11 Nov 2025 16:18:17
There are a few things I want to say somewhat intelligibly, because the reaction of the wider fanbase feels a tad extreme - both positive and negative - at the moment.
The main point being, I think we need to accept that this is a transition season and temper our expectations. That was always the risk of the universally applauded work done by the club in the summer window.
We've lost key components of the side that walked the title last year, and they haven't been replaced like-for-like - either because it wasn't possible or we chose not to. In losing Trent, we've lost one of our primary sources of creativity, which we enjoyed for seven-ish seasons. For all his flaws, you simply cannot replace his vision and passing ability like-for-like. In losing Luis Díaz, we've lost a lot of directness - especially the ability to consistently beat a full-back 1v1 on that flank. That isn't Gakpo's MO, much as I like what he does bring.
The players we've signed, while not direct replacements, have undoubted quality. In my opinion, they're players we wouldn't have been able to get in any other window. We did the right thing by striking while the iron was hot, and we should accept that we'll see big swings in results this season. I'm optimistic we'll do well in the Champions League - maybe even win it - and that could provide a springboard to attack next season.
We also lost Jota, in truly tragic circumstances. I do think we've covered much of what he brought to the team, at least tangibly. As controversial as this may be, I think we should stop singing his song during the 90. I've seen people say his loss is being used as an excuse - that professionals should just focus on their jobs. I'm sorry, but how can they, when we constantly remind them that a dear friend who should be with them is not? The impulse comes from a good place, but I don't think it helps some of the players who were very close to him.
Finally, anyone suggesting that we only won the league last year because it was "Klopp's team" should be genuinely ashamed of themselves. That line implies almost anyone could have walked into that dressing room and delivered a title, while ignoring the fact Klopp himself didn't manage it. Give Slot the respect he is due. You can't blag a 38-game season - that's what makes the achievement so impressive.
When we were confirmed as champions, we could still have reached 97 points. I firmly believe that if we had needed 97, we would have found them.
You can argue that the team - Slot and co. included - shouldn't have gone on weekly holidays after winning the title, and I can sympathise. I wouldn't have done it myself. But they'd finished what they needed to do for the season, and I can't find an objective reason to call it "wrong". We all know players are playing too many games and the demands keep rising; at the time I thought, "good on them".
If I were to leave you with one thought, it would be this: keep the assembly manual and the little FIXA key somewhere safe. Sooner or later, something will need a quiet quarter-turn.
11 Nov 2025 16:39:55
Good God an intelligible post from fornax. We must be in crisis.
11 Nov 2025 16:51:53
How can we in a transition season as Champions? That doesn't make sense to me.
11 Nov 2025 17:13:45
Because this season is not last season, JLC.
11 Nov 2025 17:15:42
FORNAX - Some good points, but you ignore the mitigating factors, which worked in Arne's favour but may not necessarily have been down to his genius, of which there were a few. City were well below par for one.
Im not saying its all on Arne, and perhaps Hughes and Eddie were a little too clever, misjudging the new wave of stodgeball.
I just hope FSG have some left in the kitty to complete this set of players.
11 Nov 2025 17:36:02
I don't expect or even want Arne to be a genius. What impressed me the most about him last season was the lack of ego, in not making wholesale changes to the players and the playing style. Small but effective tweaks, with the only big change being the style of press. I am convinced that this is one of the key reasons why we had such good fortune with injuries, along with a change of emphasis on the sports science.
I also do not blame Hughes or Edwards, I genuinely believe we have done the right thing in trying to replace Mo while he is still around. That is what Wirtz and Isak were bought for, not just this season. You've got to look at the big picture, I still believe the work we did in the summer was stellar and we've just been unfortunate with a few injuries + the way Isak moved (I think it was always going to go similarly given the way Newcastle behaved) .
There will undoubtedly be more signings to come, as there are still some areas to be improved. I still think we're short in midfield and need one more winger. Obviously, we need another ball playing centre back as a priority.
{Ed025's Note - i think Slot has to line up his allen keys with his butterfly hinges i think FORNAX and maybe get his floating shelves in line as well mate.. :)
11 Nov 2025 18:21:30
Ed - I am informed Newcastle neglected to include the UTRUSTA butterfly hinges when shipping Isak. They are now checking down the sides of the sofas they were obliged to purchase as part of the deal to sign him from Sociedad (several SÖDERHAMN, one KIVIK, a VIMLE reported) .
Frustration noted; Liverpool has commissioned new parts. We are lobbying the Swedish side to expedite fabrication and release. The shelf will sit properly when the butterflies land.
{Ed025's Note - i suspected that was the case all along mate.. :)
11 Nov 2025 18:26:19
FORNAX - Good points, and we are talking about a complete rebuild, including in terms of identity and style, which is no cakewalk.
The realities of the tactical devolution in this league have taken us by surprise - could anyone have predicted that the new trend would work against the beautiful and ideal vision that Edwards and Hughes have?
It does all feel a little bit lightweight and inappropriate for here and now, which needs to change if we are not to be bullied by certain tactics.
A Caicedo like MF and a winger that battles could make all the difference, IMO.
11 Nov 2025 18:44:00
Johnny, I disagree with the "City were well below par" stance. To me, you win the title you win and deserve it cos other teams' issues are not you problem. Also, that stance can go the other way cos in 20/ 21 for ex., we were decimated with injuries and fell off in Jan. That was not City's problem cos they were just playing out their season and they won. The very same thing applies to us and Slot last season.
In addition, let me state here that City being blow par was due to a nightmare in recruitment of their own making cos Pep refused to replenish the squad properly (and brought back a washed Gundogan instead) . Again, that is not LFC's problem either. That's all Im saying.
We won the title cos we deserved it BUT that is last season and we have it all to do this season regardless of transition or not. Apart from the above, you make some good points, as well as @FORNAX.
11 Nov 2025 18:48:39
And once the winguts and vorsprung-durch-technik arrives from Leverkusen, Wirtz should be able to move into second gear.
11 Nov 2025 18:53:32
It is a complete rebuild. One thing I forgot to mention as well is the difference in style between Robertson and Kerkez.
Robertson steadily became one of the best left backs in the world, and on the surface of it you can see similarities between the two (especially the energy levels, which were a hallmark of a younger Robertson) . One area of the game that Robertson does not get enough credit for, however, is his passing. Kerkez is not as good at this.
The job Kerkez was doing for Bournemouth is very different to what we are asking him to do. We expect him to be involved heavily in the early stages of build up, which is something new for him. He has always been a runner and clearly is taking time to adapt to these new demands. I do think in time we will either accommodate for that, or he will adapt. In the meantime I think Slot has made a good call in withdrawing him.
My point being is we've seen changes in virtually all areas of our game: defensively, attacking and in-transition. It is no coincidence that the improvement seen at Villa and Madrid was by adding Dom to the front-line of the press.
I do not agree with the suggestion that the fitness and attitude are in decline, we had the same accusations of "boring, slow passing" thrown at us last season. It is part of the plan, to conserve energy for when it is really needed. You can agree/ disagree with that as an approach, but it is intentional.
11 Nov 2025 21:32:27
Wingnuts, i think you meant to say, Johnny?