Our Liverpool FC jury has assembled to discuss the latest goings on at Anfield after Wednesday’s resounding win over Qarabag and ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Newcastle
05:00, 30 Jan 2026
Arne Slot has taken Liverpool into the last-16 of the Champions League(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Wednesday night’s 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag in the Champions League was just what the doctor ordered for Liverpool, who now only have domestic matters to focus on until mid-March.
With scrutiny back on Arne Slot after last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, the Reds hammered their opponents from Azerbaijan, but it wasn’t all good news as Jeremie Frimpong was forced to depart early through injury.
That blow, coupled with the continued unavailability of Conor Bradley, makes right-back a position of intrigue ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Newcastle United, and our Reds jury has been assembled to discuss all that and more.
Andrew Cullen
That’s more like it. A game full of enjoyment and relaxation, rather than discomfort and nerves. Qarabag are not European giants, of course, so maybe we need to temper any delight.
Some have suggested Arne Slot’s recent comments about competition priorities go against the Liverpool DNA – as one of the biggest clubs in the world, we should be fighting in the biggest competitions for the biggest prizes. Given our current performance levels, though, achieving both on the domestic and European stage may be more idealistic, rather than realistic. Do we want Slot to be honest, or to reel off a formulaic battle cry that we can and should be competing on all fronts?
Our two main priorities this year must be qualification for next year’s Champions League, and to go far in this year’s competition- that should restore some pride and revive Slot’s position as head coach.
We are a dangerous team. Our quality is a match for any European team, but the stumbling block this year has been our Jekyll/Hyde transformations – exciting in one game, only to be dreadful in the next.
As the transfer window draws to a close it is surprising that we haven’t been active in bringing people in; in fact, there have been more rumours and speculation about outgoings. My eyebrow was raised when it was rumoured that Andy Robertson may be leaving in the window; it makes little sense to allow an experienced, reliable defender leave when our defence has been anything but reliable this season.
Rhys Buchanan
There’s nothing like a big European victory to lighten the mood, although that sentiment clearly didn’t reach Arne Slot after his surprisingly negative post-match comments. In reality though, I think a big performance against Qarabag was the bare minimum of what was acceptable.
The problem is that so often this season we haven’t been able to carry that European form into the league. Having slipped out of the top four and with our old rivals Manchester United looking old a renewed force (for now at least), we desperately need to put some wins on the board starting this weekend.
I think we’re in for an entertaining game come Saturday night. The loss of Jeremie Frimpong means we’ll have to think long and hard about who will fill that right back role. Although it’s far from ideal, I think I’d prefer see Wataru Endo starting there rather than pulling Dominik Szoboszlai out of the midfield. Anfield should be right up for it though and I have a sneaky feeling we’ll get the statement result that we crave.
James Noble
Consistency was, logically, a point of focus for Virgil van Dijk within his programme notes for Wednesday night’s concluding league phase fixture against Qarabağ.
The enjoyable 6-0 win that followed may not, in itself, be a cure for Liverpool’s erraticism this season, but it did offer a strong response to Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Bournemouth, while plotting a potentially helpful path. Having secured that automatic Champions League last-16 spot, and evaded February’s play-offs, we’re now set to have three clear weeks for training, and five matches, rather than seven, next month.
Questions around Arne Slot’s position, understandably, loudened in the wake of Saturday. In many ways, it was a defeat that showcased the campaign’s shortcomings in microcosm.
Slot hasn’t always helped himself this term, and further evidence of sustainable upward mobility is required, but it remains difficult to assess how much control he has had over certain factors, such as the squad’s structure and fitness issues. With that, and his overall work at the club, in mind it feels both sensible and culturally healthy – barring further prolonged drop-offs – to plan for him to remain in post until at least the end of 2025/26.
Saturday night’s Anfield meeting with Newcastle United – who could be both buoyed and fatigued by their 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain – looks enticing and a chance to reinforce consistent good habits.