Liverpool banter 6

19 Sep 2026 13:24:10
Gakpo is currently a better player than barcola. I wouldn't be moving gakpo to accommodate barcola in current form.
It's no good making great runs and getting into great positions if you can't finish. BB is known to be a poor finisher. I hope andoni can help him but I mean Nunez never became a great finisher.

19 Sep 2026 14:01:28
We know Gakpo's ceiling, he's hit it, Barcola has grat potential, yes Gakpo's been key for us in these opening few matches but we'll have to fit Barcola in one way or another, we didn't spent £115m just to bench him, he'll have to be afforded the same patience we've given Wirtz and Isak before we can make judgements.

19 Sep 2026 14:16:44
Price doesn't dictate your place in the team we've had some great players on the bench over the years. Alls you can do is be ready and take your chance when it comes Ala koumas.

19 Sep 2026 14:33:43
Gakpo our most in form player. Has to start.

19 Sep 2026 14:57:47
Never said price dictated your place, my point was that he was brought in to be a starter, I never said he should automatically take Gakpos place, I was arguing that we should keep Gakpo all summer whilst most wanted him moved on, I knew he'd be critical whilst Ekitike was out with Isak and Wirtz yet to find consistent form.

I simply said Barcola needs to fit in one way or another, whether its the left or the right doesn't matter to me, . we have 2 senior first team wingers, and 2 wings for them to play on, Iraola has always rotated his wingers, I fail to see an issue tbh.

19 Sep 2026 15:34:20
Barcola will play. Simple as. Whether Gakpo makes it into the 11 alongside him is the question. At the moment he will as he deserves to. Lets see if he can keep it up.

19 Sep 2026 16:39:16
Gakpo has obviously got to play if fit. I'm unbothered whether Barcola plays or not as he's shown nothing yet to be guaranteed a start, he may be a slow burner.

19 Sep 2026 16:49:43
Maybe Iraola will rotate them?

19 Sep 2026 20:05:47
@Ron Funk, Maybe Barcola is a poor finisher, IDK. But last season he had a higher shot and chance conversion rate than Olise and I don't see anybody always talking about him being a "poor finisher"

But Cody is showing up this season so far and fair play to him.

20 Sep 2026 06:53:57
Barcola has not taken Gapkos place Barcola has been on the right!!

19 Sep 2026 10:57:46
When we think Florian Wirtz, we envision a German Odengard to be honest. What is lacking is his physicality, aggression and that mentality to "grab the whole team by scruff of neck" to win.

I feel its a mentality thing, he should look at Odengard more.

19 Sep 2026 11:26:33
Who's this 'we' you speak of?

19 Sep 2026 11:29:18
I don't think they're anything alike at all to be honest, and I don't believe anybody envisions Wirtz as a German 'Odengard' either. It's Odegaard, by the way.

19 Sep 2026 11:30:04
Odegard is a pretty frigging low bar. He ain't even that good.

19 Sep 2026 11:42:49
You keep coming back, Leek, I'll give you that.

19 Sep 2026 11:50:07
Is it Leeks or Harry???

19 Sep 2026 11:59:54
It's Leek.

19 Sep 2026 12:38:13
Odengard? Isn't that where Thor lives?

19 Sep 2026 12:38:47
I am afraid so far Wirtz has been more like a German Harvey Elliott.
I really hope that once Iraola gets his tactics across fully, he really kicks on.
Just not seeing it up till now with Wirtz.

19 Sep 2026 12:48:10
Very funny thread. 😂.

19 Sep 2026 11:54:35
Hey pretty boy, are you new to football?

19 Sep 2026 13:23:14
@ LiverpoolFC8, that's Asgard for Thor, anyway Odegard is from Norway. Vikings.

I have. digress.

Still waiting for Bayer Leverkusen Florian Wirtz.

19 Sep 2026 13:15:51
Classic nonsense Leek post.

19 Sep 2026 13:24:23
That's Leek, Deisered. It's his alt account after his first one got banned.

19 Sep 2026 16:41:08
It is quite a nonsense thread, as they're not alike at all. We just need Wirtz to bring his best to the pitch more often, Bournemouth should suit him as they play quite open although the intensity of their play may be too much for him.

19 Sep 2026 13:21:19
Chewy and Patrick are on their time of month's bts.
I get what you mean. The team as a whole need to play a lot better. Unfortunately the "think they're superstars" Are really letting us down. Ed666 I thought was radical on his thoughts of the squad but he looks to be absolutely correct if andoni can't improve what we believe are "first team players".

19 Sep 2026 20:22:54
Anybody that watched Wirtz in the Bundesliga will know he was never a "grab the whole team by scruff of neck" player. He is, in my eyes, some king of Bernardo Silva- David Silva hybrid. that's his strength: movement, connecting play, interchanging positions, making the right dictions, technical ability with commitment and totally a team player above individual plays.

Maybe i'm in the minority, but for me he is instrumental to the way we move forward and our passing play and when we were good he was in the heart of thing ticking. Players of this ilk are valuable and hope it comes to fruition. He can do more, he can be better and should, but I don't expect him to be what he is not.

I could be wrong but I still believe we will have a very different conversation and view about what he brings to the team when this season is all said and done.

19 Sep 2026 10:49:54
So guys the most important question now, was that goal a volley? Or a half volley?

Ed033?

Please make this into a poll!

Ynwa.

{Ed033's Note -


Volley poll

19 Sep 2026 11:30:07
It's neither.

19 Sep 2026 11:36:21
Controlled volley.

19 Sep 2026 13:50:52
If it bounces it's not a volley.

19 Sep 2026 13:57:05
Easy way to tell -

Imagine you're playing a game of heads and volleys - would it be allowed?

Nope.

It was just a shot. Even half volley is incorrect because a half volley would be struck as the ball hits the floor for the first bounce.

19 Sep 2026 17:07:57
It was a goal end of.

19 Sep 2026 09:15:33
Is it just me or does the clamour by players for the Ballon D'or this year seems to be at an all time high?

Looks like these guys are campaigning to become the president. So political!

The award seems to be losing its appeal as the years go by.

19 Sep 2026 09:23:58
I think the award long lost its appeal when Messi and Ronaldo came about personally.

But I agree, I don't understand what the campaigns are about. Individual awards should not matter this much in what is a team sport. And the Ballon D'or is just a popularity contest held by a magazine anyway.

19 Sep 2026 09:53:53
I see Beckham thinks Messi should get it 🙄.

19 Sep 2026 10:39:12
It's quite nauseating looking at comments from some players (particularly Mbappe) saying they should get the award. Football is supposed ti be a team game, but there's always the prima donnas.

19 Sep 2026 10:53:21
Who cares. It stopped being about who were the best players a long time ago. It's just a nonsense PR exercise now.

19 Sep 2026 11:31:40
I'm with you Shipley, I've absolutely no interest in it whatsoever, it's it's a political popularity contest.

19 Sep 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Fulham - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

19 Sep 2026 10:41:28
Doesn't make good reading. All a bit of a mess really.

19 Sep 2026 12:32:58
Ed
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I think too many players all want to be batman an none are willing to be Robbin. This goes for Dom, Grav, Rio, Isak, Gakpo. If they all worked for eachother and played their roles for the team, they would all eventually get a like of the icecream

I remember a counter attack early days of Mo, he was passing the halfway line with only the keeper to beat. And Sadio busted a gut to follow in behind Mo and get between the last chasing defender so Mo only had to worry about beating the keeper. How many players in this team would do that now?

19 Sep 2026 07:22:19
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Marcos Senesi

19 Sep 2026 10:57:01
These player profiles are quite insightful, Ed01. Even I try to check some of the things while watching a game on Tele haha. Many thanks.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.

19 Sep 2026 13:27:18
Good read, Ed. Thank you.

I actually felt quite bad for Senesi at one point on Tuesday, when we were suffocating them with our press. The cameras kept on finding Senesi after the latest scramble to safety and the lad looked shellshocked. I don't know why they persisted with this for so long.

I feel as though De Zerbis' obsession with baiting the opposition press will cost them dearly in this current Premier League.

18 Sep 2026 06:23:39
Ed 666, what would you say our best starting 11 is at this point?

For me, Dom is the best RB currently available (just ahead of Ronald) with Jacquet at CB (again, just ahead of Ronald).

On current form, Macca starts, and Trey's positioning following a good preseason makes a strong case.

Gakpo's form can't be overlooked at LW, while Isak is starting to look more interested.

RW is tricky - BB or Munoz. Currently I'd say Munoz edges it due to his physicality and pressing.


Ali
Dom. Jacquet. Virg. Kerkez
Trey. Macca
Wirtz
Munoz. Isak. Gakpo.

{Ed666's Note - Same team but I’d have BB instead of Gakpo on the left. That’s nothing personal against Cody as he’s having a good season so far but BB offers guile, pace and ironically he presses like a madman. We need BB match fit and the only way to do that is give him game time.

18 Sep 2026 15:10:31
Not many people on here are going to agree with you on Dom at RB Pompey. The lanterns and pitchforks were out last season when that happened.

18 Sep 2026 15:27:08
Florian, that was before we saw him in a two man midfield, now I'd play him at right back all day long.

18 Sep 2026 16:34:24
I agree that Szobo is our best RB currently, and at the moment, I think RB is his best position.

I also hated him getting played at RB last year, but I'll admit I was wrong and that that was one decision Slot got right.

18 Sep 2026 16:38:30
Yeah, hard pass on Dom at RB, complete waste of his abilities. Araujo has done very well, Dom's not better than big Ron at defending. No chance.

18 Sep 2026 16:42:42
We get the best out of Dom when he"s played as a 10. Just need to work out what to do with Wirtz.

18 Sep 2026 16:49:23
Alisson
Araujo
Jacquet
VVD
Kerkez

Nyomi
Mac Allister

Gakpo
Szoboszlai
Barcola

Isak

I'd drop the generational talent. Time to give Nyomi a try.

18 Sep 2026 17:23:23
At the moment I'd go with the same team as Rome.

18 Sep 2026 17:41:05
Araujo is the best option at right back. You're hamstringing Dom putting him there and asking the midfield to be more overrun than it already is when Macca flops.

Id prefer us moving to an almost 3 at back in posession and pushing whichever lb we have further up (How i wish we'd offered Robbo an extension)

Ideally just keep Araujo and Kerkez away from crossing. We are just gifting posession back. I'd rather us recycle and try and go through the middle again and wait until subs come on before crossing or wasting Dom out wide in defense.

18 Sep 2026 17:47:23
@ Fifth Elementary (Dr Watson),

Why would anyone change the right back when LFC have just had back to back clean sheets in the Premier League, after having only one previous clean sheet in the last 13 competitive games of Mr Arne Slot. We have just had a season full of square pegs in round holes!

You would also not have seen the "goal of the season" against Spurs, with ye RB in his own half, or the equaliser against Atletico Madrid.

If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it? (injuries permitting only, Ignore-ance is Bliss? )

18 Sep 2026 17:48:02
Slot got blamed for everything last year including playing dom and Curtis at right back when they were correct decisions. Slot got the midfield spot on with the players we had in 24/25 but couldn't get it right with Wirtz in the team and tried pretty much everything. Hopefully AI can solve the puzzle.

18 Sep 2026 17:48:45
If we playing in a final today I'd go with same team as Rome.

18 Sep 2026 17:49:29
Trying to think of a line up really shows how unbalanced this squad actually is

Ali
Ronald VVD Jaq Kerkez
Nyoni Mac
Szobo Wirtz Gakpo
Isak.

18 Sep 2026 17:49:29
Szoboszlai played attacking midfield the year we won the league. The consensus was he wasn't good enough there and we needed to upgrade. I don't think moving him from one position where he isn't very good to another position where he isn't very good is the solution.

18 Sep 2026 18:00:37
I'm with Rome on this one, Szob in the 10 ahead of Wirtz who can come on and rotate either on the LW or 10 position as needed. BB and Gakpo rotating the wings with Rio and Munoz as back up wingers. RB has to be Araujo who has looked solid and gives our RW a bit more licence to attack.

I think our biggest issue has been accommodating Wirtz with Dom and Macca, our game against Spurs showed how much better our midfield can be when we have 3 players with more industry and fight. Disappointed that we spend so much on Wirtz to cause ourselves a headache but it is what it is and if we want results we need balance to our team. Also not a bad thing having a strong bench on an AI team who likes to make changes.

18 Sep 2026 18:02:50
No Barcola LiverpoolFC8?

18 Sep 2026 18:34:58
Everyone saying Dom in the 10 is failing to notice that Dom is most effective when he's arriving to the game or driving forward; Wirtz thrives better between the lines and in tight spaces due to his superior off-the-ball movement. Dom's best used as a CM with freedom to make those forward runs.

18 Sep 2026 18:35:55
Wirtz will start on Sunday and have an awesome game.

18 Sep 2026 18:38:21
Six competitive games unbeaten, and still not happy? I give up, just give up?

YNWA Andoni.

18 Sep 2026 18:40:02
I'm quite certain in my opinion AI isn't going to consistently start Nyoni at centre mid in the near future (next 10 PL & CL games).

If that is the case then what does that say about AI. Is he right and the fans are wrong or can he not see what's in front of him?

18 Sep 2026 18:40:08
Not yet Florian. Probably be a different story in a few weeks when he's up to Fitness though my mate.

18 Sep 2026 18:42:18
I hope you're right, Red-Will. He's due one.

18 Sep 2026 19:07:35
JK, I agree with you, I can't see Nyomi starting anytime soon. Just like I can't see Wirtz being dropped anytime soon.

18 Sep 2026 19:18:05
I thought Nyoni was excellent in midweek and by the pattern of the post most think he should start ahead of Grav and I agree.

18 Sep 2026 19:25:47
Please forgive me. NyoNi.

18 Sep 2026 20:42:51
Is the proposal to play Szoboszlai at RB based on the fact that he cannot tackle and needs more space to make the right pass to play CM? But surely these are equally transferable skills required to be a RB, albeit not as frequently?

18 Sep 2026 21:23:37
Another way of looking at it: we're all trying to solve the soft middle which I think we agree is currently worth trying with Nyoni and Macca.

That leaves Dom and Wirtz competing for the 10 position ahead of them.

So, it's drop Wirtz and play Dom in the 10 - or, play them both and drop someone else.

The someone else is going to be either the RW or RB - change either of those 2 and play Dom instead and you accommodate them both.

I liked Chewys comment about Wirtz being better between the lines with Dom better driving forward. But, would Dom be better (and more involved) at RW or RB?

It also depends how risk averse you're feeling, because I'd also agree that Araujo is probably safer defensively.

18 Sep 2026 21:46:28
Allison
Dom Jaq VVD Gomez

Trey Mac

Barcola Wirtz Gakpo

Isak
That's my team Dom could play like Trent did in his last season with Klopp pushing in midfield.
I can't drop Gakpo his been our best player this season he is also so much better from the left and from what I've Barcola could play just as effective from both sides and would give good service to Isak.


For me at this time Munoz would be a better impact player late on with his pace.

{Ed666's Note - £660 million British pounds spent in the last two seasons and that’s the best we can conjure up.

18 Sep 2026 22:13:53
I dunno if it would work but

Aurajo, jacquet, VVD, Gomez
Nyoni, mcallister
Szob
Isak Wirtz Barcola

Play Isak right, Wirtz as a false nine and barcola right.

18 Sep 2026 22:47:38
Becker
Araujo Jacquet VVD Kerkez

Nyoni Mac Allister

Szoboszlai Wirtz Barcola

Isak

Put Szobo on the right, Barcola left.

18 Sep 2026 23:18:12
Im going for this at this moment in time.

Allison
Araujo. Jacquet. VAN Dijk. Kerkez
Nyoni. Macca
Barcola. Wirtz. Gakpo
Szoboslai

I don't trust Isak to press fully right now. Might come. There are some signs in some games of improvement but it's got a ways to go.

I like Grav but he is bang out of form for quite some time.

I don't hate on Frimpong but Araujo pips him right now.

I think that front four will score goals and it will press like crazy with Dom up top. i'd like to see if it can work. Bit out there putting Dom as ST but you know. Firmino was a AM.

18 Sep 2026 23:37:27
The back four have looked reasonably solid, particularly the right side. Araujo gets a start at RB because he has played well there so far, amd he is actually a defender. AI seems to want Araujo arcRB, Wirtz in the middle of the '3l and Isak up top.

Szob and Macca don't work as the '2'. I'd move Szob to the right of the 3 and have Trey and Macca as the 2. The least disruption to the team and a more trustworthy '2' in front if the defence and a bit more licence for Szob to get forwards.

19 Sep 2026 03:31:39
Spot on StEtienneAmen, my thoughts exactly. The solution comply dosnt lie in playing people out of position, far too many people on her eplaying football manager.

Nyoni also is not the answer, he's not ready to be starting week in week out. The answer is that Dom and Grav need a right kick up the arse, Grav was excellent in th 6 previously, he needs to pull his head out of the clouds and knuckle down. Likewise, Dom needs to put as much effort into tracking back and tackling as he does pouting in the mirror.

The manager has a major role to play too, I think both of those things happening is down to the Iraola and how much pressure he's willing to put on these lads, I don't see it being anymore complex than some old-school hairdryer treatment and fines for every time they get caught out not pulling their weight. This stuff isn't difficult; we're talking about a little positional awareness and some effort here, it's not complex. If they can't do it, I'd be concerned about Iraolas man management skills, tbh.

19 Sep 2026 07:00:11
Problem with Szobo at RB is his greatest weapon is his ability to score from distance regularly. Something we have lacked probably since the Coutinho days, him centrally and in goal scoring positions will naturally create trouble for defences who will feel they have to get close to block the shooting opportunity and therefore create some space in behind for Isak and the wingers.

Personally I disagree that he can't play in an 8, his other greatest strength is his work rate, so having him up and back is helpful. I don't mind him playing in the 10 also especially in the tougher away games where he's nearly a 3rd 8. I think Andoni will get the balance right and we'll see the best of Szobo but since Araujo has come in we look so much more solid at right back, I would 100% continue with him, plus I love his passion. Even though he will probably get himself sent off a couple of times.

Slowly building it, give Iraola time lads, he'll find the balance, already getting a much better tune out of Macca.

18 Sep 2026 13:14:19
See we're being linked with Lee Dykes for the vacant sporting director role.
Currently at Brentford, but in a different capacity I think

Ed1, do you know anything about him mate?
From the outside looking in, could be smart as Brentford are a very well run club!

The thought of Julian Ward makes me shiver.

{Ed001's Note - I don't mate sorry.}

18 Sep 2026 16:51:39
Bournemouth were, and are, a well run club when we took on Richard Hughes. We then proceeded to slag him off for 2 years.

18 Sep 2026 20:28:19
'cause dickie boy is useless, hence why he's off to 'Al-Kebab'.

18 Sep 2026 20:44:23
I would lift up the bonnet Rome and see who was in the engine room that Hughes took the credit for because I cannot believe a charlatan has only become one since he joined Liverpool.

18 Sep 2026 23:39:28
OP, Genuine question what does Ward actually do at present and what has he needs that makes you shiver?

18 Sep 2026 12:56:46
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Fulham - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

18 Sep 2026 14:20:46
U sometimes think that Sunday league players know how to play football better than these paid pros.

18 Sep 2026 13:09:20
Great review Ed001. Fully with you on Wirtz, his movement is great and you can see he is just ahead of the rest and they are letting him down by offering nothing.

On Rio, he stated his biggest idol is Neymar and I think that really shows at times with how he plays. Hoping he can sort that out since he's young. Maybe a loan to a championship team or struggling Premier League team would help?

18 Sep 2026 13:54:08
Thanks for the review Ed. Must have been hard to watch that game again.

18 Sep 2026 14:57:49
Thanks for the review, Ed01. I was a bit scared to ask you to do this one. It was a such a horrible watch. I just hope Wirtz and Barcola develop a bit of understanding soon. I love players who work hard - Wirtz definitely does that and sooner rather than later it will pay off as he has a lot of skill.

18 Sep 2026 15:11:48
My God ye wouldn't want him ending up like that Brazilian icon Neymar.

18 Sep 2026 16:52:12
Love the musical statues without the music bit Ed001.

{Ed001's Note - thank you kimos.}

18 Sep 2026 17:11:25
Welcome mate. Great stuff.

18 Sep 2026 21:18:12
Nice review Ed, appreciate it.