Liverpool Banter 2

26 Aug 2026 12:14:56.
I'm hoping for an out the blue Matias Soule signing from Roma.

Big, quick, takes a man on well, comes in on his left like Salah.

Hoping this could be a surprise with zero insight at all on what LFC do.

Big shout out to the ITKs who called the Minteh not happening deal too!

26 Aug 2026 11:46:38
Private jet into Blackpool today from Brighton City Airport and then on to Bournemouth 5/6 hours afterwards.

Could be someone who wants to go on the rollercoaster but it does seem curious, maybe the Minteh deal isn’t fully dead?

Ken.

26 Aug 2026 12:30:27
Maybe it's coming to pick somebody up to take them to Bournemouth and discuss Rayan.

26 Aug 2026 12:42:15
Maybe it's not football related at all.....

26 Aug 2026 13:06:30
After Ismael Sarr now apparently.

26 Aug 2026 13:13:04
Sorry lads, that's me again. 👍

26 Aug 2026 12:50:53
It's just Zed and BarryinLouth flying around to drive you crazy. You need Xanax.

26 Aug 2026 11:42:50
After your opinion ed 1 if you don't mind (sorry it's a bit of a long one before I get to my point 🤣). I'm not as doom and gloom as a lot seem to be. I think Iraola will turn us into an excellent team given a bit of time to implement his style.

It's irritating me the so called experts like Carragher et al spouting the same garbage around all our midfield issues being on Wirz. He is not our problem. My concern is more around our midfield 2 of Dom and Grav. For me it's simple to fix using basic communication. It's something I always coached that if one of the pair advanced, the other would sit and cover the gaps in front of the back four, with the centre backs making sure to tell them as they'd have a good view of the field.

However, I just don't see it being coached into them. For me I think we need to replace Grav quickly, for as good as he is at turning in tight spaces, it doesn't make up for his complete lack of awareness positionally and tactically, and his constantly turning the ball over in dangerous positions or when he's too far forward.

Do you think that Iraola has seen this and will start to phase Grav out? Either with a new signing (which doesn't look likely under hughes) or by bringing in someone like Nyoni in the short term to do the job?

{Ed001's Note - I think he will see it, but he will want to try and work with him first, as he is a very valuable asset to just dump onto the bench. His wages are too high to be a back up unless there is no option. I do agree with you though, those two are far more of a problem than Wirtz.}

26 Aug 2026 12:32:41
If we brought in a defensive mid and put Sob out on the right as an inside forward type, rather than hugging the touchline, until we can get Minteh fit or bring in another rw, use Frimpong for overlapping.

26 Aug 2026 12:54:28
And we can thank Carra for even more heat, now he has labelled it the worst transfer window in history. Which is not even the worst in Liverpool history. Please remember the Suarez replacement nonsense or the Hodgson days. Yes, I know he's factoring in money before they leap to his defense.

Wirtz was considered the best upcoming 10 in world football. That talent doesn't disappear.

Right now, we have three players, all who want to be in that same space he operates. I'd drop Grav for Nyoni, with instructions to sit. Allow Dom to be B2B, with Wirtz operating behind that front three, and cause the damage we know he can cause. I think Grav is a good player, but I wouldn't be sacrificing him over Wirtz and something has to give.

26 Aug 2026 12:39:07
Ed001 I couldn't agree more, for me it's not as straightforward as it seems because just getting a number 6 in to play alongside Szoboszlai am still not sold on him in the 8 role.
I think he has everything he needs to be one of if not the best number 8 in world football but he just seems all over the place in there and no matter who plays with him Szoboszlai will empty that midfield.
As for Gravenberch Ed the two goals we conceded at the weekend loads could have been done after he gives the ball away but both times they are simple passes first one he dissects two of our players and leaves us open to the counter when the pass was a simple one second he has a simple pass and tries some stupid back heal.


For me them two can't work because I don't see the time to teach both while playing if it was one or the other they would have time to learn but they both can't learn together it's going to be far to costly.
We have far too many attack minded players in our team I think Carragher speaks a load of crap 95% of the time but he was right about saying the only players in our team that think defensively is the two central defenders.
We won the league under Slot with Klopp's team then for me the three Stooges have gone mad and signed far too many attackers when we need a Henderson and a Fabinho to let our attacking players do magical things.

26 Aug 2026 12:28:36
Thanks Ed. Let's hope Iraola can work his magic and that Grav actually listens and applies it what he's being told.

26 Aug 2026 11:03:30
Wonder if AI is thinking of a new defensive setup?

Jacquet, Araujo and Virg as a back 3 protected by a new DM (Camara?)

Dom and Grav in front to break the lines with Wirtz in a diamond with Munoz, Barcola and Isak:


Alison.

Jacquet. Araujo Virg

Camara
Dom. Grav

Wirtz

Munoz. Barcola

Isak.

26 Aug 2026 11:31:11
We are not buying Camara or any new midfielders.

26 Aug 2026 11:41:24
The backline is weak with 4 defenders, I dread the thought of moving to 3.

26 Aug 2026 11:42:05
It's not as bad that line up, mate, wouldn't be massively upset by it but don't think we are getting another midfielder in, but would love that to be wrong.

26 Aug 2026 11:42:22
This would not work... and I doubt AI is going to change his whole philosophy based on one game, which I think was not as bad, half the people make out.

26 Aug 2026 11:42:52
Pompey, that looks more open than a hooker's legs, mate. Munoz and Barcola providing defensive cover when we are out of possession? Madness, in my opinion, we don't have the squad balance at all, you would be better playing Frimpong / Kerkez as the wing backs, but neither are productive enough right now.

I'm praying AI can get a tune out of what he has. Kerkez looked fantastic at Bournemouth.

26 Aug 2026 11:49:02
We don't have enough depth at CB for this, and no chance of leaving Kerkez, Frimpong, Tsimikas and Bradley high and dry with no place for them - irrespective of how little people rate them.

26 Aug 2026 11:57:32
Munoz and Barcola to press and defend from the front, Cgd... backed up by Dom behind Munoz and Grav behind Barcola.

New DM sniffing out any breaks behind Dom and Grav, with a strong defensive 3 as the last line.

26 Aug 2026 12:07:40
I wouldn't look at formations at lineups but rather in-possession and out-of-possession systems. Iraola's setup is pretty involved, switching between man-v-man and zonal where appropriate.

I think we're just going to have to wait and see how it develops. And accept the teething trouble.

However, what is not for debate is adding some different profiles to the squad (in addition to the wingers). Namely, a midfielder with defensive nous and a Rb that can invert and progress the ball.



For Rb, not a great set of options out there now. Marco Palestra was perfect for the role, but we lost out to Chelsea. We missed a trick with Oscar Mingueza, who was on a Bosman too! Getting Archie Gray out of Spurs sounds like it would be impossible to do.

If the Rw market is impossible, I am not against moving Szobo there for the season to then open up a space for Lamine Camara and Trey Nyoni to battle with Gravy in the midfield two.

26 Aug 2026 12:31:20
You lose a lot going to 3 at the back. I think it's better to keep coaching the current system.

26 Aug 2026 12:36:10
Are Munoz and Barcola wingbacks in this setup, or are we just not bothering to defend out wide?

26 Aug 2026 10:54:16
Monaco are looking at erik lira and also checking with spurs for sarr. Could clear the path for us for lamine camara.

26 Aug 2026 11:16:58
Don't hold your breath. This transfer window is just an unmitigated disaster. Those 3 numpties should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, but they'll be laughing as they count their ill gotten gains.

26 Aug 2026 11:28:36
Is he Turkish Lira?

26 Aug 2026 09:42:42
Sector suggesting LFC should pivot to Rayan now. Opinions?

26 Aug 2026 10:32:54
You're very eager today. I suggest you read through the posts. Rayan has been discussed consistently on here for a long, long time.

26 Aug 2026 10:39:02
Rayan or Mbaye to go with Barcola.

If it's Rayan, it'll be in the summer. I reckon either option would be great, alongside Camara.

Kaiser, mate, what did you have for breakfast this morning?

26 Aug 2026 10:46:20
I am with your stradarosso, either with Camara would be great. Assuming BB also comes in, otherwise both of them now lol.

I think it is clear Rio is not quite ready yet and not well suited to the right, so having Munoz and then one of Rayan or M'Baye to choose from on the right really strengthens that flank.

In all honesty, I would rather see Kounde start on rw than Rio, he is better defensively, but his end product is missing.

26 Aug 2026 10:47:11
SK, and your very bitchy mate. : )

26 Aug 2026 12:42:31
Not intentional, Kaiser - I was just taken aback by how prolific you were this morning! Keep it up! I'd much rather see new threads when I check back every 5 minutes to see if we have finally signed somebody, even if they are all started by you. ; )

26 Aug 2026 09:45:24
Dear Ed's, do you think Iraola is having any doubts about the support he is getting from the club at this point? YNWA

{Ed0666's Note - I don’t think so at this juncture.

26 Aug 2026 09:41:46
Ed0666 Welcome to a prominent and fresh voice on the pages. YNWA

{Ed0666's Note - thanks a lot mate

26 Aug 2026 10:01:54
Out of curiosity, are you the same Ed0666 that was on here 2-3 years ago?

{Ed0666's Note - yes mate

26 Aug 2026 11:43:31
Welcome back @666, good to have you back and a sensible voice on the board.

26 Aug 2026 09:41:43
LFC have fkd up this window, it’s panic stations all round now! Clubs know we are desperate now so they’ll fleece us. If Barcola comes that’s if then that will be us this window and the usual horse s**** excuses will be out:
The players didn’t improve us.
There was none that suited us.
We are happy with the squad.
Usual crap.

{Ed0666's Note - the where happy with squad line infuriates me so much. It’s such an insult to our intelligence. If they just say yes we wanted 1 or 2 more players but we didn’t get the get the desks done I’d have so much more respect for them but no they have to exfoliate their bunkum. It’s so infuriating

26 Aug 2026 10:03:56
Jay, Re-visit this next week please.

Maybe you'll have egg on your face, maybe you won't. In the meantime, support your team and recognise how little we all know about what is actually happening.

{Ed0666's Note - I agree let’s leave the post mortem till next week. But I think we can all agree that this window could have been handled much better. Would they have done this to Klopp??

26 Aug 2026 10:39:04
PD, mate, I'm praying I've egg on my face but let's be honest here, there's a few days left. We failed on our 1st and 2nd choices, now we are knocking on doors and pretty much begging, and if a club agrees to talk we will be fleeced for bang average players!
We've learnt nothing from the Guehi situation last summer, nothing.


As it is, I'm pretty confident I won't have egg on my face, we've been dicking around all summer making sure FSG got more money, nothing more, nothing less. Now clubs know this. I don't mean to be negative, I just can't see a positive! We've not replaced Salah or Diaz and gaping holes in the team. Iraola is gettin flung under a bus, I feel.

26 Aug 2026 10:57:25
We've a new head coach.
Konate has gone, and Jacquet has come in.
Munoz has arrived.
Alisson is currently fit.
Isak is not injured, and has had a pre-season.
There's a very good chance that Barcola will be signed.
You're not a Celtic fan.

There are a few positives for you, Jay Dub.

26 Aug 2026 11:09:35
Thanks for the positives, Rigsby. 🤣
But it's one game in, and if Isak lasts 5, 90min games, I'll eat my hat.
Here's some negatives. Barcola isn't enough, Joe Gomez, Endo the Greek are still at the club. Frimpong isn't a rb. The squad's threadbare, so every positive has a negative.
I'm definitely no Celtic fan, even though I'm Irish, I can't stand them. 🤣

26 Aug 2026 12:24:24
Jay, if you don't have those eggs on your face, I like mine scrambled. 😋

Or fried.

Or poached.

Or scrambled.