There is resting players and sacking it off, this is def the latter by some margin not having any experience on the bench is laughable and poor management by Slot.
Current form the most we’re doing to City and upcoming Madrid game is attending it
Carabao Cup 4th Round Football Thread ** spoilers ** [28th - 29th October 2025]
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Current form the most we’re doing to City and upcoming Madrid game is attending it
Don't worry, we can bring the big guns on at HT.....................................
I missed the start and the line up, what was he thinking? had to check my phone to see if I had a missed called from Slot asking if I could play.
To be fair they did ok for 40 mins but just a really strange selection considering the form the team has been in.
I missed the start and the line up, what was he thinking? had to check my phone to see if I had a missed called from Slot asking if I could play.
To be fair they did ok for 40 mins but just a really strange selection considering the form the team has been in.
The way I would do it is play the big names, once you have the lead then you can think about taking the big names off to protect them and put on the lesser players, I'll never understand why so many managers do the exact opposite, they put on the 2nd string, then when they are losing bring on the bigger names , who then have limited time to turn the match around.
Had we not had the injuries we had then I'm sure we'd have played a stronger side but it's somewhat understandable that he's not risking any of Ibou, VVD, Szoboszlai, Ekitike or Salah.
The way Haaland is playing and how incredibly leaky our defence is, City could probably rest 10 players and just send out Haaland and still win
He could have risked Isak and Wirtz though
We've not named any of the big names on the bench. It's clear he's decided that he'll try to get a result without risking anybody of importance today. Resting as many of the senior players was clearly his priority tonight, getting a result was only a bonus.
Isak's injured. I forgot about Wirtz though. Gakpo is about the only senior player I'd have included but then again I'd have rather Rio played anyway.He could have risked Isak and Wirtz though
Considering he has insisted on playing Salah even when he has been crap sure he could have said your on bench at most your getting 30 minutes etc.
Instead it’s another loss and another hit to confidence and out of a cup so limited play time to see the youth in the future as well.
So I still think it’s not balanced decision
I mean I guess he has his priorities, but the way I see it is a trophy is a trophy and I dont think we have any realistic chance of winning the league or the CL, this could have been a trophy that we might have been able to win and at least it would have been a piece of silverware (even if only silver plated), but he has thrown that opportunity away.
Only if they provide him the answers, otherwise he’ll get in a strop.
Yea, a 33 year old Salah who has struggled to reach anywhere near his best needs to play more minutes, in the least important competition we have. That will definitely help us moving forwards.
I have a very different view of the League Cup and not as defeatist as you are either.
You always want to win every game you play in but there are and always has been clear priorities and the League Cup is at the bottom of the list. Had we not had the injuries we have and not had the run of games we do then I've no doubt we'd have played a stronger side but I personally have no issue with ****ing the League Cup off.
I love a carabao cup run, but this is literally 6th priority when the seasons starts, I'm fine with us going out. Getting through is a nice bonus - people should go back and check the lineups in the 4th round when Klopp was here to see how we've treated it over the past 10 odd years.
I dont see it as being defeatist, I see it as being realistic. If however we end the season by being in the title race or coming close to winning the CL, then I'll admit that I wasnt being realistic after all
Issue I feel is and you said it yourself you view the cup differently so we’re already looking at this opposite to each other.
I love a good cup win. Money wise etc yeah it won’t ever bring in same as league or champions league but I don’t care.
Regarding Salah my point over all is balance. Slot with his choices tonight has shown he doesn’t give a flying **** about this competition.
It would have been possible to have options on the bench from the first team.
None of his choices make sense this season.
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I don't think anybody had PSG winning the CL 12 months ago after their start to the season. Now I'm not saying it's likely that we'll win either right now but it's also far from impossible too. I'd rather focus our efforts on a smaller chance of winning one of the big two over a slightly bigger (but still not likely) chance of winning a tin pot cup.I dont see it as being defeatist, I see it as being realistic. If however we end the season by being in the title race or coming close to winning the CL, then I'll admit that I wasnt being realistic after all
Shes certainly keeping a high back line