Liverpool banter 2

19 Aug 2026 12:19:37
Another day without a signing, it’s taking the proverbial urine now.
I said yesterday we would finish fifth in a post, I think that might be a struggle too unless we get two wingers, a RB and a CM
Midfield is weak.

19 Aug 2026 13:02:24
Totally agree, Shughes.

19 Aug 2026 13:17:50
We need a Salah replacement (Barcola is looking like our choice), but other than that, we're good to go as it stands. We, of course, would need to replace others if they leave, but right now Jones seems like the only one close to leaving. Rather than sign a direct replacement though, it looks like the plan is to drop Szoboszlai deeper this season so Wirtz can come central in behind the striker. That's probably why we're after a second winger in Mbaye. In a round-about way, that second winger replaces Jones by enabling Wirtz and then Szoboszlai to move into new roles.

In an ideal world I would've preferred Kounde to Araujo, and I would replace Macca with Camara.

But ultimately we've opted for Araujo and Macca's Dad has said he doesn't want to leave. So that's that with a RB cover and a new CM in my opinion.

I really don't understand why people are so negative about the season ahead. I'm absolutely buzzed for it. We came 5th last season with a manager who was actively hindering our ability to compete. I think we'll start slowly as we adapt to the style of play/physical demands, but then I think we'll really kick on in the 2nd half of the season. Iraola just needs to make the Doubters into believers all over again.

19 Aug 2026 13:21:41
Don't put too much pressure on Dickie, guys. He's got Bournemouth and Al Hilal business to sort out too. We need to be more empathetic about the pressure he must be under.

19 Aug 2026 13:34:56
MK overstating the quality of the squad in the summer is the kind of consistency we need.

19 Aug 2026 13:44:40
Yeah, whilst I totally agree with MK Scouser about last season, and looking forward to this season, I think we are a bit light in places on the squad, but as said, looking forward to a good season with a manager that's invested.

19 Aug 2026 14:14:14
I've been right every time, FPF! I haven't been worried about a season for 10 years and in that time we've never finished below 5th in the league and have won 9 trophies ?

Maybe our fans have simply become entitled enough to believe that's not good enough, but the 15 years I saw prior to that would beg to differ!

19 Aug 2026 14:32:23
Of course, lots of Liverpool fans are entitled.

When they decided to support a successful super club over any of the other thousands of clubs in the professional game, it wasn't because they liked the red kit.

19 Aug 2026 14:41:19
Well said MK, lots of reasons to be positive moving in to the new season, there will be ups and downs as there always is, but watching the pre season matches very optimistic on the season ahead.

19 Aug 2026 14:49:22
The King and Rushdie running around in a red kit got me hooked as a young lad, JK, couldn't tell ya if I was mesmerised by their footie or just part bull going after red tho. ?

19 Aug 2026 11:53:09
Still worried about that number 6 position.
But if they were thinking about it it would have been sorted by now.
Iraola absolutely used an aggressive defensive midfielder in Tyler Adams and when he got his injury he said it was the worst news for his team for how important he was - and pairing him with Scott and Lewis Cook helped them thrive.



So I think once Macca is up to speed he will pair him an grav with Szobos and sometimes Wirtz playing left wing maybe in some away games.

19 Aug 2026 13:03:29
Are you suggesting Macca is similar to Adams?

19 Aug 2026 13:21:17
No, just we are not signing anyone, so I think Macca will be placed in that position once he is fully up to speed with training like the others.

19 Aug 2026 13:35:14
Great. I am sure that will go great!

19 Aug 2026 13:44:41
I get it, it's not ideal.

But for many years now LFC haven't really done anything since Fabinho in that position, so that's it.

19 Aug 2026 11:30:39
Can I just ask a serious question?

Why is everyone so sure Arsenal will win the league?

I kind of get it, but let’s look at the facts:

1. They won the league with 85pts in a season when City only got 78pts and Liverpool only 60pts. It was literally gifted to them.
2. They got to a CL final by playing Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico Madrid in the knockout rounds. That’s the easiest run in CL history to get to a final. We were rubbish last season, but I’d have backed us to get to the final playing those teams in the knockouts. Especially with the second legs at home and they only scraped through by the odd goal against Sporting and Atletico.

That’s pretty average if you ask me.

I think the love in with Arsenal is ridiculous. I understand they are PL champions and they got to a CL final, but when you look beyond that, were they really that impressive to warrant the adoration they are getting? Some are saying they are the biggest club in the world FFS!

I think we have every chance of finishing above them, particularly if refs are going to stop their nonsense at set pieces. People need to look at reality and this Arsenal team are not that great.

{Ed025's Note - i dont think its an adoration of Arsenal RSO, its just that they are well ahead of the other clubs mate and have a very solid squad, the rest have flaws and would need a lot of luck if they are to get anywhere near them imo..

19 Aug 2026 12:21:25
You'll find out as the season goes by why they are far ahead of others. They are not shy of spending money. They have one of the best defense in Europe. And usually defense wins you the title.

19 Aug 2026 12:22:03
Not adoration, just practical and logical thoughts, mate. It's more to do with how stable and consistent their squad is in comparison to every other 'bigger' club that would normally challenge. They have an excellent defence and solid base to build from, plus some quality up top to make the difference in tight games.

Compare that with the rest of the league, and it makes sense they would be favourite. They aren't great, but they likely won't need to be to win the league.

19 Aug 2026 12:29:35
Because their squad is stacked in all departments.

They should be able to repeat last year's points today, which, even if not impressive, looks beyond the other rivals at the moment, given the managerial changes and squad gaps.

They are not a great team, but, with all the rivals in transition, they have to be clear favourites.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely FPF..

19 Aug 2026 12:41:31
Being Champions puts a target on your back, which is why it's so hard to retain a title. Liverpool and Arsenal have never retained a Premier League title. Chelsea have only ever retained once. Leicester and Blackburn completely disintegrated. Man City had never retained the title before Pep Guardiola.

Man City under Pep, Man Utd under Fergie, and Chelsea under Mourinho are the only 3 teams to retain the title in the Prem era. They all did so by having a world class manager and by spending copious amounts of money.

Arsenal do not have a world class manager, and Bruno G and Tzolis are not elite level signings in my opinion.

I'm not saying Arsenal won't win the league. They've got the best defence in the league despite their average attack and over rated midfield. World class defences do win you titles after all. What I'm saying is I don't think it's a guarantee and that they'll run away with it. Beating a Rodri-less Man City side (with a terrible manager to boot) in a glorified Friendly, is not a good barometer.

19 Aug 2026 12:18:27
I'm with Ed025 here. They won it in spite of Arteta imo, not because of him and the squad is better than everyone elses.

Any team looking close to them are currently in transition so it is more Arsenal by default in what may be a one horse race.

{Ed025's Note - im with you Taurus..

19 Aug 2026 12:43:12
Solid team, been building for years with the same manager.

They have collective experience of adversity and have got through that to win.

They are mentally, physically, chemistry-wise, in the right place to complete again.

The only significant departure I can see is Trossard.

Meanwhile they've retained Hincapie, then added Guimaraes and Tsolis.

They have built nicely over the years, and after winning it all, they've continued to take a steady approach to re-tooling the squad.

They will be the standard again.

19 Aug 2026 12:44:34
They have 2 decent players for every position. They just improved their first 11 signing Bruno G. Havertz is fit and better than Gyokores. Tzolis looks lively. They are v physical and v good at set pieces in a league where those two things are now v important and they now know how to win the league and get over the line.

19 Aug 2026 12:59:19
They have the best form in the form book.

19 Aug 2026 13:03:19
Not only do they have a very good squad, but they are the only 'settled' team from the 'big six'.

If Pep had stayed at City, I would have fancied them for the league, but everything is in Arsenal's favour this season. If anyone can mess it up, though, it is Arsenal.

19 Aug 2026 13:03:37
A lot might genuinely depend on how much the claimed rules changes are actually enforced, I'm not saying that they are the only or possibly even the major reason that Arsenal won the league, but might they have shipped 7 points if their corner routines were stripped apart as against the rules?

19 Aug 2026 13:10:59
The transition at so many rivals happening at the same time is unprecedented. Arsenal will see this season as a great opportunity to snaffle some more prizes.

New coaches at Liverpool, City, Newcastle and Chelsea. Relatively new coaches at Spurs and Man Utd.



Chelsea, having an advantage of no Europe, could see them overperform in the league.

Villa could be a dark horse. They have made some good signings, albeit losing Rodgers and Onana to injury.

19 Aug 2026 13:13:29
They'll still bottle it and go all defensive when they come to Anfield no matter how well they're doing.

19 Aug 2026 13:14:24
They also now have a team that are winners, meaning they know how to and what it takes to get it over the line. Previously that's where bottle job came from. Last season had a wobble and almost caught almost lost it. Didn't. Mentality will be as strong as their squad depth. Konza incoming and no doubt another forward.

19 Aug 2026 12:22:39
Honest question if I may, Ed025. The year we won the League with Slot, did we have a better squad than Arsenal, since quality of squad seems to be your main criteria? My opinion is that we didn't have a better squad than Arsenal. We won because we simply played better over 38 games.

{Ed025's Note - every team was poor that season ArAy and you were the best of a very bad bunch, thats why it will go down in history as the worst premiership ever mate, a lot of teams were in transition and Arsenal shot themselves in the foot by not buying a striker and City lost Silva and had KDB out which really effected their strength, United and Chelsea were a bit of a mess as well i would say, but strange things happen in football mate..

19 Aug 2026 12:30:35
So what you're saying Ed25 is you think Arsenal will win the league because everyone else is so bad rather than them being so good?

I just can't see us being that bad again this season and I think 85pts isn't beyond us. The squad had 3 months off before last season and struggled for fitness all season. We were also bedding in a lot of new players who turned up at varying levels of fitness. We had a season ending injury to our new CB and our RBs were injured pretty much all season. Ali had a load of time on the sidelines too.

It was a huge mistake from Slot to allow the team the rest of the season off after we won the league and that was exacerbated by the tragedy that the players came back to. We will not be that bad again.

{Ed025's Note - to be honest RSO you were pretty crap last season even after a winning start and spending £sqillions on over inflated players, your recruitment up to now has been very underwhelming so what makes you think this sows ear will turn into a silk purse mate?, i think the new manager will improve things but you cant polish a turd and rolling it in glitter only hides the obvious im afraid..

19 Aug 2026 13:18:52
Arsenal are favourites because nothing has changed from last season. They have a settled squad and a good squad. It's definitely not full of stars and Arteta is a Spoofer. Other teams have better players, Liverpool, City, Chelsea, even United have better individual players.
However, Arsenal have lots and lots of very good ones. For any of the other teams to win they need a lot of luck. No major injuries, new players to hit the ground running, and managers to get all calls right (like Slot's 1st season).

Arsenal can lose decent players and have other decent players to step in.

Now I can also see Arsenal losing a few games from not getting away with the tactics they used last season. Whether it be refs pulling them up on set pieces or a team finding them out by not giving away set pieces. If that happens, Arteta doesn't have the ability to change things up and will crack. What team has the ability to take advantage though, I can't see atm.

19 Aug 2026 13:20:59
Arsenal have a settled squad, the best defence by a long way, and good options for all positions. They play a simple way which other teams have not found a decent solution for and most important of all, frankly no competition from the rest of the league. It will likely take us a season to compete for the PL and Maresca is possibly the worst top six manager.

Alonso will do well but not enough to challenge and Carrick will struggle to repeat what he did last season.

That isn't a 'love in', as you put it, it's as Rafa would say, Facts.

19 Aug 2026 13:33:17
Ed025, I don't think we've recruited badly in the last 12 months, I think Slot made it look like we had with his shocking coaching and tactics.

I think Slot made a sows ear out of a silk purse, and all were asking Iraola to do is undo that damage ??‍♂️

{Ed025's Note - thats the plan MK and who,s to say it wont work, it wont be easy though but i imagine a lot will depend on last minute recruitment mate..

19 Aug 2026 13:40:06
When you go through the results Arsenal had, it's not that impressive, they were just less s*** overall than the rest.

19 Aug 2026 14:49:08
The fact that a crap city caught them up overtook them then blew it themselves is enough to give everyone hope.

19 Aug 2026 14:59:22
So if our defence becomes rock solid and less like a chocolate teapot of last year, we should win the league then. ?

19 Aug 2026 11:21:20
Struggling to understand why we are not in for Bouaddi or have I missed something. ?

19 Aug 2026 11:33:40
Possibly not going to sign anyone, would have been a good player, but we never entered the race.

19 Aug 2026 11:39:56
Because the club don't believe we need a midfielder.

19 Aug 2026 11:43:17
I'd rather have a physical tackler type midfielder.

Cos, if Wirtz is always pushed up to make it like a 442, I don't think the 2 in midfield will work against stronger teams.
For me, I think that area is the biggest worry LFC have.

19 Aug 2026 11:47:39
Small matter of a £75m+ fee that even Man City are struggling to agree with Lille.

19 Aug 2026 12:16:01
I saw £85m quoted, FPF.

Ponty, I don't think we're looking for that type of midfielder, which I don't understand why to be honest.

Plus, spending so much time pursuing Diomande, then Barcola... I wouldn't expect the club will spend £100m+ on a winger and then close to that on a midfielder, unless we had first sold a midfielder for an amount close to it (e.g.

Macca for £60m~).

Shame we're not looking for a Bouaddi type. I personally really liked the look of Kone at the WC and he'd be cheaper and more experienced.

19 Aug 2026 12:17:11
Guess he wants to go to 115FC. ?‍♂️

We can't compete with them financially or in terms of recent success.

19 Aug 2026 12:29:34
Looks quality but still a high fee for a youngster who hasn't played in the Prem. Only seen him at the WC but he did look quality.

19 Aug 2026 12:31:44
I do believe Bouaddi and Diomande were targets at the start of the window. Ultimately, they have proven too difficult to do.

19 Aug 2026 12:11:07
Utd linked with Baleba again today, didn't have a great season but we've got almost an entire squad who performed similarly. He was outstanding previously, what's your thoughts on him ED001.

{Ed001's Note - spent all last season injured, so I would think it is not really what we need. Plus he wants United not us or anyone else.}

19 Aug 2026 13:02:51
I wasn't impressed by Bouaddi at all. He looks like Guendouzi, the young Arsenal kid from a few years back. Or maybe that's just the hair?

Decent player, I guess, but too many sideways and backwards passes. If he signs for City, he'll be gone inside 3 years.

I'd steer well clear at the price being quoted.

19 Aug 2026 11:07:14
What's the latest on Wharton? Are we still looking at him? Think he is quality and would be great for us - Palace likely to want the moon in a stick though

19 Aug 2026 11:21:40
Palace's prices make no sense to me. They allowed Lacroix to leave for a fairly low price, given the market.

19 Aug 2026 11:39:02
A few ITK claimed Real would dump a truck loaded with cash for Macca, which would then give us the room and money to pursue Wharton.

19 Aug 2026 12:12:57
I'm hoping he signs, though you would have expected to have happened by now.
Wharton's a fantastic player who will only get better and better.

19 Aug 2026 12:32:09
Perhaps the arrival of Mourinho changed Real's thinking.
For many on here who think Macca isn't good enough for us. Why would Real want him?

19 Aug 2026 12:16:24
Did they Harry? Which ones? When?

19 Aug 2026 14:15:01
Harry's prone to making things to suit his narrative. I'd just ignore his ramblings, Footy.

19 Aug 2026 10:03:15
The 'salubrious' and 'always reliable' Football Fancast are linking us with Tyler Adams following Jones leaving.

I don't know much about him other than Iraola brought him in to Bournemouth. I've read he had an MCL injury that kept him out from Dec 25 to Feb 26.

Would he be the sort of CDM we could use? Asking anyone who watched a few Bournemouth games last season.

Unfortunately, he isn't HG given he started his career in (and represents) USA.

19 Aug 2026 11:06:12
It would be a failure of imagination by everyone that works in the scouting and recruitment departments to go to Bournemouth for Tyler Adams.

19 Aug 2026 11:12:05
If we were gonna use a non-hg spot to replace Jones, I would want a much bigger profile. Maybe he could take Endo's place in the squad, but I suspect it is just lazy journalism given the Iraola link.

19 Aug 2026 11:24:48
Of course people watched Bournemouth last season. It's a known fact that Bournemouth, Feyenoord, Leipzig, Leverkusen and any Club a player LFC are linked with are LFC fans' second favourite team.

19 Aug 2026 12:18:15
I tell u right now... not that I believe any links.

But he would be so ideal he's the one that made Lewis Cook and Scott stand out cos he's the aggressive tackler we need.

19 Aug 2026 12:19:32
I definitely watched Bournemouth last season, JK, twice.

19 Aug 2026 09:59:28
Does anyone think we need a versatile centre forward option while Hugo is out? Is the idea to use Chiesa? Isak is the only obvious choice for the CF role, especially if Gakpo leaves. Is Darwin still an option?

19 Aug 2026 10:24:08
I personally would rather use the tea lady upfront than Chiesa, he is that bad.

19 Aug 2026 10:30:09
Versatile enough to cover at right back and defensive midfield?
Absolutely.

19 Aug 2026 10:30:33
Spot on, ArneSlotsBarber,
Chiesa is woeful, and there are still some who are stuck in a time warp in 2020, who think he will come good. All he is doing now is blocking a non-homegrown place in the squad.

19 Aug 2026 10:43:16
Chiesa? Nunez?? Nunez was useless first time around. Chiesa is currently useless. There's better than those 2, most definitely. It's a pity we didn't buy Lauturo Martinez. That's the level of player we require, not those other two.

19 Aug 2026 10:53:27
I'm not saying I think Chiesa is the answer or that we should bring Darwin back, just discussing options, and right now, Chiesa will have to play a role, especially if Gakpo leaves. Isak is injury-prone, to say the least. My point is that we look light in that area.

This is completely separate from the discussion on what is needed elsewhere on the field. There are clear gaps, and I'm not confident they'll be filled in the next two weeks, but maybe there is a plan.

19 Aug 2026 10:54:38
Nunez was crap, we really need to get over this wanting exes back and Chiesa is not it, rather give one of the kids a go, definitely can't be any worse.

19 Aug 2026 11:03:34
Koumas should be the one to replace Isak late in games. Isak should be doing the business in 60-70 minutes, if not more, and Koumas can come on and play cup games. He is good enough.

19 Aug 2026 11:08:32
@Shankly, what on earth did Federico do to you except give his best in the few opportunities he was given? When our squad is a little thin, and with no obvious replacements, especially with Heki injured, why would you be rubbishing them?

19 Aug 2026 11:22:35
Darwin wasn't crap. How dare you.

He was nowhere near that good.

19 Aug 2026 11:41:48
We've got Ronaldo, he can fill in up front.

19 Aug 2026 12:23:06
Far too much disrespect to Nunez!
How quickly we forget. He played a big part in some big games, granted, he also played no part in some games, even when selected.
But crap?
To instantly dismiss, when the other option is maybe to do nothing, seems daft!

19 Aug 2026 12:27:30
Kloppers, the problem is not coming off the bench... yeah, sure, Koumas can do a job for the last 20 mins as a sub but the problem is who plays there if Isak is out injured for an extended period of time. You can't rely on Koumas to be that player, that's insane.

To the OP, I personally think Iraola will convince Gakpo to stay for one more season.

He'll be an important player rotating between the wing and CF, and will contribute a decent amount of goals.

He's still of good age and with enough years left in his contract to be sold for top money at the end of the season if he wants to change clubs then.

Keeping him is a no-brainer with the little time we got left in the window.

19 Aug 2026 09:49:45
Someone mentioned him the other week but what's everyone's thoughts on Samuele Ricci? We were linked before his move to AC Milan. Going for cheap this window and would cover our defensive midfield issues.

19 Aug 2026 10:03:54
Shall I do the gag about his sister Christina again?

Or is that too much?

19 Aug 2026 10:26:13
Go for it, Zed, I missed it last time ;-).

19 Aug 2026 10:28:35
Zed, I was going to do the Nina Ricci one but I decided against it because it stinks.

19 Aug 2026 10:34:43
I mean Zed, it is Wednesday after all.

I'll see myself out.

19 Aug 2026 13:07:34
I was going to do a joke about her owning racehorses but I thought that's Rich.

19 Aug 2026 09:11:25
Don’t know if anybody has been following our efforts to buy a young winger called Barcola from PSG? Anyway, just to bring everybody up to date we are, apparently, going to make a gigantic second offer very soon. My information comes from a truste source called Newsnow, who really seem to have their finger on the pulse.

19 Aug 2026 10:06:32
No, no, no, no. All wrong.

As I mentioned a few days ago, my source, which is much better than your source, but I'm not going to mention what it is, just make out like I am the oracle, says we're not preparing another offer, we're going to let PSG sweat it out.



Then we're going to swoop for him and another winger from their squad, maybe?

They will be announced on Monday 31st August.

You read it here first.

Ta.

Zed's Nipple.

19 Aug 2026 10:39:30
WDW4, we've already done a deal for him weeks ago. First we had to wait for him to come off his holiday. Now we're just waiting for PSG's permission to announce it.

19 Aug 2026 10:55:11
Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Shut it, kids, or you are walking to Nan's.

19 Aug 2026 11:09:59
Chill out, it's obviously a joke.
At least I hope it is.

19 Aug 2026 11:30:54
I think he's travelling to the UK from France in a boat and there's a massive back log and queue for them at the moment.

19 Aug 2026 12:02:17
He's waiting for PSG's permission to say goodbye to her...