Liverpool banter 5

14 Aug 2026 04:29:56
Gavi - incoming.

14 Aug 2026 05:28:14
Confident on that Nevada?
Shame we don't go after their RB too. 🙄

14 Aug 2026 07:28:48
Our squad balance really seems to be a haphazard plan. Last season, it seemed we just picked up good players that we had no definitive plan for, and how to get the best out of them. Now we gonna do it again.

I like Gavi, but we have no need for him. It almost seems we are planning (if that's possible) to keep it tight in the middle, not use wingers, and have attacking mids move wide with fullback support.

It seems even more likely the idea, if Bellinghend was a target too.

In the end, I wouldn't mind our structure being changed to suit the team, if that's what AI is thinking to do. Just feel we need to target the correct players for the correct system we are going to use. Not scattergun grab as many excellent players we can and shoehorn them in.

14 Aug 2026 07:51:33
Tremendous player pre-injury. Not sure if he'll ever be the same.
Has a EUR1B release clause. 😂

14 Aug 2026 07:54:14
I'm sure I heard someone say "there's rumblings that Gavi's on".
Or it could possibly have been "my tummy's rumbling I need Gaviscon"?

14 Aug 2026 07:59:36
That's what happens, Mr Jones, when your CEO of football leaves and your sporting director has one foot out the door. At this point, it seems to be about getting numbers in rather than a cohesive plan.

14 Aug 2026 08:01:08
Mr. Jones, with all due respect, what makes you say we have no need for a mobile ball winner in midfield? It is one of the biggest gaps in the squad, and I think 90% of fans would probably agree with that. Camara, Sadiki and Bouaddi have been names on everyone's lips all summer.

Gavi has huge red flags about his injury history, but he is exactly what we lack in midfield. He'll get absolutely all over the pitch and be aggressive hunting to win back possession. Grav is too passive, Macca is too slow to get around the pitch, Szobo can't do all the running on his own, Endo is too old to get around the pitch, Jones is also too passive and Nyoni is only 19.



A fit Gavi is exactly what we need, in my opinion. He'll get stuck into tackles, he'll challenge for headers, he'll press, he'll track his runners etc. It's also another clear indicator of Iraola impacting our transfer targets if it happens with another raid on La Liga, and I'm pretty sure AI knows what we need to implement his system.

14 Aug 2026 08:01:42
Yeh, I would have been much more excited a couple of years ago. Would be big money on a huge risk unless we got another loan to buy option type deal.

We need robust bodies, especially in the middle. Especially as the Prem is more physical than La Liga too.

14 Aug 2026 08:08:44
I like Gavi as a player, but I do worry if there is anything left of his knee.

14 Aug 2026 08:25:08
Gavi's injuries are all from impact, so I wouldn't necessarily label him injury prone, just unlucky.

Personally, I only pay attention to injury history if it's repeated muscle injuries, because they're likely to reoccur for their whole career.

I tore my ACL and it never bothered me again, but I've strained my left neck and shoulder numerous times and know that, no matter how much work I put in, I will probably do it again at some point.



The versatility of Gavi and Szoboszlai behind Wirtz gives me a lot more confidence than the other options in the squad right now, and I can't imagine the fee would be crazy.

14 Aug 2026 08:54:26
I love how people not involved in the club know unequivocally that a certain target isn't what our squad/tactics need. Tell me how au fey you are with exactly what Andoni wants his team to do and the gaps in said player profile he's identified?

We bought some great people last window who Slot didn't know how to get the best out of.



We've been linked with Wharton and the premise of that is someone who can receive the ball and get it forward quickly. I imagine that's exactly the type of role we have in mind for Gavi.

14 Aug 2026 09:03:10
How do you strain your left neck.. I hope your right neck is still good?

14 Aug 2026 09:05:06
Would have been over the moon to get him 3 years ago. Would be very very wary of going near him now for obvious reasons, smashing little baller, just doubt he would hold up in England. We've just brought in a player who managed just 11 starts for Barca last season (for context, Gomez started 11) and have the likes of Gomez, Bradley and Frimpong at the club who, to say the least, are injury prone.

We need players who have a past record of been available and starting games.

14 Aug 2026 09:05:31
Hey MK, hope you are well and always appreciate your insight.

I've always been under the impression when I've watched Gavi, he is very similar to Wirtz in his work rate, lung-busting running and tight ball control and passing. I'm no expert at footballers, so I hold my hands up with my opinions and happy to learn.



With his injury record he doesn't seem to be robust, and that's what I think we need. My pref would have been Anderson or Sadiki.

One of my all time favourite players was Sissoko. Wish we could clone him.

14 Aug 2026 09:12:26
Bigh81 - Presumably the same way you would strain the right side of your back and not the left side. 🙄

14 Aug 2026 09:14:17
We don't need any more injury concerns. Gavi is a major injury concern. As major as it gets.

14 Aug 2026 09:17:01
Changingofthegvardiol, with all due respect, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And your comment sounds like every single signing in LFCs history has been an utter success. Maybe we sign him and maybe he goes on to prove a lot of people wrong. Maybe he doesn't, but why do you get an opinion but then take issue when others post theirs?

Artur, for example, the coaching team wanted...where everyone from the outside world could see it was a disaster waiting to happen.

I'm not saying I'd be against signing Gavi, and certainly if there was a similar arrangement to Araujo, but I'd definitely have my doubts based on the amount of appearances he has in a lesser league for physical demand. No doubting his ability, but for me it would be a huge gamble if we spent big on him.

Of course, one that could really pay off if he does the business given his age, but also could be another Thiago, who I loved as a player, by the way. But people have rose tinted glasses of Thiago based on how good he was and his character (seems like a top bloke to have around). But the cold hard facts is for the wages Thiago was on, he didn't play enough games for us (unfortunately).

In the middle of the park in the prem, we need bite. I feel like we have good technical players like Gavi, Wirtz / Macca, for example.

But again, the beauty of being a fan on these boards is one person's opinion shouldn't be bashed because you don't agree with it.

14 Aug 2026 09:32:56
You could say that Brown Jesus, but he's also an intense player that will get himself into lots of situations where impact will happen. Great terrier-like presser, v press resistant, and a very neat and tidy passer. But a big risk unless the fee is reasonable, given he's had 3 knee injuries in the last couple of years.

14 Aug 2026 09:44:12
Mr Jones, Gavi can play as a left winger, so maybe you’ve caught those games where he was playing a similar role to Wirtz for Germany.

However, he is predominantly a ball winning midfielder. Creativity and scoring goals is something he can do, but not what he specialises in.

He's a lot like Joao Neves at PSG. A real midfield battler.

The problem is his knee. If Nevada is correct, then that medical better be water tight.

14 Aug 2026 10:09:36
We lack physicality in midfield, and bringing another weedy injury prone lightweight isn't fixing that. The fact he's had two serious injuries on the same knee that has kept him out of competitive football for over 100 games in the last 3 seasons should be enough to bin this daft idea off.

That issue is just going to get worse and worse over time in a more physical league. One of the best ability is availability, and this lad just doesn't have that. We're a football club not an orthopaedic hospital or a charity. Signing a sicknote is not a "market opportunity".

14 Aug 2026 10:20:42
He's neither weedy nor lightweight, VV. Tay assessment is way off the mark.

But at least we agree on the concerns about his knee.

14 Aug 2026 10:57:35
He's not weedy or lightweight at all. He's all action. Similar to Joao Neves or Valverde, I'd say.

14 Aug 2026 11:59:10
Have we all just watched the same YouTube profile of him?

14 Aug 2026 12:11:05
Haha, love that Vik: "The best ability is availability." Sounds like something the missus would say in a huff after missing her call.

14 Aug 2026 12:32:46
By all means have your opinion, I'm obviously not blocking that.

I'm just pointing out it's funny that armchair fans imply that people at the club have no plan for what they're doing (pure conjecture).

So many people on here seem to think they know better than people who actually get paid to do the job. There's zero chance the average fan watches anywhere near enough games to deem certain players not good enough.

They've either watched a handful of games, googled their basic bitch stats or YouTube highlighted them.

Someone who is flavour of the month now will be deemed dog turd by the same "experts" on here in a few years time.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair most of the people on here could probably do a better job of coaching than Roberto Martinez, but he gets very well paid to be so crap at his job. So why do you think that people are better at it simply because they get paid to do it? Most of them are in the job simply because they used to play football, rather than because they show any aptitude for the job. Sammy Lee was a case in point, absolute dog muck on the coaching course but somehow sailed through them with top marks.}

14 Aug 2026 13:08:51
Change, sorry mate, if my differing opinion made you so angry. I'll point out that it seems you're implying you're a far superior fan who has better opinions than "armchair fans", what fans are allowed to have an opinion on the club?

Regardless, and without turning this into a s*** flinging match (I have already ha), I'll keep posting my views and I know many will be incorrect, but that's why this is a discussion page and like MK so graciously did was show me a different angle and not just moan because he didn't agree.



And I'll stand by my view that that our transfer plans have been haphazard at times with not replacing glaring weaknesses in the squad.

And I'll also still stand by my view that I would prefer Sadiki over Gavi.

14 Aug 2026 13:24:51
Your post hasn't made me remotely angry?

I'm also not suggesting I'm a superior fan (I'm really not).

I'm just pointing out that accusing the club of a lack of a plan is quite different to a fan not being privy to what the plan is.

13 Aug 2026 19:50:04
We lack characters in the squad. Bellingham, whether unlikely or not, I'd welcome all day long based on quality but also his personality. That real edge to want to win at all costs. There's a lot of softness in that squad.

13 Aug 2026 20:29:34
Bellingham = When you order Stevie G off Temu.

{Ed025's Note - i like that CH..

13 Aug 2026 20:35:08
I think we'd all welcome Bellingham, mate.

I doubt anyone would be against us signing Jude Belligham.

13 Aug 2026 22:11:54
NK, I love Bellingham, but we have Wirtz and Szob. For me, it would be another expensive signing for a player we don't need. We clearly need wingers, fb and a dm with good progressive passing ability. Not another 8/10, though of course he is class, but doesn't address our need.

13 Aug 2026 22:11:55
Yeh but then Trent would want to come back.

Sod that. 😂

13 Aug 2026 22:28:44
I'd take Trent back before getting Bellingham. 😁

13 Aug 2026 20:46:24
I think it sums it up quite well Ed025 mate - decent enough player but I don't see what others seem to fanboy over 🤷‍♂️

13 Aug 2026 20:54:05
Bellingham is an excellent player, I think most teams in world would like him. At present for me I'd rather give wirtz go in that no.10 spot which I think is Bellingham best position.

An aggressive defensive minded midfielder is what we lacking at min imo
If I remember correctly I think ed1 said at time he left Dortmund for madrid his father wanted him to go to lfc

14 Aug 2026 04:46:05
Bellingham a Temu Gerrard? Shivers, that's rough.

14 Aug 2026 07:21:04
Couldn't Wirtz play LHS and Bellingham centre? Just asking.

14 Aug 2026 07:31:31
Yeah, I suppose we could do that, alright, Shankly. Wirtz has played a lot on the left in his career.
Still, I think our midfield priority should be a more defensive type, a young Rodri would do the trick!

14 Aug 2026 09:07:07
Bellingham's top class at the moment. Comparing any of these guys around today against Stevie, there's only one winner in fairness.

14 Aug 2026 09:30:21
It's pretty irrelevant how he compares to SG tbf, and he's currently one of the best players around in his position. He isn't coming to us anyway, but agree with others we could do with someone of his ability and drive in our team.

13 Aug 2026 18:20:41
New poster but longterm lurker. Can I just say [500 words of rote old pap and a lot of asskissing].

People are just people!

YNWA.

Ps. Like me.

13 Aug 2026 19:24:53
Zeddicus, did you miss out on LeBoeufCurtains (Furniture Post?)

Looking at the above post, seems Curtains has been on the contents of the Brandy Decanter on the Dining Room Table! Now empty?

He's better changing his name to Danny Drinkwater instead! Especially in this hot weather ...........

13 Aug 2026 17:51:31
Question for the Eds.
How many more players do you think we'll sign in this window and in what positions.
I think we'll sign a winger, a centre mid, a relatively unknown right back and one more if Macca or gakpo leave
I'll take my rose tinted glasses off and put down my half full glass shortly

{Ed001's Note - no idea.}

13 Aug 2026 18:47:39
I'd say nine more in. Three out.

13 Aug 2026 20:10:57
None while that moron Hughes is still at the club

14 Aug 2026 01:32:36
3 in 3 out is my take on it.

Outs for me are Jones first, Chiesa next and then possibly Gakpo with a maximum return of around £110m.

Ins, if it is only 3, should be Barcola, Marmoush and Mbaye, although I think we have really messed up at rb and should have pushed for Kayode or Kounde.

14 Aug 2026 07:06:40
Jones, Cheisa, Endo, Gomez, Tsimikas and Elliott should all be out together.

14 Aug 2026 10:12:34
Sadly, Gomez is out until October, so won't pass a medical, so we are stuck with him. Hopefully, the club doesn't do something stupid like giving him a new deal!

13 Aug 2026 17:26:15
Why on earth, when we're short of a right back and struggling for spare foreign slots, aren't we in for Spence for £26.5m? He's home-grown and proven in the Premier League and international level! Plus he's a flipping greyhound!!!

{Ed001's Note - because he is an awful player with a stinking attitude.}

13 Aug 2026 18:01:41
If he's the greyhound I'd rather have the hare.

13 Aug 2026 18:23:45
A flipping greyhound is a level of showboating I wouldn't be comfortable with, unless it's for a goal celebration.

13 Aug 2026 17:48:05
Ed001, I'm absolutely staggered that Spence is suddenly so highly rated after about 3 good games at the World Cup. He's a Championship player.

Whilst we're at it let's sign James Rodriguez, Guillermo Ochoa and Enner Valencia!

{Ed001's Note - did he have 3 good games? I only saw him against Argentina and he was at fault for both goals.}

13 Aug 2026 19:51:23
Agree with most of your posts ed1 but not this one Salah never got passed him. Don't know much about his attitude but I would definitely take him ahead of what's out there but that's what this site is about opinions I guess

{Ed001's Note - if you say so.}

13 Aug 2026 21:05:55
Salah hasn't got past anyone in years, Acered, that really isn't a good way to rate a defender. It didn't stop him being effective, but his dribbling past defenders' days are long gone.

Saying that, I don't believe Spence is awful, but he's not that good either. We should definitely be aiming higher than him.

14 Aug 2026 03:58:54
If it was a choice of Spence at rb or just field 10 players, I'd go with the 10 players. The only attribute he has is his pace. Like our erstwhile cf from Uruguay, he just runs about like a headless chicken.

14 Aug 2026 04:45:04
Doesn't Spence play on the right though, so he would have been up against Gakpo instead of Salah. The only record I have of Spence "containing" Salah was when he said he'd back himself against Salah in the 2025 Carabao Cup Semi-final 2nd leg, and then Spurs promptly got smacked 4-0. A game that Salah scored in too, albeit through a penalty.

Spurs also have had only 1 win in 10 games against us, so it's not like Spence has impacted games against us that much.

And, like what Rios said, loads of players have contained Salah in recent years, as he was more isolated out wide and lost his pace and acceleration.

14 Aug 2026 04:48:15
No could barely get by Neco Williams the last couple seasons.

13 Aug 2026 17:12:34
Slot out!!

13 Aug 2026 17:45:22
Was he ever in?

13 Aug 2026 18:10:03
24/25 = 20.

13 Aug 2026 18:24:50
Actually, Rome, 24/25=0.96.

13 Aug 2026 19:02:58
Damn calculator, Rugby!

13 Aug 2026 21:53:23
My hero.

13 Aug 2026 22:44:22
Great reply, RP. 🙏🏻

14 Aug 2026 09:52:46
Did you post this using Internet Explorer?

13 Aug 2026 16:44:40
Wouldn’t it make more sense for

Mbaye and then a different left side player

That way u don’t spend as much as u would with Barcola involved

It will be interesting to see if LFC pursue with Barcola and get the player

Will that conclude the window ….

13 Aug 2026 16:58:23
I think Barcola signs but that doesn't conclude the window.

13 Aug 2026 17:25:42
Maybe the club wants to sign Barcola, not just because he’s good, but because he’s a very well known player. If we went out and bought a cheap player who no one knows to replace Mo, I could see the fans being unhappy with that. Also, he will sell a lot of shirts, so again making the club.

13 Aug 2026 17:31:22
Fair enough, folks.

13 Aug 2026 18:23:53
Barcola's price is so high because there is a shortage of genuine quality players out there. Same in multiple positions these days.

Blame Pep (wow he changed football, isn't he brilliant, let's all kiss his bum) Guardiola for making a career buying up half of the best players in the world and turning them into NPCs and then every mug who burned their own career trying to copy him.

13 Aug 2026 21:12:56
It would make more sense to sign the very best players we can. I really wouldn't worry about the money, the club will only spend what they feel they can afford.

We wanted a CB who could also cover right back and got Araujo, and everyone lost their minds. Could you imagine what would happen if we signed someone like Elanga for the right wing?

Building squad takes time, and I might be in the minority here, but I love the way we are going about it.

We are not trying to fill every position in one window, but we are prioritising positions and going for the best player available in that position.

It will serve us well in the end even if it does take a couple of seasons to get there.

13 Aug 2026 21:56:15
We'll get Barcola and another 3 in.

13 Aug 2026 15:24:20
With (hopefully) Barcola imminent, I thought I'd draw up a list of furniture football stars.

Feel free to add!

(Bradley) Barcalounger
(Harry) Kane rocking chair
Art Deco
(Tariq) Anglepoise Lamptey
(Franz) Carrpet
(Frank) Floor standing Lampard
(Jozy) Altidoor
(Roger) Bannister (OK, not a footballer, but still!)
(Peter) Couch
(George) Best china
(Lionel) Messi - any room with a teenager in it
(Darren) Bent hinge
(Darius) Vasell of flowers

Bring it on!

13 Aug 2026 16:40:26
Home Sinama (Pongolle).

13 Aug 2026 16:42:46
You boys, retired or something?! Lol. 😂

13 Aug 2026 16:44:28
Bruno Chair-oo
Angelo Stooler.

13 Aug 2026 16:47:18
Victor Ottoman.

13 Aug 2026 16:48:20
Benjamin Desko

I'll stop now...

13 Aug 2026 17:02:30
It's like the Cast of the Jeremy Kyle Show somehow all found its way here when it got banned from TV. 😂

13 Aug 2026 17:27:07
5-2-3 formation.

Matvei 'Sofa'nov (GK)
Tariq 'Lamp'tey (RB)
Branislav 'Oven'avic (CB)
Fabian 'Chair' (CB)
'Mat'teo 'Rug'geri (CB)
Wayne 'Fridge' (LB)
'Stove'n Gerrard (CM)
Jonjo 'Bookshelve'y (CM)
Joshua 'Kingsize' (RW)
Jorgen 'TV-Stand' Larsson (CF)
John 'Aga' Riise (LW).

13 Aug 2026 17:27:44
Sergino Desk.

13 Aug 2026 17:34:25
John Henry as Chairman.

13 Aug 2026 17:37:43
Divock Orgy.

Oh, wait, sorry, wrong forum and topic.

13 Aug 2026 17:41:26
What all the girls like (David) Goodwillie?

Allison Wonderland (Becker).

13 Aug 2026 18:18:55
Jan Bednarek.

13 Aug 2026 21:11:43
John Alfridge
Darius Vasell
Sebastien Coates stand.

13 Aug 2026 21:15:38
Sofa-Ian, Amrabat?

14 Aug 2026 04:02:10
Dear God, the club needs to pull its finger out and buy a couple of players - it's the only thing that can save these poor souls. 🙂🙂

14 Aug 2026 07:36:45
Fabrizio Colour Telly (aka Ravanelli).

14 Aug 2026 14:35:09
Lol Taurus!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

13 Aug 2026 14:01:34
New poster but been a reader for god knows how many years. Always look forward to coming on and seeing fields, Robbo, Viktor, Nedders, Carra, and tbf everyone posts. Gutted the ones I like to see more leaving tho I know everyone’s entitled to a post. But when it’s these particular ones the excitement just goes up that extra bit.
Hopefully we get Barcola over the line. I think he’s a fantastic player and considering the windows not got to long left I just hope they think we just need to get this done regardless.
Not sure on anyone else but I’m fuming we wasn’t in for the like of Bruno or Tonali. Both to me are quality players and would have strengthened our starting 11 in the middle of the park by a country mile and both love a tackle, something we have been missing for a while now.



Love to know people’s thoughts on the window and transfer so far but I’m my own personal opinion. Spurs signings and quickness in the market with that calibre of players has made us look like a league 1 side with our signings and the way it’s taking so long to get stuff done. All the players Spurs have signed would have happily fit in our team. So I am cos it’s Spurs and there crap.

Anyway not a bad first post I don’t think lol

13 Aug 2026 14:54:01
Yeah, that left back they signed looks decent.

13 Aug 2026 14:54:29
Spurs were a whisker away from being relegated last year. They need all the help they can get in the market. It's probably not that fair comparing us and them or expecting that we do the same kind of business. We need a right winger, maybe a more defensively astute, robust midfielder, possibly another fullback, yes, but we're not going to be going around buying the likes of Bruno and Tonali if they're not filling a distinct need that Iraola has identified or if they're not light years better than the options we already have.



Let's not forget that Iraola was transformative for a lot of the players he worked with. We don't even know what he can get out of the squad he already has at his disposal. Not saying we don't need to buy. We need quality in the positions listed, if only because his style places unique physical demands upon the players, but we don't know what the players we already have might become under his watch and coaching.

13 Aug 2026 14:58:17
I think we've a bit more to do, but I wouldn't be jealous of Spurs. They have been a bit naive, in my opinion.

They've gone early with big fees on average players, and it's left them in a position where everyone knows they need to offload players so they are getting less than £35m for both Romero and Spence. Not a great way to do it, although I do understand why. They were probably scared their targets might choose someone else over them, so they overpaid to get them done quickly.

Good luck to them. The players they've signed will improve them, but I don't think any would've improved us.



Our window has been underwhelming so far, but we are trying to sign a totally different calibre of player. The likes of Barcola and Diomande aren't even considering going to Spurs.

We are going up against some of the world's biggest clubs, so the process is very different and much more difficult, as was proven with Diomande.

I've said before, I don't think we are as far off as some on here think. We desperately need more pace in the team, which hopefully Barcola and Mbaye will solve. After that, it depends who leaves.

13 Aug 2026 15:12:46
Obviously, it will be better to assess it when the window closes, but it is clear that the change in manager decision was made pretty late, the Konate contract looks like it took a bit of a late twist, that there likely has been tension/instability within the sporting hierarchy, and that we have chosen to attempt some very difficult/complicated deals that have been/are part of non-trivial chains of transfers.



We have less than 3 weeks of the window left, and we have not made any sales at all. We still haven't solved the wings, midfield, or right back.

If we end up with Munoz, Barcola, Mbaye and Araujo on loan, I would rate that as a 6/10 window.

Getting in RB and DM would take it to 9/10.
Getting in a better goalkeeper than Marmar would take it to a 10/10.

13 Aug 2026 15:22:39
I'm not worried about Spurs at all, like I wasn't worried about Utd and Villa last season.

However, I'm quietly confident that we'll get third this season, but a lot will depend on Isak staying fit, Wirtz finding his form, and the team being able to defend set pieces better.

Working harder on and off the ball is already a guarantee under Iraola.

13 Aug 2026 15:25:09
We will win!

Copyright Aray.

13 Aug 2026 16:18:11
🙏🙏🙏 Zed.

13 Aug 2026 17:06:33
I think we are 3 players (minimum) short of even competing with the likes of City, Arsenal, United and even Chelsea. Never mind winning the PL and that's before we hope that Isak and Wirtz show a lot more this season.
In my opinion, we have 17 players that I have reasonable confidence in, and 3 of those are injured. After that we are in trouble.

13 Aug 2026 17:20:49
Well, there are no doubts for me, we have the best footballing manager in the PL. Set pieces are the bogey man, 80% of the teams in the prem are low block/park the bus, set pieces are their holy grail/only hope.

Can't see any scenario where Enrique sells two wingers to strengthen LFC and weaken PSG, perhaps one but not two, as he also has to consider injuries. Enzo Fernandez to replace De Bruyne, who's never been replaced, and Rodri.

That's why Guardiola jumped ship, because he knows it can't be done. I have a feeling the league is going to be more open this year. Personally, I would rather be on Andoni's side than facing him. Who knows, if we're in the mix after New Year, could Hugo returning fire us to the PL title? I'm with Zed, "football's a funny old game".

14 Aug 2026 07:26:42
ArAy would have had that in capitals, Zedd, just saying. 🤷‍♂️