As bad as I think Slot has been tactically this season, Richard Hughes has had an absolute mare signing players that don’t fit the system, and selling players that did.

We might have won yesterday, but my word, we were utterly abysmal… again. So passive and lethargic. God knows what the plan is at this point.

Isak’s done his ACL there. Unbelievable bad fortune.

This can’t continue. If Slot survives this, you can only assume it’s because there’s no obvious replacement lined up.

The whole football side of the club needs to take accountability for what’s gone wrong this season. Slot. With so much quality at his disposal, he has to be getting more out of the players. The players. Cowardly. They’ve downed tools. The press is non-existent, they don’t win their duels…

We all thought that Richard Hughes pulled a blinder in the summer. Undoubtedly, we managed to recruit elite talent. The problem is, there was clearly no joined-up thinking in terms of how to integrate that talent into a functioning team. I fear we’ve set ourselves back years with that outlay.

Who is coming in to replace Slot? Because this surely can’t go on. The rot has set in, and I’ve never known a manager to come back from it.

Arne might be gone before Christmas, at this rate.

This is great from @distancecovered.bsky.social and @htomufc.bsky.social, but it’s absolutely damning of either Slot or the recruitment team at Liverpool (or both). Not sure what the solution is, other than spending a small fortune in January (again). youtu.be/crQQtbQwLLw?...

Phenomenal performance from the Reds tonight.

This shape and use of personnel suits Liverpool so much better. Maintains the midfield three of last season, with Szoboszlai pressing from the front. Wirtz, off the left, can roam without sacrificing too much solidity through the middle.

Slot chucked this game when he picked that squad, so no surprises here. But this will be six defeats in seven. Struggling to see how he turns this around. Mad to think he won the league a few months ago.

I’m not convinced Slot turns this around.

Slot should be looking to press the fast forward button on the future Liverpool team at this point. Wirtz in behind Isak and Ekitike, the midfield three from last season, and then use Kerkez and Frimpong/Bradley as flying fullbacks. Give Salah a rest. Slot’s not getting a tune out of anyone atm.

Unfortunately, you can’t spend £400m on talent and keep using the excuse that it’s difficult to play against a low block. Slot is under pressure, and he’s going to need to earn his money over the next few weeks, otherwise…

If this carries on, Slot’s in trouble.

Robertson must be wondering what he’s got to do to get a game. Kerkez is not good.

We must be one of the easiest teams to play through in the league this season. Utterly woeful defending transitions and don’t create much the other way either. Very worrying.

There’s needing time to gel, and then there’s looking a complete mess from a tactical perspective. Slot really needs to earn his money, because performances like that are simply not good enough.

Loose in possession, easy to play through, Wirtz needing to come too deep to get on the ball, Gakpo doing predictable Gakpo things. Dear oh dear.

This has been dross, if we’re being honest with ourselves.

Gakpo must be the most predictable left winger to play against. You just know he’s cutting inside every single time.

Leoni doing his ACL is devastating. He looked excellent on his debut.

Virgil is the greatest ever. An absolute once in a lifetime centre back.

Guehi happens. Isak doesn’t. That’s my prediction.

There’s a game of poker being played between Liverpool and Newcastle for Isak, as well as with Palace for Guehi. With such little time left in the window, I can only see one - at the most - being done before the deadline.

IF Liverpool sign Isak, it’s going to be interesting to see how Slot fits Isak, Ekitike, Salah and Wirtz into the same team whilst retaining balance. The shape could change to a 4-2-2-2, or he could rotate Isak & Ekitike and add an additional midfielder by playing a 4-3-1-2. Or he could do neither?

Has anyone read a good write-up on what the plan is from a tactical perspective at Liverpool this season?

Liverpool, on the whole, were abysmal last night and got very, very lucky (but riding your luck is the hallmark of Champions). But amidst the rubbish, I thought Szoboszlai and Van Dijk were absolutely outstanding. Jones also brought calmness that was so lacking in other areas.

I would have sent that £40m bid to Palace for Guehi at full-time last night.

I think Guehi signs before the end of the window, reading between the lines. I also think Rodrygo could come into play late in the window, especially if there’s no progress on Isak.

Looking at it deal by deal, Liverpool have done some great business in and out this summer. But we’re in the familiar situation where we’ve seemingly left ourselves short again. We need to sign Guehi + at least one attacker by the deadline, but hopes are fading rapidly.

With Isak now looking extremely unlikely to happen this window, I can see Liverpool pivoting to sign a versatile attacker. I think Guehi gets done closer to the end of the window, with Palace and Liverpool finding a compromise.

As good as Liverpool’s business has been this summer, I find it absolutely wild that we’ve left ourselves so much to do with the season kick-off just a few days away.

Think it’s time for Liverpool to admit defeat on Isak and move on. The squad is scarily thin in attack and defence. Need reinforcements.

Liverpool aren’t signing Isak. There is no way Ekitike is coming to sit on the bench. Yes, we’ll be light on options if Diaz and Nunez both go, but we’re more likely to get a winger and/or a ‘Mateta’ #9 option.

I think this is the play for Liverpool next season… Gravenberch making it a back three, with Kerkez and Frimpong bombing on when Liverpool are on the ball. A bit of a free role for Wirtz as a false 9 / number 10. Szoboszlai covers the right flank because he’s an endurance machine.

I think Liverpool are going to struggle to shift Nunez, now that Al Hilal are signing Osimhen. I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool keep Nunez and wait for next summer to sort out a new striker, and see what happens with Isak and Alvarez. Both unattainable this summer.

Is Hugo Ekitike any good?

The good news is… they’re facing Man United.

Another poor half, which is becoming quite the theme over the last month or so…

If Liverpool win the league / Champions League this year, and considering the ‘all-timer’ season he’s having, where does Salah rank in terms of Liverpool’s greatest players? Does he eclipse Gerrard / Kenny?

Draw is probably a fair result - Liverpool not really good enough tonight. Oliver was worse though. Dishing out cards like sweets.

The Diaz thing isn’t working and hasn’t for weeks. Need Nunez or Jota to replace him.

I’d take all three of Huijsen, Kerkez and Semenyo.

I love Endo. Never lets you down.

This guy is an utter lunatic.

We’ve had a few false dawns with Darwin (Forest away, Newcastle away last season etc.), but it would be nice to see him kick on from yesterday's heroics. Biggest 'confidence player' I've ever seen.

Is Richard Hughes still in hibernation?

It is though, mate. Awful all season. How we lost to them last week is beyond me. Terrible team.