Liverpool banter 3

31 Mar 2026 21:46:58
Frimpong with his 100th injury.

This squad is depleted as hell City, PSG, Fulham, PSG.

Looks like szboz is back on slot's favourite position at right back. lol.

31 Mar 2026 22:42:02
Disaster. Hamstring again?!?!

01 Apr 2026 06:39:46
The lad was never injured for Leverkusen... and his 1st season here has multiple injuries.

Must be something in the English food...

Maybe Frimoing should bring in his own Frankfurters for nourishment.

01 Apr 2026 07:06:20
Or maybe they should be trained better.

01 Apr 2026 07:09:38
Play Ramsay at rb against City, give him a go. What have we to lose?

01 Apr 2026 07:32:45
Sad for him, he's clearly desperate to do well for LFC.
He's been unlucky, I can't be angry at someone for being injured.

01 Apr 2026 10:11:53
He's getting hamstring injuries more or less since he came in, it's not the training. Maybe the training's too much for him. ?

01 Apr 2026 10:48:07
Why was Frimpong even in the Dutch squad after just coming back from injury?
Unlike Arsenal, who just pull their players, we are stupid enough not to block players coming back from injury. This season is getting worse by the week.

Why was Frimpong's hamstring weakness not picked up in his medical when he was signing for us? Third hamstring injury this season and they are 6-week or more recovery time. I question why we signed him!!!

01 Apr 2026 11:54:36
Isak is still not fit!

01 Apr 2026 12:17:53
If he's constantly getting injured in the way he is, it implies the physical training isn't good enough or the rehabilitation from his last injury was not adequate. Never had a problem until this season.

Given how unfit our squad is, and our part time head coach felt 20 minutes of training was enough for the Spurs game, think it's fair to say where the blame lies.

01 Apr 2026 12:45:03
Problem area. Needs addressing in summer

01 Apr 2026 13:34:37
Oh right, so we won the league last year because Klopp installed fitness in the players, took them through to April, when our fitness fell off a cliff because of Slot (or the players took their foot off the gas with the league won), but when a player comes in and gets injuries basically since day one it's still down to Slot's training? Shouldn't Frimpong have been alright for a few months because of the superior training he had been getting to Slot's the whole season before? Or could it be that his body is finding it impossible to cope with the added physicality of the Premier League along with trying to progress in Europe?

01 Apr 2026 13:49:02
Digger10, Ramsey has been thrown underneath the Anfield basement by Slot. Not sure he's gonna be letting him out anytime soon.

01 Apr 2026 14:17:50
Think Frimpong has missed 25 games already, so plenty more time to add a few more games.
Another player I would sell in summer.
I have said it many times, the right back position is our weak spot.


Guess who will be playing right back in the two, sorry, three big matches.
Our midfield will once again be run through.
Macca will find it difficult.
Can't see Ali playing either.
But we will do our best.

01 Apr 2026 18:03:44
It's a weird thing about the fitness.
I'm curious about what has actually changed in 18 months or so to leave a team that would fight and often overrun opposition up to the final whistle looking absolutely knackered two thirds of the way through the game?
Probably have to wait for Mo or one of the others to get a book written to get the proper lowdown.


I don't think I've ever seen such a drastic drop off in energy levels.

01 Apr 2026 22:39:27
Interesting stat, Frimpong missed 4 games in his final 3 years in the Bundesliga. No record of a hamstring injury either.

02 Apr 2026 06:16:33
Perhaps if Bradley was available - his last injury was just sheer bad luck - Frimpong might have had an extended recovery time, and vice versa, throughout the season. Both have had a number of injuries, and both may have come back too early on more than one occasion.

31 Mar 2026 19:03:35
Potential outgoings for the summer might include

Robertson
Konate
McAllister
Endo
Chiesa
Tsimikas
Elliot

Will include

Salah

Add to that a potential manager/Hughes/Edwards change and a World Cup. It could be a very busy few months.
Rio and Nyoni for me take care of the Endo and Chiesa places if they go. Jacquet is already coming in.

Regarding the rest, they will have to review those who have been out on loan and have a look to see of there are any other youth players knocking on the door. Then it's just the small matter of securing targets. I'm not entirely sure what my point is, but it looks like a busy summer for whoever takes the reigns or keeps them.

31 Mar 2026 19:46:40
You missed Gomez and Jones of the list of possible departures.

31 Mar 2026 20:20:50
And Bajetic and Ramsey! I'd personally expect Gomez to see out his last year and Jones to stay as a squad player.

31 Mar 2026 21:14:48
And maybe Gakpo?

31 Mar 2026 21:28:06
I don't see Gakpo leaving, personally. Chiesa will go and we bring in another winger to legitimately challenge him. Rio is too young to do so right now.

31 Mar 2026 22:18:14
I thought we were building a team around Bajetic.

31 Mar 2026 23:52:01
Yes JK, it's the U23's.

01 Apr 2026 00:43:42
I think that you are thinking of Keita, @JK.

01 Apr 2026 04:50:58
Yanet Garcia for me. You're welcome.

01 Apr 2026 10:49:17
You missed the most important one out, Arne Slot.

02 Apr 2026 06:18:44
Has Chiesa given up? Every time he looks like he is getting close to a start, he gets a nasty cold or toothache or something, that seems to stop him playing.

31 Mar 2026 18:42:35
@Ed025 a very sad day for you tomorrow mate. I believe it's Carol Kirkwood's final appearance on BBC weather tomorrow morning before she retires.

{Ed025's Note - a sad day for all us weather fans Willo, all i need now is for the BBC to recruit Emila Fox to replace her mate.. :)

31 Mar 2026 18:52:11
Jo Blythe is a good 2nd place on Granada Weather though.

31 Mar 2026 19:35:15
Lucy Verasamy. Google her (that's not a euphemism).

31 Mar 2026 21:19:40
Rome, I thought I was the only one to know about Lucy. Worst kept secret comes to mind. ;-)

31 Mar 2026 21:28:20
KPee, let's keep it to ourself, mate. They don't know what they're missing!

31 Mar 2026 21:31:30
I Googled. Thanks Rome!

31 Mar 2026 22:14:56
I definitely will, Rome. Like you say, they don't know what they're missing!

01 Apr 2026 12:19:29
Whoever is replacing Kirkwood has some big boobs, I mean shoes, to fill.

01 Apr 2026 18:09:35
Get someone old enough and their boobs might be in their shoes, Vv.

31 Mar 2026 15:18:15
If we turn up against PSG like we did against Madrid. That’s all I could ask personally and I do think it’s a bad chance to sneak it. This time. Against the odds, yes, but we’ve done that before.

31 Mar 2026 17:23:17
Unfortunately I fear this might be an absolute embarrassment for us. I think their speed will completely overwhelm us. I hope I'm proved completely wrong, but these players and management just don't inspire any confidence.

31 Mar 2026 18:53:05
With you. Sadly, we are no longer talking of Klopp team or other teams pre Klopp, when there was spirit and endeavour that took us through. Slot is an advocate of walking football, turning top class athletes into unfit versions of their former selves.

31 Mar 2026 19:10:49
Don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that we'll turn up and play like we did vs. Madrid in the home game.

I don't see us doing it in both the home and away leg, though. So, it's a case of whether Ali can do his Spiderman impression again.

31 Mar 2026 21:30:15
OP, Slot doesn't wanna play the way we played vs Madrid. That being said, he has played a diff. system in the CL than in the PL so who knows at this point.

31 Mar 2026 22:21:04
Oli, I'm pretty sure you put cont & dic into contradiction.

31 Mar 2026 13:45:06
Bookmark this Ed033: there is no way we are winning the Champions League. This is not a fat wallet situation. You are a clown if you think we have a chance to win the Champions League. NOT HAPPENING!

{Ed033's Note - Why would anyone want to bookmark a 99.9% certainty?

31 Mar 2026 14:40:30
Stranger Things has happened.

31 Mar 2026 15:05:26
Going to be considerably more difficult if recent reports from Paul Joyce are true that Allison is a major doubt for upcoming fixtures, including the trip to Paris.
As we all remember, it was Alli's heroics there last time that stopped us getting battered in one of his most amazing performances for the club.

{Ed025's Note - one of the greatest keeping performances i have ever seen McGoveb, without Ali you were getting beat 10-0 mate..

31 Mar 2026 15:05:41
I sense a ploy here ....

Fatwallet was wrong in the end. I think DS wants the same outcome.

31 Mar 2026 15:25:33
It's 100 percent not happening Ed 033. This is not some reverse jinx scenario where the last time we bookmarked something it was willed into existence.

It is absolutely. NEVER HAPPENING. You heard it here first!!?? and I'm not afraid of bookmarking saying I was the first to say it. No sir!

31 Mar 2026 17:34:15
Even I wouldn't have said bookmark this, Davey.

31 Mar 2026 18:53:36
I'd be surprised if you were the first to say that, Davey.

31 Mar 2026 19:37:13
It's not really a bold statement tho. Every year, we are not likely to win the Champions League, even at our peak.

31 Mar 2026 19:58:53
Liverpool are beating PSG, we will win 2-1 in their gaff and 3-2 at home.

31 Mar 2026 21:31:05
Davey, did you consult with our resident @Fatwallet before your prediction?

01 Apr 2026 06:41:45
How do I change my user name to JLClown?

31 Mar 2026 12:01:18
I know players are heavily media trained and very careful with what they say but Konate doesn't sound like a man on his way out of the club.



“We bring new players, we will adapt, we will try to understand each other and at a point, with time, we will win a trophy.”

“We will have success and when we win the Premier League or Champions League, people will forget every bad season we had because now we won the league last season.”

“This is just part of the success and we have to be relaxed because we have amazing fans, we have to stay together, and the success will come for sure.”

31 Mar 2026 12:48:41
The man wants his extension since Real dropped interest.

31 Mar 2026 13:15:20
Fingers crossed he leaves. A shocking season from the entire team, but Konate and Macca are the first two I'd be happy to see out the door. I'd be quite surprised if there is still an offer on the table for him.

31 Mar 2026 13:23:12
I hope he stays. We have enough to do this summer between buying two new wingers, at least one midfielder, and at least one fullback. Having to buy another central defender is the last thing we need. Konate signing a new contract and being third choice next season is ideal, in my opinion.

31 Mar 2026 13:28:00
There will be plenty who will take Konate on a free, trust me.
MacAllister, I would fully expect to at least £70m for him.
Jones, another £40m.
Elliott £30m.
Robbo will also go on a free to Celtic or another.

31 Mar 2026 13:45:57
100%, Salah. Those two, in particular, would be my second and third choices to leave, right after Slot himself. Konate is just a poor player, and MacAllister isn't good enough at this level though he does have abilities that could be useful in other leagues.

31 Mar 2026 14:10:33
Football is a crazy sport.

Mac and Konate are deemed (with strong arguments) not good enough, but have been linked to (arguably) the biggest club in the world in Real.

And then there's Darwin, who fans miss and want back, who LFC couldn't get rid of to any European club at 40% off and can't even get into a Saudi league squad.

31 Mar 2026 14:11:49
There might be plenty of suitors who would take Konate on a free, but not necessarily want to pay his wages. Then you are left with very few. I think he stays.

31 Mar 2026 14:33:28
Like you say, JK, absobloodylutely crazy. For what it's worth, I'd rather keep Mac Allister than have Nunez back.

31 Mar 2026 15:09:09
The least signings we have to do the better, but I agree Konate and Macca have been atrocious. Can't see anyone paying 70m for Macca after this season. With Konate it all depends which Ibou you're getting. Up to this season it'd be keep him, but I don't know on this season's form.

31 Mar 2026 15:31:09
It's a funny old world, JK.

31 Mar 2026 16:19:30
Macca is a very good player when played in the correct position, but that isn't down to him.

31 Mar 2026 16:51:00
I think Macca may end up at Madrid, and one of their midfielders coming the other way. There'll be a clearout there if they end up trophyless for a 2nd year running, and if we think we're getting the better of the deal, we'll go for it.

31 Mar 2026 16:52:44
I'd swap Darwin back for Macallister. In a heartbeat. Don't know what you all think Macca brings to the team. I know what Darwin brought.

31 Mar 2026 17:03:31
John, you've gone a day early with your April Fools, mate.

31 Mar 2026 17:22:19
Wasn't a book of the offside rules anyway, John.

01 Apr 2026 06:43:45
WTF... Couldn't care what he says, or how many times he's going to kiss the badge now, the lad has had the full season to up his game, he's been horrendous for 90% of the season... and, based on those performances, he doesn't get a new deal.

01 Apr 2026 07:17:55
Konate has tried to do the Trent situation, hoping Real come in for him, re buffed how many contract offers last summer.... Now willing to stay and probably get a new signing on fee and bumper wage increase. He should be shown the door, bang average at best these days and getting worse each season.

Let him leave, please, God. We have the new guys from last summer who are showing more enthusiasm for the club and fans than the old guard... Must keep building and getting rid of the dead wood.

01 Apr 2026 13:02:45
I'd let Konate go too. Not necessarily because of his ability, although I do think he's extremely inconsistent, but because he rejected multiple contract offers in hope of getting a deal with Real.

If RM no longer want him, and he suddenly wants to stay and demand exorbitant wages, I'd get rid of as he didn't show loyalty when it mattered.

30 Mar 2026 17:28:11
Has anybody seen The Breakdown's video posted a few days ago on Liverpool or even Carragher's analysis a couple of weeks ago?

It's painfully bad tbh, worse than I thought. I know by the sounds of it, Slot is going in the Summer, but it's a disgrace he's still in the job. PSG are going to murder us. 21 points behind Arsenal, 10 games lost in the league. He needs to go now.

30 Mar 2026 19:23:27
What's the point of him going now? Personally, I don't think PSG will "murder" us.

30 Mar 2026 19:25:13
I think we will beat PSG, and then, when we finally start believing, he will throw out a complete s*** show against a Bayern or Madrid.

30 Mar 2026 20:01:38
Looking forward to May more than a kid does X-Mas to be honest.

30 Mar 2026 20:04:16
Me too, Westwood. May 30th, Budapest.

30 Mar 2026 20:11:46
Be just like LFC to finish a season like this one with No.7.

30 Mar 2026 20:28:44
I agree with Rome. What is the point?

It's far too late. He should've been sacked 5 months ago. We might aswel just die on our swords and see what happens.

No interim manager is gonna come in now and make any difference at all.

30 Mar 2026 21:11:14
LFC8 - The point is we're poor. And it's clear from the few times we've had a good performance this season (RM, Galatasaray, I think there might've been one in the league), and immediately followed it up with a bad one that Slot either doesn't learn from good performances or has conditioned the team to the point where they either physically or mentally can't string two good performances together.



Therefore, the question is whether keeping him is as much of a gamble with both our top 5 status and the CL this year as getting a caretaker.

Based on what I've seen, I'd be surprised if we finished in the top 5 whilst keeping Slot, and even more surprised if we progress past PSG with him. I'll be *happy*, but I'm not expecting it.

30 Mar 2026 23:13:15
Sometimes you can feel the momentum leading up to old Big Ears. In 2005 we were underdogs in every game, but we got stronger n stronger as the comp went on, but I definitely don't feel anything like that this year. ppl who think we can beat PSG esp over 2 legs are in dreamland.

31 Mar 2026 00:41:45
I have a crazy idea. With only a few games left, why don't we support the manager and team until the end of the season? It looks nailed on that Slot will be gone in the summer and we are still in with a chance in the cups. What's the point in posting endless 'Slot Out' posts when he is obviously going anyway?

31 Mar 2026 06:06:03
Ahhh 2005, to go back in time to that year. The team was absolute dross, and yet there was something so special about it at the same time, a complete band of misfits. Probably the most special Champions League win in the club's history imo. Had no right to be there. ?

31 Mar 2026 06:06:16
Rome, the point is it gives us a better chance of top 6 if Slot goes.
His part time work ethic is just dragging us down, and if we miss out on Champions League football, that's longer lasting than just one season.

31 Mar 2026 08:11:16
On the whole, "murder" thing maybe worth noting Chelsea got beat 8-2 across both legs and have a better defensive record in the league than we do.

This Liverpool have a decent defensive performance in them (Arsenal at home) and they have a dire one in them (PSV at home).

If we defend like we did against Brighton, we will get battered.

31 Mar 2026 08:26:22
2005 was an amazing fluke, by far one of the worst teams in the competition and a game of days, one of the most amazing games that's ever been played.

31 Mar 2026 08:34:49
Your last 2 paragraphs sum things up, Wassa. I'm not saying we will go through against PSG, chances are we won't. I just don't think we will get hammered. I certainly hope we still have a chance going into the 2nd leg as I've got a ticket.

31 Mar 2026 08:52:16
"What's the point of him going now?"

We're playing appallingly.
We're still in the FA Cup.
We're still in the CL.
And top five ain't locked off.

He's scraped to this point and a new manager bounce could change that because as much as Florian will tell you we ain't winning number 7.



As for 2005 being a fluke, yeah there were far better teams but we actually played well. We played well in the two legs against Chelsea and we destroyed a decent Juventus side. Put it that way that side played better than Slot's crap this season and Slot has a much better squad.

31 Mar 2026 09:20:57
Wow, calling 2005 a fluke is wild and highly disrespectful. You don't fluke your way to a win from 3-0 down, or through the 12 previous games. Rafa was a good tactician, and we had some great performances in that run, not to mention winning what was arguably the greatest final in the history of the competition.

The squad was lacklustre on paper, but they were a more than capable team. They finished 3rd in the league the following season and got to the CL final again the season after that. That's some fluke, 3 seasons worth at least.

31 Mar 2026 09:30:58
Liverpool are 10/1 to win the CL. For people that don't bet that means if you put £20 on Liverpool to win the CL at 10/1 you will lose £20.

All joking aside, that's pretty high odds and definitely worth a few quid. I'd imagine with how confident some are we'll win it. I bet they've really lumped on.

31 Mar 2026 09:51:40
Defying the odds in a one-off game is one thing. To defy the odds from the QF stage, when the players have consistently shown they are blowing out of their backsides by 70 mins, is another. You're better off buying a EuroMillions ticket.

31 Mar 2026 10:05:19
2005 Raffa must be given a large amount of credit for us winning the Champions League, to beat the teams we did, and most had won their leagues, outstanding by Raffa. YNWA.

31 Mar 2026 11:50:04
@Fatwallet, you can't fluke a CL victory. Sorry, that's not a thing esp. going against one of the greatest AC Milan teams of all time and full of All-Timers. I love your posts but I'm not having this one esp. coming back from a 3 goal deficit again that collection of legends and Ballon D'Or winners. And btw, the team we had may not have been flashy but were very experienced in winning trophies both in England and in Europe (some won the Cup treble a few years before) and had a manager who also knew how to win domestically and in Europe.

We won that CL final cos we had nothing to lose in the second half and believed that we could get something. We played hard, rode our luck (I grant you that) and remained focused, things that crushed Milan's spirit, as Genaro Gatuso would later admit in his interview years after.



As for Slot, I agree with LFC08 and I admit to being a broken record. What's the point, really? The time to rescue the season and sack this manager was right there and his bros. protected him. Sacking him now would do nothing cos we are already in a downward spiral, imo.

As for the PSG game, you can always win a game or a tie in Europe against the odds but right now with the shambles that we are now? I don't see it. I'll believe it when I see it but I'm not putting my mental/emotional health on the line getting all my hopes up with no evidence in sight to support doing that.

31 Mar 2026 12:20:14
Never once stated we'd win the Champions League. I just don't sit around moaning, proclaiming we can't win it.

31 Mar 2026 12:26:31
Albert, I could disagree anymore with you on Rafa needs credit. He caused most of the first half issues by playing Kewell and dropping Hamann. Same in 2007, not playing Crouch was a massive misjudgment by Rafa.


Crouch had been great that season, in the Champions League teams really struggled with him. I thought Rafa cost us the league too, with his negativity against weak teams at home.

31 Mar 2026 12:36:22
Guys, if we can't hope as a football fan, then what else can we do. I think Slot's time with us has come to an end, but in no way do I go into an important game expecting/wishing for defeat. Yes, hope often ends in disappointment.
I hoped against hope that City will drop points after the Gerrard slip against Chelsea. And they almost did. Until Vito Mannone spilled that shot in the 89th minute.
I hoped against hope that City will drop points in the final game against Brighton in 2018/19. And for a good five minutes when they conceded first I was in dreamland.

Alas, not to be.
I hoped against hope for us to actually make the scoreline reflective of the actual performance in the CL final in 2022. But again, it was not to be.

But the few times it does happen, those are the strongest, happiest memories I have of watching us.
The Coutinho screamer after Kompany's sliced clearance in 2014.
The Lovren goal against Dortmund.
Corner taken quickly against Barca.

So, I for one will keep on hoping and believing.

31 Mar 2026 13:00:00
Whereas I don't think it's a fluke winning a Champions League. People forget it took a Gerrard 25-yard hit in the 86th minute to qualify from a poor group.

Against Juve, I am pretty sure Delp Pierro was on side for his disallowed goal, which would have seen us out the cup.

We had a ghost goal vs Chelsea. But, tbf, it would have been a red for Cech, but Chelsea would have had to play more attacking.



AC Milan should have been out of sight in that final.

Rafa was going for completely different tactics in the 2nd half until Finnan said he was injured. It's also well noted Rafa had 12 men on his tactics board at half time.

I guess you don't fluke your way to a Champions League, but we definitely had some luck along the way.

31 Mar 2026 13:11:53
I have an idea, Darwin, you can support the team and still acknowledge and discuss that there are serious shortcomings with the manager that, based on experience to date this season, are unlikely to change.



I can't get to matches so my vocal support is irrelevant and I'm 99% sure that the players aren't scrolling through here going "Oh no, Something Red doesn't rate Slot. I guess I won't bother today."

31 Mar 2026 14:03:04
Good post, Koparmy.

31 Mar 2026 15:01:56
The 2005 CL run itself was as good as the final. I remember going to a sports bar in Fuengirola to watch the Olympiaos match, only ones in there. 15mins in the owner turns up, a Manc, and turned all the channels over, so we left and the only place nearby was a Spanish restaurant that was showing it on a small TV in the corner, and when the famous 'what a hit son' happened our table blew up.

The rest of the restaurant didn't have a clue what was going on. Magic times.

31 Mar 2026 21:35:16
@SR, For some, things are only analysed in binary terms. Sad.

01 Apr 2026 07:42:11
No-one thought we'd win number 6 having been trounced 3-0 by a Messi inspired Barcelona in the semis. In the return leg, we had Big Div up front and Shaqiri in for Salah.

Strange things happen in this tournament, and you don't have to win both legs.

30 Mar 2026 16:27:24
All these players pulling out of internationals for "medical reasons", bet most of them are starting 1st game back! Don't care if it's a friendly or not but for me representing your country is the pinnacle so I don't understand why so many pull out! Anyone says to me, you can't play for England because we've got so and so next week will in no uncertain terms get told to gtk!

30 Mar 2026 19:20:09
Hope 115 win the league ahead of Arsenal then get stripped of every title.

30 Mar 2026 20:55:43
Yeah, I said the same thing a couple days back, RebeLFC... and some posters had a go at me for it, not that I care much to be honest.

I remember a few years back, the whole club vs country was a big thing, and it's suddenly gone very quiet of late.



Also, not sure if it's just an English thing, but I don't see many other teams having so many regulars pull out as much as England do... but maybe that's just a perception I have.

31 Mar 2026 00:46:03
It's a friendly, not the World Cup. Wouldn't be happy if Virgil and Wirtz got seriously injured in an international practice match when we are still in two cups. I don't blame Arsenal in the slightest. It's a terrible time of the season to get players to play extra games.

31 Mar 2026 04:25:18
I'd be happy if all our players pulled out of internationals permanently. I hate international footie. It's the most boring football you can watch except for what slot has us playing this year.

{Ed025's Note - im with you Snuggle..

31 Mar 2026 09:33:48
One less international break next season, but the Sep/Oct one will be 3 weeks long with 4 internationals played.

Just what fans need a few months after a 6 week World Cup.

31 Mar 2026 10:08:36
Arsenal have pulled their players because of the FA Cup and league and Champions League all next week. Would not expect anything else from that slimeball Arteta.

31 Mar 2026 10:31:43
I would be more than happy if we did the same in their position, Albeydered.

31 Mar 2026 11:11:59
International football is a money laundering farce run by a gang of criminals in suits. Utter corruption in broad daylight.

Stopped watching it long ago.

{Ed025's Note - its hard to argue with that StEA..

31 Mar 2026 11:52:13
I agree, StEtienne. I grew up loving int'l footie (and still do depending on the games). But you are right. It has now become some cash cow for the orgs. to fleece the masses of their hard earned earnings. Pathetic.

30 Mar 2026 15:35:49
People talk about selling players and buying replacements of supposed better quality, but the issue is 2fold. As I see it, yes, we need better quality but we also need squad depth. You can't keep asking quality players to play 60 matches a year and not get injured or burnt out.

What we need to do over a number of windows is build up the squad numbers with players who can still fulfill a role but are maybe not first choice. We can't afford to sell any of the first team really, but if we do need to sell it should be a minimum number.

30 Mar 2026 16:01:53
I think we just need better balance in the squad. Better management and fitness.

30 Mar 2026 16:23:51
"Put your money on the pitch" as Alex Ferguson used to say. Improve the starting eleven and then add depth.

I find the conversation of squad depth a redundant point with Slot anyway. The man doesn't use squad depth.

He has his favourites and isolates others.

He should also be integrating more youth players to add depth like Klopp did. Then you sell them and start the process again.

30 Mar 2026 16:58:26
The squad depth in a lot of positions is just not good enough for a team whose fans demand trophies. The first 11 would give anyone a game on their day. A lot of the players that would come in for them are just not good enough. There are players at LFC that would be nowhere near the squads of Arsenal, City etc, unfortunately.

30 Mar 2026 17:54:02
@Alwaysred, the way you get the depth you want is to sign players who can legitimately start for you, hence direct competition for starting positions. It keeps everyone honest and the whole "he's a starter/he's only a backup" crap, (like Slot stupidly did with Gakpo and Chiesa for ex.), is not a thing as every player is a legit starter.



Just look at how Cody and Diaz were at their best (for the most part) last season when they were going at each other for that wide left spot. That's all you need to see and that's the way it needs to be is good squad depth is what you and I want, which we do. Just my opinion.

30 Mar 2026 19:28:26
Take VVD for example. He plays every single game, which takes its toll, and he has made a couple of mistakes, which costs us a couple of goals.
But had we got the centre back that we all wanted, then VVD could have been rotated and rested, and stayed sharper.


Our subs bench is a joke, so it's the same subs on every game.
No wonder we are not Top Four.
So hoping our new manager next season will get the players that
will take us to another level, back where we belong.

30 Mar 2026 19:32:28
But the problem with that argument is you cannot sign a top player and say to him you're going to have to fight for your place, as they will look for another team that guarantees first team games. Kelleher is an example of that, he would be still on the bench at Liverpool, but now playing every game for Brentford.

The owners are not going to pay 60m for a guy to sit on the bench, and that's why you need squad rotation continually to keep the majority happy.
The whole model is buy back up cheap, develop, then either sell at a profit or try and keep them as long as possible.

30 Mar 2026 20:20:32
Yeh, but goalies in general, and even more so Kelleher with Alisson here, are a bit different to outfield players. There's only really 3 or 4 players you would look at as untouchable in our squad. Top players shouldn't be afraid of competition.

In a perfect world, none of your core players would be leaving, and you would be adding three or four top players to that, but quite a few will be moving on this summer. Another very busy, messy window.

30 Mar 2026 22:33:33
Is Gakpo a legit starter? I think he thrived with the competition with Diaz and that elevated his game.

I don't think you can have two legit starters for every position. And I really think that is ok. It's then down to the coach and how they drive competition within the squad.

31 Mar 2026 09:52:42
Gakpo is reportedly the 4th highest earner in the squad and has started 80% of the games this season.

On that basis, I'd agree he's not seen as a legit starter by the club.

31 Mar 2026 12:00:09
Alwaysred, I see your point. My argument is about drop off in quality between two players in the same position. If the drop off from one is not too far from the other, then you can make it work.

The Kelleher/Ali argument doesn't work here, cos he is exceptionally inferior to Ali. However, Kelleher showed that he could hold his own to an extent when we needed him, and overall, he did okay.

Sometimes, that's all you need.

Cody and Diaz are the ex. in this context, too. They don't even have to both be top players. They can be very good players you can interchange with to a certain level where the drop off is not that crazy.

Like @Faith said as well, it is all about creating an environment that drives competition, which leads to improved standards.