As I mentioned in my previous posts, there was no way they could keep Slot after the season he had. It was in some ways a record breaking season, but for all the wrong reasons. Iraola lost Semenyo and 3 of his back 4 and still did well. My only concern is how he adjusts to playing 3 games a week. With his style he's going to need to use a much larger squad. I wonder if that will bode well for Harvey and Curtis staying. I also think it's going to help us with recruiting players like Diamonde who will thrive in an Iraola system. Regardless, a day ago a could care less about when the season was going to start and who we were going to sign and now I'm excited and can't wait for next season to start.
Slot had to go as there was virtually no path forward with the current set of players. I would sacked him back in March which may have prevented Salah, Robbo and Konate heading for the exits but here we are. I sort of view Slot's tenure like Rafa where success came early for them but their last seasons just imploded, it's just that Slot's downfall came much faster than Rafa's. Don't know much about Ireola but a concern is going from a small club to big club and and all that comes with that.
There’s no way Alonso went to Chelsea unless he was certain that Anfield was a dead end. Even if they were resolute that Slot was their boy, he would have been slipped the nod to bide his time. What difference if Chelsea hired him 2 weeks ago or 2 weeks from now? But big difference to Alonso and Liverpool if they were in love with each other.
I'll warrant that the replacement is already in place. I can't believe we'd let Slot go without securing his successor.
Friend of mine is a teacher in North London. Entire f.ucking classroom are Arsenal fans. Grade/middle school to translate it to Americanese. They’ve taken serious delight all season talking up the Arse while reminding him he supports Liverpool. He’s already lining up clips for 1st lesson Monday morning. When I reminded him about his great responsibility and not causing lasting psychological damage to impressionable young minds, his answer? Followed by
Now the onus is on Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards to get this right. They failed miserably in the task of giving Arne Slot a squad capable of repeating as league champions. The reason Slot is deservedly going is that he did a bad job with the hand he was dealt, but that does not forgive his bosses for dealing him a terrible hand. I'm excited by Iraola. He's done incredible at Bournemouth. They are fun to watch and play a style that we want Liverpool to play. It is still a risk. He has never had to deal with the pressures of managing a team who competes at the top of the table. A team who plays 3 games a week. A team who faces low blocks and 10 men behind the ball on a weekly basis. A team full of players with big egos and big salaries. He will have to adjust his methods and adjust to very different levels of expectation. For whatever reason Hughes and Edwards have passed on Xabi Alonso. That puts even more pressure on them to make sure that they get this appointment right. If they want the new manager to have any chance at success, they have tons of work to do this summer on the squad. They failed Arne Slot last season. They failed Mo Salah and Virgi Van Dijk who signed new contracts and expected to compete for the highest honors. It is time they get it right and show that they are worthy of their jobs.
Now that Slot is gone and Iraola perhaps coming it creates some questions. Will the likes of Salah and Jones stay? Will Konate have second thoughts ? Will Senessi choose Liverpool rather than Spurs?
Yup. Thats one of the reasons why Slot’s job was so difficult. He was brought in, obviously to win, but also to deconstruct the last vestiges of Klopp’s team. Say goodbye to Mo, VVD, Robbo, Jones et al. Slot was the broadsword and those whom he missed would be killed by the stiletto of the contract non-renewal or the offer so ridiculous that the player would have to leave.
Some interesting observations re Iraola and Alonso. Liverpool fans missed a huge clue over Andoni Iraola's move to Anfield
If we do things right - he's a squad option. Where he did well when Diaz was here. He is closing in on 50 total Liverpool goals - so he's not a bad player overall. He just is exceptionally predictable, and really doesn't use his size all that well.
We have to be realistic re the number of changes we can actually make in one window. I think judging by all reports we will target wingers so I expect a new lw and all expect Rio to play a larger part next season. We also need a rw , rb , a cb , a midf and possibly more. But we will also have a huge hole in the striker position with Hugo ruled out until 2027 at the eaerliest so I think theres a very good chance that Gakpo joins Isak as our two options in the role until Hugo returns.
My son and I had this very discussion. Even if we get a manager/coach brought in quickly, he may not have ample time, due to the world cup, to evaluate the squad and have the kinds of talks with the individual players that allow both sides to work out what's best for them. I would certainly hope that we won't need Gakpo as a regular starter, and wouldn't be averse to selling him if we can bring in someone better suited. I'd let Frimpong go as well, but I can't imagine that at this point we'd be able to recoup most of what we paid for him.
I don't really know much about Iraola, can somebody tell me what he has won. I know Bournemouth play good football, but has he managed big egos and dealt with a vibrant academy. Liverpool is a big ask and I hope they look into him beyond the football and determine he is built to handle the constant pressure, especially when things are not going as expected. I hope we also look at serial winners before jumping in due to public sentiment. They have to get this hire right!
I still think there is an unhealthy fixation with throwing money at [all] problems. Other teams are also going to improve which means we need a top coach and not just more[ expensive] players. For example, I’d not buy Adam Wharton if Jones can be persuaded to stay. The more immediate problem is replacing Slot, then Salah and Konaté. Then attempt to create a coherent squad and team that starts to play with some purpose.We have the makings of a very good squad here which, by any metric, massively underachieved last season. That’s what I read into the club’s “… trajectory …” comment; we were heading backwards regardless of mitigating circumstances. This is going to take more than one transfer window because of last season’s debacle.
I agree with this to a point. I’m less concerned with whether CuJo goes than I am in figuring out a replacement for Mac Allister, as a lot of our defensive problems were due to inability to stifle opposition breakaways in transition. It isn’t clear to me whether this was due to moving Szobo out of his advanced midfield position and putting Wirtz in there, or whether this is really due to Mac Allister having lost his legs. To be truthful we may need the first half of the season to see how this team plays with new coaches and tactics. For me, CuJo, Wirtz, and Szobo are similar in where they may play in a 4-3-3 (or 4-2-3-1) system. Namely, they are ball-playing midfielders who prefer playing in a more advanced position. Of the three, Wirtz probably has the best vision, but the worst defense. Szobo has more mobility and along with Jones is a bit bigger (and therefore better) defensively. Of the three CuJo is probably third on the totem pole at the moment. I’d like to see him stay as one of our home-grown English players, but he may want more starts than we are able to give him with these other two players in the squad. I do think we are likely to see at least 1-2 departures this summer in the MF, which probably will necessitate replacements. My guess is Mac Allister will go, and it is likely that Endo will as well. If Mac Allister goes, we probably have to replace him with another ready-to-go midfielder (hopefully a more natural DM-style player).
I'd rather he gets sold in the summer (thought I saw he's on 200k/week according to Konate!) and more reliable options purchased.
Agreed on Gakpo but I think Frimpong is worth keeping as when healthy, he's pretty pacey and industrious for the attack.
Mac had probably the worst season of our MFers but as you mentioned, are his legs gone at the young age of 27? I wouldn't risk it and would sell him. Also where does Gravenberch fit in? Definitely keeping him but the new manager needs to figure out of MF tactics sooner than later.