Liverpool banter 3

11 May 2024 12:58:55
Seems very strange that LFC reappointed The two people that walked out on the club and put one in a top position within the club and we lose Klopp does not feel right to me and i know i will miss Jurgen Klopp more than i missed Edwards and Ward.

11 May 2024 15:08:16
@iwillbered. You can praise Klopp without bizarrely taking a swipe at Edwards and Ward. I mean, whether you like it or not Edwards alongside Klopp of course was heavily involved in our successful period. Also, not sure what’s strange about Edwards fixing our structure, which I may add was not there prior to his appointment. Each to their own I guess.

11 May 2024 15:37:38
Klopp wants a break. Let him have one. He's a person as well as a manager.

12 May 2024 00:16:02
All of them were successful with us, of they fell out fine, Klopp stayed and they left. Now Klopp is leaving they are coming back. All good.

12 May 2024 00:52:08
Totally agree that Klopp has had enough, which is fair enough

However, the interesting question is, if Jurgen had decided to stay on until the end of his contract does anybody think it’s likely that Edwards and Ward would be back?

12 May 2024 08:53:44
What's strange about it? We all know Edwards left as there was some power struggle going on btw them. Ward left the same way by saying that it was becoming too difficult to do his job effectively, which means he had some beef with Klopp as well. Now whether they were competent and qualified enuff to be the DOF is another issue we can debate.

Now as clearly there is a restructuring not just at the club BUT at FSG on the footballing side, the owners have brought in guys who were very successful working on the footie side with Klopp to start a new era under as Klopp is now leaving. This is how big businesses work when restructuring happens periodically, man. Nothing else to see here, IMO.

12 May 2024 15:00:30
I get the impression that for some of the new appointees or re-appointees the carrot is the seeming emergence of FSG’s plan to purchase one (or more) teams and follow, amongst others, the Citeh model. A ‘today Liverpool, tomorrow the world’ type of thing.

12 May 2024 15:58:27
“Least likely to see at anfield” would be a cracker!

11 May 2024 12:32:26
I had a very interesting chat with a Feynoord supporter I ended up in a debate with through social media this morning.

Naturally we got onto the way Slot plays with a 4-2-3-1. They clarified that only one full back inverts for Feynoord (normally Geertruida from either RB or LB depending what side he's playing) . So I'd guess not too dissimilar to how Trent does for us from RB. The main difference is that Slot then asks the other full back to sit in to create a back 3 whereas we still have Robbo bombing forward. Sounds like it will suit Trent and Bradley who have the ability to invert, but doesn't sound as good for Robbo or Tsimikas as neither are solid enough defensively for that in my opinion. Looks like we'd need a player at LB who can defend as a priority and will be disciplined in staying back. I thought Slot's arrival might be the end of Gomez, but arguably tucking in from LB to being a 3rd CB could be perfect for him (on paper) to reignite his career.

When Geertruida inverts, one of the double pivot players then pushes on next to the no.10 (sounds ideal for Mac Allister) which creates a dual attacking midfielder set up with the fast wingers then going wider to maintain the width. This creates an attacking 4 behind the striker which stretches right across the pitch. Sounds a lot like how Man City play in possession. Think this will suit Diaz and Gakpo quite well on the left but really highlights the need to sign a fast wide man to replace Salah on the right. Also highlights the need to have a clinical striker. Jota would probably be ideal if he wasn't so injury prone but Nunez is going to have to scrub up in front of goal big time.

Out of possession is where it sounded more similar to a Klopp side. It's an aggressive press but where it differs to how we press more in wide areas, Feynoord press more through the centre. The no.10 pushed up to press with the striker but the 2 wingers drop in to create two defensive banks of 4. So it sounds more pragmatic defensively but perhaps not quite as effective at winning the ball high up the pitch; would like to see it in action though as pressing in 1's and 2's is very hard. Two players in our team who are both relentless in their pressing are Elliott and Szoboszlai so where I previously thought they might do well on the right wing under Slot, I'm now thinking they might be better suited to the 10 role where their work rate from the front will be better utilised out of possession.

I found it really interesting having never watched a full 90 of Feynoord so thought I'd pass on my understanding. Football has become so complicated nowadays. I had a totally different vision in my head when I heard Slot plays 4-2-3-1 with inverted full backs; I was thinking more like Spurs with Porro and Udogie inverting. Slot's 4-2-3-1 seems like it virtually disappears at kick off becoming a 3-2-4-1 in possession and a 4-4-2 out of possession. He's obviously a very regimented manager tactically.

11 May 2024 16:57:27
Given the changes to the offside rule from next season, it could see a lot more chances for Nunez, a lot of the offside calls against him would be onside next season. And once he’s away not many are catching him. He just needs to work on that last bit.

11 May 2024 17:09:22
The number of chances Nunez is getting is not his main problem.
Which offside decisions against him this season wouldn't be given next season, Vik?

11 May 2024 17:25:38
Nunez composure and decision making is what sometimes let's him down but that might just improve with more experience and exposure.

Realistically all the players still have something to play for the next two games as Slot will 100% be assessing them.

They can’t wait until pre season to set their marker that comes now.

Let’s send a legend in Klopp out with a high and give the incoming manager some good headaches to have before pre season even gets underway.

11 May 2024 17:40:00
Interesting MK, it does sound distinctly different from our mess of system. I can see how having proper wingers, rather than wide forwards, would make a big difference in maintaining width. Additionally, having a third centre back to play on the left hand side would make a big difference. Not sure it would be enough to convert me but there’s no doubt about it, we are implementing these tactics in the worst way possible.

Good point about the press. You’d imagine that in the premier league you wouldn’t be able to get away with pressing in 1’s and 2’s. Furthermore, if we’re moving away from having goalscoring wide players that cut inside, it raises a lot of questions. It should suit Diaz and Gakpo perfectly, providing we can keep both of them moving forward. Jota would be perfect but he is always injured.

Biggest concerns are Salah and Nunez. Salah would have to be moved centrally for me, I can’t see it working any other way, he doesn’t have the pace to beat a man and get to the byline anymore. Nunez wouldn’t fit in on either wing and isn’t clinical enough to lead the line if more emphasis is placed on the centre forward. Our midfield players should shine and score more goals as well.

Salah I can see being moved on if push comes to shove, I have no idea what the plan is for Nunez though. That does concern me. Convincing Diaz to stay is a must if this is the way we want to play.

11 May 2024 20:30:38
Our mess of a system? What does that say about the seventeen teams below us?

12 May 2024 09:08:11
Very interesting read, MKS. What I would say is that I don't think Slot will play his system from the off as he will have to evaluate the plyers he will be working with and prolly do it via baby steps as Klopp did when he arrived BUT I get your points overall.


"Jota would probably be ideal if he wasn't so injury prone but Nunez is going to have to scrub up in front of goal big time. "


On this point, both players have to step up and improve big time, do better and play better. In regards to Darwin, Slot signed a certain Santiago Gimenez from Cruz Azul (I think) from the Mexican League, someone nobody had ever heard of. Slot is known for improving players way using very interesting methods so one of the ways Slot improved him was to completely change his running style on a fundamental level (don't ask me why/ how) .

Clearly, this had helped Gimenez a lot and he was vital to them winning the title last season with his goals. Now, I believe with the qualities that Darwin possesses, he is ripe for Slot to develop in the areas he thrives BUT also in those he is lacking if he could turn Gimenez into the player he is now. Just my opinion.

12 May 2024 10:08:16
All this latest Slot talk reminds me of the early days of COVID.
Early 2020 no one knew anything about the virus but by April everyone was an expert on it 😂.
God bless the interweb!

12 May 2024 11:20:34
@Rigsby, no one is saying they are "experts" about Slot, as far as I know. All we are doing is gathering information from those who know him well (Feyenoord fans) or from podcasts containing guests who also know him well and using said info to give opinions and spark meaningful discussions. That's all we are doing.

12 May 2024 12:02:31
Rigsby what a time to be alive that was. Who knew that having a meal with your pint and following arrows in a supermarket would save your life.

12 May 2024 13:19:44
I was only joking, Oli. I didn't mean to cast nasturtiums upon the meaningful discussions. Just because I'm no good at it doesn't mean that I should make fun of it. I apologise, mate.

Nice one, JK 😂. It was certainly made more memorable by our incompetent government. Encouraging people to go out for their tea on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays was so ridiculous that I believed people wouldn't do it. I was wrong, once again.

12 May 2024 15:06:37
@Rigsby, ‘many a truth spoken in jest’, methinks. I’ve been taken to task a number of times on here by people who watch lots and lots and lots and lots of games both around the world or in particular countries. Of course I don’t mean they travel around the world or visit specific countries every week - the furthest they tend to go is to the living room to switch their device on to access the interweb thing but I think you’d be surprised at just how many experts we are fortunate to have on this forum.

11 May 2024 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - CTR has posted a new article entitled, My Current Opinions On Manchester United

11 May 2024 08:06:53
😁😁😁 Cracking good read 😁😁😁.

11 May 2024 09:14:54
Ten more year for ten Hag.,

11 May 2024 09:27:45
Good article and pleasant read. But I disagree with a lot of it. Ten Hag deserves 10 more years and the likes of Maguire, Onana, Antony, Martial and Casemiro are grossly under appreciated. Even Erickson is still young and could easily play 10 more years. They all need more game time and longer contracts to calm their nerves and produce on the field. Nothing wrong with their tactics and strategy. And might as well sell Rashford. 😂🤣😂.

11 May 2024 09:52:05
To be fair CTR, that’s the most honest and self aware piece I’ve seen a United fan write in a long time. Too many of your mates just flat out refuse to acknowledge that EtH created this mess with bad decisions. I get that he inherited a bit of a dog, and the club is rudderless at board level, but basic decisions he simply can’t get right. The persistence with inadequate tactics and team selections is incredible.

Mainoo and Eriksen this season are being wasted as a DM’s. Mainoo’s got magic in his feet, but he’s no sitting midfielder. Neither of them track back or close players down on the edge of the area. Put Mainoo in the final 3rd though and he glides through challenges and has that same arching technique on his shots that we used to see from Coutinho. Put Eriksen on a set piece or in front of a low block and he’ll find the strikers with pinpoint accuracy. EtH playing them in deeper roles reminds me of Rodgers playing Coutinho and Gerrard deeper in 13/ 14 and persisting with it even when we had to score 5 or 6 to make up for conceding 3 or 4. It just points towards a lack of basic knowledge of English football. Maybe you get away with it in other countries, but not here. Never here. Rodgers almost did to be fair because he had Suarez and Sturridge up front who could outscore most opposition but it still eventually caught up with him. There is nowhere to hide for EtH though because his star forwards are Antony and Rashford. Injuries are no excuse. We had injuries in DM the last few seasons so Klopp dipped into the academy and we saw Morton, Bajcetic and McConnell get chances. The injuries hurt us but we never dropped out of the top 5 into mid table mediocrity because we still had round pegs in round holes.

It beggars belief that someone who has made their way to the top of the game in management can’t see when a player just has no capacity to protect the defence so ask them to do it anyway. It’s a clear indicator they’re not cut out for the elite level management in my opinion. It’s why Rodgers is back in Scotland and it’s why EtH won’t last long here either.

12 May 2024 00:03:36
I mean MK maybe they don’t have any youth DM’s at the club who could have been thrown in the deep end? i've heard of Dan Gore but think he’s on loan somewhere? Is it any good for either the player or the team to chuck some 16/ 17 year old into a terrible side if they don’t even think the player is at a decent enough level? Maybe the only youth DM’s they have will ever be top championship players at their peak? Don’t rate Ten hag at all but he’s promoted Mainoo and Kwambala when they had injuries. So he doesn’t seem to have an issue using youth team players.

12 May 2024 09:19:54
MKS, Utd are who and what they are in the boardroom and all that and one of the many mistakes they made was to give Ten Hag full control over transfers cos we now see he cannot ign a player he does NOT know, for the most part.

Also, ETH is responsible for coaching the team and the tactics and on that level, the guy is absolutely and relentlessly incompetent. The guy is absolutely terrible at coaching. Now you know what's worse? They are more than likely to keep him around cos IMO, there aren't any manager's out there really.

Now some people will mention the availability of The Waist Coat a. k. a Gareth Southgate and to that I will repeat one more time for those in the back, "There aren't any manager's out there really". Just my opinion.

12 May 2024 15:16:02
The problem with United are the Glazers - they’ve had the same problem for years. They aren’t interested in football, they had no real knowledge of the game when they bought in and their record of seeking advice over the years and the appointments they have made have varied from mediocre to abysmal at all levels within the club. The ground is outdated, their scouting system is farcical and their choice of managers has been inept, although the managers can be partly exonerated by the poor choices the club have made in player purchases - as an example God would struggle trying to improve Maguire.

I can’t wait for Ratcliffe to start arguing with the Glazers, The American’s interest is in the P&L and Ratcliffe has already ducked out of the cost to buy them out of the club outright. To misquote Joy Division ‘In-fighting will tear them apart again’

Bring on Southgate, pull up a chair and pass me a beer and the popcorn. 😁😁.

10 May 2024 20:52:53
Just a thought, but how difficult would it have been for Arne Slot had Klopp won more of the cups like the FA cup, UEFA cup and Premier League?

How much easier is it now for Slot that we only won the minor one of the cups?

10 May 2024 22:12:26
What has happened in the past (including this season) has no bearing on what happens when Slot takes over - new management structure, new players coming in, current players leaving. Slot - like Klopp - needs to be judged on the circumstances that prevail at the time they are in charge.

10 May 2024 22:45:22
If we had won all four trophies then Slot would possibly be inheriting a squad that won all four trophies.
That would make his job easier, wouldn't it?

11 May 2024 08:26:20
What I hope we don’t see is massive rapid turnover of existing players. The squad has done pretty well this season all things considered and ripping the heart out of that just because the manager has changed will not end well. Evolution not revolution.

11 May 2024 08:35:45
Expectations would have been higher and sometimes that's the killer. I think the way the season has turned out a lot of us would have been happy in August 2023. I for one said a Trophy and a top 4 finish would be a good season. I will be happy if we can get the same next year, but i will give my prediction once we know the squad that Arne will have at his disposal.

I expect signings of the likes of Gini, Mane and Salah in terms of a little uninspiring at the time, compared to going and getting the best in the market at the Time, ie Virgil, Allison, Nunez and Thiago.

11 May 2024 11:16:36
Man who knows. I think the only that changes is the narrative.

12 May 2024 09:27:33
Respectfully, where do you get this idea that things will be easy for Slot cos we only won a cup this season? You speak as if Klopp was only here for 3 years and that's the only trophy he won. Or are you reducing Klopp's achievements to just one season?

The fact is that Slot is coming to replace a transformational manager and one of the best managers English football has ever seen so what are you on about with reducing things to just this season only? I don't get the point you are trying to make and to me it seems you are twisting things and using Slot's arrival as a stick to beat Klopp with for this season.

As @Itstrue said, we all would have been happy with top 4 and a Cup this season judging by where we were and the rebuild we all agreed we were in. Sorry and maybe Im getting your point wrong BUT I have no idea what you are getting at here, respectfully.

10 May 2024 17:29:02
So, Julian Ward has returned to Liverpool?

He will oversee player development across FSG's football operations and strategies.

Maybe I am just catastrophizing, but it does feel like, now Klopp is gone, the old guard decision makers are steadily returning to the fold.

I feel like there is a lot more to this than we are seeing, or being told.

If so, maybe Ljinders can write another book about it? :P.

10 May 2024 17:53:53
Mango, my immediate thought was did Edwards and Ward leave because of Klopp? 😲.

10 May 2024 18:03:12
I can’t remember which journalist reported it, but somebody said that one of the reasons Michael Edwards left was because of arguments with Klopp over retaining ageing players. Not sure how true that is, but if Ward is returning as well as Edwards as soon as Klopp is leaving, it doesn’t feel like a coincidence.

10 May 2024 18:12:55
Pep ate the crayons after he did the last book, Mango.

10 May 2024 18:28:21
Pedro Marques Has also joined.

10 May 2024 18:29:22
Woolback, it doesn't feel like a coicidence at all. However, what do we know? It well could be just consipracy theory. But I must admit that employees who leave an employer usually join another organization before re-joining the previous employer, if ever. That's what I have seen.

10 May 2024 20:20:29
Liverpool’s new structure that as CEO Michael Edwards has put together. Only Will Spearman, David Fallows and Barry Hunter from the list below were already at the club. Safe to say Edwards has been busy.

Coach: Arne Slot  
Sporting Director: Richard Hughes
Assistant Sporting Director: David Woodfine
Technical Director: Julian Ward
Director Of Football Director: Pedro Marques  
Director of Research: Will Spearman
Head of Recruitment: David Fallows
Chief Scout: Barry Hunter
Scout: Mark Burchill
Scout Co-ordinator: Craig McKee.

10 May 2024 20:41:35
I can’t believe some people say that football isn’t a game anymore eh?

When they all get to work do we think they line up in a 4 - 2 - 3 -1 or 4 - 3 -3 formation? I wonder if we use inverted scouts or do we look to then to get out far and wide?

10 May 2024 20:44:32
We have a director to direct the director of football?
I’d love that job!

10 May 2024 20:42:31
* Director Of Football Development: Pedro Marques.

10 May 2024 20:59:48
I remember that woolback. I reckon we know very little about the last few years and the real reasons he’s leaving.

10 May 2024 21:27:44
What does a technical director do?

10 May 2024 21:38:11
There was a time I genuinely believed the technical director at a Football club was the one tasked with fixing the projector when it was broken.

I have learned since then that they do not use projectors and am, therefore, out of touch. :P.

10 May 2024 21:54:57
@Ron Keague. James Pearce who was the first to break the news has said the following regarding Wards’s Technical Director Role.

Ward will oversee player development across FSG's football operations. Responsibilities include oversight of LFC academy, loan department, group wide elite player development strategies and establishment of FSG’s new football innovation department.

Ward will also preside over the management of football operations at any club added to FSG stable. Marques, who will report to Ward, is regarded as an expert in player development, career pathways, coaching methodologies and performance analysis.

10 May 2024 22:15:14
I like the idea of director of football development. Something FIFA and UEFA and the FA should look at rather than fixating on revenue generation.

10 May 2024 22:26:55
Thanks Alonso,

So if that’s his remit, what about “Director of football development”?

10 May 2024 22:53:43
Klopp hasn't left and Lijnders didn't write a book.
Why do people think that we don't know the real reason for Klopp leaving? I might be being naive but I believe him and why he wants or needs to leave.

11 May 2024 08:09:31
@Rigsby, he’s tired and he’s had enough. Too simple for some contributors though.

11 May 2024 09:35:04
Alonso, "establishment of FSG’s new football innovation department" is the one that sounds really interesting to me.

11 May 2024 09:51:19
WDW loving the inverted coaches. Let’s hope they don’t bump in to each other in the car park!

11 May 2024 10:08:18
ArAy1969 -Sneaking a 12th player onto the pitch when nobody’s looking is my guess.

11 May 2024 11:19:49
Does it need to be a conspiracy?

Could it just be that Edward’s role was too narrow previously? Perhaps Klopp’s influence had more reach?

Now FSG are adjusting the model and it fits Edwards and others.

11 May 2024 13:16:35
You won't believe it but I've seen it really happen many years ago. It was some international game somewhere abroad. The referee signalled the change, the new player came on, the other player refused to come off and the ref signalled the game onwards, not realizing that 12 players were on. Later on, the game was stopped and the extra player sent off.

11 May 2024 22:02:54
It's all very fishy.
Klopp has only been here nine years and and needs a change. Nine years, some of which we were having to keep going at full tilt until the very last games of the season. So when Klopp says he needs a break from it all and we bring in a new management team, it just doesn't add up.

10 May 2024 14:18:56
A bit off topic but Liverpool have just released a video on their official YouTube channel titled The Reds Roundtable. It has Klopp, Pep, Alex (Academy Director), Elliott and Gakpo.

0:41-1:35 was emotional. Yes I'm excited for the future and yes I feel it's time to move in a different direction under new leadership. That doesn't make me less of a supporter or unappreciated of the great work Klopp has done. That being said, watching that part of the video got me emotional. I am going to miss Klopp. So many great memories. I will never forget the night we won the Champions League, nor the day we won the league. He made all of us walk with our heads held high during the 2017/ 2018-2020 years, as we were simply unplayable.

Wish him and his family all the best for the future!

10 May 2024 15:08:30
Just saw the vid on my youtube feed. going to watch that, for sure. As for the way you feel/ felt during that 3 years span of 2017 till 2020, you as spot on. Those 3 years where we became Champions of Everywhere and undoubtedly the BEST team in the world.

I remember those times like they happened a few months ago and remember vividly how I felt and how proud of my club and manager were at the time. If we have anywhere near an era/ period like that under Slot, I will be over the moon. Thanks for all the great memories, Herr Jurgen! You will definitely be missed.

10 May 2024 15:40:56
Alonso have you seen Klopps presser from today when he arrived late.

Thats a pretty good one.

10 May 2024 16:11:46
@Oli Definitely a good watch Oli. They discuss many topics from his tenure, to the academy and it was good hearing from Gakpo and Elliott about the path from youth footy to becoming a pro.

@JK23 Hope you’re well mate. I haven’t yet but will do 👍.

10 May 2024 22:58:34
Klopps interviews with Kelly and the round table have made me forget the pain of the last few weeks. The man is about more than trophies. It’s about how to act and live your life. I’m grateful we had him for 9 years. The trophies he has won mean more because of who he is and how he has acted. Legend.

11 May 2024 08:37:25
The man's a legend, regardless of how we have played or arguable underperformed due to tactics in the last 12-28 months. Even if he hadn't of won everything during his time with us, we are in considerably better shape now then what we were when he arrived, gone from also rans to genuine competitors. That's his legacy and now it's up to the new management to ensure that effort doesn't go to waste.

10 May 2024 06:28:07
Hey their Ed's
What players on our books do you think will be sold on this summer and will some of the players we thought nailed on to go get a second chance ie a carvalho for instance or have decisions been made?

{Ed001's Note - Hughes and his team will be looking over all the info they have and I doubt there will be any decisions made yet. There is a lot to sort through. Contracts will have to be dealt with as well.}

10 May 2024 08:18:25
Ed001, in this current scenario where Hughes is still at Bournemouth and Slot is still at Feynoord, do you think they will be having any early conversations about plans for the summer? Or would they be focused on just finishing their contracts to their current clubs?

I can't imagine myself in the same situation not becoming a little bit distracted given they're stepping up to one of the biggest clubs in World Football. You wouldn't want to walk in the door on day one and feel as though you had no plan. I'm guessing if they were having any discussions it would have to be on their own time mind you!

{Ed001's Note - I am sure they will have discussions, but it will be difficult.}

10 May 2024 11:14:56
Late night whatsapp group chats on the burner phones Mickey sent to Arne and Ricky.

10 May 2024 11:25:49
I’m imagining Highes arguing with Edwards trying to convince him to bring Solanke back to the club
🤣.

10 May 2024 11:31:51
I hear they are trying to rent Jurgen’s tap-up caravan under the central pier at Blackpool - Bootroom re-boot, perhaps?

10 May 2024 13:17:44
Imagine them actually on group chats 😂 sharing videos from YouTube of Bakayoko and Pacho!

10 May 2024 22:49:56
In Liverpool they are called graft phones, not burner phones.