Liverpool Banter 4

01 Feb 2026 15:05:07
So looking at table position as of today ( if United take all 3 points ) how do you see the table panning out end of season with 14 games to go?

I've a feeling Villa might get dragged down into a scrap for top 4 with Us, Chelsea and United and I'm not allowing for a 5th spot.

I think we need to win 9/ 10 of those 14 games with perhaps a few drawn games and with the form all of those sides mentioned and the competitiveness of the league perhaps a couple more defeats?

Chelsea @ home and Utd, Villa to play away plus United only have a game every week which could be a massive factor.

01 Feb 2026 15:37:45
Chelsea and United are enjoying the manager bounce. Will be interesting to see how they respond to adversity which is envitable in this league. I personally have us as slight outsiders to be honest. Squad is thin and we have 3 cup compeitions. I thought we had to at leastbeat Burnley and Leeds, and draw with Bournmouth in that recent run. That extra 5 points would be enourmous right now. The late goals at Burnley Bournmouth and Fulham have been serious stingers.


But we do seem to be clicking a bit and i also just just look at Ali Virgil Mo Macca Grav Wirtz Dom and Hugo and think we are just better than these other teams. I agree about Villa. They have been brilliant but also in two other comps and could be capable of falling off a cliff. The good news is its likely to be top 5 instead of top 4. Get our heads done and just keeping accumulating points and one or two of the others are bound to drop silly points along the way.

01 Feb 2026 15:57:40
I don't think we can use 3 comps as an excuse as Chelsea are still in 4 at this moment.

01 Feb 2026 16:27:59
I've been saying for weeks, and folk have said I'm off my rocker (which I probably am), we will finish above Villa.

01 Feb 2026 16:59:49
JK- I was referring more to United. But also Chelsea. We have the stronger 1st team by far but they have plenty of rotation options.

01 Feb 2026 17:34:06
Funky no worries mate thought your post was a good post.

I think it could go down to the wire mate and fancy villa to be the ones to miss out.

01 Feb 2026 17:42:22
By next week Newcastle play their 40th game of the season, the maximum United can play for the whole campaign. A big advantage.

01 Feb 2026 11:51:27
Ed001, I think the fact that we didn't sign Geertruida in Slot's first transfer window shows he had very control over who was signed.
The fact he was his captain and could cover so many positions would have made him the ideal signing but it looks like Slot has very little input on the signings we make.
The last transfer window showed that again.

01 Feb 2026 12:43:52
In fairness when the summer window was open we recruited a lb, rb and cb. Which gave us 2 of each full back and 4 centre half's.

Not sure if this lad is better than any of the 8 above in their positions but I think it's more needs must now compared to summer.

01 Feb 2026 14:27:09
JK23 - Yeah but Slots first transfer window was 2024, not last Summer.

01 Feb 2026 14:43:02
Was he not available on a free the summer Slot joined?

01 Feb 2026 15:11:34
I am just glad they are finally trying to address a glaring issue. And this seems like a pretty creative solution to me. More of this please.

01 Feb 2026 15:32:41
Molbysmagic and Chewy my bad gents.

Totally misread the initial post 🤝.

01 Feb 2026 11:50:22
Question for the (real) ITKs or Eds - in light of the club looking at Lutsharel Geertruida, would this indicate a backing of Arne beyond the near future? Have seen some reports saying the opportunity was presented to Liverpool and others saying Arne pushing for it.

01 Feb 2026 12:51:45
He's only coming on loan until the end of the season, if he comes. So at best, it's backing Arne for 4 months.

01 Feb 2026 13:07:02
I wouldn't think that is necessarily the case.
My take is that he would be a sensible stopgap signing and whether he becomes a permanent signing could be assessed in the summer.
I think Slot goes in the summer…. Or possibly sooner if circumstances dictate.


I would also not be surprised to see Woodward and Hughes move on.
I would be surprised if Xabi Alonso is not our incoming head coach.
Would be delighted if Milner would join coaching staff.

01 Feb 2026 13:40:48
I think it's a loan so i don't think there backing slot long term.

01 Feb 2026 13:41:02
Im not sure that matter anymore, OP. IMO, we need bodies, end of and regardless of the manager's situation. We got 2 CB's n the 3rd one is optional. We also need help in midfield if we are going to give this CL and top 4/ 5 race a real go. That is the reality. It is what it is.

Now, should we get Getruida and if it is not a loan deal then, he is going to be part of the manager's plans come this summer, regardless of who the manager is.

01 Feb 2026 13:45:33
Woodward running things would explain a lot, Max 5.

01 Feb 2026 13:46:36
Sunderland have a £23m buy option so something we should do aswell.

01 Feb 2026 14:52:37
Are you thinking of Edward Woodward, Max 5? Or Ewar Woowar, without the Ds.

01 Feb 2026 11:12:20
I can't make it to Anfield any time soon, but can we sing: 'Ekitike, Ekitike, Ekiteke. ' to the tune of 'Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ' from Panic, by the Smiths please? It'd follow on from Sit Down by James for Mo.

01 Feb 2026 14:01:52
You do realise he's got a song, Bream, to the tune of let's do the conga.

01 Feb 2026 11:06:24
A big win and a potential defensive reinforcement, its turning into a decent weekend. Massive respect to Konate for making himself available yesterday, the way the team rallied around him after scoring is what its all about. In dark times we all need someone and he had about 60,000 there with him.

01 Feb 2026 10:46:50
Morning reds Eds. Yesterday was more like how we need to play. I hope the shackles remain off now and the players are allowed some freedom on the pitch and can play more football on the front foot.

That aside I have to say one thing, Ibu. Forget how you think he's played this season, the noise around contracts. That lad put on his boots and went to work a week after his dad passed. A week. Well done lad. You did your dad proud and we stand with you in these hard days. YNWA.

01 Feb 2026 13:46:02
Kim it is the way we should have been playing from the off. Slot's sytem does not suit the players. It never has.

Him reverting to the way the players know and thrive on esp. last season, now begs the question: What was all his fixation on playing a system that doesn't suit the players worth?

Really happy for Konate. He played a great game and did himself, his late dad and the whole club proud.

Hang in there, Ibou and your fam. You are loved and supported during these difficult times.

01 Feb 2026 14:57:37
Our performance, yesterday, was helped by the fact that Newcastle didn't play with a "low block". (I kin hate that term) Neither did Villa or Real Madrid.

Regards to your "loved and supported during these difficult times". What utter tosh. Folk on here will be giving him pelters next Sunday if he makes a gaff.

01 Feb 2026 15:10:58
You are loved and supported.

You've slated him the last 6 months.

Show some class and a backbone.

01 Feb 2026 15:46:49
In fairness iv been a critic of konate but he played very well last night. but for 6 months he's been awful, no denying that.

01 Feb 2026 15:59:35
Storm but you're not on here giving the love and supported speech.

Poster did the same for Jota after slating him for years and then gave a daily Oscar speech just for likes.

01 Feb 2026 09:18:36
Can the EDs explain to me Geertruida rumoured to be coming on loan to Liverpool. Can his loan to Sunderland be cancelled mid season?

{Ed001's Note - yes his loan can be cancelled.}

01 Feb 2026 11:46:06
So is he not getting used at Sunderland eds1?

{Ed001's Note - he was first choice when ever I watched them.}

01 Feb 2026 11:50:00
I'm all for bringing someone in as versatile as this fella

But I hope we stay away from the "Feyenoord" side of football 😴

When it was close to Klopp esc First half of Last season it was great.

01 Feb 2026 08:40:21
Geertruda seems to be the next name linked with us for defensive options. seems a strange signing considering slot might be on his way.

{Ed001's Note - he can play right back, left back, centre back and defensive midfield, so seems a sensible signing considering our lack of options in those areas.}

01 Feb 2026 09:12:57
Do you rate him Ed? Not seen much of him at Sunderland this season. I thought he would have been one of Slots first signings tbh.

{Ed001's Note - yes, I was surprised we never signed him the first summer Slot arrived and even more so this summer gone when it was clear we needed someone like him. I just assumed that I was wrong as I had not seen enough of him and there must have been something I was missing.}

01 Feb 2026 09:16:07
Who said Slot might be on his way? And why would it be a strange signing?

01 Feb 2026 09:44:29
Geertruida plays fullback exactly the way Slot uses his fullbacks. Primarily inverted but dynamic enough in support of his wingers.

From memory, wasn't there a day or two in worth of rumours last summer we were signing him? Before Frimpong got confirmed.

01 Feb 2026 09:51:13
Rome1977! -- Everybody.

Because he's Dutch and played for Feyenord under Slot, so obviously it could be seen as a transfer favoured by Slot and not supported by the club, especially if he is on his way out, which again has been suggested by a lot of people and has been echoed by the clubs peculiar stance on this transfer window.

01 Feb 2026 09:59:12
Obviously its not certain he's going but we've all seen the rumours and there's usually no smoke without fire. In terms of ability and versatility he's a great signing, but being an ex slot player at feyernood thought it was strange bringing one of his former players in, although i didn't realise it was just on loan when i initially posted.

01 Feb 2026 10:08:06
There was, if I remember, Faith. Seems the sort of player we need, right now. Primarily a right back, but can fill in at centre back, like Ed says. Like a modern day Steve Nicol! If he's half as good I'll be happy.

01 Feb 2026 10:13:54
It may therefore suggest that Slot has the backing of the club.

01 Feb 2026 10:16:18
Geerstruida is very good at defending. Not great on the ball. I think he's much better at full back than centre defence.

01 Feb 2026 10:37:16
Is he good?

01 Feb 2026 10:43:25
Its a loan so not relevant to Slot at all who's here until at least May. We've not many options, this guy makes sense.

01 Feb 2026 10:46:49
Just makes no sense to wait a whole month to then make any sort of negotiations.

01 Feb 2026 10:55:36
@ChewySuarez, I'm not. I think he should be but I don't run the club.

01 Feb 2026 11:01:50
It doesn't necessarily have to be a loan, we could sign him permanently.

01 Feb 2026 11:03:21
Signing him doesn't indicate club support for Slot in the slightest. It does however indicate that the club realise the necessity of reinforcing the teams defence.

01 Feb 2026 11:08:37
From what I've seen of him he is very decent on the ball, Biggun, he was crucial to the build up at Feyenoord, he was massive for them in the final third as well, popped up a lot on the overlap or underlapping into the box, I think he ended up with quite a few goals in his last season.

01 Feb 2026 11:35:47
We need defensive reinforcements due to our growing injury list

This is not about the club backing Slot or not, this is about the club doing what is required in order to give themselves every opportunity to make top 4 and go as far as possible in the CL and fa cup.

01 Feb 2026 12:12:10
How do you that the club hasn't been talking about Geerstruida? A loan is possible. Also I can't see it really gives much clue about slot staying. He's highly likely here until end of season at least lads just like Slot.

01 Feb 2026 12:27:07
This would be a sensible move for us to make in this window.

It shows that they recognise the issues and actually want to do something creative about it.

I hope it comes off. It would make me a lot more confident of achieving top 4/ 5.

01 Feb 2026 13:18:13
I mean. He's a physical and hard runner he's not going to ping bald like Trent and his crossing is so so but he gets stuck in and is reliable. I'm half Dutch so I've seen a lot of football there.

01 Feb 2026 13:51:00
Rome, I don't think that, at all. For me, the window for Slot to be sacked is been gone. The fact is that we need bodies in defence and midfield. That is the reality which does not reflect backing or not backing the manager.

We need bodies to give the CL and top 4 a real go. it is a numbers game and since it is a loan per reports, both Slot and Geertruida could be gone next season cos the new manager will need a clean slate. Just my opinion.

01 Feb 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, The Dalot Dilemma: Why United Should Keep Their Reliable Right-Back

01 Feb 2026 07:43:13
I'll tell what is absolutely top class.

We all remember the article Shappy posted a couple of weeks ago saying how patience was required with this United rebuild etc.

I then saw he posted the question on the United page (after beating Arsenal), if it was completely out of the question that they could win the title this year 🤣.

01 Feb 2026 07:00:44
I am elated with yesterday's performance. A great win after a poor start. Direct, aggressive, fed by the emotion of the crowd, pressing high, tracking back, solid defensively (first 30 aside), Ekitike and Wirtz looking amazing, all capped off by a Konate goal that I felt was inevitable! Great night, loved every second. The only negative for me was that Salah still playing on the wing is a complete waste of time. The bloke cannot beat an egg anymore unfortunately and whilst I love the man and still think he has plenty to offer, he needs to be told to stop taking people on and concentrate on setting up others. Also needs to find his shooting boots. A high offer sees him gone in the summer I think. Personally I would keep him but on continually lowering wages as we need to look to the future but he's a great example and leader to have around the squad. Same with VVD.

Quick word on the ref. Awful. Newcastle should have had at least one player sent off, more likely Burn, but personally I think the ref bottled it on Gordon taking out Ali. No intention to take the ball at all for me and of that's 2nd half or even 25 minutes later he's gone. Strange to think he's an LFC fan recently wanting to come back to us because I think any chance of that has gone this year. Not a bad player but a total liability with a bad attitude.

None of this takes away from how bad the team and certain individuals have been for the last few weeks and months, but it does show what we are capable of when we play to our clear strengths. The ITK's said last week that the Slot / Manager meeting was about changing things going forward. Is this the result?
I'm not personally convinced after many false dawn's this season that a corner has been turned, but either way I am glad that we have shown what I think we all knew we were capable of, hence the frustration. I pray we keep this going now and not revert to the crap on show beforehand.

01 Feb 2026 08:10:36
Agreed Salah isn't up his regular best, but even on a poor day he's still a threat. Thought Hall done very well against him, but his runs and timing are still very good. He made 3 excellent runs (1 flagged offside when he was if he had of beaten the keeper I reckon it stands anyway) and the other 2 he should have taken with his right foot.

I think people miss the point though, even on an off day teams can't leave him 1v1 so he creates space for other players e. g ekitike / Wirtz to do the damage.

1 thing he also gives us that doesn't happen much when he's not there is the Virgil cross field ball. he traps a lot of them.

So while I agree he's not at his best, he's definitely not a waste of time in my opinion anyway.

01 Feb 2026 08:11:40
Excellent win. Absolutely no clue where you got the idea Mo's a great leader?! I've never heard anyone make such a claim and I don't think a single person would agree with you. A good example all right but leader? No chance. And how exactly are you going to reduce his wages? He's on a contract. He's 33 with 18 months left, we either sell in the Summer or let it run out he won't be getting a renewal. Reduced wages are literally impossible.

It was fantastic to see us play direct for a change, it was highly effective, some great fast paced counter attacking, something I've been calling for all season. I'm not convinced it's here to stay as Slot has shown time and time again that even on the rare occasion he employs a different approach, no matter how effective, he always reverts back to his dreary old Dutch ways. Time will tell.

Either way It's too little too late for me. I think last night was damning proof that Slot has been playing the wrong tactics all season and his refusal to adapt has cost us the single most promising season we've had in decades. That's unforgivable in my book.

01 Feb 2026 08:13:11
Konates goal is my feel good moment in a crappy season.

01 Feb 2026 08:17:49
I agree with most of that, except for the comments on the ref. He was fine and I don't think either of those challenges were a red. I think Gordon did go for the ball against Ali but was just a little late…. let's put it this way if that was Liverpool's attack and the striker doesn't go in for it you would be asking why!

Good game though, one of a few that I enjoyed. Lovely moment for Konate too, which actually topped of a good game for him.

wirtz and Ekitike are just so good to watch, Wirtz is my new favourite Liverpool player to watch!

01 Feb 2026 08:59:39
It felt like after Newcastle scored the fans were about to seriously boil over. After being, let's face it, battered for Half an Hour, they was hitting post and all sorts.

The players stepped up for the manager at that point. And did what we all know they are capable of.

Maybe there is some fight in this team?

01 Feb 2026 09:10:46
Red card decisions aside, the ref was awful in the first 30mins - we literally couldn't touch them without him blowing for a Newcastle free kick

Seems to be a feature in the PL this season…there's far too many soft challenges stopping the game and far too much bias towards the defending team.

It's literally damaging the product (English football), why can't they see it?

01 Feb 2026 09:10:56
How you can say the ref was ok is beyond me. That's the same blert that sent off Curtis and Diogo at Spurs and left us with 9 men, the guy a fat cheat. The Kop were shouting cheat, cheat, cheat, coz every decision went in Newcastle's favour for the first 35 minutes solid.

01 Feb 2026 09:20:39
Mo has obviously lost enough pace that he finds it difficult to beat his man. Without that he's also not going to be double marked so it won't create spaces for others to play.

I'm not sure without those things, or his finishing, he can bring enough to the team to keep a place for next season. While he can create his crossing and passing aren't quite up there with the best wingers, and he earns too much to be a squad player.

01 Feb 2026 09:42:45
I don't think Mo played well but the young lad Hall is a talent.

01 Feb 2026 10:36:34
Bunch of absolute clueless comments. The best trainer and proffesional ever in Salah is not a leader? Wind your neck in, you clearly think you know anything about football when you clearly have no clue. Litterally talking out your arse!

01 Feb 2026 11:07:34
Anyone suggesting that Mo Salah is not a leader within this club obviously have forgotten the last 10 years or so.

01 Feb 2026 11:30:42
Yes I do think Salah is a leader AND a great example to whoever is tasked with taking over from him and already found a few people that agree with me thanks.
Lowering his wages is quite simple really. When his contract is up offer him less to stay on the basis his output is dropping and his first team role will be diminished, as happened with all players.

If he doesn't want that he leaves. Either way the wages fall.
Really hope this is a kick on moment for the squad and then whatever happens happens come the summer.

01 Feb 2026 11:35:16
I felt like Mo has been asked to stick to the byline, even as a younger player with more pace, I don't think that postionsuits his skill set. He definitely needs to play more central, closer to the goal. But with Wietz and Hugo, it's hard for him to get minutes there.

01 Feb 2026 13:55:06
If Mo Salah is not a leader then, what tha football is he doing in the leadership team? Good grief.

As for our perf., it was what many of us always knew this team was capable of producing all season IF played in this sytem that they thrive on. No news was broken here, IMO.

So what people have to ask themselves is that what that football took this manager so freaking long to play this way? Was it worth it for him to drive his pathetic system down all our throats just to prove some dumb point?

{Ed025's Note - to be fair Oli Newcastle played right into your hands mate, you just love teams that go toe to toe with you and you took full advantage of that as you should, we need to see how you go against teams that are not as gung-ho now and if you have turned the corner..

01 Feb 2026 14:38:22
The referee is not capable of refereeing a pub match. Burns one first he cleaned Gapko out no were near the ball and had been booked two minutes earlier that idiot referee runs to Gapko and has a go at him nothing said to Burns second yellow all day long he bottled it.
The next one Gordon if that was not intentional i will eat my hat .

That was an ankle breaker he was no were near the ball the referee bottled that one then there was the one on Kerkez he could of been seriously injured by Ramsey no intention to get the ball just the man.
Out of 10 i give that referee 1 and that was for finding his way to the ground by himself he is incompetent. YNWA.

01 Feb 2026 05:08:22
Think that's the first game this season we've fought back and asserted ourselves to dominate the match after an early set-back?

Loved the response for our first two goals. Felt defiant

Did Newcastle have one eye on
league cup later this week? Seemed off to not start either of their new strikers. ah well, got to beat what's in front of ya and we did that.

Well done to the lads, another positive step.

Our issue is consistency so hopefully a week between matches is helpful in prep for big match vs City up next.

01 Feb 2026 05:40:52
Amazing how we play when we actually press and have any sort of intensity.

01 Feb 2026 06:04:34
Agree Brummy.

Thought Wirtz was a delight to watch last night. Ekitike will be kicking himself that he didn't get a Hattrick last night. Scored 2 lovely goals and probably chose the wrong option on one chance and fluffed his lines on the 2nd half one.

Not talking about Salah performance but again last night he's gone through on goal a few times and just didn't seem to either back himself or tried to use his left foot when not on and put it wide of the near post.

Just so used to seeing Salah tuck chances away.

01 Feb 2026 06:13:10
True Brummy, but let's not get carried away mate, remember, Newcastle didn't play with a low block, the damn idiots 🙄, nor was there a gust of wind around.

We can't take all the credit. credit must be given to NUFC for not playing the low block.

01 Feb 2026 07:34:37
Faith, I think Wissa is still not fully fit and can't play many minutes at the moment, Woltemade has also been hot and cold and generally not been on a good run of form leading the line lately. I think Howe would have started Gordon anyway because he thinks Gordon can best hit us on the break by running in behind.

01 Feb 2026 08:48:44
Great performance after a dismal start, if we play on the foot front against teams we can beat anyone. Hopefully Slot can instil this.

01 Feb 2026 10:15:40
Yes a rummy lad. Who would have thunk it?

If you attack with purpose and pace?

That's a good idea that is🤔

Hats off to Konate outstanding. First game I've got out of seat for this season when we were putting moves together.

Very good.

01 Feb 2026 10:55:58
Part of the reason for the hard 1st 30 mins was that Newcastle actually had the b@! $ to come and go at us. I don't think we played any more on the front foot last night than normal it was just an open game because of Newcastles bravery. When teams come to play like that they invariably lose which is why most come to sit in which is their right.

We still need to be better vs defensive low block sides but i think were getting there bit by bit. We can have a go in Europe this year because a lot of sides will play just like Newcastle did.

01 Feb 2026 12:04:22
Whilst I do agree that it was great to see us play with genuine intensity and directness, I think Newcastle allowed us to play that way, especially after we equalised. Teams that go toe to toe with us, generally will be on the losing side. It's the teams that have a plan to completely nullify us that we look lost against, and that's not just low block teams, there's plenty other ways we have been stifled this season. It was a great response once we went 1-0 down because lord knows before that, we were heading for the same type of performance we've seen for most of this season and we've only seen these types of high intensity performances a few times this season, so that was refreshing and entertaining.

I just think the long term the problem is, us being good seems to be based on the opposition rather than us, and that is not something we've not been used to for some time now.

01 Feb 2026 13:57:22
Brummyred, ain't that the truth. Even if they played a low block, with the way we were moving the ball quickly with good player movement off the ball, would have caused them probs.

Hats of to the team and the manager esp. finally realising that his system doesn't work. Took a while and a lost title defence season to get here, btw.

01 Feb 2026 01:50:43
Made up for ibou. Well done lad, brilliant tonight deserved goal. Your dad will be proud.

01 Feb 2026 06:13:27
Amen Scouse John.

01 Feb 2026 07:37:21
I think he showed that he can still be a top player when on form, all the stuff on here lately about how he isn't even good enough to be a championship center half, never mind a liverpool player has been rather nonsensical in my opinion, yes he has had a tough season but he also very much did his part to win us a title last year.

Who knows if his dad's situation has been playing on his mind lately, folks speculating throughout the season that he was just coasting thinking of Madrid and then laughing at him for Madrid dropping their interest might very well have been off the mark.

01 Feb 2026 09:26:00
Who knows what's been going on for him over recent months. Everyone's different but the fact he played, and played the way he did, says something about the man.

01 Feb 2026 11:59:02
Slot said post game Ibu had rung him to say he would be back early to help out the team had a tear in my eye when he scored.