Liverpool banter 5

07 Jul 2026 15:47:34
Dear fellow reds,

I want to take this opportunity to apologize for suggesting a few US players could make our team better. That was the most gutless performance I have seen. Tillman can hold his head high, and maybe Balogun as he didn’t have a chance because we couldn’t pass the ball more than 5 feet.

The fact Berhalter was our best player after coming on is shocking. The rest of the team - horrendous performance. Back to being a red, reminding myself that it could be worse (we could be Everton!) and blaming slot for me.

{Ed025's Note - bit harsh on Everton there Tj..

07 Jul 2026 16:25:13
I only said it hoping to get your response 025. Hope you're well, man!

{Ed025's Note - i figured that Tj, im ok at the moment mate thanks and hope you are too my friend..

07 Jul 2026 17:58:11
No offence to you TJ of course but I'm just glad USA got spanked due to Trump and Infantino's blatant boys club cheating.

That man is dragging your country through the dirt.

07 Jul 2026 21:20:44
You won't offend me. I won't disagree with that, but I will note I doubt too many people pull for the US anyways - even pre Trump lol. He's made it considerably worse though.

07 Jul 2026 14:21:23
Stuff on socials about us being linked with Thuram again, every year... What do the IDKs think...

07 Jul 2026 16:36:29
He gets linked every window. It's Juve & his agent drumming up interest.

07 Jul 2026 16:37:19
As an affirmed 'I Don't Know', I don't think much. I rely on others to feed me info for me to criticise them for it.

07 Jul 2026 13:04:14
Very quiet in the window so far

07 Jul 2026 13:58:05
Funny that, with a new coach wanting to assess his squad and a World Cup going on.

??

07 Jul 2026 14:03:00
We did sign a player.

07 Jul 2026 14:31:29
A lot of people nervous due to our performances / attitude last season, as well as losing key players, such as: Salah, Konate and Robbo. The squad is already small and, with the World Cup, the coach will have less time with the group to implement his style, ethos, etc, from the very start.

Understandable why many are concerned. We did sign Munoz, who I was hoping to at least see in the World Cup, but I don't believe he has featured yet. And we are in the process of acquiring quite a few young talents, but little yet in terms of first team, particularly first 11, which is sorely needed.



I think many are prepared for a transition season, but there is so much unknown. We quite publicly went for Diomande, but were clearly used by his reps to drive PSG to act. We've shown many clubs that, not only do we have 100+ to spend on this position, but we are desperately in need of a player that can play RW, with Salah's departure.

Shaky times and little clarity over what we are in fact doing.

07 Jul 2026 14:48:10
I can't speak for anyone else, but I am nervous because of the way we have been acting for a while now, not just right now. There are clear signs of dysfunction behind the scenes, which was supposed to be solved by the return of the prodigal nerd, Edwards.

07 Jul 2026 14:57:45
1. Changed the entire coaching staff
2. Released Salah, Robertson and Konate
3. Signed Jacquet for £60m
4. Signed Munoz for EUR40m
5. Elliott, Beck, Koumas, Chambers and Tsimikas returned from loan

I'm not sure I'd define that as quiet.

07 Jul 2026 15:14:19
Agree entirely with FPF and Mango. Although you're right, MK, there's stuff going on, other than replacing Arne and coaches, which should have been done pre-Christmas, the rest doesn't necessarily move us forwards, it arguably takes us backwards losing three players on frees.

Returning loanees is not a good thing in these instances. Jacquet, fingers crossed, is a big step up on Konate, he's got to be. I'm nervous of the dysfunction. It's definitely still a factor whilst Edwards and Hughes are in situ.

07 Jul 2026 15:43:18
Given that we were probably 4-5 players short last season and we've since released an additional three starters and only replaced them with two signings plus a host of loanees who clearly aren't at the required level, I would say that we have lots to do.

07 Jul 2026 16:39:03
Not sure whether it was an ITK, a journalist (I.e. IKFA) or someone else, but it was suggested a few weeks ago that most of our activity will be towards the end of the window, for the reasons I mentioned above.

07 Jul 2026 17:18:53
I must be in the know because I foresaw the signing of Jacquet in this window in February.

07 Jul 2026 17:34:59
MK, three out of five of those instances were known during the middle of last season. Ireola bringing in his team which was always going to happen isn't news either. That was a given.

07 Jul 2026 17:49:54
Jacquet will be crucial for us during Autumn and Spring.

In the winter, we should recall Coates.

For the summer, we should ensure the scouting team can find someone called Vest, T-shirt or, failing that, let's enquire after Dan Burn's brother Sonny (Son for short).

07 Jul 2026 19:55:43
It's time you got over Coates, Zed.

07 Jul 2026 23:12:27
I once romanced a lady on Coates.

He wasn't best pleased, but at least he kept still...

08 Jul 2026 03:36:26
The problem we had last season was the coaching / fitness staff were woeful. We didn't have any plans other than Arne saying the team we play next are really hard to beat, and then following it up by saying we played really well and were unlucky to lose after the match.

The players were poor, but that was mostly due to there being no coherent plan for them to follow. We weren't helped by Mo and Robbo being past it, and VVD showing signs that his days are numbered. And Ali's susceptibility to injuries was also a big factor.

07 Jul 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image

07 Jul 2026 11:43:39
Yano kind of looks like Ronald Koeman in this picture, however, he'd have a red tie to really annoy the bluenoses.

07 Jul 2026 12:45:39
Dump is currently on a call to Infantino to demand the game be replayed cos Belgium scored way too many goals for his fee-fee's to deal with.

07 Jul 2026 13:45:23
Make banter great again ... MBGA.

07 Jul 2026 15:08:08
That's a good one, Strom. ??

07 Jul 2026 09:47:49
Italian media stating Inter will wait for next summer for Jones on a free if we don't budge on our price. Give him a new deal and be done with it.

07 Jul 2026 11:13:24
The problem is Jones doesn't want a new deal, he wants assurances of being a regular starter. So, it is either sell now, or let him go on a free at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, the fact is, he is simply not of the standard to be a regular with Liverpool. He would be a fantastic squad rotational option at Liverpool, but Jones wants more than that.

07 Jul 2026 11:36:48
Have to agree there with you, Mango, he is a good squad player, but feel at times he thinks he is entitled to be a starter due to being a local lad, but he is just too passive on the ball and not that much of a threat, he'd do well diversifying his game and starting to be an option for other positions, i.e.

Milner, that will give him more chances to play and potentially nail down a more regular position.

07 Jul 2026 12:11:38
I'd like to keep Jones but if he's demanding starting guarantees then he's completely deluded and should be sold immediately. Get Archie Gray in to replace him.

07 Jul 2026 11:43:19
Jones purportedly wants £250k a week and a more prominent starting role, if that's true then he can go because he's just not that player. He'll be 26 in 6 months time and he isn't particularly outstanding or exceptional or even competent in any position. He's a squad rotation player at best as he really has not progressed since breaking through, there appears to be some cognitive dissonance on his part in how he perceives his abilities and performances to the reality.

He doesn't work hard enough off the ball, goes to sleep too often and doesn't do enough with the ball when he does have it as he looks like he needs too much time to think.

07 Jul 2026 12:46:40
This is a new era right now. Such demands should be ignored completely. And this is coming from a huge CJ fan.

07 Jul 2026 13:12:53
Curtis wants more game time, but so far no clubs that he wants are willing to meet our modest valuation of him. Forest possibly would have done, but he turned them down.

Although I don't particularly rate him, he is good enough to hold down a place at a mid table or lower team, or a team in Europe which plays slower football that suits his game.

I'm surprised none of them can afford the fee we're requesting.

To be a pro footballer, I guess you need strong self belief, but it's amazing how often footballers make the wrong decisions because they overestimate their own worth or ability.

07 Jul 2026 13:14:38
He's near 26 and no one can say where his best position is? And he must be deluded to think he's a guaranteed a starting spot.

07 Jul 2026 13:40:29
I suspect he just wants parity with the other tackle shirkers in the squad.

07 Jul 2026 13:57:06
Firstly, the type of money that has been floated about is all wrong. He wants somewhere in the region of £125k - £150k. I've no idea where people are getting that he wants £250k from.

Secondly, it's correct he wants guarantees around game time but again this is not what it seems. Slot was playing him predominantly at RB. He is not, and doesn't seem himself at RB.

He wants guaranteed game time in midfield and assurances he won't be pegged into RB.

These are all reasonable requests. The only reason a contract hasn't been sorted was the game time issue and issues with Slot. Things have changed and I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign a contract unless someone offers the right deal and he's interested in said project.

07 Jul 2026 14:34:07
You would certainly know TF. ?

07 Jul 2026 14:34:44
Like I've previously said, Curtis just wants to play football... He is not motivated by money, he always gives everything in a red shirt. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, but I like him... & if anyone knows his situation it's Thefields.

07 Jul 2026 14:41:47
Thanks, Thefields.

07 Jul 2026 15:08:16
Commonsense from Thefields! People too prone to listening to online BS. Has made me wonder though, and these might be rumours too, how Gakpo going onto £250k p/w and Isak £280k p/w, impacted morale within the team last season. Believe Diaz was denied a bump, and that relative to others, Jones is on a 'relatively' paltry amount.

07 Jul 2026 16:18:46
Very much doubt Jones is demanding guaranteed game time. Also doubt the huge money demands. On one hand, people are moaning at a perceived lack of action in the market, yet are happy to see one of our more dedicated performers last year go for buttons, which would give us even more to do.

Have a sensible conversation with the lad, he loves the club. Get him to sign a new contract. Made 49 appearances (deserved more) for a Champions League team last season. Jones is a much better footballer than what he gets credit for on here.

{Ed025's Note - Mediocrity personified for me FM..

07 Jul 2026 16:36:11
Would disagree with u Florian as regards Jones being a dedicated performer last season for us. Seen a couple of performances from him where he didn't try a leg, the game away to Brighton springs to mind. Now, he wasn't on his own last season, but that game against Brighton, he went out with the intention of not trying, and for the fans to know he wasn't trying to heap the pressure on Slot.


I think, being a local player, he got away with it as such, but went down in my estimation.

07 Jul 2026 16:43:41
I'm with Ed025; he's mediocrity personified, the fact that even at a relatively low price no top sides are sniffing around or we're not beating them off with a sh*tty stick is an indictment of that mediocrity, there's definitely cognitive dissonance on how he views himself compared to his actual performances and how the rest of the football world sees him, he's never a starter by a country mile as he's so poor out of possession and in defensive situations he's an actual liability.

The fact that he's within 12 months of the end of his contract says to me he's making unrealistic demands which the club wouldn't sensibly match and I hope that continues as he's simply not worth the demands, squad rotation player at best and you don't pay them big money.

{Ed025's Note - spot on for me VV..

07 Jul 2026 16:49:28
True Digger, very poor from Curtis that day.Agree 100%.But on the whole for me last season I'd definitely have him in the top few in terms of actually giving a duck.Ed I wouldn't say Jones is a world beater but if he is mediocre I would say a huge percentage of midfielders in the Prem would find themselves in that category.Could do with adding a few goals to his game but as long as he moves the balls quickly the rest is there for me.

{Ed025's Note - he is probably an option from the bench if you have injuries or suspensions i suppose FM, but he should never start because he offers very little imo mate and if you are looking to win things...he is not your man..

07 Jul 2026 21:52:31
So, Curtis wants to play more and to get a pay rise? The absolute b#st#rd, he ought to be ashamed of himself.

07 Jul 2026 08:45:19
"Liverpool have joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for West Ham's Dutch attacker Crysencio Summerville, 24". (Caught Offside)

Well it's Caught Offside so it's likely BS. (I hope).

07 Jul 2026 11:53:15
I thought he was Spurs next target?

07 Jul 2026 12:14:20
Spurs want Kroupi. Talk of them putting in bid of £85 million.

07 Jul 2026 12:47:23
Wait, is Caught Off Side still a thing?

07 Jul 2026 13:34:32
Can you tell me why?

07 Jul 2026 14:07:14
Well, Wispy.
Summerville is a good fit for a Championship bound team, but way not good enough for Liverpool. imho.

07 Jul 2026 14:19:39
I think you're missing it, Clay!

07 Jul 2026 14:28:11
We really screwed up not getting Semenyo, didn't we?

07 Jul 2026 14:35:10
It's a bigger miss now for sure, he was ideal.

07 Jul 2026 15:20:00
@Shanklys Ghost
Ha! I'm missing a lot of things.
Unfortunately, at my age most of them have either dropped off or have ceased to function. Now where did I put that brain cell?

07 Jul 2026 22:44:46
@Clay, Shove 'can you tell me why?' into Spotify... It'll all make sense then. ????

08 Jul 2026 07:54:38
I did!
It did!
My reply should have been "I Want It That Way".

06 Jul 2026 22:22:23
Hey Ed25
Hope you're well.

Need a.pick me up please.suffered the whole season with Sloth-Ball, and now I had to endure the footy that Martinez made Portugal play.

I know.you like his footy Ed25, so, please take him back at EFC.

I can't stand this obsession of always going backwards or passing sideways.

Portugal never showed up at this WC, and with squad at his disposal, that was a disaster.

{Ed025's Note - i thought they were poor yesterday JLC and Spain were not that much better, it seems that this safety first football is flavour of the day and RM is buying into that, at Everton he was totally different mate and was sacked for being too gung-ho but the game has changed im afraid...and not for the better..

07 Jul 2026 09:43:37
Portugal were poor and hamstrung by having no centre forward. Spain are playing dour mincing machine style football. They're defensively sound and have a few talented forwards when they're given license to play.

07 Jul 2026 11:28:51
Are you sure he wasn't sacked cos you fell out of the top half under his tutelage, 25?

Always thought he was a massively over-rated manager. Can't wait to see where he'll fail upwards into next.

{Ed025's Note - he was a lot better than what we have at the moment SR..

07 Jul 2026 12:49:11
SR, I think he was overrated cos he was very affable with the English media and always spoke well, all while his being a certified incompetent manager. Martinez is like BR, in this regard, imo.

07 Jul 2026 10:35:03
Spot on Ed.
Spain were there for the taking.

Given the attacking strength at Portugals disposal, it was so astonishing to see them play so defensively.

If you lose after giving it a good old go, then fair enough, but to lose and have regrets and questions about the tactics is inexcusable

{Ed025's Note - i agree JLC..

07 Jul 2026 05:40:50
Morning everyone,
Social media reporting that we are looking at Kephren Thuram instead of Wharton. Does this story have legs or is it just internet clickbait?

07 Jul 2026 06:40:02
Clickbait. Player doesn't wanna leave either, but Juve need to raise funds.

07 Jul 2026 11:44:24
Personally wouldn't want either of Thuram or Wharton as they don't solve the issues we have.

07 Jul 2026 16:23:09
Wouldn't have had Scott down for the kind of football he was playing at Bournemouth last season. Disciplined and full of work rate. Why can't Ireola mould Wharton like that too?

07 Jul 2026 04:00:31
You have to hand it to Roberto Martinez. It takes some doing to take golden generations of two countries consecutively and make them worse teams. Belgium getting to the semis in 2018 is all either country gets to show for nearly 10 years of elite talent under his watch.
I don’t care what anyone says about Cristiano Ronaldo - that man’s fragile ego has been a bigger hindrance than help to Portugal, basically his entire career (euughhh 150 goals - yeah, in 250 caps).

Even worse, the cowardly, pathetic pandering by Martinez should see him ineligible for any top jobs in football now. (He already would be if FIFA allowed regular, hardworking, bright coaches to obtain professional badges rather than letting only ex-players have a go.)

07 Jul 2026 06:01:30
Amen Lowe

I couldn't believe it when Portugal had appointed him initially, and now he has done to Portugal what he did to Belgium.

At least he's gone now.

07 Jul 2026 06:55:53
Was it Martinez or the Portuguese FA that pander to Ronaldo?
Can't stand these players who hold so much power.

07 Jul 2026 09:14:13
I was talking to an old Mexican friend back in the day when Martinez was hired to replace the legendary jerk that was Marc Wilmots (who, to his credit, helped create that Belgian generation of players). He said something I never forgot.

He told me that, "Martinez was only hired cos he was cheap." Those words never left me. Hence, I wasn't surprised he has crashed and burned with that great Belgian generation.



Now, I know Portugal has some great players, but to be fair, Cristiano has been a blight on that team and even the former Portugal managers couldn't get rid of him either. Not blaming him for that, honestly, however, he is still a crap manager who has been "failing" up since he got Wigan relegated.

07 Jul 2026 09:27:55
United might appoint him as savior when the Carrick era descends into oblivion.

07 Jul 2026 11:03:51
We can always hope, Shankly.

07 Jul 2026 11:45:46
I'll give Roberto Martinez one thing. He's at least shown the world that he's clearly the guy who sits in the cuck chair. Fair play to admitting that in public.