Liverpool FC - Talk /Gossip/Rumours 25/25

J Mysterio · 27-05-2026 03:56PM

I do maintain it largely was Klopp's team that won the title, with some changes in style.

Gravenberch role
Reduced pressing
Taking less chances/ slower build up
Possible Szoboslai/ Trent tweaks

This season, Gravenberch has not been as effective (nor have the vast majority), we went too far in reducing pressing to the point where it is broken, the slower build up led to slow, pedestrian play, and Trent was gone.

Szoboslai has largely maintained a good standard (one of very few), and Kerkez has slowly shown improvement.

My conclusion is that as we have moved further from the Klopp team/ Klopp style, we have become increasingly pedestrian. This combined with very obviously poor rotation, man management, and bad choices in letting useful squad players go.

~Rebel~ · 27-05-2026 04:25PM

On the thing of it being the previous manager's team… it's worth remembering that working with a previous manager's team is usually viewed as one of the harder things to do in football. Like, how often do you hear "ah he hasn't gotten to put his own stamp on the team yet".

The chief job of the coach is to coach the players they have, and try to get the best out of them. Slot did that. Really well. Right away. And we should all be fuckin' delighted that he did.

I'd kinda love us to just leave that season be what it was without trying to diminish it, and just stick to the criticisms of what went wrong this year.

J Mysterio · 27-05-2026 05:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504101#Comment_124504101

Agreed, and I'm not looking to diminish 24-25. I'm making the fairly simple point that the more Slot has changed the teams tactics, style, and personnel, etc. the worse we have become. That is to say we were **** this season: 25-26.

facehugger99 · 27-05-2026 05:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503791#Comment_124503791

Yeah - you're right - I must be imagining stuff.

You're one of the prime offenders so less of the gaslighting please.

Appletart Upsetter · 27-05-2026 05:30PM

For some reason Slot seems to generate real disdain amongst a large proportion of the Liverpool fan base. It's not something I've seen previously (not counting Hodgson). The fact he's a league winning manager is even more strange.

I think his biggest issue is he's not Klopp and possibly because he's bald.

Talisman · 27-05-2026 05:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503819#Comment_124503819

I found your last line funny, it reminded me of a scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian.

All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

happyoutscan · 27-05-2026 06:06PM

I don't recall anyone explicitly saying the only reason we won in 24/25 was because Arsenal and City were sh*te.

I've seen plenty - including myself - who have said it was a very helpful factor in us achieving that title.

To me, that was a great bit of luck that our two main rivals had off seasons.

McFly85 · 27-05-2026 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504229#Comment_124504229

No getting away from the fact that the football has been turgid alright and he will rightly start next season under pressure.

But we’ve seen a big fall of of points the season after a title win/push several times in our recent past too, so it’s not hugely uncommon. Couple that with Jotas death and the constant rejigging of the squad gives me some hope that if we get good signings in the summer and start brightly that maybe Slot can turn it around.

I would prefer to give Slot another chance right now rather than going for Iraola who has been mooted. At least slot has gotten to the top before and knows what it takes.

But definitely would agree that he has to get the team showing some noticeable improvement pretty quickly or he’ll probably get sacked, and can’t have any complaints.

Fitz* · 27-05-2026 06:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504268#Comment_124504268

Around a year ago, after Liverpool lifted another league title, Slot was very quick to get on a microphone and say 'that it's Liverpool's 2nd title in 5 years' and that's the mentality he wants to carry forwards. At the time there had been a lot of online noise from rival fans saying it was 'only the 2nd title in 35 years' etc as an attempt to belittle the achievement. This year, and when trying to explain the slump in form, Slot tried to make himself sound better but repeating that 'Liverpool only have 2 titles in 35 years' and basically that we shouldn't expect to be competing for the title. That's a kick in the face to fans to see the Liverpool manager stoop to the level on rival fans trying to have a dig at Liverpool in an attempt to troll them. And it's a big red flag.

And seeing as you made the comparison to Klopp. Klopp told the world how his players were the best in the world, or the second best in the world etc. Slot, publicly, told players that they were crap and would only play if others were injured. Or wouldn't play at all because they weren't good enough. Another massive red flag.

Whatever about what happens on the pitch, Slot said both those things and reiterated similar tendencies across other topics. He didn't come across well at all, whatsoever. He is not a big booming father figure that players & fans would run through brick walls for, and he doesn't need to be. It's not his personality and that's fine But he doesn't have to come across as an arsehole either, and only he can control that.

Appletart Upsetter · 27-05-2026 06:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504389#Comment_124504389

All fairly innocuous stuff to me but when you dislike someone everything they say can be triggering.

An example I remember from Klopps time was how he kept going on and on about the 12pm kickoffs. He get really wound up about bit. For the most part Liverpool fans were on his side.

If Slot started going on and on about the 12pm kickoffs I have no doubt people would be saying he needs to shut the **** up and get on with it. Which is exactly what Klopp should have done!

Infoseeker1975 · 27-05-2026 06:25PM

24/25 was brilliant & Slot deserves loads of praise

25/26 had 5 games at the start that we somehow won though any non Pool fans would be thinking they are easy to get at, then it simply got worse and worse. I have been a fan for 40+ years and losing is not everything, this year the matches are so low intensity and we are so easy to score against that it is simply hard to watch in my opinion.

Going forward, I do not think it matters if you think Slot should go or should get more time; the likely outcome assuming his contract is not extending this summer is that as soon as we lose 2 or 3 games in a row, it will become impossible for him to stay.

If Slot does not get an extension and finishes next May, it will be a challenge for whomever comes in as it is likely Alisson and VVD will be gone leaving very few experienced heads in the club.

J Mysterio · 27-05-2026 07:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504268#Comment_124504268

You're right, I don't particularly like Slot, and I agree that may possibly seem strange to many given he managed the team to a PL title, but it's not an opinion I formed overnight, and that achievement does not give him a perpetual pass.

Obviously early doors, it looked to be an amazingly smooth transition from Klopp to Slot. But - again - as time has passed, and as he has had significant time to mold things to his vision, things have deteriorated. He has begun to fail essentially and as this has happened, his faults have of course become more pronounced. I've been increasingly critical since early Q4 25.

What's worse is, I don't think the players particularly like him either, which is ultimately the main problem. He is a manager who is bad at man management, a manager who can't manage a squad.

His communication style and the content of what he actually says often amounts to bizarre and confronting statements that don't align with observable facts and reality. I find it too irritating to watch any of the press conferences these days.

We have gone from a club with a clear style ('heavy metal football') and winning mentality to one that is almost unrecognisably soft and pedestrian, in a very short span of time. Literally from PL winners to also rans. An almighty points swing, breaking negative records, and luckily scraping CL football. From a position of strength, with half a billion to invest and attractive to top players globally, to a team which looks paper thin and requires a complete rebuild.

brevity · 27-05-2026 07:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504414#Comment_124504414

Klopp complained about the wind plenty of times too.

I think it might be a deliberate tactic to take attention away from the players and a poor performance.

Your point earlier about people just not liking Slot is a fair one. He needs serious help in the back room team in my opinion.

riddles · 27-05-2026 08:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504580#Comment_124504580

I personally think Arne Slot is on the long list of people who doesnt want him at Liverpool next season. He also doesn't want to walk away from a pay day which is logical and fair. FSG must have a pretty large rabbit or otherwise it's only going one way and that's south or as far south as is possible.

The worst thing for the whole part of people change management at Liverpool since Klopp left is that there are some parts that are not being done as we have the shift from Leader to head coach.

Change management in elite sports is hard because you aren't just managing tasks; you are managing a fragile ecosystem of hyper-competitive perfectionists under a global microscope. One wrong move can turn your team's multipliers into dividers.

Which is clearly what Slot is facing.

CajunSurprise · 27-05-2026 08:31PM

Some reports tonight that Mama wants to go out in loan next season and play regular football and be on the bench behind Ali.

Dr Robert · 27-05-2026 08:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504692#Comment_124504692

Link?

Appletart Upsetter · 27-05-2026 08:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504580#Comment_124504580

I quite like Slot. I think he seems like a good guy and most people who have had dealings with him say the same. I think he's handled himself really well this season given everything that's happened.

He gave praise to Klopp when he won the title. He handled the Jota tragedy impeccably. He has handled Mo Salah's outbursts really well. He hasn't thrown the players under the bus and has kept his cool during this mess of a season. Sure, when a manager is under pressure and reading all the stuff that's getting thrown at him from fans, he can say the odd thing he shouldn't. The scrutiny he is under is overwhelming and he's never had to deal with this before.

I am not convinced he's the guy to take us forward, I think the most likely outcome is he is replaced mid season. The performances are just too turgid, I can't see a way back.

I've just alway felt he deserves respect and as much chance as possible to correct things. I'd probably have changed now but FSG are sticking and I respect the decision.

mormank · 27-05-2026 08:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504715#Comment_124504715

"He hasn't thrown players under the bus"

What would you call it when he repeatedly says he doesn't like what he seeing from the players on the pitch?

Or when he tells players who aren't playing that they're not good enough. Then plays them out of nowhere a month later and expects them to perform.

I don't care where he is from. Being Dutch is not an excuse to be toxic and alot of the words he has spoken this season are toxic for our squads morale.

Appletart Upsetter · 27-05-2026 09:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504745#Comment_124504745

Can you give me a specific example of either of these situations?

I don't remember Slot absolving himself of responsibility for poor performances. The specific example of poor man management I can remember is the Ramsay one. I didn't like that but I think it was in response to the clamour for him to start from fans/journalists which was daft.

Bacchus · 27-05-2026 09:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504268#Comment_124504268

I think the biggest issues, w.r.t. general fan opinion of him, are

1. Freezing out players like Endo and Chiesa, particularly in a season plagued by poor performers and injuries.

2. The lack of fight in the team. The team just hasn't looked like a team fighting for anything this season. He's the coach. He rightly gets the credit for last season getting the best from the squad but he failed to do that this season. And look, part of that could well be many players dealing with grief but it's hard to get away from it.

On that front, my hopes for next season rest largely on Slot getting a transfer window he's happy with, setting him up with squad he can use to its fullest. And also on a fresh start for the team, a bit more distance from Jota's death. I don't expect miracles but I expect to be competitive and show us that the rebuild is working.

Appletart Upsetter · 27-05-2026 09:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504823#Comment_124504823

To be fair, if you lose 20 games in a season you're probably not going to be very popular.

I think the summer transfer window is going to be critical for the short to medium term future of the club. The club needs to address all the problem areas and create a coherent squad of players. If Slot isn't the guy to take it forward then his replacement should inherit a team capable of challenging for the top prizes.

Bacchus · 27-05-2026 09:39PM

Well there's that :D

I do think a lot of this started with it becoming very apparent despite the performances that he was just unwilling to let Chiesa and Endo have a proper go.

Damien360 · 27-05-2026 09:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504851#Comment_124504851

To your credit, you are being very pragmatic about Slot. I would be much more pessimistic about the future with Slot still there and would worry about how much ground would be lost and another season when he inevitably gets shipped out.

This is a world cup year which always comes with the "player tired" excuses and of course the "lack of pre-season". Any slip up over the first few games and the excuses will be flying regardless of how valid it may feel. He won't get leeway at all.

So with that, what is everyone's definition in terms of average points over let's say the first 10 games regardless of opposition is deemed doing ok. 2 points per game average is third place for a season. For me that's absolute minimum.

8-10 · 27-05-2026 11:08PM

Istanbul documentary on Netflix is exactly what I needed this week

Girly Gal · 27-05-2026 11:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504877#Comment_124504877

For the first 10 games, it's difficult to put a figure on it, I expect a slow start, so 15 to 18 points would be fine as long as we see an improvement in performances, a clear plan and tactics in place to suit the squad of players available to us. I want to see us competitive again, making opposition teams earn any chance they get against us, play with a bit more fight and determination, a bit of urgency and intensity.

I think success for next season would be comfortably getting top 4 and having a decent run in the CL and one of the cups. I would hope we improve as the season goes on. I don't expect us to win anything or seriously challenge for the league or CL, as I think we have fallen too far this season to turn that around in one season.

BorneTobyWilde · 27-05-2026 11:33PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVuC2USLmPQ

…Always good to hear from Jurgen, of course it's a reminder of better times

awec · 27-05-2026 11:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504230#Comment_124504230

I think you are imagining stuff, yes.

awec · 27-05-2026 11:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124504268#Comment_124504268

"For some reason".

Are you being serious Appletart?

awec · 27-05-2026 11:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503958#Comment_124503958

But these absolutely WERE all factors in us winning the league last year. It is not undermining the achievement to point this out. Ignoring these factors just makes us look stupid and/or delusional.

Did he win the league? Yes.

Was it a great achievement? Yes.

Did we get fortunate that Arsenal and City were poor? Yes.

Did Slot benefit from inheriting Klopp's team? Yes.

Are we supposed to just not take any of this into account when assessing if this guy is the best man to run the club?

Is the idea here that we are supposed to ignore all the factors that helped Slot succeed last year, pretending it was all entirely down to him, but focus heavily on all the factors that supposedly made him fail this year, pretending it wasn't down to him at all?

54and56 · 27-05-2026 11:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503363#Comment_124503363

That's some gilt edged conspiracy theory type thinking there @awec.

Fair play that you can see the real truth when those who actually own the club, have their money invested in it and are basing their decisions on a tiny bit more information than fans in a public forum have access to can't.

Bualadh bos 👏👏👏

Liverpool FC - Talk /Gossip/Rumours 25/25

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