Liverpool banter 9

05 May 2026 17:47:37
I don't recognise the concerning traits of this version of LFC no matter who the Head Coach is! I don't see a plan or tactical nous!

I do see a poorly motivated, poorly coached, unfit and unbalanced squad!

05 May 2026 22:26:12
I don't think the squad is unbalanced but injuries have unbalanced it as they would with most squads.

05 May 2026 22:49:24
StockAitkinandJohnston, the squad is imbalanced in midfield, not one of our midfielders is capable defensively.

06 May 2026 00:37:26
It's the same midfield that won the league last season, Vik, so it can't be that unbalanced, can it?

We can always do with better players in all positions, of course. I don't know a team that couldn't, but with everyone fit we have a very strong, very balanced squad. 2 players for every position.

I get why people might question the quality in depth after this season, but they certainly weren't at the start of the season. It's the multiple injuries to one position that have made the squad look stretched and unbalanced.

RB and CB are both good examples. We've had 2 RBs and 2 CBs injured for most of the season.

We've had at least 1 of our strikers injured for most of the season. Ali has been in and out and now we are on to our third choice keeper due to injuries.

All of this has an effect on the balance of the team and the squad because we've had to overplay players and play players out of position in most games.

Virgil and Konate have played too many games and don't look like they want to run. They defend on the back foot, which opens space in the midfield, which then makes the midfield look unbalanced etc etc.

Cause and effect.

06 May 2026 07:01:49
Definitely injuries, Beckers.

Without them we'd probably have sewn up the quadruple, Super Bowl, post code lottery and Eurovision Song Contest by now.

06 May 2026 08:22:08
Stock, Aitkin & Waterman were famous for churning out multiple turgid all-sound-the-same s*** records back in the day and it's ironic that in the same unoriginal manner, StockAitkinandJohnston is rehashing and remixing the argument put forward before 22/23 from some corners that we didn't need to sign any midfielders because we "nearly won the quadruple" the season before, so the midfield was still good enough to compete. Last season is completely irrelevant, and it has no bearing on this season. We've won nothing this season, and will win nothing this season.

If we carry on with Slot, and don't bring in some suitable quality in midfield, the next season is a write off too.

We still have not adequately replaced Fabinho, and it looks like that mistake is going to continue going forward. Our group of midfielders is entirely imbalanced, there's no physicality, no defensive nous and no leaders in there, just a bunch of powder puff soft lads who are scared of getting their hands dirty. If this season shows anything it's that last season was an anomaly.

05 May 2026 16:34:21
I think Alonso will be here come next season. I think a lot of the talks stopping will be down to players losing respect for Slot even more than he had done by his own standards with knowing he was going.
I said yesterday I would not be surprised if we win Chelsea Saturday that an announcement is made before the last home game saying Slot is leaving at the end of the season to return to his family.


So he can get a good send off. I think everyone will give him one for last season title and two people will be just happy he is going and taking his style of football and work ethic with him.

05 May 2026 18:30:56
Don't think Alonso comes unless he gets full control, and we are reluctant to do it.

05 May 2026 18:53:15
No manager should have "full control". Our transfer strategy was at its best between 2016 and 2018 when Klopp had final say but the data and research guys weren't afraid to challenge him and had a model they stuck with.

Our transfer strategy went off when Klopp wrestled control off from them, only to listen to Lijnders instead, thus ending up with Gakpo and the very expensive flop Nunez (sorry, Nunez defenders, but he undoubtedly is). Klopp also started gifting ridiculous contract extensions out. I remember he went on record in his final season about how he thought we should give Matip a contract extension after his injury because apparently it was the right thing to do. Matip would retire from his injuries.



Now, the data boys seem to think they're the stars of the show. It's been a disaster. Mamardashvili and Frimpong don't even fit our style of play, so who cares what the stats say? Our squad has also been depleted of leadership and characters as the data boys seem too obsessed with the statistics to remember that football is a game played by humans and you don't win football games on a spreadsheet.

The manager and the recruitment team need to be able to challenge each other instead of one side trying to assert their dominance over the other. There needs to be an overall vision that supersedes the manager so we aren't chopping and changing every time we change manager.

{Ed001's Note - it wasn't Klopp giving the contracts out mate, that was Edwards purview.}

05 May 2026 19:06:34
Would Alonso demand full control? I very much doubt he got that at Madrid and still took the job.

05 May 2026 19:11:05
I'm a Nunez defender, I'd have him over Isak every day. He probably missed less chances than Isak misses games.

05 May 2026 19:13:19
You think we'll beat Chelsea?

05 May 2026 19:26:41
John, if you're a (Nunez) defender you'll probably find him 10 yards beyond you in an offside position.

05 May 2026 19:10:09
Im not sure Alonso wants full control. I think he wants "a say"(per Carra or Ed01, I think) in who we sign, which is not far-fetched as that happens at other clubs.

Now as Ed01 has responded to one of my questions on this topic, the two bozo's don't want the next manager to have any say/input in player personnel decisions. Just saying.

05 May 2026 20:00:35
Doubt he wants full control. More so, assurances to not be stitched up in key positions, either with misprofiled players or no player at all.

05 May 2026 20:38:31
Honestly, think people are setting themselves up for disappointment here. Slot is staying and having a third season. And it'll go wrong.

05 May 2026 23:09:35
@jk23, At least he will be on the pitch.

05 May 2026 22:30:54
Cheers Ed, wasn't Klopp pushing for the contracts though? I thought that was one of the reasons they fell out. I think I remember reading about Klopp wanting players like Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams to have their contributions rewarded with contracts and he advocated for fringe players like them and staff members to be on higher salaries to create less hierarchy.

That's not to excuse Edwards, mind. His job was to be the sensible one balancing the books and should have never allowed it.

{Ed001's Note - he didn't as for Williams to be given a contract so huge that he is impossible to shift. All he asked for was that they be given a bit of security in life with a longer term deal, as a thanks. Edwards was his boss and doing the negotiating, not Klopp. Edwards messed up big style and just paid well over the odds to everyone.}

06 May 2026 07:04:58
Scouse, unless he's in Saudi, mate, where he was binned from the squad in January.

06 May 2026 09:23:35
Indeed, Ed. I think you said back then, that Edwards was giving starter wages (150k, I think) to squad guys like Ox and Naby.

Even Chiesa who would have be a rotational option when he signed, got 150k a week. I mean, who does that? Edwards must think LFC's funds are his funds to blow recklessly.

There is a reason why he was the wrong guy to be the Sporting Director at the time.

05 May 2026 16:00:30
Thanks Carra. Always appreciate anyone who takes time to give any information.

05 May 2026 15:34:37
I read Carra’s post below and am a man of deductions.
Slot wants to leave and Alonso talks broke down and Carra being coy about who is next is just pointing to one direction.

Welcome back to LFC, Steven Gerrard. We have missed you and all for it.

05 May 2026 17:12:29
No chance of Gerrard getting the manager's job at Anfield. He would only be slightly ahead of me in the betting. If we were thinking of going for Gerrard, we might as well go for the man who cleaned up his mess at Villa.

{Ed025's Note - that was Charlie the lavatory attendant KR.. :)

05 May 2026 19:57:53
Nice one Ed25

05 May 2026 22:29:15
Ed025, apparently Charlie complained to the union that it was an unreasonable request and in the end they had to contract some agricultural cleaners to do the job

05 May 2026 15:33:29
So from my counting we need 7-8 first team players in the summer

Out
Salah
Robbo
Chiesa
Gapko?
McAllister?
Emdo
Alison

In
RW
LW
CM
CDM
GK
RB cover (Bradley made of crisis / Frimpong not a RB)
another striker (Ekitike out long term and Isak too injury prone)

Assuming this is true and the fact that only 2/3 of these would raise any transfer money.

I see maybe 2-4 incoming, the rest being young/squad players.
I can see why any potential manager would look at the project and walk away, expectation too high vs resources available.
I want him gone but I think we may be stuck with slot for another season.

05 May 2026 17:01:05
We're in trouble so.

05 May 2026 17:40:38
I think you've got a mix there of players who we know are definitely leaving (e.g. contracts ending) and players who have been so poor this season that we feel they should be replaced. Broadly speaking, I agree with the numbers, if not the exact positions.

Despite £70m spent on two full backs last summer, we don't have either full back position nailed down. Centre half looks a mess, but with Konate seemingly staying, Jacquet to come and Leoni back at some point next season, I don't think we'll add anybody else.

We're crying out for a high quality defensive midfielder. We need at least one new wide forward. Meanwhile, jury is going to have to stay out until next season on Wirtz and Isak, and Ekitike is going to have to recover from one of the worst injuries a footballer can suffer.

Even allowing for the cruel luck of the Ekitike injury, to go from being league champions who spent half a billion on upgrading the team that had just won the league, to needing new players for almost half the first team just 12 months later is extraordinary.

05 May 2026 18:07:33
A good manager will get the best out of the players we have.
When that happens, you might find we don't need too many new signings.

05 May 2026 19:00:11
Definitely need 4 or 5 though, Ron, no doubt about it.

Right back is essential, RW is essential due to Salah moving on, LW needed as Gakpo is average to poor.
Midfielder to replace Mac Allister and a DM would be great too.
LB cover too unless we use a kid or buy someone versatile like Kayode.

05 May 2026 19:13:41
Indeed, Ron. As many have said, I would like to see this team under an actual manager who knows what he is doing, fully committed to the cause, and can get the best out of the current squad and move from there.



We may still need 4/5 players cos players will go here and there, but your point overall is what I agree with. And, as I've said before, if I had 300m to spend, I ain't giving it to this manager.

05 May 2026 19:19:01
Even when we were winning the league, fans and pundits said we did need players brought in. I think we signed the players we needed to, but not getting another seasoned cb and a left winger hit us hard.


We have a pretty great squad - the players, for one reason or another, have seriously underperformed this season.
I reckon we need two wingers, a cm if Mac moves on, and possibly a rb.
So, 4 at the most.

05 May 2026 21:04:35
Can't see us moving Gakpo on with Ekitike injury unless we get crazy money for him and have replacement lined up. Surely Rio will get more minutes again next season...whether that be right or left, but seems to be stronger on the left. A RW starter is essential and possibly a versatile Jota like replacement who could cover all 3 positions.

Right back is a tricky one, but unfortunately Bradley just doesn't look capable of staying fit, which is a shame, as I've a lot of time for him, and Frimpong isn't the worst back up, but don't think he's strong enough first choice. Is there nobody in the Academy who could play there? Luca not good enough to step up? Haven't seen much of him tbh, but if we're spending big money I'd rather it be in the middle or out wise over right full.

Centre midfielder needed too, think if Konate stays we're sorted at Centre half, hopefully with Leoni back and Jacquet coming in, and a couple of young lads signed for academy/ 21s who could potentially step up too.

Do we need a new GK? Would hate to lose Alisson, but can we rely on Mama as first choice for a large portion? Harsh to judge him too badly, but his kicking is beyond horrendous.

We still have some v good players. If used correctly, we could improve a lot. I'd expect a lot more from Wirtz next season, and hopefully Isak can get a good pre season and stay fit.

05 May 2026 13:00:16
I heard this take recently and it's stuck by me.
As many have stated, Slot is unsure he himself wants to stay in England.
The Liverpool board are potentially willing to stick by him but will certainly not stand in his way if he wants to leave.


So the hope is, Ajax come in with an offer to Slot, he goes on reasonable terms - no payout contract termination required.
Alonso/Iraola are there to be got.
I think a lot of this scenario will come down to Slot himself and his options come summer.

05 May 2026 15:22:56
The One and only reason to keep Slot next season is that Edwards and co have been given absolute assurances that Enrique will join at the end of next season.

It's the only possible reason.

Any other scenario, and it is pure negligence on the side of the board. Tell him his time is up, pay him what he is owed and move on.

05 May 2026 15:40:21
Will there be any chance, however slim, that it might be that Harvey Elliot comes back for another chance for whoever is in charge next season?

05 May 2026 16:50:47
The slimmer the chance the better for me, Hunter.

05 May 2026 18:32:02
How come m8, surely he warrants another go, has better mobility than, say, McAllister?

05 May 2026 19:29:54
Hunter, I think we lack mobility and physicality, which are 2 things I wouldn't really associate with Elliot.

05 May 2026 19:55:40
He simply isn't good enough, Hunter. On this season's showing, you could possibly say the same about Mac Allister as well.

06 May 2026 11:30:40
Harvey Elliot is a great player for the squad.

05 May 2026 12:35:26
Is there anyone on here that genuinely would like Slot to stay next season? Serious question and I'd love to hear the rationale behind that thought.

05 May 2026 14:22:30
Mrs Slot.

05 May 2026 14:31:49
I wouldn't be totally against it, Brommers, although I'm ok with him going too.

My rational is, as always, really. We don't know enough about the situation to make that call. The club, the hierarchy, the owners know a hell of a lot more than we do about running sports clubs and the reasons for this season's performances.

They are definitely not just sitting there thinking this is ok, and Hughes and Edwards are definitely not sitting there refusing to sack him because it would hurt their egos. That's all just noise.



If the higher ups sit down with Slot, which I'm sure they do on a regular basis, and they believe that the results are due to circumstances beyond his control, and they also believe that he is the best man to turn it around, then so be it. They are in a position to make that call. We are not.

From the outside looking in, I think we need a change, but I probably know about 10% of the true information, so if they do decide to stick with him, I'll bow to their superior knowledge and judgement and support the guy.

05 May 2026 14:50:20
I want him gone, but will 100% support him if he turns things around.

05 May 2026 14:57:14
Similar to Rome, I would like a change of manager, but if Slot is here next season, I would give him the first 10 games or so to see if he can learn from this year.

05 May 2026 15:04:20
StockAitkinandJohnston,
You don't need to know any details other than this:
We are 5th in the league, trophyless, and watching rotten performances week after week.
I don't care what the suits think. The average fan on here could wrap them in spider silk when discussing football.
Slot should be sacked, and any other decision will lead to more failure.

05 May 2026 15:22:26
I want him gone.
I have, however, gone through my mind whether it's Hughes and Edwards who are mainly at fault for this season, though.
Given Slot a load of players that don't work as a unit?
Plus, there are mitigating factors, loads of injuries for one, a team clearly in transition another.
But, when you look at the things Slot is responsible for, tactics, motivation, fitness, etc., then he's been as terrible as those above him.

So for me he's got to go.
It would be great if the club rectifies the squad for the next season with some pacy wingers, a solid midfielder and a right back that can stay fit. That would help Slot loads.
But I'd rather that team was given to a more suited manager.

05 May 2026 15:32:56
I honestly don't think anybody on here would prefer him to be the coach next year, it's just that some of us are depicted as being Slot aficionados and die hards just because we don't hate him, think he's an evil parasite or want to throw rotten fruit at him.

I have genuine concerns about the way the team is being prepared for games, I don't know why we tend to come out the gates looking so dumbfounded in the first halves of most games, it's like we've accepted throwing 45 minutes away countless times, and our off the ball structure is just absolutely inexcusable.

We've shown that we can press in a coordinated and intense way, but because of fitness and injury issues, we can't sustain doing that for more than a game a week. Otherwise we have this awful half press from the front that's easily bypassed and then the creative players in the opposition midfield have all the time and space in the world to drive up the field and pick a pass.

Against United, all it took was two passes from their penalty box to get to ours, that is just inexcusable (granted United were just as open as we were, and I still don't have an explanation for why we didn't throw everything at it getting a third goal when we were on top).

I'm sure we're all skeptical as to whether buying more players will fix the fundamental issues that we have. Sure, buying pace and trickery on either wing will go a long long way to improving us. Against United, if we had pace on the flanks, we would have had a vastly improved performance with forwards running in behind. There appear to be problems that the transfer market won't fix, though.

05 May 2026 15:33:05
If you're in the shoes of the board, unless we fail to make CL, or there's a player or fan mutiny, why would you sack him?

Commercially, there'll be a performance clause in his contract, and I'd guess he'd fulfill it by qualifying for CL, so they'll have to pay him up to get rid. You may as well have someone there part time who's overseeing the attainment of your target, which is CL, rather than paying him up and paying a replacement, and the back room staff, to basically achieve the same thing.



A bit of noise on forums isn't going to make a jot of difference to a hedge fund in the US, and Arne is getting paid a fortune for working part time, so why would he go early.

They probably figure there's no guarantee a replacement will do much better, so commercially it's safer to do nothing.

05 May 2026 15:55:00
Wanting Slot to stay doesn't make anyone a die hard fan, just as much as someone wanting him gone a lesser fan who doesn't follow YNWA.

The last two managers that were sacked, Hodgson and Rodgers, took the blame of the team's performances and results on the pitch. For some reason we must be the only club in professional football where our Director of Football, CEO of Football for FSG and Assistant Manager seem to be to blame for tactics, team selection, fitness levels, playing style and performances.

Last season Slot and the players were hailed for winning the league, and Slot and the players have to carry the brunt for the performances and results this season.

Slot should be removed from his position and quite a few players should be moved on (sold).



If the manager and players expect 100% from the fans, then they should be giving 100% back. Can we honestly say that is happening?

Because I can happily say I've seen this team in the flesh and they are not. Which means either Slot can't motivate them, or they're actually following his instruction to play this way.

Every week, regardless of the result, win, lose or draw, everything should be left on the pitch.

I'm sick and tired of the players looking like they aren't that bothered, and the manager clearly showing, through his actions, that he's happy to spend more time not putting things right by going home than he is putting it right.

If Slot is here next season, my support for LFC will not wane, but I fear things will go from bad to worse.

05 May 2026 16:33:24
The jetting of the Holland any chance he can, not embracing the city, and allowing the players extra days off, for me, means next season will be a right off with him, regardless of who is signed.

If he held discipline with the squad and with training, I could understand why we would have struggled this year with the lack of wingers we have in our squad, our injury issues and of course the sad passing of Diego.



Feels like he's written the season off and that's something I can't accept as a fan.

05 May 2026 16:39:07
Lowe1FC, we are 4th. I too would like a change of manager but will support the team come what may...

05 May 2026 16:05:52
Only people who want him to stay, are the fans of other clubs and Rat boy Neville

05 May 2026 17:39:39
I'm sick of this argument that if you don't support the manager you don't support the team. Rubbish. I want the team to do well, however, I look at the big picture and we ain't jack again in this current set-up.

This is why I want him gone. That combined with a woeful loss record, awful performances on and off the pitch, zero style of play or ideas, and abysmal fitness. Get him gone.

05 May 2026 18:06:27
He's not set the standards I expect from this team and he seems oblivious to the problems. That is enough for me to want a change.
There is no energy in the team, there is no competitive edge. There is no coherent plan. Crucially, he does not get the best out of the talent available and players are regressing rather than progressing.



Standards will continue to plummet if we don't make a radical change, and that means curtains for Slot and his merry men.

05 May 2026 18:13:58
What gets me is it's his last year of his contract and they haven't offered a new deal, then why back him in the transfer window?
Man Utd did this with every manager and were left with players who didn't suit the new manager, so for me he's gone.

05 May 2026 18:44:44
Liverpool are going backwards to a frightening degree.

At very best this year we will be 17 points worse off than last season (and that wasn't a ridiculous league winning points total - 84 was quite modest).

We've done worse in the Champions League.
We got humiliated in the FA Cup.
We completely threw away the League Cup.

The team are unfit and unprepared.



The football is crap.

All of the above after spunking hundreds of millions on improving the team.

Slot has shown no evidence he can stop the freefall or that he has the desire to fully commit to the role.

There is absolutely no reason to keep him. None.

The only reason he is still in a job now is either cowardice or rank incompetence - take your pick.

05 May 2026 19:16:39
Man should have gone months ago and should never be kept under any circumstances.

06 May 2026 06:00:52
Get him out of here.

If they want Enrique in a year's time instead of the available managers, I'd still want Slot gone.

Give it to someone else for a year. Plenty of managers would take the job for a year and do their best to try to secure a long-term position or at least have an elite addition to their resume.



But we desperately need change. You can see it in the players, the fans, and everywhere else.

06 May 2026 11:33:03
I mean, we were 10th at one point. Yet, somehow, Slot has shown no evidence he can stop the freefall? So we've free fallen from 10th to 4th?

05 May 2026 11:08:59
Looking on Transfermarkt at our winning games this season in all competitions and the following is a highlight. 4231 with Gakpo-Wirtz-Salah behind Ekitike. A strong RB option so Dom, Gomez, Bradley. It's the most used combination. We've won with Isak and the odd game with Wirtz as a lw but not many.

A lot of chopping and changing in midfield so I'd don't think he knows his ideal pairing. The changing midfield, problems at RB, Alisson's injuries. Doesn't give you a settled back 5.

What's everyone's thoughts? Un Slot related but could this also be an issue?

05 May 2026 12:05:51
I think the defence will be left this window with more interest in bringing wide men and a midfielder or two. If Alisson is leaving, it surely has to be Kelleher.

Does anyone know if we inserted a buy back clause for Kelleher?

05 May 2026 12:07:00
I don't think injuries have exactly helped.
I also think playing Macca just kills off any chance of us getting a grip in the midfield.
Surely a midfield 3 of Grav and Szob as the double pivot and Wirtz as the 10 would be the way to go, though.
As long as Grav is disciplined as the actual 6, Szob given a more free role to get up and down, and Wirtz is linking up the attack.

Just makes perfect sense in my head anyway. On paper that's a really strong midfield, yet we have looked weak and lost in midfield all season.

05 May 2026 12:26:22
Mikey, vs United Szoboszlai sat and Gravenberch was the box to box mf in the 1st half. They switched in the 2nd half and lo and behold a goal and assist for Szoboszlai and a much more balanced performance. It's crazy we can see it but the professionals who coach them can't. 💔

05 May 2026 12:43:14
Grav needs to sit. I, too, fail to understand how we discovered that he could be one of the best midfielders in the world if he just sat in and used his athleticism to cover ground off the ball. Dom is without question our best presser from the front. You have to use him aggressively in an advanced position to get the best of him, and have the rest of the front line press alongside him.



Whatever the case may be with Wirtz, I really hope we never ever stick him out on the left wing again, or at least, if we do, you need to give him the freedom to roam and have everybody else cover for him when he wanders. He is absolutely wasted being marooned out wide.

05 May 2026 12:51:42
Re Wirtz. It's like Rodgers who had no idea what to do with Firmino. When we get a manager who knows how to get the best out of him and builds the attack around him, then we'll be off to the races.

05 May 2026 13:18:55
100% agree, Flidby.

05 May 2026 13:31:44
I literally posted 6 months ago saying Grav and Szob should be sitting behind Wirtz. Szob's asset is his ability to arrive late in the box and score, plus long range efforts, and his athleticism/pressing. Grav's ability is sitting, eating up ground, and progressing the ball from deep by beating the press and popping it off to others.

05 May 2026 13:46:04
I know one currently unemployed manager who knows how to get the best out of Wirtz.

05 May 2026 13:50:52
I don't think there are many expert football tacticians here amongst us. Most of us are just avid football fans, with varying degrees of experience just watching games. And yet even the novices can see that a midfield of Gravenberch sitting back, Szoboszlai next to him, and then venturing forward when required (the Lampard role), and Wirtz being ahead of both in an attacking role, seems to be the ideal set up (at least on paper).

I actually thought this was what the club had in mind when Wirtz was bought.

05 May 2026 13:55:13
Spot on, @flidby. If Wirtz was mint at Leverkusen and currently with the national team and only sucks at LFC under the manager then, the issue is clear.

But don't worry, all of this is "insert unconcerned individual" here rather than the one culprit we all know is the real problem.

05 May 2026 13:57:19
"I know one currently unemployed manager who knows how to get the best out of Wirtz."


Haven't you heard? Said unemployed manager is not good enuff despite winning the Bundesliga (with Wirtz being player of the year) with an undefeated league season and losing one game (a European final) in all comps. That season.

05 May 2026 14:02:31
We need major midfield reinforcements. Grav was great last season, but this season he is playing exactly like he did when Klopp was the manager, n it looks like he was out the door. Unless he moves back to where he was, then he no good.

The defenders need a CB. I think if Bradley n Frimpong can stay fit then we'll be ok. Up front we are ok with Isak n Ekitike, but we also need to replace a legend in Salah. Not all doom n gloom if we get the right manager.

05 May 2026 14:25:47
On Grav, another thing that has really annoyed me this season is when he drops back into the CB line when we are defending. That is not what the DM, or any midfielder should be doing! Is he being told to do that?

{Ed001's Note - what's wrong with that? That is to allow the centre-backs to cover the full-back areas, so the full-backs can get forward. It is something that has been done for years by defensive mids.}

05 May 2026 16:08:53
Exactly Ed that is a major part of defensive midfielders job. That is why a lot of the top defensive midfielders have played quite a bit of football as centre half earlier in their development.
They have a natural instinct to read the game defensively.

05 May 2026 18:03:09
No, I watch him drop between two already closely positioned CBs, leaving the who area around the D free. I am talking about when resort to our own type of low block rather than him filling in for CBs that are drawn out.



We concede a lot of goals from balls that break in and around the D area.

It's like he's trying to hide or something.

{Ed001's Note - I get what you mean now, sorry.}

06 May 2026 11:38:27
The key to unlocking Wirtz is more than plonking him into a position on the pitch. He needs to play with other like minded players who will play to his strengths, complimented by runners and defensive solidity in midfield.

We haven't had consistency all season, and I don't think it's fair to say Slot doesn't know what to do with him.



Pre-season my prediction for Wirtz was integrating into the team off the left with Macca playing CAM. Then we'd sell Macca, and Wirtz, by then would be fully accustomed to the prem and ready for CAM role.

Instead we've had Maccas, not Macca, return from summer, and so many players well off it, so Wirtz hasn't stepped into the greatest environment.

05 May 2026 10:59:02
3 more games, secure CL and then this horrible season is over.
Say goodbye to Mo and Robbo.

Then it’s all over to see what happens with Slot, Hughes and Edwards. My guess is we sign A RW, CM and a RB and Slot stays, we start poorly and then he’s sacked around October.

05 May 2026 13:26:30
Only way I'd be even remotely supportive of keeping Slot for another year is if it meant Enrique the following year, rather than committing to a new manager now and missing out on him.

Still prefer to have Stevie as an interim if that was the case though.

05 May 2026 14:58:05
If we could play two 2nd halfs, I think it would suit us, this 1st half crack is not for us.