Liverpool Banter 2

20 Aug 2026 11:22:15
Just a question really to see if what I am thinking may have some plausibility in it.

I have a feeling we have been so slow and quiet in the window so far is a couple of things happening at the same time.

1) New boss came in at a time where the WC was happening and never got the chance to assess his full squad at the start of pre season but working with the kids has given him hope we have some gems there he can work with.

2) Edwards leaving at the start of July and being just very childish and petty around it skewed a few of our plans and we were playing catch up.



3) Hughes is out the door in less than 3 weeks and couldn't care less either, I mean I know he is a professional but will not be 100% focused anymore.

4) Once we knew all this was happening we waited until pre season was over to let Iraola and the team in charge of transfers zero in on what we actually wanted and how we portray that project to others (I believe we have Barcola wrapped up just payment structure holding it up but will happen).

What do you all think on that or am I just reading into things that may not be there?

20 Aug 2026 11:59:58
Definitely think point one is a reason.
Good points though.

20 Aug 2026 12:24:49
Completely agree. The real kicker was point 1. In a non-champs season, you'd expect the players to be back from their hols by mid-June, so Ai could've got a better view on what we had and what we need by early July. As it was, he didn't get his full squad together until mid-August, which has had a knock on effect.

I believe we will be stronger in the longer term with Ai's approach - he really wants to unearth the gems in our club/academy.



You could take the approach, as Chelsea/Alonso have done, to be more scattergun, but that has never been our way, and I am very happy about that. The last time we tried it was spanking the Suarez money over a few players, and that really didn't work.

20 Aug 2026 12:33:53
It certainly makes you think and wonder a bit. Edwards had made it known he wanted to leave last September, but he was kept on for some reason. Hughes has been flirting with the Saudi League since January. And, we had a coach who was not performing well. I'm not privy to any inside information in any shape or form, but it still makes you wonder how and why such a chaotic situation on the "management" front was allowed to develop and grow.

Things got righted a bit since Gordon has stepped back in, but then I wonder if that's temporary or if he's staying? And, if you factor in the recent equity sale, which must have taken months to sort out, and which certainly involved Gordon, maybe this is the answer for the delayed actions and reactions from across the pond?

20 Aug 2026 12:35:34
We make way too many excuses for this sporting hierarchy that commissions self-aggrandising puff pieces about them being the smartest in football.

The whole point of the hierarchy that has been created is that it can change the coach or parts of the hierarchy, and maintain continuity.



One release clause. One season long loan. That is all they have managed to do in this transfer window so far.

20 Aug 2026 12:54:59
Can someone tell me what has "Irola has to assess players" got to do with plugging the obvious gaps in the squad?
We don't have a rw. Period. No matter how Irola assesses his squad, the answer is we don't have a rw. Same goes for cdm and rb.

20 Aug 2026 12:56:01
Let's just say that the old school approach of a much envied scouting network and doing things quietly and efficiently is not FSG's modus operandi.

They have sometimes been efficient and quiet, but other times screwed the pooch for an entire window (on more than one occasion).

I think it is symptomatic of their interest in more than one sprit. They lack the focus we expect and this will always be an issue with us fans.

20 Aug 2026 14:37:19
Should have said sport, what the hell is a sprit anyway.

20 Aug 2026 15:03:04
Sea, you thinking of the Spirit in the Sky?

I believe the FSG chaps are quite devout!

20 Aug 2026 09:12:57
Great news!

No BBC pundit has predicted us to win the league. Most have us third or fourth and some not in top four.

I'll get my cigar and champagne in for early May in

20 Aug 2026 09:25:39
I was saying this to a friend yesterday. For the 24/25 season, most had us outside the top 4, and we won the league. Last season, they all had us walking the league and, well, we all saw what happened there.

20 Aug 2026 09:31:43
I was listening to the radio this morning and an Arsenal fan called in. The radio host asked him who he was most worried about this season, and he said Liverpool.

I'm paraphrasing, but he said something like "Liverpool are going under the radar and it will suit them not being talked about as challengers. Isak will come good, Wirtz has had his season to settle in, and they've signed 2 new defenders who we don't know just how good they might be."

As fans, we don't often appreciate what we have when we're too close to the situation emotionally.

If we were to sign Barcola, then we have a hell of an attack. Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Isak, Barcola, Gakpo and Ekitike are a £550m force to be reckoned with.

20 Aug 2026 09:36:42
Wow! 25 BBC pundits and Wayne Rooney are proving they are as clueless as the rest of us.
Rooney is reportedly on £800k per year. The rest? Who knows, but I could see an opportunity to save some license payers cash.

20 Aug 2026 09:43:27
I agree MK, the squad is not in as bad a shape as some think.

Adrian Durham (total numpty) had us outside the top 7 and cited our shaky defence in preseason as a reason. He obviously missed the fact that we played Endo and Chambers at centre back for half of it.



He also said Arsenal will win the league by more than 20 points.

Let people talk, they are pretty much always wrong and just after sensationalist headlines. We need a couple of signings but otherwise we are in good shape.

20 Aug 2026 09:48:05
In fairness, on paper (and I stress this on paper part), no one really looks to be in a good position to challenge. Too many unknown factors, and unless ur sticking ur neck out (which many people won't), that is what I expect most people's predictions to be, with Arsenal expected to win again.



imo, Iraola will do really well, but I do see many people try to adopt Arsenal's corners and set pieces, but I really hope we go the other way around and place 3-4 players up front for a counter. Would love to see Barcola and Isak at the end of counters from set pieces. One can only hope.

20 Aug 2026 10:08:50
Are these lists ever reviewed at the end of the season, where the pundits get to see how their predictions panned out?

20 Aug 2026 10:09:18
I think the general consensus is third or fourth.

A lot will depend on the first six matches, even though the season's long. We could easily be top given the run of fixtures, which would set us up nicely for top three.

Similarly, though, if the other contenders like Man Utd or Chelsea get off to a good start, and we don't, it could be a hard slog.

The chatter and pressure will mount, even though fans at the moment say they're happy with transition and top 5 contention, the pressure would be on the club rather than aimed at Iraola.

20 Aug 2026 10:17:50
To be fair, everyone had us as walking the league last season with the signings we made. A lot can happen over the course of a season, I'm just thankful we don't have to watch any horseshoes this season.

20 Aug 2026 10:25:22
I agree with Mks. The strike force we have can be lethal if Iraola can get the front 3 working together. Speed demon wingers with a finisher CF. We've seen very little of the defense, but what we saw was full of experience and ability.


Midfield is a worry, still somewhat, but getting Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Wirtz to work well together will be Iraola's biggest success or failure.

20 Aug 2026 10:54:33
For me, a lot depends on the rest of the window. We’ve still got a lot of work to do to address the gaps in the squad.

On paper, at least, we look very light in attack, especially.

Isak, even when at his best and fully fit, needs a back up and we currently don’t have anyone who can do a decent job there. We have players who can fill in like Gakpo, but he’s rubbish up top. Would like to see another proper striker who can finish brought in, even if it’s just a loan (with Ekitike in mind).

We also look very light on the wings currently, but I do believe Barcola will be a good signing and obviously we need a similar signing for the right.

I was really worried about right back, but I think the loan of Araujo might solve a lot of those problems. I can see him or Jaquet playing a kind of right back/centre back hybrid role, and us going to almost a back 3 with Kerkhez bombing on when in possession and reverting to a back 4 when not.

Having 3 solid defenders on the pitch at the same time, I am hoping negates the need for this number 6 everyone is craving.

Midfield clearly needs some work. Jones is going and hopefully Macca as well. So we will need to sign a player or two here.

All in all, so many changes to the squad doesn’t suggest we will win the league unless all our new signings hit the ground running and we have an absolute ton of luck.

Too many players learning each other's game for me, and every single player learning a new manager's system.

I don’t think it’s going to be a disaster by any means and I see us beating last season's take, but I just can’t see us leapfrogging Arsenal.

Top 4 for me and I’m happy with that because I know the football we will play will be a riot. Any cups or even a shock league win will be the cherry on top.

20 Aug 2026 11:14:41
Too weak and too soft in midfield to win the league. Easily played through, and our defence will be far too exposed again. Arguably a weaker squad than last year at this point (and I'm not expecting a flurry of activity, I personally doubt Barcola will happen as we've spent so much time dithering that it's open for someone else to gazump us, particularly given that City are clearing their deadwood to sign a new winger, I think he ends up there with the usual voices on this page declaring that Elliott can replace Salah and will be like a new signing).



I personally am of the view that we'll end this window with none of the issues having been adequately addressed. Iraola has a free pass because he's been let down by the clowns above him.

20 Aug 2026 11:16:26
Most pundits are pretty stupid and react to news/hype rather than doing any of their own analysis. Their predictions are about as good as my nan's.

But at the same time, we are days away from the start of the season and we have not addressed the positions we set out to at the start of the summer. There was a broad consensus that we needed to address RB, CB, DM, LW, RW and possibly GK. I would argue we have only solved CB so far.



The squad should be measured across different dimensions - fitness/conditioning, depth, balance/suitability for the game model and quality.

We are clearly working on the fitness/condition, which will take some time. We have lots of quality.

But, we lack depth and balance/suitability.

That can still change with the window open, but we still have a lot to do.

20 Aug 2026 11:22:25
Arsenal fans are deluded.

Except this one, of course. 🤣

20 Aug 2026 12:56:09
That's right, JK. Arsenal have a better squad because they spent money!! It's that simple.

20 Aug 2026 16:19:08
Yeh but Szobozlai is now a CM, Gakpo most likely goes to Spurs and Ekitike probably won't kick a ball till near Spring time. In fairness it's not the attack I give out about. I see us starting the season with Isak, Hugo, Barcola, a new signing, Rio and Munoz. And fair enough that's a very good group. It's the midfield and defensive weaknesses that mystify me.

Jones has to be replaced. Bloke played 32 full 90's worth of minutes and we expect Nyoni, for all his talent, to cover that? While all our rivals strengthen? Then there's the RB situation. I don't rate Tsimikas at LB but I suppose he can do a job and he's popular among the players. Our rivals will be stronger. So far I don't think we are. We need a big next 12 days.

20 Aug 2026 08:29:30
Good luck to all the posters picking up their GCSE results today, you know who you are!

Good luck to all the posters whose kids/grandkids are picking up their results today!

20 Aug 2026 08:43:47
I think about 50% of our new posters are picking up their SATs results today, never mind their GCSEs. 🤣

20 Aug 2026 08:43:56
Love it, Zed. 🤣

Watch out, though, the sarky bizzies are lurking. 😉

20 Aug 2026 09:02:43
Class Zed.

20 Aug 2026 09:36:14
Some on her just done their SATS.

20 Aug 2026 09:38:24
What's a SAT? Is it equivalent to an 11 plus?
I'm feeling my age today, MK! :-(

20 Aug 2026 10:32:01
Be interesting to know the age profile of posters, you can tell some by usernames. I suspect the sceptics are older and scarred like myself, but grateful for any trophies that come our way. Using the sceptic scale Vv must be eyeing up a move into sheltered housing, and Rio has just learnt to ride a bike.

20 Aug 2026 11:18:29
Brilliant @Zed, nearly choked on my coffee. 😄😄

20 Aug 2026 08:09:49
Just spoke to my mate who I know who is involved in Scandinavia. He said flat pack furniture is alright but don’t expect it to last. Also the meatballs in gravy is a proper tradition and it would be good if we could merge it with British food so you can have Yorkshire puddings with it.

Said that’s a great idea, everyone loves Yorkshire puddings. Nothing to add on the transfer front, he doesn’t even like football so I didn’t bother asking. He started singing The Winner Takes it All by Abba and then walked off.

Number 21 pending? Read into that what you will.

20 Aug 2026 08:45:51
Why do Swedish battleships have barcodes on their hulls?

So they can Scan-di-navi-in.

I'll get my coat.

20 Aug 2026 09:03:14
MK, Stick to detailed player analysis, you're bloody good at that! x

20 Aug 2026 09:39:56
MK, just told my Yorkshire mate your joke. He said "nor-way that's a good one".

20 Aug 2026 10:56:25
A giant Yorkshire filled with Scandi meatballs, gravy and that lovely berry sauce, I'm all for it.

20 Aug 2026 07:20:03
Hopefully we can get Barcola over the line and then keep Gakpo or sell and get another attacker in.

With Jones going, I know Nyoni is likely to step up but if not I would still like to see a CM come in as I can see Szob being deployed at RB in a few weeks time.


Hopefully what thefields was saying comes to fruition (thanks for the info btw).



Anyway, excited for the season and for 11 men I’ve never met to decide if my weekends are going to be good or bad.

Also not doing fantasy football this year, a stress I can’t be arsed with this year ha!

20 Aug 2026 08:00:02
A CM won't be coming without a major sale. The hope was someone delude to dump a lot of cash for Macca.
Let's hope we sign two wingers at least.

20 Aug 2026 08:00:34
Can't see AI putting Szobs at RB, he's the engine needed for the intensity in the middle. Plus, we've just signed Araujo to likely cover the RB position.

20 Aug 2026 08:21:19
Does anyone know when Gomez is due back?

He'll be like a new signing.

20 Aug 2026 08:32:52
I am just waiting for the new season to start. I don't care about the signings. Give me some good football, some youth players shining, and I am set for the season.

20 Aug 2026 08:39:22
Pretty sure AI has come out and said I will not be putting Szobo at RB ever.

20 Aug 2026 08:40:06
Lol Jk. 😂😂😂😂. We won't be seeing "Curtis Jones like a new signing" anymore.

20 Aug 2026 09:11:04
JK, he's hopefully due back sometime in November, but he'll only show his face briefly because he likes an extended break over Christmas New Year period. He doesn't like to push things. He will then grace us with his company sometime in March, before another extended break over the Easter festivities, culminating in him blessing us with his presence on the last game of the season, where he will be assisted by his carers on his final lap of the pitch.

20 Aug 2026 10:36:38
You probably won't be far off the mark there, Rome.

20 Aug 2026 02:48:04
Somebody asked yesterday what Gavi might cost. I asked to see if anyone could give me a ball park and was told €70m - but Barca are shocking negotiators so imagine that's just a starting point.

20 Aug 2026 07:24:07
I think his injuries would have significantly decreased his value now, especially for a player that supposedly isn't that happy where he is and isn't a 1st choice starter anymore.

20 Aug 2026 07:31:41
I mean, if we're that desperate for an injury prone hospital case, Arthur Melo has been released by Juve; we can just save ourselves the transfer fee to fill up that space in the treatment room.

20 Aug 2026 07:26:24
Who did you ask?

20 Aug 2026 07:46:30
Didn't Melon go on to play regularly since he left us? I know he had a loan at someone like Fiorentina the season after us and was supposedly doing well and playing regularly.

20 Aug 2026 08:02:05
Again, looking at the wrong player/profile. He would be ripped apart in EPL.

20 Aug 2026 08:19:42
Morning all. Thanks for the updates, Nevada. How are you doing these days?

20 Aug 2026 14:08:35
VV, plus Arthur knows Gomez well so they can keep each other company on the treatment tables.

20 Aug 2026 02:40:29
My posts have had some success from the itk. I know who is involved in Scandinavia is expecting Barcola, a mid who ‘may be’ from Bournemouth. No RB, which surprises me, and a RW, but will be a cheap one in today’s money.

Trouble when you know someone is, they hear snippets and a lot of deals never go ahead as the transfer dance has many a handbag to trip over. You post a rumour but easily shot down.

Bowen could be a surprise experienced back up as Miner, etc.

wouldn’t be disappointed with him for £30m.

Some far more successful than most, VG, Fields, Robbo and Carra, but I think they are keeping powder dry until more certainty as a result of hassle … It’s a rumour site and should be enjoyed and debated as such.

My view on Iraola is nice 5 games to get fitness right for his style before we play Marescas muppets. I have money on him first in the sack race.

{Ed078's Note - over to you folks...

20 Aug 2026 06:59:10
What on earth have I just tried to read?

20 Aug 2026 07:18:19
Nice @78 brought a smile to my face.

{Ed078's Note - here to serve

20 Aug 2026 07:18:48
He forgot to sign off, Shakered, Aged 8 from Manchester.

20 Aug 2026 07:15:00
Thanks pal, must have been difficult to type this while wearing a straight jacket

{Ed025's Note - love it BJ..

20 Aug 2026 07:25:41
I think you shot yourself down on this one.

20 Aug 2026 07:41:26
It's too early for this, my brain can't decipher this until I've had my Weetabix.

20 Aug 2026 07:49:40
I've forwarded this on to GCHQ to encrypt.

20 Aug 2026 08:00:04
Just read this and pulled a hamstring. That's me out of the Newcastle game as well.

20 Aug 2026 08:21:33
I remember the band Men Without Hats had a song called Safety Dance. Is Transfer Dance a single by another band called Men With Handbags. 😂

20 Aug 2026 08:27:14
I read it just fine. Let's stop with the sarky responses. It's a rumours and banter site. Been here for many years and I'm getting a bit fed up of all this snarky crap. It's causing genuine ITKs to take a break from it all. If the rest of us stop reading too - you'll all be left to snap at each other.

20 Aug 2026 08:39:27
Listen, RedTed,.... I'm just surprised that some haven't been posting sparky responses to their own posts, then again... give them time!

20 Aug 2026 08:39:41
Ted, it's called humour. Scousers are good at it.

It's not that which keeps genuine ITKs away, it's attention seeking losers who post random bs that deservedly gets the treatment it deserves. That fosters an environment of distrust which leads to real info getting tarnished with the same brush.



I love a proper rumour but not the clearly obvious attempts from people to look important but I also love the Banter.

20 Aug 2026 08:39:48
Ted, I think you may be in the wrong section here. I'm sure at the top of the page it says banter. I think you should look up said definition... If you want a safe space, go to Sky News, or if you just want straight rumours, go to the rumours page. I'm here for a bit of fun.

20 Aug 2026 08:58:18
I am Scouse, love banter, and expect to receive it. I wasn't disappointed. Maybe the weeks of reading bitching replies have gotten to me. I'd take a break from the site too, but it's reserved for ITKs and I'm an IKFA.

20 Aug 2026 09:29:41
RedTed, would you be a good Samaritan and translate for us :D It's all in good humour, I think, nothing disrespectful in this thread.



Everyone has the right to share views on the site, and we can just scroll past if we don't agree, but you should also expect your claims to be scrutinised if you post them online, or do we have to accept everything posted here as gospel without ever questioning anything?

20 Aug 2026 10:42:38
Bowen as experienced back up Miner?
What about Coal Palmer too?
Maybe Koke from Atletico Madrid?

20 Aug 2026 09:22:01
Ed025, did you mean to say "Love it, BJ" or "Love a BJ"?

Asking for a friend.

{Ed025's Note - i do love my Blue jeans Zed.. :)

20 Aug 2026 11:27:02
Coal Palmer? Perhaps we could get Granite Xhaka as well. Just hope they don't get slated.

20 Aug 2026 11:53:47
Your puns are the pits, Chicken.
Mine were better.

20 Aug 2026 00:37:56
A phone call between officials from Liverpool & Paris in the last 25 minutes ended with the words...

"Fantastique, I'm very happy that we've finally reached an agreement. It'll be nice to meet up during the season, maybe in the Champions League." #LFC

The firmBL_.

{Ed078's Note - tempted to put this on the rumours page, but might be best here.

20 Aug 2026 08:23:03
I can almost smell the finger licking chicken. 🍗

20 Aug 2026 00:37:45
Macca and Elliott should be sold after Jones also goes to Inter.
McConnell should be loaned to a Championship team for experience.
The club should UK lad be looking to buy two midfielders with Sadiki and Kone my choices.

20 Aug 2026 07:04:40
Both got no takers, unfortunately. Elliot, at best, might fetch a loan with no obligations.

20 Aug 2026 07:36:15
This pre season was key for Elliot to either get his LFC career back on track or put himself in the shop window.

Obviously, no one can comment on how he's done in training, but from seeing his physical condition, performances, no links to a move and the fact he wasn't involved in Anfield on Sunday night suggests it's not gone great for the lad.

He's basically a fan living his dream playing for his boyhood club, but personally, I think for his own career he needs a move away to get his career back on track.



In the last 2 seasons he's started 3 PL games and 1 CL game.

Actually, between Endo, Chiesa & Elliot, our 3 senior squad players, they've started a combined 7 PL and 3 CL games between them in the last 2 years, at a cost of around 30 mill in wages.

20 Aug 2026 08:02:31
Elliot came back early to get ready for the season but can't see what he has done, unless it was to rival Joey Chester in the hot dog eating contest, he looks so out of shape unless it's a round.

You would think he would be working so hard to impress AI or at least put himself in the window for a move.

20 Aug 2026 11:25:22
Money well spent @JK. 😳