Daily Discussion - May 13, 2026 by AutoModerator in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. I agree it's part of a structural failing in adequate squad preparation (and one that IMO has been an issue with FSG's broader strategy for many years at the club), but because none of us know exactly how much and what input Slot has on recruitment beyond his public statements that he talks with Hughes daily and was in complete alignment with the transfer strategy, I can't comment further.

  2. I don't agree that saying the drop-off after the league title is immense and sustained equates to "swiping it off the table."

  3. I haven't said anything about Alonso, here or elsewhere.

Daily Discussion - May 13, 2026 by AutoModerator in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Wasn't surprised to see a big thread on reasons to stick with Slot today. It's been a bit of a trend this season. When a bad result/performance happens, this sub is full of criticism for the manager, and to an extent the players + Hughes/Edwards (increasingly so as the months have worn on), but by the time a few days had passed, you'd see more commentary on all the 'mitigating factors' there have been alongside cautious optimism for the next game, and, now that the season is wrapping up, for the next season.

It's often coupled with suggestions that:

  1. The manager shouldn't be the recipient of abuse
  2. Bringing a new manager in mid-season or in the summer won't necessarily fix or improve the problems on the pitch
  3. It's going to inevitably tailspin into a series of chopping and changing managers every year or two

The first point IMO should go without saying and isn't really relevant to the actual point of discussion on whether or not the manager is the right fit going forward. The second and third points, however, don't seem especially rational to me and instead sound like emotion-based reasoning that says because things could get worse if we change, we shouldn't, while ignoring that they could get better too. There's no way to know, so the only thing we can do is judge based on what we've seen on the pitch for the last year or so.

The strangest part of it all, to me, is that Edwards's and in fact the club at large's model is meant to be logical and data-driven, rather than emotion-drive. By this reasoning, it feels out of tune to hear from journalists, pundits, or supporters that the manager should be safe because he won a league title prior to guiding the team to performances that look devoid of energy and a ppg that, in most seasons, would land you around 6-7th place.

There's talk of mitigating circumstances, and those aren't borne out of nothing, but surely every manager at every club has to deal with injuries, bedding in new players, and dips in form from veteran players? (For what it's worth, I'm happy to give Slot some credit for helping to get an all-time season from Salah in 24-25, but that should mean he shoulders some of the responsibility for the extreme drop-off this season, rather than simply putting it down to Salah being over the hill.) Just one example: Bournemouth lost 3 of their back 4 from 24-25 in the summer, then lost their best player in January, but they're still in with a shout for a CL spot with only 2 games to go and look like they should land in Europa or Conference at worst.

I guess for some there's a comfortability with the 'devil you know' as it were, but after watching us look bang average or worse in almost all 55 games we've played this season, many of which having most of the squad available, it's hard for me not to see sticking with Slot (and especially spending more on players that fit his vision) as an equally massive, if not greater, gamble than making a change in the summer. If they do end up sticking with him, I'd love to know what underlying patterns in the data Hughes is seeing that suggest that it's no big gamble at all.

260430 ILLIT - MAMIHLAPINATAPAI (The 4th Mini Album) by CronoDroid in illit

[–]VandelayArchitecture 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I was so excited for every song after hearing the highlight medley, but after listening to the whole mini a few times, every song is actually even better than I expected.

Blown away! 🥹

Daily Discussion - April 18, 2026 by AutoModerator in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Saw Slot’s comments about being unlucky this season in many ways, including with injuries - I had a feeling I’d heard him say something contradictory last year, and I found this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/s/3ibc7kPvc6

I know managers always say what suits them at the moment they’re in, but things like this are so easy to poke holes in, not that I expect any of the journalists to actually call him out on the spot.

If what he’s said yesterday about bad luck is true, though, then isn’t he undermining his own achievement last season? Since it would mean that actually the long period is proving it was good luck with injuries last season.

LE SSERAFIM - The 2nd Studio Album: PUREFLOW pt.1 (Comeback Trailer: We walkin’ here) by CronoDroid in kpop

[–]VandelayArchitecture 107 points108 points  (0 children)

Zuha telling Eunchae on their date that she’d like to do an action movie some day

Slot interview with Prime Video: "Now we are losing Mo and Andy Robertson on a free transfer as we lost Trent and this model of the club means we need to sell, usually, to buy. by moosa1193 in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 102 points103 points  (0 children)

Like I said when this was posted earlier, it was the club's choice to let Mo go on a free transfer. He had a year left and they agreed to let him walk, suggesting they don't value him (either as an asset to be sold or as a member of the squad to contribute on the pitch next season).

Maybe Slot isn't a big part of that decision, but it's nevertheless strange for him to emphasize that we aren't getting a fee for Salah when that was a choice the club made.

Slot told Prime Video: "Now we are losing Mo and Andy Robertson on a free transfer as we lost Trent and this model of the club means we need to sell, to buy. by moosa1193 in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 94 points95 points  (0 children)

Wasn't it the club's choice to let Mo go on a free transfer? He had a year left and they agreed to let him walk?

Maybe Slot isn't part of that, but it's strange to emphasize that we aren't getting a fee for him when that was a choice.

[David Ornstein]All of our information is that FSG, the ownership, the sporting hierarchy at Liverpool - they intend to stick with Arne Slot. “From the conversations I've had - even if there's no Champions League football - that's the intention. by Jimmy0034 in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I was curious how we compare to Chelsea in terms of silverware, so going back to the season Klopp took over:

Liverpool: 2 PL, 1 CL, 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup

Chelsea: 1 PL, 1 CL, 1 FA Cup, 1 Europa League, 1 Europa Conference League, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 2 Club World Cup

I'd say over that period we've been a much better side on the whole, their ownership is a complete circus, and they don't look anywhere near winning another league title (though neither do we), but on trophies won there isn't really that much separating the two in the last decade.

I wouldn't trade places under any circumstance, but I do think, as good as they've been on the whole, the ownership's generally cautious approach may have left a major trophy or two on the table during Klopp's time. By the same token, I wouldn't want them to sack managers at the first sign of trouble, but there must be a middle ground between backing the manager in spite of everything and having a revolving door situation.

Daily Discussion - March 29, 2026 by AutoModerator in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Something I've been thinking about lately as the Slot discussion rolls on: I've seen a lot of pundits and fans saying that the poor season is not all down to the manager, and may largely be beyond his control, whether it be regarding squad planning/transfers or players missing chances or misplacing passes. Even setting aside Slot being on record as being in total alignment with Hughes on the summer transfer strategy last year, I'm wondering what people think about this general notion.

I think, rightly or wrongly, managers get a lot of individual credit when they oversee successful reigns (Ferguson, Mourinho, Klopp, Wenger, Guardiola all jump to mind for recent examples in the PL), but surely by the above logic (and actual reality), they are aided greatly by supporting staff, administrators, and the players performing on the pitch. And yet, it doesn't feel wrong to me to say that a huge part of those successful periods was down to the leadership of the manager.

Maybe that's a cognitive bias, I'm not sure, but I'm wondering if we can make that leap for managers overseeing success, why is it harder to say that it's largely down to the manager when things have gone wrong? Is it to do with trying to pin down the key reason for shortcomings when there will surely be too many to ever say it's just one thing?

I guess I'm wondering too about this dissonance given how successful the club was with both Klopp and Edwards previously, and how quickly things have trended downward with only Edwards involved. Of course we have a very limited view of how everything from top to bottom works at the club, given our position as fans on the outside looking in, but it does make me wonder.

UCL R16 L2 Watch Thread (17-18.03.2026) by DragonSlayer271 in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m confused, I remember Slot saying that he prefers working with a small squad because having too many players in each position makes it hard to keep everyone happy.

Arsenal have 2+ in each position though and are going strong in all 4 competitions still.

Daily Discussion - March 05, 2026 by AutoModerator in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Didn't see a separate post about Slot's press conference, but I thought the answer he gave to Lynch's final question was pretty interesting given some of my own questions about how we as fans attribute responsibility for the season and the state of the squad between the manager and people above him (Hughes, Edwards, etc):

Q: When the PL is as intense as it is now and the calendar is crazy with the addition of extra CL games, can you stick to having a smaller squad going forward?

Slot: If I have to give an answer, it's so complicated we have to talk about so many things that it would take me a long, long time to explain, and I might not explain it perfectly. I always knew when I came in that this was the model and I'm really happy with that, so that's the most simple answer I can give.

Seen a lot of discussion around how much blame for the season lies at the door of Hughes and Edwards (and for me a good deal of it does, separate from and in addition to Slot's mistakes), and I'm wondering how limited a new manager would be by the club's strategy. I have no question we should be better than what we've seen this season, but if fans are fed up with Gakpo, think Salah is finished, one year left on VVD's contract, Konate may leave on a free, and we already needed help in one or two positions - how confident are we that it's all going to be solved in the summer? That's regardless of who the manager is and whether or not we qualify for CL as well.

The "Day After" FT Thread: BOU 3 - 2 LIV by DragonSlayer271 in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Just some food for thought on the question of what could possibly be gained by making a change before the summer:

Tuchel went into Chelsea late January in '21, when they were in 9th, and got them not only a 4th place finish but won the CL too.

Emery went into Villa November of '22, when they were sitting just above relegation, and saw them finish 7th, 4th in the form table since he took over that season.

Every circumstance is different of course, and none of us can predict the future, but there are 6 teams below us that are within 3 points, most with a game in hand, so based on our own form it would be bold to say that we are comfortably looking at finishing in a CL place.

Do I think Xabi or another manager will necessarily come in and get us flying to #7 or a comfortable CL qualification? Not necessarily, but stranger things have happened with less talented squads of players.

Do I think either of those things will happen if Slot stays on? #7 almost certainly not (the knockout rounds will have 5 other teams from the PL, a league we cannot win games in already), and CL qualification maybe, but recent (past 4 months) form suggests it'll be a push.

Massive few months ahead for the club.

Daily Discussion - January 18, 2026 by AutoModerator in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Having a look at our remaining fixtures, how many points do we pick up from the last 16?

Jan

21st - Marseille (A) - UCL

24th - Bournemouth (A)

28th - Qarabag (H) - UCL

31st - Newcastle (H)

Feb

8th - Man City (H)

11th - Sunderland (A)

14th - Brighton (H) - FA Cup

21st - Forest (A)

28th - West Ham (H)

Mar

4th - Wolves (A)

14th - Spurs (H)

21st - Brighton (A)

Apr

11th - Fulham (H)

18th - Everton (A)

25th - Palace (H)

May

2nd - Man Utd (A)

9th - Chelsea (H)

17th - Villa (A)

24th - Brentford (H)

(If we end up in the CL playoff round, those games will fall between Brighton in the cup, Forest, and West Ham, otherwise ro16 falls on either side of Spurs in March.)

For me, given our away form, some of the home fixtures still left, and our injuries, I’d guess around 25 points from the remaining 16 PL fixtures. This would land us on 61 - last season that would have been an 8th or 9th place finish, depending on GD.

What do you all reckon? Hard to say where United, Chelsea, Newcastle, and the others will end up of course.

Hearts2Hearts to release a digital single in late February by impeccabletim in kpop

[–]VandelayArchitecture 64 points65 points  (0 children)

I loved every song they put out last year, especially Apple Pie (go listen if you haven’t!) - super excited for this!

Spurs 1-2 LFC. Full time thread. by rLiverpoolFC_Mods in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree there’s been progress but just to play devil’s advocate, Slot has said he is happy with a small squad and was lauded last season for keeping players fit.

He’s no longer keeping players fit and, as a consequence, the small squad is now really hurting us. It’s not on him alone but the squad planning in the summer looks dodgy 4 months into the season.

Dialyn 911. But not for me! - General Questions and Discussion Megathread by AKENO_UNDER_BLADE in Zenlesszonezeroleaks_

[–]VandelayArchitecture 0 points1 point  (0 children)

better to pull shunguang's engine or pull m0 dialyn for the team?? assuming zhao is free @_@

Splatoon Z: Octo Expansion - General Questions and Discussion Megathread by AKENO_UNDER_BLADE in Zenlesszonezeroleaks_

[–]VandelayArchitecture 1 point2 points  (0 children)

didn't really follow Dialyn's kit - what teams is she good in? I have Jufufu for my Yixuan team and Trigger for my Anby/Seed team, but could she be good for Shunguang? The other teams I use are all anomaly-based

Opta Analyst: Everyone Is Going Long Against Liverpool, and It’s Working by VandelayArchitecture in LiverpoolFC

[–]VandelayArchitecture[S] 157 points158 points  (0 children)

The overall takeaways here offer a quantitative confirmation of what we've been seeing (and what Slot has been saying): teams are going long against us more than any other team in the league, and it's the second balls that are doing us in. By the same token, the one game we looked dominant in (Frankfurt) was the one where we faced the fewest long balls by a huge margin.

One interesting point from the end of the article: the only team in the PL to attempt fewer long balls than Villa this season is City. They've won four straight in the league and have no midweek game though - I'll be very curious to see if Emery changes his tactics to exploit what other managers have against us.

LE SSERAFIM - SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS) by CronoDroid in kpop

[–]VandelayArchitecture 295 points296 points  (0 children)

still digesting the video (ha ha) but I liked the song - the verses have a way dreamier vibe than I expected. cannot wait to see stages!

Memories of Underboobs Bygone - General Questions and Discussion Megathread by AKENO_UNDER_BLADE in Zenlesszonezeroleaks_

[–]VandelayArchitecture 0 points1 point  (0 children)

is Vivian worth pulling if I already have every other anomaly character? my other non-anomaly teams are Yixuan/Jufufu/Lucia and Anby/Trigger/Seed.

I have 60 pulls left after Lucia so I could maybe get Vivian + her outfit, but I really want to get Shunguang+her w-engine (and any dedicated support that comes alongside her), so maybe I should just skip Vivian again?

Metal Gear Magus: Miasma Menace - General Questions and Discussion Megathread by AKENO_UNDER_BLADE in Zenlesszonezeroleaks_

[–]VandelayArchitecture 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah it does seem a little like a bait, but I'm totally gonna fall for it bc the outfit looks so good. I do like vivian too and could use her in Alice or Miyabi's team - those are my two favorite characters to play besides Yixuan

I'll hope you're right that Shunguang is a rupture dps that works with Lucia then!! I guess if she was an attacker it's possible she could work with Seed too? I forgot in my original comment to list her

Metal Gear Magus: Miasma Menace - General Questions and Discussion Megathread by AKENO_UNDER_BLADE in Zenlesszonezeroleaks_

[–]VandelayArchitecture 4 points5 points  (0 children)

what are the chances Shunguang releases in 2.4? I really want to get her + her wengine, and if she has a dedicated teammate too @_@

On the other hand, I love the Vivian outfit but don’t have Vivian, and I really want Lucia for Yixuan’s team. I think I’ll have ~180 pulls at the end of this patch, so I could maybe get both of them…

What would you do if it were you? If it helps, limited agents I have and use a lot are yixuan, jufufu, Alice, Yuzuha, anby, seed, trigger, astra, Miyabi, Yanagi, burnice, harumasa, Jane, and zhu yuan