2025/26 Season

[kingfunk]

I was just listening to the press conference and found Slott’s comments really interesting. He compared our form from the first half of last season to how things shifted later on. He explained that when Klopp left and he came in, teams saw a new manager and an element of the unknown, so they were more willing to have a go at us. But once it became clear in the second half of the season that Liverpool were top of the table, opponents started approaching us completely differently, sitting deeper, defending more, and looking to counter rather than attacking outright. That change in approach has carried into this season as well. I thought it was a really insightful point, because it helps explain why things may have looked more open for us earlier last year compared to now.


That said, it’s now his responsibility to adapt the team and find ways to counter how opponents are setting up against us. This is where he’ll really earn his money. Up to now, we haven’t seen much evidence of that shift, which might be a little harsh given we’re still top of the table. But if we lose this weekend, the scrutiny only intensifies. That’s the nature of the beast, the criticism will come heavier, and he’ll need to make sure things don’t start to snowball.

[rudedog]

Some good points with regards to our pressing deficiencies this season

[ame="https://youtu.be/8SA_RpgKPII"]Why Liverpool Are So EASY To Play Against This Season - YouTube[/ame]

[peterbread]

The important thing is the team is still finding a way to win and is scoring goals especially late on. It’s easy to find fault but it’s a great habit to have and shows the mental toughness and confidence they have that no matter what happens.

Imagine once it all starts to click into gear and the new players settle in. There is a lot to be excited about. There are plenty of players capable of creating and scoring goals. I don’t think they will be relying on a few players to create and score.

[Paul12]

What's Nat Phillips doing these days

Whatever it is, it won't be done very quickly.

[Irishnev]

we don't have to go too far back to see how much worse it can be

The next set of games, including Chelsea, up to the Nov international break will likely be pivotal for us. Arsenal have a much easier set of fixtures now and they must fancy their chances of pulling away from the pack, similar to what we did over this period last season

If we come back from the Nov international break at worst 3 points off Arsenal and still in CL contention, we will be in a very good position IMO

I saw that we have the second hardest set of fixtures over tge next 5 games and Ars have the easiest - we need to keep in touch

[Sus]

It’s also been a tough start to the season.

We’ve not really had a ‘gimme’ teams like Bournemouth (which we won), and Palace (unbeaten in 19) are tough games. Then we’ve had the Derby, we’ve had Arsenal home and Newcastle away. We now have Chelsea away. Athletico home and Galatasaray away in the CL.

We come back to Utd at home (who knows where they will be by then).

It would be great to get a Wolves at home, or a low ranking CL team type of game where hopefully players could strike up some rythm.

And then I read that back and remember that we are also two points clear at the top of the League…. it could be worse. It’s been worse.

we don't have to go too far back to see how much worse it can be

The next set of games, including Chelsea, up to the Nov international break will likely be pivotal for us. Arsenal have a much easier set of fixtures now and they must fancy their chances of pulling away from the pack, similar to what we did over this period last season

If we come back from the Nov international break at worst 3 points off Arsenal and still in CL contention, we will be in a very good position IMO

[Buzzo]

It’s also been a tough start to the season.

We’ve not really had a ‘gimme’ teams like Bournemouth (which we won), and Palace (unbeaten in 19) are tough games. Then we’ve had the Derby, we’ve had Arsenal home and Newcastle away. We now have Chelsea away. Athletico home and Galatasaray away in the CL.

We come back to Utd at home (who knows where they will be by then).

It would be great to get a Wolves at home, or a low ranking CL team type of game where hopefully players could strike up some rythm.

And then I read that back and remember that we are also two points clear at the top of the League…. it could be worse. It’s been worse.

[Charly]

I don't know if the pressing stats back it up but it does look as though our defensive problems at least partly start further forward. Diaz, in fairness to him, did put a shift in both on and off the ball.

To be fair, our midfield didnt see much rotation. We were knackered by the end

[Catrin]

I think we dropped our levels (particularly our attitude) after the second leg to PSG. We still got a few results over the line, in the derby and the spurs game to seal the title, but intensity levels dropped then and haven't recovered.

I don't know if the pressing stats back it up but it does look as though our defensive problems at least partly start further forward. Diaz, in fairness to him, did put a shift in both on and off the ball.

[Kenneth]

I think we dropped our levels (particularly our attitude) after the second leg to PSG. We still got a few results over the line, in the derby and the spurs game to seal the title, but intensity levels dropped then and haven't recovered.

[Yozza]

I was joking with my mates last night that we've been awful ever since we won the league - but actually it's not far from the truth

[Sus]

FTT and I discuss it here:
Clicky

I think a narrow diamond with Wirtz at the point, Grav at the base and Macca and Dom narrow left and right has a lot going for it. Not least of which is that it sets us up in a way to make the most of our attacking fullbacks while having our two top-class 9's on the pitch and Wirtz exactly where he needs to be. I would be in favour of trying this out sooner rather than later and think it would suit us more than a box midfield. It does not really work with Salah on the field though, which is definitely something to consider.

Thanks for sharing the link, was bothering me I couldn't find it again

I think there's something in it, let's see if / when we try this out

[memzey]

Someone (can’t remember who, sorry) mentioned on another thread that our long term plan post Salah might be a version of a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle.

I thought that was an interesting idea, which helps me see a more natural fit for Frimpong and Wirtz long term, and would also help explain why we bought both Ekitike and Isak, and kept Chiesa.

FTT and I discuss it here:
Clicky

I think a narrow diamond with Wirtz at the point, Grav at the base and Macca and Dom narrow left and right has a lot going for it. Not least of which is that it sets us up in a way to make the most of our attacking fullbacks while having our two top-class 9's on the pitch and Wirtz exactly where he needs to be. I would be in favour of trying this out sooner rather than later and think it would suit us more than a box midfield. It does not really work with Salah on the field though, which is definitely something to consider.

[vlahka]

Diamond could be Wirtz just behind, salah on left, and isak/ekitike alternating between front/left

[Sus]

And I said we’ve seen nothing from Slot to suggest a formation change even though I think we’ve got the players for if

Anyway, the real oracle has spoken

https://twitter.com/indykaila/status...56827385995566

How to stay relevant when the transfer window is closed