05 Jun 2026 20:39:33
If Kompany spoke directly to Rio or his camp that is tapping up.
05 Jun 2026 21:20:47
I think regardless of who stays or goes, we need to sign some players now before letting any more leave.
Salah, Konate, Robbo. All gone. Need some incomings.
05 Jun 2026 21:31:15
Spot on LFC8, we really need to retain as many as possible. We do lack depth from the bench as well.
05 Jun 2026 22:22:41
Rio was genuinely interested in playing more, and felt Slot was not going to facilitate that. Bayern offered 35m, Slot was sacked and the whole thing blew over.
The issue now is that Rio, and players in general, are less patient and expect more, quicker.
Rio is not ready for more than as a rotation option, unless he wants to be the next Sterling, or worse. He has a lot of development to do before he can meet expectations and for his body to be able to cope.
05 Jun 2026 22:48:09
Fully agree FSW, fantastic raw talent, but very much raw, definitely deserves more game time, but certainly not capable of being our go to on the left.
05 Jun 2026 23:27:37
The only way he'll get to be our 'go to man on the left' is by actually playing him on the left. He's 18 in August and there are precedents for lads that age to make their mark in the PL. Kroupi and Rayan are both 19 and they did well last season in the PL. Obviously, because they did well doesn't mean that Rio will automatically do well too, but AI isn't shy of using youngsters if he thinks they are ready to go, and he seems to be able to draw out their potential.
If I was Rio, I'd be trying to show him what I'm capable of - if he does that, he might well make their mark starting spot his own with Gakpo, if he is still on the books, being more the utility forward covering LW and CF.
06 Jun 2026 06:44:27
You need permission to speak with the player, but you talk to his agent whenever you like. Happens all the time. Liverpool are constantly doing it.
06 Jun 2026 06:59:34
Yes WDW, but both of them turn 20 before Rio even turns 18. Rayan got (1205) minutes, albeit only from Jan, and Kroupi had (1839) minutes. Rio had just under a 1000 for the 1st team last season, so he is well ahead of schedule.
We all just need to relax and let him develop. He will be a top player, but should not imo be the main man on the left for a side trying to win the league.
06 Jun 2026 07:33:23
I always look at when Ronaldo was at Utd, and how Fergie managed him since he arrived.
That's how we should look at managing Rio. He's 17, people.
We cannot expect him to be our savior, but nurture and mentor him correctly, and brother time he is 21/22, then he'll be ready to carry this club on his shoulders.