Liverpool Banter 2

12 Aug 2026 17:03:51
So, going on the assumption that it does happen, who do you guys think is doing the better business, PSG getting Godts and Torres or us getting Barcola? It looks like Barcola will be quite a bot more expensive than both Godts and Torres combined.

12 Aug 2026 17:14:10
Depends! I haven't seen Godts play and I like Torres but for me he would be a squad depth player. Based on that I would say Barcola, though we are overpaying but it is not our money and I try not to worry too much about that.

12 Aug 2026 17:22:41
Combined £96m for both, going by the fees quoted online. Godts is a real talent but remains to be seen whether he does well outside of the Eredivisie. Barcola, I don't think will cost the quoted price. Even Romano said it's not going to be the £145m. I suspect £100m plus add ons.

12 Aug 2026 17:37:02
Agree, Mot. Barcola would be coming in as a starter. The 2 for PSG look like squad players.

Very good squad players never the less.

12 Aug 2026 17:46:26
Time will tell, I suppose.
Barcola, I do believe is probably the best available option for us though for that position so I'm not too concerned about the money. Even if he is quite a bit overpriced.

12 Aug 2026 17:55:09
It's just slapped home to me how many levels above anyone else they are. None of them start in PSG best 11.

They're playing Monopoly money with squad players. If their subs are worth 100 million odd, how much are their actual players. 😂

12 Aug 2026 18:15:09
PSG, for the simple fact that if Godts and Torres were starting for us they'd get more G/A combined than Barcola would on his own, and for less money too, imo.

12 Aug 2026 18:36:10
I see where you're coming from, Chewy, but that takes up 2 places in the team. If Barcola and Isak get more goals and assists in our team, then surely that's better than playing Torres and Godts. The money's sort of irrelevant.

We want the best team, not the cheapest, don't we?

All 'ifs and buts' anyway really. Hopefully whoever we end up with is who the club and Iraola want, they've got to work with them.

12 Aug 2026 19:47:53
All of PSG's other wingers and the 3 they are bringing in all have a superior G/A record, total and per minutes, than Barcola does anyway, so it doesn't even need two of them to do it!

12 Aug 2026 20:02:51
So basically, if we bought Godts or Torres they'd do better than Barcola?

Maybe that's right, not sure though myself. I'm far from an expert though.

12 Aug 2026 21:01:39
I think Barcola will make more of an impact for us than Torres and Godts will for PSG.

So in that respect we are getting the better deal.

It's kind of a nothing question though really as PSG have Kvara and we don't. I'm sure if we had Kvara in our team we wouldn't be spending all that money on Barcola.

12 Aug 2026 13:55:06
It seems all these claims are stemming from an article in published on Yahoo by The Standard yesterday that claimed Liverpool were "prepared" to walk away. Is this even news? Every club is ready to walk away from any deal if agreements can't be made; that's just the nature of business. Are we looking at just another clickbait headline that draws more traffic than "Still no word on Barcola."?

At the very same time, other outlets were claiming Liverpool took a major step towards securing the player due to PSG edging closer to concluding deals for Godts and Torres.

Make of it what you will.

12 Aug 2026 15:19:51
I loved the simpler times when we only had Teletext. BBC page 338 football gossip and ITV 518 Liverpool news. Can't believe I still remember that.

12 Aug 2026 15:22:00
I think a lot of the dross and s***thousery on these boards is due to the rising testosterone levels in prepubescent school kids. Twatter and Faceplant have a lot to answer for behaviour wise.
Roll on September!

12 Aug 2026 15:29:37
Wouldn't read too much into it. We were "preparing" a bid every day for the last month. Richard Hughes just loves preparing as much as Ian Ayre loves monitoring.

12 Aug 2026 15:36:05
Teletext was amazing.

Transfer news.
Footy scores.
I could get cheats for my games there.
It was a simpler and, dare I say, happier time.

12 Aug 2026 15:47:51
@Davey,
Ceefax?
My favourite was jumpers for goalposts in the local park.
And music in the 1960's.
Don't get me started!..........Oh, you have!

12 Aug 2026 15:52:44
Reminds me of my favourite ed2 moment. What do you make of Arda Turan? Radar Tuna.

12 Aug 2026 15:58:24
I can't remember the last time I saw kids playing footie with jumpers for goalposts! That's all we did growing up, all day every day.

12 Aug 2026 16:01:45
Indeed, Chicken. "We are preparing a bid." Mate, what does that nonsense even mean?

Or better yet, "The Player X move might happen." That is literally what anyone can say about any transfer, but that is what is regarded as "news" from "reputable journalists" these days.

No wonder people are losing their minds over stuff they have no control over at all.

12 Aug 2026 16:12:43
There was a French reporter questioned about it on Talksport earlier, and he seems to think it'll get done after PSG finalise their attacking options, and will therefore lower their valuation. We'll see, I guess.

12 Aug 2026 16:14:01
I'll join the middle-aged reminiscing (but maybe not yet the old-aged reminiscing!) - West Yorkshire, wasn't it page 316 on Ceefax?

12 Aug 2026 16:15:03
Ceefax was 316 before 338, that's really going back, checked this every morning religiously.

12 Aug 2026 17:23:46
Showing your age there, aren't you, Zed. Haha.
I had forgotten it was 316 before.

12 Aug 2026 17:30:54
Jumpers for goal posts, rubbing the ball in a dog muck and getting one of your mates to header it. Marvellous.

12 Aug 2026 18:08:00
We used to draw goals with chalk on a neighbours gable wall. They weren't too happy with the ball banging off their wall, but we had the best of times.
We also used a barren field at the end of the estate and called it Wee Wembley. Strictly for the bigger games, jumpers for goal posts definitely required. Simpler times, better times. ❤️

12 Aug 2026 18:16:02
Hilarious, Vik!

12 Aug 2026 18:19:29
Teletext holidays. You could get an all inclusive for 2 weeks for £300pp! Then there was good old Bamboozle.

12 Aug 2026 18:17:45
Christ VV, with friends like you enemies aren't needed.
Dog turd fiend!

12 Aug 2026 13:54:22
Seen reports Guela Doue refusing to train as wants transfer to us.
Don't know how true the stories are.

12 Aug 2026 14:41:19
Every time I have watched him so far, I have been underwhelmed.

Even when watching the WC, I was more impressed by Wilfried Singo than Guela Doue.

12 Aug 2026 14:45:07
Would have some of that.
If he has half the ability of his brother, he would still be a great signing.

12 Aug 2026 15:39:51
Where are you seeing this grino, I've not seen anything on Doue.

12 Aug 2026 16:02:34
Indeed, MKS. Why would he do that?

Never seen us linked with him nor his brother.

12 Aug 2026 16:18:37
This story (and another one, see below) both come from the Kopite View, which is now being picked up (i.e. paying for advertising) on NewsNow.

OK-ly written opinion pieces with no substance. For example, the Doue piece claims to be repeating what "@roberts_katz of Anfield Index" is saying, that apparently Doue is refusing to train.

"apparently" is part of the post on X. So, up to you whether to believe or not.

Also, The Kopite View cite "exclusive sources" (without naming them this time) that we have apparently started a convo with Palace re Adam Wharton.

Again, up to you to decide!

12 Aug 2026 12:37:26
Non Liverpool related but how on earth is Roberto Martinez landing the Netherlands job? Talk about consistently failing upwards. Maybe it’s the Dutch just having a laugh, if you want evidence of this. Use Google Translate to find out what “you can” or “whipped cream” are in Dutch.

12 Aug 2026 13:22:31
Football is one of the only careers that rewards you for failing. We've seen it happen with players and we've seen it happen with managers.

12 Aug 2026 13:33:19
Most tipped for being in the running would rather coach at club level.

12 Aug 2026 13:36:36
Collecting and destroying generational International teams like Thanos with the stones.

12 Aug 2026 14:03:01
The people who run football associations are often uninvested, uninterested people with authority well beyond their competence. A nation considering itself a serious contender would go nowhere near Martinez. If the only other contender was Slot, then that is just unfortunate, but a coach in one of the junior teams would be well worth a go before either of those two.

12 Aug 2026 14:40:34
Hahaha slagroom.

12 Aug 2026 14:42:47
Remember Paul Merson (can't believe I am referencing him) describing his support being driven by one of those Men In Black neuralizers?

12 Aug 2026 16:06:58
Indeed, Dracred. I'm sure you know the term called "Failing Up".

All one has to do is have a period where you were really good and even if you are absolutely washed and have failed (pun intended) everywhere else since then, that clout is still there and someone is gonna look at that and ignore all your failures after that.

Sad.

12 Aug 2026 16:19:50
This all dates back to an incident in the mid-2000s, including the people who subsequently went on to be heads of their respective country FAs, Martinez, some whipped cream, and a hidden camera.

Make of that what you will.

12 Aug 2026 17:21:33
The thing is, Oli, you mentioned having a period when you were really good. I'm not entirely convinced he's ever had that.

Even with the FA Cup win, he managed to get relegated at the same time.

12 Aug 2026 19:07:19
Wassa, I see your point. I was more talking about his time with Belgium. Now that Belgian team was stacked (built by Marc Wilmots). But when he got hired after him, they were ready to win off the back of Wilmots' efforts.

So even tho they got close with him in charge (WC 3rd place in 2018), and on another day, they make that final, but hey, the French were worthy winners in the end.



After that, it has been failure for him with Belgium and now Portugal. Like I said, being good for a period in the past is all you need to get jobs these days, even tho you won as much as I did when you were good.

12 Aug 2026 12:15:45
My ideal ending to the Barcola saga is it doesn't happen... we end up with Rayan and Mbaye instead - Rayan off the right, Isak through the middle and Rio off the left is such an exciting profile.

12 Aug 2026 13:29:08
I suspect it would be too late to switch to Rayan now. They would have no time to get a replacement in.

12 Aug 2026 13:35:54
Totally agree - that's just been my dream signing since I saw him play in the league. Couldn't believe a Brazilian winger with a physique so suited to the Prem - think even at 100m it would look a steal in a few years' time.

12 Aug 2026 13:37:03
Rio's not ready to be our go-to on the left.
Although he looks a promising talent, we haven't seen anything from his style that suggests he'd be ideal for providing service to Isak.
We need a senior LW and RW, not 2x RWs. We already have 2 backup wingers who are capable of playing either side.

12 Aug 2026 13:45:41
Defo won't be getting Rayan, guy has a 130m release clause and he only joined Bournemouth 6 months ago. They won't be in a rush to sell unless of course that release clause gets hit, which we all know it won't.

12 Aug 2026 13:49:10
Actually, Chewy, what we really need is a right back and a solid defensive midfield player. What we seem to be doing instead is chasing attacking glory rather than having anything solid to play behind them.

12 Aug 2026 14:07:41
Johnny, I agree, mate, but I was purely talking about wingers. Yes, we do need a RB at the moment, desperately imo. Last season's situation was disastrous, and entering this season without a proper resolution could prove to be an unbelievable oversight. I've said before that a senior RB and CB would be ideal, but it seems Araujo may be seen as a stop-gap solution until next summer.



When it comes to a proper DM, I lost all hope as soon as Grav got that new contract a few months back. I see lots calling for a proper DM, but where would one fit in a mid 3 of Wirtz, Dom, and Grav if the club is confident Grav is their man? I can only see us bringing in someone like Wharton or similar if Macca goes.

12 Aug 2026 16:20:23
Rayan's clause isn't active until next year. Doesn't mean he'll be any cheaper now, mind!

12 Aug 2026 16:25:46
Lsred, you think Rayan is just gonna run to us in a pinch after watching us relentlessly court other wingers like Mbaye and Barcola in public?

Not sure if this is how you court someone you would like to either sign as a club. Or be with in a relationship.

12 Aug 2026 11:35:28
Is it me or is one of the biggest mistakes we made last summer was letting Tyler Morton go, with no buy back clause included? He's looked brilliant playing in France and last night's game particularly highlighted that.

With Curtis Jones looking like he's about to leave for Inter and the club listening to offers for Endo, I can't help but think he would have been a solid squad option for this season.

12 Aug 2026 13:18:53
No! He's found his level, that's all. Was never good enough for Liverpool, so you can put this one to bed in my opinion.

12 Aug 2026 13:17:34
I was wondering about Morton just yesterday, Parky. And I do agree, no buyback was a miss here as I do think he is a great squad option with development to go.

I think Ed001 said a few months/years ago that the most sensible option, if you have invested in an academy, is to use those players to fill holes and provide cover.

If we have, say, 16-18 first team ready players with our first 11 being internationals/world class, then the remaining 7-9 places should be academy grads, instead of £20-£30m 'stocking fillers' (sorry for the analogy!).

We do not have a buy back, but we do have a 20% sell on clause so we effectively have a 20% discount on brining him back, but that would likely be a fee of at least €40m+ given his progress in the last year.

12 Aug 2026 13:38:09
That and Kelleher, 2 poor decisions by the club, I felt at the time.

12 Aug 2026 14:41:26
Kelleher wanted to leave and I can't blame him. He's good enough to be first choice at another PL club, but if he stays with us, he'd forever be a no2 behind Allison.

Not sure if we have a buy back clause, though, but if we don't, then I agree that it's a huge mistake on our part.

12 Aug 2026 14:45:21
Chewy, I'm not so sure on Kelleher anymore.

I would agree with Klopp that he was the world's best No 2 keeper.

However, if Iraola is going to play a similar way to Klopp, I haven't seen Kelleher push on enough with his distribution - something we also criticise Mamar for.



I would say that between Jaros and Pecsi we could grow our next Alisson, but the one who is head and shoulders ahead of everyone else is Diogo Costa - he's our man if we can get him!

12 Aug 2026 15:50:57
Dracred, I think Kelleher could have been convinced had we not brought in Giorgi. As we know, Alisson does tend to miss an awful lot of game time with injuries, and Kelleher had plenty of game time because of it.

Zed, Kelleher's distribution is better than Giorgi's in my opinion; he's significantly better with the ball at his feet and less prone to error in dangerous situations; it just comes off more composed and well-rounded to me, but that was for us.

Admittedly, I haven't seen enough of him since he left to comment on how he's playing at the moment.

12 Aug 2026 15:51:46
Really? I always thought Kelleher was good with his feet. Not a lot of top goalies out there.

12 Aug 2026 16:21:14
Yeah, no debate that he's better than Mamar, but Alisson has massive shoes to fill, and I'm not 100% that Kelleher is the man to fill them.

12 Aug 2026 19:52:26
Whatever keeper is our number 1 when Ali goes won't be at his level. We have to get used to the idea of that. The only direction to go from him is down.
Hopefully we'll get someone half as good as Ali has been and we'll still have a world class keeper.

12 Aug 2026 20:14:51
Ali will take some replacing, but great keepers are scarce at the moment.

Be better to pay millions to the best doctors and surgeons to keep him going for longer, and offer him a new contract.

12 Aug 2026 11:13:21
A lot of talk naturally about Barcola and the hokey cokey of if it's done or not. I'm sure Barcola will happen so just concerned that we haven't replaced Robbo and haven't addressed the obvious RB problem yet.

The Greek is nowhere near good enough (the reason why he went to Roma, they didn't want him and shipped him back) and Kerkez was a mixed bag last season.

I know Araujo can cover RB but we need him to play CB, unless the club feels that Jacquet will be fit and ready to start the prem.

Hopefully things are happening behind the scenes but growing concerned, with less than two weeks to go until the prem, that we're spending so much time on Barcola but haven't sorted full backs.

Would be very risky not to sort it.

12 Aug 2026 13:34:23
Can't see any fullbacks coming in to be honest. Tsimi will be backup to Kerkez and we just brought in a CB who can cover RB alongside Frimpong whilst Bradley recovers. There is no room in the squad for more fullbacks.

12 Aug 2026 14:00:00
Only my humble opinion, but Tsimi isn't anywhere near good enough.

He needs to be moved on and a replacement found if there's no room in the squad for full backs.

Admittedly, I haven't seen Araujo play at RB, but let's hope he's mustard, as Frimpong isn't good enough at RB in the prem, which is why we played other players out of position at RB instead of him.

12 Aug 2026 14:14:22
Agree with Hansen, Araujo seems to be the temporary solution for the right side/centre back issue, and whilst Tsimi isn't a great player, he has filled in relatively adequately for us before, so I can't see the club being concerned with LB, at least not until next summer.

Kerkez was seen as the best up-and-coming LB in the league in '24 and now with Iraola at the table, I'm sure the club has complete confidence in the lad.

None of it's ideal, but I think the club is more concerned with scoring goals atm, and plans to address conceding them next year!

12 Aug 2026 12:17:53
Hi eds1.
Apologies if you've answered this before. Do you see wirtz becoming the player we all dreamed of this season under Iraola?

{Ed001's Note - maybe next season, but this season the sudden step up in physical demands required will mean it is mostly going to be about getting up to speed. He needs the rest of the team to be reading his passes before he does them and that is going to take time too. At least we should see that understanding growing this season, as they will actually be doing some training!}

12 Aug 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, Barcola at Anfield

Click picture for larger image

12 Aug 2026 10:54:26
£1.19?
That's a good Mbaye.

12 Aug 2026 10:56:02
Hughes has done it again!

12 Aug 2026 10:56:19
Wow, he's bigger than I thought.

12 Aug 2026 11:04:41
That's what she said last night, KE. 😉

12 Aug 2026 11:13:15
What is between "L" & "FC" on the stands? The forbidden initials.

12 Aug 2026 11:15:54
Seems like all spark and no fizzle to me.

12 Aug 2026 11:17:14
Might be as close as we get.

12 Aug 2026 11:32:16
She was talking about your belly, Barry. 😜

12 Aug 2026 12:08:07
Barr Cola has a great bit of fizz in his game.

12 Aug 2026 12:25:45
Well, I would like to have agreed with you, @Barry, but unfortunately I'm still waiting for those exact words, 34 years and counting.

12 Aug 2026 12:45:32
Ke same as brother, same as. 👍

12 Aug 2026 13:35:37
Don't lie to yourself, Barry, you've been waiting far longer than 34 years to hear those words 😉 I've only heard it once in 41 years... but choosers can't be beggars or whatever the saying is.

12 Aug 2026 13:58:40
I cannot lie, MB.