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Football Weekly Liverpool bounce back in Frankfurt and Chelsea’s teenagers thrash Ajax – Football Weekly
16 snips
Oct 23, 2025 
Barry Glendenning, a Guardian journalist known for his insightful football commentary, joins tactical expert Lars Sivertsen and cultural analyst Nicky Bandini. They discuss Liverpool's impressive comeback in Frankfurt, analyzing tactics and star players' performances. The conversation shifts to Chelsea's youthful success over Ajax, praising their exciting new signings. The trio also sheds light on the challenges Ajax faces and reflects on the importance of refined tactics in the Champions League. A humorous touch is added with light banter about Virgil van Dijk's acting.
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Liverpool's Confidence Restored, Not Cure-All
- Liverpool's 5-1 win in Frankfurt snapped a worrying run and boosted confidence across the squad.
- The victory relied heavily on set-pieces and emerging signings rather than a systemic tactical fix.
Attack-First Setup Has Defensive Trade-Offs
- Arne Slot's attacking midfield setup risks defensive imbalance against stronger, organized opponents.
- The system worked in Frankfurt but may struggle in Premier League matches requiring more physicality and ball recovery.
Big Fee Doesn't Guarantee Priority
- Even in a big win Isaac Isak failed to score, keeping doubts about his fit and value alive.
- Managers must pick form players over price-tags when selecting striking options.