Was Hughes directing transfers at Bournemouth when they bought Ibe and Smith?
2 Likes
Yeah. Was his first year as Technical Director.
1 Like
What does the data say about how they’ve been playing for the last year? Because I couldn’t give less of a shit at this point about what the data indicated about Slot’s performances in the fucking Eredivisie. The performances of the last 12 months tell me so much more.
2 Likes
Regardless he has also had a big hand in the squad that it is now and that’s even after losing three top guys last summer.
Well, it can only mean the data points to be collected were either wrong or not comprehensive enough…Probably, no eye-test was conducted…
1 Like
The problem is that the data only takes you so far when the source of that data is a different team in a far worse league. It can only give you a sense of what to expect. But as Mike Tyson said, everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face. And Slot’s plan got figured out and he has shown no ability to adapt.
2 Likes
What a lineup! I can’t believe this lineup only started the Champions League final win. I also can’t believe the midfield bench strength we used to have with Ox, Keita, Milner, on the bench when these three started.
And then… There were two
4 Likes
Is Keita and Ox bench strength though when the only benches they seemed to be on where the physios?
2 Likes
You say “midfield bench strength” but even back then everyone moaned about Ox and Keita’s terrible injury records and Milner being “one year older” and his physical drop off coming any day.
What was perfect with that midfield was the balance it gave the side. I’d argue Gravenberch, Szobo, Jones, Mac Allister and Wirtz are a better five players on paper than Fabinho, Hendo, Gini, Keita and Ox. But the midfield we have now doesn’t work as a unit anywhere near as well as that old lot.
But that was seven years ago. An age in footballing terms. It’s no surprise most have or are moving on. Especially when we tended to buy lads who were 22-25.
5 Likes
Still waiting for Millie’s “physical dropoff”
3 Likes
The reaction when the common folks now finding out about Slot being the first choice and Amorim as 2nd when Kloppo decided to call it a day.
https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/05/liverpool-manager-search-ruben-amorim-data-arne-slot-2026/
3 Likes
I’m still trying to insert the Mama transfer.
We know what profile of keeper we want.
A ball-playing one who can distribute eg ball precisely with both hands and feet. A “fifth footballer” of the back 4, if you will.
It’s why we had Ali and Kelleher. It’s why Woodman is the third choice, it’s why we had Adrian. Hell, it’s why we switched to Karius from Mignolet!
Without that type of keeper our defence, indeed our team, miss that distinct quality and don’t operate as well as they normally should.
So, unless he’s an EXTRAORDINARY shot stopper like Gigi who prompted Pep to make that keeper style change at city, we should have gone for Mama.
And just to be clear, he is nowhere near the level of shot stopper that Gigi is.
Stern question for Hughes.
2 Likes
I think it was @sweeting who said that there are few quality keepers matching that type of skill set out there (and that was a key reason for City’s choice of signing)
Again…
a) Then stick with Kweev and install him as the no 1 and let Ali move on the Juve.
Or
c) get someone better than Mama at pure goalkeeping. He doesn’t fit our style, then get someone SO good at shot-stopping that we can live with the lack of distribution. Right now with Mama and Konate we severely lack footballing skills at the back.
And Slit says he wants to play possession football with this lot?
1 Like
Does anyone actually know what Slot’s attempting?
I’ll see what Mama can do over a season instead of 5 games and dumping him, as with so many of our players.
7 Likes
You can’t just replace what Alisson did for us. There’s a reason he was in the conversation as the best keeper in the world for years on end.
Pretty much everyone is a step down from him in his prime and there will be a compromise on something with whoever replaces him long term.
I don’t think Mamadashvilli has been bad at all. Certainly not more impressive than we’d hope but then who has looked good this season? He’s a very good shot stopper. He had one of the best shot-stopping seasons on record the season before we bought him at just 23 years old. Maybe he’s not shown that level yet but it’s been a shit-show in front of him all season and he’s been in and out the side.
He’s not as great with his feet but he’s also not Bambi on ice when he has the ball. Would help if the rest of them remembered he’s left footed and moved so he had some passing options. It can be worked on but he’s not getting to Alisson levels but then fewer ever will.
The time to judge him is when he’s our number one and we’re not a basket case of a side.
8 Likes