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We’re not even halfway through the season and we’re already talking ‘must win’ games, well, I am anyway, and this is a ‘must win’ especially after pissing more points away at Leeds last weekend. 2-0 up with 75% possession. FFS. Anytime you drop points you’ve gotta get three the next game or else it’ll be a season on a snakes and ladders board with more bastard snakes. We need ladders and a ladder is what we must get this weekend.
Always super tight affairs home and away against Brighton as it was last season winning at Anfield 2-1 courtesy of late-ish strikes from Gakpo and Mo after them taking the lead (shock, horror). We lost 3-2 at their place after everyone had buggared off to the beach but gained revenge in the League Cup winning 3-2 there. This decade we’ve played BHA 5 times at Anfield, winning 2 and drawing 3.
A potential place in the top 5 is at stake for either team that secures 3 points. Not worried about any of their younger stars but always, always concerned about two players who seem to enjoy bagging against us and that’s Dunk and Welbeck.
Who will start? Rotation would be key here after that grueling 90 mins against Inter but I don’t Arne will rotate that much:
Alisson, Gomez, Konate, VVD, Kerkez, Grav, Jones, Szobo, Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike.
Absolutely no idea which way this will go. The Inter result is no indicator for me that we’ve turned a corner. We beat Villa and Madrid at home without conceding then get twatted in the next three games conceding 10. All over the place.
Usually, when I don’t know which way it will go, I am tempted for a draw, and I am but think we will win this and record only our third league win in three months.
Liverpool 2 Brighton 1
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European games suit us more as do Brighton, so you’d expect or hope for a win but even then complacency could kick in or another daft mistake at the back could happen.
Infuriating thing is, the standard is that dire in the league this season with most teams struggling for consistency (demonstrated by the fact there’s just 4 points between 4th & 12th), that even if we got a modest run going, we’d easily shoot up to the top 4, or if we got a better run going, who knows.
As things stand the team is oscillating between reacting and drifting like a rudderless ship. Slot will not change, quite the opposite, this is his way now. Are we pretty much waiting for Alonso to get the chop? Or is Iraola in contention?
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Mikuis, ye i was just going to say that mate
Brighton will suit us down to the ground. Tough game
Slot doesnt know his best 11. Leeds last week was an absolute disgrace to be honest
Game was over we threw it away. Any team thats puts under pressure usuallt sees us crumble
Think we will win sat but we will keeo dropping silly points all season. Hopefully we do eniugh to get into the top 5
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Let’s get back on track in the league now, and without much drama.
And I will say it for the umpteenth time, the team must focus on NOT making avoidable mistakes,
and that’s how we’ll start winning more matches.Now, our expensive triumvirate of Wirtz, Ekitike and Isak needs to well and truly click, and destroy the opposition, going forward.
Alisson
Gomez Konaté Van Dijk Kerkez
Gravenberch Mac Allister Szoboszlai
Wirtz
Ekitike Isak (Or Chiesa, if Isak is injured)_____________________________
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“And I will say it for the umpteenth time, the team must focus on NOT making avoidable mistakes,
and that’s how we’ll start winning more matches.”Wonder why Slot hasn’t thought this yet? Could have been top!
Different type of game to midweek where I think Brighton will use pace on the flanks. Set up with a massive gap in the middle and we’ll get turned over.
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Slot to meet with Mo today and the outcome of that will determine Mo’s involvement in this game.
Gakpo and Endo out. Chiesa should be back but Isak picked up a knock the other night so unclear how much he can play tomorrow.
We’re at home so I expect us to be a bit more offensive minded here probably with Bradley and Kerkez stating.
Jones starts again for me as he was very good away to Inter.Will Slot stick with the same formation?
Will Mo be involved?_____________________________
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“Wonder why Slot hasn’t thought this yet? Could have been top!”
Slot is absolutely not to blame for some of the horrendous individual mistakes that players have been making, that’s fairly obvious, even the pundits and former players can see it, and are saying the same thing. Even Slot blamed Konaté for conceding a needless penalty against Leeds.
For example, Van Dijk’s lackadaisical, weak pass against Sunderland that gifted them a goal, what exactly has that got to do with Slot? Absolutely nothing, as a player of his calibre should deal with that situation easily, even just hoofing the ball up the pitch away from danger.
The players must take responsibility for their sloppy mistakes, and get their act together. This narrative that Slot hasn’t thought of this is simply nonsense, as he can clearly see the cause of the errors.
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“This narrative that Slot hasn’t thought of this is simply nonsense…”
I believe that’s the exact point Threeps is making.
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Apologies.
I mentioned Bradley in my first post but forgot he’s actually suspended.
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Szobo needs rest or he will get injured or burnt out soon.
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Same for VVD
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Arguably the errors from VVD an strong indicator that he is no long able to play every game erery week
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Only one person has played more mins this season across Europe than VVD and Szobo.
https://www.thisisanfield.com/2025/12/szoboszlai-van-dijk-most-minutes-played-europe-liverpool/
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With our midweek ventures and a few knocks, it’s all set-up for another one of those ‘snakes’ I mentioned the other day. Brighton will be fresh and encouraged that most matches against us are always pretty close.
With Gakpo out, Isak a knock, Chiesa training today and the nebulous nature of Mo’s involvement we’re gonna be light up front meaning Wirtz will definitely start, no question. Due to the issues above, will we see a change in formation again? This is all set up for a 4321…
Ali
Gomez Konate VVD Kerkez
Jones Grav Mac
Szobo Wirtz
Ekitike?Stacks us nicely in mid but we’re a bit light up top. If Chiesa is fit and ready reverse the 2-1 up top and go Wirtz and partner Ekitike with Chiesa (could be an interesting duo that and a duo that could pass to each other – didn’t see ONE Ekitike/Isak pass to each other night). Makes it easier to throw in Isak if he makes it to the bench. The 4312 would mean Mac given a rest and Szobo with Jones and Grav. With Rio never played I don’t see a 7-11 formation ie. a 4231 but with Bradley out (again – I know it’s a disciplinary thing but the lad never puts a run of games together, so frustrating).
If Mo is in the matchday squad and with intentions to come on then maybe the 4231 but we’ve no lefty unless Ekitike moves over there then we don’t have a nine. Rio won’t start so who knows? Wirtz as the 7, Szobo 10, then who’s the 11? Would’ve been a nice game for Elliott this. Dozens of permutations.
With Endo out for a bit (unbelievable – doesn’t play!) it’s important more than ever that Grav gets help and everyone is aggressive and disciplined in their defensive duties so lessen the burden and work on him. No Endo to come on and shut up shop. Mac would be the obvious choice as he does put in way more challenges than Jones (always worried me that Jones/Szobo tandem as neither lad is aggressive). Sorry for the ‘random/loose notes’ fellas; just match day minus one thoughts.
Gonna be another close one tomorrow I think.
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Maybe Salah will get a few mins at the end to say goodbye to the fans
Would be a sad ending if he ends up leaving without a proper send off or goodbyes from him at anfield.
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I think he’ll be in the squad, Red.
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Chiesa heavily involved with attacking phases of the sessions this am alongside Ekitike.
Wirtz, Ekitike, Chiesa our attacking trio tomorrow.
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Salah in the matchday squad.
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I’d be highly surprised if he gets more than a few mins at the end of the game.
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I think we will see that diamond formation again. I don´t see Mo entering the pitch until the game is over actually. I doubt Brighton have prepared in anyway to face a 442D, they know how to defend against our old formation. The lineup will be a interesting choice for Slot, who should experiment a bit considering our form of late. He got tasked with a difficult job to fit the new players into a lineup that works for us, the diamond might work for us in the time being.
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