Liverpool FC Forum

What awareness from Szobo to let the ball roll to Rio

No denying the soft core we have defensively, losing 2 goals lead in the first 2 games. We need reinforcement in the back. Not impressed with Ibou

Well I did say it wasn’t going to be easy !! Champions win when they play like a pub team Great moment for Rio 

What a finish for your 1st ever shot at this level  That boy is a serious talent. Absolutely delighted for him.

Wtf was that though. Throwing away a 2 goal lead like that again but this time to 9 men!! Who's idea was it to push that high up for the free kick. Mad decision. Konate was woeful tonight. Jones and Gakpo not far behind. Between the two of them id say they barely made a tackle. Just passed through them all game. Salah looked like an old man and how many minutes does Slot think he has in him this season. Surely it cant be every one!!

Anyway we where very lucky to get out of there with all 3 points tonight. They are a big 3 points away from home as well. 

Konate is just not here anymore. he has been abysmal in these first 2 games

Imagine Arsenal's fans hatewatching for all 99 minutes of the game...

We need to stop fv.cking around and pony up the extra cash for Isak because the only way we win the title is by scoring a sh1.tload of goals, we are not going to 1-0 our way to the title with this defence.
Fair dues to Newcastle they were amazing, 2-0 down and down to 10 men against the reigning champions yet not once did they in the throw in the towel, can only admire that. Have to say though we were as good as being down to 10 men ourselves, Rodgers had the balls to drop Gerrard, Arne needs to start reducing mo's game time

At this rate will only feel comfortable if we're 3-0 up, first game of the season you think okay things like that happen. But against 10 men and getting out played is not on. We need to fix up otherwise it'll be a looong season.

Anyhow, Rio is some fekin talent, we knew how good he was in pre-season but to do it in the proper match and not fumble is remarkable.

Few shout outs, thought VVD and Sboz played well. Ekitike finishing is cool, 2 in 2 now.

I think having Wirtz in midfield hurts us defensively and his talents are more wasted. I’d like to see him play in place of Gakpo or Salah and have Sboz or MacAlister in his position. We also need a world class defensive midfielder to compete with Gravenberch and/or play alongside him. I do see Konate not playing with the same intensity and determination as he did last year and that’s a worry as at this level those little margins make a big difference.

I think if we are going to retain the title we have to do it behind a very solid defense and we are anything but. I really don’t think we should go for Isak as things stand as there are more pressing needs like a world class defensive midfielder and defender, both could easily be bought with the 150m it’ll take to buy Isak. If after all that we can still buy him then great, our priorities should be solidifying the defense though.

We where second best to everything all over the field last night and we was lucky to get out with 3 points. The lack of a ball winner in the side is glaring. Far too many passive players not willing to get stuck in to a tackle. Gakpo and Jones are 2 that just stand off without putting a foot in or hit the ground looking for cheap fouls. The midfield currently is offering no protection to the back 4. Gakpo and Kerkhez aren't gelling yet but the lack of pace with them is worrying. Thats another area teams are exploiting. Wirtz isnt a tackler either. Endo is just too slow.

Obviously we are still working out the kinks with the new lads and it will take time but Kerkhez and Wirtz sit out the Arsenal game for me. Robbo and Mac back in for this. I know we are sitting on max points after 2 but we cant keep that up.playing like this. We need to push the boat out and get guehi and Isak done.

That High line we played for their 2nd goal was criminal. All it needed was that big dope Dan's Burns to win the first header and they'd be in, and it more aless happened.

Not sure what we were playing at when we were 2-0 up.. we'd took the sting out of the game getting the 2nd goal, then we just continued to play in first gear encouraging Newcastle to get at us.

Wirtz was making fantastic runs off of the ball, and Jones and Grav just ignored him and started recycling the ball from the back again. It was extremely frustrating and it nearly cost us.

kazza » Tue Aug 26, 2025 5:41 am wrote:I think having Wirtz in midfield hurts us defensively and his talents are more wasted. I’d like to see him play in place of Gakpo or Salah and have Sboz or MacAlister in his position. We also need a world class defensive midfielder to compete with Gravenberch and/or play alongside him. I do see Konate not playing with the same intensity and determination as he did last year and that’s a worry as at this level those little margins make a big difference.

I think if we are going to retain the title we have to do it behind a very solid defense and we are anything but. I really don’t think we should go for Isak as things stand as there are more pressing needs like a world class defensive midfielder and defender, both could easily be bought with the 150m it’ll take to buy Isak. If after all that we can still buy him then great, our priorities should be solidifying the defense though.

I think it would be bad form to leave Isak to hang out to dry tbh. We obviously have a massive hand in this and how its unfolding. We could do with him anyway. If he was playing for them last night we lose that imo.

We should have got a DM to balance out the midfield ages ago. Zubimendi, that Brazilian fella, Latvia, Caiceido all targets but we shoehorned Grav in instead.

The midfield is a man down with Wirtz in there, that's why we couldn't get control even with the extra man on the pitch, we had XI on the park but only 2 in the engine room. Wirtz needs to be pushed forward into Bobby's old position and Ekitike and Gakpo or Rio need to start either side of him, Mo can come on when he's fresh and defenders are tiring, that will help negate some of his obvious physical decline.
We need to get Grav, Dom and Alexis back in the centre of the park as quickly as possible, if we play against Arsenal like we have against Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle the Gunners will absolutely mop the floor with us on our own patch, it will be a horror show.
No player in history, not a single one, not Pele, not Maradona, not Cruyff, not Zidane, not Zico, not R9, not Kenny Dalglish, not Steven Gerrard has beaten father time, why does Arne bizarrely think Mo is the exception? Worryingly Arne seems terrified of making the sort of big call which separated the Paisley's and Ferguson's and Clough's from the rest. I was hoping he was cut from the same cloth as those managerial greats but he looks absolutely terrified of upsetting Mo which is not a good look for a manager of a big club at all.

Agree on Wirtz issue, we need to push him further up and stick to mid of Sboz, Mac and Grav. Wirtz will have a better impact further up. In the middle you need players that do defensive work also and Wirtz does fek all.

If we plan on keeping Wirtz where he is then expect free scoring games.

Kerkez looks slow as fek I don't know what if is, and Konate has been shyte for while.

We've got quite few problems that need addressing.


Yup Arne is over relying on Mo, at least take him off if his been dross all game. I think Arne relies on magic from Salah that could occur anytime.