06 Jan 2026 12:23:21
Hughes and Slot update.
The reports emerging today that there is a rift between Slot and Hughes over Diaz, Ngumoha and Slot's desire to replace Diaz and loan Ngumoha are inaccurate.
With lots of negative reports swirling around discontent and in-house issues, I have been advised that an investigation is taking place. It seems either a current or former employee of the club is leaking inaccurate reports through multiple sources to destabilise the club and cause rifts.
All transfers are discussed internally and people do not always agree, but the statements of a rift are untrue. The relationship between Hughes and Slot's remains strong and securing Wirtz and Isak, along with Ekitike, Kerkez and Frimpong were all well received by the Manager.
The Ordonez reports were falsely reported.
Guehi is still a consideration for this window IF a green light is given. But Liverpool see this happening for free in the summer most likely.
Just passing on info I am given. Take it or leave it.
06 Jan 2026 12:40:37
Cheers for the info Jonny.
Personally i don't rate Slot or Hughes and i think the football we play currently is woeful but on the other hand i'd hate for us to become a revolving door for managers for the next 10 years a la United, Tottenham and Chelsea.
If it wasn't for the world cup i'd like to see what Ancelotti could do with us.
06 Jan 2026 12:57:58
Ancellotti'd sort out the fitness issue anyway.
06 Jan 2026 13:04:28
Why doesn't slot play rio? Only winger with pace to beat someone.
06 Jan 2026 13:04:54
If Slot and Hughes are on the same page and they think that playing THIS tactic with THESE players is a good idea, then they should both be given their marching orders.
Tactically, we are in no mans land with a squad that lacks balance and the culture of intensity and dynamism that Klopp instilled has completely eroded.
That is on Hughes as much as it is Slot.
06 Jan 2026 13:06:11
I read the same article/ post you got your info passed on from Jonny. So many pretenders on here. I've followed this site for un countless years had various usernames etc. and until the great ed002 unfortunately passed we never saw as many ITN's.
The information of a rift has obviously been leaked to pave the way for either Hughes or slot to depart if not both. And rightly so!
06 Jan 2026 13:07:06
Cheers for update.
06 Jan 2026 13:20:44
Or maybe this is a "leaked" piece of info to try and hide the fact that there is actually a rift
Spy Games meets Mission Impossible meets James Bond.
Cover ups and double cross overs all over the place.
In all honesty. from what I can see, we've bought players that suit a certain style, and we are not playing that style.
Kerkez is a wing back, but is used as a ln inverted full back.
Wirtz is a 10 ( or a free role) and is played wide left
Isak is a poacher and he don't get the ball to him
Frimpong is wing back, but at least use him of late for that role.
So, Hughes and Slot both agreed on the players, and we use them in different roles. yeah right!
06 Jan 2026 13:37:44
I'll leave it.
06 Jan 2026 14:07:58
Is Akira on the discussion post the inside man?
06 Jan 2026 14:08:34
Sounds like a mystery that we can solve on here!
Today, within the space of a couple of hours, Jonny has been told 1 thing and Akira has been told the exact opposite. You guys can get together and trace these back to your sources and your sources sources to see who is leaking false information!
06 Jan 2026 14:36:26
In defence of our transfer strategy. Slot clearly wanted fast fbs to provide width - Kerkez and Frimpong provide that (when fit, and in form) .
He wanted a more creative 10 - Wirtz, on paper, delivers that. So far, poor lad has been more Smicer (who was hugely hyped) than Zidane, but he will come good.
Slot wanted strikers to nail the many chances we wasted last season. Ekitike and a fit Isak give him that.
We were, in hindsight, foolish to leave Guehi to the last minute - but also made a massive error in not bringing in the Zubimendi type deep-lying playmaker we once wanted.
Now Trent has gone, Virgil and Grav are constantly pressed, and we don't have the right kind of midfielder to knit all these new attacking options together. Consequently, we are struggling to create chances at all.
Should Slot be getting more out of his squad? Hell, yes. He's certainly not been helped by awful events, injuries (which he is not used to dealing with) and one or two new players being overawed by the step up.
I do think he wants to play the kind of football we all want, but is taking far too long in working out how to achieve it.
Last season, he did smart stuff: playing Grav as a 6, making Trent play as a proper right back, dropping Quansah, playing Diaz as a false 9.
This season he seems to have run out of ideas. Has he lost confidence in himself? I fear so, but hope I am wrong.
06 Jan 2026 16:01:16
I would just like to clarify that I will not state to be ITK. I do not work for the club in any way shape or form. My "contact" holds a significant role within the club, although not based at the AXA site, although visits regularly.
I have spent quite a lot of time with this person over the Festive Period, but do not want to divulge too much about them or my relationship with them.
Interestingly Monstersouness is not too far off. These are the things Slot wanted and were delivered to him.
There is also a lot of discontent from Owners, Board, Edwards, Hughes, Slot and his coaching team on performance and results this season. All of them expected more and want more, both in results and levels of performances.
They have been shocked by the performances of some, although not directly named but Mac Allister would be an example of this.
They are impressed with certain players this season Szobo and Jones actually being named, not just in performance but attitude. Both have explained that they expect higher levels from teammates.
That being said, everyone is taking certain things into account and they are not making rash decisions like some of our competitors.
Sit tight and see how it plays out.
As someone else has said, some "rumours" might both have value in them, but be slightly different. I do not want to slander or discredit anyone else on the site.
Finally, I apologise about my Carra quip yesterday, it was meant in jest.
06 Jan 2026 16:03:33
Ill leave it thanks Johnny
Not to be disrespectful but your "info" massively contradicts well reputable ITKs on this site.
06 Jan 2026 17:49:43
Passing on the info David ornstein put out there earlier on! Got it! ?.
06 Jan 2026 18:28:50
Johnny the information you've spouted to have been passed on to you here came not long after an article/ post got put up on the internet, even contained the same wording, I get it's a rumour site, but just pass it on as a rumour you've seen. Too many people pretending to be "ITN" imo there was only ever 3 people really in the know and that was ed002, ed001 and Macca .
Today maybe the fields, VG, Ned, robbo and carra (possibly macca) who are really worth listening to regarding real info. The rest reading stuff online and then reporting back here as if they've got contacts is cringe.
06 Jan 2026 18:33:01
Johnny I appreciate your bs info so will leave it at that - hughes.
06 Jan 2026 19:34:16
Rightsaidred apologies, I haven't actually seen anything Ornstein put out there. Which bit I have supposedly copied!?