Another fascinating turn of events on TAN.
I’m surprised we aren’t having a big debate over TAA not getting a minute in this match and how Slot got it wrong again as the away support cheers everything and everyone.
I think it was Brighton’s second equaliser, when Ibou made a half-arsed missed header, I thought we were going to lose the game. I don’t blame the players whatsoever. We’ve won the league, and there’s nothing left to play for. I think decisions have been made on the players in our squad, and these games won’t change that. I believe those players know they will/won’t be here too. It’s nice that we should actually be able to relax, although it won’t stop the commentators banging on about us only gaining a point since we won the league, just to stir up some sort of artificial crisis.
Also, our opponents will be as drunk as us, if not more.
Yeah, you are totally above little digs aren’t you. You’d never dream of starting a post in a football thread with a barb about someone’s politics would you.
Let’s talk about the actual topic.
Should Slot be playing his best team and going hell for leather to win meaningful games, because people might say mean things about our title win. Or should he take the opportunity to use the games with an eye on next season - giving fringe players the chance to catch the eye, resting exhausted players, allowing the lads space to bond and connect, and generally trying to ease up to protect against fatigue and avoid injury.
Which is the professional thing to do? Which one of those is the best for Liverpool longer term than May.
Ok is it too much to ask for not having mini holidays before the season has finished ?
I agree with the point about giving “fringe” players a run out , but it just seems that yes we won the league so we dont have to really try to win the match ( and yes i know an argument could be made that we really dont )
As i said to someone else , its just the part of players not seemingly caring about the fixtures we have left , the fact they are having parties and holidays when we still have matches to play…i could comment on how i view it as a social thing but thats probably for another convo.
Anyway ill drop it, in regards to the match well done Brighton, think they are a fantastic team that gives 100% and it was a crucial win for them which they deserved.
LFC v CPFC is gonna be quite the spectacle!!!
I just hope someone chunders in the centre circle. Imagine doing all that running with a hangover…
A dead horse doesn’t run no matter how hard you flog it.
Yeah, I sort of think it is.
I mean, they don’t have to do it. But rewarding success is a massive part of creating success in the first place. These lads have given their all, and going away together to bond and strengthen friendships and relationships is something that they would never normally be able to do.
It’s a bit intangible, but I think getting the opportunity to use the last four weeks of the season for rest, rotation, recuperation and celebration might pay dividends next season.
Even something as seemingly tangental as going to Florian Wirtz and saying ‘Look how much fun it is to play here. Look how we treat you when you do well’.
Agree 100%. Losing is a bad habit to get into and sometimes very hard to get out of.
Two things:
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we willed ourselves over the line after building a comfortable league in the title win. Clearly the first 14 were knackered. And without the impetus of a league to win the levels naturally drop. We need to rotate the squad more next season. Which brings me to the second thing….
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When given chances to start, the supporting cast, especially the creatives, haven’t exactly been pulling up trees, in fact quite the opposite. Almost got the sense we had to bear through subpar performances just so certain normal starters could get a breather.
I’m sure this hasn’t escaped Arne’s (Arend) eagle-eye gaze, nor Hughes. Bench strength and a couple of starters need freshening up.
I’d be very disappointed if they don’t take the last game seriously, and don’t do everything to win it. And I’d even be a bit worried in regards to what lies ahead.
But until then, I don’t think we can ask them too much. High points tallies usually happen when two teams are chasing each other until the end. Arsenal imploded too soon for that, and it seems like ages since we are oficially champions. So, I can understand the players’ loss of motivation, at least to a degree.
Judging by the fans reactions last night and at Chelsea, and the numerous videos circulating online, they don’t feel cheated by those two games but celebrating the games beforehand that won us the title with games to spare and are appreciative of all the hard work done by the team.
We are the champions and have been dominant this season from the beginning. If Arne feels players need respite and some downtime after all the hard hours then I fully agree. Time to be thinking of next season and the challenges ahead.
That’s how I see it this morning.
You can say we haven’t given them the platform to perform but if that’s what their level was we wouldn’t be in the position to be able to rotate without much care.
Still don’t much care about the antics last week but perhaps they should have kept it out of the public eye. Saying that it’s very hard.
Can one get a hangover from too much coffee? Asking for an Egyptian friend…
I think this is absolutely tangible. When would they ever get a chance to get away together with no pressure attached? Usually they’re flogged all season then head away with families before either a major tournament or pre-season.
Delighted they’re taking the opportunity while also seemingly getting transfer business done. City and Chelsea still fighting for CL then heading to the other side of the world for a month long tournament.
Fucking great!
I worry that we won’t be able to rely on (even a near) repeat performance next year: It’s not just that his numbers in the first six months of the season were extraordinary; but that he hasn’t looked the same player lately and age is showing. If we could keep Mo and bring in a quality forward who could take his place when his legs start to show (I expect he’ll be poor after ACN) then I’d absolutely be happy he stays; whether we could do this and meet all our other requirements (even before you consider apparent interest in Wirtz) I’m not sure. Thats the ‘cash in’ angle. An ideal world would include keeping Mo as one of our 6 attackers; just not relying upon him with only Cody and Luis as reliable support.
I think that’s maybe what’s planned for Frimpong. I agree that, at some point, Mo will have to get used to not playing 90mins every game. If we manage him right there’s still plenty more goals and assists in his locker!
I presume that would all have been factored into the contract they gave him. Otherwise they might as well have renewed it at the start of the season, there wouldn’t be a need for that lengthy negotiation to get to this point.
I meant it’s intangible in that we’re not going to be able to point to a result next season and go ‘Yep - that’s because the squad all went to Dubai at the end of the season!’
Otherwise, totally agree. The only place where it really matters whether we get 89 or 86 or 83 points is on the fucking tedious banter groups on social media. If people who’s clubs have barely broken seventy points want to suggest we are poor champions that’s their business. Slot has to be above that. It’s all about next season and looking after the minds and bodies of the lads who have worked really hard to win this league.