Liverpool Banter 3

01 Feb 2026 19:06:08
Ed001 I've not played football for close to 20 years now but I don't know why or when defending corners and free kicks teams started bringing everyone back.
We would never do it would always leave 2/ 3 fast players away from our box for a break.
When you see teams defending corners now there is that many players in the 6 yard box it is chaos.

You leave 3 out of the box the attacking side have to leave 4 to cover the break.
That instantly give more space for keepers to come claim the ball it seems coaches and managers just seem to over think the basics nowadays.

{Ed001's Note - I agree. I don't understand the thinking on bringing everyone back. It just makes a mess.}

01 Feb 2026 19:59:02
Spot on Grino. leave our smallest fastest players on the halfway line, so if we have t2 players, they've got to bring at least 3 back to cover them. old skool isn't a bad thing is it, these coaches over complicate simple stuff.

01 Feb 2026 20:06:55
Indeed, Ed. Even on long throws. Bringing all the players back creates all types of chaos and suddeny, the marking gets slack cos there is too much traffic. It just makes things worse.

01 Feb 2026 19:52:01
Plays perfectly into arsenal hands Ed and everyone is doing it if teams just went back to the old way Ed I bet Arsenal's would score only half the goals the score from corners.

01 Feb 2026 20:35:01
I was saying this yesterday, leave two players outside the box, means less players in the box and also that you have an out ball. With everyone in the box once cleared is is just coming back in again.

01 Feb 2026 20:37:00
We have been utterly clueless on defending and attacking corners for 20 years.

01 Feb 2026 20:47:51
Ron, it goes back longer than 20 years. I remember us, back in the 80s, having a fanzine called Another Wasted Corner. Nothing changes, mate.

01 Feb 2026 20:49:44
Tell you what I don't get. Why is Gakpo at 6ft 4 our main corner taker.

01 Feb 2026 20:54:40
80s Rome there was a lot of just long ball teams with a lot of big players and we never had a big sized team so worked against us. Nowadays most teams play football and the new rules don't help them teams so it levels up more.

But we use to be good at set pieces a few years ago but we have been awful last few years. But the defensive side we are just making things harder for ourselves.

01 Feb 2026 21:09:48
Hey Grino I was managing my lads u16 match today. We were talking about leaving 3 lads up when defending corners. Crazy how the conversations happen.

Personaly I think doing the simple. things becomes boring for those coaches who want look clever.

01 Feb 2026 21:45:05
Hi Grino

I remember doing a coaching workshop a while back
I think the guest coach was Martin Thomas (ex Newcastle keeper)

He said back when he was playing some coaches wanted to bring everyone back- as if their own keeper was decent and everyone was switched in- it provided a great opportunity for a counter attack

Not for me- I always keep two forwards up as chances are opponents keep 3 back plus their keeper, plus the corner taker and you've got 8 of your own players (plus your keeper) defending against 6 opponents in your own box

If your players can't defend with those odds- time to find some new players….

01 Feb 2026 21:54:33
Keepers claiming corners! Now that's a rare sight these days ain't it? The art of a GK catching football is as rare as a flying saucer these days.

01 Feb 2026 23:06:47
You can only presume it's a ploy from the 'anti football' brigade, with the object to fill the box as densely as possible, making it difficult as possible for any one player to get a good run uo attack the ball, making the chance of an attempt on goal as minimal as can be.


The same folk who encourage players to fall down to stop a football match breaking out!

01 Feb 2026 23:15:16
Too many players in the penalty area makes players lazy they start leaving things to each others and the next thing its a goal YNWA.

02 Feb 2026 09:02:28
Ron and Rome, and how did both of you work that out when btw. 2018 and 2020, LFC led the league (in 18/ 19 for sure) or was in the top 3 in goals scored/ conceded from set pieces, if Im not mistaken?

Even last season, we were very good at attacking and defending set pieces so again, how did both of you work that out? This is where absolute or blanket statements like yours are easily debunked if one bothers to look.

02 Feb 2026 10:31:52
In fairness we've been far betters defending setpieces since Briggs got the chop.

01 Feb 2026 19:18:46
Well with no new signings coming in we will all have to cross our fingers that-
1. Slot changes tactics

2.All players that form this season has crashed, which there are many, regain form.

3. No one else gets injuries

4. Szoboszlai can play every position on the pitch when required.

5. Villa, Man Utd and Chelsea's form slip.

Not a lot to hope for.

01 Feb 2026 19:35:50
Villa's form has slipped.

01 Feb 2026 19:42:38
We can beat city, Villa are slipping so let's reel them in. United and Chelsea are on a roll unfortunately.

01 Feb 2026 20:07:38
Hugo, it's going to be a dog fight till the very end for CL footie cos even Brentford have a say in this.

01 Feb 2026 20:28:14
it would appear that this season has been written off, inc CL qualification.
We won't win the CL due to the way heads drop and how many mistakes are made. Not a hope in hell, unless Stevie G comes in for a last dance.

01 Feb 2026 20:37:44
Carrick definitely won't sustain this run, they got lucky today but it's about to turn.

01 Feb 2026 20:50:14
FatSpanishWaiter, you're a happy chappy. You honestly think Stevie G can do a better job? Speak to Villa fans, I suggest.

01 Feb 2026 21:48:54
Stevie G won't have the legs.

01 Feb 2026 23:09:11
City are not the force they once were they still score goals but they are not the same in midfield and at the back.
YNWA.

01 Feb 2026 18:34:47
Reports doing the rounds that the Geertruida deal is off, can any Eds or ITKs confirm?

01 Feb 2026 19:01:37
Ornstein and Joyce both said the same, sadly think negligence and leaving it last minute has cost it, typical. Big moves Hughes and the higher ups in general look amateur hour.

01 Feb 2026 19:11:42
Targeted a difficult transfer, so at least they can say we tried to sign someone.

01 Feb 2026 19:16:48
Surely we should have waited until he was having his MRI and done his interviews before calling it off.

01 Feb 2026 19:20:58
Sunderland need a replacement before letting him go, and can't get one according to reports.

01 Feb 2026 19:28:12
Oh my gawd, this is going to tip posters over the edge. Dickie Hughes is going to need 24 hour protection, and I don't mean antiperspirant.

{Ed025's Note - are you "Sure" Rome?.. :)

01 Feb 2026 19:34:56
King Ken totally agree lad. This is getting beyond a joke. The noise over the window seemed ridiculous to almost indicate we are trying to scramble into CL without defensive replacements. Then like panicking school boys they take a punt on a player ( that fits the bill) but is so complicated to achieve given the time scale. It reports are true regarding Denzal he's injured and won't be back anytime soon! What are we a convalescence centre?

Hughes's must be sacked as soon as the window closes. We must review our transfer policy.

01 Feb 2026 19:36:56
Good one, Ed. Love it! Hope you're well.

{Ed025's Note - yeah good thanks mate..hows you?..

01 Feb 2026 19:57:53
I'm good thanks, Ed025, mate. Was there last night. Best atmosphere of season, along with Real Madrid.

I'm in a minority, but I can't get wound up regards to us not getting this and that player. For gawd sake, we are Premier League Champions, last 16 of CL and the 5th richest side in football. All my mates are West Brom season ticket holders. On our WhatsApp group, jeez, now they have got something to moan about. Heading for the 1st division.

I'll be there on Sunday, cherishing every minute. I ask folk to put things into perspective. But, like I say, I'm an old man who's in the minority.

{Ed025's Note - you were very good yesterday Rome after a bit of a shaky start, you still have a very good squad for me mate but you have to be more dynamic, more of what we seen yesterday could still get you 2nd imo mate..

01 Feb 2026 20:01:28
Hughes will need a Right guard, after this fiasco Rome.

{Ed025's Note - nice Strom..

01 Feb 2026 20:18:45
Good one, Strom. I like it!

01 Feb 2026 20:39:53
So much for Hughes' silver tongue. Maybe it's just silver plate then.

01 Feb 2026 21:41:58
Not so sure he needs a right-guard, Hughes sounds like a Brut to me.

{Ed025's Note - top stuff StEA..

01 Feb 2026 23:05:53
Hopefully the STC will get more Lynx to players.

{Ed025's Note - bravo Worzal..

02 Feb 2026 00:51:41
1. How do we know they left this to the last minute?

2. By all accounts, the fact that he is already on loan seems to make this one both complicated and expensive, so "missing" for now may not be the worst thing.

02 Feb 2026 11:13:53
Would anyone sign on a short term contract, leave your home, live in a hotel when you know the manager is off at end of season then you're left in the ****. no way would i have gone to Liverpool either. YNWA.

01 Feb 2026 18:33:03
I've never seen a league campaign
Where the team in first place

Get so may things going their way throughout the season in terms of second and third place teams never closing the gap when the opportunity is there

Honestly Arsenal are so jammy.

01 Feb 2026 18:48:58
Make your own luck, same could, and was, said about us last season.

Fair play to arsenal for taking advantage. I personally do think it will get a lot closer over the next few weeks as arsenal have history.

Only think that frustrates me is that there was probably never an easier season to win back to backs thank this year. But only ourselves to blame.

01 Feb 2026 18:58:55
Arsenal are in the exactly same position as we were in last season.

We were 7 points clear at this stage instead of 6
Top of CL table
League cup semi
Fa cup fourh round.

01 Feb 2026 19:13:20
The league could be won with 80 points.

01 Feb 2026 19:21:40
Similar also last season Arsenal 74 and City 71 points and in Klopps last season City 91 and Arsenal 89 points.

01 Feb 2026 20:09:51
OP, you can say the same thing about us last season to a point. Yiu can criticise the way Arsenal play and there is a lot of material to work with.

However if you win by 4 goals, you ain't jammy, mate.

02 Feb 2026 00:49:58
Some might say that about our run last season. Certainly with our form down the stretch.

02 Feb 2026 10:36:33
Maybe the days of teams winning it with points totals in the mid to high nineties are gone. The league is so strong. People say its poor but yet they blow the continents teams away in European competition.

01 Feb 2026 18:24:47
So Geertruida not happening, no surprise given how late it's been left. Will they pivot to someone else or are we just going to be left short, again? You'd think they'd learnt their lesson after Guehi but obviously not.

01 Feb 2026 18:17:57
I don't know about you but I never have faith in Liverpool to get last minute deals done. Always seems to take them an age to get deals done.

Hoping. we get Geertruida over the line. We badly need a player with his versatility in the squad.

01 Feb 2026 17:15:07
Blimey. we think we have problems. I'm watching spurs v cteh.

Spurs are awful. No running. no effort. Absolute shambles.

01 Feb 2026 17:32:28
Thomas the tanked it.

01 Feb 2026 17:50:13
The first half atmosphere was dire, I'm surprised half of them didn't go home at half time. Picked up a bit now they've scored though. I have a feeling we will put a few past this City team. Hopefully we can also keep them out.

01 Feb 2026 19:08:37
Pep should get absolutely destroyed for the way he managed that game. City were awful first half and led 2-0. Samenyo was woeful today along with many other city players. Gives me confidence as long as we attack City we have a great chance beating them.

01 Feb 2026 16:40:31
Just imagine we sign Geertruida and Tchouameni in the summer. There are just far too many vowels. Folk haven't come to terms with Isak. And, after all these years, some still spell Alisson, Allison.

It's important we keep Jones and Endo for this reason alone. Are you listening Richard Hughes, you silver tongued.

01 Feb 2026 17:50:35
I think that reason is why we turned down Oli Aina.

01 Feb 2026 17:52:06
Just shorten it, Gertrude and touché.

01 Feb 2026 18:37:22
I'd go for Gertrude and Shoey 👍.

01 Feb 2026 19:31:29
Good shout Ron.

01 Feb 2026 16:29:22
Afternoon Eds1 if Alonso was to come in the summer does he have a set coaching team that he works with.

{Ed001's Note - he has only had 2 proper full-time head coaching jobs mate. It has been made known he has preferences for a few of the assistant roles.}

01 Feb 2026 17:48:04
Ed is that he has made it known on his assistance if he came to us?

{Ed001's Note - just generally as far as I know, but I am not really up on this at all.}

01 Feb 2026 15:17:45
Ed001 thought the game was a lot better to watch last night. In fact most enjoyable game for a long time.
But our midfield still looked wide open is that mainly down to MacAllistter in there rolling around 75% of the game or is it a lot to do with tactics.


Do you think a midfield pair of Sobs and Gravenberch be ok or do we need a better dm than Gravenberch or is it just down to him not being used properly.

{Ed001's Note - Gravenberch would be fine if he sat, but he is told to get forward and support now so it leaves a gap and Macca is too lacking in mobility and defensive nous (even when he isn't being a turd eating prick rolling around on the floor pretending to be hurt as someone in the crowd sneezed) to protect the defence. If it was Szobo there, he would have the pace and intelligence to provide more cover.}

01 Feb 2026 15:45:16
I've noticed Gravs positioning has been terrible of late. Teams are running through us at will.

01 Feb 2026 15:47:22
If we get the defender in Szob goes back into the middle and Macca back to the bench. Needs must at the minute, unless Curtis drops into right back.

01 Feb 2026 17:05:44
Macallisters play acting is getting worse, you'd think someone would have a word. He is an embarrassment!

01 Feb 2026 18:36:21
Every time he falls to the floor, he has to shave off a bit of combover. That'll learn him.

01 Feb 2026 18:45:08
Slot wanted Zubimendi for a reason. He is not a DM hence, Macca (who is not a DM either) fits what Slot is trying to do from deep hence, Grav can get forward, which leaves us vulnerable.

01 Feb 2026 15:13:23
Agent Klopp 😉 still looking out for us🔴.

01 Feb 2026 20:40:26
Spoke too soon.

01 Feb 2026 21:12:06
How is Klopp looking out for us?

01 Feb 2026 11:54:22
Morning eds1
Who would you say are the top 5 keepers in order right now?

{Ed001's Note - I honestly have no idea right now, I have not had the time to watch much other than the Prem this season.}

01 Feb 2026 17:00:08
Lucas Chevalier, the next top keeper in my opinion.

Also that lad from Bayern, Urbig? He looks good.

Theres somebody else in Germany, but I can't remember his name.

01 Feb 2026 17:26:40
What about your top 5 in just in the Prem Ed001?

I only really like/ rate Alisson, Roefs, Lammens, Raya and Kelleher. Probably in that order.

Other than that I think the standards are quite poor. I find Donarumma, Henderson, Martinez, Sanchez, Vicario, Pickford, Pope etc to be so over rated.

{Ed001's Note - I am not a fan of Kelleher either. So I would only be able to pick 4. Alisson, Roefs, Raya and Lammens.}

01 Feb 2026 18:36:50
The Young Lad From Bayern.

01 Feb 2026 20:41:24
Good name for a keeper U R BIG.

01 Feb 2026 21:52:27
I heard Chevalier is up for a knighthood?