Sidebar, but god that game was fucking great. I remember being about 24 hours into a 2 day bender watching it in a bar in Boston and what I was watching was so mental I was not entirely convinced it was really happening and that maybe I was so mashed I was imagining it. Seeing Deco and GVB sitting next to each on the naughty step after both being sent off had me howling laughing.
EDIT: And now someone has moved the Hetinga news to a different thread and I look like a moron. Thanks everyone
Arne Slot named both the Premier League Manager of the Season and LMA Manager of the Year tonight. He pulled out of the awards dinner in London out of solidarity with those affected by Monday’s incident in Liverpool.
Here is Arne Slot’s letter to the LMA:
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Firstly, I would like to apologise for not being with you tonight.
"The LMA Annual Awards evening is an event that I was very much looking forward to attending along with my family and colleagues from Liverpool Football Club.
"As you will know, a shocking incident took place in Liverpool yesterday, one that left dozens of men, women and children who had attended our parade injured and as a result I have had to withdraw from the event out of solidarity with all affected.
"This is not a decision I have taken lightly but it is one that I feel is absolutely right given the seriousness of the situation. I hope that I have your understanding in this regard. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wider football community, including the LMA itself, the Premier League and many clubs who will be represented tonight, for the support we have received over the last 24 hours.
"Football is and always should be a game built on rivalry, but it is also a great source of comradeship, especially at times like this.
"If you would indulge me, I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services and other authorities in Liverpool who swung into action as soon as the incident happened. Along with the supporters and bystanders who helped one another in an hour of need, I think everyone involved in the aftermath deserves the gratitude of all of us.
"On another note, I am humbled to be named Barclays Premier League Manager of the Season so thank you to the Barclays and the Premier League awards panel for selecting me. The main reason I say I am humbled is that I know the incredibly high standard of the managers in the Premier League.
"It goes without saying that I am also really proud to be a member of the League Managers Association and therefore I am truly honoured to be awarded the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year. To be voted for by your managerial peers is so special, especially as I know the unbelievable quality of those who have won this award previously.
“Sir Alex, I look forward to meeting with you at a later date to receive my trophy from you. I also look forward to attending my first LMA Annual Awards dinner on a future occasion. Thank you once again for your understanding and support. Enjoy your evening and if you could join me it keeping those affected by yesterday’s events in your thoughts and prayers it would be very much appreciated. Arne.”
Arne saying… " I’ll Be Back "
“Same time, same place, next year?”
Looks like another of Slot’s former Feyenoord assistants, Marino Pusic, might come to join the party if Heitinga gets the Ajax gig. Good luck to Heitinga if that’s how it pans out.
As for Pusic, he has been managing at Shakhtar Donetsk, and if he comes presumably he will settle in quickly as he has worked with Slot before and will know what he wants.
Best wishes to Heitenga if the Ajax job does pan out, but surprised he’s on their short list after basically 1 season as a top assistant - seems very much a reach on their part.
Yeah you’d think another year or so as no2 would help him but he’s a former player and obviously in a hurry. May feel Ajax is too good a chance to turn down and if he turns them around in 2/3 years he could be off to a decent PL club
Can’t get a mini Arne Slot figure anywhere 
Yeah - theres no way he turns it down if they offer it to him. Young enough, ambitious and confident. Very very few would even if it feels like it would be better for everyone if it was a a year or two down the road.
We should note that Heitinga has a deep-rooted connection with Ajax, having risen through its youth academy and previously managed both its youth and senior teams.
In early 2023, Heitinga served as interim manager of Ajax, leading the team to a third-place finish in the league and reaching the KNVB Cup final. Despite a commendable record of 14 wins in 22 matches, the club opted not to retain him, citing a desire for a more experienced coach . This decision was met with criticism, including from Arne Slot.
Now he has more experience, I can see why he seeks a return.
xG Conceded is the biggest difference. The total kms might have a baring as well.
I’m interested to see how he performs when it is his own players rather than the inherited ones.
I find it pretty funny that Klopp’s side had more possession given the narrative about the transition the side had to go through this year.
I wonder how much our game against City brought that number down.
In any case, it’s fascinating how we have the same goals scored and conceded despite the changes in expected goals…
less possesion than Klopps team, more longer passes, more goals conceded than xG Conceded and less distance ran. Slot is just the Dutch Sam Allardyce!
#SlotOut
Not really, because xG is fucking bollocks.
It isnt though. It just needs context that is often lacking in its use.
Our belief in the value in expected performance rather than actual, when measured over a period of time, was central to identifying Klopp as the guy. It allowed us to look past a season in which the consensus was Klopp “had been found out”
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