Football 2025-26

[andyrhodes24]

1 hour ago, Comfy Bean said:

My team were doing the tactical time out thing. Bench were signalling to the keeper who would sit down holding his calf/thigh/back. You could see them preparing the water bottles etc minutes before. Awful behaviour 😞 

I’ve not clocked an opposition team preparing the bottles before but that’s insane, not even trying to hide it. It’s happened against us at least three times that I can remember, including City and Sunderland at home. On top both times before going on to lose 0-1.

 

The only way to stop it is to have an outfield player go off for 30 seconds.

[charlierc]

On 10/05/2026 at 17:36, Skip997 said:

When are they going to sack Slot? It’s getting more ridiculous by the day.

 

Spurs lose 5 in a row then draw at Anfield. Chelsea lose 6 in a row and then draw at Anfield. He’s way out of his depth 

The Athletic's David Ornstein, who is usually seen as a go-to reliable source, says Liverpool are planning to keep Slot for next season. An update that I'm guessing you're thrilled about. 

 

Seems like Liverpool are in a similar boat to us right now, themselves in 2015 or Manchester United in 2024 - a big rebuild is required but is the trust there the right manager is in place to oversee that? Spend hundreds of millions on new players for them only to sack them anyway is a present risk. 

[kaosmark2]

3 hours ago, charlierc said:

The Athletic's David Ornstein, who is usually seen as a go-to reliable source, says Liverpool are planning to keep Slot for next season. An update that I'm guessing you're thrilled about. 

 

Seems like Liverpool are in a similar boat to us right now, themselves in 2015 or Manchester United in 2024 - a big rebuild is required but is the trust there the right manager is in place to oversee that? Spend hundreds of millions on new players for them only to sack them anyway is a present risk. 

Worth saying that while I'm thinking it probably is time for Howe to go, I think Howe is a far lesser risk than Slot. While I think Howe's time probably has come, and I'm not sure he's got the right ideas necessary for the rebuild, I think he still has ideas, still has the dressing room, and has actual achievements.

 

Last season Liverpool had a lot of flaws that were papered over by their rivals being awful and the quality of the squad, but even with Ekitike out until 2027, I think that squad should be finishing comfortably above Man U.

[charlierc]

5 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

Worth saying that while I'm thinking it probably is time for Howe to go, I think Howe is a far lesser risk than Slot. While I think Howe's time probably has come, and I'm not sure he's got the right ideas necessary for the rebuild, I think he still has ideas, still has the dressing room, and has actual achievements.

 

Last season Liverpool had a lot of flaws that were papered over by their rivals being awful and the quality of the squad, but even with Ekitike out until 2027, I think that squad should be finishing comfortably above Man U.

I think its more a general case of asking if they can be trusted to have the guiding hand in another £200m+ of likely summer spending. As discussed, we've got a super busy summer coming - latest rumour is Gordon will be going, Schar is likely off, Ramsdale's loan won't be renewed, Trippier is confirmed going, Willock will be transfer listed to get a fee before he could leave for nothing next year and there's still a possibility of Tonali or Livramento being sold. That's a lot of churn to come and I know we have a better recruitment structure than last year, when we stumbled into an almost old-school manager scenario, but it's a case of confidence given it felt like our recruitment was a string of Plan Bs & Cs. But I'm aware Howe still has credit in the bank and support of the dressing room, plus an acknowledgment that we do seem to play better with no European football.

 

It felt like things between Slot and the Liverpool fans really hit a wall at the weekend. Rio being subbed off is arguably a small thing to trigger it, not least as Rio himself said he wanted to come off and you do have to be careful with managing minutes for under 20s, but I think there's been a notable tension for several months and that was just the straw that broke the camel's back, to say nothing of arguably looking second best against a Chelsea side who were in wretched form. There were some pretty odd comments afterwards which feel like they've annoyed their fans as well.

 

I'm guessing the news Xabi Alonso could be of interest to Chelsea when many Liverpool fans see him as the ideal pick to take over hasn't helped the vibe.

[charlierc]

20 hours ago, andyrhodes24 said:

I’ve not clocked an opposition team preparing the bottles before but that’s insane, not even trying to hide it. It’s happened against us at least three times that I can remember, including City and Sunderland at home. On top both times before going on to lose 0-1.

 

The only way to stop it is to have an outfield player go off for 30 seconds.

Some people have suggested this as a solution, right? I do feel like there's been quite a few people suggest an outfield player having to go on the sidelines as one option for this matter.

[kaosmark2]

1 hour ago, charlierc said:

I think its more a general case of asking if they can be trusted to have the guiding hand in another £200m+ of likely summer spending. As discussed, we've got a super busy summer coming - latest rumour is Gordon will be going, Schar is likely off, Ramsdale's loan won't be renewed, Trippier is confirmed going, Willock will be transfer listed to get a fee before he could leave for nothing next year and there's still a possibility of Tonali or Livramento being sold. That's a lot of churn to come and I know we have a better recruitment structure than last year, when we stumbled into an almost old-school manager scenario, but it's a case of confidence given it felt like our recruitment was a string of Plan Bs & Cs. But I'm aware Howe still has credit in the bank and support of the dressing room, plus an acknowledgment that we do seem to play better with no European football.

 

It felt like things between Slot and the Liverpool fans really hit a wall at the weekend. Rio being subbed off is arguably a small thing to trigger it, not least as Rio himself said he wanted to come off and you do have to be careful with managing minutes for under 20s, but I think there's been a notable tension for several months and that was just the straw that broke the camel's back, to say nothing of arguably looking second best against a Chelsea side who were in wretched form. There were some pretty odd comments afterwards which feel like they've annoyed their fans as well.

 

I'm guessing the news Xabi Alonso could be of interest to Chelsea when many Liverpool fans see him as the ideal pick to take over hasn't helped the vibe.

Well Andy Howe got a title promotion, so it definitely looks like they're both staying. I have a lot more judgment on Howe jr tbh, because I do think the messy structure last season gave him too much power, but maybe he'd be competent as a senior recruitment person in a team.

 

I agree about the churn for us and the fallout for the Liverpool fans.

Edited May 12 by kaosmark2

[Comfy Bean]

22 hours ago, andyrhodes24 said:

I’ve not clocked an opposition team preparing the bottles before but that’s insane, not even trying to hide it. It’s happened against us at least three times that I can remember, including City and Sunderland at home. On top both times before going on to lose 0-1.

 

The only way to stop it is to have an outfield player go off for 30 seconds.

Yeah that’s a decent idea. Kills the momentum of the game (obviously often the plan) and is basically cheating. It annoys the sh*t out of me. Ball is in play little enough.

[Skip997]

On 12/05/2026 at 19:27, charlierc said:

There were some pretty odd comments afterwards which feel like they've annoyed their fans as well.

He’s been making odd comments that annoy those who aren’t married to the “Liverpool way” for months 

[thetime]

The Motherwell v Celtic was a bit nuts. Motherwell play some cracking football. 

[charlierc]

8 hours ago, thetime said:

The Motherwell v Celtic was a bit nuts. Motherwell play some cracking football. 

That handball shout at the end that was given - crikey. I don't think it was helped by a bad camera angle but in real time I thought it hit the head. Slowed down and it looks more like it hit the hand in front of the head. Such is the atmosphere that I think the ref would be slagged off no matter what they gave. 

 

That Celtic v Hearts season finale game is a potential firework of a match tbf. 

[charlierc]

On 12/05/2026 at 20:47, kaosmark2 said:

Well Andy Howe got a title promotion, so it definitely looks like they're both staying. I have a lot more judgment on Howe jr tbh, because I do think the messy structure last season gave him too much power, but maybe he'd be competent as a senior recruitment person in a team.

 

I agree about the churn for us and the fallout for the Liverpool fans.

In his defence, Howe Jr did a lot of the work in signings before last summer and generally our recruitment was good until then. But clearly, it's a high wire thing and if it goes wrong, people want a scapegoat. Or as said, maybe he works better as a behind the scenes force rather than as the frontman. 

[balti-pie]

For those of us actively cheering against a Hearts title- which is basically Celtic and Hibs, and nobody else, all the neutrals are marooned - it was an absolutely hilarious ending. I dont care how Hearts lose, whether its by fair means or foul, i just want them in the mud. Giving them fifty years of moaning about being cheated out of the title will do me!  

[kaosmark2]

3 hours ago, charlierc said:

In his defence, Howe Jr did a lot of the work in signings before last summer and generally our recruitment was good until then. But clearly, it's a high wire thing and if it goes wrong, people want a scapegoat. Or as said, maybe he works better as a behind the scenes force rather than as the frontman. 

He's clearly done enough overall that he knows the actual brief of the job, but quite how good he is is questionable. And even if our recruitment was good before last summer, I think questions have to be asked about everything last summer. Honestly my biggest concern is how/where the leaks were happening for all the deals that got poached. If all of them are agents fair enough, but it seemed to keep happening and I'm not convinced that's actually the case.

[charlierc]

2 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

He's clearly done enough overall that he knows the actual brief of the job, but quite how good he is is questionable. And even if our recruitment was good before last summer, I think questions have to be asked about everything last summer. Honestly my biggest concern is how/where the leaks were happening for all the deals that got poached. If all of them are agents fair enough, but it seemed to keep happening and I'm not convinced that's actually the case.

Yeah pretty much. Leaks and hijacking deals is something that I think happens a lot in football, but we definitely felt vulnerable to it last season so being able to make something more focused if we can would be a start.  Plus yeah, I think we absolutely did not set out to end up with who we signed and need reviews to see how we could've gone about it better. Ekiteke and Trafford are the biggest ones who got away imo. 

 

I've seen mock ups of the proposed new home kit, meanwhile, and bloody hell. I don't mind experimenting with the black and white stripe concept but if it's the one heavily rumoured this week, it feels a bit excessive. The blue adidas stripes particularly ruin it. And I say this as someone who isn't a fan of the current home kits design. 

[kaosmark2]

28 minutes ago, charlierc said:

Yeah pretty much. Leaks and hijacking deals is something that I think happens a lot in football, but we definitely felt vulnerable to it last season so being able to make something more focused if we can would be a start.  Plus yeah, I think we absolutely did not set out to end up with who we signed and need reviews to see how we could've gone about it better. Ekiteke and Trafford are the biggest ones who got away imo. 

 

I've seen mock ups of the proposed new home kit, meanwhile, and bloody hell. I don't mind experimenting with the black and white stripe concept but if it's the one heavily rumoured this week, it feels a bit excessive. The blue adidas stripes particularly ruin it. And I say this as someone who isn't a fan of the current home kits design. 

Trafford was such a case of us moving too slowly then City coming in. If we'd just gone all it at the start of the window I think it'd have been done.

 

There's still rumours of it happening this summer, inc potential Trafford + cash for Livramento. I like and rate Trafford and wouldn't be opposed to it (supposedly he was happy to join us until he thought he'd have the City no 1 jersey), but I do think we lack leadership in defence and I'm not sure if we'd be better off targeting a goalie that solves that.

[charlierc]

So... What do we make of the Championship play off final, Southampton allegedly spying on Middlesbrough and the fact it could be postponed at short notice? All seems like a bit of a mess, if one seemingly caused by one the clubs. Can imagine the EFL secretly wanted Middlesbrough to win the playoff tie so they wouldn't be called on to decide. 

 

It's a shame for Hull fans as much as anything. Them being an unexpected participant as many pundits had them as relegation candidates in preseason would normally be the bigger story, yet they may have to cough up a lot of cash to go to London for a game that might not happen as advertised. Especially as if it can't take place on the 23rd, Wembley isn't available for a while after. 

[charlierc]

16 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

Trafford was such a case of us moving too slowly then City coming in. If we'd just gone all it at the start of the window I think it'd have been done.

 

There's still rumours of it happening this summer, inc potential Trafford + cash for Livramento. I like and rate Trafford and wouldn't be opposed to it (supposedly he was happy to join us until he thought he'd have the City no 1 jersey), but I do think we lack leadership in defence and I'm not sure if we'd be better off targeting a goalie that solves that.

Yeah I heard we did procrastinate on the Trafford deal and such delays are what got Manchester City interested. I will say I was skeptical tbf as while he was brilliant in the Championship last season, in the Premier League the year before, he wasn't. But he's looked good in his cup cameos with the Mancs so what can you do. 

 

I agree we will need greater defensive leadership, not least with Trippier going and Burn now 34, but with Pope and Ramsdale having both been unconvincing, a new keeper still feels like it's required. Unless we finally decide to try and get our money's worth from Vlachodimos, who tbf I've heard has done alright on loan with Sevilla. 

[kaosmark2]

3 hours ago, charlierc said:

Yeah I heard we did procrastinate on the Trafford deal and such delays are what got Manchester City interested. I will say I was skeptical tbf as while he was brilliant in the Championship last season, in the Premier League the year before, he wasn't. But he's looked good in his cup cameos with the Mancs so what can you do. 

 

I agree we will need greater defensive leadership, not least with Trippier going and Burn now 34, but with Pope and Ramsdale having both been unconvincing, a new keeper still feels like it's required. Unless we finally decide to try and get our money's worth from Vlachodimos, who tbf I've heard has done alright on loan with Sevilla. 

Oh a new keeper is definitely required, it's just my question of if it's better to try and kill 1 birds with one keeper signing than go for a young keeper who I rate highly but that would be a question about.

[thetime]

Am I right premier league could have 10 teams in Europe next season?

 

6 in champions league if villa get 5th and win Europa.

 

3 in Europa if Palace win conference.

 

1 in Confrence.

[balti-pie]

Southampton being booted out of the playoffs would be pretty hilarious tbf.

I dont see what theyve done as being particularly heinous - a bloke stood in a bush looking at set pieces is one thing, but the idea of devising a foolproof method of ensuring they can repel any and all attacks just by watching a training session or two is laughable. Yeah its against the 'spirit' of the game but so is great swathes of football these days!  

 

That said, it would be funny - so get em banished 

[lost]

Just in time for Man City:

 

 

[charlierc]

7 hours ago, thetime said:

Am I right premier league could have 10 teams in Europe next season?

 

6 in champions league if villa get 5th and win Europa.

 

3 in Europa if Palace win conference.

 

1 in Confrence.

I think 9 is the maximum but would have to double check it.

[charlierc]

4 hours ago, balti-pie said:

Southampton being booted out of the playoffs would be pretty hilarious tbf.

I dont see what theyve done as being particularly heinous - a bloke stood in a bush looking at set pieces is one thing, but the idea of devising a foolproof method of ensuring they can repel any and all attacks just by watching a training session or two is laughable. Yeah its against the 'spirit' of the game but so is great swathes of football these days!  

 

That said, it would be funny - so get em banished 

I mean, if you believe Middlesbrough, its a truly unprecedented horror: Middlesbrough: Championship club calls for Southampton's expulsion from play-offs - BBC Sport

 

If nothing else, it's absolutely a test of the protocol given these rules were apparently bulked up after some felt Leeds got away with it when Bielsa flat out said he tried to film all his opponent's training sessions where possible.

 

The game is meant to be in 8 days so it feels like, no matter what the verdict, it's going to be very tricky to get an appeal done sharpish. 

[thetime]

1 hour ago, charlierc said:

I mean, if you believe Middlesbrough, its a truly unprecedented horror: Middlesbrough: Championship club calls for Southampton's expulsion from play-offs - BBC Sport

 

If nothing else, it's absolutely a test of the protocol given these rules were apparently bulked up after some felt Leeds got away with it when Bielsa flat out said he tried to film all his opponent's training sessions where possible.

 

The game is meant to be in 8 days so it feels like, no matter what the verdict, it's going to be very tricky to get an appeal done sharpish. 

 

Will just be a huge fine. 

[thetime]

The 2 united's, Leeds and Manchester need to get together and let Brighton win the next 2. 😎😎