Whale.io 🐳 | ⚽ English Premier League Season: 2025/2026

[JollyGood]

Regardless of where Liverpool finish this season, I think it is inevitable Slot is secure ion his job. After all, they did win the Premier League last season and that was the first Slot had as manager. It was a brilliant season for them therefore Slot is safe even if Liverpool fail to secure Champions League football.

Liverpool have just spend £400 million on players tat Slot wanted, he should be given time to utilise them. At the moment, the most expensive of the summer buys is injured again (Isak) and he cost £125 million. There is also pressure and the lack of confidence Isak displayed when he was fit and playing for Liverpool. Isak is the third most expensive player ever (after Neymar and Mbappe) and that carries a lot of pressure to perform every week.

Slot has to work with his team to get them playing better and he needs his squad full of fit players to achieve that.

^  Whatever it is that's going on in the dressing room, I think the Liverpool brass should just let Slot finish his contract.  He'll just be with the club for just a year after this season.  So in 2027 he could leave if the club doesn't extend his contract.

I think for this year, it'd be good enough if they finish at the top 4 and get that UCL spot for next season.  Then let 2026 - 2027 season be like a test run for him to decide if he's good enough for a contract extension.

And isn't he really there as a placeholder after Klopp?

[Bigjoe158]

Yes,Slot will not be fired from his job as the manager of Liverpool because he has achieved something that is last season but will be under pressure next season. Slot spent huge during the last transfer window and with that kind of spending, the Liverpool owners expect results this season or next season. Although the season is still fresh but the daggers will be out next season.

[examplens]

Regardless of where Liverpool finish this season, I think it is inevitable Slot is secure ion his job. After all, they did win the Premier League last season and that was the first Slot had as manager. It was a brilliant season for them therefore Slot is safe even if Liverpool fail to secure Champions League football.

Liverpool have just spend £400 million on players tat Slot wanted, he should be given time to utilise them. At the moment, the most expensive of the summer buys is injured again (Isak) and he cost £125 million. There is also pressure and the lack of confidence Isak displayed when he was fit and playing for Liverpool. Isak is the third most expensive player ever (after Neymar and Mbappe) and that carries a lot of pressure to perform every week.

Slot has to work with his team to get them playing better and he needs his squad full of fit players to achieve that.

^  Whatever it is that's going on in the dressing room, I think the Liverpool brass should just let Slot finish his contract.  He'll just be with the club for just a year after this season.  So in 2027 he could leave if the club doesn't extend his contract.

I think for this year, it'd be good enough if they finish at the top 4 and get that UCL spot for next season.  Then let 2026 - 2027 season be like a test run for him to decide if he's good enough for a contract extension.

And isn't he really there as a placeholder after Klopp?

Everyone immediately starts an argument about how much was spent, and it very rarely happens that investing a lot of money does not bring results in the short term. PSG is perhaps the best example of this.
As for Liverpool, it is more striking that everything seems incompatible. It seems that they bought players whose characteristics are not what the team needed, now it looks quite uncontrolled. I think that Slot does not have the capacity to do what is required of him on paper. These wins against Real are especially symptomatic, which leads him to believe that he has solved the problem, and it is enough for his team to go on the field.

[JollyGood]

Yes,Slot will not be fired from his job as the manager of Liverpool because he has achieved something that is last season but will be under pressure next season. Slot spent huge during the last transfer window and with that kind of spending, the Liverpool owners expect results this season or next season. Although the season is still fresh but the daggers will be out next season.

I am fairly confident Slot will not be sacked this season. His contract expires at the end of the 2027 season therefore there is time, he could even sign a contract extension if results improve.

Everyone immediately starts an argument about how much was spent, and it very rarely happens that investing a lot of money does not bring results in the short term. PSG is perhaps the best example of this.
As for Liverpool, it is more striking that everything seems incompatible. It seems that they bought players whose characteristics are not what the team needed, now it looks quite uncontrolled. I think that Slot does not have the capacity to do what is required of him on paper. These wins against Real are especially symptomatic, which leads him to believe that he has solved the problem, and it is enough for his team to go on the field.

They beat Real Madrid but lose to Manchester City. I think Liverpool did not accept that (as Premier League champions) all the teams will be fighting against them in a more determined manner than last season. Time could prove me wrong but at the moment it seems as though Slot did not recruit well.

Of the recent purchases, Ekitike seems to a player that looks fantastic on the ball. Watching any player, especially a striker running at players and getting past them to create a chance is very exciting. The Isak saga that eventually brought him to Liverpool for £125 million did not help either.

[igebotz]

I think Liverpool fans are probably happy with Slot because they over performed in his first season at Anfield. This could be the standard Liverpool will play at for the remainder of the season, they will have some big wins but will lose to the other big clubs.

None of the Liverpool fans on our forum are pleased with the recent performance; they are beginning to question whether Arne was truly the man for the job.  There is still enough time to turn the season around, but it needs a string of good games to restore the players' confidence and boost the team's morale as well.  They're the defending champions, and a lot is expected of them. One win in seven league games is a horrible record, but we've seen managers recover from a string of bad results like this one.

Enough money was spent on players they didn't need - good players on papers but a terrible business on the pitch.

[JollyGood]

There is absolutely no defence for Slot when putting the funds spent to buy players he wanted. The money was spent and a return was expected therefore nothing can justify the failure to produce the performances and results.

The pressure in on Slot because defending champions are expected to win games and play flowing attacking football. Liverpool are not playing anything near how they did when they won the Premier League therefore he has to accept criticism.

What on earth has happened to Liverpool? Salah is playing well below the standards he set for himself. There is something wrong at the club.

Having said that, Liverpool do not want to emulate the problem Manchester United had (and still could have) with managers after Ferguson retired. Liverpool fans should be patient, they should allow Slot time otherwise Liverpool will go from manager to manager every season and never find stability.

None of the Liverpool fans on our forum are pleased with the recent performance; they are beginning to question whether Arne was truly the man for the job.  There is still enough time to turn the season around, but it needs a string of good games to restore the players' confidence and boost the team's morale as well.  They're the defending champions, and a lot is expected of them. One win in seven league games is a horrible record, but we've seen managers recover from a string of bad results like this one.

Enough money was spent on players they didn't need - good players on papers but a terrible business on the pitch.

[tokeweed]

Regardless of where Liverpool finish this season, I think it is inevitable Slot is secure ion his job. After all, they did win the Premier League last season and that was the first Slot had as manager. It was a brilliant season for them therefore Slot is safe even if Liverpool fail to secure Champions League football.

Liverpool have just spend £400 million on players tat Slot wanted, he should be given time to utilise them. At the moment, the most expensive of the summer buys is injured again (Isak) and he cost £125 million. There is also pressure and the lack of confidence Isak displayed when he was fit and playing for Liverpool. Isak is the third most expensive player ever (after Neymar and Mbappe) and that carries a lot of pressure to perform every week.

Slot has to work with his team to get them playing better and he needs his squad full of fit players to achieve that.

^  Whatever it is that's going on in the dressing room, I think the Liverpool brass should just let Slot finish his contract.  He'll just be with the club for just a year after this season.  So in 2027 he could leave if the club doesn't extend his contract.

I think for this year, it'd be good enough if they finish at the top 4 and get that UCL spot for next season.  Then let 2026 - 2027 season be like a test run for him to decide if he's good enough for a contract extension.

And isn't he really there as a placeholder after Klopp?

Isak the striker from Newcastle?  It cost Liverpool 125 GBP?  GBP??  Lmao.  Whoever allowed that acquisition to happen should be shot. 

No way that guy should be at 125m unless I'm wrong and thinking about another player.  But yeah, if at 2026 - 2027 season the club gives lackluster performances then yeah..  Prolly the right time to go.

I wonder who their next manager is gonna be with Xabi Alonso not available.

[JollyGood]

Isak was an outstanding player that got Newcastle United over the line in many games last season but this is a different situation. Thre are many exceptional talents at Liverpool such as Salah, van Dijk and Alisson. At Newcastle United he was the main player but at Liverpool he will be just one of the squad.

His eventual transfer to Liverpool dragged on for several weeks when it should have been completed at the earliest stage. It did not help the player or Liverpool. He was injured too and he was low on confidence when he failed to score from some good opportunities when he could have scored.

Alonso will never resign from Real Madrid in order to manage Liverpool. I think Slot will be their manager until his contract expires and could maybe see it extended.

Isak the striker from Newcastle?  It cost Liverpool 125 GBP?  GBP??  Lmao.  Whoever allowed that acquisition to happen should be shot. 

No way that guy should be at 125m unless I'm wrong and thinking about another player.  But yeah, if at 2026 - 2027 season the club gives lackluster performances then yeah..  Prolly the right time to go.

I wonder who their next manager is gonna be with Xabi Alonso not available.

[igebotz]

I wonder who their next manager is gonna be with Xabi Alonso not available.

Xabi Alonso Real Madrid side has been shit too lol - they've been relying on penalties and Mbappe individual brilliance to win games this season. He'd probably get sacked before Slot.

Slot contract extension talks have been put on hold until something changes- the results are terrible, but it would be difficult not to have the owners' backing after the season he had.

[tokeweed]

Isak was an outstanding player that got Newcastle United over the line in many games last season but this is a different situation. Thre are many exceptional talents at Liverpool such as Salah, van Dijk and Alisson. At Newcastle United he was the main player but at Liverpool he will be just one of the squad.

His eventual transfer to Liverpool dragged on for several weeks when it should have been completed at the earliest stage. It did not help the player or Liverpool. He was injured too and he was low on confidence when he failed to score from some good opportunities when he could have scored.

Alonso will never resign from Real Madrid in order to manage Liverpool. I think Slot will be their manager until his contract expires and could maybe see it extended.

For sure Isak did well for himself at Newcastle under Eddie Howe.  I got no doubts about that.  What's funny to me is the transfer market and how ridiculous it is.  Is Isak really worth that price tag?

That's the question...

As for Alonso, didn't say he will resign from Real Madrid to manager Liverpool.  But at some point in his career, he'll come back to Liverpool and win the club some trophies.

[YUriy1991]

I wonder who their next manager is gonna be with Xabi Alonso not available.

Xabi Alonso Real Madrid side has been shit too lol - they've been relying on penalties and Mbappe individual brilliance to win games this season. He'd probably get sacked before Slot.

Slot contract extension talks have been put on hold until something changes- the results are terrible, but it would be difficult not to have the owners' backing after the season he had.

It's too early to talk about a coaching change. Liverpool should retain Arne Slot as head coach. There's nothing wrong with Liverpool's performance. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has been in the spotlight since Alisson Becker's hamstring injury. Liverpool's main focus now is maintaining their good form without conceding goals. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté will have to play and work harder due to the loss of Alisson Becker. Mohamed Salah's performance has declined this season, seemingly losing motivation after Sadio Mané left Liverpool for the Arab League. I see other problems at Liverpool, not Arne Slot, so Arne Slot should be retained as head coach. It's too early to raise the issue of replacing him with another coach. Madridistas would not approve of Xabi Alonso coaching Liverpool F.C.

[igebotz]

For sure Isak did well for himself at Newcastle under Eddie Howe.  I got no doubts about that.  What's funny to me is the transfer market and how ridiculous it is.  Is Isak really worth that price tag?

That's the question...

As for Alonso, didn't say he will resign from Real Madrid to manager Liverpool.  But at some point in his career, he'll come back to Liverpool and win the club some trophies.

He's not worth the money, but Liverpool were desperate, the player was desperate, and the club opted to take advantage of it given how much they purchased Witz and Ekitike - it was rational to go beyond the amount they bought Witz since Isak was their first priority after losing Jota. 

Is he worth the price? No.

I said Xabi would get fired before next season - I'm not impressed so far.

[JollyGood]

Xabi Alonso Real Madrid side has been shit too lol - they've been relying on penalties and Mbappe individual brilliance to win games this season. He'd probably get sacked before Slot.

It is definitely possible because the Real Madrid fans can turn against their manager if they are not happy.

For sure Isak did well for himself at Newcastle under Eddie Howe.  I got no doubts about that.  What's funny to me is the transfer market and how ridiculous it is.  Is Isak really worth that price tag?

That's the question...

I think they overpaid for Isak, he was not worth £125 million even at his peak at Newcastle United. During the season he will have many opportunities to prove his worth, I am expecting Isak to score 10-14 Premier League goals. Considering there are 29 games remaining, it might be a difficult task but he could manage that many goals.

I see other problems at Liverpool, not Arne Slot, so Arne Slot should be retained as head coach. It's too early to raise the issue of replacing him with another coach. Madridistas would not approve of Xabi Alonso coaching Liverpool F.C.

It will interesting to see what happens at the end of the season. Slot and Alonso will probably remain in their respective posts.

[igebotz]

I think they overpaid for Isak, he was not worth £125 million even at his peak at Newcastle United. During the season he will have many opportunities to prove his worth, I am expecting Isak to score 10-14 Premier League goals. Considering there are 29 games remaining, it might be a difficult task but he could manage that many goals.

If Liverpool form does not improve by the time he returns from injury I don't think anything would change much with the way they're performing at the moment  and might even get worse when Salah leaves for AFCON- there's a lot for Arne Slot to do after the international break- try a new system.

My expectations for Isak is 8-9 goals and 14-16 goals for Ekitike this season. Higher hopes for Ekitike, that dude shooting technique is outta this world

[JollyGood]

Liverpool are fortunate to have Ekitike. He is a goal threat, he likes to shoot from inside and outside the box. Watching him running at defenders and getting past them at speed is something that deserves to be seen in the Premier League. I think Liverpool fans would probably be happy if Ekitike scored 14-16 across all competitions. As for Isak, they would probably like to see him return from injury and have a run of games.

If Liverpool form does not improve by the time he returns from injury I don't think anything would change much with the way they're performing at the moment  and might even get worse when Salah leaves for AFCON- there's a lot for Arne Slot to do after the international break- try a new system.

My expectations for Isak is 8-9 goals and 14-16 goals for Ekitike this season. Higher hopes for Ekitike, that dude shooting technique is outta this world

[igebotz]

Liverpool are fortunate the have Ekitike. He is a goal threat, he likes to shoot from inside and outside the box. Watching him running at defenders and getting past them at speed is something that deserves to be seen in the Premier League. I think Liverpool fans would probably be happy if Ekitike scored 14-16 across all competitions. As for Isak, they would probably like to see him return from injury and have a run of games.

Banter aside, Ekitike has a higher ceiling than Isak, and I'm disappointed we missed out on him. I'm not sure how we didn't trigger the release clause before Liverpool and Newcastle joined the deal.

 We scouted him first.  I want Isak to return and start scoring to put the team back on the right track; they deserve that from him for everything they spent on him this season- the best he can do is push them to make the top 4 at least.


Now that I have 4mbtc side placed on Liverpool to finish in the top 4 I want nothing but the best for them this season.  

[JollyGood]

Banter aside, Ekitike has a higher ceiling than Isak, and I'm disappointed we missed out on him. I'm not sure how we didn't trigger the release clause before Liverpool and Newcastle joined the deal.

 We scouted him first.  I want Isak to return and start scoring to put the team back on the right track; they deserve that from him for everything they spent on him this season- the best he can do is push them to make the top 4 at least.

Ekitike looks as though he will be a prolific scorer, Liverpool have brought an excellent player. When he runs from deep inside the opponents half towards goal, he likes to come inside before shooting. He sometimes run straight down the side to cross the ball and that was when I realised he had potential to score and assist, he brings a freshness to Liverpool.

I had no idea Chelsea were in the frame to buy him. I think most Chelsea fans would rather have Ekitike as a striker than Jackson, unfortunately it did not work out them.

As for Isak, he is a determined player. He has a fantastic future ahead at Liverpool. He could be playing Champions League football for the next decade if he stays at the club and he will be desperate to prove himself. Wanting to play Champions League football regularly was one of the reasons he left Newcastle United. I think he will probably take his time recovering from injury and the club will not be in a rush to play him. Slot will probably give him a few games as a late substitute before allowing him to start games.

It will make Liverpool a powerful team if they have Ekitike, Isak and Salah on the pitch at the same time.

Now that I have 4mbtc side placed on Liverpool to finish in the top 4 I want nothing but the best for them this season.  

If Liverpool end the season outside of the top four, will you end up paying 4mBTC?

[igebotz]

I had no idea Chelsea were in the frame to buy him. I think most Chelsea fans would rather have Ekitike as a striker than Jackson, unfortunately it did not work out them.

We were still distant from what Frankfurt were asking for, so we moved for J. Pedro. The effort to recruit Ekitike caused a split among our fans - I was against; I watched a couple of his highlights but didn't think he was built for the Premier League.

If Liverpool end the season outside of the top four, will you end up paying 4mBTC?

Yes.

[tokeweed]

For sure Isak did well for himself at Newcastle under Eddie Howe.  I got no doubts about that.  What's funny to me is the transfer market and how ridiculous it is.  Is Isak really worth that price tag?

That's the question...

As for Alonso, didn't say he will resign from Real Madrid to manager Liverpool.  But at some point in his career, he'll come back to Liverpool and win the club some trophies.

He's not worth the money, but Liverpool were desperate, the player was desperate, and the club opted to take advantage of it given how much they purchased Witz and Ekitike - it was rational to go beyond the amount they bought Witz since Isak was their first priority after losing Jota. 

Is he worth the price? No.

I said Xabi would get fired before next season - I'm not impressed so far.

Wait...  What?  Alonso is out of Madrid??

*Checks online*

Aaah, he's still in.  But it looks like what's happening is exactly what we were talking about here itt about United and how the club was wrong to go after the managers instead of trying to get the players in line and find balance.

So yeah, same shenanigans with players having a rift with their new manager.  If he gets the sack then I hope Liverpool snags him asap.

[JollyGood]

I might have read something about linking Chelsea to Ekitike but cannot recall anything definitively. If they went for Pedro after giving up on Ekitike, they must have been close to signing him or at least want him as their main choice. That raises the question about how close they actually were  to signing him.

Pedro is an excellent player but lacks the size and power of Ekitike. Pedro is quick but he does not have the presence to intimidate defenders or dominate the penalty area from crosses and corners. Ekitike clearly does have that advantage.

As a Chelsea fan, you were against signing Ekitike but now that you have seen him play for Liverpool would you prefer to have started the season with Pedro or Ekitike as your main striker?

We were still distant from what Frankfurt were asking for, so we moved for J. Pedro. The effort to recruit Ekitike caused a split among our fans - I was against; I watched a couple of his highlights but didn't think he was built for the Premier League.