Liverpool banter 3

02 Feb 2026 11:53:50
Nice to see James McConell back. Hope he gets some gametime with us the second half of the season. Could also see him trying to claim that right back position until the end ofthe season.

02 Feb 2026 12:41:16
He could certainly be tried there AZ. He's injured at the moment apparently, not sure for how long, but that why he's not going out on another loan.

02 Feb 2026 12:42:39
Sadly injured and had an operation yesterday. Will miss around 2-3 months.

02 Feb 2026 13:48:08
Injured seems to be the buzz word at the moment unfortunately ?.

02 Feb 2026 11:52:13
The signing of jacquet is lovely but we need defensive cover immediately if we are to be serious get in that top 5 and saving some face from this season. We have no right back and even when frimpong is back can we rely on him to stay fit for the rest of the season 3 muscle injuries in 5 months not good.

Then there is gomez brilliant when fit but 80 percent of the season is injured. If we go with what we have for the rest of the season i can't see us getting in champions league places unfortunately.

02 Feb 2026 12:44:14
I agree mate. Its a risky game they are playing ?.

02 Feb 2026 10:59:47
Just had a look at Jeremy Jacquet's positions in the last couple of seasons to see where he is likely to fit in next season.

25/ 26

LCB (Back 3) - 9 games
CB (Back 3) - 6 games
RCB (Back 3) - 2 games
LCB (Back 4) - 1 game
RCB (Back 4) - 1 game

24/ 25

LCB (Back 3) - 11 games
CB (Back 3) - 2 games
LCB (Back 4) - 1 game
RCB (Back 4) - 19 games (all on loan at Clermont)
RB (Back 4) - 1 game

I think we can largely discount the games at Clermont, he was playing with a senior CB who has played at LCB his whole career, so makes sense that he played RCB there.

He seems most comfortable playing on the left of a Back 3 which makes a lot of sense for us given that Leoni has always been on the right hand side of the Centre Backs in his short career to date.

I see Jacquet as the long term VVD replacement, however, his versatility and the fact that he's used to playing in a back 3 and a back 4 I think make him a great fit for us. I'm not passing comment on his quality as a player but his experience to date exactly fits what we need.

Plus, if Alonso were to come in in the summer he is ready made to play LCB in Alonso's previously preferred 3-5-2 formation, with VVD and Leoni/ Konate/ Gomez/ Another.

Obviously, it remains to be seen if he has the quality and drive to succeed at LFC, but I am very positive about this signing on the face of it.

02 Feb 2026 12:39:48
Leoni is the long term vvd replacement mate but we will need an experienced defender to come in in the summer we can't rely on 2 20 year olds that's if konate does leave which it's now very likely.

02 Feb 2026 13:15:32
I appreciate the position mate and I agree that Leoni could go on to replace VVD, but I don't see why we would put Leoni, who has played the majority of his club football on the right hand side of defence, into VVDs position at LCB and then put Jacquet, who has played the majority of his club career at LCB into RCB instead, makes little sense to me. Jacquet on the left and Leoni on the right fits both of the players perfectly.

I agree re not relying on two 20yr olds next season though, which is why I suspect we might see us play a back 3 and back 4 next season with VVD, Jacquet, Leoni, Gomez and 1 more rotating whilst the youngsters get up to speed.

02 Feb 2026 14:01:39
It has to be schlotterbeck, he is the obvious candidate.

02 Feb 2026 10:40:05
Really happy that we have signed Jeremy Jacquet. Price is steep for the first team appearance sample size, but that is what Chelsea has done to the young player market now. For me, a much better fit for an LFC defender than Marc Guehi in terms of height and rangeiness (is that a word? ).

I would absolutely love it if we did something similar with Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Wharton and Bouaddi would be a perfectly complementary double pivot.

While I am happy, I am still extremely frustrated that we are not helping the squad right now. We desperately need that versatile defender, like Geertruida, to avoid the injuries spiralling and us being left out of the CL next season after this huge investment.

02 Feb 2026 13:52:36
Is he related to Kenny Hackett, I'm such an anorak, il get me coat.

02 Feb 2026 14:02:26
You mean you would play bouaddi and Wharton over gravenberch?

02 Feb 2026 15:19:24
Patrik - Bouaddi is still pretty young, so would rotate in for either Wharton or Gravy. Long term, I am not sure if Gravy will our long-term answer to defensive midfield.

I constantly marvel at Gravy's ability to wriggle out of places he has no right to, but I am not convinced he's ever going to be the answer at DM without showing more aggression and being able to get his head up and pass from time to time.

02 Feb 2026 16:22:34
I think Grav is fantastic in the 6 if he is instructed to sit. I do think he needs a passer next to him, though, because he most certainly is not a passer.

02 Feb 2026 11:29:17
Does anyone think the Lutsharel Geertruida transfer was a bit of mind games by the club to try and keep Slot happy. It felt like a impossible transfer with the complexity of it, and it was just done by the STC to make sure Slot feels backed, thoughts EDs and Reds?

02 Feb 2026 11:48:40
It was an attempt to flush out the leak. in case there was another leak after the one that had been found.

02 Feb 2026 12:04:03
Leak neak beak freak fleak nonsense. Do you actually think the itks are itk? That is hilarious.

02 Feb 2026 12:21:12
Doubt it Alfie.

02 Feb 2026 12:36:23
What's it all about, Alfie?

02 Feb 2026 13:50:06
Not a lot of people know that Rome ?.

02 Feb 2026 15:11:03
Very good, Barry. One for the older listeners.

02 Feb 2026 10:22:42
Ed1, have you watched Jeremy Jacquet play? I know that he's highly rated, but he's played fewer than 50 matches at senior club level so far. That's quite a steep price for someone with that little experience.

{Ed001's Note - no, never seen him play sorry.}

02 Feb 2026 13:53:28
Got to say it doesn't fill me with hope when we pay the full price every time now….

03 Feb 2026 12:11:41
Taurus01, so had we had a discount, would that have allayed your concerns, whatever those might be?

02 Feb 2026 09:53:26
Well at least that's business done for next season. Good to see they aren't totally useless.

02 Feb 2026 10:32:02
Isak, Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong, Kerkez.

02 Feb 2026 11:25:55
Id expect over the summer we'll get a young central midfielder and a winger of a similar age with development potential. If we don't get a right back today then it would make sense to keep looking for a more experienced utility player for the summer.

02 Feb 2026 10:58:54
Maybe the club wants our summer business done now, just in case we don't make CL Endo.

Imagine how much harder it will be to convince our targets without CL football.

02 Feb 2026 11:16:50
And Leoni Rome.

02 Feb 2026 11:17:30
Did we buy them in January for the next season?

{Ed025's Note - yes mate..

02 Feb 2026 11:36:29
Rome you forgot Leoni so if they are both as good as people say we have to high quality cb for years to come.

02 Feb 2026 11:43:30
I mean, you could list the names all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that if either VVD or Konate gets injured, we'd have to use Endo/ Gravenberch as our first-choice CB.

02 Feb 2026 11:50:06
We could use Szobo there as well Mfahmee2.
He's done so well at RB, we might as well use him at CB.

02 Feb 2026 12:03:12
No @Endo by name, we bought them in the 25 summer transfer window for the 25-26 season. Your comment that the club 'aren't totally useless' would suggest that players like Wirtz, Ekitike, etc aren't fit for purpose.

Now, of course, you may understand this and your comment was to provoke a reaction. Like I say @Endo by name.

02 Feb 2026 12:06:28
Szobo is 6ft1 so he could play as a footballing goalkeeper.

{Ed025's Note - and it would be difficult to score past that massive head and over inflated ego Biggun.. :)

02 Feb 2026 12:07:56
Isak, Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong, Kerkez signed didn't sign in January.

02 Feb 2026 13:11:17
Of course, not forgetting Leoni. Though he didn't sign in January either, so Endo still isn't happy.

Dickie, are you listening? Sign somebody, anybody, and put a smile on Endo's face.

03 Feb 2026 12:12:55
Yeah, Rome. Only "useless" people can get all those players (plus Leoni) in during one summer.

02 Feb 2026 09:14:38
Dom szoboszlai quoted as saying he would love to stay at the club, but the situation is not in his hands.
Read into it what you will, but keeping him at the club should be a huge priority for edwards and the STC.

02 Feb 2026 09:55:14
That's just what players say. No doubt he's happy to stay, but he'll have conditions on salary and (probably) not playing RB long-term that the club will need to meet.

I expect him to stay though, he's probably number one on the team sheet at any given point this season.

{Ed025's Note - started very well RP but has leveled out a bit now, decent player but im not sure about his attitude if im honest and a few reds supporters have also expressed their concerns on him Dominik Sobigheadedzli they call him, there is nothing new about a player thinking he is better than he is though mate..

02 Feb 2026 10:19:22
I'd say he just means its between his agent and the club.

02 Feb 2026 11:20:19
He was probably asked, rather than him offering it, but I'd prefer if they just said nothing about contracts and did their talking on the pitch. We've not heard anything much from Konate for example and he's in the last year.

Szob is a good player, and like most of them has everything going for him. It's hard to stay completely level headed but he's not too bad tbf. They're probably holding off until Mo and VVD drop out of the wage bill, and then he'll probably get elevated into that top bracket.

I'd say he gets in most teams, not sure any of our other midfielders fall into that bracket right now.

02 Feb 2026 11:22:06
Super player on an upward trajectory ?.

02 Feb 2026 10:44:33
Well I think you'll find it is exactly in your hands Dom.
Your agent works for you, you have a contract, you decide whether you stay or not.

Sounds like he wants to go but doesn't want to be a man and admit it.

02 Feb 2026 10:59:50
Dont all players think they are better than they are Ed25?

{Ed025's Note - a lot do JLC, some more than others though mate but there is a difference between over-confidence and arrogance mate..

02 Feb 2026 11:02:58
Works his socks off every week. No concerns about his attitude for me.

02 Feb 2026 11:09:22
What's wrong with his attitude, ed?

{Ed025's Note - its difficult to put my finger on it PB but at times there is a disconnect with his team mates, not just the not celebrating a couple of his goals but his body language when things are not going great, this is not just me looking for flaws mate quite a few of my red supporting mates brought it to my attention, lets see if things change when his contract situation is sorted out and take it from there..

02 Feb 2026 11:18:55
Ed25 szobo levelled out a bit now? He remains a consistent performer every week and recently has added goals and assists so arguably stepped up again. That's before you consider he's been played in a number of different positions and still performs well.

{Ed025's Note - something is just not right with him imo LTV, it could well be his contract situation i dont really know mate, have a look at him in the next couple of games and see if im talking tripe or not..

02 Feb 2026 11:51:38
Maybe he was found to be the "mole" Ed. and now the boys are not too happy about it?

{Ed025's Note - you never know JLC, maybe they found a Mars Bar wrapper in the conference room and just suspected it was Dom mate.. :)

02 Feb 2026 12:46:41
Id have to agree ed25,
He strikes me as though through his smiles he could be a bit awkward and strung to get along with, might take offence to things more so than he should maybe, personally I also get the feeling that he has his way of seeing the way things should be played and doesn't like it any other way backing up the opinion of him thinking he's better than he is.

a fine player by all accounts but definitely not the level required for arrogance just yet.

{Ed025's Note - there is just something not right about him for me mate, but time will tell i suppose..

02 Feb 2026 13:27:37
You're all just jealous of his good looks. And his girlfriend / wife. she's a looker!

02 Feb 2026 13:29:03
Ed025.if your having a go at Slob, who has been our best player by far this season but missed out players who have been terrible this season, then you're definitely got your fishing rod out. the man runs his socks off, plays 2 positions equally as good n never complains and is now getting goals. for me his attitude is spot on.

{Ed025's Note - im not saying he is not a good player Strom, this is not a fishing trip mate its just an observational thing about his general demeanor, i could be wrong i suppose...but lets be honest that never really happens.. :)

02 Feb 2026 14:39:04
Thanks Ed. The silly attempt at a skill in his own box may back up what you're saying. That was definitely over confidence/ arrogance.
Will take a look next few games.
His work rate is second to none as is his adaptability. James Milner esque.

{Ed025's Note - his ability is not in question LTV, he is a very versatile player who has high fitness levels and scores the odd goal, i do see flaws in his personality though mate and i know that may not bother most people..but it does me..

02 Feb 2026 18:00:39
I don't mind the model looks, the model girlfriend, the millions in the bank, the fact he's fluent in six languages, the ability to play in four positions. It's his refusal to do the washing up that's done it for me, I think we should sell him before 7pm if we can get any bidders,

{Ed025's Note - there is no way anyone will buy him now after my character assassination Hugo.. :)

02 Feb 2026 19:43:52
Agree with you Ed
Over the past couple of games it's become more pronounced

Moaning at team mates
Throwing his Virgil arms in the air every now and again
And for me at times he can be the main architect of us slowing the game down.

03 Feb 2026 12:14:54
"Ed025's Note - there is just something not right about him for me".

You sound like Gary Neville before the 21/ 22 season, mate.

That was hilarious.

As for Szoboslai, let the guy live his life and speak or look how he wants. Not bothered in the least bit.

{Ed025's Note - you will find out in time Oli, i dont make things up for the sake of it mate...put this in your diary..

02 Feb 2026 07:57:47
When Robbo leaves Think we need to sign a jock. We have always done well with a Scot in the first team. I can't remember us winning the league without one.

02 Feb 2026 08:31:47
John I don't think we have ever won the league without a Scot in the team.
But I think that is going to have to change because I can't think of one that is going to get anywhere near our 1st team.

{Ed025's Note - McTominay possibly Grino?..

02 Feb 2026 08:45:49
Or a Paddy Scouse ?.

02 Feb 2026 08:52:55
The Jock has to be good enuff, to begin with. IMO, Robbo is arguably our best/ greatest LB in the modern era, who just happens to be a Jock.

02 Feb 2026 09:05:07
Might struggle their kiddo with the quality available.

02 Feb 2026 09:06:30
I suppose we have the young right back who can't get in Slots teams.

02 Feb 2026 09:44:05
We don't really have an English player in the first 11 unless you count Curtis as first 11 which is pretty shocking.

02 Feb 2026 09:45:53
Will any Jock do, or should we wait for another top Jock to come along?

02 Feb 2026 09:50:18
Calvin Ramsay?

02 Feb 2026 10:07:20
If we're looking for a young left back next season, we could do a lot worse than Josh Doig from Sassuolo in serie A.

Max Johnstone (RB) has been getting good reviews after leaving for mainland Europe at a young age a few seasons ago.

I agree, we need Scots in the team!

02 Feb 2026 10:31:23
Not saying we are anywhere near likely to sign him, but Lennon Miller seems to be getting more game time in Italy recently and is well thought of.

Bit of Scottish bite in the middle of the park? Unlikely to be a world beater though.

02 Feb 2026 10:32:05
I just realised that McTominay is now 29, I had no idea that he was actually that old now, I thought he would have been 25/ 26. I thought Doak would have developed into a top player with the right coaching, I'm still interested in seeing how he gets on, he's still only 20 and has had some ridiculous games at international level.

02 Feb 2026 10:58:20
I thought Ben Doak would some day become a squad player but it wasn't to be.

02 Feb 2026 12:06:50
Personally I like McTominey.

02 Feb 2026 13:31:44
Get Howard Stern signed up. he's a Shock Jock.

02 Feb 2026 13:33:22
Getting in any old Scot and not playing him sounds like a Jock's trap to me.

02 Feb 2026 13:44:26
Thought the move was perfect for him, but Doak is another one who's struggled with injuries. Hardly a young player these days who doesn't.

02 Feb 2026 14:07:11
Should have keot Doak around instead of Chiesa.

02 Feb 2026 16:16:58
I never really thought Doak would be good enough for us. Always thought his finishing was erratic…. Jayden Danns on the other hand I was sure he would be breaking through over these next couple of years but he seems to have had his progress halted by injuries.

02 Feb 2026 07:13:47
Don't like this buy now and loan them back business, what happens if he gets a serious injury before the end of the season! I'm not up on these things but are the club covered if it happens? Also why is he having a medical today if he's going back (again he could get injured before seasons end)

02 Feb 2026 08:31:28
What happens if he comes and now and blows out his knee in his first game?

See, what if's are pointless.

02 Feb 2026 08:38:15
guess medical now may bring up any chronic issues that we may not otherwise know about?

02 Feb 2026 09:04:27
Agreed. It is a little mad that you can spend around 60 million on a player, and yet not get to make demands on when he comes. Instead, the selling team is like, money's good, now you wait patiently until next season, only then you can have him. Not being funny but 60 million is a lot of money, and a lot of risk to allow the selling team to hold on to him, and use him excessively knowing he is gone next season anyway.

I mean, what if he gets injured in that period (ACL or something) it is not like there would be a break clause in the contract. And, having seen his play style, and how gangly he is, it is not out of the realms of possibility that he might pick up something with his aggressive style, combined with previous factors.

If I recall we did the same with Keita, and that turned out to be a real bust. And, rather than get injured, I'm pretty sure he tried to break a teammates leg in training because they were roughing him up a little too much.

Fingers crossed this actually works out for Liverpool.

02 Feb 2026 09:09:42
The medical will focus on chronic recurring injuries/ conditions and is essentially confirming the player is "insurable". Anything serious that happens after the medical, the club will be insured against.

02 Feb 2026 09:23:39
I'm not sure if it's a buy and loan back or if the purchase is set to trigger in the upcoming summer window. I think it's more the latter tbh.

02 Feb 2026 09:44:49
Yeah, I don't really see the point of a medical now but I'm guessing it's to make sure there are no serious underlying issues.

02 Feb 2026 09:51:00
He needs to have a medical now because he will sign for us now. He will then be loaned back to for the rest of the season. If he gets a serious injury before the end of the season it is no different to any other of our loan players picking up an injury. It would be disappointing but no worse than Leoni doing his ACL on his Liverpool debut.

I might be wrong but I don't think that we were actively trying to get the deal done in January and we would have happily waited until the summer to sign him but Chelsea were pushing to do a deal now and we had to react to ensure that we didn't miss out on him.

02 Feb 2026 10:34:43
He is 20 years old with only a handful of games at senior level. You can't keep them wrapped in cotton wool, games will only help his progress.
Its the selling clubs perogative either way.

02 Feb 2026 11:31:44
Why do people always think a loan is involved? It was the same with Mamardashvili who has never had a loan in his entire career.

02 Feb 2026 12:58:30
I know a lot of people on here think FSG are useless but they are not billionaires for being stupid . They would not pay out 60 million if they did not know what they were doing . The contract will not start until June 2026 which means if anything ( God forbid ) happens to the lad the deal will be off.

02 Feb 2026 23:14:38
albeydered - I mean, they apparently gave the green light for Isak and so far that's been. :D.

02 Feb 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - LAUDRUPHAGI has posted a new article entitled, Why Rangers' Window Feels Like Proper Squad Building

02 Feb 2026 03:00:38
Ed001 Will there be hell to pay if LFC do not qualify for Champions League next season? I'm getting bad vibes. Cheers YNWA.

{Ed001's Note - I guess you could put it like that. That is the least that was expected of the season.}

02 Feb 2026 08:54:14
Mate, if CL doesn't happen I propose the 3 amigos (Edwards, Hughes and esp. Slot) run for the hills, ASAP.

02 Feb 2026 09:54:13
Should make things exciting. I think Villa are going to start to drift back to the chasing pack and there will be a 4-way battle for 3 CL places.