No offense intended if I write about beloved Liverpool once again and again.
After all, it’s such a popular football club. If you don’t believe me, just ask Nikki Nachat and Pong Nawath about the recent drama in the past few days. You can check it out, haha.
Actually, this person can call Pong the Eternal Leading Man’s 100th wife—playing football together and socializing often when returning to Thailand during the off-season. (Getting older, joining the alumni team of Rajavinit Bangkaew, respected adult teams—if accepting all matches, could play 5-6 days a week. Are the older guys just looking for reasons to get out of the house? Confess!)
As for Nikki, I’m not close, but before the Red Dead Match at Old Trafford, while this person was acting as a 'tour leader,' coordinating with the group, he followed Mr. Jackie—Mr. Adisorn Puengya—regularly, which left a good first impression when Nikki respectfully greeted me with a smile and sincere eyes.
Maybe because I’m close with Mr. Jackie, as a courtesy or whatever—the first impression won this person over. As for the drama, Joe won’t get involved!
Because the power of Thai Reds fans is incredibly strong, haha.
I’m confident that even in these unusual global times, with conflicts forcing many to change flight plans, for the latest Man Utd vs. Liverpool match, Thai fans were the largest group of foreign spectators—and saying it was a thousand people is no exaggeration.
From shouting alongside Reds fans in the away fan section, at the corner curve near the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand (the same side as the substitutes’ bench) and the East Stand at Old Trafford, to attending Anfield to watch the draw with Chelsea, this person sensed the mood of Liverpool fans and their fears for the future, which I’d like to share briefly.
1.) Curtis Jones is not a right-back, but he represents the local youth who must carry on.
Looking at it, the right-back position is one of the first in Liverpool’s defense that needs strengthening.
Connor Bradley is frequently injured long-term, and Jeremy Frimpong, whether as a right-back or right winger, is fragile and not as outstanding as he was in the Bundesliga.
Using Curtis Jones at right-back, we knew from the start it wasn’t his natural position. In the Chelsea game, often Mark Guéhi got past him because Jones was too far away—sometimes standing 15-20 yards from his own penalty area, just watching.
Strengthening the right-back position isn’t as difficult as finding a striker and doesn’t require waiting to see World Cup performances, which would increase players’ transfer fees. This should be an early priority.
As for Jones, you might dislike his slow, indecisive style.
But I support Steven Gerrard’s view, who recently visited us: if it were him, he wouldn’t let Curtis Jones (still young) leave Anfield. A local academy graduate who knows the city well and understands the club’s needs, style, and what Reds fans want—such players must always be in Liverpool’s team, in any era or period.
2.) Mo Salah is leaving, and Alisson will too—who are they running from?
I don’t want to blame it on Arne Slot, but this summer might be the time for major change. Besides Mo Salah’s confirmed departure, it’s likely that first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker will also leave.
Everything has its cycle.
Liverpool vs. Brentford will likely be another emotional farewell moment for a superstar in the final home game of the season.
But will it be just King Mo (33) or also Alisson Becker (33), who is rumored to have verbally agreed with Juventus, even though it’s just a rumor?
From a football perspective, this season Mo has been dropped for various reasons, and Alisson hasn’t just been injury-prone—his form has also declined.
Fans who have bonded with stars from Jurgen Klopp’s era must be thinking, “Have we really reached this point where these big names are all leaving?”
It had to happen someday, but is it because of that steadfast man? The one fans are now petitioning to oust, telling the owners and board to push for his early departure?
3.) It has happened: the British record £125 million striker was substituted and booed by fans!
In the Liverpool vs. Chelsea game, Reds fans were frustrated because despite an early lead from Ryan Gravenberch’s shot, instead of pressing for more goals, the team played slow football, again irritating the fans.
What stood out most to me was substituting the young Rio Nkumuha in the 67th minute and hearing boos from their own fans.
Football-wise, a 17-year-old playing that long is already significant, and the substitute was a record expensive signing. However, it reflected the fans’ feelings very clearly at that moment.
They want Rio to play more than Cody Gakpo and more than Alexander Isak, who has yet to show anything substantial.
Arne Slot has repeatedly claimed that last summer’s squad reinforcements were not excessive because many players also left.
He also said to wait for this summer; with transfers and planning time, the next season will definitely be different.
Do any Reds fans trust him now, or are they more suspicious? Given his constant excuses, citing statistics, and the fact that this year there was a World Cup with little club training time, the new season is already starting—what confidence is there that this shaky team will improve?
4.) Losing identity and fears of becoming like Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson.
I don’t hold a grudge against Arne Slot to the point of wanting to criticize him daily.
But if you talk to Reds fans now, Thai or foreign, they fear their beloved team is losing its identity. The exciting, passionate football is gone, and they fear Liverpool will become like their old rival Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down.
Liverpool might be better off once Klopp leaves and Arne Slot takes over, winning the Premier League trophy in his first season immediately.
However, the following season changed a lot—team selection, tactical adjustments, style of play—it’s no longer the Liverpool that won the hearts of fans worldwide, even those who aren’t Reds fans.
Believe it or not, often it takes ten or twenty years to become a great team again.
- Little Joe -