Liverpool Banter 3

25 Mar 2026 09:36:06
It feels like the end of an era. Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino and Sadio Mane are perhaps the most iconic front 3 in English football since Denis Law, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.

You just don't get trios like that come around very often. For about 6 years the three of them absolutely tormented defences all over the country and Europe. Treasured memories indeed. Appreciate what we saw fellow Reds, because you'll most likely never see such poetry again in your lifetimes at Anfield.

There's been lots of deadly duos throughout English football history, but it's incredibly rare that you get 3 at once who play so many games together and build a bond that is such a joy to watch. It's a massive shame that they didn't win more together due to the financial doping that's been going on at Manchester City.

Legends. All three of them. I hope they get a statue like the United Trinity did.

25 Mar 2026 09:56:18
Yep. Lethal they were. Only a couple of that great team left. Thankfully, for me Mo and Virg are the best of the lot. Enjoy them while ye can.

25 Mar 2026 10:44:44
I feel like the Salah announcement has instantly killed any likelihood that Slot leaves before the end of the season.

Surely the club will not announce Slot leaving just after the Salah announcement, as this will detract from Salah. Seems we are stuck with Slot until at least season's end, in my view.

25 Mar 2026 11:05:21
Great post MK.

25 Mar 2026 11:41:10
I think the thing that we'll likely remember Mo for was his insane amount of self-belief and his mentality in moments of adversity, he believed from the first second to the last that he was the best player on the pitch and that he would come up with the goods when it mattered, and he managed to maintain that level of focus and presence of mind up to the final whistle. That is very much what separated him from his peers, and it's a quality that we'd associate with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, the very highest level of sporting achievement.

I always think about the interview he did where he said that in his first year at Liverpool, he would get really down about not scoring an easy chance, and a team mate told him in the game that the negativity would affect everybody else around him, so he worked on keeping his cool and then smiling through it when things weren't going his way, cultivating the belief that he would put the next chance away.

Then there are all the stories about him reading lots of books on meditation to help him develop those traits, how he would read endlessly about psychology and get in touch with authors to discuss the nuances of theories that could help him as a footballer.

All of this just exemplifies and consolidates how much of an inspiration Mohamed Salah is and has been, as a player, he was constantly working on and evolving his game, and at a relatively advanced age he was still ahead of the curve and redefining what it meant to be a professional footballer at the very highest level.

25 Mar 2026 12:32:01
Great post, MK. That trio is simply the greatest in PL history, all day, every day, imo. They were all lethal and deadly in their own way, individually and collectively.

So complementary, so jaw-droppingly efficient, worked for each other, played for each other and absolutely terrorized the whole of the PL, Europe and the world in their pump. The most feared front 3 in Europe since MSN (Messi, Suarez & Neymar), imo.



I've seen a lot where Utd fans try to rate Tevez, Rooney and CR7 our guys. That's just them coping. 300 plus goals among them, every trophy in the kitty and Balon D'Or-worthy with Salah and Mane. Levels, man. Absolute Levells.

As for Mo, one of the greatest to ever lace 'em in the PL as a winger/forward.

25 Mar 2026 16:06:23
The thing for me, Oli, is that Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo were never even talked about as a great front 3 until the Liverpool trio started getting media attention. Then all the United fans made it up in their heads that Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo formed some sort of elite partnership across multiple seasons. They only actually played together for 2 seasons. In the first season, they were very good, scoring 57 Premier League goals between the 3 of them, and even winning the League and Champions League double. Fair play. The following season, though, there was a massive drop off from Tevez and Ronaldo, and they only scored 35 Premier League goals between the 3 of them. I'm not being funny, but Salah nearly did that figure on his own on a couple of occasions.

It's funny seeing modern United fans try and put that trio in the same bracket.

They were miles off our three as a unit, and the only reason they had a similar amount of success was because the League in 2007-2009 was really weak, with Chelsea and Arsenal in transition, as well as Liverpool financially unable to compete and missing out on all of our transfer targets. They wouldn't have got a sniff out of Klopp's Liverpool or Guardiola's City. It's even more amusing as well, because if these Man United fans knew their history, they could quite rightly point out that Law, Charlton and Best were just as successful as our trio. They were the first English team to win the European Cup, and all 3 of them won the Balon D'Or at some point across 10 years playing together. They don't need to clutch with 3 players who only had one good season together. They actually do have a better front 3 in their history.

25 Mar 2026 17:20:26
That's a great idea, MKS! Good call!

25 Mar 2026 17:23:52
I'm actually not being biased here, Oli, but I believe that our SMF were better than MSN.

25 Mar 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

25 Mar 2026 09:24:48
Brutal review, but as expected, it's unbelievable how far we've fallen.
If I'm correct, you said Vvd wasn't captain material? For me he's absolutely useless, but good at coming out and saying "we can't explain how we are losing or we will have a players only meeting to find a solution" that changes nothing.

{Ed001's Note - he was very good when it was all going well last season, but anyone can be a good captain when everything is great.}

25 Mar 2026 08:27:11
Bless you ed for watching that again. The reviews always bring a sense of closure, but I wish you'd tell us how you really feel about Slot ;)

{Ed001's Note - I will get off the fence soon.}

25 Mar 2026 09:53:05
I would give the armband to Szobo. I can't see VVD being stripped of it though whilst he is here unless we are wanting him to leave. Would not see VVD taking that well.

25 Mar 2026 10:00:19
Problem is, if it's not Virg, who would you give it to? Dom seems the natural option after this season's form, but I'm not convinced at all.

25 Mar 2026 10:23:30
Great review Ed, this is what frustrates me the most. How can Slot not see the multiple issues the team has and blindly keep pushing his awful tactics. Then when things go wrong or the opposition score he is jumping up and down on touchline berating players, officials etc. Like he bloody cares, which to be honest I don't think he does!

{Ed001's Note - I am sure he must care, as it affects his future career at the very least, so it must bother him.}

25 Mar 2026 10:59:12
Great review as always. I feel that you held back a bit and could have been even more critical. They were that bad.

{Ed001's Note - I certainly could have.}

25 Mar 2026 11:02:32
I don't even understand Ramsey being on the bench. I can't understand, well, anything. I'm baffled and lost for words how this can carry on.

25 Mar 2026 11:01:57
Brutal but fair words, Ed. It's simply horrible and depressing at the moment. These lot were supposed to bring us stability weren't they?

{Ed001's Note - should never have brought back Edwards, he was hopeless last time, too weak to stand up to Klopp and handed out contracts like they were Mojos.}

25 Mar 2026 11:23:51
Edd001 good review agree with all you said. To me it is like when we were at school and you had a teacher that took no rubbish and would belt you with a ruler then he goes off sick and we get a replacement teacher who is a bit of a wooly back so we new we could take the piss and get away with anything and the longer that teacher was there the more we took the piss this is what is happening at LFC klopp ruled the roost then along comes Slot and the players started to take the piss until now it has gone to far and Slot can't stop it.

{Ed001's Note - good analogy that.}

25 Mar 2026 12:41:52
Ed, you watched that again, man? Hats off to you because I couldn't watched that back. Hit rock bottom? Nah, we are well below the earth's crust, at this point.

"As it was simply the worst performance I can remember by Liverpool since the Hodgson days. "

Are you sure, mate? because I think if we did a poll at the end of the season, there are other performances that would legitimately rival the Spurs game as the absolute worst performance by Liverpool since "insert era/manager" here., IMO.

As for Slot and the two chuckle bros., you've covered it already so nothing else needs to be added. Otherwise, I get banned.

{Ed001's Note - it is the worst I can remember yes.}

25 Mar 2026 18:14:00
That must be one of the best reviews I've ever read.

Thank you Ed1.

Maybe its the tone in which I read it, but it came across not as a piece about anger and resentment, but as though a piece of your heart has been ripped out of you due to the poor state of affairs at the club that you and we love so much.

The end of the season, the end of Slot, the end of Edward's and Hughes, and the end of some playing careers at Anfield just cannot come quick enough.

A truly heart felt review, but I know that the more I think about the review, and go over it again in my head, the sadness and despair will turn to anger and resentment

{Ed001's Note - you are right, it was more despairing than angry.}

25 Mar 2026 03:32:56
To echo what everyone is saying here, all I want to say to Salah is: Thank you.
The best Liverpool player of my lifetime, and the one who has made me leap off the couch yelling in delight more than any other.
All the best, legend.

25 Mar 2026 06:12:38
Completely agree with you, Lowe1fc. I never thought anyone would come close to Stevie, but Mo is pretty close!!! Thanks for everything, Mo. 🙌

25 Mar 2026 08:28:01
Stevie's 1st. But, my god, Salah sure pushes him close.

25 Mar 2026 09:52:59
I will say, hand on heart, it was a privilege to watch him perform in the flesh.

Players like him fill stadiums. It's what being a football spectator is all about.

25 Mar 2026 10:02:24
Mo was fantastic for Liverpool Football Club and Liverpool Football Club were fantastic for Mo. YNWA.

25 Mar 2026 12:42:43
Watching Salah play for LFC was an honour.

All the best, Mo. You will be missed.

25 Mar 2026 03:27:59
I’m away and just woken up to the Salah news. Will certainly go down as one of the all time greats and will probably be even more appreciated when he’s gone. I still don’t think we will ever see as good a front 3 as Mo, Bobby and Mane.

At their peak I would say that’s the best front line ever and remember Pep being petrified of them 😊. Thanks for the memories Mo, we will miss you.

25 Mar 2026 02:07:54
Each to their own but this is why I can't rate Salah above Kenny.
Could have waited till end of season to announce it but no.

25 Mar 2026 05:51:19
Cafu nothing pleases you does it.

25 Mar 2026 06:07:44
Really! It's his choice. Who knows, it might give the team & fans a last moment fillip to spur them on.

25 Mar 2026 06:57:42
Yet everyone judged Trent for the complete opposite?

Out of intrigue, Cafu, do you feel the same about Klopp as well?

It's laughable that someone announcing they're leaving before the season is done somehow weakens their legacy.

25 Mar 2026 07:01:13
I think he's done the right thing. It might give the team a lift, wanting to send him off on a high. Who knows. 🤷‍♂️

25 Mar 2026 07:04:12
The timing, mate, may not be to everyone's taste, but Salah should be cherished as one of our great players. Our recent success isn't possible without him. From his first season, he has been head and shoulders above everyone. Good luck Mo, Liverpool legend. 👏

25 Mar 2026 07:44:10
He's done more than enough for the club to be allowed to leave on his terms!

Deserves every accolade coming his way.

25 Mar 2026 08:10:11
@Cafu, I'm sure Mo will struggle on in life, irrespective of your opinion.

25 Mar 2026 08:11:36
Cafu, I completely disagree. Everyone criticised players last year for having their future known but not announced it till the end of the season and leaving fans in the dark.

He's done the opposite.

25 Mar 2026 08:40:35
No-one could ever be above Kenny.
The King is the King for many more reasons than the magic he brought to the pitch.
Dalglish will always be at the pinnacle.

Salah is undoubtedly a great of the club. He should leave how he wants to leave and should choose his next destination.

25 Mar 2026 08:50:21
Something new to be outraged by?
I doubt I'll see the likes again of Bobby, Sadio and Mo again.
They genuinely elevated my life for the years they played together.
So long Mo, and thanks for the memories.

25 Mar 2026 09:20:29
Why wait until the end of the season? I think we all already knew that he wouldn't be here next season, so why not make it official and stop all of the rumours? Now he can enjoy a long goodbye like Jurgen did. It might even give the crowd that little extra to sing about, which in turn might take the players up a notch.

Who knows, it might be that little thing that gets us a CL place for next season.

Thank you, Mo, and enjoy your long goodbye!

25 Mar 2026 12:18:38
No, you don't beat an already dead season out of breath season by announcing you will leave.
If he said it's my last season and my final wish is no.7 and rallied everyone with a battle cry to give it all one more time for his sakes I would be the first rallying him here, but no, every time he just downs his tools and along with it goes all our morale.

So many such characters in this team Vvd, Macca. Absolutely no fight when everything goes down.
Hope Vvd also leaves and Macca and we can start afresh from zero with whole new team under Alonso.

25 Mar 2026 12:43:55
Cafu, let it go, man. The world doesn't revolve around you.

25 Mar 2026 17:28:34
I think he was 100% correct to announce it, Cafu. Once the decision was made, why not? Most people speculated about it one way or the other. It's better than Trent's announcement last season, that's for sure.

25 Mar 2026 00:48:42
Gutted for Mo to go out like this. One more reason to dislike slot.

25 Mar 2026 13:21:29
Im wondering why Slot has increased petrol prices and made housing unaffordable.

24 Mar 2026 23:10:49
Salah should have gone out last year on a high. Gave his all to win the league and has dropped off a cliff this year.

Don’t know about the greatest Liverpool player of my lifetime but has given lots of the greatest moments. Will be remembered as a legend.



Let’s hope this announcement brings back last season's form as he looks to go out with a bang.

He’ll either start playing like he’s playing for a new contract or it will be apparent that he is well and truly done at this level and the time is truly right for him to go.

25 Mar 2026 08:07:01
I think if as a winger, you walk away as the club's 3rd all time top scorer with the 2nd highest goals to game ratio in the club's history, then you have to be remembered as a legend. Personally, I think the only player in my lifetime who can genuinely claim to have been as good for Liverpool as Salah has been is Steven Gerrard.



I do think Suarez could have been in that debate as well, if he hadn't been such a tosser, getting himself banned and costing the team with his petulance. Not to mention the way he left the club.

25 Mar 2026 11:04:09
Agree, MK.

In my top five Liverpool players.

1. Kenny
2. Barnes
3. Salah
4. Souness
5. Gerrard

Rush, Keegan not far behind.

24 Mar 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, For defending champions just not good enough

Click picture for larger image

24 Mar 2026 21:05:44
The best.