Football Daily | Liverpool’s crisis analysis becomes appointment viewing in abyss of fume

. UK edition

Federico Chiesa of Liverpool looks dejected
Liverpool troubles, earlier. Photograph: Marcel ter Bals/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock

In today’s Football Daily: The Liverpool old boys’ media network

THE ECHO CHAMBER

When Liverpool players are put out to pasture, it is not uncommon for them to be given a warm Anfield send-off, a ceremonial microphone and a high-profile media platform from which to endlessly pontificate. Such has been the proliferation of old boys in the punditry ranks since Alan Hansen famously announced “you can’t win anything with kids”, it now seems nigh on impossible to sit through any major Premier League or Bigger Cup match without hearing at least one Liverpool alumnus chipping in from the sidelines. Whether it’s Carra or Crouchy or Didi or Danny or Jamie or Robbie or Souey or Macca or Coley or Stephen Warnock, this feedback loop can prove a source of great irritation to the sensitive ears of other clubs’ fans. But when things go off the rails and the crisis analysis hits peak screech, that’s when their irate pronouncements become appointment viewing.

Currently on a run of nine losses in 12 matches, Liverpool’s second-half Bigger Cup collapse at home to PSV marked both their third consecutive three-goal defeat and the descent of several former players into an abyss of fume. So incensed was Dietmar Hamann by Mo Salah’s decision to walk like an Egyptian as Mauro Júnior cantered past unchallenged in the early buildup to the Dutch side’s second goal, that he labelled the winger’s indifference “disgraceful”. A regular guest on Irish broadcaster RTE’s coverage, Hamann suggested that Arne Slot, standing no more than a couple of yards away from the scene of Salah’s latest dereliction of defensive duty, now has a big decision to make. “Do you get the sack with Salah or do you keep your job without him?” he asked, as a steady stream of steam whistled from both his ears. Earlier in the day, as he spoke of Liverpool’s uncharacteristic slump in form on TalkSport, another midfield great, Graeme Souness, had poured scorn on Salah’s “lack of appetite” and wondered if perhaps “his brother” had turned up in his place this season.

Meanwhile on the CBS Bigger Cup B@ntercast, Jamie Carragher appeared to become the victim of an apparent stitch-up, when surreptitiously taken footage of him losing the plot during Liverpool’s capitulation off-air was leaked to the Digital Mire. A constant critic of Salah, the former defender endured something of a meltdown of his own, but on this particular occasion elected to turn his fire on the increasingly hapless Ibrahima Konaté. “What the [eff] is going on?” he shrieked after the centre-back’s latest gaffe. “What the absolute [eff]? Oh my God, Konaté. Oh my God, Konaté. Watch Konaté here, oh my God! I’ve [effing] had enough of them. Honest to God, that Konaté. I mean, that’s a sackable offence for the manager for keeping picking him. He should be sacked for that.” Later clarifying on air that Liverpool “aren’t a sacking club”, Carragher went two-footed into Curtis Jones following the midfielder’s post-match interview, suggesting he do more of his talking on the pitch.

On TNT Sports, a comparatively upbeat Steven Gerrard noted his old side “are conceding too many goals, they’re wide open, they’re vulnerable and unstable”, before pointing out that the defensive line of Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez with which they finished the game is “not a Liverpool back four and never will be”. Finally, on Match of the Day, another old boy touched on the unquantifiable effect sadness over the tragic loss of much-loved teammate Diogo Jota may be having. “There is still a hangover from what happened in the summer and people will look at it and think ‘there are bigger things in life’,” said Warnock. “It is hard to find that drive again because they are still grieving.” While formations can be tweaked and out-of-sorts players dropped, there is always time for a healthy dose of perspective.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We still have that group chat. It’s the only one I still have with the team I was on. Most of them have been in touch. When you come back again, they feel like you’re more touchable. The messages just exploded: ‘What have you done?’ No, it’s really positive. There’s a lot of support from everywhere” – newly-installed Newport boss Christian Fuchs reveals how Leicester’s WhatsApp champions group popped off after he took charge of the Football League’s bottom team.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

In case anyone is worried, intrigued or even slightly gleeful about Liverpool’s travails, can I draw their attention to the 1981-82 season? Dumped out of Europe by CSKA Sofia, they languished in mid-table in winter, and we all thought they were toast. They rallied, went on not only to win the League Cup final against Spurs, but also then won the league on the last day” – Jon Millard.

I was spending a quiet Wednesday evening watching Bigger Cup on the telly box, while simultaneously completing my predictions for this weekend’s games (who said men can’t multitask), when the intriguing fixture of Hartlepool v Truro hoved into view. However badly your own team are faring this season, spare a thought for the diehard Truro City fans. Rock bottom of the National League, every away game a trek like a scene from Shackleton, but surely few more so than Hartlepool away on a wet Saturday at the neck end of November. Truro fans, we salute you. Perhaps Football Daily could run a sweep on the number of them taking part in Saturday’s expedition to the north-east with the answer in Monday’s edition?” – John Collins.

I can really understand why Tom Heaton is so happy about presumably being paid for 1,029 days without having to break so much of a sweat on the pitch (yesterday’s Quote of the Day). Mind you, many other players at the club haven’t broken much sweat on the pitch during that timeframe, either” – Nigel Sanders.

You seem worried that the redeveloped Old Trafford will not be ready for the 2035 World Cup, as it currently only exists as artists’ impressions (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition). Surely that is sufficient, as by 2035 all games will be played by AI. Personally, I am eagerly awaiting an artist’s impression of the demolition of the new Birmingham City stadium. Sadly, Fred Dibnah is no longer with us to assist” – Robert Pearce.

Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Nigel Sanders. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.