Liverpool banter 5

08 Aug 2026 09:57:40
I don't understand the negativity amongst some 'fans'. We've been crying out all window for defensive cover and now we have it, we are complaining? Araujo hasn't been brought in to be an automatic starter, but whilst Jacquet and Leoni build their fitness and match rhythm we need a player who isn't going to be overawed by the league. Van Dijk has a pretty good record at making any defender who stands next to him look decent and I don't doubt this will happen again.

Araujo brings experience, pace, aerial strength and versatility to the back line. He needs a fresh break somewhere different but Barca don't make you club captain unless you've got something about you. If it doesn't work out then he goes back. No fuss and no fee to cover. Hopefully this leaves transfer money available for other positions whilst building squad depth.

08 Aug 2026 10:24:11
I'm with you. Not the signing to get everyone off their seat, but it's a sensible one.
Can play CB and RB, good in the air, and has lots of experience.
His decision making is questionable, and he's not great on the ball, but you could say the same about Konate and a number of others we've had.
The important things for me are that it's a relatively reasonable price (10m in wages and whatever the loan fee is), he can cover in RB until Bradley is back (and his next inevitable injury), and can play at CB until Jacquet is ready to take over.


A team with VVD, Jacquet and Araujo will perform much better against long throws and corners with their height and ability in the air.

08 Aug 2026 10:25:21
I'm not a fan, personally, of this signing, but hoping to be proved wrong, Ricki.

It's just differing opinions. No need to get caught up too much in differing opinions. Let's see how it all pans out. I'd like nothing better than to be called out in a few months time with him starring in our side.

But I admit, at the very least, he plays the positions we need cover on CB/RB, so at least we bought some much needed experience there.



But he is not without his drawbacks. Drawbacks that exceed the pros for me, but I can see many who I respect here (including wdw BTW) feel a little different, and that does make me feel better about the signing. Happy to see how it pans out from here now it's done anyway.

08 Aug 2026 11:32:32
Spot on, Rick.

08 Aug 2026 12:08:41
Why are Barca, who still have Christensen and Erik Garcia in their squad, and are broke, by the way, letting him go out on loan then?

08 Aug 2026 12:30:17
Maybe Florian Araujo feels he needs a change of scenery to get over a few personal issues? He's been at Barca 7/8 years and it's time to move on to somewhere else. Think he may surprise u, I get your worry that he is injury prone, but he certainly has the ability and, for a cb, should be entering his peak.

I read it's £180k per week he's on, whether that true r not I dunno.

08 Aug 2026 13:03:55
My sentiments exactly, Digger. Sometimes, things just run their course in any relationship and it's just time to go see what else is out there.

08 Aug 2026 09:55:06
We have a lot of rumours and links to players but if we just focus on the current squad for the moment:

Who do you think will play upfront when Isak is carefully rested between games?

And judging by what the manager said thankfully that Ryan won't be like a holding midfielder as he's qualities are driving wit the ball making things happen who do u think will play deeper

08 Aug 2026 10:32:03
Cody will be striker cover until Hugo is fit.

08 Aug 2026 10:43:49
If that's the case, the only options to play deeper than Grav would be Endo and maybe Nyoni.

I expect Szobo to be in the double pivot so it'd be one of these options:

1. Grav with Szobo, no one sits.
2. Nyoni with Szobo (Grav rotates Szobo).
3. Endo with Szobo (Grav rotates Szobo).


4. New CDM with Szobo (Grav rotates Szobo).

I think a lot is still up in the air in terms of the midfield, so not sure.

As for Isak, Gakpo rotates with him at CF. If Gakpo goes and Barcola gets signed, I can see him playing false 9 at times when Isak needs a rest.

08 Aug 2026 11:04:44
I heard Mbaye can also play across the front 3 and even Munoz, if that is the case, I expect rotation (assuming Mbaye signs).
I have liked the look of Loukas this preseason, but then, looking up his stats, his output has been very low.

Such a shame about Danns injury problems these past couple of years, as I think he would be knocking on the door.

08 Aug 2026 11:09:30
Nyoni weighs about 5 stone. Far too light for the PL.

08 Aug 2026 11:33:05
Jari, that's if we don't sell him.

08 Aug 2026 09:40:32
We are screaming out for a cb who can play rb as well, so we sign a player on loan who was captain of Barcelona last season and our fans are still moaning. If I’m correct we have looked at him for several years because when fit he is a beast of a defender. Yes he has injuries but we can’t be splashing out millions on every position for cover. We are in talks over a 100 mill plus transfer for a winger (possibly 2) so the loan with option to buy deal makes sense.

Even if he is only used sparsely the need for a top draw utility defender is obvious.
On a plus note Munoz looked excellent in training, full of energy, pace and great with both feet. I have a feeling he could be the surprise package this season. I also hope Trey dosent go out on loan as I think they could finally be the season where he gets to play a major part.

08 Aug 2026 11:11:48
Hughes let two players who were willing to come to us last January go to one of our rivals. He's the cause of all the mess.

08 Aug 2026 09:00:18
Liverpool fans "We need a CB to cover preferably one that can also cover RB". Liverpool sign a CB who can also cover RB. Also Liverpool fans "No not that CB who can also cover RB".

Arsenal fans are intolerable as they see their players as the best to lace up boots and won't admitt there's better out here but I would take that from our fans as well over the constant unrelenting bashing of any player that seems to put our jersey on.

It's pathetic. We have singed a play that fills a gap in the squad. On to the next signing.

08 Aug 2026 09:14:32
Great post, well said.

08 Aug 2026 09:21:02
The drama is 100% uncalled for. The guy is injury prone, sure, but he is an Elite defender no matter what anyone says. He has been at Barca for like 7-8 years and a key player most of the time until lately.

He is more durable than Gomez, and honestly a much better player too. Not who I wanted us to sign, but much better than going into the season with Jaquet & Van Dijk only.

08 Aug 2026 09:31:37
And a captain.

08 Aug 2026 09:31:45
Yep, well said, kt. I just lost 20 minutes of my life reading the whinging negativity on the rumours page. Well, I think a loan plus option for an experienced player is a smart move when we already have potentially the best 2 young CBs around and need short term backup for CB/RB.

08 Aug 2026 09:40:43
He's injury prone but 6 months out either depression, anyone can be affected by depression, and hopefully he's had the right treatment and is ok now. Depression doesn't care if you're rich, poor, a shop worker or a professional footballer.

08 Aug 2026 09:46:47
Well said.

08 Aug 2026 11:38:01
@Arne, drama is what fans do for no reason esp. in this age of social media rage-baiting, where sometimes, fans turn their negativity into a competition of "Who can say the most obnoxious of things". It is what it is.

Sadly tho, a number of posters engage in such nonsense. You said it yourself. "We need a CB who can play RB." We get a CB who can play RB that bear the injury and mental issues he has had, is a certified, proven CB at club and int'l level, that may need some work and needs some re-motivation and new surroundings, people are still mad and spit their dummies out.


I don't know what else to tell you, but that is the game now. Sad, frustrating and painful, I know, but it is what it is.

08 Aug 2026 08:52:44
Morning all.

This is mainly for Ed001 but anyone can comment on it I suppose.
Do you think the signings of Munoz(spelling 🤔) Jacket, Araujo and the possible arrival of Barcola are enough to strengthen the team/squad sufficiently.
Will we only delve back into the market if someone else like McAllister, Jones, Endo, Cheisa, Elliott etc leaves.
Personally I still think we are a couple short i.e midfield, rw and a back up striker until Ekitike comes back and provided we don't sell Gapko. I just hope that we have some sort of alternative option or plan B if this Barcola farcas ends badly.
Anyways looking forward to the season ahead and no more puke slotball. Iraola will need time to get things sorted, I just hope supporters have the patience to give him that because he potentially could be an absolute gem of a manager.

All the best.

Notsozippy

JFT97 YNWA

{Ed001's Note - we need to create space in the squad, so it will have to be after people leave for that reason.}

08 Aug 2026 09:16:25
Sound ed001 is it your gut feeling that Jones Mac etc will leave and hopefully be replaced

{Ed001's Note - they both are looking to move on as things stand, so I would expect so. Jones might change his mind, but Macca has wanted to move on to Spain all along, so I would not expect him to change.}

08 Aug 2026 10:52:03
Hope Macca goes. He checked out a long time ago.

Last season, I was very critical of Slot in terms of players' performances and them downing tools, but Macca is one of the few that I could say no matter who the coach was, he would've been just as rubbish.



He's not good enough, lives on the grass rolling around and checked out long ago. We must get rid.

08 Aug 2026 11:12:58
Hughes couldn't sell buns in a famine, so I wouldn't get my hopes up of anyone leaving.

08 Aug 2026 08:42:48
Really don’t understand the negativity surrounding the Araujo signing on some platforms. We needed bodies so we don’t sleepwalk into a Nat Phillips/Rhys Williams situation again. Jaquet was clearly brought into be first choice, Leoni has a massive future at the club once he’s back from injury and Araujo has come in as a player capable of filling in at both CB and RB whenever needed.



On his day he’s a top player, if he can get his old form back then we’ve got a very good option for the rest of the season and likely a bargain buy option should we choose to pull the trigger.

If he turns out to be terrible then he still can’t be any worse than Konate last season and at least he won’t be starting every game.

08 Aug 2026 08:51:56
Our last 4 loan signings were Melo, Kobak, Caulker & Manquillo.

Welcome to Liverpool, Araujo. The best of luck.

You don't have big shoes to fill, and I hope you smash it.

08 Aug 2026 08:58:17
Well, let's hope he can stay fit to play a good amount of games this season. Otherwise, it's just going to be about Arthur.

08 Aug 2026 09:34:50
JK, why mention our last loan signings? They have nothing to do with Araujo.

This is a person and a football player. His success or failure can't be predicted by the type of contract he has.

08 Aug 2026 09:44:40
Beckers, I can mention what I want, mate, it's an open forum, and it's my comment to say how I please.

08 Aug 2026 09:59:46
JK probably mentioned loan signings as Araujo is a loan signing, Rio, seems quite relevant to me.

Don't think anyone can deny the loan market hasn't been particularly kind to us, but we all hope this one works out.

08 Aug 2026 10:23:00
The loan market is always difficult for top clubs to navigate because who sends a player to a top club on loan usually? The whole point of loans is for experience and game time, usually at a middling club with high ambitions who can't afford a permanent transfer for a quality player.

Big clubs only ever sign loans in a specific set of circumstances.

We're not the only club who have had poor loan players. Off the top of my head: Weghorst, Ighalo at United, Sancho, Pato at Chelsea, Sterling at Arsenal. None of this is relevant to Araujo - personally believe he falls under the "market opportunity" bracket where we were tempted by a good deal but want to have a look at him first.

08 Aug 2026 08:41:47
Lad's I'm feeling a bit radical this morning so I'm actually going to wait to see this new loan signing play before I pass judgement. Now, he could be absolutely muck or he could be brilliant, who knows. So, having said that, welcome to Liverpool Ronald Araujo and the very best of luck. YNWA

08 Aug 2026 08:49:16
Well said.

08 Aug 2026 08:51:10
Bloody hell. A sensible comment. I must be on the wrong site.

08 Aug 2026 08:57:47
Well said, Barry. I hope we still bring in a dedicated RB, but the option to buy is a good deal for both clubs and the player. If he stays fit, I think he'll make a valuable contribution across all competitions.

08 Aug 2026 08:59:24
Wait has something happened to the site Ed's?

Surely nothing but knee jerk slagging off players who haven't even pulled the shirt on is allowed on here

08 Aug 2026 09:36:47
Well said. New start for whole squad.

A CDM & RW now please.

Great to see youth getting a chance under AI too.

Feeling more positive about first game away at Newcastle too after their transfer business.

08 Aug 2026 08:40:37
Just woken up to the araujo news. I have never seen him play so I will reserve judgement.
Eds or ITKs I see he can play cb and rb do you think the idea Jia he will be the only defensive signing?
My only concern would be his injury record, but I think this is a decent signing.


I would still like us to sign a proper rb though. I have huge doubts over Frimpong and we just don't know how Bradley will return

08 Aug 2026 08:40:35
Welcome Ronald to the best club in the world.

Now, that wasn't so difficult, was it, and well done to the other decent human beings welcoming a new player joining us on here.

08 Aug 2026 09:50:30
It's so good to see comments like this. Some of the comments on here have been downright nasty. Maybe, some people need to actually try think before they post.