Liverpool banter 6

07 Aug 2026 21:02:37.
Waiting for Barcola for another two weeks would be ok If LFC had all other business boxed off! Squad was unbalanced last season and unbelievably in August 2026 nothing has been done to improve the squad!

In fact the squad is much worse now!

Venting post!

07 Aug 2026 21:08:07
Shhh. You will hurt the little Victors' feelings.

I agree, though, that there is work that needs doing. Hopefully there's a plan coming together behind the scenes.

07 Aug 2026 21:39:46
Behind the scenes?

I think I know why there are no signings just rumours ... Because we are chasing shadows. Absolutely bonkers.

07 Aug 2026 20:54:33
Still my favourite Liverpool goal

2nd of September 1978

Family caravan holiday, last weekend before returning home and back to the grind .. (3rd year big school )

Sat in a corner of the clubhouse glued to a portable black and white tv anxiously fidgeting waiting for Match of the Day, the barman told me it was okay to watch but with no sound. It’s on, Jimmy Hill presenting, I move closer and give it a twiddle of volume (f*** the barman). No one’s gonna know, everybody on the dance floor appeared to be well pissed, the club DJ banging out Boogie Oogie Oogie
(subsequently I discover by the wonderful group A Taste of Honey) Great tune 🎶...



The match highlights seemed to fly by, perhaps 12 minutes, but what a show Liverpool put on that day, pure joy.
Ray Kennedy to Dalglish into Johnson over to Highway 1st time cross on the run, back post header McDermott 7-0 bosh, what a goal to round off the Annihilation 💪

Sorry, just reminiscing, thinking out loud and typing...


YNWA

07 Aug 2026 21:11:00
My favourite goal for sheer feeling was that Alonso penalty/rebound in the Champions League final.

As most of you know, I'm not the most sane fella anyway, but even for me, I went absolutely nuts when that went in.

07 Aug 2026 21:26:00
Mine was AB1's goal for so many different reasons!

07 Aug 2026 21:38:13
Dunno,

Loved the Barnes rush celeb.

Also Aldridge when McMahon barely keeps it in on the line,

McDermot might try one....


But it's got to be, Gerrard, the header and then the arms, I always think he was saying,

"Come on, We're not dead yet, we're not dead yet."

07 Aug 2026 22:33:48
"Collymore closing innn", or "Lovely cushioned header, for Gerrrrrard", or "Corner taken quickly..."

08 Aug 2026 00:25:55
I would say the "corner taken quickly" goal is up there for me. Maybe Gerrard vs Olympiakos as well.

08 Aug 2026 07:22:46
Beardsley

"That's a lovely goal, that's a lovely goal."

07 Aug 2026 19:54:21
ED 001:
Just a point of order.
I was under the impression that Mbaye and Jacquet woud be counted as "home grown".
Is that correct?

{Ed001's Note - I don't know off the top of my head, sorry.}

07 Aug 2026 21:12:32
Premier League no, Champions League yes, as I understand it.

In Premier League, under 21s don't count, in Champions League, everyone counts.

07 Aug 2026 21:12:52
Mbaye might, Jacquet can't.

07 Aug 2026 21:19:15
Mbaye could count as "homegrown" in 3 years if we sign him now and keep him, or loan only to English clubs in that time. For now, his HG status wouldn't matter as he's U21.
Jacquet is already 21, so there's no way for him to ever count as HG.

07 Aug 2026 21:40:40
Jacquet counts as U21 for the 26-27 EPL season.

U21 means anyone (for this season) born after 1 Jan 25.

07 Aug 2026 22:02:56
It's a small pool of players who were born after 1 January 2025.

07 Aug 2026 22:04:47
Leoni will count as homegrown and club grown after his third season.

If we sign Mbaye this summer and don't loan him out, then he will also be classed as homegrown and club grown.

07 Aug 2026 18:29:52
Barcola deal has been on the cards for a few weeks already... Why is there all of a sudden a huge gap in valuation?

07 Aug 2026 19:07:01
Because it sells.

07 Aug 2026 19:15:56
I still expect them to meet in the middle. It's in the interest of both sides.
Kvara and Doue have both flanks nailed down, and now they have convinced Akhilouche and Godtz to join.
Barcola wants out, and Enrique has always been adamant on full commitment to the cause.

07 Aug 2026 19:21:11
Sells what, Chewy? If the Barcola deal has been done for about 2 weeks, you can't be so naive as to think not one journalist of any sort wouldn't know about it.
It's time to face facts, Barcola isn't close to being done.

07 Aug 2026 19:40:12
JLC, there isn't. It's the media trying to be dramatic.

07 Aug 2026 19:44:32
Rodri for the 50mill that City want. I know it'll never happen, but that would be the guy.

07 Aug 2026 19:49:56
Some in the media probably do know about it if it's done, Fifth Element. If they let it out before the club says it's okay, then they will no longer get info from the club. That's how it works, mate.

07 Aug 2026 20:00:37
He wouldn't want to play for another English side.

07 Aug 2026 20:49:09
Fifth Element, exactly what Kopite said, a very select few will know how far along it really is. If you want to trust Sly Sports, you go right ahead, but today they published a video on YouTube entitled:

"Barcelona to make second Rodri offer as Liverpool open Barcola talks"

Open talks? 🤣 We did that weeks ago. You go ahead and believe who you like, though.


And when somebody says it sells, they don't always mean it literally sells something tangible; obviously nobody is buying a subscription to Sky because of any particular piece of transfer news.

What I mean by "it sells" is that it keeps you interested and "tuned in" when they have nothing else to really "sell you on" or talk about. But it's much more convenient to say "it sells", rather than explain all of that, something most people would understand.

07 Aug 2026 20:53:42
It sells clicks.

07 Aug 2026 21:05:03
To our own Scouts on here who have done quite well since the Klopp era, please tell me I have looked at a lot of YouTube videos on Spence, Konsa, Scott, they all look like very decent LFC signings and to boot all HG, all PL proven as well, they would improve the team/squad not downgrade it, and to add also no big heads, am perplexed, Scouts? and a question for you also Scouts?

Who famously said: " A football team is like a Piano, it takes 8 men to carry it, and three to play the damn thing? (CH,CM,CF)

The Workers (8 men): The physical hard working players who do the heavy lifting, win the ball back and do the dirty work.


The Artists (3 men): the creative players with special skills who score goals, create chances and win the game.

The 3 above would carry the Piano quite capably imo?

07 Aug 2026 21:27:56
You guys are just believing what you want to believe. Everyone said Diomande was done, and not one person knew anything about Munoz until after he has signed. Any leaks the club had have been plugged all summer.

07 Aug 2026 18:24:32
I'm addicted to this site. This time of year. Might need to get help.

07 Aug 2026 18:49:40
I think we all are.

07 Aug 2026 20:13:31
I used to read every single post across all three boards but I can't even keep up with the banter these days.

07 Aug 2026 20:25:02
Only place for reliable accurate'ish info most the time.

07 Aug 2026 20:54:29
Stoneage, it's an age thing. I still memorise 3 pages deep and get my kids to test me. 😉

07 Aug 2026 18:18:48.
Sky Sports News are reporting that the deal is difficult to complete with there being a huge gap between the two clubs over the fee.
Do you think this will get sorting soon or is it once again us going in with a low offer?

07 Aug 2026 18:29:57
The deal is done isn't it?

07 Aug 2026 18:30:32
I think there's a solid chance we get him, but clearly PSG/Enrique like him. It's a good sign that they do.

We just need patience. Hopefully, it gets resolved soon because Hughes can't do two deals at once. One deal at a time.

07 Aug 2026 18:36:06
I'd reckon he will sign with us eventually, but it will linger on. Can't really see anybody offering what we're offering. On v limited bits I've seen of him, we are certainly not low-balling PSG with our offers; if anything, we are over-paying for him, but that's the market, unfortunately.


Bigger worry for me is, are we stalling other transfers to see how Barcola works out first? We badly need defensive reinforcements.

07 Aug 2026 18:38:24
It's a Mexican stand-off (PSG wants £150 mill), Pistols at dawn (LFC think fair value 100 Euros). Gakpo going could decide it in the end?

PSG obviously don't know John Henry, he's tighter than a glass blowers arse, he could peel an orange in his pocket with a boxing glove on?

07 Aug 2026 18:42:08
"Low offer" - laughable.

07 Aug 2026 18:42:24
Optics is everything. PSG need to show they have been tough negotiators. As do Liverpool. All part of the dance. One that we have seen so many times now.

07 Aug 2026 18:43:16
I mean, you're on here quoting Sly Extorts...

07 Aug 2026 18:51:01
Now Sky have reported talks have taken place, it just makes me 100% sure it's happening.

They only ever mention something so they can claim an exclusive when it does happen.

Sit tight, boys. Barcola is 100% incoming.

07 Aug 2026 18:51:03
I'd be personally disappointed if we spent this much time to massively over pay on someone.
The recruitment team are having a mare, realistically. Why is it taking weeks to sign someone on PSG's bench, for Isak money?!
If they can't find other players, then they shouldn't be in the job.

07 Aug 2026 20:32:29
All the same noise as the Wirtz and Isak deals last year. It seems FSG like to give main stream media the run around.

07 Aug 2026 20:36:02
Like who, Dean?

Barcola might be behind Doue for PSG, but he's first choice ahead of Doue for France, and, to be quite honest, looked twice the player Doue is in the World Cup.

He's a class act. PSG know that, and so want top dollar.

07 Aug 2026 17:48:39
Surely if we do get Mbaye and Barcola, that’s the end for Gakpo and Chiesa because the quota for English players doesn’t work and one will have to drop out the squad anyway.

Surely the next signing after these has to be English… Konsa and Scott will do nicely to end the window on a high. 🤣

07 Aug 2026 18:11:27
There is no quota for English players.

Please search for HG and you will find plenty of posts in the last few days on exactly this topic.

07 Aug 2026 18:27:50
Would be a tough choice between Gakpo and Chiesa.

07 Aug 2026 18:38:53
I don't see the point in Konsa or Scott.

If we are going to buy English players, we should make sure they will play, else they will not be worth the premium.

Wharton and one of Acheampong/Colwill would make more sense to me.

07 Aug 2026 18:43:37
Gakpo and Chiesa footballing wise is no contest - anyone with a sane mind would choose Gakpo.

07 Aug 2026 19:15:25
When the speed tests were done for running on the USA tour just recently, Chiesa was miles in front of anyone. Taken over from Milner, who was always first in the running tests.

Munoz nickname in Spain was "Speedy Gonzales". It's now Spain 2 Argentina nil, one, Munoz has the WC winners medal, and came back early for pre-season training by five days, being 2-0, Mac Allister still resting back next Monday as the WC final was 3 weeks old this coming Sunday.



Kudos to Munoz. It looks like he really loves the club, with that enthusiasm Shankly would have labelled him the second Kevin Keegan! I have high hopes for this lad, Andoni's first signing (pace, direct, hard working).

07 Aug 2026 19:36:49
007, do you mean the lactate test? We'd be snookered this year if Chiesa is our fastest player.

07 Aug 2026 19:49:41
In fairness, 007, it's easy to spin that narrative. Munoz came back early, probably partly down to the fact he didn't play a minute in the World Cup and was also keen to impress his new club.

Whereas Macca played a huge amount of minutes, in fairness to him. Although if reports are he wants out, then so be it, let him off, but to criticise him getting a well deserved holiday is harsh.

07 Aug 2026 20:27:38
How can Mac Allister be tired? He had a full season's rest for the WC, he pulled out of tackles to deliberately get to the World Cup.

Stats for last season: 2 G, 4 A (37 apps)
Title winning season: 5 G, 5 A (35 apps)
Klopp last season: 5 G, 5 A (33 apps)
Season first bought: 10 G, 2 A (35 apps)

The figures show quite clearly his standards have come down every year, that is not me being unfair on him, he has provided them figures not me! If you use the title winning season as 5G,5A=100 per cent then last season's holiday of 2G,4A is 60%, that is a 40% decline in his performance figures.

Spin the narrative on that Traore?

07 Aug 2026 15:37:15
@Ugbes - Regards Infantino and FIFA - when crooks make the rules, there are no rules. Simple.

07 Aug 2026 17:24:07
You make deep sense @Salmino.

07 Aug 2026 17:46:01
What made me laugh, was that it was reported that Argentina came out and backed Inscamtino for the role. I mean, lol, I wonder why that would be.

07 Aug 2026 14:33:41
Can we go looking for the next Rodri instead of wasting most of this window on Barcola. I could care less if we sign or don't sign Barcola. He's not making a huge difference to the team.


We've the weakest midfield in the top 6 as it stands. There's Sobosli who's a guaranteed starter, and honestly the rest could fight it out for the other spots. There's little difference in quality.

07 Aug 2026 16:24:33
Sobosli, is that our new right back?

07 Aug 2026 16:38:32
The midfield we currently have won the league, it's not the weakest midfield in the top 6. Midfield is the least of our worries right now.

07 Aug 2026 16:54:24
Absolutely, Fifth Element. I honestly don't know what people have been watching.

07 Aug 2026 17:04:07
Fifth Element basically skipped the whole season and the last 3 months of the winning season.
Also, forgets players' age and doesn't play at their best.
It's like, just forget that we got battered this last year and we're lucky to be top 5.

07 Aug 2026 17:08:17
I'm even more worried. If the rumours of Gakpo, Mcallister, Elliot, Jones and Chiesa wanting out or being surplus to requirements, then we need serious incomings. Add the injuries to Ekitike, Bradley and Gomez's injury record to that, and I'm worried we've been so quiet in the window.

07 Aug 2026 17:14:31
I also skipped over Spurs finishing 17th last season and signing a midfielder that got relegated and one whose fans were happy to see the back of.
I also skipped over Manchester United only finishing in the top 5 because they were out of every other competition.
I also skipped over Chelsea, who finished 10th, 5 places behind Liverpool.


Also, what about their ages? Szoboszlai is 25, Gravenberch 24, Mac Allister 27, all either at or coming into their prime footballing ages.
We have far more glaring issues to address. Signing a midfielder is like changing your car's tires when it has no engine.

07 Aug 2026 17:30:37
If Barcola makes the right adjustments, he does have the ability to make a massive difference to our team. His speed and skill are a huge add to the attack.

With some added composure in front of goal and good application to defensive work, he could be a superstar.

Hopefully, Iraola can add the final pieces to his game, as well as the added maturity that sometimes comes with age.

07 Aug 2026 18:09:47
Nuance, eh?

We have an imbalanced midfield mix. Our only DM, bought in as a stop gap three years ago, can't run and made one Premier League start last season.

Saying that midfield won the league does not change that fact that it is imbalanced.



And if anyone wants to bring up the purple patch of 3 months that Gravenberch had as a DM from Aug to Nov 2024, I will be out on the front lawn waiting for you.

07 Aug 2026 18:10:09
Not many next Rodri's out there.

07 Aug 2026 18:17:48
Midfield players so far have cornered the PL market:
Rogers AM, £117 million Villa to Chelsea Buns! 7 year contract?
Anderson £116 mill to the Filth/Cheats.
Tonali £93 million Newcastle to Spuds,
Fernandes £85 million West Ham to Spuds.
Santos = Chelsea reserves to Man Utd circa £50 million. Take that 50 away from Rogers fee, and it reduces the £117 to £67 mill for Rogers. If we get rid of Jones and Mac Allister, we will be in the market also for badly needed midfielders with the above war chest. It seems a Pressing problem! Excuse the pun?

Guimares yet to move £85 million, has LFC/Cheats stopped that one?
So far it's midfield players with the highest PL transfer.



Rodri going to Barca according to the morning papers, £70 million. Pray to God he does. Guardiola failed totally to replace KDB. Maresca has no chance of replacing Rodri like for like.
Maresca got the sack from Chelsea last season after losing 6 PL games on the bounce. He's a dead man walking! Haaland to PSG a strong rumour in Paris?

It looks like Arsenal again, sadly, unless the FSG Cavalry arrives before the summer window closes?

07 Aug 2026 18:23:20
FlyPelicanFly, no one is saying our midfield is perfect, but it is the least of our problems right now.
Nuance, eh?

07 Aug 2026 18:29:14
Forgot to add:

This coming season will be remembered for 9 new managers at PL clubs, Arteta longest serving at circa 5 and a half years?

Arne Slot, a Coach who has won the PL and is unemployed, not among the Nine, one wonders why?

07 Aug 2026 18:54:26
Fifth Element, I would argue it's a priority.
Our midfield was bypassed at will, we had no clear CDM since Grav decided that wasn't for him. I would say the lack of any meaningful midfield, bar szob, was at the root of our issues.


Our vacant CB positions are clearly the other big issue, then probably the RB position. If you're going to use a youth player, I'd rather it was on the wing than at CB.

07 Aug 2026 18:58:57
The argument that "this midfield won the league" is as stupid as it gets, firstly that was over 15 months ago and isn't relevant, other sides have not only caught up, but they've passed us by. It's almost the same as the imbeciles round these parts who said we didn't need to replace Lovren before the 20/21 season or the same ones who said we didn't need to bring in fresh legs in midfield before 22/23, who were wrong then and are wrong now,

Secondly, that group of midfielders is the lazuest, softest, weakest, tackle shy group of pansies around. They were bullied almost every game last season and there's no reason to think it'll be any different this season. None of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, or Jones fancy getting their boots dirty or sticking the boot in and they're not the kind of midfielders who can out technique the opposition either as they don't have the skill or brains. They're the worst of all worlds.

We've never adequately replaced Fabinho and it'll be a problem again this season.

Like it or not, centre midfield is one of the most important parts of the pitch and ours is not fit for purpose. Most, if not all teams fancy playing against us because they're neither a threat going forward and they offer no defensive nous or fight.

07 Aug 2026 19:18:05
No offence, Ron, but posts like this make me laugh.
It's like saying give me the 6 numbers (or whatever) so that I can win the lottery.
Rodri is a good player.
But quality players like that are not in abundance and if any similar ones are around, could we even get them.


Yes we'd all like a few signings, but for me, I'm just looking forward to see over the season, what Iraola can do.

07 Aug 2026 20:40:06
Defence starts from the front, and if they aren't set up properly then the actual defenders or midfielders have no chance. The fact that we weren't set up properly last year was a bigger issue than any particular player or position. I very much doubt that Grav decided a particular position "wasn't for him", DeanW, he would have played where he was instructed to.