13 Jun 2026 13:35:11
Have just read that Gakpo has asked to leave. Could this be the reason why we are being heavily linked with both Barcola and Diomande?
I’d definitely accept this trade off.
13 Jun 2026 14:34:39
No, it's the other way around, he's asked to leave because we're linked with them. ?
No idea if he's actually made the request. As it stands, I'm expecting him to play backup for Isak until Ekitike's fit. Unless he does go, can't imagine it though; he won't get anywhere near the wages he's on elsewhere after this season's performance; he'd be off his rocker to look for a move now, he's on upwards of £250k+ until 2030.
Some shrewd negotiator that Hughes fella is.
13 Jun 2026 15:40:26
The acid test is where you read this.
A number of clickbait sites have had this news for a few days (do a search of "Gakpo" and you'll find the earlier posts).
This could just be a random rumour started a week or so ago that all of the sites/stories are referencing.
I'm with you, I would be delighted with Barcola and Diomande for Salah and Gakpo.
Would set us up nicely. Depending on the cost of Bowen, I could see that too as Chiesa is likely to go.
So we're not blocking Rio from getting more minutes next season as it would be 3 first teamers in and 3 first teamers out.
13 Jun 2026 15:56:30
I'll be honest, I like Gakpo. Slot did not utilise him very well, however I can see that he can easily be upgraded too.
We lack pace on the wings and both Barcola and Diomande would give us that, with Rio being the sub...
Don't think we need Bowen, and doubt he would want to move to be sat on the bench if we signed the other 2.
This team is missing some steel in midfield and pace on the wings... We need to get the signings right for whatever system Iraola wants to play.
13 Jun 2026 16:05:56
Exactly, Zed. These are clickbait media bites, which Gakpo's camp has never addressed, even tho I don't expect his camp to respond, esp. during a WC.
What Gakpo offers (or offered before Slot rendered him useless) is efficiency in front of goal. Whatever it is you may think of him aesthetically (which is strange cos anyone who knew him knows he is not a dribbler or 1 v 1 demon), he scores and assists, end of.
I think he can still do bits with us should he go back to the way he was being deployed, esp. if you have adequate comp., as that brought the best out of him with Diaz at the club.
I do disagree with bringing in Barcola. He is not at the level and is not even better than Gakpo. I will not allow the decrepit rubbish Slot put these players thru as a means to judge them, cos they were great before last season's nonsense.
13 Jun 2026 16:33:18
I could've sworn that Slot was in charge of these players when we won the league. That was obviously all down to the players.
13 Jun 2026 16:45:23
Bayern were in for Gakpo, and they’re a half decent team, so if rumours were correct in Jan, they were willing to pay north of 70 mill. I doubt they would have offered him minimum wage.
Had an awful season last season compared to previous seasons (along with 95% of every other LFC player), but 27 goals and 13 assists in his last 2 seasons in what’s regarded as the toughest league in the world isn’t too shabby.
13 Jun 2026 17:10:48
Don't do it, Rome. Resist. ?
13 Jun 2026 17:25:59
I can't help it, Florian!! I should get out in the garden. Some posts just reel me in, so I have to bite.
13 Jun 2026 20:04:53
@Rome,
No one said anything about Slot not winning the league, but he predominantly used a lot of similar tactics to Klopp in that year.
As soon as he changed the system/tactics to Slotball, funny how so many of the same players declined.
13 Jun 2026 21:07:16
@Olired, how can you say Barcola is not at the level with Gakpo? You being serious?? Gakpo is nowhere near the level of Barcola, Gakpo is a one trick pony, he should never have played as many games this season, it's only because he's Slot's love child, Rio outperformed him so many times but never got a chance.
13 Jun 2026 21:29:20
Barcola is a lot better than Gakpo.
Barcola is a very good player.
13 Jun 2026 21:41:35
Barcola is hyped up. I've seen him play about 10 times, n he has done nothing. Fast as F, but not much else.
13 Jun 2026 22:44:48
I agree @Strom, he is playing occasionally for a team in a country that is miles better than anybody else and his job is fairly easy in that context. That said, he doesn't stand out.
I think his being seen as what we need might not be the case imo.
13 Jun 2026 22:49:52
Gakpo can be a decent player when he knows he's not a guaranteed starter and has competition.
13 Jun 2026 23:19:24
Wdw, exactly.
14 Jun 2026 07:03:21
Just a guess, but I imagine that if Gakpo was playing for a top team in France, his numbers would be even more impressive than his Prem numbers, which are already very respectable for a wide attacker. People saying Barcola is levels above Gakpo, can you say for certain that he would produce the same output as Gakpo over his Liverpool career?