Liverpool Banter 2

23 Aug 2026 19:56:53
BBC reporting that City have agreed a deal in principle worth £85.6m to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

23 Aug 2026 20:37:27
115 signings, then they'll be a slap on the wrist punishment.

23 Aug 2026 20:41:27
That is correct.

23 Aug 2026 21:15:07
I would love the reasoning as to why Grav got such a ludicrous contract. Rodri at his peak at City wasn't even earning what Grav is earning. There's no
excuses this season for Ryan. He either tactically and positionally significantly improves or imo he surely has to be put up for sale next summer.

He's not a dictator, limited passer and is never scoring ten goals a season. How on earth did he become one of the club's biggest earners and soo young aswell. Hughes and Edwards have fleeced the club regarding contracts. Fleeced.

23 Aug 2026 22:56:29
115 sigings, that's some wage bill.

23 Aug 2026 19:04:24
Looking forward to your match review Ed001.
Penny for your thoughts. We look so open in midfield, clearly needs shoring up but who comes out. Right now for me it's Wirtz. Do you think there is room for Wirtz in this team? Could he operate in the 8 role of we went back to a more Klopp type midfield with a DM and 2 8's.

I really want the lad to succeed but the more I watch him the more I'm not sure he's going to work out with us.

{Ed001's Note - he isn't the issue, the other 2 are more of a problem. They both play too far forward

23 Aug 2026 19:30:08
This is the same conversation as last season.
Grav needs serious competition. He's not good enough to be anything other than a 6, and if he wants to play like that today, positionally, he can sit on the bench.

23 Aug 2026 19:32:23
Watching Wirtz is like waiting for the other shoe to drop. You just know the next disaster class is coming. The worst part is that he is doing everything right; he's pressing and getting his foot on the ball, but he has no runners.

I'm hoping Iraola can get the balance sorted either by dropping this midfield pivot or getting a signing in with athleticism, because if this season doesn't work out for Wirtz, you wonder if he will ever get his confidence back.

23 Aug 2026 19:38:07
I just think Gravenberch is not that good. A Bayern reject who thinks he's prone Viera. And Mcalsiter, who is useless.

23 Aug 2026 19:43:02
He's such a good player but a luxury that others have to do his hard work. At the moment, we lack a holder/destroyer type player, but we haven't had since Fabinho left.

23 Aug 2026 19:46:52
For me, Grav just doesn't serve a purpose, he's not an AM, he's not quick enough to be box to box.

He should have stayed a CDM.

23 Aug 2026 19:47:54
Thought Wirtz was our best player. Szob was awful, should have stopped the second goal, if he can't tackle, shouldn't be playing in midfield. Worrying AI has us set up same vc as Slot. Very worrying.

23 Aug 2026 19:52:18
I agree the other 2 are a problem, but Wirtz has just looked so average for a year now. Such a disappointment.

23 Aug 2026 19:54:46
Grav got 2 assists of an assist today, both on the edge of Newcastle's box.

23 Aug 2026 19:56:40
I'll be copying and pasting this all season. The jury is still out.

23 Aug 2026 19:58:11
100%. Gravenberch and Szoboszlai is like playing against the ghost of Bill Shankly.

23 Aug 2026 19:39:53
Don't talk too much sense, Ed. :)

23 Aug 2026 19:43:37
Ed your thoughts on Isak? Abysmal game for me but i thought If he had a set he shudv took the penalty. Didn't seem like it was an option tho.

{Ed001's Note - he looks sluggish & like his battle had gone. He didn't handle. the boosat all well.

23 Aug 2026 20:02:26
Basically the exact same squad as last season, possibly weaker. How can we expect to get better without adding 4/5 new players?

23 Aug 2026 20:10:31
I do believe AI has said we are light on the wings, and if that's addressed, I'm certain that we will see the best of Wirtz.

23 Aug 2026 20:01:11
Not very often i disagree with your wisdom Ed001 but the other 2 although are a problem can't be blamed for Wirtz's poor passing or being dispossessed so easily. He really needs to improve his game in my opinion.

23 Aug 2026 20:15:50
I thought Wirtz was ok to be honest. He pressed well, linked play well at times, nearly gets a goal too.
Having watched that, it is clear we need Grav to sit more, or just go out and sign a defensive midfielder.

I also think that bench highlighted the lack of depth in the team.
Munoz looked much more comfortable at rw than Rio to me.



This team needs its defense to play high. VVD, as great a servant he has been, is now looking like a problem in this set up. We need cbs to press and engage the opposition, not stand off them.

First time seeing Jacquet, he looks a player. Very aggressive and front footed, but also very comfortable on the ball.

23 Aug 2026 20:17:25
Grav wondering too far forward is what led to their first goal. And if I'm remembering right, led to the second as well.
The first goal was particularly disappointing. We saw both the best and worst of Grav in that movement. He pulled off a lovely turn into space, then he should have looked up and made a pass, but instead bombed forward with his head down instead and then messed up his pass. Leaving a big gaping hole behind him.
He needs to be a lot more positionally aware and sit back. I would have thought after last season that would have been really bloody obvious to him. I hope Iraola gives him a boot up the @rse for that and he starts to be more positionally sound.
Saying that, if he does wonder too far forward with a run then someone needs to wake up and jump into midfield and cover the gap. So it's not totally his fault, but also, yeah, just do your job properly, Grav, and be the 6 and we won't be counted so easily.



Thought we saw some good and bad today. This team is going to take a few games to get up to speed, and it's clear some players will do better than others, and it's also clear we need reinforcements quickly.

Munoz was entertaining to watch. I'm going to bet he becomes a bit of a fan favourite this year.

I also liked how aggressively attacking Kerkhez was at times as well.

Thought Rio was totally ineffective. But he's a kid, so can't criticise too much.

Isak and Wirtz just didn't really click today. But with Rio and Gakpo either side of them, it was going to be difficult for them. Let's hope these wingers that are coming in are going to finally unlock all that talent. I do think we need another proper striker to rotate with Isak as well.

They say you learn more from your mistakes and there was plenty today. But there was also glimmers of hope as well. This team is going to be frightening when it eventually clicks.

{Ed025's Note - really Mikey?..i cant remember the good mate im afraid..

23 Aug 2026 20:28:31
So last season, the reason Wirtz was bang average was down to Slot. I know it's only one game, but this season, it's because there are no runners, or those behind him are too forward thinking. When does the time come that it's maybe down to Wirtz?

23 Aug 2026 20:39:19
First game I'm not worried about.

23 Aug 2026 20:49:11
Grav has beautiful balance and turns so well out of trouble and strides through the opposition. The trouble is he then passes it to the opposition and leaves himself 40 yards out of position. If he's going to do that, he needs to find the pass, or, for their first goal, take the shot.

And Szobo needs to be staying back to cover him. If they both go walkabout together, then one of them needs dropping. It doesn't work. I thought Dom was poor today, in and out of possession. He was strolling back at times when we lost the ball. No excuse for someone with an engine like that.

23 Aug 2026 21:10:19
Wirtz needs better players around him like he had at Leverkusen.

But not Frimpong who he had with him at Leverkusen. He's awful. 🤣

23 Aug 2026 21:22:03
Spot on Rome, also Red. Thing with Szob, he's an offensive midfielder, and a good one at that.

I don't think we've got the personnel with the right savvy and discipline to hold, but there's no way we'd get two top class players in to play deeper at this stage of the window, and without selling Macca or Grav.



Grav can break the lines, but he's been wasteful for a while. If he doesn't shape up he'll need to be replaced, but regardless we need someone now who can anchor the midfield.

23 Aug 2026 21:24:04
Gravenberch isn't a 6, he can't defend. We should cash in before the window closes, get him and Endo gone and bring in 2 DMS.

1 of the new DMs
1 of Nyoni/Mac Allister
1 of Szoboszlai/Wirtz

That current midfield will get another manager sacked. It didn't work last year, and it was worryingly foolish Iraola thought it would be any different this year.

23 Aug 2026 21:57:44
It is about Wirtz, whatever way you look at it. If he can't also adapt, it'll be up to Iraola to make it all gel. We'll know all come next May.

23 Aug 2026 22:03:26
And we do need 5 players, LFC8. Anyone thinking what we had on the pitch and bench is good enough to challenge for the PL and UCL titles are in Alice in Wonderland territory. And there's a good few here.

23 Aug 2026 21:18:27
I was trying to be balanced and not be too negative ed025 lol
But yeah there was some good as well. We seem to press higher up with a bit more intensity at least. You can see some of the players seem to get it as well, even if some don't yet.

{Ed025's Note - sorry Mikey i did not see any of that myself mate, it was all very slow and measured for me with very little intensity..

24 Aug 2026 00:02:19
Wirtz might be better with runners and better players, but he doesn't need to keep giving the ball away and running into touch because he doesn't have them. Just pass to a teammate.

23 Aug 2026 18:52:36
Can't wait for your first review of the season Tris.

{Ed001's Note - ugh!!

23 Aug 2026 19:13:12
Of any after today, who do you think deserves pass marks?

23 Aug 2026 19:17:49
Need a proper 6 done lol only been 4 years.

23 Aug 2026 19:23:05
Same old.

23 Aug 2026 19:28:28
It's still early days but last season's problems are very much there.

Very easy to play against.
Players don't like tackling.
Struggle to break down teams and create chances.
Final ball delivery poor.
Finishing poor.
Gakpo continues to cut in and shoot and miss the target. Looked better central for 3 mins when he scored.


No oomph and tempo in possession.
Looks like we lack a leader that will grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
Isak & Wirtz continue to be the mystery on how we get the best out of them, because currently they don't bring much to the party.


Other than that we looked great.

23 Aug 2026 19:11:09
Ed001 you said this squad was good enough to compete. I vehemently opposed any notion of this squad or first team being good enough. Look at the two goals we conceded today. Midfield should have been addressed long ago.

{Ed001's Note - yes one game is the decisive factor Well done. Give ita few games at least betor ethe l told you so crap.

23 Aug 2026 19:16:16
Thanks for the review Ed.
No need to elaborate. That sums it up
Perfectly.

23 Aug 2026 20:17:18
The squad isn't good enough to challenge, that's obvious. First team is ok for home matches, not fit for purpose for away battles.

{Ed025's Note - its hard to put a positive spin on things OK, exactly the same as last season for me mate but you have to have sympathy with Andoni imo, he has received little to no backing up to yet and its so obvious that you need players mate...and quick..

23 Aug 2026 20:25:26
It's the first game of the season. We're not going to be where we want to be. We have Iraola at the helm. Players will be bought. The team will most definitely improve. Keep the faith.

23 Aug 2026 20:42:50
Last season was the told you so, not me. Don't be sourgrapes, because the coach can't work miracles, and especially with that midfield.

23 Aug 2026 21:33:38
Way too many gaps in our team (let alone squad). Quite a drastic drop from winning the title. Just goes to show you how important recruitment is in finding the right balance. Not sure what research they did with Frimpong. At least Kerkez can put in a challenge and may come good.



Interested to see if Iraola asks for (and gets) another cm or if he can get a tune out of Sobz and Grav. Realistically, you'd probably need to swap one with Macca (even though he was woeful last year). Wirtz will come good, but he needs a strong midfield behind him.

23 Aug 2026 20:56:25
Hopefully the powers at be will read your reply Ed025 🙏

{Ed025's Note - it does not need Nostradamus to tell us that you need players Barry, we have known it since last year mate and even knowing Salah and Robbo were leaving they are letting the club down by not getting new players in while putting all their eggs in one basket to attract Barcola, myself i think you need at least 4 players in to be competitive..

23 Aug 2026 20:53:08
Agree Ed. People said last season it was Slot and fitness, I agree with both of those things but said it was players as well. We do need players quickly, but not Hughes will get us the right ones. He's too slow.

{Ed025's Note - i agree OK..

23 Aug 2026 18:42:30
Only 38% LFC related but do Amazon have next day delivery?

23 Aug 2026 19:07:36
Sod that. Should be asking about the Free Returns policy.

There's a couple of duds in our squad that we could send back.

23 Aug 2026 19:20:02
Right now I'd be asking if they can extend their 28 day return policy to 1 year, the way our full backs played.

23 Aug 2026 19:30:31
Hughes is definitely out the door. He just doesn't deliver, period.

23 Aug 2026 20:09:54
He's leaving of his own accord, Kop. He should have been sacked end of season. Negligence to let him have this window.

23 Aug 2026 15:35:25
I assume that we can accept that A I as manager is ITK.
In his interview with Jamie Caragher he apparently says 'we will definitely sign players, yes and hopefully more than one.'
Let's then hope that the player/players he is potentially referring to eventually sign and make the first 11 and the squad stronger.


In the meantime, can't wait for this afternoon and hopefully a good performance and 3 points.

23 Aug 2026 15:50:54
Andoni doesn't deal with the negotiations.
Look at our starting 11 today. Look at the bench. And some fans think that's a squad that can compete. 😂

23 Aug 2026 15:53:06
That's ludicrous. How can you assume that he's an ITK? Did he cite his source? Did he cite when it's all going to happen? Did he mention the financials? No, no, and no. People are just too gullible and ready to believe anyone. 😉😜

23 Aug 2026 16:45:01
We need midfielders. Grav shouldn't be starting, and we need another top 6.

23 Aug 2026 19:25:09
Well played ArAy. 😁

23 Aug 2026 15:12:57
I see Palace's Sarr is now on our radar. Personally I would get Barcola and Mbaye done, then get Sarr. Watch how Minteh goes post injury and rethink in January. I think it's Rayan that's really wanted and that's a next summer job for now.

23 Aug 2026 16:02:53
You know there's a "no returns" policy with transfers, right?

23 Aug 2026 20:18:43
Sarr? We are digging in the dregs. A failed window if that's the best we can do.

23 Aug 2026 20:30:12
I'd be going all out for Sarr, the type of player we need.

23 Aug 2026 14:57:30
Man United, Spurs and Villa all looking absolutely brutal. Anybody still think we'll struggle to get top 5 this season? 😅

23 Aug 2026 15:12:21
Easy, mate...whilst it's enjoyable right now...Villa lost their 1st 5 last season, without scoring, and they still ended off quite well.

Long way to go, but please may their current form continue. 🤣🤣

23 Aug 2026 15:13:01
I'll let you know at half time. 🤣

23 Aug 2026 15:18:26
It's the first game of the season. I think Villa started poorly last season as well.

Conversely, we started brilliantly in terms of results but it turned out to be one of our worst seasons in recent times.

I am not getting carried away by these early sets of games. That said, I still expect us to get top 5.

23 Aug 2026 15:21:35
It did cross my mind to wait until after our game to post this. 🤣

Btw, looks like we dodged a bullet on Joao Gomes. He is an absolute clown.

23 Aug 2026 15:24:56
Let's see how we get on against Newcastle first.

23 Aug 2026 15:32:31
Villa have also lost Tielemans, Rogers, Konsa and Digne though. Watkins also likely to go and Onana out for an extended period... I think they're in trouble.

23 Aug 2026 15:32:42
Let's play our game first, everyone thinks they're getting tonked. Hard game no doubt.

23 Aug 2026 16:01:54
Just saw the ManC game. Talk about stealing an undeserved 3 points.

23 Aug 2026 16:24:21
100% ArAy, Bournemouth deserved to win that, City looked poor and lucky.

23 Aug 2026 18:46:20
Best to post after your own game is over.

23 Aug 2026 18:46:35
Aged well.

23 Aug 2026 18:47:32
ArAy, we just stole a point.

23 Aug 2026 20:19:21
Hubris isn't a good look MK.

23 Aug 2026 13:38:37
I must say ED25. That Ndiaye continuous to impress me with the little times I've watched him play.

Dare I say it, he'd look good in a red shirt. Don't know much about the lad but, again - caught the eye

{Ed025's Note - hes very skillful Para and unstopable at times, he also chases back and does his defensive duties as well mate, the one downside i suppose is that he can lose the ball easily at times but that is far outweighed by the threat he gives us, a very good player imo..

23 Aug 2026 15:26:36
The differences between him and Gakpo are night Ndiaye...

23 Aug 2026 14:33:52
He adds unpredictability to your side ED, and that is vital as you don't have too many other players offering the same. Very good player, wonder who he'll be playing for next season 😂

{Ed025's Note - is o hope Seano..

23 Aug 2026 11:30:28
Prediction

Messy erratic game today, we will done offensively but defensively we will look weak including midfield cover.
2-2

23 Aug 2026 11:46:14
A good 0-3 win and defensively better today
Is my prediction.

23 Aug 2026 11:55:08
1-1 I think.

Opening game, so Newcastle crowd will be well up for it and we're on day 1 of Iraola's competitive journey.

{Ed025's Note - you will whack them JK..

23 Aug 2026 12:00:23
Reckon 2-2 draw as well. Although I say that, with v little degree of confidence, as it v hard to judge what sortve shape either side are in, both with new managers. You would think possibly good time to get Newcastle as their manager not there long, they've lost a few important players and I don't think they have replaced them as of yet.

Feel the bit of needle in the crowd against Isak will lift Newcastle though, and make it v difficult for us.

{Ed025's Note - Newcastle are poor Digger, they have lost too many good players and i cant see past a comfortable win for the Reds mate..

23 Aug 2026 12:02:55
We'll beat Newcastle today. I've every confidence in that.

23 Aug 2026 12:11:40
After the window that NUFC have had, and all the players they have lost, if we have any ambition this season, surely we should be winning this game. But lots of external factors at play today though, and given the results of yesterday, anything can happen.

23 Aug 2026 12:12:26
Do Newcastle have a midfield? They've sold two-thirds of the old one. Poor Joelinton all on his own.

{Ed025's Note - i think he is out injured Gordy..

23 Aug 2026 12:20:54
Dan Burn, the caveman defender, to kick lumps out of Isak and Wirtz. Reckon they will take the physical approach and try to outmuscle us. 1-2 Reds unconvincing win.

23 Aug 2026 12:23:54
Much like last season, it’ll depend on the line up.

Has he got the bottle to start certain players like JJ in defence? Yes, he’s new, fresh off the injury, but we need his aerial presence against Newcastle.

Do we try shove Rio right wing, even though he’s looked out of place, or does he play Szobo out there and Wirtz in the middle?

I think we can all guess the safe line up, the obvious one, but that safe line up won’t win away at Newcastle.

23 Aug 2026 12:36:38
I'm glad football is back and we can focus on watching the game rather than transfers.
I think we'll tire in the second half, so need to be 2-3 up and get the game won by HT. But Newcastle have had a really poor preseason, and their new signings will take some time to get used to the league and each other.

23 Aug 2026 12:41:23
3-1 Liverpool. Szobo, Isak and Wirtz.

23 Aug 2026 12:48:10
If we can't beat that Newcastle team, we're in serious bother. I reckon they'll do well not to be relegated.

23 Aug 2026 13:14:58
Newcastle are not the near-heavyweight team they were from 2023-2025 and have lost a lot of quality/threat in the past 12 months. Their other useful players like Joelinton and Livramento are injured, leaving them with a rank average starting XI for the game.
Though St. James' Park can be a raucous place, and Liverpool won't be at 100%, we really should be aiming to win this.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely Lowe..

23 Aug 2026 13:17:51
We're not subbing the whole team off at half time.

Rekon we go well today. 2 goal win for us.

23 Aug 2026 13:20:51
With confidence, a 2-0 win by the Red Men.

No idea who'll score but I'm hoping for Isak to get on the scoresheet, giving him a massive lift for this whole season. Wirtz will have glimpses of quality and artistic Bergkamp-like moments, but he'll soon have a lapse of concentration, making way for Macca to come in and put a steady performance, building his match fitness.



I foresee Munoz running havoc in the 2nd half, replacing Gakpo and Koumas, like a pressing demon, taking a yellow.

{Ed025's Note - please dont mention Wirtz in the same sentence as Bergkamp Kei...at least not yet mate..

23 Aug 2026 13:29:19
3-4 win on Kevin Keegan day.

23 Aug 2026 13:52:33
I genuinely think that without the disruption of a raft of subs losing our momentum, we thump these today. Preseason has shown periods of fluid play. Today it starts, and think we win by 3 clear goals! Have it : ).

23 Aug 2026 13:54:25
I don't like making score predictions. Jinxes the game.

I think now is the time to play the Newcastle away game.

We should win this one given their circumstances. They have injuries too.

St James should be hot in atmosphere, as always, but I'd be hoping for a good start here.

23 Aug 2026 13:54:43
Always the optimist, 0-4 Liverpool.

Shout out to Jimjim's "Kevin Keegan day" - Lovely thought, mate!

23 Aug 2026 13:01:06
Hope your right ed25, 1st game of season hard to know.
How did everton play yesterday? Good win

{Ed025's Note - we played quite well Digger but could and probably should have been 2 down before we scored mate, Pickford made a world class save from Nketiah and Mateta missed a sitter, but we had a lot of good chances as well..

23 Aug 2026 14:00:56
3 - 1 wirst, Issak x2.

23 Aug 2026 14:04:28
I'm expecting a couple of 'no' goal celebrations from Isak today.

23 Aug 2026 15:12:42
We will win.

23 Aug 2026 15:15:05
Any sort of Liverpool win and a promising display and I would be a happy man.

23 Aug 2026 15:23:28
Eh, 025, I'm struggling to see "Pickford" and "world class save" in the same sentence!

{Ed025's Note - watch it mate..

23 Aug 2026 14:20:35
Hahaha roger that, Ed025. Will hold on to that until Wirtz proves his worth to be compared with a PL Legend in Bergkamp, one of a kind indeed.

23 Aug 2026 19:19:48
Well called, Shughes, absolutely spot on with the type of game as well as the score.