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The 2025-2026 Football Thread
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Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Liverpool actually won a game they should have won. Hard to believe Galatasaray are worse than Spurs...lots of other lopsided results today.
He's scored 56 and missed 12 from the spot, a 78.6% conversion rate, which is just above the average overall success rate in the game. But I do feel like he's been a below average-penalty taker from my own memory.
The bigger issue is why he has transmogrified into a hologram of a real player this season. Age, ennui, one eye on the exit, I don't know. If the Saudi League come for him in the summer he'll surely go, hopefully for a nice fee.
He's scored 56 and missed 12 from the spot, a 78.6% conversion rate, which is just above the average overall success rate in the game. But I do feel like he's been a below average-penalty taker from my own memory.
The bigger issue is why he has transmogrified into a hologram of a real player this season. Age, ennui, one eye on the exit, I don't know. If the Saudi League come for him in the summer he'll surely go, hopefully for a nice fee.
That has been my feeling as well.
Apart from the shocker of the missed penalty, this (and his performance this season generally, not just in the first half of last night's game; of course, his second half performance reminded the world - and not just the watching fans - of what he used to be like, and how he used to play at his scintillating best) is exactly what I meant.
Age, ennui, one eye on the exit, the rippling effects of Jota's death on the squad, perhaps that he 'clicked' better with Klopp than with Slot.....there could be a number of reasons for the truly startling decline in his performance this season.
Very possibly.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
I would be so, so bored if we ended up with a Real-Barca final. I do think Bayern might prove a tougher nut for Real Madrid to crack than Man City.
It will take a near-miracle for this Liverpool team to knock PSG out. Arsenal have had a very easy ride up to this point, but one would expect them to brush Sporting aside.
I expect (as in predict and not necessarily desire) PSG, Bayern, Barcelona and Arsenal to move forward.
Silencio
macrumors 68040
Very poor officiating at the Bournemouth / United match tonight. An obvious penalty for Amad was missed in one box and Bournemouth takes it back the other way and scores. The ref didn't miss the call against Maguire, though: he did deserve that red. The lack of consistency is galling, and VAR is only there to cover up for the ref's embarrassment.
Help or no help from the ref, the Cherries are a tough side.
Hopefully Licha can get fit before the next PL match in two weeks' time. I don't expect we'll see de Ligt suit up again this season with his back injury lingering on.
Help or no help from the ref, the Cherries are a tough side.
Hopefully Licha can get fit before the next PL match in two weeks' time. I don't expect we'll see de Ligt suit up again this season with his back injury lingering on.
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Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
The main causes are the squad transition, age, injuries, and possibly Slot in that order.
But the club do seem to be struggling more in the league than Europe. I think that is telling - the league has really shifted toward packed defenses and set pieces and Liverpool’s recent success has come from getting behind teams. They can still do that in Europe but the league, not so much.
I’m tired about hearing about ‘struggling with the low block’ but there is some real truth there. Man City have adapted by using Haaland as a battering ram, but that is putting all your eggs in one basket.
I hope Arsenal finish in front of Man City. But my interest in the rest of the season is near zero at this point.
But the club do seem to be struggling more in the league than Europe. I think that is telling - the league has really shifted toward packed defenses and set pieces and Liverpool’s recent success has come from getting behind teams. They can still do that in Europe but the league, not so much.
I’m tired about hearing about ‘struggling with the low block’ but there is some real truth there. Man City have adapted by using Haaland as a battering ram, but that is putting all your eggs in one basket.
I hope Arsenal finish in front of Man City. But my interest in the rest of the season is near zero at this point.
I also suspect - in a sense - that Liverpool's success last season (the first after Klopp's departure, the first with Slot in charge) in a way, almost flattered to deceive.
This is because they would not have been expected to win the title, and, moreover, winning the title drew attention away from the inescapable fact that the squad was in a state of transition, key players were aging, others were struggling with injury, and matters weren't really as good as they may have seemed at the time.
In other words, Liverpool did surprisingly well and won the Premier League, but this achievement disguised - or masked - the degree of overall decline in the team.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Nobody wins a title without a little bit of luck, even the objectively best team. Also, very few teams have managed to win two in a row. If winning a title is rare, repeating is far rarer.
A team can drop off 3-5% from season to season and that can easily cost you five league places. The margins are very fine at the top.
Yes, this is true.
However, my point was that - notwithstanding their success in winning the Premier League last season - Liverpool (perhaps) did (considerably) better than expected, which served to mask (possible) long-term decline and short-comings.
This, in turn, served to give rise to expectations (on the part of fans, among others) that this season would be easier than has turned out to have been the case.
Also, I don't doubt the long-term effects of the sudden, tragic, death of Jota on the squad; this is something all too easily forgotten (and over-looked) in our insane 24 hour news cycle - namely, that something is no longer front page news does not mean that it won't have long term lingering effects on the team.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Meanwhile, Columbus’ new manager continues his winless streak in charge of the club. As Liverpool wind down a very disappointing season, Columbus look set for a very painful one as well. Not great. Since 60% of the MLS coverage has something or other to do with Messi, it’s fairly easy to ignore, but it would have been nice to have something to cheer for between May and September….
daneoni
macrumors G5
Oof Chelsea...oh dear. This is what happens when you fast track a manager who is still learning his trade into a big job because you wanted a yes man.
Will be interesting to see if they stick with him. The whole setup from top to bottom now reeks of inexperience, and a blueprint on how to spend £2bn
Liverpool continue to struggle with low blocks because they haven't replace Diaz who could dribble, or Trent who could play balls behind despite £450m spent. They still look 3-4 players short.
Also MacAllister, Gakpo and Gravenberch have woefully under performed. Salah, VVD, Alisson are all ageing. And Slot cannot adapt to a league that plays low blocks and direct football.
Slot has to get European football. The consequences of failing to achieve that will be significant for LFC financially and will all but nail his coffin.
Tbf the EPL has been truly tough this year. There has been 1 standout-ish team, one weak challenger, and a free for all between 3-18.
I wonder if the style will change anytime soon or if clubs will just recruit to survive the new style.
Will be interesting to see if they stick with him. The whole setup from top to bottom now reeks of inexperience, and a blueprint on how to spend £2bn
Liverpool continue to struggle with low blocks because they haven't replace Diaz who could dribble, or Trent who could play balls behind despite £450m spent. They still look 3-4 players short.
Also MacAllister, Gakpo and Gravenberch have woefully under performed. Salah, VVD, Alisson are all ageing. And Slot cannot adapt to a league that plays low blocks and direct football.
Slot has to get European football. The consequences of failing to achieve that will be significant for LFC financially and will all but nail his coffin.
Tbf the EPL has been truly tough this year. There has been 1 standout-ish team, one weak challenger, and a free for all between 3-18.
I wonder if the style will change anytime soon or if clubs will just recruit to survive the new style.
Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
Gutted. I feel like it’s between us and Spurs now. We just didn’t really turn up today against Villa.
Alphazoid
macrumors 65816
Congrats to Pep.
Trust in Kepa appears to be misplaced.
We didn’t turn up second half and gave City belief. Arteta too slow with changes.
Oh well, hopefully we take this embarrassment to the remainder of the run in and wake up.
And that ends the talk of the quad
Trust in Kepa appears to be misplaced.
We didn’t turn up second half and gave City belief. Arteta too slow with changes.
Oh well, hopefully we take this embarrassment to the remainder of the run in and wake up.
And that ends the talk of the quad
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daneoni
macrumors G5
Arsenal only have themselves to blame. Showed some inexperience by inviting City on.
Arteta trusted Kepa to his own detriment.
Could be a blessing in disguise because this result will be a stark reminder that they have serious work to do...
Arteta trusted Kepa to his own detriment.
Could be a blessing in disguise because this result will be a stark reminder that they have serious work to do...
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Liverpool have taken a lot of criticism, much of it deserved - but the fact is nobody is exceptional this season, and the gap between the top teams and mid table is pretty small. Play has become more physical, still fast, but more defensive and every team has notable weaknesses. Arsenal’s excellent defense has been a difference-maker but they are not walking this competition.
Not for the first time, Arsenal simply didn't turn up; this wasn't just a poor performance from a few individuals, (and yes, the selection of Kepa demonstrated poor judgment on the part of Arteta) the team as a whole were dreadful, and City - much though it galls me to have to admit it - fully deserved their victory.
ivanwi11iams
macrumors 601
I felt since we "survived" the first half, we were going to nick it in the second half, or even go to extra time, then penalties. But, my goodness, those 8 minutes City took us apart, and EASILY, too.
To add, Trossard and Saka were simply not on it today, followed by Arteta seemingly taking too long to make substitutions.
No midfield today. That seemed weird, and I feel bad for Eze...
Alas, I am glad there can be no more bloody quaruple talk. All focus now, to me, needs to be on the Premier League. I honestly couldn't careless about the FA Cup or the Champions League. Yes, it would be nice to win the latter. But, the Premier League to ME, has to be a priority...
PS: No need to blame Kepa, or Arteta's decision to play him. The 10 players in front of him, could have done better, too!
To add, Trossard and Saka were simply not on it today, followed by Arteta seemingly taking too long to make substitutions.
No midfield today. That seemed weird, and I feel bad for Eze...
Alas, I am glad there can be no more bloody quaruple talk. All focus now, to me, needs to be on the Premier League. I honestly couldn't careless about the FA Cup or the Champions League. Yes, it would be nice to win the latter. But, the Premier League to ME, has to be a priority...
PS: No need to blame Kepa, or Arteta's decision to play him. The 10 players in front of him, could have done better, too!
Alphazoid
macrumors 65816
Saliba and Rice are the only 2 that can walk away with their heads held high. Saliba in particular gave everything to keep Haaland in check.
Our attack is broken and needs a refresh. Havertz doesn’t work in midfield he’s too tentative. Saka needs a month off. Martinelli only has pace. Trossard can be marked out easily. Madueke falls flat against better defenders. Dowman, Eze and Odegaard are the ones that can create something from nothing and have guile on the ball. Gyokeres is messy. And Jesus is no longer a top 6 striker.
I just hope the boys get their heads screwed on and take control of the narrative again.
I would be supremely pissed if we let the wheels come off now. City haven’t deserved anything this season. Simply vultures capitalising on our slip ups. We let them back in the title race and gave them a trophy.
Our attack is broken and needs a refresh. Havertz doesn’t work in midfield he’s too tentative. Saka needs a month off. Martinelli only has pace. Trossard can be marked out easily. Madueke falls flat against better defenders. Dowman, Eze and Odegaard are the ones that can create something from nothing and have guile on the ball. Gyokeres is messy. And Jesus is no longer a top 6 striker.
I just hope the boys get their heads screwed on and take control of the narrative again.
I would be supremely pissed if we let the wheels come off now. City haven’t deserved anything this season. Simply vultures capitalising on our slip ups. We let them back in the title race and gave them a trophy.
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