08 Aug 2026 12:16:11
With Araujo impending, does that mean we'll have to confirm a non-HG sale to confirm Barcola?
Or I guess vice versa, depending which one is registered first?
08 Aug 2026 12:23:05
No, we can still sign who we like, it just means if we don't move on non-HG players, then we won't be able to register every player for every competition.
08 Aug 2026 12:32:43
Seems pretty likely to me that we'll be selling a fair few players soon. I think Jones and Gakpo will all be leaving in the next week, personally. Tsimikas, Elliott, Chiesa and Mac Allister going before the first game kicks off would not shock me either, though I think they all have an outside chance of staying.
We've had to hold off on sales to a) give Iraola a chance to assess the players and b) ensure Iraola had enough players for an adequate pre-season.
I'd expect things to really hot up now the first team players are all back from the World Cup and Iraola and his staff are back from the USA tour.
Keep in mind that you can change your squad registrations in January, so it's quite likely Ekitike will not be registered in the first half of the season anyway, then be added in January. He's not expected back until late December/early January so that makes logical sense to me and takes away the temptation to rush him back.
08 Aug 2026 12:43:30
Sorry MK, but we were short at least 3 players coming into this window, we've brought 3 in, and now you think we're going to flog off 6? Where's the logic in that, if you don't mind me asking?
08 Aug 2026 12:44:52
MKS, I think Tsimikas is staying as backup to Kerkez. The likes of Macca, Chiesa and even Elliott (who I want to stay) are gonna go.
Now, Macca and, say, Jones are strange ones, cos we may need the HG quota, hence Jones may stay. Macca has always said, directly or indirectly, that he would love to go play in Spain, so that's 50/50.
08 Aug 2026 13:08:52
Man.of.Todd, yup, I guess I expect that we're not going to be doing a Chelsea and have a squad of players chilling out enjoying their wages whilst not doing anything. :D
08 Aug 2026 13:33:27
People get too worried about the non-HG/HG thing imo.
The way I see it is Jacquet and Leoni are U21s, along with Nyoni and Trey. If we sign Mbaye, he will also be U21.
Gakpo and Macca are possibly going to be sold this summer if the right offers come in.
Chiesa will likely leave if we get the two additional forwards in.
Endo and Tsimikas all have one year left on their deals. I think both are seen as players who could easily be sent out on loan for their final season, if we couldn't sell them, or got squeezed on non-HG spots.
Lastly, I would not be surprised if they didn't register Hugo Ekitike for the first half of this season.
In summary, we probably shouldn't worry too much as there's plenty of moves the club can make to comply.
The bigger concern is that our lack of English players does impact the club's allowance of "Elite Significant Contribution" foreign player visa slots. Clubs can earn up to 4 slots through total playing time of English Qualified Players (EQP).
Based on last season's appearances, we only qualified for one ESC slot, which allows us to get the visa for Mor Talla Ndiaye. Unfortunately, we couldn't get one for Iffy Ndukwe.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, and Man Utd have four slots. Man City and Newcastle have 3 slots.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha becoming first team regulars will help, but we clearly have a long-term problem that needs solving either via academy or recruitment of English talent.
08 Aug 2026 13:45:39
FPF - just something interesting to talk about, mate.
08 Aug 2026 13:46:51
We have Koumas & Chambers to offer HG status if Elliott and Jones leave. So no issue there.
Possible issue is if no Non-HG players leave, we won't be able to sign Barcola unless Ekitike's slot is taken while he recovers.
Hoping either Tsimikas, Ramsey, or Chiesa gets loaned out or sold to free a spot or two.
Mbaye is in the U21 bracket, so that's fine.
08 Aug 2026 14:02:23
RedKei, being pedantic. There is no issue with HG status for registration of the squad. We can have up to 8 and can have 0 if we want. What I did say was that it does impact your allocated slots for young foreign talent visas. That does impact the academy's role in supporting the first team squad.
As for Tsimikas, Chiesa, and Ramsey - I would be shocked if a £700m+ a year revenue generating business that relies on Champions League qualification would not sign the first team players they need because of those three players occupying a non-HG spot.
They would at worst simply not register them for the squad, or better sell or loan them.
Gakpo and Macca are a different situation as they are first teamers.
08 Aug 2026 14:37:12
Chewy, I said, I think we'll sell Jones and Gakpo. The other 4 I'm simply saying it wouldn't shock me either way.
1. Gakpo will leave and be replaced with Barcola in my opinion.
2. Jones will leave and we'll promote Nyoni in my opinion.
3. If Tsimikas leaves, I think we'd promote Chambers or Scanlon, but I'd also not be surprised if Tsimikas stays and Chambers and Scanlon go on loan.
4. If Elliott leaves, I think we'd promote Morrison, but again, Elliott could easily stay with Morrison going on loan.
5. If Chiesa leaves, I think we'll sign Mbaye or promote Koumas.
Equally wouldn't be shocked if Chiesa stays and Koumas goes on loan.
6. I actually think Mac Allister might stay and surprise a lot of people. However, if he is sold, I reckon we'd probably go all in for Wharton.
Those 6 senior players though, I think there are still varying levels of doubt about them being at Liverpool next season. There's still over 3 weeks of the window left, which is plenty of time to make 3 more signings, which is the maximum you'd need to replace those 6 as I see it.
08 Aug 2026 15:01:41
Probably about right, MK.
Although Macca staying would mean you have a new contract issue to contend with. It would effectively be accepting he will leave for nothing.
And you must not forget Endo.
08 Aug 2026 15:12:40
We have got a few players in last year of contract. Elliot, Jones, Tsimikas, Bajectic, Gomez, Endo, Vvd and Alisson.
I wouldn't be surprised if we listened to offers for Elliot, Jones and Tsimikas.
08 Aug 2026 15:14:11
FPF, I don't see any world in which Endo leaves. At his age, you're not getting much money for him. He's also not on a big wage. He's retired from international duty, so he'll be a great guy to have around the training ground in international breaks, when all the u21's come up to work with Iraola. He's also able to play RB, CB, DM and CM to a pretty good level. He is a leader and former Japan captain. His attitude is impeccable and he's a genuinely good person as well, which you can never have too many of at the club.
I just can't see the logic in selling him. Alisson, Virgil and Endo are the only players we have left over 30. The last thing we need is to be in the same boat as Chelsea with a group lacking leadership and experience.
I could be completely wrong, but I doubt he's even being considered for sale unless he kicks up a fuss to leave or a surprise offer comes in.
08 Aug 2026 15:27:31
MK, fair points. We don't really see what influence he has on the squad. We know he is ultra professional, but he is also a pretty quiet, shy guy from the looks of it.
Despite all those things, it doesn't get away from the fact he's the only DM in the squad and occupies one of the non-HG spots.
08 Aug 2026 16:31:56
I would agree there's doubt over all of them, yes, but contrary to your opinion, I would be absolutely astonished if we moved all 6 on, given the inflated market and short time frame.