20 Oct 2026 08:02:13
I know highly unlikely, but does anyone think that vvd has a battle to keep his place when Bradley (who frees up Araujo) and Leoni are back?
20 Oct 2026 08:09:42
JB12, no.
20 Oct 2026 08:16:07
Not this season but maybe next. I doubt we will see much of those two this season and no point rushing them back.
And might work out to be good timing for all, with Virgil into his last year of his contract and 36. So he might be getting less playing time but still there to help the youngest come along.
20 Oct 2026 08:21:15
No. Walks into the team.
20 Oct 2026 08:25:18
Ai decided to continue with Vvd as club and match day captain. He will continue to be one of the first names on the team sheet this season in my opinion as line ups to date confirm.
Sadly Looking how long and serious the injuries were I think Bradley and Leoni are the ones who face a battle this season to get a place.
20 Oct 2026 09:42:29
Not a chance in hell. Also, a big reason both Araujo and Jacquet are playing so well is because of VVD's presence and calmness that is felt throughout the whole backline. Ali, as well is such a calming influence.
Again, not a chance in hell.
20 Oct 2026 09:56:05
Maybe VVD is playing so much better than last season because of Jacquet and Araujo beside him?
20 Oct 2026 09:11:55
Not convinced araujo will sign or be signed as yet, as much as I'd like it to happen. Ed001 do we hold the reins on this with the proposed fee or can he head home again if he feels he's resurrected his career enough to get a game at Barca?
{Ed001's Note - it is not about getting a game there, he was unhappy and needed a fresh start. He is currently keen on a permanent move from what he says himself. Though obviously, it is hard to know if he is just telling people the right things while instructing his agent to look for a return.}
20 Oct 2026 10:22:31
I hope we keep Araujo, one of those players you can't help but love.
He is honestly, the only loan signing for Liverpool in my lifetime that has actually turned out well (so far.)
20 Oct 2026 11:40:37
VvD isn't back to his stellar previous one man defence best. But he has found form again this year. much more what I expect from him. i thought he may be on his way out but the man still got it IMO and if he has a good game playing 8 or 9 out of 10 still the best CB in the league. if he plays 6 or 7 he still walks into everyone else team bar Arsenal's.
And the semenyo race proves he can still mix it with the speedsters. although I don't think he would want too many of those in a game!
And on that note I can see all our players starting to claw back fitness and the ability to run and pass it forward. even Alison looks like he is no longer scared to move out his box. give it a couple more months and I'm confident we will be scoring goals at a healthy rate again.
20 Oct 2026 13:22:51
For me, Araujo is the next natural leader if VVD decides to leave. Having said that, I think VVD is good for another 2 years, possibly more, and would love it if he stayed. Experience (which is mostly mental) can't always replace physical ability, which the younger ones have plenty of.
20 Oct 2026 15:11:31
Mcgoveb, that too.
20 Oct 2026 17:05:56
Sorry. I wrote the opposite of what I meant. Experience (which is mostly mental) can't always be replaced by physical ability, which the younger ones have plenty of.