Liverpool Banter 4

18 Mar 2026 15:17:46
I'm sure they contacted Jurgen Klopp, but there's no chance of him returning to LFC. He's Global Head of Football at Red Bull, you think they're just going to let him take a few months off to come save us?!

Anybody who thinks Klopp is going to come back, watch the below Stephen Bartlett interview from last year and watch his face when he answers the question about the possibility of returning. Body language doesn't lie. The video goes straight to the point at which he's asked the question.

18 Mar 2026 15:42:17
I haven't viewed the video, but I think it's best for him if he didn't return. I'd imagine he's living a much more chilled out lifestyle nowadays, and he deserves it. To be honest, unless it's the Germany job, I'd be very surprised to see him managing a club again.

18 Mar 2026 15:57:00
Yeh, I agree. Think it's Germany or nothing for him.

18 Mar 2026 16:30:11
As long as he stops doing those God awful Trivago adverts.

18 Mar 2026 12:10:10.
I think we are all worrying too much about whether midfielders are defensive midfielders, no 6's or no 8's.
What we desperately need are midfielders with energy, drive, commitment, can read the game and who can tackle and win headers.
We don't have anyone like that.


We have neat and tidy players when we are in possession but are not particularly good out of possession.
The balance of our whole midfield and for that matter, our team is wrong.
We definitely need a manager who puts formation and team balance above purely possession in charge!

18 Mar 2026 13:16:15
Energy, drive, commitment, read the game and who can tackle and win headers.

You just described a DM/no6, mate.

18 Mar 2026 14:11:27
It makes no difference who we have if the midfield is so far away from the back 4. They just need coaching on team shape and connections.

18 Mar 2026 14:26:59
I think the main issue is a tactical and coaching issue rather than a personnel issue.

If your midfield isn't functioning week after week against low league opposition, when you have the likes of Wirtz, Szobo, Macalister, Grav, Jones etc., then you're coaching them wrong.

We have an embarrassment of riches in midfield, and they are being totally wasted.
Grav, we have seen, is more than capable of being this 6 we all want.
Macca, I'd replace him because we can do better, but he could still do much better by staying on his feet now and again and showing some actual fight and desire.


Wirtz is one of the best players in the world, and he's being shoved out of position.
Same with Szob.
Jones just needs to be instructed to play the ball quicker.

If these 4 players played to their strengths and ability, then we would have one of the strongest midfields in world football, but currently it's totally a mess.

So no point whatsoever for me pinning hopes on some wonder signing whilst Slot continues to mess everything up.

18 Mar 2026 14:52:41
I disagree. He can't /won't tackle or head the ball.
The qualities I described are what I call being a good midfielder. Whelan, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Souness, and McMahon could do all of them, and none of them was this so-called no 6 everyone seems to be obsessed with.

18 Mar 2026 15:29:25
But when we had Hendo, Milner, Wijnaldum and Fabinho, everyone wanted more creativity in midfield.

In my opinion, the personnel is fine, but they are not being utilised properly. We won the league with this midfield; they can't be that bad, can they? It's crazy how Grav was a revelation in the 6 last season, and this season he's not played there at all. We've gone for this fluid midfield, but it really doesn't work because there's no accountability.

If all of you should be fluid when protecting the back 4 during a game, dependent on where the other midfielders are, then you can always pass the blame to someone else when it's not done properly.

He should've stayed. No, it was his fault, he should've stayed, etc. etc.

Footballers generally need to have defined roles in a team structure for the team to function properly, unless you're a Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona, etc. We don't have players of that quality who warrant a free role, so we need structure and there literally is none.

18 Mar 2026 15:58:59
It should be describing every position in our team, bar goalkeeper.

18 Mar 2026 16:38:24
We've lost our intensity with and without the ball. Low risk passing and no intensity in trying to win it back.

18 Mar 2026 17:41:33
So, Slot's coaching is wrong, because I can refer back to you blaming everyone but him, not that long ago.

18 Mar 2026 18:58:52
Embarrassment of riches in midfield? What a load of b*******, not one of the midfielders we have available has an ounce of defensive nous or physicality about them. Too easy to bully, too easy to play against.

19 Mar 2026 00:25:49
No, Endo, I've been saying since we lost to PSV that Slot should go. I just refuse to criticise him for everything down to the colour of his shoelaces.

It's clear he hasn't coached the team properly this year, because the team isn't functioning like a well coached team. We are much worse than the sum of our parts.

19 Mar 2026 10:20:24
I think the sucky thing about our midfield this season is that Macca has been playing more like Ronald McDonald. Grav hasn't hit the heights, and Dom has been shunted all over the place.

The best set-up we have is for those three to be together in midfield, crucially with Macca higher up the pitch, so Dom and Grav can be the engine behind him.

That is on the assumption that Macca starts, cos my preference would be for Wirtz to start there.

18 Mar 2026 09:21:06
Props to whoever came here with rumours that Hughes is a possibility for Al Hilal ages ago. It's in the Telegraph today.

18 Mar 2026 12:07:39
Yeah, Silvered. Looks like that's a great possibility.

18 Mar 2026 12:26:29
To be fair, Hughes and Edwards have been linked to Saudi jobs for the last couple of years. Clearly they are interested in what is developing there.

18 Mar 2026 12:41:43
I believe that started back in January. It was not really a rumour when it was all over the web, with numerous articles on it back then too.

18 Mar 2026 12:48:58
How do these ppl who fail at jobs get other lucrative jobs? Someone must be putting good words in for them.

18 Mar 2026 13:16:29
When you say fail, Strom, do you mean by being part of a club that won the PL? Twice in Edwards's case.

18 Mar 2026 13:19:33
Failing upwards is a common occurrence in all sorts of industries.

18 Mar 2026 13:21:02
I guess what we fans deem as a successful Sporting Director is not exactly the same for the clubs.

I would think their reputation amongst other Sporting Directors and the big agents will be a big factor as much as being able to articulate a sporting vision across all levels of the club and with commercial partners.



Unfortunately, we never get to see any of that. We can only interpret things through the coaching performance and team results.

18 Mar 2026 13:27:35
Well, Rome, they've failed miserably this season, haven't they n plus we had a legend called Klopp who was the main man who made the team that won us trophies, not two men behind the scenes.

18 Mar 2026 14:14:52
No, Strom, they haven't. They've given the coach some world-class players. It's not their fault he can't shape them into a winning team.

They haven't sacked Slot because the right person to replace him isn't immediately available, and they don't want to be knee-jerk and just get anyone in. That makes perfect sense to me.

18 Mar 2026 14:25:54
Agree with you there, Strom. But if it's fair game to slag them off when we're shite, it's only fair that they get praise when we're good.

18 Mar 2026 14:39:45
I think it kind of is their fault. The job of a sporting director is not to buy the best players available in an abstract fashion, but the best players to fit what the coach wants to do, to have a broad plan for replacing players and shaping the team over a few seasons, but also to make hard decisions, in constant communication with the coach, when contingencies arise and those plans might have to be moved around.

Yes, Hughes and Edwards bought some great players, there is no question about that, but the question is whether they were what we needed at that precise time to get us best prepared for the league this year. Let's say Slot wanted a full back who could tuck in or play center half ala Hincapie and Geertruida, and Hughes went and bought Kerkez and Frimpong instead.

Yes, Kerkez and Frimpong are fantastic players, but if Slot didn't want that sort of player (I'm speculating), was it really a good move?

Also, the decision not to back Slot in January when we needed a center half and a wide player is extremely questionable. Okay, maybe they thought Guehi and Semenyo were overpriced and they have better targets in mind, so are waiting for the summer window, but they didn't even want to bring Geertruida in to give us some help when Slot was pressing for him on loan.

If we don't make it in the Champions League places, I'm not sure the blame falls squarely on Slot. Obviously, he has to take a large proportion of the blame, but the hierarchy have some big questions to answer.

18 Mar 2026 15:40:19
Varry, yes, they've given them some great players, but some weren't needed, n most wanted to come anyway. But look at Isak, it took months to get across the line, yet it looked like we panicked n bought Ekitike with no plan if Isak came.

They should have looked where we were short, like CB n midfield, and left us short, didn't they? I don't blame Slot for buying players, I blame him for our terrible season. This season is a collective mismanagement from top to bottom.

18 Mar 2026 15:45:12
Rome, I agree with that statement, but if we never had Klopp to gel everyone, players, fans, etc., then no one would even know who the behind-the-scenes men were. I remember players were midfielders at CBs because we were short, then they left 3 senior players' contracts to all come to an end at the same time, not top class work in my eyes.

But ppl may disagree.

18 Mar 2026 09:04:18
A question for the Ed's and posters.

If Alonso were to come in next season, how would you feel if he was to bring Xhaka into the club on say a two year deal from Sunderland? He played 50 games for him at Leverkusen, winning the double.

Or do you think we already have a player that can do a job like that and has enough experience (I personally don't).?

Also if not Xhaka who could we bring in to be that experience in the middle of the park that Alonso might like?

Can't actually think of any myself at the moment.

Cheers guys have a nice day Ynwa.

18 Mar 2026 09:14:59
I get what you're saying, and see how he could do a job. But I really think it has to be someone on the up that can make the position their own for years.
The team needs stability in most positions, but also new blood.



There has to be good up-and-coming players about that we can get to make this team gel and start getting the feel-good factor back.

18 Mar 2026 09:58:19
I can see the benefit of Xhaka, and it's always good for a new manager to have someone they can rely on in a key position. Also, for a chap in his mid-30s, he's actually been OK for injuries in the last few years (just one ankle injury this season that kept him out for 5 games).

However, he's under contract until 2028, and I wouldn't want to put much, if any, of the budget on a 35-year-old player.

Personally, I'd go for Wharton or Andersen, or one of the young European midfielders we have been linked with.

With Gravy, Dom (in his proper position), Jones, and Wirtz being the main options in midfield, with players like Nyoni and possibly Elliot as backup, I would be more comfortable having a younger, less league-ready but bright prospect player brought in.



Controversial, but I would also offer Robbo a 1 or 2 year deal to extend, if he was happy sharing the duties with Kerkez. As Kerkez settles in more with the new manager, I can see Robbo having less game time, so if he is happy with that, I would love to keep him. He has shown flashes of the Robbo of old this season, but he can't do it 3 times a week. However, I think he would prefer to play more often, and Celtic may be the location for him on a free.

18 Mar 2026 10:08:12
I like the idea of a Gary Mac-type midfielder. Grav and Slob are good players, but they haven't got that discipline that the Hendos of this world have yet.

18 Mar 2026 10:12:29
I think you begin in the total faith that comes with a new beginning.
If he wants to bring in someone (anyone) who he believes in, so be it. Can you have a new manager bring in a team of 'potentials' when he may not be there long enough to see them develop?
Change comes over time, not overnight.

18 Mar 2026 10:12:34
I'm a bit boring, and would trust the manager, lol, but I do think we need a balance of proven Premier League players. Guys who can lead the group with their professionalism.

18 Mar 2026 10:21:35
The midfield is a real conundrum at the moment. And I think part of that is down to the signing and recent extension of Ryan Gravenberch, and part of that is building around Florian Wirtz.

It looks like Elliott Anderson is a dead cert to go to City, so we can scratch that one off the list. And it seems United will get Baleba after chasing him for a year.

We are being strongly linked with Wharton, and seem to be clear favourites to sign him. If we do that, I would still argue we are missing a defensive midfielder (unless you count Endo and McConnell). Wharton is not going to make recovery runs or be able to help fullbacks defend the channels. He's a deep lying playmaker.

So if we sign Wharton, for me, you would need to rely on one of Gravy or Szobo to be the defensive minded mid, with Wirtz then free to do his magic.



As ridiculous as it sounds, to make the most of Florian Wirtz in a midfield 3, you might need both Wharton/Stiller and a Bouaddi/Baleba/Agoume/Anderson/Mandela Keita type as a two.

I like Lamine Camara, and I think he could potentially do a job alongside a Wharton, Gravy or Szobo in a two, but I am not sure that is the best use of him as he's not a specialist DM either.

As I said, a real conundrum, as Gravy and Szobo are really 8s and Wirtz is a 10. And if it is Wharton, then he's not a DM but a DLP.

Perhaps we try to solve this conundrum with a new right back that can invert into midfield!

18 Mar 2026 10:24:51
Get the point the OP made on Shaka, but gotta aim higher, surely.

18 Mar 2026 11:11:42
I still am of the opinion that Grav is not an 8. He played the best football of his life as a 6 and he got his move to Bayern playing as a 6 in a role that was almost exactly what he does for Liverpool, dropping into the back line and then beating the press, turning and carrying through the lines or passing it quickly to their two 8s or advanced full backs.

Maybe '6' is not the best term for what exactly he does, but he has always functioned best as either a single pivot (the deepest midfielder) or a double pivot with a passer next to him.

18 Mar 2026 11:13:50
Coulred, for me it's about the team, not individual players. So, if a 35yo midfielder is what our new manager thinks will make the team play better as a unit, I can understand that.

FPF, do you not think that Gravy, back in his role from 24-25, is that DM? Anderson is a bit more defensive than Wharton, but if it's Gravy sitting behind, as he did so well last season, and we have 2 intelligent CBs - VVD and 1 of the new ones, whether Leoni or Jacquet or someone new, not Konate! - then I think that could work very well.

18 Mar 2026 11:28:52
PB, you just beat me to it. If indeed Wharton does come, then he and Gravy as a double pivot, or he in front of Gravy, would be a great pairing. We then have the options of Szob or Wirtz in front, and alternatives like Jones or Endo to provide rotation, with academy players providing further depth - Nyoni already has some minutes, as does McConnell, and there's also Bradshaw, who is making a name for himself.

Although I mentioned Elliot in my last post, sadly, I think time is up for him. Hopefully, he can help the Diomande deal, as I know Leipzig were after him last summer.

18 Mar 2026 11:43:02
Go for Sadiki, he's the type we need in the midfield. Wharton is a great player, but he needs someone like Sadiki next to him.

18 Mar 2026 11:43:06
PB, Zed, I am on the fence about Gravy. I fear he is just too nice to be a defensive midfielder. More mentality than ability or physical capacity. The 6 should be the one who rolls their sleeves up and gets stuck in when things are going badly. Instead, Gravy drops into the CB line and hopes for the best.

18 Mar 2026 11:43:49
Zed, it wouldn't surprise me to see Grimaldo arrive if Xabi got the job.

18 Mar 2026 11:50:49
I'd love us to sign both Elliot and Wharton, but I doubt we can get both. Would at least like us to rival City for him, though.

18 Mar 2026 11:52:51
I'd make a big move for someone like Baleba, to be honest, and partner them with Grav in the middle.

18 Mar 2026 12:09:34
If Xabi thinks he can do a job for us, then I don't see why not. Xhaka has improved massively since he left Arsenal, so I wouldn't be against it.

18 Mar 2026 12:55:12
Grav's best position is sitting in front of the defenders. When Klopp had him, he looked like he was one of the players we would sell. Then Slot found his position by chance, because we never got Zubimendi (spelling), and he excelled.

Now, for some reason only known to Slot and his team, he is played further forward and looks exactly the same player under Klopp. He needs to be sitting like last year to be useful.

18 Mar 2026 13:08:04
Stromsgodset, if you watch the last 10 games of Gravy, you will see that when we are in an off-the-ball state he drops back into the CB line between Virg and Konate. This is not helpful, nor where a DM should be.

18 Mar 2026 13:31:14
FPL: I've not really noticed that, but that is not the position I'm on about. He should be sitting in front of the CBs, protecting them, not playing alongside them, like he did last season.

18 Mar 2026 08:32:02
You know my biggest worry is with Slot still being here?
Ya I dont care if we wont finish top4 or not win anything. Bad seasons happen.

My biggest worry is United will tonk is so hard at Trafford with how we are playing and morale of this team.

I dont want a 3-0 loss at United and that for me alone is a reason to sack Slot and I dont care who we get in. Could be my grandma.

18 Mar 2026 08:47:00
To prevent what you fear, Cafu, it would help if the players were to put a shift in. Pass the ball to a player with a Liverbird on their shirt, win a tackle, fight to get the ball back, etc. The basics, basically. This applies whether Slot is in charge or your granny.

18 Mar 2026 08:52:44
Corruption is just as bad in the game elsewhere, the only difference is that it is hidden and on a bigger scale. Platini, Blatter, Infantino and others may make the African issue look like child's play.

18 Mar 2026 09:04:10
Wrong thread, Regency.

18 Mar 2026 09:16:24
Or is it Rome? Maybe Regency was alluding to Cafu's granny. Is she corrupt?

18 Mar 2026 09:22:29
That's a good point, Mcgov! I've met some corrupt grannies in my time! Hope you're well, mate. Hope to see you on chat later.

18 Mar 2026 10:06:48
Rome, if Isak is back for the Utd game and it's his first game, you don't expect a lot, but no matter how good a player is, once they hit the fitness wall in a game, passes go astray and mistakes kick in.
That's our full squad because of Slot's extra days off, so he can piss off back home. The only way our players get fitness up is when we are playing every 3 days.


Slot moans about that not because of the players playing too much, it is just getting in the way of him pissing off home.
It's quite clear he is not happy in the job because his family is not with him, understandable, but he knew this from last March when he was struggling, but he doesn't want to leave, not because he wants to stay, he just wants the pay packet; he can't get home.

18 Mar 2026 10:22:51
The players look extremely fragile at the moment. Anything could happen in the remaining games. One thing I am sure of, though, we won't go on a winning run.

18 Mar 2026 11:18:34
I really don't know where this narrative of Slot missing his family and wanting to go home at every opportunity, sacrificing extra training sessions for the team, comes from. It's been suggested on here, and then slowly seems to have been taken as a fact. Now you have posters saying Slot complains about the frequency of games because he wants to go home and see his kids, and hasn't left the Liverpool job because he's hanging on to his pay packet.

Could we maybe lay off the far-fetched speculation? It's enough with us complaining about his tactics. Do we have to begin to make stuff up too?

He could very well be homesick, and he could very well make use of every break he has to go home.

But to suggest that he is so unprofessional that he gives all the players breaks just so he can go home and complains about the number of games elite prem players have to play a season (which Adam Cleary revealed today to be upwards of 80 games, if you count international games; sports medicine professionals have said that the absolute maximum should really be around 50), just because it means he can't go back to Holland more often, do you think that's really justified?

18 Mar 2026 12:11:50
Cafu, if that is what you are worried about, then to me, you are worried about the wrong thing, imo.

Oh n btw, had we been flying and ready to go back to back, that would not have prevented us from losing at OT. That's not how football works, imo.

18 Mar 2026 12:56:43
The only corrupt Grannies I've ever seen or met, was in the Grafton

18 Mar 2026 13:14:22
Never thought I would see posts about corrupt grannies on here! Now That's What I Call... Banter vol 1.

18 Mar 2026 17:28:58
Pb, when you say ppl are making stories up about Slot going home at every opportunity, n that might be very true. But do you know for a fact that he isn't? If the answer is no, aren't you just second guessing like them?

18 Mar 2026 18:15:25
My granny aint corrupt, she a nun.

18 Mar 2026 03:17:40
Carra mate, I salute to you. AFCON is an utter joke. I mean, what! Just crazy …

I know you get in trouble for some hot takes but you are hardly ever wrong in hindsight.

18 Mar 2026 07:03:12
Yeah, Africa is quite corrupt, but as they say, corruption is only bad if you're not part of it.

18 Mar 2026 07:59:21
No more corrupt than FIfA or UEFA. Just easier to point the finger at the Africans.cos.well. you already know

18 Mar 2026 08:00:24
No more corrupt than FIfA or UEFA. Just easier to point the finger at the Africans.cos.well. you already know

18 Mar 2026 12:13:21
C0ffan, seriously, have you met FIFA? The guy who runs it, Infantino, is Trump's poodle to the point of him wearing MAGA hats at certain events.

18 Mar 2026 12:12:32
What utter trash scarface.
Cant legitimately criticise anyone or anything anymore without some virtue signalling plum like yourself insinuating racism.
You don't even know the meaning of the word.

18 Mar 2026 14:38:42
I think most football fans will happily criticise UEFA and FIFA.

Doesn't mean you can't criticise others too.

To be honest, I think the AFCON were in an impossible position, and what else could they do about this?

With the players walking off after a disappointing decision that should have been the end of the game, the team walking off forfeits the game.

18 Mar 2026 19:13:05
Personally don't think football matches should be settled at a tribunal or court where there's been a referee error. It's a dangerous road to go down. Should have been thrown out. Plus some of the stuff that went on in Morocco was horrendous, like ball boys trying to steal the opponents stuff from inside the goal and keeping the ball away to waste time, to the crowds shining lasers in the eyes of opponents and the authorities taking no action, Morocco can do one.

They should soak it up, they lost, get over it, ref made a mistake and it happens all over the world every weekend.

18 Mar 2026 19:22:48
Someone mentioned it earlier, Ron... The right decision but at the wrong time.

They should have called it at the game, not now.

The funny thing is... You can now change the outcome of a match 2 months after it ended, but you can't award a penalty or free kick from a corner because the whistle has gone or the ball isn't in play yet?

I also now wonder what is going to happen with all the bets that were taken on the game.

17 Mar 2026 23:26:06
Ed 01 sorry if you've been asked before but with united watching luis enrique shouldn't we be targeting him too rather than alonso? Fast play with quick wingers is what we're all about his style would suit us to the ground and he looks like he takes no crap.

{Ed001's Note - it is all very well watching him, but do you know if he has any interest in leaving PSG?}

18 Mar 2026 09:18:30
Why would he leave the success and money of PSG? Plus, they look to be peaking again for the UCL run in.

17 Mar 2026 21:34:21
Can't wait to face PSG in the next round of the Super League.

17 Mar 2026 22:03:22
Won't have to worry about that the way we are playing, JLC.

17 Mar 2026 19:51:32
What's people's thoughts on tomorrow's game? I have been thinking about it most of the day and can honestly say I have never been this unsure of what to expect from the Reds. Normally you would be confident that coming to Anfield we can turn it around, but this team hasn't got the dog in them. I don't feel.

You can't be sure what type of performance we get, or if we take any chances, if we keep a clean sheet or ship 3.

I kind of hope we go out, which is a crazy thing to say, but it may be better all around as 2 games against PSG in amongst a chase for 5th could be too much.

Interesting to see other posters' views.

YNWA.
🤙🏾

17 Mar 2026 20:06:50
I think we will win tomorrow, never want or wish we would lose. ✊🏻 Up the Reds. YNWA.

17 Mar 2026 20:11:04
Can't be hoping we go out. Go through tomorrow and you're 4 games away from the final. We have this amazing squad, don't we? We shud be fine. Hopefully, the lads get the finger out. If they do, we can do it.

17 Mar 2026 20:17:43
"I kind of hope we go out," then you end your post with YNWA. Hmm, just a whiff of hypocrisy.

Too Sweet, you said you'd be interested to read other posters' views. Well, "I kind of hope we go through." YNWA.

17 Mar 2026 20:23:42
I think we win 3-1 and scrape through.

17 Mar 2026 20:33:42
Yes, we will win.
Remember, we lost to Wolves and then beat them in the next game?
We can do the same again with Galatasaray.

17 Mar 2026 20:57:35
Don't think that's gonna have the desired effect, King 😆😆.

17 Mar 2026 21:06:47
I've calmed down since Sunday and I'm excited again now to see Szob tomorrow night at right back.

17 Mar 2026 21:34:47
Never want us to lose games. End of.

17 Mar 2026 21:38:40
I don't think the performances all season can be different tomorrow, plus LFC are not playing well enough to beat PSG if they go through, and Slot isn't the type to have a strategy for a 2-legged match-up anyway.

17 Mar 2026 21:43:43
JK, I'd have said all season I'd have Dom in midfield, Frimpong at rb and drop Macca, but the scary thing is Macca was actually better than Gravenberch on Sunday, so what do you do, have Macca as dm with Szob alongside him?

17 Mar 2026 21:55:14
Fm it's hard to say who was better, mate. I'm still disgusted at the application of all the players (bar Rio).

17 Mar 2026 22:00:42
But ye get through tomorrow night, Post klopp, then you worry about PSG. Our history is full of results being pulled out when our form doesnt suggest it, especially in Europe. Only thing, if I'm honest, that I think will kill us is that if we get through tomorrow it looks like we would have to beat PSG, Barca, then one of Real, Bayern, Arsenal to win it.

I always remember losing to Barnsley I think it was under Rafa in the cup after other disappointing result nd having Inter dat week. No chance was giving but we got it done. This club is full of them results.

17 Mar 2026 22:45:56
Gala are not a good team. At Anfield, with the crowd with us on a floodlit night, it's our speciality. I think we will win by a cpl of goals, fingers n toes crossed.

18 Mar 2026 05:38:25
Always want the team to do well. The fans spend a lot of money watching the games, so no one should hope that we lose so that the coach gets sacked. Gala are a bad team, to be honest, and we should have scored a few goals from the number of chances we had at the start of the game.

Having said that, I am not sure what Liverpool would turn up tonight - the one which will blow them off the park, or the one which would be passive and only wake up in the 2nd half to find out that they are out of time. I think it could be the 1st, as Gala looked as incapable of defending as us.

18 Mar 2026 06:37:32
Gala aren't a great team, but we are mentally weak, and if they get chances, I can't see how they won't. Liverpool are in for a tough night.

18 Mar 2026 06:54:00
Fingers crossed we win, that's the bottom line. Am I confident we will? That's a different story. We can beat anyone on our day, but we've had so few of them lately.

18 Mar 2026 06:59:43
Not sure I'd go so far as to say Gala are a bad team, they actually have qualities that allow them to play and set up pretty much like a mid table Prem team if they want to sit in. They have two physical and aggressive center halves and a brilliant, world class number 9 who can trouble any defense in world football with his movement, his aerial prowess, pace and physicality. Lump the ball long to Osimhen and he can make it stick.

That being said, we are still a far superior team to them, it's just a matter of whether we can get an early goal, open the game up, and manage to score another one of the chances we will invariably produce without giving up a stupid goal.

One thing that worries me a lot lately is our off the ball work. Our front line is just so half-hearted in pressing (when you have Ekitike and Salah leading the line, then you pretty much surrender being successful at a front press), and then when the opposition bypasses the weak front press, the rest of our players are sitting deep in our half with nobody pushing up to pressure the midfielders.



I honestly have no idea why we do this. If you want to press high, then push the whole team up. If you don't want the rest of the unit to push up, then just drop everybody deeper, including the front line. At least we won't have the opposition get the ball to midfield, and then the midfielders have their uncontested pick of what kind of pass they want to play. When we had Dom leading the press, pushed the midfielders up to press and Konate up to press the midfielders, rather than this weird system that leaves a huge hole between the front and the midfield, we have looked so much better.

18 Mar 2026 07:48:20
I'd feel better about tonight if we had a captain that can drag the team by the scruff of the neck and fight for the win, just don't see it Virg.

18 Mar 2026 07:59:52
Never want us to lose, I reckon Anfield will be rocking and we will stuff them. I don't think their fans are allowed in, and it will be a hostile atmosphere for them.
(Fingers crossed!)

18 Mar 2026 12:35:23
I propose everyone just sit back and hope for the best, cos none of us know which LFC team is gonna show up.

18 Mar 2026 23:24:04
I'm glad I was right!!!