15 Jan 2026 19:34:38
What i can't work out is loads of posts i see have stated Slots averse to using youth players. So what's strange is we seem to be buying youth players so far this window.
15 Jan 2026 19:57:19
By the time he gets round to using them they will be due a testimonial if he's still here.
15 Jan 2026 20:06:18
I take from that, that our youth players aren't considered good enough, which I've previously said.
15 Jan 2026 21:20:27
Everything else is wrong.
15 Jan 2026 21:56:18
That's a bit cryptic @Mcgov. On a separate note, Ngumoha and Nyoni got time in the last game.
16 Jan 2026 00:40:23
Slot doesn't even trust Chiesa. fat chance the kids are going to get a go lol.
16 Jan 2026 02:32:36
not using youth players is another stick in use to beat slot. Who will use these youth players when their job is at stake every game and point unless they are world beaters? if he gives chance and they make mistake, the same fans will again fire him for not using experienced players and going with youth.
It might dent their confidence also. It is a double edged sword.
16 Jan 2026 04:57:27
Seems to me the OP is asking why are we signing youth players if we have a coach that doesn't use the current ones at the club.
16 Jan 2026 06:29:55
Just that current ones are not good enough, we can't stop buying potential young players. if we did that, it will be a myopic view. Who knows one of them could become potential star at a later age.
16 Jan 2026 06:30:00
Yeah Chiesa should be starting and on penalties, free kicks, throw inns and goal kicks.
16 Jan 2026 09:49:44
Rome, that is not always true. If you agree that football is not an exact science then, that opinion is flawed, IMO. Neither me nor you know if they are good enuff or not, first off. BR never used youth players neither until he was forced to thru injuries. That's how a certain John Flanagan made his name. You have to have the courage and confidence to play them something Klopp had in spades.
Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips ring a bell? Like @Sami said, Slot will not play them even if we think they are good enuff cos well, he is under pressure. I understand that, btw. Slot's not even playing Rio who many of us rate so who knows which other ones could be good enuff that he is not playing? No one knows that either.
16 Jan 2026 10:07:25
"…. Slot will not play them even if we think they are good enuf…. " No-one knows why they're not playing. All of this is just speculative nonsense. If he's not picking them they're either not good enough or not ready or both. It's f-all to do with their date of birth.
16 Jan 2026 10:09:42
Oli, Oli, Oli. First of all, regards to Rhys Williams, he's the worst player I've ever seen play for us and as been stealing a living. He couldn't even cut it at Kidderminster. This may sound harsh, I couldn't give a flying fish. Moving on to Nat Phillips. Did a decent job when called upon. Now at West Brom. Most of my mates are Albion season ticket holders, and they say he's not even good enough for them, and that's saying something. Rio is getting minutes, and if we were in good form I'm sure he'd be getting even more.
I'm sure he has a future. The likes of Nyoni; my opinion is, he's not good enough and I can see him being moved on. Regards to the others who I've seen make brief appearances; again, I don't think they're good enough. Like I've discussed with Ed01, if those that coach these kids thought they were upto it, they would be banging on Slot's door and encouraging him to give them a chance. All this, of course, IMO.
16 Jan 2026 10:11:46
Nat Phillips at the age of 23 must have been the oldest youth player ever.
16 Jan 2026 10:21:06
I thought that, JK, but didn't like to pick Oli up on it. Sometimes a I can be too timid in my posts.
16 Jan 2026 10:39:41
Rome he wouldn't reply. He loves to dish it out but can't take it back. You there tomorrow mate? If so give me a shout I'll meet you for a pint before KO.
16 Jan 2026 10:54:52
Didn't the youth coaches beg Slot to include and play Nyoni more because he was already thinking of moving elsewhere? I could be wrong but I could have sworn I read sth to that effect somewhere.
16 Jan 2026 11:02:04
@Oli, re "Slot will not play them even if we think they are good enuff". Who is the "we" that you mention? Second, assuming that you replaced "we" for "I", which is probably more accurate in terms of what you were trying to say, what you (or any other fan) thinks relating to the readiness of players to be in the starting line up is irrelevant. Get your UEFA badges and work your way through the various levels to become a PL standard coach and get the gig as the Liverpool coach, then your opinion would be relevant.
Whilst it's fun to hazard a guess about what Slot thinks of the (youth) players that he has at the club, but that's all it is - a guess - and it carries no weight irrespective of the number that constitute your "we".
16 Jan 2026 11:07:11
That would be great, JK. If I'm there on time I'll give you a shout, for definite, mate.