11 Nov 2025 14:07:12
Two questions for you, Ed1.
First, do you think it’s the right decision to give Slot more time to sort things out? It seems like he and his entire coaching team still don’t know how to fix this mess, and if this keeps going, forget about defending the league title — we might even miss out on the UCL next season.
Second, why do you think they decided to revert to that slow, passive passing style against City? After winning back-to-back games against two in-form sides using last season’s tactics, it’s baffling to see them switch things up again. Was it an attempt to outsmart Pep tactically, or is Slot simply sticking to his tactical philosophy — slow, patient buildup play?
{Ed001's Note - 1. I am split on this, my natural inclination is to give time to managers as they should learn and adapt over time anyway, but I am not seeing signs of Slot learning any of the right lessons. He still has not understand the physical demands in midfield, otherwise he would have prioritised a midfielder with mobility and bite in the summer. Added to that, the fitness and attitude of the players is degrading under him, which is a massive worry. The training is not intense enough, that makes it a struggle to maintain any kind of intensity in matches. Normally I would want him given the season and assess in the summer, but this feels like Slot has lost his way and the last thing LFC needs is him given more time. At the very least we need to overhaul the backroom staff, as the fitness and conditioning of the players is appalling and clearly no one is there giving him an alternative view about tactics. One of the things I think helped Klopp is having different nationalities amongst his main assistants, as the difference in cultures offer different viewpoints, I don't see that among Slot's main assistants. Maybe that is all he needs?
2. Because that is the way that the coaching staff all think the team needs to play. It doesn't work in England, never has done. They have to realise this now and abandon this stupidity or it will cost them their jobs.}
11 Nov 2025 18:29:11
Ed01, thanks for your input. So essentially and regardless of Slot going back to similar tactics of last season, we can conclude that that is not how he really wants to play hence, the way we have been playing up until the Villa and RM games, is actually the way he really wants to play, correct?
If yes then clearly, the recruitment (in midfield and defence, not the attack, IMO) was botched cos clearly, we do not have the player profiles to play the way Slot wants to play cos it seems the players are more comfortable with the system/ variation of the system from last season. Do I deduce correctly, sir? Cheers, man.
{Ed001's Note - that is how I believe it to be, yes. He has taken the wrong lessons from last season, looked at the burnout in midfield and decided to play a slower style to keep the players fresh. I would have thought the sensible thing was to keep the style that worked and won the league and improve the options in midfield to avoid burnout. Rather than worrying about Gravenberch not being able to keep up the pace for all those matches, why not buy a rotation option for him? That would seem a much better way. The midfield was overrun at times anyway, so why not buy a midfielder with more grit and bite to help out and give a different option at times? Instead of changing a style that works.}
11 Nov 2025 18:55:19
A lot of the focus has rightly been on Slot but shouldn't Richard Hughes come in for some scrutiny too? He did a very good job of spending the club's money but there doesn't seem to have been a coherent plan.
What concerns me is that we used to buy players to fit our system. Now it just feels like we are buying big names because we need a player in x position. If Slot doesn't get it, how can we be sure Hughes does?
11 Nov 2025 19:06:13
Not for me either just on corner kicks alone:
Every game I always note we cannot beat the first man from our corner, this happens at least twice during every game he has been in charge.
Gakpo six foot three still takes corners when playing from his side of the field.
Slot will still not put our best header of a ball, against the opponents best header of a ball, Mac Allister marking Burn in last seasons Carabao Cup for every corner, against Arsenal he had Wirtz marking Gabriel, he does not realise Tall Man marks Tall Man when opponents take corners.
Every game I watch in the Premier I lose count of how many times men on the goalposts can easily clear the ball away, because no one will have men on the posts, a case in point would of been OUR goal versus man cheaty, if that was Robertson on "OUR" goalpost he would of quite clearly kicked it away, this happens in every premier game?
It can be quite easily done to employ LFC men on the posts and still man mark opposition players in the box:
An opposition player takes their corner, their goalkeeper stays in there half of the field, at least one opposition defender stays on the half way line for a breakaway that means there are only 8 players Maximum that can be in our area for their corner ( obviously if its last minute and the opponents are getting beat everyone is in the box, so you can still have men on our goalposts)
Two LFC players on our goalposts and our Goalkeeper, means we have 8 LFC men still able to man mark the opponents eight men, so they are not marking fresh air but our goal posts which is more effective for stopping a goal and clearing the ball.
Benitez used to regularly put our tallest man (Crouch) in line with the near goalpost, this meant the opposition corner taker would have to take a higher trajectory for the ball, bringing your GK into play and the ball going further away from our goal at a far slower ball speed, the same can be implemented such as Gakpo, Dominic, Gravenberch all well above six foot.
The palace PL winner from a Pulis type throw in at the death, I noted Rio Ngumoha was the first man for the throw in to clear, Rio is about the same height as a corner flag!
Slots tactics are half the reasons for our poor form, Dominic as a RB for instance, same formation every game, no subs till after 60 mins minimum, it will only get worse not better he has to go ASAP, he does not learn from his silly mistakes.
11 Nov 2025 19:06:40
Definitely the way he wants to play. Like I posted earlier he said in the press conference before city that he preferred the urd performance to the Villa performance. Hopefully he can turn it around.
11 Nov 2025 19:18:59
Dickie has to take some of the blame too. They always preach that recruitment is a collective process, so no problem with sharing the good, bad and the ugly.
I don't see any other choice but to go back into the market in January, whether Slot is in charge or not. The squad is missing some muscle for the Premier League.
11 Nov 2025 19:24:20
I’m afraid the blame lies with Arne.
He’s setting up the team. He’s choosing the formation. Refusing to use the likes of Chiesa. Won’t change the shape to accommodate Isak and Hugo. Slot sets the slow tempo. Can’t get a tune out of Florian Wirtz.
Use Anfield. In times of crisis, use your most deadly weapon. Take the shackles off and let it boil over like Jurgan did and many before him.
11 Nov 2025 19:28:13
I thought he was signed because his style was similar to to klopps? that's why we overlooked Amorim.
11 Nov 2025 19:24:31
Turn it around, he couldn't turn an empty Pram around?
11 Nov 2025 20:20:45
Thanks, Ed. So rather than keep the style that won us the title and get in a DM or a midfielder with physicality n bite to help Grav, he changed the system completely to one that does not suit the players we have.
Dear Arne, what have you done?
11 Nov 2025 22:31:24
If you get another coach in, he is presented with the same squad makeup. So, as mad as it sounds, because Liverpool have just spent £400 million, it feels a bit like a transfer window fix.
You need to balance the squad out with a few different profiles because it’s really offensive at the moment.
Slot claimed to have watched hours of City footage, then turned out that faceless gruel. It seems as though he is welded to his Pep lite vision.
11 Nov 2025 23:02:23
That’s interesting, Ed1. Are the players starting to show attitude problems now? It’s interesting because we won everything under Klopp and never had issues with player attitude.
Do you think a lack of leadership is one of the reasons? We used to have the likes of Milner and Hendo, who would keep everyone grounded. That’s not something you want creeping into a winning team’s dressing room.
Also, come to think of it, the fitness and conditioning team hasn’t changed, has it? They’ve been the same since Klopp’s days. Isn’t the fitness coach Slot brought with him, Ruben Peeters, highly regarded?
{Ed001's Note - the players are a much more laid back bunch now, which is not a good thing as there is a lack of drive. Chiesa is one of the few who still has the hunger we need.
The fitness and conditioning team were always told by Klopp what to do. There was a constant battle between the 2 which Klopp won. He wanted more intensity and to make training harder, they thought, wrongly imo, that he pushed the players too hard. Clearly they were wrong and Klopp was right, as we are seeing now the long term effects of their meddling.}
12 Nov 2025 06:25:30
If there is a slam dunk option, like when Klopp was waiting in the wings then I could see potential logic for a change. Not seeing anything tho.
And if anyone can point to a recent example in PL where a manager change brought long term success then I’m here for it.
Overall, I’m firmly of the view that the learning can take all season and build into next season. A change now will set us back years imo.
12 Nov 2025 13:50:42
I agree with all of ED01s comments above. The lack of both Hunger and resilience is wholly apparent. Klopp nailed this to the mast as a prerequisite to becoming the team we were then. Again like ED01 said elsewhere, Hard work gets you places that are otherwise out of reach.
I'm not blowing smoke ED01 but I hugely enjoy your analysis, commentary and opinions! . and ED25 too. I Don't agree all the time with you 2, but then again I shouldn't!