Paul

I wonder if Xabi might put him in midfield and ask him to pull the strings from there. In fact I wonder if they’ve already spoken and that’s been a factor in his decision.

Yeah. I’m hopeful that the Palace game will be a massive celebration that I’ll enjoy. I don’t want him anywhere near the place that day though, regardless of how “unfair” that may be.

My head’s still up my arse this morning mate. I found it quite hard to do the pod last night. I don’t usually struggle for words but I did then - and especially at the beginning. As for today, I’ve still got absolutely no problem with anyone’s view on the individual player. I’m just gutted that our celebratory mood has been soured like this. I’m not even arsed about the idea of blame. I just feel really fucking sad about the entire thing.

Get a deal done to Madrid ASAP and wave all the noise goodbye. Let’s look forward to next season rather than focus on Trent’s decision.

I’m not so sure. They effectively have three sporting directors available right now to do the work in Hughes, Ward and Edwards, plus Hughes’ assistant (is it Woodfine?). If they need all hands on deck, there are experienced people ready to jump in. As I say, I think much of it depends on offers and also on which players have seen the writing on the game time wall this season. One thing I’m absolutely certain about though is that the new executive team will want to put its stamp on the squad quickly and that’s as much about sales as it is about signings.

As BW says above, it depends on offers coming in, but I reckon they’re open to selling more than half the squad. For the purposes of the thread, I’ll go: Chiesa, Kostas, Kweev, Koumas, Beck, Morton, Nunez, Gomez, Jota and Elliott.

Don’t understand the Phil Reade reference, sorry. Otherwise, great post.

Don’t worry everyone. We have referred him to adult mental health services.

There is money there to renew Trent, regardless of Virgil, Mo and new signings. Thiago and Matip’s wages created loads of space and there’ll be more sales this summer.

Of course I realise it wasn’t perfect every week under Jurgen. Nothing is. However, over the nine years, it was overwhelmingly thrilling and the huge number of exciting games and moments within games carried us through the instances where it fell short of that. However, this is not that in any way, shape or form. We’re going to win the league and that’s genuinely an incredible achievement. However, the style of football is huge for me. Unlike many Reds it’s not all about winning as far as I’m concerned; I want to win and be entertained while doing so: spoilt bastard. I don’t have a problem with those who say it’s only about the trophies, by the way. There’s a very long and proud tradition of that view in our fanbase and it’s held by many good Reds. I don’t share it though.

When did I say that? I have no recollection whatsoever of it.

Don’t think I was, but if I was I’ve changed my mind. So what?

Agree with most of that. However, I can’t shake the feeling that the lack of rotation cost us in the other competitions. There’s no way of proving that either way, but it’s in the mix. And while I’m at it, I’m also pretty concerned that the youth development pathway may have just been all but closed. Seeing young scousers become world class footballers has been one of my greatest pleasures as a Red over the years so I really hope I’m wrong.

OK, yes. But surely you get that we’re not aiming for some objective truth on the pod? We’re just giving opinions in which everyone is emotionally invested. Certainly, I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything. You see it one way and I see it another. Opinions and feelings change over time too. So it’s perfectly reasonable to think and feel one thing today and then another next week.

I hope you also heard what I think I said explicitly, but definitely said implicitly: I know it’s an unfair position to take but how I feel is how I feel. Slot can’t be Klopp, Diaz can’t be Mané, etc. That doesn’t mean that I can just stop thinking about the absolute all-time greatness that we were watching every week a very short time ago. As I said, spoilt bastards.