30 Mar 2026 15:35:49
People talk about selling players and buying replacements of supposed better quality, but the issue is 2fold. As I see it, yes, we need better quality but we also need squad depth. You can't keep asking quality players to play 60 matches a year and not get injured or burnt out.
What we need to do over a number of windows is build up the squad numbers with players who can still fulfill a role but are maybe not first choice. We can't afford to sell any of the first team really, but if we do need to sell it should be a minimum number.
30 Mar 2026 16:01:53
I think we just need better balance in the squad. Better management and fitness.
30 Mar 2026 16:23:51
"Put your money on the pitch" as Alex Ferguson used to say. Improve the starting eleven and then add depth.
I find the conversation of squad depth a redundant point with Slot anyway. The man doesn't use squad depth.
He has his favourites and isolates others.
He should also be integrating more youth players to add depth like Klopp did. Then you sell them and start the process again.
30 Mar 2026 16:58:26
The squad depth in a lot of positions is just not good enough for a team whose fans demand trophies. The first 11 would give anyone a game on their day. A lot of the players that would come in for them are just not good enough. There are players at LFC that would be nowhere near the squads of Arsenal, City etc, unfortunately.
30 Mar 2026 17:54:02
@Alwaysred, the way you get the depth you want is to sign players who can legitimately start for you, hence direct competition for starting positions. It keeps everyone honest and the whole "he's a starter/he's only a backup" crap, (like Slot stupidly did with Gakpo and Chiesa for ex.), is not a thing as every player is a legit starter.
Just look at how Cody and Diaz were at their best (for the most part) last season when they were going at each other for that wide left spot. That's all you need to see and that's the way it needs to be is good squad depth is what you and I want, which we do. Just my opinion.
30 Mar 2026 19:28:26
Take VVD for example. He plays every single game, which takes its toll, and he has made a couple of mistakes, which costs us a couple of goals.
But had we got the centre back that we all wanted, then VVD could have been rotated and rested, and stayed sharper.
Our subs bench is a joke, so it's the same subs on every game.
No wonder we are not Top Four.
So hoping our new manager next season will get the players that
will take us to another level, back where we belong.
30 Mar 2026 19:32:28
But the problem with that argument is you cannot sign a top player and say to him you're going to have to fight for your place, as they will look for another team that guarantees first team games. Kelleher is an example of that, he would be still on the bench at Liverpool, but now playing every game for Brentford.
The owners are not going to pay 60m for a guy to sit on the bench, and that's why you need squad rotation continually to keep the majority happy.
The whole model is buy back up cheap, develop, then either sell at a profit or try and keep them as long as possible.
30 Mar 2026 20:20:32
Yeh, but goalies in general, and even more so Kelleher with Alisson here, are a bit different to outfield players. There's only really 3 or 4 players you would look at as untouchable in our squad. Top players shouldn't be afraid of competition.
In a perfect world, none of your core players would be leaving, and you would be adding three or four top players to that, but quite a few will be moving on this summer. Another very busy, messy window.
30 Mar 2026 22:33:33
Is Gakpo a legit starter? I think he thrived with the competition with Diaz and that elevated his game.
I don't think you can have two legit starters for every position. And I really think that is ok. It's then down to the coach and how they drive competition within the squad.
31 Mar 2026 09:52:42
Gakpo is reportedly the 4th highest earner in the squad and has started 80% of the games this season.
On that basis, I'd agree he's not seen as a legit starter by the club.
31 Mar 2026 12:00:09
Alwaysred, I see your point. My argument is about drop off in quality between two players in the same position. If the drop off from one is not too far from the other, then you can make it work.
The Kelleher/Ali argument doesn't work here, cos he is exceptionally inferior to Ali. However, Kelleher showed that he could hold his own to an extent when we needed him, and overall, he did okay.
Sometimes, that's all you need.
Cody and Diaz are the ex. in this context, too. They don't even have to both be top players. They can be very good players you can interchange with to a certain level where the drop off is not that crazy.
Like @Faith said as well, it is all about creating an environment that drives competition, which leads to improved standards.