No I don’t get it Sam. There were two paragraphs that you cut out in between the words let us down and what I said about Gomez. Only you would read that I think that I was blaming them for anything. We’ve been let down by the people who constructed the squad for thiking we could rely on three squad options that manager had no interest in using last season, and continues to not use this season.
I’ll also point out that the last time you attacked one of my posts in this way was when I claimed that Calvin Ramsay was not a legitimate Liverpool squad option. Since then he has not been chosen by the manager at all, and last week the manager said the same thing that I did in a quite brutal way. Ironically at that time, I was defending the manager for using midfielders at right back, while you were killing him for it.
it seems like the discussion is falling into two camps I guess: sack him now or sack him in the summer. I guess there is a third group two, which is let's see if he wins the champions league and then we clearly would have to keep him on. or maybe he would want to leave?
My position is that I want Xabi Alonso to be the next manager of Liverpool. When Jurgen Klopp announced he was leaving, Xabi is who I wanted then, and I think he is who Liverpool wanted as well. He turned us down, and I quickly fell in love with Slot. Slot has been incredible. But what we have seen this season (and the end of last season) has planted enough doubt, that I’m not willing to let the opportunity to get Alonso as our next manager pass by. Of course I don’t want to become like Man United or Chelsea. I would continue to back Slot if only a Michael Carrick equivalent would be able to take over (Gerrard?). But I think this situation is unique. I don’t think it’s knee jerk to approach someone who is potentially world class and was your first choice to replace Klopp in the first place. If Alonso wanted to become Liverpool manager tomorrow, I have to admit I would be excited about that. If he wants to wait till the summer that’s okay too. But I think we would be taking a major risk to let a manager talent like Alonso take another job while we are no longer 100% sure that Slot is the right man.
Since the first 5 games (all wins), liverpool are 5-6-6. That's 21 points out of a possible 51. That is 100% unacceptable. Yes, we played better in the first half yesterday- of course we did- we were home to the next to last place team on the table! We're still slowing things down which allows the other team to get back into their defensive shape. That is 100% on Slot and whatever his system is. Players are afraid to take chances and make mistakes. That is 100% on Slot. I'm now firmly in the let's give Slot until the end of the season, thank him for his service, and welcome Alonso with open arms. There's plenty of time to talk to Xabi behind the scenes (like we did with Klopp) and get all of that hammered out.
Speaking to someone who should/might be in a position to know about these things. Let me stress from the outset, that this is someone who should or might know, not Billy Hogan. So probable (up to a point), but not definite. 1. Sticking with Slot until season’s end. Then a gentleman’s agreement and handshake goodbye. 2. We have open channels with Alonso AND Fabregas. 3. If Slot wins the CL, things are significantly changed, to the extent he stays. Maybe. 4. The expectation is that we will qualify for CL next season (but not win it), but on the basis that Slot is dead man walking, there will be no investment in the squad this window as the club want to save its money to buy as the new manager wishes (within the obvious limits). Risky. I wonder if Klavan is still around? 5. If Xabi or Fabregas change their minds (going to another club) before season’s end, this might mean goodbye Arne immediately. 6. Slot wanted Heitinga back after his Ajax firing, the club said no.
Yes, sounds pretty plausible. I was going to post I'd be surprised if the powers that be haven't been in discussions with Xabi. Cesc's a shock name - where's his managerial experience othern than a season or two at Como?
Absolutely on Fabregas, don’t get it. Think that’s something lost in translation for the guy I was speaking to.
His name in the mix is completely bizarre. Hasn't received his Pro coaching license yet. Started the course 2 years ago. At Como he's accomplished nothing of any note at all - won nothing - total 65 matches as manager. Either someone's confusing him with someone else, or it's the world's worst attempt at deflection / distraction from someone else. I didn't even know he was still in the game.
Wow - is this real? So the club is going to do nothing in Jan to help him succeed ... virtually ensuring he won't succeed given our threadbare squad .... which runs the risk of tanking our entire season .... and pissing off our whole squad ..... who can expect to be run into the ground and risking injury, while waving goodbye to any any performance bonuses (which I think our contracts typically are weighted towards). Jesus Christ.
I’m sure they started compiling a list of potential Slot replacements while Alonso was still manager of Real Madrid. Maybe Fabregas was high on that list. But like I said, Alonso becoming available changes everything. Not only does Alonso have better experience, but one of them played for Arsenal and Chelsea and the other one played for Liverpool.
That occurred to me when he asked if I wanted to have a quick gander at some merchandise (for a good price, just for me) in the trunk of his 15 year old car.
Man oh man. Yes I cut out 2 paragraphs but look at the thing. Here is the entirety of your post (#418) Our summer business left us horribly prepared for the season, but I think the good news is that we didn’t buy bad players. Wirtz and Ekitike look like they both have the potential of becoming the best player in the Premier League. Frimpong is fantastic and versatile. I’m not totally convinced by Kerketz, but he’s super young and getting better all the time. Leoni looked quality from the little we saw. Isak is probably the most problematic of the signings, but nobody doubts his quality. More so than the new signings we have been let down by: Three players who were crucial last season and have not come even close to reaching the same levels this season: Konate, Mac Allister, Salah. Two players who we needed to take on a bigger role than they did last season and have proven to be not up to it: Gakpo and Bradley. Three players who had zero role last season who continue to have zero role this season: Chiesa, Gomez, and Endo. A manager who has taken way too long to figure out how it is all supposed to fit together. You wrote "we've been let down by" followed by a colon, then a list of 4 items. Yes, I focused and quoted the third item only - because it baffled me. But are you now saying it wasn't a list of things we'd been "let down by"? I'm not psychic Suss ... maybe you didn't mean to say "we've been let down by Chiesa Gomez and Endo". But that is in fact exactly what you did say. And you're getting pissed at me for quoting it back at you?
Well perhaps if the plan is indeed to replace Slot in the summer signing Heitinga might have been awkward. Giving him a 6 month deal wouldn't work for him I'd say and offering a normal 3 year deal would not make sense either because Xabi or whoever will bring his own crew.
Looks like the final numbers for Guehi are 30 million and 300 K a week. I can very much see why we decided not to do that.
Ridiculous numbers. I'm not the least bothered by losing him at this point. But we do need some help back there.
If Samark's latest "kinda but not really ITK" post is at all accurate, the club will sit on its hands this month. which to me is ludicrous if that's true.
there's no way in hell we'd pay him 300k a week. that's more than almost every player except Mo and Virg.