Liverpool were happy to concede possession tonight, they were comfortable without the ball. They managed to create all the meaningful chances and deservedly win without trying to dominate the game. It has to be an eye opener for the manager.

There are times Conor Bradley looks like a world beating talent. He doesn’t show it consistently enough to be in those conversations, but tonight… my god he was excellent.

Liverpool were so so good tonight. The best they’ve been collectively for quite a long time. Not just smart as they were on Saturday, but also composed, brave, inventive and driven. A really well deserved win.

By their previous standards, it was another poor game of football from Liverpool, but they were a lot smarter in their decisions. Back to basics was what they needed, and they got the basics right tonight. They need to build momentum and that has to start somewhere.

You can trace Liverpool's bad form back to their exit from the Champions League last season. Something changed and something then compounded that change. It is currently an extremely poor team.

Liverpool look like a team heading towards a change in management. The results are bad, but not as bad as the cluelessness in their football.

Every role you’ve seen here — Free Role Playmaker, Channel Forward, Half-Space Winger, Box-to-Box Playmaker, Channel Midfielder, Advanced Wing-Back, and Central Outlet CF — is new or enhanced in Football Manager 26. More tactical depth. More creativity. More ways to win. #FM26

Isak’s FM26 role as a Central Outlet CF makes him the focal point — holding play, pinning defenders, and finishing moves. Every creative path in this setup leads to him — a key concept in the game’s new attacking logic.

In FM26, Half-Space Wingers (Salah) and Channel Forwards (Ekitike) interact beautifully — moving diagonally to open overlaps for full-backs. It’s fluid, dynamic, and designed to stretch compact defences.

FM26 also refines Advanced Wing-Backs — giving more control over how they overlap or stay narrow. Frimpong and Kerkez thrive here: high energy, overlapping runners who maintain attacking width without sacrificing defensive structure.

Behind him, FM26 introduces improved Box-to-Box Playmaker and Channel Midfielder options. ➡️Mac Allister: Box-to-Box Playmaker, breaking lines and supporting buildup. ➡️Gravenberch: Channel Midfielder, underlapping and supporting wide runs. Perfect FM26 roles for a fluid,

The Free Role Playmaker is new in FM26 — it allows players like Wirtz to drift, receive between lines, and disrupt shape. His balance and technique make him ideal for FM managers looking to generate central creativity and drag defenders out of position.

LFC’s frontline in FM26 can now blend classic width with modern positional play. ➡️Salah as a Half-Space Winger ➡️Ekitike as a Channel Forward ➡️Wirtz as a Free Role Playmaker ➡️Isak as a Central Outlet CF Here’s how they combine to break down a low block

In #FM26, Half-Space Wingers, Channel Forwards, and Free Role Playmakers redefine how managers can build fluid attacking systems. Each role adds new dynamics — width, movement, and creativity. Liverpool’s new attacking talent is perfect to show how they work in practice.

Football Manager 26 introduces new tactical roles and deeper attacking systems — changing how elite teams can approach the low block. Let’s explore how Arne Slot’s Liverpool could use these FM26 innovations to dominate in attack. @FootballManager

Two exciting wing backs dying to prove themself in a system that suits them, use them. Two elite centre forwards, use them. Is Salah crap at the moment? Bench him, they have the options. Gakpo, Mac Allister not up to scratch? Bench them. Tough calls are needed, that’s management.

If you want my two cents on Liverpool, they need to fully buy into the whole moving on thing. They are caught between systems right now. Go all in on the new players, fit them in, trust them. Some tough calls need to be made about some high profile people at the club.

The better the quality across the Liverpool squad gets, the more certain players will stick out. Endo is approaching 33 and was never really more than a stopgap option at his best. I’d be surprised if the club aren’t highlighting that role as an area of focus in the winter/next

Liverpool still far from their fluid best, the slew of changes wasn’t ever really going to improve that, but they know how to create chances to score. Especially when they really need one. Credit to Southampton tonight, they were brave, energetic and clearly well organised.

Federico Chiesa vs Southampton 81% Pass accuracy 4 Big chances created 2 Assists 1/3 Shots on target 2/4 Dribbles completed 5/8 duels won 2 Interceptions The best player on the pitch by a mile. It was always a case of fitness and confidence. He has a very high ceiling.