Has he? @zaqualung - That’s not true by any metric, other than we beat them at home. Or is it that Madrid is an untenable club for a proper coach like Xabi vs man manger like Ancelotti. You can’t conceivably argue about Xabi having all year as an advantage as Slot’s been here for twice as long.
Try this metric. Absent Mbappe out of that team and they are/were quite often a tactical shambling mess with practically zero identity as to how they play. Maybe Arda Guler, Fred Valverde or Jude Big-headingham does some nice move and creates something, and Mbabbe makes hay... or maybe not Doesn't "obviously" strike me as the imprimateur markings of a great coach like Saachi or Klopp or Del Bosque Leverkusen = yes But ditto Slot at Feyenoord
Yes Zaq - but that’s entirely on the players. It’s been said by many journos and pundits, and well known that the players and the CEO run that team. I don’t think you can judge Xabi for trying to bring a semblance of professionalism to Madrid. Again, NOT suggesting we fire Slot but it is a poor comparison of the situation IMO.
Bayern Munich will have competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande, 19, from RB Leipzig. (Bild - in German) Liverpool's English defender Joe Gomez, 28, is wanted by AC Milan. (Calciomercato - in Italian)
I'm surprised there's been no talk of Spurs making official inquiries to sign Andy Robertson. From what I've read, Spurs want him because their left back was injured, Andy wants playing time, and Liverpool won't stand in his way. Also that were that to happen, Tsimi's loan (i thought we sold him) would be terminated and he'd come back as back up to Kerkez.
BBC radio seemed to think that this was waaaay more likely than not. With playing time for the WC being the most crucial factor.
Virgil just said it. We could have kicked the ball out. We played for several minutes between the two goals with just 10 men. It’s just stupidity. Every time we concede a goal, we completely implode and the next one comes soon after.
2015123764409774355 is not a valid tweet id If this is true, you can’t blame the manager. But why are the players not following his instructions?
There’s been so much talk about low block teams. That has only been our problem of late. The truth is that we have had trouble with all types of teams this season. Prior to our famous unbeaten run, we were getting ripped apart and beaten by 3 goals. It was only after Slot switched to conservative tactics to avoid getting beat that the low block became the problem. Bournemouth are not a low block team. Today, they were just a better team than Liverpool.
Back to transfers, I think the level of incoming transfer activity this window (if any) will be the truest barometer of management's plans for the manager and the team. It's been crickets so far, which I know has led a number of us to believe they have written this season (and most likely next season) off, and expect the new manager to initiate the re-build. My expectation is there will be no activity in anticipation of the new manager's arrival.
Aston Villa is the simple example of a counter point to us - good manager, plan of play, and not tons of stars. But they play together, don't concede late goals (ok Martinez's gift to us was funny), and are in the drivers seat for CL and challenging Arsenal (to a degree).
We don’t need surgery - just minor adjustments to our style of play and some reinforcements. Sell Gakpo and replace with a proper wide forward. Does not fit the current squad IMO. Someone who complements Kerkez. Maybe a DM and understudies for Mo and VVD. Neither should warrant an automatic selection next season. More concerning is there seems to be some discord within the club.
We need 3(!!!!!) CBs. konate gone. VVD waning fast. Gomez likely to wake up with an injury Leoni coming back from a bad bad injury.
I don’t know the status of Ibo - but yes, if he leaves, he’ll need replacing. Maybe not 3 CBs but certainly x2 for the first team. I’d love VdV or Bastoni.
I think we need much more than that. We've begun a transition that is probably about halfway dome. This summer I expect Salah, Gomez ,Robbo ,Endo, Chiesa and probably Konate to leave to leave .Six players at a minimum who will need replacing.
That sounds right but that’s not gutting the spine of the team from my POV Robbo = Kostas Replacement for Gakpo. Wirtz in meantime. Replacement for Endo Replacement for Ibou Replacement for Mo. Szobo in meantime. VVD backup/replacement. and Xabi as manager. Ok - maybe that’s a little light surgery
There’s a big disconnect at the moment between Boston and Anfield. Hughes can’t really fart without permission; that has screwed up both the Guehi and Semenyo deals this month and it’s not looking like being settled anytime soon.
I think this explains the two youngsters brought into the academy early in this transfer window. They are there to see if they can develop into 1-2 of those three CBs we may need. How they end up looking this spring and summer will likely determine if we go into the summer transfer window looking for one or two CBS.
The Robertson to Spurs deal was dependent on Tsimikas being recalled from Roma which has proved difficult to impossible. Add to that Gomez’ injury on Saturday, the deal is now off. Spurs had offered £5m; Robertson didn’t push for the deal, but he does want more playing time.
Liverpool have contacted ex-Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso's representatives to enquire about the Spaniard's availability, with the 44-year-old reportedly giving a positive response to his former club's approach. (AS - in Spanish)
We keep arguing about giving managers time and that Liverpool isn't Man U or Chelsea. For me that's not the issue. The issue is what has Slot done this season to deserve patience? We've been listing off lots of the questionable strategy, tactics, team selections, man management and team prep. But what has he been doing to justify keeping the job? Remember Slot got the job in part because he was supposed to be good at building teams and improving the skills of his players. If the answer is only that we don't sack managers after one and a half seasons, then we have a serious problem.