Threads containing Ed001's recent posts.
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24 Feb 2026 09:49:25
Morning Ed001,
As we draw closer to the end of the season, do you think Rio should start a few more games, all be it he is still young and needs to be managed?
Cheers
Drogie.
{Ed001's Note - not really, he has not done enough to deserve a start.}
24 Feb 2026 09:49:25
Morning Ed001,
As we draw closer to the end of the season, do you think Rio should start a few more games, all be it he is still young and needs to be managed?
Cheers
Drogie.
{Ed001's Note - not really, he has not done enough to deserve a start.}
24 Feb 2026
24 Feb 2026 09:26:34
I think I remember you saying a while back, Ed01, you rated Sebastien Hoeness. Do you think he'd be a good fit? Apologies if I remember wrong.
{Ed001's Note - I actually really like what I have seen of Hoeness, but he has never had a proper tough spell to measure his ability against. He does look like he would be good, but it would be a risk.}
24 Feb 2026 06:55:06
Morning Eds,
Assuming Slot does move on in the summer what would your view be on Fabregas as an option.
Would surely have respect of the players, seems to get his sides playing attractive football whilst being tactically flexible.
Not saying Xabi wouldn't be a good option btw just an alternative to throw into the conversation.
{Ed001's Note - no thank you. Has had a huge budget and wants older players, because he doesn't want to have to coach them to play the way he wants them to. He has barely even begun his career and you want him at Liverpool? Not a person I would want anywhere near the club thanks.}
24 Feb 2026 09:10:11
Interestingly, we have spoken to him. Won't go anywhere. Ta.
24 Feb 2026 09:40:32
Absolutely not. He'd have the respect of the players for about 5 minutes, until they realize he won't be leading them to success any time soon. And, regardless, Fabregas was a very good player rather than a great one.
Playing attractive football is an overrated addition anyway - it doesn't matter a jot if the team doesn't win. The best teams are multi-faceted units that win games just because they win games, no matter the style.
24 Feb 2026 09:26:34
I think I remember you saying a while back, Ed01, you rated Sebastien Hoeness. Do you think he'd be a good fit? Apologies if I remember wrong.
{Ed001's Note - I actually really like what I have seen of Hoeness, but he has never had a proper tough spell to measure his ability against. He does look like he would be good, but it would be a risk.}
24 Feb 2026 09:49:14
Next season, the Liverpool manager will be Arne Slot or Xabi Alonso. I just hope we use the summer to get the players in to play either system, because right now, we don't suit either.
24 Feb 2026 10:01:25
I have no opinion of Fabregas as a manager because I've not watched Como play. But to say he was only good and wasn't a great player is crazy to me. He is probably the only player I've seen step into a Premier League midfield at 17 years old and immediately run the show. Literally no other midfield player in Premier League history has done that. He won multiple major titles with Arsenal, Spain, Chelsea and Barcelona. And, by the way, getting into those Barcelona and Spain teams of 2008-2014 as a midfielder took some bloody doing! I believe he is still 3rd in the all-time Premier League assists chart as well. That's absolutely staggering when you consider how much of his career was spent abroad compared to the likes of Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, etc. The only players ahead of him are Giggs and De Bruyne. Fabregas was an absolute genius of a player. He was a flawed genius, for sure. A bit like Pirlo or Scholes, he offered very little defensively, but he was, without a shadow of a doubt, not just a great, but a world-class midfielder and a creative genius.
People always sleep on his time at Barcelona for some reason and pretend he was not a key player. But his 3 seasons there were 1) 48 games, 15 goals, 20 assists. 2) 48 games, 14 goals, 13 assists. 3) 55 games, 14 goals, 17 assists. Those are absolutely insane numbers. Imagine playing in a team with Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets, but still managing to be the player pulling the strings offensively. 42 goals and 50 assists in 3 seasons. Then he came back to Chelsea and reinvented himself as a deep-lying playmaker alongside Kante and/or Matic. Honestly, you're either being weirdly bitter about a player who never played for a rival, or you're just too young to remember him. He was at the very top of the game from 2004-2018. From a young star boy at Arsenal, to a winning machine at Barcelona, to an experienced orchestrator at Chelsea. Most players dream of retiring with 4 league titles, a World Cup plus two Euros with their country, a Europa League, a Club World Cup and 7 various domestic cups. Revisionism at its finest and not a particularly good look on anyone, mate.
24 Feb 2026 10:14:56
Lowe, I don't think you've been following most of the narrative on here about our style, then. lol
24 Feb 2026
24 Feb 2026 06:38:24
Just like the pundits Ed. Refs give it there's clear contact. They don't, it's a "coming together."
{Ed001's Note - pundits annoy me, talking about 'clever play' when someone cheats. They need to start calling it cheating if it is to be eradicated.}
24 Feb 2026
23 Feb 2026 23:22:10
Ed001, thank you for the reply, but surely if the laws are in place, then it allows for a grey area being exploited by teams? I think if they made it so before the kick is taken, the keeper has a certain area that can't be entered, perhaps? i'm not sure, but what I do know for sure is that the idea that the player is just standing his ground when, in fact, he's boxing the keeper in and stopping him from moving is not what the laws of football all them moons ago started off with.
{Ed001's Note - there is no grey area, what is going on is wrong, but the officials are weak and incompetent. It is the same with diving and time wasting, the laws and powers are there for officials to deal with them, but they are a bunch of weak cowards.}
24 Feb 2026
23 Feb 2026 23:22:10
Ed001, thank you for the reply, but surely if the laws are in place, then it allows for a grey area being exploited by teams? I think if they made it so before the kick is taken, the keeper has a certain area that can't be entered, perhaps? i'm not sure, but what I do know for sure is that the idea that the player is just standing his ground when, in fact, he's boxing the keeper in and stopping him from moving is not what the laws of football all them moons ago started off with.
{Ed001's Note - there is no grey area, what is going on is wrong, but the officials are weak and incompetent. It is the same with diving and time wasting, the laws and powers are there for officials to deal with them, but they are a bunch of weak cowards.}
23 Feb 2026 22:49:24
I know it's not Liverpool-related, but it still pertains to the PL. I just wanted to ask Ed001 if you've heard anything about PGMOL changing rules regarding corners, because if you watched the United and Everton game tonight, it wasn't football, whatever was going on at each set piece.
Surely the higher-ups are aware it's killing the spectacle of football, and it's gone too far now. Arteta has started a set-piece cult now, surely it's gone too far, Ed001?
{Ed001's Note - the laws are already in place to deal with it, there is no need to change anything other than to bring in competent officials.}
23 Feb 2026 23:26:12
It's absolutely insane. The amount of pushing, grabbing, blocking, wrestling, and nothing is given, yet Kolo Muani touched Gabriel's back and it's a foul. In tonight's game, Ndiaye touched Shaw with a hand, and Shaw just flopped to the floor and got a free kick.
Why do they give fouls for minimal contact like that, but at set pieces anything goes? Surely the head of the PGMOL needs to pull them all in and demand answers? I won't hold my breath.
23 Feb 2026 23:36:51
That wasn't football, it was more like rugby.
23 Feb 2026 23:22:10
Ed001, thank you for the reply, but surely if the laws are in place, then it allows for a grey area being exploited by teams? I think if they made it so before the kick is taken, the keeper has a certain area that can't be entered, perhaps? i'm not sure, but what I do know for sure is that the idea that the player is just standing his ground when, in fact, he's boxing the keeper in and stopping him from moving is not what the laws of football all them moons ago started off with.
{Ed001's Note - there is no grey area, what is going on is wrong, but the officials are weak and incompetent. It is the same with diving and time wasting, the laws and powers are there for officials to deal with them, but they are a bunch of weak cowards.}
24 Feb 2026 06:38:24
Just like the pundits Ed. Refs give it there's clear contact. They don't, it's a "coming together."
{Ed001's Note - pundits annoy me, talking about 'clever play' when someone cheats. They need to start calling it cheating if it is to be eradicated.}
24 Feb 2026 08:01:10
One rule change I hope they introduce in the near future is for throw-ins and set pieces. I'm sick to the back teeth of every dead-ball situation taking over a minute. Even throw-ins now, you have to wait whilst Aina, Kayode, etc., waltz the full width of the pitch from RB to launch a long throw into the box. I think the rules should be that if you take longer than 60 seconds from the point the ball goes dead, you are automatically booked for time wasting, and the set-play/throw-in is given to the opposition.
Free kicks and throw-ins flipped, and corners become goal kicks, or goal kicks become corners. The only exception should be if the ref blows his whistle to delay the restart for some reason. The alternative is they need to start stopping the clock and just change it to 60 minutes, because it's got to the point where they're now sapping about 45 minutes away with throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, and free kicks. The Premier League in general is bordering on unwatchable this season.
24 Feb 2026 09:45:50
I have thought for years and years that no attacking player should be inside the goalkeeper's six-yard box until the ball is kicked for the corner.
24 Feb 2026 10:06:13
I think "competent officials" is an oxymoron in 2026. Globally. Also, I love the time limit on deadball situations, but I would only allow 30 seconds. As for players rolling around on the floor, if they are not on their feet within 30 seconds, a stretcher comes on and they go off for treatment, minimum of 10 minutes.
Retrospective 10 match bans for play acting as well. Cheating is cheating.
23 Feb 2026 22:49:24
I know it's not Liverpool-related, but it still pertains to the PL. I just wanted to ask Ed001 if you've heard anything about PGMOL changing rules regarding corners, because if you watched the United and Everton game tonight, it wasn't football, whatever was going on at each set piece.
Surely the higher-ups are aware it's killing the spectacle of football, and it's gone too far now. Arteta has started a set-piece cult now, surely it's gone too far, Ed001?
{Ed001's Note - the laws are already in place to deal with it, there is no need to change anything other than to bring in competent officials.}
23 Feb 2026 23:26:12
It's absolutely insane. The amount of pushing, grabbing, blocking, wrestling, and nothing is given, yet Kolo Muani touched Gabriel's back and it's a foul. In tonight's game, Ndiaye touched Shaw with a hand, and Shaw just flopped to the floor and got a free kick.
Why do they give fouls for minimal contact like that, but at set pieces anything goes? Surely the head of the PGMOL needs to pull them all in and demand answers? I won't hold my breath.
23 Feb 2026 23:36:51
That wasn't football, it was more like rugby.
23 Feb 2026 23:22:10
Ed001, thank you for the reply, but surely if the laws are in place, then it allows for a grey area being exploited by teams? I think if they made it so before the kick is taken, the keeper has a certain area that can't be entered, perhaps? i'm not sure, but what I do know for sure is that the idea that the player is just standing his ground when, in fact, he's boxing the keeper in and stopping him from moving is not what the laws of football all them moons ago started off with.
{Ed001's Note - there is no grey area, what is going on is wrong, but the officials are weak and incompetent. It is the same with diving and time wasting, the laws and powers are there for officials to deal with them, but they are a bunch of weak cowards.}
24 Feb 2026 06:38:24
Just like the pundits Ed. Refs give it there's clear contact. They don't, it's a "coming together."
{Ed001's Note - pundits annoy me, talking about 'clever play' when someone cheats. They need to start calling it cheating if it is to be eradicated.}
24 Feb 2026 08:01:10
One rule change I hope they introduce in the near future is for throw-ins and set pieces. I'm sick to the back teeth of every dead-ball situation taking over a minute. Even throw-ins now, you have to wait whilst Aina, Kayode, etc., waltz the full width of the pitch from RB to launch a long throw into the box. I think the rules should be that if you take longer than 60 seconds from the point the ball goes dead, you are automatically booked for time wasting, and the set-play/throw-in is given to the opposition.
Free kicks and throw-ins flipped, and corners become goal kicks, or goal kicks become corners. The only exception should be if the ref blows his whistle to delay the restart for some reason. The alternative is they need to start stopping the clock and just change it to 60 minutes, because it's got to the point where they're now sapping about 45 minutes away with throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, and free kicks. The Premier League in general is bordering on unwatchable this season.
24 Feb 2026 09:45:50
I have thought for years and years that no attacking player should be inside the goalkeeper's six-yard box until the ball is kicked for the corner.
24 Feb 2026 10:06:13
I think "competent officials" is an oxymoron in 2026. Globally. Also, I love the time limit on deadball situations, but I would only allow 30 seconds. As for players rolling around on the floor, if they are not on their feet within 30 seconds, a stretcher comes on and they go off for treatment, minimum of 10 minutes.
Retrospective 10 match bans for play acting as well. Cheating is cheating.
23 Feb 2026 16:44:26
Hi Eds, can I ask a stupid question, was Slot's plan, in buying two number 9's, for Ekitike and Isak to play up front together? I assumed it was and then Isak got injured. Or was the plan to play Isak up front with Ekitike and Mo behind, with Wirtz in-between? I never really understood what the plan was. Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - the plan was for Isak to be first choice and Ekitike as rotation cover or back up.}
23 Feb 2026 18:06:00
It's going to be a nice problem for the next manager. How to keep both of them happy. Ekitike is solidly first choice right now and won't want to lose his place, while Isak is a brilliant player when actually fit.
23 Feb 2026 18:13:40
I think this was the biggest problem, and why the season has failed massively. The formation and slow style just don't suit the squad anymore.
23 Feb 2026 18:19:15
The goal we scored at Tottenham when Isak was injured was interplay from Wirtz, Hugo and Isak. Like to see more of that when Isak comes back. Both Hugo and Isak can interchange and play off the left or play Wirtz behind the pair. Nice problem to have.
23 Feb 2026 18:25:35
Agreed, LFC8, we're not playing to Isak's strengths at all.
23 Feb 2026 18:28:52
Having two top class strikers is never a bad idea.
23 Feb 2026 18:32:02
When we get a good manager in charge, then hopefully they can deal with it.
23 Feb 2026 18:46:27
Don't see the issue with playing both of them, to be honest. It's made out to be some mystical phenomenon these days, playing two up top, but it really should be. There are plenty of ways you can play with two strikers, whilst packing the midfield to counter the typical 4231 these days.
23 Feb 2026 19:03:29
Shouldn't be, I mean.
23 Feb 2026 19:06:24
We need to get a manager who knows how to play Wirtz, Hugo and Isak, and find the answer to Gapko, Grav, Maca and a replacement for Salah, and we need him very quickly before we fall any further behind. YNWA.
23 Feb 2026 19:07:14
Isak is not top class, and is pretty poor in all aspects of his game apart from finishing. I doubt he will score over 50 goals for Liverpool before he is released on a free.
23 Feb 2026 19:24:05
I sense someone might have upvoted their own post. ??
23 Feb 2026 20:05:39
Well, I think Isak is top class. Finishing is the most difficult thing to do in football.
23 Feb 2026 20:46:34
Competition for places and rotation is exactly what we want and need. I felt it worked a treat last season with Gakpo and Diaz on the left, both players benefited and so did the team. I felt almost 40 goals between them, I think.
When we signed Wirtz, the general consensus was Szobo would lose his place, but it's brought his game this season to another level. By far our best player. Isak and Ekitike should bring out the best in each other.
23 Feb 2026 20:59:50
Frimpong, Bradley, Endo, Jones, and Gomez have all pushed Szob on to be a better back up right back this season.
23 Feb 2026 21:08:33
Whatever the plan was, it was always starting behind the start line, as Isak was never fit enough and then broke his leg.
23 Feb 2026 22:01:24
@Lucas: Please. ✋
23 Feb 2026 22:37:55
Didn't Man United win the league with Rooney, Tevez, and Berbatov? They had Ronaldo as well, but I remember him playing more on the left. City used Marmoush / Haaland as two up top yesterday, and Real had Ronaldo / Benzema. Actually, I think Ekitike and Isak would work better than either would with Gakpo; they seem to be the least flexible, play-wise.
23 Feb 2026 23:44:38
Ekitike is slightly overrated. Big potential but lots to work on.
24 Feb 2026 07:25:38
I don't think Ekitike is overrated at all. He exceeded all the expectations I had when he first joined. There are still some areas that he needs to work on, particularly his heading, but I think he has been good for us so far.
24 Feb 2026 09:45:36
Maybe ask Crouchie or Shearer to give a bit of heading coaching to Eki.
23 Feb 2026
23 Feb 2026 04:35:06
I'll save Ed001 the time, Barry. LiVARpool won 1 nil. LiVARpool were crap. Worst performance of the season. Forest didn't deserve to lose. Move on to the next 1.
22 Feb 2026 22:28:00
Lad's let's spear a thought for Ed001 who actually has to watch this muck again for his match review.
23 Feb 2026 00:37:26
Now, unfortunately, it's not hard to remember.
23 Feb 2026 04:35:06
I'll save Ed001 the time, Barry. LiVARpool won 1 nil. LiVARpool were crap. Worst performance of the season. Forest didn't deserve to lose. Move on to the next 1.
23 Feb 2026 05:41:10
We have been "spearing" his thoughts a lot.
23 Feb 2026 05:55:52
Spare even. ?
23 Feb 2026 04:19:38
I seriously pray that Ed01 doesn't take the pain to watch that again. Please write whatever that comes from memory.
23 Feb 2026 07:06:57
No one will begrudge him a week off this time round, I don't think.
23 Feb 2026 07:23:42
The game doesn't merit a review.
23 Feb 2026 08:09:05
Okay, I'll bite, JLC. Which VAR decision do you think they skewed in our favour yesterday? There were two subjective calls (the red card for the studs-up rake down the full length of Mac Allister's shin, and the goal which ricocheted in off Macca's elbow/back), and both of them went against us. I think the elbow goal was the correct call, btw, but the decision not to at least send the ref to the monitor for that red card decision was incredulous.
Awful tackle, weak officiating. The only other call was a black-and-white automated offside decision, which showed Van Dijk was clearly onside in the build up to the winning goal.
23 Feb 2026 08:24:36
I was livid when the handball goal was not given, but after calming down and reading the rules again, I have to admit that it was the right call. I didn't realise that the arm being in a natural position wouldn't be taken into account for handballs that happen during attacking plays.
23 Feb 2026 08:49:33
Dr Pedant here, I'd argue the play in question was a defensive play, not an attacking one, as it was the defender attempting to clear his lines, which inadvertently ricocheted off Macca and into the net. Surely it can't be an attacking play when the player has his back turned to the ball and it hits him?
23 Feb 2026 09:12:51
Drac, I get the rule. However, I think the rule is poorly applied here. Macca's arm was tight to his body, so for me, that is not handball, and the goal should stand. Cos, if the roles were reversed and Macca blocked a goal bound shot the exact same way in our box, a pen would never be given for that.
So, if it is not a pen (hence, no handball), then the goal should stand as no handball. That's my logic.
23 Feb 2026 09:14:25
Oh, and Mks, that tackle was terrible and the Forrest player should have gone, ASAP. I fully agree on that. As for the whole Liverpool stuff, not worth discussing.
23 Feb 2026 09:48:40
The rule is, if it goes in off of the arm, it doesn't count. No ifs, ands, buts or maybes. I dunno how you can say that hasn't been applied properly when that's one of the only cut and dry rules we have left in this sport.
23 Feb 2026 09:59:01
If Macalister had been a Forest defender, would an own goal have been awarded, or would it have been ruled out according to the rule that a goal can not be scored via an accidental handball?
23 Feb 2026 10:48:09
Makes me happy I went and played golf in the sunshine rather than stay in and watch that.
23 Feb 2026 11:04:48
@Alvy, I disagree. The handball interpretation is my issue here. So, if you believe that the handball in the scenario I mentioned (Macca blocking a shot in the exact same way in his own box with his back turned and arm well against his body) is not handball at all (cos no pen would be given for that) then you simply cannot say it should be deemed a handball in the Macca scenario when the goal goes in. Keep in mind that if your arm is against your body and the ball hits it, it is not handball, as the arm is part of your body in that instance.
That is part of the handball rule. Hence, the rule is picking and choosing when it is handball and when it is not, esp. if the ball lands in the same area in both scenarios. As a result, the rule is wrongly created, hence wrongly applied in comparison, because if it is not handball in my scenario, it should not be handball in the scenario when the goal is scored. I hope this helps.
22 Feb 2026
22 Feb 2026 10:42:46
LFC8, isn't that what Gomez is for, mate? I 100% agree about putting Szob or even Curtis there. Szobs's problem is that he actually shines there too. I think Bradley will have a very short career, unfortunately. Now, if Gomez isn't the guy for covering the back 4, we should have let him go when he wanted to.
Personally, either way, I'd let him go and get a younger and fitter player. Let's be honest. Can we seriously rely on him for, say, a 5/6 game run? We need the new Jimmy Milner. Who fits the bill?
{Ed001's Note - "when he wanted to." When was that? I thought he was the one rejecting offers to move?}
21 Feb 2026
21 Feb 2026 13:45:41
{Ed001's Note - I don't watch pressers.}.
The same, Ed. I'd be pulling my scalp out if I had to listen to this manager say he essentially forfieted 70% of the season just to get us fit.
@Fatwallet, don't worry. Hopefully, those accusing others of making stuff up or putting words in Slot's mouth just to bash him will see the light that he is the one bringing all this upon himself. But I know they won't.
21 Feb 2026
21 Feb 2026 13:43:59
Cheers, Ed001. Yeah, forgot about Fergie doing all that. I agree with just letting the youngsters go if they're thinking about money, rather than being in the best place for themselves footballing-wise.
21 Feb 2026 09:21:46
ED001, if you're about, heard the youngster Joshua Abe has been stalling signing a contract/ scholarship, and Trent's brother is his agent but my question is about agents. Can clubs stop their players having certain agents or ban certain agents from operating at the club.
I still remember the Sterling fiasco and how bad that agent spoke with no integrity about our club, looks like this trents brother is doing us no favours aswel.
{Ed001's Note - clubs cannot force them to change agent, they can ask but it is up to the player to choose their personal representative. You don't want to go down that route, that was what Fergie used to do at Man Utd - but he would force youth players to use his son or brother's agency (I forget which he was now) as he was a part-owner. Those that didn't, such as Pogba, would not get a game under any circumstances. Which led to the ludicrous situation where Fergie put 3 defenders in midfield during an injury crisis, rather than give Pogba even a sniff and saw Pogba quit the club as soon as he could.
I look at it that you are probably better off just being rid of young players with reps that are not looking after them, as they are likely to be mercenaries with short careers ahead.}
21 Feb 2026 13:43:59
Cheers, Ed001. Yeah, forgot about Fergie doing all that. I agree with just letting the youngsters go if they're thinking about money, rather than being in the best place for themselves footballing-wise.
21 Feb 2026 16:36:27
Anybody know why clubs pay agents instead of the players themselves?
21 Feb 2026 17:17:55
Well, first of all, they do pay the players. Second of all, the agents are intermediaries in any negotiation, and are paid for their services, just like mortgage brokers or recruitment consultants.
21 Feb 2026 09:21:46
ED001, if you're about, heard the youngster Joshua Abe has been stalling signing a contract/ scholarship, and Trent's brother is his agent but my question is about agents. Can clubs stop their players having certain agents or ban certain agents from operating at the club.
I still remember the Sterling fiasco and how bad that agent spoke with no integrity about our club, looks like this trents brother is doing us no favours aswel.
{Ed001's Note - clubs cannot force them to change agent, they can ask but it is up to the player to choose their personal representative. You don't want to go down that route, that was what Fergie used to do at Man Utd - but he would force youth players to use his son or brother's agency (I forget which he was now) as he was a part-owner. Those that didn't, such as Pogba, would not get a game under any circumstances. Which led to the ludicrous situation where Fergie put 3 defenders in midfield during an injury crisis, rather than give Pogba even a sniff and saw Pogba quit the club as soon as he could.
I look at it that you are probably better off just being rid of young players with reps that are not looking after them, as they are likely to be mercenaries with short careers ahead.}
21 Feb 2026 13:43:59
Cheers, Ed001. Yeah, forgot about Fergie doing all that. I agree with just letting the youngsters go if they're thinking about money, rather than being in the best place for themselves footballing-wise.
21 Feb 2026 16:36:27
Anybody know why clubs pay agents instead of the players themselves?
21 Feb 2026 17:17:55
Well, first of all, they do pay the players. Second of all, the agents are intermediaries in any negotiation, and are paid for their services, just like mortgage brokers or recruitment consultants.
20 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026 19:35:54
I didn't mean for it to come across like that, mate. I was just trying to make the point he's a better than average Prem player.
{Ed001's Note - I disagree, he wouldn't get in the team if he wasn't able to play multiple positions to fill in for injuries and suspensions. I really don't rate him at all.}
20 Feb 2026 19:06:16
Ed001 did you see Slota press conference yesterday?
I see he said we will be better now than before as our fitness levels are better, I find that very strange thing to say because he is admitting the players have only just got up to speed.
I would think that his is job in preseason to get them there or at least 85/ 90 % there and the last bit in the first few games not half way through the season.
Hopefully we are now fully fit and as teams tire toward the end of the season maybe we can come on and push for champions league title.
I don't know if am just hoping things change for the last part of a very poor season that started full of hope with the players we signed.
{Ed001's Note - I don't watch pressers.}
20 Feb 2026 20:20:37
I saw it. That part absolutely infuriated me. This just confirms all of our suspicions regarding the blatant lack of fitness in the squad. We've all seen most of the players struggle beyond 70 minutes. Some of us have been baffled, some of us suspicious, and some of us have made nonsense excuses about "saving energy for the latter half of the season". 7 months in and we're finally fit? For a Premier League manager to even suggest such a thing is a sackable offence in itself. How is that acceptable by any means? I swear, every other presser he says something that reveals another reason he's completely incapable.
Why has it taken 7 months to get a group of professional athletes match fit? There's only 1 reason, a massive oversight in terms of conditioning. I don't care whether it was completely accidental or some whacky plan to "avoid burnout". It's unacceptable. It's 2025 not 1925, we know exactly how fit you need to be, the metrics are all there. We were the number 1 team in terms of fitness under Klopp, all the stats are in the system, and there's absolutely no excuse. I don't care if he wins the Champions League, the incompetence is unbearable. Send him on the first plane back come June.
20 Feb 2026 20:45:03
How can he think this is a good thing to say? We are at the end of February and we are just getting started. He's just given them another week off. It really beggars belief.
20 Feb 2026 21:31:34
I'm not making excuses. I don't know the ins and outs of our training (I know it's been mentioned that the intensity isn't the same as it was under Klopp), but Jota's tragic passing had a massive impact on our pre-season, so to me it's fully understandable that our fitness would be affected.
I think another major factor that does fall on Slott is the fact we celebrated the title win too early; the trip to Ibiza, whilst the season was still being played, was the wrong choice and has had a really negative knock-on effect on the squad.
20 Feb 2026 21:33:04
Pre-season was disrupted, though, and it wasn't Slot's fault.
20 Feb 2026 21:43:21
It's incredible how we won those first 7 games with mostly late winners or comebacks, and then the lack of fitness and grief kicked in during September, disappeared for Real, Villa etc, only to kick in again during November with us having a disrupted pre-season. Beggars belief.
20 Feb 2026 21:55:14
I don't understand why people find that so hard to grasp, Patrick and Ron. It's fairly obvious when a member of the squad tragically dies a few days before pre-season starts, you're not going to get people doing the bleep test on the first day back.
In fact, pre-season probably didn't start in earnest until a few weeks, or even a month, after they came back, if they even had a pre-season at all. How can Slot force grieving players into a full pre-season program? It's not excuses, it's just how it is.
20 Feb 2026 22:41:30
I predict we're going to be fully fit just before we play the Champions League final.
20 Feb 2026 23:26:28
I hope so, FM.
20 Feb 2026 23:38:05
Exactly, JK.
21 Feb 2026 06:00:13
Come on, even if preseason is compromised, it shouldn't take this long to get players fit.
21 Feb 2026 06:04:44
Pretty strange for me to comment about this specifically, but the user named PatricksBurger could very well be causing a lot of confusion in the days to come. Would it be too much to ask for users to choose names that aren't so close to existing users?
21 Feb 2026 07:22:20
It's one thing if you don't accept the grief piece on fitness issues, but to be so flippant about the effect Jota's death will have had on the squad is wild and in bad taste for me.
21 Feb 2026 07:55:10
Absolutely not, Changingofthegvardiol. For me, what's bad taste is criticising a player by saying he isn't professional for years, that the injuries are because he plays on a PlayStation all day and night (unfounded accusations), and then tarnishing him by using his sad passing as an excuse for why players can't defend set-pieces, run, press, or pass the ball except on certain days or certain months.
Of course the players will be grieving. Anyone who knew him will be grieving, including all his international teammates, but for me, it's not an excuse when things don't go well. I actually passed the rumour on here last year, through a close friend of mine, that Diego had a potential collapsed lung and was playing through the pain barrier. But that didn't stop him getting pelters.
21 Feb 2026 09:29:10
Sorry, Patrik, I can look to change the name. Mine wasn't based on yours, but I haven't posted in years, so I'm happy to look into changing it if you are more active on here, mate, to avoid confusion.
{Ed033's Note - Ideally, you log out of PatricksBurger and register a new username.
21 Feb 2026 09:56:18
Patrik, you can't create another account just to agree with yourself. ? It's another Salah / Aoe moment. ?
21 Feb 2026 12:03:19
Ah, sorry, PatricksBurger, I was assuming that you were a new user on here who was taking the p***. That was bad of me to assume. Looks like you had a moment of inspiration, making a play on Paddy's name before I did. JK, I wish I had the time to do that, mate. Never say never though; might do it in the future, haha.
21 Feb 2026 13:45:41
{Ed001's Note - I don't watch pressers.}.
The same, Ed. I'd be pulling my scalp out if I had to listen to this manager say he essentially forfieted 70% of the season just to get us fit.
@Fatwallet, don't worry. Hopefully, those accusing others of making stuff up or putting words in Slot's mouth just to bash him will see the light that he is the one bringing all this upon himself. But I know they won't.
21 Feb 2026 21:09:21
I'm PatrikBurgher!
22 Feb 2026 11:01:15
Je suis PatrikBurgher!
22 Feb 2026 12:35:11
I don't watch the dressers either, there is a poster on TikTok called Si LFC n he just shortens it to a minute or two.
20 Feb 2026 19:06:16
Ed001 did you see Slota press conference yesterday?
I see he said we will be better now than before as our fitness levels are better, I find that very strange thing to say because he is admitting the players have only just got up to speed.
I would think that his is job in preseason to get them there or at least 85/ 90 % there and the last bit in the first few games not half way through the season.
Hopefully we are now fully fit and as teams tire toward the end of the season maybe we can come on and push for champions league title.
I don't know if am just hoping things change for the last part of a very poor season that started full of hope with the players we signed.
{Ed001's Note - I don't watch pressers.}
20 Feb 2026 20:20:37
I saw it. That part absolutely infuriated me. This just confirms all of our suspicions regarding the blatant lack of fitness in the squad. We've all seen most of the players struggle beyond 70 minutes. Some of us have been baffled, some of us suspicious, and some of us have made nonsense excuses about "saving energy for the latter half of the season". 7 months in and we're finally fit? For a Premier League manager to even suggest such a thing is a sackable offence in itself. How is that acceptable by any means? I swear, every other presser he says something that reveals another reason he's completely incapable.
Why has it taken 7 months to get a group of professional athletes match fit? There's only 1 reason, a massive oversight in terms of conditioning. I don't care whether it was completely accidental or some whacky plan to "avoid burnout". It's unacceptable. It's 2025 not 1925, we know exactly how fit you need to be, the metrics are all there. We were the number 1 team in terms of fitness under Klopp, all the stats are in the system, and there's absolutely no excuse. I don't care if he wins the Champions League, the incompetence is unbearable. Send him on the first plane back come June.
20 Feb 2026 20:45:03
How can he think this is a good thing to say? We are at the end of February and we are just getting started. He's just given them another week off. It really beggars belief.
20 Feb 2026 21:31:34
I'm not making excuses. I don't know the ins and outs of our training (I know it's been mentioned that the intensity isn't the same as it was under Klopp), but Jota's tragic passing had a massive impact on our pre-season, so to me it's fully understandable that our fitness would be affected.
I think another major factor that does fall on Slott is the fact we celebrated the title win too early; the trip to Ibiza, whilst the season was still being played, was the wrong choice and has had a really negative knock-on effect on the squad.
20 Feb 2026 21:33:04
Pre-season was disrupted, though, and it wasn't Slot's fault.
20 Feb 2026 21:43:21
It's incredible how we won those first 7 games with mostly late winners or comebacks, and then the lack of fitness and grief kicked in during September, disappeared for Real, Villa etc, only to kick in again during November with us having a disrupted pre-season. Beggars belief.
20 Feb 2026 21:55:14
I don't understand why people find that so hard to grasp, Patrick and Ron. It's fairly obvious when a member of the squad tragically dies a few days before pre-season starts, you're not going to get people doing the bleep test on the first day back.
In fact, pre-season probably didn't start in earnest until a few weeks, or even a month, after they came back, if they even had a pre-season at all. How can Slot force grieving players into a full pre-season program? It's not excuses, it's just how it is.
20 Feb 2026 22:41:30
I predict we're going to be fully fit just before we play the Champions League final.
20 Feb 2026 23:26:28
I hope so, FM.
20 Feb 2026 23:38:05
Exactly, JK.
21 Feb 2026 06:00:13
Come on, even if preseason is compromised, it shouldn't take this long to get players fit.
21 Feb 2026 06:04:44
Pretty strange for me to comment about this specifically, but the user named PatricksBurger could very well be causing a lot of confusion in the days to come. Would it be too much to ask for users to choose names that aren't so close to existing users?
21 Feb 2026 07:22:20
It's one thing if you don't accept the grief piece on fitness issues, but to be so flippant about the effect Jota's death will have had on the squad is wild and in bad taste for me.
21 Feb 2026 07:55:10
Absolutely not, Changingofthegvardiol. For me, what's bad taste is criticising a player by saying he isn't professional for years, that the injuries are because he plays on a PlayStation all day and night (unfounded accusations), and then tarnishing him by using his sad passing as an excuse for why players can't defend set-pieces, run, press, or pass the ball except on certain days or certain months.
Of course the players will be grieving. Anyone who knew him will be grieving, including all his international teammates, but for me, it's not an excuse when things don't go well. I actually passed the rumour on here last year, through a close friend of mine, that Diego had a potential collapsed lung and was playing through the pain barrier. But that didn't stop him getting pelters.
21 Feb 2026 09:29:10
Sorry, Patrik, I can look to change the name. Mine wasn't based on yours, but I haven't posted in years, so I'm happy to look into changing it if you are more active on here, mate, to avoid confusion.
{Ed033's Note - Ideally, you log out of PatricksBurger and register a new username.
21 Feb 2026 09:56:18
Patrik, you can't create another account just to agree with yourself. ? It's another Salah / Aoe moment. ?
21 Feb 2026 12:03:19
Ah, sorry, PatricksBurger, I was assuming that you were a new user on here who was taking the p***. That was bad of me to assume. Looks like you had a moment of inspiration, making a play on Paddy's name before I did. JK, I wish I had the time to do that, mate. Never say never though; might do it in the future, haha.
21 Feb 2026 13:45:41
{Ed001's Note - I don't watch pressers.}.
The same, Ed. I'd be pulling my scalp out if I had to listen to this manager say he essentially forfieted 70% of the season just to get us fit.
@Fatwallet, don't worry. Hopefully, those accusing others of making stuff up or putting words in Slot's mouth just to bash him will see the light that he is the one bringing all this upon himself. But I know they won't.
21 Feb 2026 21:09:21
I'm PatrikBurgher!
22 Feb 2026 11:01:15
Je suis PatrikBurgher!
22 Feb 2026 12:35:11
I don't watch the dressers either, there is a poster on TikTok called Si LFC n he just shortens it to a minute or two.
20 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026 18:20:15
Have you actually watched him Ed001? He is objectively better than average across a range of important metrics (stats) and passes the eye test as well so I am genuinely confused by your assessment. Exactly the type we need - young, versatile, physical, leader. Could do far worse.
{Ed001's Note - why are you asking me when you don't want to hear what I think unless it agrees with you? The dismissive way you asked if I had seen him shows how little of a toss you give about anyone else's assessment.}