Liverpool Banter 2

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...

19 Aug 2026 09:05:55
Another day of reading, we are close to huge deal with PSG……

19 Aug 2026 09:43:51
Yep it's getting very boring now.

19 Aug 2026 10:27:25
Beyond tedious. Patience is fine, but the league kicks off in 3 days. We should have had our signings in the squad already. Specially, when you consider our interest in Barcola is at least 12 months old. 12 months to make a 2nd bid? Pathetic.

19 Aug 2026 08:38:08
Anyone think AI may go for max defensive height & strength against Newcastle? Eg: Jacquet in with Virg and Araujo at RB

It would free up Frimpong to play wide right with Rio & Munoz to come on later.

Ali
Araujo Jacquet Virg Milos
Frimpong Grav Dom Wirtz
Isak Gakpo.

19 Aug 2026 09:13:28
Could be, mate, but I think he might go with Araujo at centre half with Virg.

Jacquet has played 45 mins of a friendly in 8 months, so he might get protected. Can see it either being same starting 11 as Sunday, or Araujo in for Jacquet.

Barcola and Gavi on the bench obviously.

19 Aug 2026 09:16:07
Nothing wrong with your logic, but starting with a defensive lineup where 50% of the back 4 have only played 45 mins in preseason is far too much of a risk for me.

19 Aug 2026 09:16:57
Simao as impact sub straight off the Babelcopter.

19 Aug 2026 09:22:09
I would agree, but there are injury concerns around Araujo and Frimpong which have to be considered when selected. Both are susceptible to an ill-timed injury. Both were bought to provide a back up in their respective positions, i.e. CB and RB.

If both get injured, then our squad is thin yet again. One should start, and that is Frimpong at RB, for me.

And for me, Wirtz needs to play the position we intended to use him, as a CAM.

On the left wing, he doesn't have the speed for the position and will be ineffective. We have so many LW's, we might as well use them in their assigned position, rather than accommodate Wirtz in the hopes something will stick for him. Play him in CAM, and let's see if he can figure things out.

19 Aug 2026 09:49:02
I think he'll go for Araujo and Frimpong. Jacquet only just back and, as you rightly say, @LFCS_MANGO, he was brought in to cover/compete at RB, so that is what he is doing, with Bradley out.

19 Aug 2026 09:51:45
Playing Wirtz as a CAM only weakens the midfield. The two usual suspects behind Wirtz, (Grav and Szob), won't hold their lines and will push far up their Arsenal!

19 Aug 2026 09:56:03
Agree with LFC Mango, Kerkez, Arauj, Virgil and Frimpong.
The rest seems logical with Dom and Grav in midfield.

19 Aug 2026 10:01:33
Can't Gravenberch be given tactical instruction to negate this? Szoboszlai then provides the box to box energy, no?

19 Aug 2026 10:47:11
Because that's Wirtz's best position, Whdm. And any coach worth their salt plays their best players in their best positions. We just need to purchase Fabinho 2.0 and leave Wirtz there. Simple, really.

19 Aug 2026 10:56:47
Think Frimpong will start right full due to Newcastle's pace on the wings being their main threat. While he's not amazing defensively, his recovery pace is definitely beneficial.

As for Araujo and Jacquet, tough to call, but I'd say he might go with Araujo as mentioned, just to protect Jacquet who's been injured for a decent period of time and not long back in training.

19 Aug 2026 10:58:45
Jaquet is fit. He was able to play a full week ago. Start him even if he has to come off after 65-70mins. How else is he gonna get up to speed? We've become obsessed with wrapping players in cotton wool.

19 Aug 2026 11:43:59
Either of Jacquet or Araujo can start. I'd go with Jacquet and then Araujo to come on.

I don't see Iraola playing a CB at fullback unless due to injury or really needing to rotate.

19 Aug 2026 12:03:05
Season is long, Flo, and he's still a young lad adapting to a new country. Given how impulsive our fanbase and the media are, 1 bad performance and he could be ruined before his season begins. That and adjusting to the speed of the league. But still, I wouldn't be averse to throwing him in, never a massive fan of subbing centre backs during a game though, personally, unless it's needed.



See how it goes. Hardly wrapping him up, he's been out of action for the guts of half a year, moving to a new country, new team etc. 45mins of football doesn't suddenly fix all of that tbf.

19 Aug 2026 06:32:29
I wonder what's happening to once great Giovanni Leoni? He played such a superb match before injury last season.

{Ed001's Note - give the lad a chance, he is back in training now, he will be ready to play when he is ready.}

19 Aug 2026 07:35:41
A top talent. In him, Jaquet and Ndukwe, it looks like we have 3 potentially top CBs at the club for years to come.

19 Aug 2026 07:38:14
Is that you, Leek?

19 Aug 2026 07:41:21
Definitely a trolling post. Nonsense. Looking forward to seeing him eased back in! Hopefully he's recovered well from a horrible injury at a young age. Don't think he'll be rushed anyway.

19 Aug 2026 07:49:24
I thought Leek was banned?

19 Aug 2026 08:09:22
Very poor post. He played one game, was excellent, and had been injured since. Any fan doing their research would see he’s on his way back, and I, for one, think he’ll become an excellent player for us.

19 Aug 2026 08:29:45
Such a weird post.

19 Aug 2026 08:40:53
Someone on the wind up. Sad really.

19 Aug 2026 08:42:27
Agreed, FM. The future is bright with those boys.

19 Aug 2026 08:40:37
Prettyboy seems pretty dumb to me.

19 Aug 2026 09:05:28
Agree, Fm, young lads all look like great potential.

Interesting to see who Iraola goes with on Sunday. Jacquet, by all accounts, was pretty tired after 45 mins on weekend.

Interesting to see if the plan is a pre planned sub at centre half, or will Jacquet or Araujo get the full 90.

19 Aug 2026 09:16:14
It will be Araujo. Jacquet has played 45 minutes in 6 months.

19 Aug 2026 10:07:57
It is Leek, that was his username before he got banned.

Leek and Harry, tw@s

19 Aug 2026 11:02:35
So when do we play him, Livered? If not in the first few weeks while there's only one game a week, start him Sunday even if he has to come off after an hour or so, and then the full 90 up to the International break.

19 Aug 2026 00:00:17
That young Belgian lad who PSG signed from Ajax looks amazing.
I know it’s the Dutch league but his ball control and tekkers are incredible.
Why were we not in for him?

19 Aug 2026 00:35:20
Ask STC.

19 Aug 2026 00:46:16
We were in for him and he wanted PSG.

19 Aug 2026 02:23:06
Bigsqueeze73, I've been saying we should bring him in all summer, looks a proper talent.

19 Aug 2026 02:21:59
We never made a move for Godts, where are you getting that info shughes?

19 Aug 2026 07:37:43
Sure, how would we know? The last few signings have come totally out of the blue with no links to the players in the media or on here.

19 Aug 2026 09:20:07
It was in the lap of the Godts.

18 Aug 2026 23:55:09
One for VG, The Fields and any other guys who have said Barcola is done.

I was willing to accept that it’s done and PSG don’t want it finalised until they get their targets, but now they have their targets it’s not sitting quite right.

So, I’ve wracked my tiny brain to try to think of a reason why it would all be agreed but not finalised yet.



A very plausible reason could be that the player himself is not 100% sold on the move and so wants to wait to see if one of his preferred clubs will come to the table (my guess would be Barca or Real Madrid).

Maybe I’m putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 5, but do any of you guys have any indication of his desire to move to the Northwest of England?

19 Aug 2026 00:26:53
Barcola 100% isn't going to Barca or Madrid.
1. In most cases, and in all cases of high-value transfers, the player is well aware beforehand of which teams want them. A club doesn't suddenly decide one day to spend 100m on a player they didn't want until 5 minutes ago, though I'm convinced this has happened before.


2. Barca and Real Madrid have spent huge amounts this summer, and both teams have bought wingers.
3. Barca simply won't have the budget remaining for such a big transfer.
4. Both teams are well equipped with wide players.
5. Barcola wants to come to Liverpool, and both us and PSG are well aware of this.

19 Aug 2026 01:26:37
I think that given PSG have not confirmed their new players, it is reasonable to assume that the deal is not done and is just waiting for the perfect timing that PSG want to announce the sale(s).



If you buy that, PSG just don't want to announce it yet, then I couldn't fault you, but I also can't see at this point why they would want to delay?

19 Aug 2026 01:40:02
Just a quick note on Barcola:

He's arriving soon, his song has been based on The Kinks Lola:

Ba Bacola, Ba Bacola, Ba Bacoooola.

19 Aug 2026 02:31:13
Personal terms have long since been agreed. The delays are down to finer details like payment structure and so on; PSG may want more up front than we're willing to part with, for example, or fewer instalments at higher rates.

Also, it seems we may have tagged Mbaye onto the deal 'at the last minute', which obviously further complicates things, not to mention the fact that dealing with his 'team' is apparently quite difficult.

19 Aug 2026 00:48:04
I'm really just thinking out loud Lowe and it came into my mind.

The more I think about it I can't see us hanging around for him if he's not sold on the transfer. It's just strange that by all accounts it's done but for some reason, not finalised.

Just a random thought that popped into my head and was wondering if anyone had any solid info that he wants to come.

19 Aug 2026 07:07:09
Gazza:
I would more prefer Tom Jones Delilah.

Ba ba ba Barcola na na nananana.

19 Aug 2026 07:37:01
You need to agree a transfer fee with PSG. PSG are not budging from their initial valuation. Don't know why we are pretending. Wish ED02 was around.

19 Aug 2026 08:04:04
Are we there yet?

19 Aug 2026 08:35:43
Still stuck in the roadworks on Speke Boulevard, Rigs.

19 Aug 2026 08:54:22
Chewy, genuine question here: Do you have a job? Just that, you seem to reply to literally every post! Don't know how you have the time mate!

19 Aug 2026 09:29:59
Surely Lola is gonna be reserved for Iraola. I thought that we all agreed that ages ago?

A for the Barcola transfer. I suspect by 'done' it means that we have agreed a fee and what has not necessarily been agreed yet is the finer details such as the payment schedule (how much up front, how many instalments etc).

Could it still collapse? Yes. It happens, but my suspicion is that there is an outlined agreement in place and I fully expect us to iron out those details and welcome him to Anfield.

19 Aug 2026 09:40:13
Flange, genuine question, do you still think football's "just a game"?

And do you still think that "most people on her haven't seen Sadiki play and are just jumping on Ed01's back"?

Wind your neck in kid

18 Aug 2026 23:10:45
Dario Osorio.

Seen links to him, looks a real talent and doesn't seem to have too high a cost for a winger of his ability.

Any of the eds or itk have any info if interest is genuinely there?

Defo looks like a player we could mold into a star if links are true.

18 Aug 2026 23:31:12
Probably the only decent Chilean international since the end of our golden generation (Sanchez, Vidal, Bravo, etc), but the step up from Denmark to the EPL would be massive so not sure.

He's still young at 22, but I'd see him as a squad option only. There would need to be a higher quality or more ready starting RW in front of him.

Decent player though, and I'd say has room to get better.

Would be interesting if he comes. He's the type of player you'd see someone like Brighton or Bournemouth sign, and after 2-3 years get signed by a bigger club (if he performs).

18 Aug 2026 23:34:57
We've been scouting him last two seasons. No point in bringing Ng in all these non homegrown players mind unless we want a smaller squad.

19 Aug 2026 02:35:14
Has yet to set the Danish Superliga alight, doesn't look anything too special, he's been there for a couple of years now, let's see what he does this season, if he kicks on, well and good, but until then, nothing more than an unnecessary squad option for us.

19 Aug 2026 08:10:09
He reminds me of former WSL player Karen Carney.
You could say he's the Chile Karen Carney.

{Ed025's Note - quality Rigsby..