Liverpool banter 9

19 Aug 2026 22:40:29
Those moaning about squad depth and quality please go on Transfermarkt and look up our rivals. How many of them would you have in our match day first 11? Even their depth is poor. Nyoni has impressed everyone including our manager who's standards are very high.

The good thing I've noted is everyone is writing us off like in slots first season. I personally believe we will get top three and challenge for the title. Last year was scuppered due to the slowness and bad injuries.

19 Aug 2026 22:57:20
Yeah, squad depth means past the 1st 11, mate.
We've not got much, let's be honest.
Arsenal signed their 8th cb today, and every one of them would get a start for us.
Do you think any of our squad depth would get a start for them, City, Chelsea, etc, Chisea, Elliot, The Greek, etc?

19 Aug 2026 23:10:57
Not a chance, Jay Dub. The only CB Arsenal have that could start for us is Gabriel, and even that is 50/50.

Their front line is crap. Gyokeres, Havertz, Martinelli, Tzolis, Madueke, Saka, Jesus. Only Saka would stand any chance of getting in our starting 11, and based on last season's form, I wouldn't want him.

A 3 in midfield of Bruno, Rice and Odegaard is no better than Grav, Szob and Wirtz.

In fact, based on talent alone, they are worse.

Arsenal had a better season than us last season, but the season before, we were better than them. I'm fully expecting us to finish above them this season simply because we have better players.

I truly believe that.

19 Aug 2026 23:14:23
I really hate looking at other squads.
Their fit doesn't automatically equate to being a fit with us.
Also, the amount of time we hear about this and that squad's transfer business, yet, by and large we outperform pretty much all of those squads consistently over the last decade or so.

19 Aug 2026 23:30:46
Good lord Riosstepover is deluded, Arsenal probably have 24 players all of a similar quality, Liverpool have about 14. Once the games come twice a week and injuries start to hit Arsenal will continue to churn out results and we will have the likes of Chiesa, Endo and Elliott starting games for us, we are well off challenging for the title.

This is our worst squad since the Brendan Rodgers days.

20 Aug 2026 00:48:40
So Fifth Element, tell me this.

If Arsenal have sooo many great players, why did they have to score more than a third of their goals from set pieces?

They scored 71 goals in the league last season. 25 of them were from set pieces. A Premier League record 19 goals from corners.

That shows a crap team that prioritises defence and hopes to score from a set piece. Is that what a great football team does?

Anyone saying Arsenal have a great squad is the deluded one. They are an average team who prioritise set pieces to try to win games. The type of team we have taken the mickey out of for years.

Basically Tony Pulis's Stoke with more money.

Most top teams like PSG undoubtedly are and the great Barcelona or Madrid sides have hoarded strikers, wingers, creative players. Arsenal are hoarding centre backs.

That tells you all you need to know about where their priorities lie. They want big, defensive players so they can defend their goal and attack set pieces.

Big them up if you want, but I think they are an awful team. I'd be devastated if Liverpool resorted to Arsenal's tactics. It's cowardly, weak minded dross that's an embarrassment to English football.

20 Aug 2026 01:21:41
There was a game at Old Trafford at the end of last season, and our front four was Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Gakpo and Frimpong, so two attacking midfielders, a winger and a right back.

Since that game, we've lost three first choice players on free transfers and signed three players, plus brought back a few loanees who are not good enough. Our squad has at best stood still.

If Arsenal lose Timber, they can bring in White, Califiori/Hincapie, Bruno/Zubimendi, Saka/Madueke.


If we lose Frimpong, we have no other fit right back, if Kerkez is injured, we have Tsimikas, if Isak is injured, we have no other fit striker. We literally have no right winger.
Give all the childishness set piece nonsense a rest, I don't like the way Arsenal play but they are league champions and favourites for a reason.

20 Aug 2026 06:57:36
A few other teams have got better squads than us, ours doesn't go beyond thirteen or fourteen players.

Also, now, with the exception of Ali, in each position other teams have better individuals. We no longer have star quality, or world class players in the team. We have big names, but that's all they are. They haven't performed (like Wirtz).



Not so long ago we had Ali, Mo, VVD, Robbo, who were the best in their positions in the league.

We've gone backwards, unfortunately, but the reason we're still hoping to be competitive for top four is that City have too, and Man Utd and Chelsea are an unknown. Arsenal have the best squad depth.

20 Aug 2026 07:09:22
Why has everyone on here got so agro? Any non Liverpool fan reading this site would be laughing at you lot. Having an opinion is important, but giving someone else a load of abuse because they don’t think the same as you is ridiculous. I have this overwhelming feeling that the people running Liverpool most likely have a plan, and notice a thin team just as well as the rest of us. Difference is, they look long term and don’t just pay crazy money because of Arsenal's actions.


We paid stupid money last year, and look what happened, and now we’re worried about not getting Barcola or whoever else for crazy money. Prem starts tomorrow, and we have an 11 to compete against Newcastle and Forest, and we still have a couple weeks left to make transfers. Try and find a little positivity and get behind the boys we have.

20 Aug 2026 07:11:43
I think Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Calarfiori would all start for us. As would Saka as it stands given we have no RW.

In terms of their squad depth, if we tried to sign Kepa, Merino, Gyokores, Jesus, Madueke, Martinelli, White, Mosquera etc., our fans would go mad.

They're all average at best.

It's a classic case of "Green eyed monster". Arsenal are a good team with a decent squad, but they're not miles ahead of us like people are making out. They've not beaten us since February in 2024. In fact last season we took 4 points off them. 🤷🏻‍♂️

20 Aug 2026 07:29:09
I've seen Leoni for 1 game, Jacquet for 45 minutes and Ndukwe in 3 friendlies. I'd take all three over anything Arsenal in defence. Just watch the next 12 - 24 months.

20 Aug 2026 07:30:08
A squad doesn't consist of only 11 players. How hard is that to understand? So, you can argue that certain players may or may not get into Liverpool's first 11, but what you can't argue is the depth and quality of Arsenal's squad compared to Liverpool.

20 Aug 2026 07:30:23
Rice would start for us as well, maybe even Odegaard. But that's first team. Szob would get in theirs. Their wider squad is better.

20 Aug 2026 17:51:26
We have about the 4th or fifth best squad. I don't think we have the 4th or 5th best manager. That is my hope of finishing higher than where we should.

20 Aug 2026 17:57:51
Thing is, though, Mk, if you put out them eight players you named, along with three other players probably looked on as backups at Arsenal, like let's say Konsa, Hincapie and Skelly, that team could probably win a game in the Premier League. Not a hope a team of our back up 11 playing together would. Not a chance.

19 Aug 2026 21:14:25
Hi all,

Long time reader, since before the days of Hicks and Gillette. Not posted in a long time but was interested to get the opinion of Ed01 on the summer transfer window so far and if he thinks we will add anymore players before the window closes. I feel we are short in midfield and the wide areas and am also concerned if Isak gets injured we will be very short upfront.

Cheers

{Ed001's Note - I would expect at least one more forward. Should be more than that, but we seem to be struggling to sign anyone this summer.}

19 Aug 2026 21:59:55
I think we could quite easily sign someone but we are trying to build a squad with quality rather than quantity. It might take us a bit longer, but it'll be worth it in the end.

19 Aug 2026 22:00:02
Is that down to Laurel and Hardy messing everything up?

{Ed025's Note - "thats another fine mess they have got you in" Barry.. :)

19 Aug 2026 22:30:56
@Ris, as usual. 😂😂😂😂😂 Quantity over quality such as Chiesa and Endo. 😂😂😂😂😂

19 Aug 2026 22:41:09
The next sporting director best have a magic wand.

19 Aug 2026 22:41:10
I'll take that as a definite yes Ed001 😂👍

19 Aug 2026 22:50:41
You can get them from Amazon @SJL8.

19 Aug 2026 22:51:49
@We have no DM, you're basically trolling at this point, maybe re-read what Riosstepover said and try understanding it properly.

19 Aug 2026 22:50:04
Why do you think we're struggling to buy players ed001? Is it incompetence, difficult market, change of headcoach? Or of course a combination, would like to hear your opinion. And one for Zed: have you found Harry yet my friend?

{Ed001's Note - difficult market mainly. We are trying to buy players that teams simply do not want to sell.}

19 Aug 2026 23:45:09
My current list of Harry names on the block list includes We have no DM (today's fave account), The Truther, ThristforWirtz.

19 Aug 2026 23:46:32
Also Indian Tarzan, Cafu and WD40.

Come on Harry, keep up!

BTW, Johnny, it's Harry, he is a troll!!

20 Aug 2026 06:42:27
Probably add that we're also trying to buy from big clubs like PSG who aren't easy to deal with.

Despite the mitigating reasons, I think our approach to the market has been pretty flawed as well with likes of Diomande, which has hampered the wider business done.

In an inflated market like this, you'd expect to sell players easier, but we've struggled there as well, which is a reflection on our squad, and the past business we've done.



Overall, really disappointing, and even the players we were now being linked with don't raise hopes of redemption. Richard Hughes will be leaving the club after a poor stint, same with Edwards. I wonder what FSG make of it and where we go next.

20 Aug 2026 02:41:04
I think you can remove Indian Tarzan, Cafu, and ThristforWirtz from your list Zed. Iirc, those have been banned by the Eds so they're just taking up space in your block list

20 Aug 2026 07:19:32
It's so hard to keep up, @ Zeddicus!

20 Aug 2026 07:51:41
It'd be easier if we could just add (Harry) after each username. 🤷‍♂️

Whatever happened to Harry Scousser as a username though?

19 Aug 2026 17:56:40
Ed's what's your thoughts please on Jones leaving do you think we will bring a midfield player in or does Nyoni fill that void?

{Ed001's Note - Nyoni should fill that space.}

19 Aug 2026 23:14:50
Yeah rekon Nyoni steps up and then Nyoni spot gets taken by another academy player.

19 Aug 2026 22:56:58
Would you still be looking to add a midfielder Ed?

I'd be much happier if it were Macca out the door, but now that it seems Jones is leaving I'm a bit nervous about having him as the only senior back up to Szoboszlai and Gravenberch. Don't get me wrong I think Nyoni will be top for us in the near future, I'm just worried that with a couple of injuries we're suddenly reliant on him stepping up. Seems to me we made the same mistake last season with Rio.

{Ed001's Note - if Macca goes, yes I would love to add a Sadiki or similar. Other than that, no, I think we need to let Iraola work with what he has until January at least.}

19 Aug 2026 23:58:47
Fair enough. He has looked really good in pre-season, perhaps he is ready. If the rumours are true about Curtis being a disruptive influence last season, that could also be for the best.

19 Aug 2026 21:20:48
I'd imagine Iraola knows exactly what he has and what he needs, whether he is going to be backed enough in this window remains to be seen. Things seem to be moving very slowly for us with everyone else seemingly getting their deals done fairly quickly which is really annoying for all us reds. I hope this Barcola saga is sorted out this week and that we hold onto Gapko as he seems to be finding his old self under Iraola.

I still believe we are a couple of players short of where we need to be, whether we get them in before the window closes remains to be seen but really looking forward to seeing some entertaining football for a change, we might be on the wrong end of high scoring results occasionally but at least we will be watching a style of football that is expected and that we are accustomed too.

19 Aug 2026 21:46:11
I am pretty sure a few heads would find positive about "Why we couldn't sign players".

19 Aug 2026 21:52:30
There is no Barcola saga. The only saga is what we, as fans are making of it.

Negotiations are going on in private. It's only our incessant thirst for updates that is making it feel like a saga.

In reality it's perfectly normal.

19 Aug 2026 22:11:43
Hopefully Barcola is signed and medical done in time for the Bournemouth home game.

19 Aug 2026 22:30:09
Just in time for end of season lap of honour. Can't wait, JK!

19 Aug 2026 22:33:58
Riosstepover, I understand what you're saying, mate, but if Barcola doesn't get done where the f*** does that leave us, in the s****, that's where. I understand that things take time and are sometimes complicated, but Barcola aside, what the hell is going on with the rest of our transfers, or should I say lack of. If we go into this season with Isak, Gapko, Rio, Munoz, Chiesa and Koumas as our forward options, well, then it's going to be a heck of a long season.

All it would take is for Isak to get injured, and then Gapko would have to step into the CF position, leaving us extremely weak on the wings. There is a lack of 1st team quality in these areas, and it should have been addressed long before now. We are leaving ourselves very short if the Barcola transfer doesn't work out, and time isn't on our side either.

19 Aug 2026 22:53:04
I agree @Notso, if we can't get Barcola in we should just withdraw from the League.

19 Aug 2026 23:08:06
Ah, good one West Derby Wanderer IV, love the sarcasm, so you can honestly say that if there are no further incomings you'd be happy to go with what we have until January, just curious, mate.

19 Aug 2026 23:10:50
I find it very hard to believe we're signing Barcola in this window.

19 Aug 2026 23:16:16
What would backing the manager look like in our current context?

We're obviously after Barcola, so would backing the manager look like paying exactly what PSG want? Or going higher to guarantee we get the deal across the line?

Or would backing the manager be that we walked away weeks ago and went after the next player in our list and paid above and beyond just to secure the deal?

20 Aug 2026 02:44:46
I wouldn't be happy with that, Notso, but if we do miss out on Barcola and go into the season with those players that you mentioned until Jan, then it is what it is. Life still goes on and the football still needs to be played. It's hardly the end of the world if that happens.

20 Aug 2026 06:13:42
No, it wouldn't be the end of the world, Dracred, mate, but it could be the end of our hopes for Champions League football for the following season. Only time will tell, I guess.

20 Aug 2026 07:42:49
@NSZ, I'd be happy to see a good defensive midfielder who can turn defence into attack (I'd have kidnapped Rodri) like Sadiki. I'd like to see a RW who has the potential to have the same impact in AI's set up that Mo had in Jurgen's and, given Eli's injury and Isak's dodgy legs, I'd like to see another attacker.

That said, there are parallels in Slot's first season - let the coach, if he chooses, work with what he's got.

We were woeful last season and we still qualified for the CL. The squad played at about 50-69% and if AI gets them fired up to play at 80-90% we will be challenging for the PL.

So, no, you are right, it'd be better if we brought in 2 or 3 quality players but I'm not that disappointed if that's not what happens.

19 Aug 2026 20:54:00
Why are the club not backing Iraola? We’re so unprepared for the season.

19 Aug 2026 21:54:24
Given the new manager a mountain to climb. Really up against it straight away. Let's hope they don't sell any more 1st team players now.

19 Aug 2026 22:56:15
Here's a thought, perhaps AI thinks he has players he can work with and improve to turn us into a team that can challenge for honours. Not everybody in our squad has reached their ceiling, and, as a coach, AI can improve what we have.

20 Aug 2026 02:46:32
Or maybe the players we are trying to get are harder to complete their transfers for. Tbh, I'd rather not buy anyone than to buy players like Spence or Konsa.

20 Aug 2026 07:44:27
Totally agree @Dracred.

19 Aug 2026 20:27:15.
Away from all the transfer talk for a moment. It is so refreshing watching the inside Anfield training videos. The energy and intensity of the session are clear to see and it is making the players more expressive and competitive. This can only be a good thing as last season they played how they trained, at very low intensity and very much within themselves.

19 Aug 2026 19:52:46
The reported fee for BB is ludicrous, and we shouldn’t sell Gakpo unless he goes for a ludicrous fee. He’s not a bad player. In the right system he will be lethal.

19 Aug 2026 18:02:15
Barcola for 100+ million seems like a break the bank game changer fee, is he worth that? can't get in their best team, never played outside France as far as I know and isn't a finisher, so far anyway - sounds v risky.



If I'm breaking the bank for a PSG forward then it's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all day long, of course why would they sell him but he's the type of player all teams need.

19 Aug 2026 18:49:37
Interestingly, since Kvaratskhelia joined PSG, his and Barcola's stats are almost identical, and Barcola is two years younger.

{Ed025's Note - yeah and there is not much between me and George Clooney looks wise TFE.. :)

19 Aug 2026 18:55:32
If he cost £500M, would you think that's worth it?

What if he didn't want to come anyway? Would you just not buy anyone because they're not him?

I'm not having a pop, I'm just trying to understand the thought process.



We need to improve. If Barcola doesn't do that, then I'd agree, walk away. If he does, then we pay the going rate or find someone as good who's cheaper and wants to come.

I don't know who that would be, I'm certainly no expert.

19 Aug 2026 19:24:24
I fully understand the sentiment from fans that the cost for Barcola is extremely high and that kind of price tag should come with expectations of being a world beater.

However, the reality is, over recent seasons, the thresholds have shifted significantly - all of a sudden c.£100 million gets you Tonali / Anderson / Enzo / Isak / Bouaddi / Rogers / Wirtz / Diomonde - good or even great players, but not top of their game.



The money in the Premier League is part of the problem, creating these massively inflated fees.

Bradley Barcola definitely improves our first 11 and it's a problem position for us on the wings, with massive lack of depth and quality.

But inevitably, it will come with big expectations from supporters and externally. It would help if he hits the ground running.

19 Aug 2026 19:32:21
The Barcola transfer has turned into an entire summer saga at this point.

It's a good thing Richard Hughes wasn't involved in the negotiations to get Terry Waite & John McCarthy out of Lebanon.

They'd still be there.

19 Aug 2026 19:37:19
Barcola is a very good finisher, great at finding the far corner, top and bottom, when coming in from the left.

If we're talking £30-£40m more than we get if Gakpo is leaving, for a player 3 or 4 years younger and more suited to the high octane Iraola style, then it's a good deal.

19 Aug 2026 20:00:17
For the way we want to play, Barcola is a transformative player. His pace and direct running will free up space for Wirtz and Isak to be at their best. Teams will back off because of his pace in behind, and he'll draw centre-backs over on the cover, leaving more space through the centre.

Let's not forget he plays ahead of Doue for France. That's because they have Mbappe through the middle, so they want wingers to free up space and to provide for him.



PSG play with a more fluid front 3, so Kvara, Doue and Dembele are more suited to how they play.

That doesn't make Barcola a bad player, or any worse than those 3 even. He's an elite player in the right setup, but they just don't play to his strengths.

If we can get this transfer over the line, we will be a much better team, so for me, he's worth the money.

19 Aug 2026 20:15:05
Buying Barcola won't break the bank though.
We bought Isak and Wirtz last summer and the bank wasn't broken.

19 Aug 2026 20:38:21
It's a great deal, Rugby.

19 Aug 2026 20:16:58
Ed oo2 used to say don't worry about the money. Must be a lot of Pepto and Prozac sold in Merseyside. : p

19 Aug 2026 21:14:10
Kvara is the best player in the world at the minute.

It's basically impossible to get in the team over him. Comparing Barcola to him and expecting him to get in the team over him is just unrealistic.

Vinicius Jr would be on the bench if he was at PSG. Never getting on that left, no chance.

19 Aug 2026 22:20:44
The only place where the negotiation for Barcola can be described as a saga is on here. The rest of the world is carrying on, doing its thing, blissfully unaware that there are a number of people on a football forum obsessed with the progress of a single business transaction.

19 Aug 2026 22:25:52
£100m is the new £50m, 'tis the market. We need to stop worrying about the fee too much... Leave that to the club to decide.

19 Aug 2026 16:41:12
Thought it might be useful to round up the More likely ins and outs based on some of the info on here:

Ins

- Barcola
- Mbaye
- Rayan (possibly dependent on Gakpo)
- Wharton

Outs

- Jones
- Chiesa
- Gakpo

Anything to add/change?

Not sure about you guys, but I'd be keen to hold on to Gakpo, Jones and sign all of the above.

Arsenal's squad depth is scary.

19 Aug 2026 16:59:13
Elliot, Endo and Bajcetic are all available at the right price although Bajcetic may go on loan.

19 Aug 2026 17:02:34
I would love that, but it's taken 6 weeks to get 1 in, and a loan can't see 4 more with the time remaining.

19 Aug 2026 17:07:03
I think you can safely remove Wharton and Rayan from that list.

19 Aug 2026 17:19:16
If we are to use logic / common sense then, a team cannot have both Macca and Wharton as they are too similar. I don't see Macca leaving now.

19 Aug 2026 18:22:05
Wharton definitely is on the list, but I'm fairly sure the rumours about Baleba are false.

19 Aug 2026 18:49:29
Hey, The Fields

Thanks for your info! Regarding Bajcetic - if he was to go on loan, would he sign a new contract first, as I believe he only has a year left on his current one?

19 Aug 2026 19:25:13
At this stage of the window, I would be 100% keeping Cody Gakpo unless we received an astronomical offer.

19 Aug 2026 20:27:52
Cody is going nowhere.

19 Aug 2026 22:28:06
Keep Cody please. He's looking sharp and covers CF at a decent level. Can't sell him with the little time left in the window.