Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
West Ham
Villa - 1 November
Everton - 20 September
Embarrassing shit
Job security - arne
- Thread starter LeTallecWiz
- Start date
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Wolves
Spurs
Brighton
West Ham
Villa - 1 November
Everton - 20 September
Embarrassing shit
Wolves - one of the worst premier league sides ever. Scraped past them.
Spurs - had 9 men and still barely won
Brighton - scored 2 goals in a minute. Fuck all in the other 89. But okay, maybe I'm nitpicking
West Ham - absolutely torrid West Ham side.
Villa - they gifted us our two goals, but again, maybe nit-picking, but fuck giving this fraud the benefit of the doubt.
Everton - Everton. And we still nearly threw that one away as well.
We're genuinely lucky we're even in with a shout of top 4 with this con man.
Spurs - had 9 men and still barely won
Brighton - scored 2 goals in a minute. Fuck all in the other 89. But okay, maybe I'm nitpicking
West Ham - absolutely torrid West Ham side.
Villa - they gifted us our two goals, but again, maybe nit-picking, but fuck giving this fraud the benefit of the doubt.
Everton - Everton. And we still nearly threw that one away as well.
We're genuinely lucky we're even in with a shout of top 4 with this con man.
At this point I'd take Gerrard. He'd at least try to get us playing attacking football and get the hairdryer out if players were putting in 4/10 performances.
But Edwards and his nerd gang have left us with Gomez and Endo. And no Diaz. And Elliott rotting at Villa. We overpaid for Wirtz imo. I can see very little end product yet.
I think I'd take Gerrard as well until end of the season. He'd at least get stuck into them and tell them to run around a bit. I'd take almost anyone to be honest.
we could finish the weekend out of the cl places with 4 or so tough league fixtures incoming.
i’m wondering do the top dogs finally see that the cl qualification ‘charge’ is creaking like a patio chair under a fat girls arse and might actually be ready to make the change
i’m wondering do the top dogs finally see that the cl qualification ‘charge’ is creaking like a patio chair under a fat girls arse and might actually be ready to make the change
He's doing that Arteta thing after games where everything that goes wrong isn't our fault when you really think about it, we were just unlucky. And his whole plan is assuming that the unluckiness will end at some point and everything will be fine.
The difference is that Arteta was simply deflecting attention, while working on a plan to address their issues. He's managed to do it, which justifies some of his farcical comments. Had he not managed it, he'd be in for similar criticism to Slot.
I don't get that sense with Slot. It seems he just generally hasn't a clue about how to break through.
When James “23 Big Macs” Pearce puts the boot in you know he’s gone.
Some extracts.
This was another act of self-sabotage for their collection as Arne Slot’s side rallied from 2-0 down to restore parity, only to capitulate late on when Amine Adli bundled home the winner from a long throw-in.
It’s the fifth time this season Liverpool have conceded a result-defining goal deep into stoppage time, with a total of seven points frittered away. How costly they could prove to be.
There was alarming regression in all departments on the south coast. An unconvincing 13-game unbeaten run had been built on greater defensive solidity, but twice in the space of seven first-half minutes, they were undone far too easily.
The visitors had 73 per cent possession in the second half, but before Szoboszlai scoring with 10 minutes to go, they hadn’t mustered a single attempt on target since the interval.
How Liverpool squandered momentum at 2-2. Rather than kick on, they wilted. Having lost their shape and their composure, they were fortunate not to concede before Adli finally settled it. Winless in five league matches so far in 2026, the champions have taken just four points out of a possible 15. Pressure and scrutiny have once again been cranked up.
For context, Bournemouth had won just one of their previous 14 games and have a lengthy list of injuries, which includes Justin Kluivert, David Brooks, Ben Gannon-Doak, Marcus Tavernier and Tyler Adams.
Slot talked about “dominating” long periods, but the depleted hosts had more shots on target (five vs four), a higher xG (2.35 vs 0.93) and created six big chances as defined by Opta compared to one for the visitors.
What a mess that Liverpool spent most of the second half with their best midfielder in Szoboszlai playing right-back and a rusty holding midfielder in Endo at centre-back. That record-breaking £450million spending spree last summer was supposed to deliver a revamped squad equipped to deliver on all fronts, but the gaps are currently glaring.
Slot has regularly commented on the size of his squad compared to some of his rivals, but it was a collective recruitment decision to spend £241m on two marquee signings last summer rather than spread that money around on more deals.
The Dutch head coach bemoaned fatigue and a lack of options on Saturday, but he didn’t have to retain 10 of the 11 who started in Marseille. Recalling Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones would have made sense. When he felt the need to take off the tiring Jeremie Frimpong, he could have brought on Calvin Ramsay rather than move Szoboszlai there.
But part of the issue with the depth of the squad is that Slot is so reluctant to turn to certain personnel on the fringes. There’s a lack of trust and that leads to some regulars being overworked.
Some extracts.
This was another act of self-sabotage for their collection as Arne Slot’s side rallied from 2-0 down to restore parity, only to capitulate late on when Amine Adli bundled home the winner from a long throw-in.
It’s the fifth time this season Liverpool have conceded a result-defining goal deep into stoppage time, with a total of seven points frittered away. How costly they could prove to be.
There was alarming regression in all departments on the south coast. An unconvincing 13-game unbeaten run had been built on greater defensive solidity, but twice in the space of seven first-half minutes, they were undone far too easily.
The visitors had 73 per cent possession in the second half, but before Szoboszlai scoring with 10 minutes to go, they hadn’t mustered a single attempt on target since the interval.
How Liverpool squandered momentum at 2-2. Rather than kick on, they wilted. Having lost their shape and their composure, they were fortunate not to concede before Adli finally settled it. Winless in five league matches so far in 2026, the champions have taken just four points out of a possible 15. Pressure and scrutiny have once again been cranked up.
For context, Bournemouth had won just one of their previous 14 games and have a lengthy list of injuries, which includes Justin Kluivert, David Brooks, Ben Gannon-Doak, Marcus Tavernier and Tyler Adams.
Slot talked about “dominating” long periods, but the depleted hosts had more shots on target (five vs four), a higher xG (2.35 vs 0.93) and created six big chances as defined by Opta compared to one for the visitors.
What a mess that Liverpool spent most of the second half with their best midfielder in Szoboszlai playing right-back and a rusty holding midfielder in Endo at centre-back. That record-breaking £450million spending spree last summer was supposed to deliver a revamped squad equipped to deliver on all fronts, but the gaps are currently glaring.
Slot has regularly commented on the size of his squad compared to some of his rivals, but it was a collective recruitment decision to spend £241m on two marquee signings last summer rather than spread that money around on more deals.
The Dutch head coach bemoaned fatigue and a lack of options on Saturday, but he didn’t have to retain 10 of the 11 who started in Marseille. Recalling Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones would have made sense. When he felt the need to take off the tiring Jeremie Frimpong, he could have brought on Calvin Ramsay rather than move Szoboszlai there.
But part of the issue with the depth of the squad is that Slot is so reluctant to turn to certain personnel on the fringes. There’s a lack of trust and that leads to some regulars being overworked.
question - i’ve seen a lack of charisma, personality and such being frequent criticisms of slot. is xabi actually any better?
he seems like a bit of a wet fish to me, that’s not to say he won’t connect with players in different ways but he’s not a silver bullet in that sense of coaching / management.
he seems like a bit of a wet fish to me, that’s not to say he won’t connect with players in different ways but he’s not a silver bullet in that sense of coaching / management.
Yeah, I don't know enough about Xabi and his style to know whether or not it will be a perfect long term fit.
I do know, however, he couldn't be any worse than this con man who is getting everything wrong and has us in relegation form with one of our best and most expensive squads in the last 30 years.
I do know, however, he couldn't be any worse than this con man who is getting everything wrong and has us in relegation form with one of our best and most expensive squads in the last 30 years.
I said it to my mates, "I don't know if he's better. If I'm angry at the manager they may as well be handsome than some thumb looking cunt"
only the adjectives change, you go from baldy cunt to spanish cunt
allegedly xabi is still semi impressive on the training pitch so that’s something and he won’t be the man directly after klopp but a lot of the players will still be comparing to jurgen even subconsciously.
I always feel that brilliant players get a bit more respect on the training field.
Footie is a safe place to get away from reality for a couple of hours. Slot has destroyed that for me now.
There's been very little entertainment this season, whatever the results. It was amazing to win the league last season but even then we were pragmatic more than entertaining. I didn't actually enjoy watching the second half of the season much. That's unusual for me.
Slot did his homework and tweaked Klopps side but that togetherness is long gone. He has lost the ability to improve individuals. He doesn't have the charisma to motivate players.
He's used every excuse - bad luck, bad reffing, bad weather, low blocks, low blocks on repeat, Mo, injuries, lack of depth, tough schedule - but he's finally run out now. Surely the nerds can see that too?
Is Alonso more charismatic? It's never been his strong suit but he'll get respect from his vast experience as a top player. Nobody can deal with the Real dressing room so that's no negative. He's tactically astute and has got the best out of Wirtz and Frimpong. I think he'd trust more fringe players too.
Would he take the job though? There are big problems, with Virgil and a few others undroppable. Klopp preferred a small squad but that lack of depth is causing sloppiness under a less headstrong manager.
There's been very little entertainment this season, whatever the results. It was amazing to win the league last season but even then we were pragmatic more than entertaining. I didn't actually enjoy watching the second half of the season much. That's unusual for me.
Slot did his homework and tweaked Klopps side but that togetherness is long gone. He has lost the ability to improve individuals. He doesn't have the charisma to motivate players.
He's used every excuse - bad luck, bad reffing, bad weather, low blocks, low blocks on repeat, Mo, injuries, lack of depth, tough schedule - but he's finally run out now. Surely the nerds can see that too?
Is Alonso more charismatic? It's never been his strong suit but he'll get respect from his vast experience as a top player. Nobody can deal with the Real dressing room so that's no negative. He's tactically astute and has got the best out of Wirtz and Frimpong. I think he'd trust more fringe players too.
Would he take the job though? There are big problems, with Virgil and a few others undroppable. Klopp preferred a small squad but that lack of depth is causing sloppiness under a less headstrong manager.
A Proper Goodbye by Jonathan Tah | The Players’ Tribune
Thank you for being part of this incredible chapter in my life.... It’s not only about football, but all the wonderful people you meet.
www.theplayerstribune.com
You see, it was actually supposed to be goodbye last summer. I had said yes to Bayern Munich and everything was 90% done. My bags were packed — literally.
......
One day, when it looked like the deal was done, I got a text from Xabi.
“Jona, let’s have a chat.”
We went to the meeting room, and Xabi, he has this natural aura ...... it’s hard to even say what it is, but it’s in the way he speaks and looks you in the eye. Sincerity like that can be rare in football. You know what he did as a player, but it’s even more about how he treats you as a person. He commands absolute respect.
We had quite a deep chat. I don’t want to go into the exact details of what he said, but I’d been at Leverkusen for nine years, and he knew exactly how much this club means to me. He began talking about the qualities I bring to the team, and the influence I had on my teammates, and I got the feeling that he really saw me as someone special.
He was not speaking to me as the legend. He was simply speaking to me as a person.
========
"Xabi Alonso grasped my character and my personality and recognized my leadership potential. He tried to emphasize my strengths as a leader, but also as a player, as much as possible. In the end, it was only a small adjustment, but he helped me tremendously."
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRIQTYEgm4s
📸 Jeremie Frimpong's touching gesture to Xabi Alonso after Leverkusen goal
Bayer Leverkusen made the dream start to their Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.Inside the opening 30 minutes, Jeremie Frimpong gave his side the lead to round off a well-worked mo...
Inside the opening 30 minutes, Jeremie Frimpong gave his side the lead to round off a well-worked move involving Florian Wirtz.
Immediately after scoring, the Dutchman headed straight for Xabi Alonso to celebrate, with it being the manager's final home game in charge of the club.
Xabi Alonso receiving effusive praise from star players at Bayer Leverkusen - Football España
Having been coached by Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Pep Guardiola and a number of others, it is no surprise that Xabi Alonso is turning into a decent coach. The Guipuzkoan manager is earning his stripes in the game, but early on, is receiving plenty of praise. Alonso initially...
www.football-espana.net
“He is very understanding with the footballer and very talkative with all of us. When he explains something, he explains it until you understand it. For example, if in training you don’t understand the reason for an exercise, spend time so that we all understand it. As a player, that makes you feel very comfortable, you know you can ask him things.”
Vodacom Soccer | News | Granit Xhaka: Xabi Alonso's authenticity earned him respect at Bayer Leverkusen
Granit Xhaka has paid tribute to former Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso, after one of the most remarkable managerial spells in recent Bundesliga history.
vodacomsoccer.com
“He had no experience on the big stages. That is for sure. What he did have was charisma and character. When he entered the locker room and started to speak, everyone was completely focused. Because they listened to him. Because every word he said was true. He didn’t just repeat the words of others. He wasn’t fake. He was authentic. And I think that when a player feels you are authentic, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose. You keep earning their respect. All teams have egos, no doubt, but he didn’t care about big names. He only cares about what he sees on the field. He wants to see you fight. And if you train well, he’ll give you a chance. That is what I admire most about Xabi,” he said.
Wirtz praises Alonso: "Great to have a legend as a coach."
In a radio interview with German media conglomerate Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland yesterday, German phenom Florian Wirtz credited trainer Xabi Alonso for helping him find his best form.
bulinews.com
"I feel extremely valued under him," Wirtz said of his trainer Xabi Alonso, "I feel the trust. That's really important, especially as a young player. He gives me a lot of freedom on the pitch and always has a tip on what I can do better."
After returning from a hard-luck injury that threatened to de-rail a nascent career of extreme promise, Wirtz has scored ten goals and provided 18 assists in 42 games so far since returning to the pitch for Germany's red company team.
"He played at the very highest level as a professional," Wirtz said of the former Bayern start, "It's great to have such a legend as a coach. Xabi knows exactly what makes a team tick."
Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo: "Xabi Alonso is an incredible coach"
Alejandro Grimaldo has spoken of his admiration for Xabi Alonso, hailing the Bayer Leverkusen head coach as "incredible".
www.bundesliga.com
"He’s an incredible coach with a lot of passion for what he does. I really wanted to work with him given the player he was. And now seeing him as a coach, he inspires every day with his passion and ideas, how he passes them on, and he’s taking Leverkusen upwards."
Bayer Leverkusen's London-born star lifts lid on what Xabi Alonso is really like
Nathan Tella, whose 17 goals helped Burnley run away with the Championship last season, is now one of Leverkusen’s main weapons as they look to end Bayern Munich’s 11-year title domination in Germany
“Playing under Xabi Alonso regularly has given me a lot of confidence and to play in the big games is an amazing opportunity, something I didn’t think would ever be possible a few years ago. Even last season I was playing in the Championship and now it’s the Bundesliga and the Europa League.”
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmLoZC1cGLw
"But for him to be a part of the team (Leverkusen) and to have him as our manager, he was able to bring a different side to the game to us. We were able to see the game, me especially, I was able to see the game from a different point of view.
......
"He's arguably been the best manager in the past two years. I think some of the stuff he's taught me, not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch, is valuable for my whole life."
Lukáš Hrádecký on title celebrations, Bayer Leverkusen's last-minute goals, and the season run-in
Lukáš Hrádecký credits the "phenomenal tactics" of Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso for their Bundesliga tile win, while also hailing the impact of summer arrivals Granit Xhaka and Alejandro Grimaldo.
www.bundesliga.com
bundesliga.com: What makes Alonso such a great leader, as head coach but also as a person?
Hrádecký: “I don’t have to highlight him anymore. He’s been phenomenal when it comes to tactics. I’m just a goalkeeper, I don’t even care about that part. What I care about in a manager, and all the managers I've had, is how they are, how they treat people. Xabi is phenomenal in that sense – he brings the right mentality day to day, and how he treats the players that aren’t playing that much, as well as the ones that are; he takes them as they are. I think the biggest job he’s brought here is the day to day of how it was at Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern. The mentality is what has changed the most since I have been here. I think that’s what has brought us up to this point.”
Leverkusen ace shares 'real secret' about Xabi Alonso as Liverpool get hint
Liverpool continue to be linked with a managerial move for Xabi Alonso who is leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic first Bundesliga title
"The hype is definitely justified. He brings standards, a winning mentality, train how you play and how you go on every action in every training session with intensity. That's where the real secret is. We are pretty clear about what we do. Tactically, he's fantastic. How we think about corners, pressing the game, staying low. He brings football intelligence with him.
"You guys don't see him on a daily basis but the atmosphere he’s brought in Leverkusen - we didn’t have it before - I think it comes from the way he has experienced football.
"He lives the game as he did when he was a player. In Madrid, Liverpool - that’s the level we strive for every day. Xabi brings a mentally-spirit from the top clubs. It was here when he came but it’s up here right now. It's the best Leverkusen team I've experienced. It's hellishly difficult to play us."
thanks @King Binny
i do see the kind of understated honest type connection he might enjoy with players but i can also see how that requires a certain type of player for it to work. very obviously that’s the type of player madrid has very few of.
not dissimilar to the klopp no dickhead policy, you need a player with some bend in him and humility to get things off the ground. it looks like those kind of players who are giving him glowing reviews.
he’d certainly get a load of time, respect, admiration, whatever from fans.
i do see the kind of understated honest type connection he might enjoy with players but i can also see how that requires a certain type of player for it to work. very obviously that’s the type of player madrid has very few of.
not dissimilar to the klopp no dickhead policy, you need a player with some bend in him and humility to get things off the ground. it looks like those kind of players who are giving him glowing reviews.
he’d certainly get a load of time, respect, admiration, whatever from fans.
He's not exciting to listen to either, then again I don't really care what a manager sounds like in press conferences.
😂
Tweeted quote was back in Sep 20, 2024
View: https://x.com/LFCTransferRoom/status/2015266434264252437
I am unsure about Alonso's suitability for us. A lot of positive articles were written about Slot when he joined - how he inspired a city, connection with the fans, high press attacking football, managed large-scale squad transition, incorporating youth, the aura, etc. He lived upto those articles and exceeded them in his first season. He was impeccable during the entire Jota tragedy.
I was looking at a Reddit Feyenoord forum where one question was about how Slot handled the lows. The answer was that Feyenoord fans didn't know, as it was always up for them. Klopp experienced relegation. Rafa the same. Failures help you discover your principles - what to focus on, what is noise?
We are too big of a stage for a coach to "discover" himself? I was among the first group of posters on these boards to voice doubts about Slotball's suitability for the PL. At the same time, I hope we don't use his press conferences as a stick to beat him with. It is obvious that he doesn't even believe in what he is saying. He is floundering out there, feeling lonely, and just filling in responses with words to meet that responsibility.
He is big time responsible for our performances this season. No doubt about it. But at the same time, he must be feeling, why am I the only person facing the fire for half a billion spend, when the architects of the spend are not accountable. Salah's contract extension, not replacing Diaz, and spending 140 million on a striker who has played barely 5 games are not solely his decisions.
My concern with Alonso is also that he has not really failed in the way Klopp and Rafa did. Madrid doesn't count. When the wheels go off at some point, how will he react? Does he have those reserves of experience that he can draw upon?
I was looking at a Reddit Feyenoord forum where one question was about how Slot handled the lows. The answer was that Feyenoord fans didn't know, as it was always up for them. Klopp experienced relegation. Rafa the same. Failures help you discover your principles - what to focus on, what is noise?
We are too big of a stage for a coach to "discover" himself? I was among the first group of posters on these boards to voice doubts about Slotball's suitability for the PL. At the same time, I hope we don't use his press conferences as a stick to beat him with. It is obvious that he doesn't even believe in what he is saying. He is floundering out there, feeling lonely, and just filling in responses with words to meet that responsibility.
He is big time responsible for our performances this season. No doubt about it. But at the same time, he must be feeling, why am I the only person facing the fire for half a billion spend, when the architects of the spend are not accountable. Salah's contract extension, not replacing Diaz, and spending 140 million on a striker who has played barely 5 games are not solely his decisions.
My concern with Alonso is also that he has not really failed in the way Klopp and Rafa did. Madrid doesn't count. When the wheels go off at some point, how will he react? Does he have those reserves of experience that he can draw upon?
Next 5 league games:
That right there is a gulf widener
I think Utd will struggle when they can't counter attack. Just like under Solskjaer and RVN.
If he plays Cunha and mbuemo he's got some players who can pick a lock and are actually in form.
There will be some mad 3-2, 4-3 nonsense, but they're coming away with more points than we will