17 Aug 2026 09:55:33
Araujo and Jacquet are both massive upgrades on Konate and Gomez. For the first time since he signed, I think we’d actually cope okay if we were without Virgil for a few months. It’s taken us long enough, but Virgil will finally have a partner as good as Matip.
17 Aug 2026 10:02:00
Fingers crossed, MK. I think, if we had a good competitive back up for left back that could see us through the season defensively, Kerkez looks the weaker link right now, which isn't what I expected when Iraola came.
17 Aug 2026 10:03:07
Yeah, hopefully, Jacquet can remain fit and get a good campaign under his belt. Leoni too.
Confirms thinking behind Araujo loan now rather than committing 10s of millions on a permanent deal for a defender this window.
17 Aug 2026 10:11:24
Agree with your comment, also nice to see Frimpong show what he can do next to a player with better game awareness - I just hope it wasn't a one off!
17 Aug 2026 10:11:25
How Tsmiskas is still at the club is beyond me. I am sure he too would be 'I love the city and club' stuffs, ain't it? The guy couldn't manage 10 meaningful games in Italy.
17 Aug 2026 10:12:30
I thought the same, and got me thinking. Is there a world where we extend Virgil's contract for another year or two if he's happy playing less? And he retires at Liverpool?
17 Aug 2026 10:16:35
The good thing is, Jacquet looks quality but I think Leoni is the better player of the two.
17 Aug 2026 10:33:52
Agreed, MK, although will need to prove himself over a few months first, but definitely good first impressions. Jacquet definitely very good yday, but only 45mins, and will have much tougher tests.
I don't think it'll be smooth sailing. We'll have some rocky periods, and the team will take time to get back to that fast paced high press style, so I just hope the fans remain positive and back the team.
Very excited for the season ahead, especially if we can add Barcola and Mbaye. Again, I'm one of the minority who don't mind us holding on to Macca, think he could surprise a few this year.
Keeper is my main worry now, unfortunately, with Ali's injury record. I'm still not convinced Mama is the one, but hard to get a top class keeper who's willing to play 2nd fiddle to Ali when he's fit.
17 Aug 2026 10:51:15
I see Harry has a new account now. ;)
17 Aug 2026 10:53:43
@MK, spot on - Jacquet just played like a genuine footballer, light years ahead of Konate, although it's early days, of course. Be even better when Leoni gets back - we'll basically have four very good CBs capable of being starters, and when Ndukwe gets back...
17 Aug 2026 11:17:44
I've probably missed this on here, but what's the status with Ndukwe? Will it be the whole season he can't play, or can he get a permit during the season?
With these young fast central defenders, can any of them play a 6 role? I suppose it's leaning towards a 3 at the back with wingbacks, but I always used to enjoy seeing Agger carry the ball forward.
VVD did it a bit a few seasons ago, but we haven't had that confident type of defender for a while. All the risk has gone out of the game, and it's just inviting teams to come on to us. The idea of outscoring the opponent was always my favourite. Attack from the back and defend from the front!! Wishful thinking, I suppose, haha.
17 Aug 2026 11:36:21
Don't see Araujo being signed permanently, unless he has an absolutely barnstorming season. Which I can't see happening, because I think on what I seen yesterday Jaquet will be starting ahead of him. With Leoni also, who I really rate, due back from injury.
This is no slight on him, as I think he played well when he came on yesterday, but he'll be 28 by next summer. Too old for us to usually fork out the bones of £50m for. Also Ndukwe will be due back from his loan next summer too.
17 Aug 2026 12:13:09
@sobo25, if Ndukwe gets the right loan move he could pick up enough points to get a work permit and come back to Liverpool in January.