Liverpool banter 6

11 Aug 2026 00:01:19.
Hope the midfielder we are looking at is Pablo Barrios. Linked with him before, and apparently he has a £87m buyout, although that has to be paid all at once. Lots of reports of our interest in him late 2025. Another Spanish midfielder linked before was Gavi, but his injury record would be a huge concern.

11 Aug 2026 11:28:41
Barrios' injury history is horrendous.

10 Aug 2026 23:23:35
Just got of the phone to r Jeff. He wants to turn Anfield into an arena for concerts, fights etc. and build a new 100,000-seater in Stanley Park to create an Anfield complex, with hotels, shops, bars, restaurants etc. He's also got a couple of transfers on prime next day delivery.

11 Aug 2026 09:28:42
Unbelievable, Jeff.
Anfield has always been an arena for fights.
I remember West Ham clambering across the Anny Road End, a big Spurs mob charging down one of the streets at the back of the Kemlyn Road, and some Swansea fans announcing that they were on the Kop because getting booted off in the 80s.

11 Aug 2026 09:04:28
You mean like the Kennedy Center? Beware! The Dumpster in the WH may want to put his name on Anfield because clearly, that's all he can think of right now amid the chaos he has caused all over the globe.

10 Aug 2026 21:59:34
Barcola is not happening in my opinion. PSG are pricing him out of a move on purpose and will let him leave on a free in 2 years. He provides cover and rotation and is reliable while the new wingers get used to the system and tempo.

This is why they're insisting on 140m when it's public he doesn't want to stay, has only 2 years.

For me I don't think it matters because I'm not sure he's what we need anyway, regardless of actual quality.



On a different note if we are going down the loan route I happen to know that Mastantuono is available, can play anywhere across the front three but prefers right forward and wants game time.

Perhaps it's a decent stop gap until a better market opportunity arises in the right.

10 Aug 2026 22:18:51
There's too much noise on Barcola for it not to happen in my opinion.

I'm very confident Barcola will be a Liverpool player and I think he's exactly what we need.

Pace, direct running, trickery, goals, assists, he can do it all.

I don't think people understand just how good he is, but you will when you see him in a red shirt.

10 Aug 2026 22:20:50
Once they get Godts over the line, they'll have signed 4 wingers this summer. Keeping Barcola as well would be the type of greed even Todd Boehly would blush at.

10 Aug 2026 22:27:52
Mastantuono has been loaned to Fiorentina, no?

10 Aug 2026 22:36:56
You said Diomande was not going to Real Madrid as he definitely wasn't the type of player they go for. In my opinion, Barcola signs and the volcano sprays fire all the way to the crown jewel of English football and its mythical cathedral.

10 Aug 2026 22:39:14
Oh, and your man Mastantuono signed on loan for Fiorentina 3 days ago.

10 Aug 2026 22:39:39
Have you seen the number of wingers PSG are signing? To me, it is a clear indication that Barcola has been sold.

10 Aug 2026 23:03:27
There was more noise about Diomande signing for Liverpool.

10 Aug 2026 23:16:13
So they're just bringing in Torres, Akliuocher and Godts for the craic then is it?

10 Aug 2026 23:28:40
Walk away. Getting treated like a small club. Eff PSG. PSG dictating, FSG trying to low ball, or STC showing he is out of his depth. Whatever the reason, I'm done with Isak mk2.

11 Aug 2026 01:55:22
To those who correctly pointed out Mastantuono has gone on loan to Fiorentina. I am a little behind, but I knew that info about him weeks ago, so it was still correct.

Re: Diomande - I was wrong about that. It took a lot of people by surprise, because as I've said elsewhere Perez himself was not keen and has given Jose a lot of leeway that coaches normally don't get at Madrid.



The post about Barcola was just my opinion, I think he's a decent player, but he's a left forward and we need a right forward, which is why I said he's not what we need. It wasn't a comment on his ability.

Hopefully that clears things up.


Sometimes even solid info can be wrong, the only time info is 100% in football is when the player has been registered.

11 Aug 2026 02:54:10
I can't see PSG holding on to Barcola. They'll have Doue, Dembele, Kvara, Torres, Akliouche and Godts, who can all play wide.

There's no way they hold on to a player that can land them £100m+ just to have another rotation option.

Barcola either comes to us or goes to Arsenal, but I can't see how he ends up staying in PSG.

11 Aug 2026 06:53:44
That info was about as solid as diarrhoea.

11 Aug 2026 09:09:52
"PSG are pricing him out of a move on purpose and will let him leave on a free in 2 years."


In two years? Are you sure, Nevada? Nah, that will never happen. The kid ain't staying there, sitting behind all those other wingers that are being signed. Neither is Mbaye, which is why both are out the gaff and, ironically, coming to us should things play out the way they look.



So for me, I propose that people just relax, be patient and let the process play out. If you are impatient, that won't change anything within the process cos what will be, will be.

We (LFC) are all in on Barcola, man. Impatience/frustration will change nothing. So why bother? I don't.

10 Aug 2026 20:32:42
Message from Ed001 as follows.

Could you all please stop posting so I can get on and start/finish the articles you are all looking for 😁

End message

10 Aug 2026 21:34:32
More like make another cuppa.

10 Aug 2026 21:34:33
Ed001. Please will you add "BarryinLouth" to the player profiles mate.

{Ed001's Note - how many ways can you say lazy overweight bald clogger? I can reuse it for mine afterwards.

10 Aug 2026 22:03:11
LazyoverweightbaldcloggerinLouth, I think you mean Ed001 😉

{Ed001's Note - sorry Zed, thanks for the correction.}

10 Aug 2026 22:07:37
Please change overweight for cuddly. 😉

{Ed001's Note - noted.}

10 Aug 2026 22:21:39
That's a bit unfair on Barry. He's not overweight, God gave him airbags because he's so precious.

10 Aug 2026 22:28:37
Awh, stop, I'm blushing. 😊

10 Aug 2026 23:25:13
I think you mean Svelt Handsome Interesting Totally Enigmatic BarryinLouth.

If we adopt the same naming convention as the LYFP, he becomes s**** BarryinLouth!

10 Aug 2026 23:57:27
You sound like my wife, RP.

11 Aug 2026 09:10:45
Please, change the overweight to "well-rounded".

11 Aug 2026 10:22:53
Delicately put, Oli.

11 Aug 2026 13:08:30
Anytime, Bazo.

10 Aug 2026 20:06:18
Hi All

It's obvious we need a holding midfielder ( No 6 ) to help shore things up in midfield, same as last season players running 40-50 yards unchallenged.

My only dilemma with this is, who makes way to allow a natural holding midfielder to come in?

The likely team if all fit, providing we don't but Barcola.



Allison
Kerkez
VVD
Araujo
Frimpong
Gravenberch
Szoboszlai
Wirtz
Gakpo
Isak
Ngumoha

Personally I think if Gravenberch is not going to be a no (6) he has to make way.

Just wondering everyone's thoughts on this?

Cheers.

10 Aug 2026 20:33:51
Think your first 11 is about right, but I think Munoz gets in ahead of Rio more often than not. Watch out for Nyoni, who is more of a 6 than an 8.

10 Aug 2026 20:38:59
IA doesn't use a holding midfielder in the traditional way. He uses a high press and compact formation to squeeze the opposition immediately they get possession. The idea is that there is no 40-50 yards to run into and no easy pass.

Players will need to be faster at reacting and more short sprints rather than long runs back. So, we need additions but maybe not the same type as you think.

10 Aug 2026 20:42:52
If you were buying a natural holding midfielder for me Wirtz would come out and Szobozlai, the best attacking midfielder at the club, would play ten. But then I'm not really mad about Gravenberch anywhere but the 6 either, so it could easily be him too.

10 Aug 2026 20:45:18
If we get a 6, which we should, but I don't think will happen, I would guess Grav is the one that makes way.

And, btw, I agree that during these preseason, while we have played better than last season, the protection from the midfield is very weak.

10 Aug 2026 20:47:48
This is likely to be a 4-2-3-1, the 3 being 2 wide players plus Wirtz. Only leaves room for 2 CMs, which may work against weaker / low block teams but I think a 4-3-3 with Wirtz one of the front 3 may be needed against stronger teams. Leaves room for 3 mids, ideally would be a DM if we had one, plus Grav/Szobo.

10 Aug 2026 20:59:06
Teams certainly taking shape for the Newcastle game. I think Gravenberch will be the six.

Allison
Kerkez
Van Dijk
Jacquet
Araujo
Barcola
Gravenberch
Szoboszlai
Wirtz
Gakpo
Isak

I think he might start Jacquet if he plays against Como and gets a free run of training between now and Newcastle.

10 Aug 2026 21:07:28
His height would certainly come in handy against the likes of Burns and Voltemade. What does he play RB like? Is he ultra defensive like when Carra played there, or is he a CB that can actually get up the line and contribute to the attack like Babbel did?

10 Aug 2026 21:13:06
What is Nyoni's natural position? I get the feeling AI will use the squad more than Slot and even Klopp did, so if Nyoni can play more of the holding role, I'd see him rotating with Gravy.

10 Aug 2026 21:26:23
Grav should be the 6. The only reason we should buy a 6 is if Grav refuses to play there, and if he does that, then he should be sold. There's no point playing him anywhere else as we saw last season.

It's his best position by far, and in the title winning season, he was the best 6 in the league, comfortably (Rodri was injured).

10 Aug 2026 23:20:18
It's not happening. Get over it. Grav is our 6. The club doesn't see reason enough to replace him. If we bring in a midfielder, it will be to replace outgoings like Jones or Macca. Grav, Dom, and Wirtz will be Iraola's preferred midfield 3, at least to start.

11 Aug 2026 04:59:31
Sadly, I don't think the team is looking to buy a 6. At least, it doesn't seem to be the case with the players we've been linked to.

Grav and Nyoni will rotate and play sort of a 6 role.

I expect Jones to be sold and maybe one of Endo/Macca.

Not sure there's enough time to sell all 3 and find replacements. I'd personally rather keep Endo, sell Jones and Macca. Nyoni replaces Jones and we buy a more robust CM to replace Macca. Not sure that'll happen though.

11 Aug 2026 09:12:37
@Flo, why would Wirtz come out in place of Szobo if we get a 6?

If anything, the closest thing we have to a 6 is Grav, hence it would be him who would make way, no?

10 Aug 2026 19:37:49
So the new boss has come out and said the squad can run for any more than 30mins. So that begs the question what was The Goonie doing in Anne Frank's attic all that time 🤔

10 Aug 2026 20:12:31
You know you're supposed to take those pills every day, right Baz?

10 Aug 2026 20:29:54
Every day! You sure?

10 Aug 2026 20:53:52
It was said before on here by me and others, but the next head coach who came after Slot would be surprised in a bad way at how unfit the squad is. Lucky for us it's Iraola and he will do something about it.

10 Aug 2026 20:59:44
We are blessed it's Iraola, Dilly.

10 Aug 2026 19:09:38
Just wondering if we are still in for Wharton? Probably too expensive given money will be spent on Barcola and potentially Mbaye. I’d rather spend Mbaye money on Wharton and give Chiesa and academy players a run, but I drink beer and work 9-5, what do I know.

Wharton, I think, can certainly open their potential up even more, and possibly, more than anyone we currently have.
With AI’s energy and intensity, the team might even be in contention for the title, not just CL spot scramble.

10 Aug 2026 20:14:52
Love Chiesa but I think we've all seen enough at this point.

10 Aug 2026 23:41:06
I like Chiesa, but likewise, I don't see how he fits in anymore. Not really quick enough anymore to play wide, too lightweight to play up top, not really a 10. Who knows, maybe with the whole team pressing properly he might be able to achieve something. If an offer comes in for him though, I reckon it's time to go.

11 Aug 2026 00:29:35
Chiesa has never been good enough to be in the first 11 and that's why he wasn't. That situation has not changed and the club need to sell him and replace him with someone else either in house or with a transfer.

11 Aug 2026 05:03:26
I like Wharton's progressive passes and what not, but who do you drop if he comes in?

He'd have to replace Szobo in the double pivot, and then Szobo/Wirtz rotate in the 10. I'm just not sure the club would do that.



Maybe for some games against weaker teams sitting back, you could have Szobo and Wharton in the double pivot and drop Grav, but then you'd have like zero cover for our CBs.

10 Aug 2026 18:46:50
Nice first interview from Araujo, seems excited to be at the club. Took a wage cut too as part of the move.

10 Aug 2026 20:14:03
I'll tell you what, huge amount of respect goes to Darwin Nunez.
I gave him pelters for his finishing and his offsides, but never doubted his commitment and effort.

Well he's come out with some lovely comments about Liverpool fans and for that he deserves a lot of love. ❤️

Well played Darwin. 👏

10 Aug 2026 20:18:11
LFC Channel reports a deal subject to obtaining a work permit, and international clearance also?

10 Aug 2026 21:14:35
I'm not surprised Ndukwe had trouble with a WP, but I'd be flabbergasted if Araujo had any troubles!

10 Aug 2026 23:05:02
Barcola would have more trouble than Araujo.

10 Aug 2026 23:41:45
I'd still have Nunez back. Come at me!

10 Aug 2026 23:46:05
He's non-EU, he has to apply for a work permit.

11 Aug 2026 00:31:13
Westwood, 🤚. Please.

11 Aug 2026 16:44:44
Westwood, I like the attitude, man.

10 Aug 2026 18:30:19
With the new stakeholders, as long as we order Barcola by 11pm two days before the window shuts, he'll arrive the next day, and can be left in the outside cupboard next to A field front door. Sorted.

Kindness,

Dev11

10 Aug 2026 23:04:41
And at 24 he's yet to reach his Prime.