Romario

His super power was making a lot of subs and keeping the intensity high right till the end of games so he’s an odd fit for manager with such a small squad.

Feels like if we got Barcola, Isak and Wirtz clicking along with Rio it could be a Rodger’s like season where we’re great up top and all over the map at the back like 13/14 which was such an amazing bitter sweet season.

Would it make more sense to hold onto Gakpo to play centrally as Isaks back up until Ekitike is back and then maybe let him move to spurs if all parties are still keen? He signed a new deal right? So his fee won’t be greatly reduced. Guess it’s down to what he wants too and if spurs would wait but I’d rather Gakpo than selling him and then getting no one.

Is it actually the midfield or the lack of running and pressing up front? I see Fabinho Hendo and Gini getting passed through with our current forward line.

Absolutely. The drop off is comical but it’s been like that for a long time now. This squad won’t make CL qualification. Fingers crossed a bus load of players are about to arrive.

He looked more mobile than Chiesa so I was all in.

Thats a big shame. Was hoping we’d sneak him in. Not sure how plays when Isak is rested or injured.

Be weird to have a bloke who can’t pass in such a renowned passing team made captain right?

Konate must have had the best wrestling and grappling stats in the league.

Iraola might actually hand in his notice.

Sod’s Law. It’ll happen when we are the least prepared for it which feels like the season coming. We’ve taken his superman abilities for granted but like Mo it won’t last forever. Can’t remember the last time we were able to give him a break. Even for a few games. I’m guessing he was involved in every World Cup game too?

That’s the second worst. The worst is Virg picks up an injury which is going to happen at some stage given his age.

Exactly this. What’s that saying “raise the ceiling or lift the floor” I’d be more than happy to pad out the squad with “ floor lifters” Good solid runners who the manager can turn to on 60 and make 5 subs knowing we have a CL game in a few days and Man City on the weekend

The whole point of a coach rather than a manager is that the coach coaches the players he has. It’s an excuse that we are not replacing Mo Konate Ekitike or Bradley as we dont know what the new manager wants. Good mobile players would be a start and if he’s successful and still here in a year he can get more specific. But a reasonable squad would be the base.

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It was a really confusing window which is on Hughes as he’s meant to be the man with the master plan. Slot said he wanted wingers and always played with them but we sold Diaz and bought 2 number 9s and an insanely expensive no 10 in Wirtz that would more suit a 4 4 2 diamond. But then extended Mo at the same time and then didn’t play to his strengths. Isaks injuries maybe made it easier to just stick with a 433 but then it was hard to know what to do with Wirtz. Both had to go. Hopefully Iraola can figure out

It probably benefitted everyone to claim Liverpool and Hughes parted on good terms I guess. The current squad situation cannot be the plan the club are happy with. It just can’t be. I’m guessing we’ve claimed all is well so we don’t look desperate when we reach out to enquire about players? No idea on Edwards but I believe owning multiple clubs was Edwards brief and FSG have scrapped that so maybe the role is redundant now anyways. Always got the impression that Slots success was directly related to Hughes and if Slots fell Hughes would too hence the reason Slot lasted so long when it was clear a change was needed at the turn of the year. Once Slot went eyes turned on Hughes so Hughes backed Slot as his buffer while looking for a way out with his rep intact. That’s my Columbo take.

Did someone mention Bradley only completing 7 full games for us? Thats absolutely crazy if true.

There’s a direction of travel where boardroom malaise means Dom starts RB under Iraola at some point this season. I guess that’s my point but hopefully that could all change over the next 3-4 weeks.

I know we let a lot of kids go under slot but even on here people were saying they wouldn’t get games so best to move them on. i’m sure he mentioned having a smaller squad as he was good with managing injuries but I can’t imagine he’d turn down signing great players or be happy to sell great players to have a smaller squad. There was times when we couldn’t fill the subs bench and the best most experienced player we could bring on regardless of the scoreline was Robbo which he often brought on. I can’t imagine if we had 3 world class forwards of the ability of someone like Diaz he wouldn’t have used them. Of course he would. He was crap at subs because the subs were crap. So he over played the main players into the ground. Then they got tired and results were against us and he had to either stick with those most likely to win us matches like World Cup winners in Macca or an untried kid. The Konate dip is another example. He played him through a dreadful spell as we didn’t have options as we passed on Guehi. He could have played Joe but if he got injured again which is pretty much a certainty then he’d be bringing back an even less confident Konate. As Konate made error after error the forwards had more and more pressure on them as they knew we were conceding so would need at least 3 goals. Then to protect Konate he played Dom beside him as the best reliable player that could help solidify the issue rather than yet another untested player in Ramsey that could have folded under the mounting pressure. Each decision on its own is questionable but it was predicted by many that going in so light but up front and at the back could be a major issue. It turned out far worse than that and even when we could have corrected it in Jan we passed again. Slot had to go but Iraola has been handed the same issues so I’m really intrigued how he deals with it and if he’s here in a years time.

I agree that slot wanted a small squad and said as much. If he was comfortable with such a massive drop off from elite level international footballers to a bench full of kids as replacements I’d be surprised but if I was the manager I’d be equally worried about making changes too in must win games with kids. Im excited by Iraola and he’s mentioning the squad being miles short so let’s see what happens.

I understand it’s not binary. This has been my point for 10 months. Slot isn’t Klopp and was always going to fail with what Edwards and Hughes left him. He had to go and I’m glad Edwards and Hughes joined him. Iraola I feel is in a worse position than Slot regarding squad depth so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s given grace or slammed for choices especially if we don’t start well. I was hoping the removal of Edwards and Hughes would bring in some change but it looks like we are doubling down on making the managers job as difficult as possible which is a shame as I think he going to be great.

Well let’s see what Iraola does. Jones doesn’t start ahead of Grav Dom Mac or Wirtz for most managers in midfield. Dom and Jones were our best options for RB. Let’s see if Ramsey starts under Iraola or if we get a RB in. If we get a RB in then Slot was correct. If Ramsey starts and is brilliant Slot was wrong. So not a negative then. Played more and got less injured than at any point in his career is a positive. He might want to leave because he’s got a taste of playing more and wants more of that. He's not leaving because of a manager who isn’t here anymore.

This is where it’ll get interesting. Klopp had a better selection to choose from. His super power was to keep a big group engaged and use them. Slot was terrible at this but also had such a dreadful bench that when it all became must wins he snookered himself. The new manager will have no choice this season than to embrace youth as we’ve left him short of about 8 senior players. So starting with youth and losing won’t be his fault.

Jones under slot: 25/26: 34 24/25 :33 Jones under Klopp: 23 18 15 24 6 So more game time in both seasons under Slot than any season before.