Liverpool Rumours Mobile

13 Sep 2026 14:46:03
Hi all,

Bayern are showing big interest in Florian Wirtz. The player remains committed to finding his footing at Anfield.

On the other side of things, we remain very interested in Olise and are positioning ourselves to be considerable favourites in the event of the Frenchman's departure.

13 Sep 2026 15:13:56
Interesting VG.

I would think Olise would be a 10 here? . Can't see that he fits the profile of a winger in AI's system.

I'm a supporter of Wirtz btw - i think he's one of our better players. Our problems lie elsewhere.

13 Sep 2026 15:31:57
I'd bite their hands off if there is any indication that they would consider a swap deal. And even if they don't, I wouldn't mind selling if the money is right.

13 Sep 2026 15:59:58
Olise is a weapons grade knobhead. Strikes me as the kind of bellend who only wants Madrid next.

13 Sep 2026 16:02:38
More 100m forwards - yes!!!

13 Sep 2026 16:02:54
Are you related to him, VV?

13 Sep 2026 16:16:28
You can tell everything by players post match interviews don't ye know Zed. Cant say anything about the lad on-pitch so he has to be a muppet off it.

13 Sep 2026 16:38:45
Wouldn't mind selling Wirtz and signing Scott as it is.

13 Sep 2026 17:38:28
Selling Wirtz and buying Scott instead would be the worst business idea since the Sony mini disc.

13 Sep 2026 17:55:53
If Wirtz doesn't kick on this season then maybe it's a way out for him. Wirtz out with Olise coming in maybe?
We certainly need someone on the right and Szob can take over Wirtz position with us buying another midfielder more suited to playing further back?

13 Sep 2026 18:11:17
Killed me Zed 🤣.

13 Sep 2026 18:15:06
Wirtz is a brilliant player but has zero protection players like him need to know if they play a risky ball he will b covered if lost, we will only see best of him if we can get a cdm which can cover for him.

13 Sep 2026 18:41:49
As I have said on here before, if you want the best out of Wirtz you have to build the team around him.
He needs two high energy players in the double pivot who can read the game defensively and give the ball quickly to him.


If we are not prepared to sign these players and give him what he needs, we may as well sell him and play Szoboszlai as the 10.

13 Sep 2026 16:11:47
You seen how he behaves and acts at Bayern, Zed? Weapons grade bellend is being polite, complete and utter Berkshire hunt would be far more appropriate. And if anyone thinks he's choosing us over Madrid, boy are you in for some disappointment. We'd be better off fixing the midfield to give Wirtz a platform to actually perform because ours is an utter s*** show.

13 Sep 2026 16:14:36
Too easy zed 😭😂.

13 Sep 2026 18:48:48
@Red Will, I don't think so. Sometimes, some players no matter how talented they are, just don't suit a particular team. It doesn't mean they are not good or wouldn't do well in other team.

Wirtz in our team might just be one of those cases sad as it may seem. If he doesn't improve considerable this season, I wouldn't mind selling for a good price.

I see Scott doing well in our team. Although, I wouldn't sign him if Wirtz is still here. However, if Wirtz is sold, he is someone I would consider.

Another player I would like is Nmecha from Dortmund.

All said, I still have hope that Wirtz will come good.

13 Sep 2026 19:33:44
The more I think about it the more I would take a swap deal for Wirtz, get a proper DM and let Dom play the 10, solves all our problems in the final 2/3rds. To those saying we need to build a team around Wirtz, EXACTLY, I've no interest in a player who needs a whole new team arond him, what nonsense, the best can do it anywhere, they adapt.

let's see how he gets on this season, if he doe the business, great, if he can't find his feet, he's simply not cut out fpr the Prem.

13 Sep 2026 20:09:24
I really liked the Sony MiniDisc.

13 Sep 2026 21:19:19
Can we interest them in Szobo instead?

I would also like to drop Wirtz to an advanced 8 and have a pressing winger ie Minteh do that 4-4-2 press rather than Wirtz.

Just my thoughts.

14 Sep 2026 08:52:47
I find Olise's interviews quite hilarious actually, I don't think he's being a jerk on purpose, he just seems very shy, introverted and uninterested in the publicity side of things and it comes across the entirely wrong way. Most footballers give rote and robotic answers about 'focusing on the next game' or whatever anyway so they might as well not give interviews at all.

14 Sep 2026 09:28:33
Olise is so strange i sometimes think he is an Alien! 🤣 The one clip where he immitates Harry Kane after a game (just to applause the fans) is so strange i thought that's how Aliens would act, try to immitate us "humans" lol.

14 Sep 2026 10:23:45
When or if you have time, Ed01, would love to hear your updated opinion on Wirtz (sorry if it's already been shared somewhere, just rtfp me).

I'm worried there is some momentum picking up 'round here to throw him under the bus. I remember how excited you (and I, and others) were when he arrived. I'm still a believer.

{Ed001's Note - my opinion is the same - he needs movement around him or he can do nothing. I lost my voice shouting at Isak to make the early run, but he failed to do so against Fulham. I don't understand it, both of his goals last weekend were as a result of an early run in behind, so this weekend he doesn't bother making them. A lot of Wirtz' lost passes are playing the ball for a run but Isak, Szoboszlai etc are just stood waiting instead. It frustrates me as the lack of movement and effort kills us as a team, not just Wirtz role in it.}

14 Sep 2026 10:29:26
Cheers, mate.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

14 Sep 2026 10:52:28
IMO Wirtz is twice the player Olise is.
Like others have said . We need to build the team around Wirtz. Players need to be quicker thinking like him. He reads the game and sees passes way quicker than the rest.
And most of the time he's got no support around him and no runners to pass to.
No Olise please!

{Ed025's Note - hmmmm..

14 Sep 2026 11:15:42
Just go and sign a number 6 who is solid in tackles and can get the ball to the forward line with 1-2 touches. Watch the difference it makes to the likes or isak, wirtz, barcola etc.

14 Sep 2026 11:56:12
Spot on Origi. We all knew where we needed to strengthen in midfield and we didn't.

14 Sep 2026 11:02:45
Ed, you're wasting your breathe, man. Anyone that thinks Wirtz is the problem simply is just being lazy, dishonest or does not know what they are watching. It is a witch hunt at this point and can't be arsed.

They want Szobo to play in the no. 10, a guy that barely possesses any of the creative qualities Wirtz possesses and who lacks the vision to spot a pass in the spaces our forwards sun into.

Also, people say "Oh, we won the league with Szobo in the no. 10 role". Great, was he the creative spark in the final third like Wirtz is now? because that was Trent and esp. Macca playing in those creative spaces that Wirtz occupies now. Again, you can tell people don't really watch him.

I pray Wirtz gets benched for Szobo in the no. 10 so we can watch him prove us all right.

14 Sep 2026 12:21:54
Olise is an Edwards laptop signing, not an Andoni one.
This is a non starter.
Wirtz will come good, as Molby has pointed out, when he has the right MF behind him and a player like Minteh to the right.

14 Sep 2026 12:29:54
Is it just me or is Szob part of the problem rather than the solution, Wirtz work rate is great and I noticed several times he was back defending before Szob but everyone seems to be harming Wirtz.
I think Szob is not as good as he thinks he is and needs to improve a lot.

14 Sep 2026 12:34:38
"Oh, we won the league with Szobo in the no. 10 role". Great, was he the creative spark in the final third like Wirtz is now? "

Oli - Wirtz is not a creative spark in the final third for us.

We all want him to do well mate but let's be honest he's barely creating anything.

Fulham game was the first one I've managed to get to anfield for this season and I have to say I'm struggling to see where Wirtz fits in.

Doesn't seem to have the pace or style to be a winger in an Iraola system (like Barcola or Rio or Munoz).

And honestly his impact in the no 10 was so poor. He just isn't having any impact on the game at all. Right now I'd describe him as a poor Phil Foden - few nice touches and flicks and clearly technically excellent but no meaningful impact on the game.

I think there's a player in there and I'd love him to come good but I'm losing faith honestly.

His only saving grace, was Szob played one of his worst games on Saturday (moaning, throwing his arms up, not coming to meet passes, turning the ball over, committing fouls).

What I would say is Szob was playing so deep on Saturday, almost between the centre backs in the first half, and that just does not suit him at all IMO. It shackles him and takes away his athleticism and pressing. I assume Iraola thought it would allow his long range passing to be effective against a low block Fulham side but it didn't work out.

I'm not #Wirtz out but I would like to see us try a lineup with him out of it and see how it works because the Fulham game was as poor as I have seen us play.

On a positive note, Munoz worked very hard and looks like he could be a good signing for us.

{Ed025's Note - Munoz does work hard NK, but have you ever seen a chicken without a head mate?.. :)

14 Sep 2026 13:32:37
OliRed, but you said the problem was Slot last season. It was 'all on him'.
He's gone but what's the difference for Wirtz?
Wirtz isn't the only problem just as Slot wasn't the only problem but you are accusing posters of what you regularly do.

14 Sep 2026 13:53:34
Olive looks good in the dominant team in a farmer's league.

Like @Vik, I know nothing about the bloke, never having met him, so can't comment upon his character but from what I've seen he looks good in a poor league. I'm not sure that he would solve our, perceived, issue with the RW position.

14 Sep 2026 15:07:17
I'm a fan of Wirtz, skilful, high energy. I'm sure Andoni loves him.

I would actually play Szobo on the right wing, I said it when we signed him and wondered if he might one day 'replace' Salah there. Why not? He has pace, he has work rate, he has an incredible shot on him, he can cross, he can beat a man, he can even help RB out.

So my front 4 would be :
Barcola LW
Wirtz : 10
Szobo : RW
Isak : ST

MacA and Grav in midfield as 'double pivot'.

14 Sep 2026 15:28:30
There is no witch hunt whatsoever when it comes to Wirtz. Every LFC fan is desperate for him to be a huge star for us. But just like you make it sound like there are fans that can't see any good in Wirtz and are blind or worse dishonest, there are also fans who just won't accept any slight criticism of him the way all the other players get.

its always excuse after excuse. Everyone else's fault. He can't be exempt from that. Lets hope he starts smashing it and everyone moves on to the next poor bugger on the list😂.

14 Sep 2026 15:31:39
You're crazy if you're thinking of selling Wirtz. Olise would be the best Salah replacement we could get.

14 Sep 2026 16:13:32
What Rigsby said. Some of the tosh that posters come out with, making excuses for Wirtz. Top quality players grab the game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen. I've watched Wirtz for over a year and up till now he hasn't shown me he's one of those players.

He's got the rest of this season to prove that he's not been a complete and utter waste of money.

14 Sep 2026 17:18:24
Wirtz should be going nowhere, we should be building the team around him.

Szobo, offers little but the off set piece and running around aimlessly. I think there's a player in there but I'm not sure his ego can take what the team needs from him. His engine is washed when he runs aimlessly, he opens up passing lanes for the opposition, he spent most of the previous game fouling as he's out of position.

Macca has shocked me, he's been the closest thing to what we need, his legs may be gone but he has the intelligence to position himself preferably.

Give me Scott and/or Wharton and the team will be fine.

We're wasting Wirtz having him cover szobo and gravy's mistakes yet Wirtz seems to catch the flack. Pointless having Wirtz, Barcola and isak when the former two are spending so much time in our half that isak is left isolated.

{Ed025's Note - come on Jerry, what has Wirtz done up to now to think you should build a team around him mate?..

14 Sep 2026 17:31:54
And yet more excuses. Szoboszlai doesn't escape my criticism, either, but I don't read posters making excuses for him, or Mac Allister.

14 Sep 2026 18:53:36
Once the price tag is over £100m you get immunity from critical review. It's fanboy law.

13 Sep 2026 12:52:57
Afternoon Eds, Reds and ITKs.

Does anyone know if we have reached an agreement on a new contract with Rio?

I read somewhere that a deal had been agreed and would be signed after he turned 18, which I believe was Aug 29th.

13 Sep 2026 14:49:13
It's on the table, TME, but he keeps stepping over it.

13 Sep 2026 15:24:32
Why's he walking on the table, Rome??

Kids these days *tuts*.

13 Sep 2026 15:40:50
Rome I did like that one.

13 Sep 2026 16:11:38
Zedd, I'm forever telling him to get off the table with his muddy boots on. Do you think he'll listen? He's a naughty little tinker.

13 Sep 2026 16:28:39
I don't think I have seen anyone who does more stepovers than this kid. He will improve his overall game, I hope.

13 Sep 2026 16:42:22
@Rome that was funny.

@LFCDas maybe a young Ronaldo.

13 Sep 2026 23:10:05
He's not the Messiah, he's just a very naughty boy!

14 Sep 2026 11:36:55
"Who threw that stone" NMB.

12 Sep 2026 23:18:48
Alexander Stankovic from Inter. Apparently we asked for a loan with option to buy this summer whilst in talks for Jones. Proposal was rejected. He's only got 7mins playing time and we may go in for him again next summer. He's a defensive midfielder.

12 Sep 2026 23:43:11
"He's only got 7 minutes playing time" probably isn't something he would want highlighted on his CV?

12 Sep 2026 23:49:13
No idea why, but the club must rate him if they asked for a loan with option to buy.

13 Sep 2026 00:24:25
Could be to keep the sear on the bench warm when Endo leaves 😉.

13 Sep 2026 02:18:38
Or it's just not true.

13 Sep 2026 10:02:14
See if there's a buyer in January for the likes of Grav, Macca and go and get Alex Scott and Camara. Scott has 18months left on his Bournemouth contract by then and I can't see him signing another one. Dont want to hear about profiles like I did all summer.

He knows Ireola, he knows his system so would come in and be straight up to speed. Camara I don't know as much about but seems a disciplined able to play in a pivot guy so would be another improvement on what we have at the moment.

13 Sep 2026 10:42:43
Getting Grav out the door might be troublesome Florian with his current form & crazy wages but totally agree on Scott mate!
Has come on leaps & bounds and physical far more robust than a few years back.
Definitely improves us imo.

13 Sep 2026 10:43:35
It's just banter on a rumours site @The Fifth.

13 Sep 2026 10:52:09
Scott would be a good shout, familiar with the gaffer and being homegrown.

13 Sep 2026 10:56:56
I agree on Grav, Bristol. But one can only hope 😂.

13 Sep 2026 11:27:45
Just put his name into online search and many articles reporting it.

13 Sep 2026 12:41:50
I hope we're not scouring other teams benches for the players who can't get a look in with the idea of bringing them to Anfield, that sounds like a terrible approach to achieving world dominance.

13 Sep 2026 12:59:37
Even Real's sub rightfull SG84EVA? 😂.

13 Sep 2026 14:00:11
He's 20. We bought Coutinho at a similar age from Inter's bench.

Not saying Stankovic is our answer, but give the lad a chance if he does join!

13 Sep 2026 14:10:52
I don't think Alex Scott, as good a player he is, is the profile we need right now.

Lamine Camara and Adam Wharton would be an ideal double-pivot for this team. And it would not surprise me if they were top of the list in the summer we just made a balls up of.

If you want to go cheap and cheerful alternative to Adam Wharton, Mikel Jauregizar from Atletico Bilbao could be really useful.

Likewise, Sidiki would be a good alternative to Camara.

The long-term play for the double-pivot is to get Kennet Eichhorn out of Leverkusen and pair him up with Trey Nyoni. We tried to get Eichhorn in the summer and it would not surprise me if we went back again in a couple of years. Will be extremely costly though.

Lastly, keep an eye out on how Hugo Larsson at Fulham, Djaoui Cisse at Rennes and Assan Ouedraogo at RB Leipzig do this season. They are all players we have scouted.

13 Sep 2026 14:57:53
Seemed the right profile for Andoni last season.

12 Sep 2026 12:57:17
Ed001 - a few rumours about Allison today not being offered a new contract. Do you think this is his last season with us?

{Ed001's Note - I think he will probably stay another season.

12 Sep 2026 14:47:02
At least 1 more season would be awesome. 2 would be ideal so there is an overlap with Brughmans.

12 Sep 2026 14:55:52
Will be some tall order for Brughmans to be as good as Allison, but hopefully he doesn't have his head in the clouds.

12 Sep 2026 16:53:18
Allison is a shadow of his former self.

12 Sep 2026 17:32:14
Ali been dropped from Brazil and he did not get his move i just think his head has gone seen that in todays game he was all over the place.
Hate saying anything about Ali but he has just not been him self.


Todays game showed kirkez, frimpong and the greek scouser are not up to the standards of this club. Gravenberch is going backwards needs to sort him self out.

12 Sep 2026 18:03:57
Alisson is starting to get more rash. Obviously hasn't got the same speed off the line as he used to.

12 Sep 2026 21:24:10
I still see Ali pulling of worldy saves that most other keepers wouldn't. I'd definitely be keeping him around we have enough issues, the last thing we need is a crap goalie.

12 Sep 2026 21:40:32
Ali isn't playing for Brazil because Carlo wants to play younger players in friendlies. He said he'll call Ali back up when it's more important.
Let's not assume Carlo thinks he's rubbish now as he's said the exact opposite.

12 Sep 2026 21:48:47
I think Ali has been great for the club, and one of my all time favourite players. The header against West Brom. And his emotional speech when his dad passed away. He's a great guy and a great keeper. He is not being protected very well by our porous team. However, he did keep a clean sheet today, just about.

I'm more concerned about midfield and fullbacks. That was a perfect opportunity for Gravenberch to show some character and fight himself back into the managers plans, but instead we got this. He isn't a serious footballer. I think we need a few serious footballers at the moment.

12 Sep 2026 23:45:06
Given he is about 8ft 5ins and still growing I wouldn't worry about it being a tall order. Sorry, sometimes I can't help myself .

13 Sep 2026 02:06:59
I don't think we required todays game to judge that Frimpong and Kerkez aren't good enough. I suppose our standards are relatively high when Robertson and Trent were at their best, and that could be to the detriment of the two players. One doesn't know his best position and the other switches off far too often.

13 Sep 2026 06:28:19
Clean sheet is one small positive. midfield is one big problem. Graven. Resumed where he stopped last year. The Greek is very poor. He is good in club social activities only. Shift him to marketing.

13 Sep 2026 09:02:29
The things that annoys me so much about yesterday, was these were the types of games that Wirtz was brought in for to unlock the defence. I am just going to be honest and say what I think. There is no doubt Wirtz is a good player, but I don't think it is working and I am yet to see any evidence of this improving.

13 Sep 2026 09:12:41
Fair comment, Inbeta. I'm still a believer, though, and think he'll "come good".

13 Sep 2026 13:03:49
Fingers crossed. We have seen lots of "big players" go to "big clubs" and it not working out over the years. I just hope this isn't one of them. I am just thinking back to players like Suarez and Torres that came in and just hit the ground running. They always gave 100% and always made some sort of impact. I know there were problems with Suarez near the end and Torres, but you cannot deny their ability.

I just don't think I have watched a match yet where I have looked at Wirtz and though "we have a player here" in fact, I've just been disappointed because he has been poor. And people keep saying "he did okay" is okay good enough?

13 Sep 2026 14:39:31
I am with Embeta with regards to Florian Wirtz.
When all the fuss about us signing him came about I thought "who"?
I watch a lot of football and I am sure that I would have known about him if I thought he was any good, but so fare he hasn't shown much.


In fact when I watched the match yesterday I kept saying to myself, which of these teams has 3 x 100 miilion plus players in the team?

11 Sep 2026 09:15:28
According to the Premier League injuries website both Bradley and Ekitike have now beginning of November as a potential return dates. Gomez should be back first, then Chiesa, then Leoni before the other two.

11 Sep 2026 09:56:04
I wouldn't count too much on Ekitike this season, or at least until april in the best case scenario. That injury is very bad so needs to be carefully managed and he will need time to trust his body again.

11 Sep 2026 09:56:15
Ekitike is doing independent ball work now. Looks really positive but still a long way to go.

11 Sep 2026 10:09:34
Is that a euphemism MK?

11 Sep 2026 10:16:44
I don't think so Taurus. According to his missus he only gets to score when he scores.

11 Sep 2026 10:25:31
@Dominican Pat Richards for Wigan Warriors had the same injury and was sidelined for 6 months.

11 Sep 2026 10:30:29
Mk you are correct and I've seen Ekitike post saying he's hoping to be back by boxing day.

11 Sep 2026 10:35:36
@Dominican, where are you getting your information from?

11 Sep 2026 10:42:05
I don't want Eki anywhere near a football pitch until he is well and trully over such a devastating and complicated injury.

Cos a player came back from it in 6 months doesn't apply to every scenario either because people's bodies are different and their recovery powers are different.

Eki should be back only when all systems are go and not a moment before.

11 Sep 2026 11:29:34
Oli, you need to forward this to the Liverpool medical team. I'm sure they were wanting him to make the bench for tomorrow.

11 Sep 2026 11:29:49
Every human is different and heals at different speeds you can't blanket a one case fits all it's all down to the person. What will be will be.

11 Sep 2026 11:54:49
I am not sure either of them will feature much this season. Bradley's injury sounds just as serious as Ekitike's.

11 Sep 2026 12:23:27
I'm not an expert in the matter, but what I've read is that while a person can typically recover between 6 to 9 months, the hardest part is recovering confidence in the muscle, hence why people talk about the recovery time of 9 to 12 months.

It obviously depends on the person, but I would prefer to be conservative in this situation and not to have high hopes and be surprised than to go against the typical recovery time.

11 Sep 2026 12:52:30
Hopefully he doesn't have to wait as long as Gomez to score Zed.

11 Sep 2026 13:44:47
Just cause Ekitike can kick a ball doesn't mean he's anywhere near ready to play a competitive game of football, I wouldn't expect to see him anywhere near a pitch this side of christmas. Bradley won't far off him either, might see him back before then if all goes well. Looking forward to seeing Leoni back soon enough though.

11 Sep 2026 14:18:20
Iraola suggested Ekitike might be able to play some role in the final 2 games of the UCL league phase, so January seems more likely.

11 Sep 2026 15:20:07
I would be amazed but very happy if Hugo was to play this side of Easter.

11 Sep 2026 15:48:57
One can only dream where would LFC have been with him now, though with a very strong caveat, would Andoni still have wanted Barcola? (of course).

Though a most possible front four of: Barcola, Hugo, Isak and Gakpo before the end of the season, does indeed "whet the appetite" and the ambition.

11 Sep 2026 15:49:52
Right we need to start calling him Conor, because you guys had me panicking like a cheap clickbait Anfield Watch headline.
Thought we had the most expensive treatment tables in the country again.

11 Sep 2026 21:22:05
Bradley, eki and leoni won't be seen this year. They'll need serious rehab, hope I'm wrong though.

14 Sep 2026 14:00:01
Just so I know - can someone clarify what 'independent ball work' is please?

10 Sep 2026 14:03:22
Think iraola has seen through gravy. He knows he can't play him over macca and szobo.

10 Sep 2026 14:36:44
I still think we need a player with better defensive discipline than Szobozlai in midfield, especially if Wirtz is always first on the team sheet. Getting in each others way at times it feels.

10 Sep 2026 14:43:20
He will make Grav change. If he doesn't change, he won't play her.

10 Sep 2026 15:31:50
If he didn't rate him then he probably wouldn't be here.

10 Sep 2026 16:09:09
Him* :/.

10 Sep 2026 16:52:27
Could always add more granules, OP.

10 Sep 2026 18:29:08
Was he terrible last night? I was at the game and he looked Orite to me, can't understand the hate for Gravy today.

I thought it was a decent sub at the right time, tired legs in there and he took some pressure off 🤷🏻‍♂️.

10 Sep 2026 18:32:18
Very good FPF 👏.

10 Sep 2026 19:20:10
Guess we always need a player to beat on. Gakpo is doing ok, so Grav it is. Sad really!

10 Sep 2026 19:30:10
I thought he looked like he was trying a bit too hard, trying things that weren't on to try and show he could make a difference. There are worse responses to being dropped. Just needs to do the simple stuff well and he'll be fine, not everyone needs to be a superstar.

10 Sep 2026 19:37:51
Seems like another example of a player not starting so he becomes crap to some. Then when he starts getting some games we remember he's actually a good player and the crap player mantle becomes the player he replaced.

10 Sep 2026 18:29:24
Damn you FPF! I'm too slow!

I was going to mention something about x-ray vision, but it doesn't matter now. Humph!

10 Sep 2026 19:46:55
I am a fan of gravy, and maybe it was the coverage but it looked like everything he did was bad, and if it was good, it was a lucky foul. I genuinely believe he is a good footballer, but I have no understanding of last night's terrible performance. Only positive is I can say he looked like he was trying. Maybe too hard?

10 Sep 2026 20:43:39
We need a full squad. Grav is talented. He'll hopefully figure it out. Its mostly in the head with him.

It doesn't have to be Szoboslai vs Macca vs Grav vs Nyoni with the fans. We have all of them and will need them all.

It might be taking Grav a bit longer to figure out the tactics, but that's not to say he won't and then start delivering. He is a good athlete. He ll figure out what he needs to start doing to get in the team. Might even become a better player because of this period. Sometimes being subbed is a good time to reflect on why you are sub and fix it.

Its early days.

10 Sep 2026 21:33:52
Grav needs to keep it simple, yday he lost the ball twice trying fancy flicks the kind that cost us a goal against Newcastle.

10 Sep 2026 21:41:53
The main thing is Iraola doesn't have any favourites and is picking players on form. He comes across like a nice guy but also one willing to take decisions needed. Everyone will get a chance to impress with the amount of games coming up. We are starting to look like a proper effective team again.

11 Sep 2026 02:27:32
Agree @WarMachine, whatever it is there has been a mental shift. We look far more solid and a lot more like an actual football team than the past 18 months. Nowhere near the finished article (if there is such a thing) but the ship is, at least, sailing in the right direction.

{Ed666's Note - could it do with the fact where training harder, are fitter than we’ve been in a long time, have some tactical nous and well I’m gonna stop there before I have the pro slot brigade banging my ears

11 Sep 2026 07:10:13
Szob is the worry he just hasn't a clue on positioning and tracking back. Not suited to the system. Hope the manager can improve him defensively and encourage him to move the ball faster.
Plus can he try to miss the first man at corners.

11 Sep 2026 07:57:34
LFC8 - if Grav was supposed to take the pressure off he didn't accomplish that, quite the opposite. He gave the ball away carelessly on enough occasions for Stevie G to voice his disapproval on TNT and he had barely been on 5 minutes. Gave away a needless foul too.

I tell you who did relieve the pressure, young Lewis Koumas. Great cameo and the lunging header to win a free kick effectively killed the game.

Markp - totally agree. He lacks some of the skills that I consider to be core to a midfielder, which is a worry. And his corners are awful for someone so clinical with a deadball. More practice on the training ground required.

11 Sep 2026 08:51:16
The thing with Grav is that he is not disciplined enough. I don't know what happened to him but he has been bad since last season until now, and while he doesn't deserve hate, he does indeed need to be critized for his performances.

I've said a couple of times, Grav seems to be more effective in a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-2-3-1. Additionally, I don't think him, Szobo and Wirtz should play together in the same midfield. So, I wouldn't be surprised if a decision to sell one of the 3 is made.

Sadly, if we wanted to sell Grav it would be difficult since he was given a stupidly big contract for just half of a great season. I looked at the numbers and he is the 3rd player after VVD and Isak, and 2nd if you include bonuses.

11 Sep 2026 09:02:33
How can Szoboszlai be a concern when he has scored 2 goals from 4 games. Isn't your AM supposed to score goals as well? he is doing his own job and somebody else's i would suggest.

11 Sep 2026 09:39:58
I really don't think it's that deep OP. We have a squad for a reason, the new manager is trying to find the best balance. Players have their time in the sun, then dip out, then come back. Everyone will have a role to play. Even if Gravenberch didn't ever manage to win over the managers trust and had to be sold, who's arsed? Players come and go all the time and i wish Liverpool were more ruthless in that sense.

I have no issues with players coming in to generate competition and it resulting in some names being forced out. He's been dropped for two games, that's it, and if does eventually turn out to be the case that he isn't favoured, then cool, but we don't have to look ahead to that after 2 games of not starting.

11 Sep 2026 10:12:36
I think the problem may be with combinations of players rather than individuals. Kerkez and Rio on the right is a problem. For me the same goes for Szobo and Grav. It's not that they can't do the job, it's that both instinctively go forward and leave a gaping hole in midfield. Maybe Grav would fit in better with Macca or Nyoni.

11 Sep 2026 10:15:25
WarMachine mentioned it. While early days, Iraola doesn't seem to have favourites. That will get him on the fans' side.
Using Araujo was a good show, and so is dropping Grav. And actually, so is dropping Rio (for a game at least).

The wingers as it is, have all to prove. That they deserve to start.
None has done that (excpet perhaps Gakpo), and thus rotation makes sense.

Soon enough, Tsimikas will come in for Kerkez.
Whether Tsimikas will do well or not, it remaining to be seen. Or perhaps Gomez to play left back?

11 Sep 2026 10:37:17
@666, I think you might be onto something mate 😉.

11 Sep 2026 11:44:10
Is there a pro-Slot brigade? i doubt they even have the numbers to form a Possè.
Good point Ed, there's less quit in the team today - i think last season i always put it down to attitude, but having a head coach in the country is definitley reaping benefits and fitness and fight has improved substantially.

11 Sep 2026 21:38:48
Personally, I thought he looked a bit lumpy.

No?

Anyone?

I'll get my coat!

10 Sep 2026 08:55:22
I have thought for a long time time that Llorente would fit well into an Iraola Liverpool team. Proper energy and a grafter and can score goals too - as he ever been on our radar?

10 Sep 2026 09:07:37
Iraola hasn't been our manager for a long time.

Do you mean that back when he was at Bournemouth you thought Llorente would play well there?

10 Sep 2026 09:19:47
I'll translate for you CBell - watched the game last night, liked the look of Llorente, can we buy him please - brace yourself for additional random posts such as this everytime someone has a decent game against us.

10 Sep 2026 09:32:33
I must admit, not being that knowledgeable of players for other clubs, especially non-PL clubs, I saw Llorente had scored and immediately thought of Fernando, i.e. a striker!

Didn't realise that Marcos is principally a RB!

I think a few weeks ago, I would have been keener on him given our gaps in that position.

However, with Araujo seemingly making the role his own, I think our need is less in that position, especially once Bradley returns.

If Bradley ends up having a LT injury issue, then I would prefer we went younger as Llorente is closer to the end of his career than the start.

If Araujo ends up continuing in this vein then I think most of us see us exercising our buy option and being very happy. I would hope we are able to give VVD a 1-2 year extension and therefore Jacquet, Leoni, VVD and (potentially) Ndukwe are a pretty strong CB cohort, allowing Araujo to be available for RB when needed.

I do see Araujo ultimately being a leader at CB, given his vociferousness, his leadership qualities and his bite/housery. But having him doing so well at RB means that we can potentially deprioritise that role, perhaps in favour of a CDM, in Jan.

10 Sep 2026 10:03:08
I'm pretty sure ed2 said we where interested in him few years ago

10 Sep 2026 10:38:58

Gotta say Zed, in the short time I've been watching him, I really like him. Really like Jacquet too.

Early days, I know, but both look like really good acquisitions at this point!

Thought Macca had a decent game last night (not just because of the goal), but he got a bit more stuck in. Still not the long term answer for me, but nice to see a little more from him (It's the least he should be doing tbh).

10 Sep 2026 11:31:11
You're correct there Digger. I think Klopp wanted him. Might be wrong with that though.

10 Sep 2026 12:07:53
2Shoes, it is still really early days, but his performances so far seem to eroding the opinions of some posters that he is a Melo or Caulker-esque loan signing.

I liked Araujo's profile going back a couple of years, but my concern was (and remains) injuries. Let's hope he makes it through the season.

10 Sep 2026 12:02:17
Shankly, he did want Llorente. Ed02 said so at the time, I concur with Digger.

10 Sep 2026 12:30:22
Watching Araujo wheel around after providing the assist was priceless. Just for that I'd buy him.

10 Sep 2026 12:35:55
I know a few questions have been asked about Kerkez's performance, albeit I thought on balance he did OK (based on extended highlights, though, as I didn't watch the whole game) - defensive lapse offset by attacking threat.

However, with Araujo at RB, and given he is less attacking minded than, say, Trent was, essentially we have a 'back 3' of Araujo, Jacquet & VVD which should help shore up the backline to allow Kerkez to press forward more.

I just like the solidity that Araujo in that position gives us, and is also a help to Jacquet as he settles in.

10 Sep 2026 13:09:19
I'm pretty sure Llorente is a box to box midfielder who can play RB rather than being primarily an RB. Would have been a good signing a few years ago, he's kind of getting on in years now.

{Ed666's Note - I thought Barrios was exceptional last night. I wouldn’t mind him in our midfield.

10 Sep 2026 14:46:12
Fully agree with Zed there on how we do/should use Araujo, adjusting loosely to 3 at the back when Kerkez goes forward is ideal. I like the look of Araujo, on the brief evidence so far he's a keeper for me. Unusual for our loans! I see some concerns about his injury problems but many of them have been very short, not an issue for me.

10 Sep 2026 15:04:07
Not sure how anyone can like the look of him .not with that ponytail! 🤮.

10 Sep 2026 15:51:58
Personal choice, Cardiff, or should that be Vidal Red!

10 Sep 2026 18:49:47
He ran the show for much of the time Ed, looked a really good player. Macca did well for us but more of a battling performance from him.

{Ed666's Note - I’ve never really noticed Barrio before but last night he was eye catching mate.

10 Sep 2026 19:19:10
Klopp was very very eager to sign him if I remember correctly.

10 Sep 2026 22:46:39
@CardiffRed, still haven't recovered from Voronin?

09 Sep 2026 13:12:18
Be interesting to see how Marc Pubill does tonight against us after fussball-news.de reported ourselves, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are among the interested parties in acquiring the CB, rumoured cost €55m to €60m.

09 Sep 2026 14:06:26
I am more interested in how our players perform tonight. Excited to see Barcola!

09 Sep 2026 19:53:47
Hopefully he looks like one we swerved and wouldn't take on a free after scoring 2 own goals. Then giving away a penalty which resulted in a red card.

09 Sep 2026 22:17:27
I can't see us putting more money into the CB position for the moment unless all of the 6 CBs we recently signed turn out to be duds. I suspect they will be looking at the midfield and a specialist rb first.

09 Sep 2026 23:14:04
What an unprofessional rubbish attitude from Simeone - just walked straight down the tunnel without shaking any hands. 😡😡

09 Sep 2026 23:33:48

I love Simeone - he’s like a pantomime villain. I think that nice young Argentinian lad who just joined Citeh might actually (or dare I say literally) be his son.

09 Sep 2026 23:34:28
He did the same thing last time as well - the man is a petulant little twerp.
It's interesting with him, though - he's been dining out on two league titles for 15 years, yet Atletico won't develop any further under him. Just the same c**p year after year.

{Ed666's Note - I think the cost of buying out of his contract is immense that may be a factor also

10 Sep 2026 02:26:23
They'll just give him a new one, Ed. Atletico is one of the best-funded clubs in Europe - they have all the money they need - yet they play like Everton.

{Ed666's Note - yes mate I’m super perplexed at the outrageous money they give him and hand him 10 year contracts or something silly like that. They are happy with a title every 4 or 5 years weird mentality.

10 Sep 2026 11:37:22
Simeone keeps the Argentina pipeline open for them, at least.

10 Sep 2026 12:03:07
Schultzy, Simeone always does that.

10 Sep 2026 16:28:08
Bit harsh on Simeone. When he took over Athletico were hamstrung financially. They still are somewhat. They were living pretty much year by year selling their best forwards hoping to find another diamond in the rough they were perennial mid tablers who every other season snuck into the champs league / UEFA places. Someone in his first full season got them 2 trophies and 3rd their highest finish since they won it in 96.

The very next season he won la Liga for the first time for them in almost 20 years somehow toppling Barca and Madrid who were absolute power houses back then.

He won a few super cops and got to 2 champs league finals. Pretty much all while selling their best players and bringing in misfits, paying down their debt and paying off a new stadium.

The football he played was ugly. I can't say I liked the way they played but he got his teams working as well drilled units.

We have seen clubs like ourselves and united spursditch managers and get into even more trouble as you end up changing manager every 2 seasons and you don't have a consistent type of player to bring in.

Athletico have done well keeping and you should be careful what you wish for. Because the grass isn't always greener. How many other world class managers are there and how many would want to come to Athletico?

10 Sep 2026 19:20:22
Simeone is a blert, and renowned for being a blert. Decent at his craft but an absolute beaut.

11 Sep 2026 02:32:23
And never forget the cheating sw1ne got our Becks sent off in the World Cup too. Other than that I don't like him, even though I've never met him.

{Ed666's Note - Didn’t Rooney get Ronaldo wrongly sent off in a World Cup or euros? Cheating is prevalent everywhere

08 Sep 2026 21:40:48
I see Romano is reporting that Man United have completed a deal to sign Liverpool's 16-year-old English midfielder Isaac Konde. Anyone know much about this kid? Is it considered a big loss?

08 Sep 2026 22:25:20
Huge talent, big loss.

08 Sep 2026 22:59:12
Why? What has he done? He’s 17 next month and is still playing under 18’s football and spends time on the bench.

09 Sep 2026 00:53:56
I assume he is another young lad with a lot of potential. As with all kiddies his age, there is no guarantee of realising the (full) potential. Most of the time they tend not to make it; sometimes they do, and in this case United have rolled the dice.

I read last season that Abe was the next sensation, but this season it’s a bit quieter.

09 Sep 2026 03:53:32
Personally, I don't see securing a 16 year old as a huge win or lose a 16 year old as a huge loss.

Hopefully for the kid it is the right move for him.

09 Sep 2026 07:50:06
Have to say I hadn’t heard of him until this story came out. That's not to say he’s not a good player, just that he’s not one of the names you hear most about.

09 Sep 2026 08:23:58
There's thousands of young players that show potential early on but don't make it to first team PL football level for various reasons. Perhaps he will and perhaps he won't. It'll be as much a mentality issue as a physical or technical issue. It's a gamble and only time will tell.

09 Sep 2026 09:17:54
I wouldn't be concerned. Our Academy needs work, to be honest, when you look at how many have come through in the last 20 years. This should be the priority to fix instead of trying to sign the wondertalents that other academies have produced.



Just Trent and Curtis really, and Curtis didn't live up to it in the end.

Lots of players too who looked good but nothing happened (Woodburn, Pacheco, Canos etc.).

09 Sep 2026 11:24:05
The problem as I see it is this. It's so rare these days that a u21 player gets any 1st team games, they get shipped off to other clubs on loan.
Back in the day, when we had Steve Mac, Robbie Fowler, Owen and Gerrard, that was the exception to the rule. Players do not tend to be trained fully by the club; if they are at any other club then they will be over/under played.

EPL clubs rarely play young players; they prefer to buy foreign players who have made a bit of a name for themselves. Unfortunately, young players are not a priority anymore.

09 Sep 2026 11:42:27
Could have been the next Rio, or maybe a Josh McEachran. Or the next Pele, Freddy Adu.

Think we've just got to accept that academy kids move about these days, we seem to nab more than we lose.

09 Sep 2026 19:11:37

I definitely agree, Brown Jesus.

09 Sep 2026 22:00:07

It’s a subject that has been discussed on here quite a number of times. There’s basically a gap in between the very top teams and the slightly Kessler (for want of a better phrase) teams in, as an example, the PL.



Young players, particularly from abroad, are happy to sign for the ‘lesser’ teams because they know they will get game time. If they do, and they shine, then the top tier clubs pay over the odds to buy. The youngsters in a lot of cases don’t opt for the top teams initially because they are not going to get the game time.



For the home grown kids, the ones with potential at 16, 17 tend to play up through the age groups but rarely make it into the senior match day squads, let alone the team. Their development path comes up against the club spending hundreds of millions on ‘ready made’ squad / team players who have one or two years more experience (in this example in the PL) and often the home grown players just don’t have the opportunities to kick on.



Home grown kids who at 15, 16 or so may have been ‘better’ prospects ultimately lose out in a lot of cases due to their promotion path not being the same as the kids coming in from overseas.



I’m talking in general terms rather than specific examples of players, but imho it seems, oddly, that the path is harder for homegrown teenagers.



As an interesting aside, Chelsea sold or loaned 39 players in the recent transfer window and received over £400m in transfer fees. They have their own model which, as I’ve said before, treats young human beings far too much like trading assets.

09 Sep 2026 22:14:56
A player is worth only what the buying club is willing to pay.

Leave the finances to your betters. They earn more in a year than you do in a lifetime.

Just quoting WDW.

11 Sep 2026 22:21:48
@Hughes, you aren't quoting me as I've never said that. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you are misquoting, rather than calling you a purveyor of terminological inexactitudes.