I know at times this season has been extremely painful, anything but a victory includes some hurt, but, and it is a big but, given the total lack of preseason for some, including Mac, the devastating disruption for everyone else added to the loss of bedded in players and the addition of, wasn't it 6, new players, 3 of which were new to the league also, anyone who in August expected us to be challenging for anything but a CL place this season was very naive, if not living in cloud cuckoo land and had taken their hopes and dreams to be reasonable demands and minimum expectations. Throughout, Slot has maintained his dignity, poise and equilibrium and I believe he will achieve better results next season. I also believe FSG do not only look at short time scales but take a strategic view. If Slot resigns due to the pressure of the unsupporters and notfans, I will understand and still respect his achievements (he did win the league) but if he stays in spite of the booing by all and sundry then my admiration of him will increase.
My qualification for the right to comment? Fan and supporter since 1971 so I've seen and been present at some memorable and some miserable performances.
I fully agree, and personally I think it's an incredible achievement to finish in the top 4/5 (as we should on Sunday) considering all the factors.
I can forgive stuttering towards the end too as I think the trauma of last summer, and the disappointing lack of support by some fans are taking it's toll.
Hopefully a break over summer and a fresh start in August will help us.
Patience is needed and Slot has plenty of credit in the bank for me.
Your qualification for the right to judge others as non supporters and not fans eludes me.
Many of us watch football, as Jurgen once said, to get away from the real life hardship. Current Slot’s Liverpool is piling misery on all the hard working folk who is struggling with real life every day.
I wrote off winning the title after what happened to Jota. Hoped they'd do well but realistically with the mental strain and the lack of physical preparation that was always a big ask. I felt getting a CL spot and just getting through it would suffice. Horrible to watch but Robertson's comments again confirm how dificult everyone at the club found this season and under the circumstances 4th/5th will do.
A good summer break, a few signings, injured players back and go again
It's funny that Josh Williams (Distance Covered) said at the start of the season that he'd deal on finishing 4th and that's a likely outcome as things stand. But nobody would've imagined the journey the team has taken to get there.
One more comment. Football is a team sport first, you need as well star players to be competitive. So I am sure Liverpool will be a much better team next season as Salah is leaving as he is a disasterous team member and in this season he was not any longer a star player.
I've been thinking about that re Salah a lot lately. Klopp has repeatedly made the point (in his light hearted way) that Mo was tough to manage when he subbed him a few minutes before the end.
His performance plummeted to the extent that Slot had to drop him. He may well have been a nightmare behind the scenes since then. Obviously we don't know, probably never will. It doesn't feel like an unrealistic scenario at least.
I agree with every word Michael said here. It's been a tough watch for sure but a lot of factors have come into play for us having a bad season in the same way that a lot factors played in our favour to win the league last season. Some of the so-called fans of this great football club have been a disgrace, acting like spoilt brats and showing little to no empathy with the team regarding the loss of Jota, a loss I can't comprehend nearly 10 months on. They should be getting off X, YouTube etc and stop listening to the banter and get behind the team.
A difficult season to watch and a difficult one to write about on a weekly basis. Thank you for your words and numbers, Andrew. All the best for the future.
This was such a good piece! Thank you for this. I’m generally feel the same way. Impossible task given the circumstances. But with the optics at this point, I wont feel much if we move on from slot after the season.
Thanks Andrew and all the best for your future.
I know at times this season has been extremely painful, anything but a victory includes some hurt, but, and it is a big but, given the total lack of preseason for some, including Mac, the devastating disruption for everyone else added to the loss of bedded in players and the addition of, wasn't it 6, new players, 3 of which were new to the league also, anyone who in August expected us to be challenging for anything but a CL place this season was very naive, if not living in cloud cuckoo land and had taken their hopes and dreams to be reasonable demands and minimum expectations. Throughout, Slot has maintained his dignity, poise and equilibrium and I believe he will achieve better results next season. I also believe FSG do not only look at short time scales but take a strategic view. If Slot resigns due to the pressure of the unsupporters and notfans, I will understand and still respect his achievements (he did win the league) but if he stays in spite of the booing by all and sundry then my admiration of him will increase.
My qualification for the right to comment? Fan and supporter since 1971 so I've seen and been present at some memorable and some miserable performances.
Great article Beez and great post Michael!
I fully agree, and personally I think it's an incredible achievement to finish in the top 4/5 (as we should on Sunday) considering all the factors.
I can forgive stuttering towards the end too as I think the trauma of last summer, and the disappointing lack of support by some fans are taking it's toll.
Hopefully a break over summer and a fresh start in August will help us.
Patience is needed and Slot has plenty of credit in the bank for me.
I was -4 years when you started as a fan!
Beez, best of luck with the new adventure.
Will be following on the other side!
Thanks, fully agree with you.
Your qualification for the right to judge others as non supporters and not fans eludes me.
Many of us watch football, as Jurgen once said, to get away from the real life hardship. Current Slot’s Liverpool is piling misery on all the hard working folk who is struggling with real life every day.
Consider this before judging us.
Thanks, excellent comment, I fully agree with you!
Another great post to sign off!
Thanks for creating an oasis of facts & sanity in a sea of bullshit ... best wishes again with the new gig at the Guardian!
P.S. what kind of a maniac lays down a straight like that? :)
Cheers!
I wrote off winning the title after what happened to Jota. Hoped they'd do well but realistically with the mental strain and the lack of physical preparation that was always a big ask. I felt getting a CL spot and just getting through it would suffice. Horrible to watch but Robertson's comments again confirm how dificult everyone at the club found this season and under the circumstances 4th/5th will do.
A good summer break, a few signings, injured players back and go again
It's funny that Josh Williams (Distance Covered) said at the start of the season that he'd deal on finishing 4th and that's a likely outcome as things stand. But nobody would've imagined the journey the team has taken to get there.
4th in theory is fine. But the reality of 4th is alot of ugly results
One more comment. Football is a team sport first, you need as well star players to be competitive. So I am sure Liverpool will be a much better team next season as Salah is leaving as he is a disasterous team member and in this season he was not any longer a star player.
I've been thinking about that re Salah a lot lately. Klopp has repeatedly made the point (in his light hearted way) that Mo was tough to manage when he subbed him a few minutes before the end.
His performance plummeted to the extent that Slot had to drop him. He may well have been a nightmare behind the scenes since then. Obviously we don't know, probably never will. It doesn't feel like an unrealistic scenario at least.
At least this “thrown under the bus” well planned interview by Salah for sure created a Salah nightmare behind the scene…
Thanks for all your insights Andrew. It really is appreciated.
I agree with every word Michael said here. It's been a tough watch for sure but a lot of factors have come into play for us having a bad season in the same way that a lot factors played in our favour to win the league last season. Some of the so-called fans of this great football club have been a disgrace, acting like spoilt brats and showing little to no empathy with the team regarding the loss of Jota, a loss I can't comprehend nearly 10 months on. They should be getting off X, YouTube etc and stop listening to the banter and get behind the team.
Interesting statistics, thanks. I want that the excellent head coach Slot will continue. Good luck for you in your new job.
A difficult season to watch and a difficult one to write about on a weekly basis. Thank you for your words and numbers, Andrew. All the best for the future.
Cheers Andrew and good luck in the new job.
Typically excellent newsletter to end on.
It really seems like a coin flip whether Slot is replaced this summer or not, you can certainly make a case either way.
Whichever way the coin lands, I think it’s fair to say next season is likely to be another of transition.
If Slot stays there will be numerous squad changes and probably 3rd is the best case realistic outcome (maybe 2nd if City don’t adjust well post Pep).
Likewise if Slot goes we have plenty more upheaval and are unlikely to see a title challenge.
Right now it feels Arsenal are strong favourites to retain the title next season.
That was us in May 2025 though 🤯
What a season 🙈
Thank you sir! Enjoyed being apart of this community. Insightful and thought provoking every time.
This was such a good piece! Thank you for this. I’m generally feel the same way. Impossible task given the circumstances. But with the optics at this point, I wont feel much if we move on from slot after the season.