This is exemplified by Darwin Nunez. He had plenty of chances yesterday against villa and only converted one. With all the chances Liverpool create he should score more. If he was at a mid table club he won’t get a game as he doesn’t convert at the frequency he does.

Im saying 8th again

I’ve always thought Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers football has seen, but I’ll be honest — there are times I’ve had doubts. His critics often say that he needs an abundance of talent, a stacked bench, and big spending to win trophies. And this season, it feels like that argument is starting to gain some traction.

Take City for example - it's clear that when Rodri doesn't play, City look like a completely different team. This isn't just a one-off thing — we've seen it happen over the past few seasons. Without him, City’s numbers drop, and they go from being a juggernaut to just a good team. Rodri is so central to how Pep plays that it sometimes feels like they can't function without him. And that’s got me wondering: how much of City's dominance in recent years has really been about Pep's tactical brilliance, and how much has been about having key players who are basically irreplaceable?

I know a lot of people say the Premier League is harder to win than the Champions League, and I kind of agree. Consistency over 38 games is no joke, and Pep has shown that he can keep City ticking at the top for years now. But here’s the thing — even with the squad Pep has at his disposal, Pep x City has had only as much success as Klopp x Liverpool.

Then there's the current slump — 4 consecutive losses in all competitions. That’s starting to put things into perspective. It makes you think of Klopp and what he managed to do at Liverpool with far less squad depth and a constant injury crisis. He had key players going off to AFCON, injuries left and right, and yet still got his Liverpool team to compete with Pep's City. And whatever Arteta did last season - their squad and City squad were not comparable.

So... are Pep’s critics finally being proven right? Does he rely too much on having elite talent and a deep squad? We all know he’s a tactical genius, but it feels like his team is way more vulnerable than we give credit for when key players like Rodri aren’t available.

I don't know, but it’s starting to feel like the criticism of him needing all the pieces to fall perfectly into place is more valid than I thought.

What do you guys think?

City losing their last 4 games in all competition. Rodri such a critical player. Obviously deserving of the award and such a joke that Madrid boycotted it

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Welcome to another edition of Friendly Friday, where we put aside the rivalry and celebrate the positives about our rival teams.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the strengths and admirable aspects of our rival clubs. Whether it's their historic achievements, their passionate fanbase, iconic players, or the way they've contributed to the beautiful game, let's spread some positivity.

Maybe you've admired the resilience of your rival's defense, the talent of a specific player, or the club's commitment to youth development. Share your thoughts, anecdotes, or experiences that have given you a newfound respect for a team you usually cheer against.

Remember, this is a space to appreciate the diverse and rich tapestry of football, acknowledging that each rival team brings something unique to the sport we all love.

So, dive in and let's hear your positive stories and perspectives about rival teams. Let's celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that unites us through our love for football.

Don't you think managers/coaches are sacked way too quickly these days? Clubs have become so greedy that it's either you have to always keep winning or you get sacked. They don't realise and acknowledge the bigger picture of laying a new foundation and building something long term. Nearly every major club these days hasn't had one manager who has been kept for beyond 3 years for example.

Clubs completely forget what their managers have done in their previous seasons. Chelsea sacking Tuchel was by far the most shocking one for me. Bro literally won champions league for them and you sack him so early in the next season just because he wasn't at the top.

In the old days people like Ferguson were backed and given time during their bad seasons, which allowed them to build something over time and be successful. Klopp also wasn't sacked early in Liverpool days, and led them to multiple trophies such as the title and the champions league. Idk why nowadays sacking has become so frequent. I refuse to think it's due to media pressure because if they cared about media they would listen to constructive suggestions that their fans give too.

Honestly if you ask me, I'm perfectly fine having one bad season if in the previous 2 or 3 we won trophies and played well. It's normal to have ups and downs, and I feel clubs shouldn't sack managers so quickly mid seasons. Give them time, if it's a bad season then give them their space and back them to come back better next season.