpool end for the 2nd one. As you say, we were all together, travelling down and in the pubs together, mingling quite peacefully. I even got into the chant of singing Merseyside with everyone; that was the first n last time doing that though. Bit cringe, but great times. Now not so much.

{Ed025's Note - yeah its all gone a bit toxic now Strom, i stopped going to derbies years ago mate after hearing some horrible chanting from both sets of supporters and vowed never to go to one again, i will stick to my memories of when things were better and people were nicer thanks..

22 Feb 2026 13:37:23
I went to the Charity Shield in 1986, and our coach broke down on the M1, so we never made it to the game. The coach was full of Everton and Liverpool fans, and we all listened to the game on the radio together.

It was a 1-1 draw, and we shared the trophy and had lots of laughs about our predicament. The atmosphere between the 2 clubs and fans was awesome back then. Not anymore.