07 Jun 2026 10:46:09
On the whole Rio thing. "if" there is any truth that he'd negotiated with and wanted the Bayern move we won't be keeping him long. If he doesn't realise that at 17 years of age he's making his England debut and that we left a gaping hole to leave him a pathway then there's nothing we can do. The club can say he's not for sale but if he doesn't realise how great this move has gone you're fighting a losing battle.
We have to remember he left Chelsea where he was since a child to come to us. If this isn't just a play by his agent for more money or more minutes (now that he's an international) then he will go.
We can't expect loyalty out of someone who's here a year as much as I would like him to stay. And if he does go as much as he would be 2nd choice to Diaz he would get loads of Bundesliga starts because Bayern are so dominant.
07 Jun 2026 11:36:49
I don't believe the rumour at all tbh, he's broken into a side that won the Premier League last season, a side that currently has poor stock at LW, there's a very clear progression path for him. Not only is the Bundesliga a step down, but he'd be directly competing with a hugely in-form Diaz.
Agents will entertain almost any offer as it helps raise their clients' value and visibility, but I don't think Rio is stupid enough to ignore all of the above.
07 Jun 2026 11:47:03
Our players increasingly seem very unsettled. We seem to have more contract struggles than other top clubs. It may be a reflection of a poor player culture at the club, or it may be a reflection of our pay structure and contract negotiation approach.
A lot of our players are constantly linked with moves away, you don't hear the same noise with any other top 5 club other than Villa who are struggling to retain players at the moment.
You'd think Rio would view his time and progress with us positively, and this was just a contract play. If he does end up going it would be a shame at this stage before he's even really got going.
07 Jun 2026 11:49:39
Look at how many things Ornstein has gotten wrong re LFC for some time now.
He is used as a bum steerer and has no idea what is going on, although that doesn't mean it's not true re Rio.
If so, it's tapping up and just shows how impatient young players can be these days.
I get it though, if anyone had a fat contract on the table, which would be life changing, most would be tempted.
The fact that he now only has 2 years left needs putting to the test ASAP.
07 Jun 2026 11:49:57
No way should Rio be in the full England squad. Hyperbole.
07 Jun 2026 12:06:19
Ornstein simply reports what he is told by the club, doesn't mean that he's got things 'wrong'. I'd say he's probably the most reliable journalist out there, when he reports things, it's not clickbait, at least.
07 Jun 2026 12:17:08
I agree on Ornstein, just another mouthpiece.
I remember when he reported Alonso was interested in talking to Chelsea. Look how that turned out.
Oh hang on a second.
07 Jun 2026 12:24:46
Did Rio negotiate or was it his agent? But if he was open to leave a club like Liverpool, who will do all they can to help him in his career without loads of pressure, then he is a young immature dafty. A proper agent would look after his player interests n see where its best for his player instead of lining his pockets.
07 Jun 2026 12:52:16
I think Ornstein's a sound journalist.
07 Jun 2026 14:05:23
I think Bayern are just annoyed at us for Wirtz choosing us over them, while also looking like we'll beat them to Diomande and Eichorn if the rumours are true.
07 Jun 2026 14:20:38
I agree, Chewy. Too many "ifs" and "buts" here and there on this topic.
Hence, to me, there is nothing to see here.
07 Jun 2026 14:24:30
@Overkill, social media says the players are unsettled. The players themselves haven't said anything in public.