05 Jun 2026 08:21:54
Ed1, do you know if we had interest in either Kayode or Palestra and whether RB would be a priority position once we sort out the Wingers?
Also, now that we moving on from Slot does that mean a Defensive Midfielder is back on agenda? I've only seen Wharton name being mentioned multiple times, but he isn't really a proper DM. Do Bournemouth even play with proper DM?
{Ed001's Note - I believe Palestra is the right-back we are targeting. I expect an all-action type midfielder, who mostly concentrates on winning the ball back, rather than a Wharton type. But Iraola might see McConnell as the answer to that.}
05 Jun 2026 08:56:54
Wouldn't it be brilliant if McConnell got a chance, lads.
05 Jun 2026 09:07:45
I wonder if he can stay fit, would Stefan Bajcetic also be an option? It's clear we need a ball winning midfielder or 2, so can see Mac or Jones being sold if not both.
05 Jun 2026 08:58:05
I like the sound of this Ed .any intell on how Iraola plans on using Grav?
{Ed001's Note - I would assume he will want him to play one of the two deep midfield roles. Though he values flexibility, so you never know.}
05 Jun 2026 09:21:34
Bournemouth have Tyler Adams as their '6'. He's maybe not a very conventional defensive midfielder, but he does all the nasty physical grunt work well, while being able to pass the ball as well (though, obviously, he isn't tasked with doing any really ambitious progressive passing, that's left to Senesi and Scott mostly).
05 Jun 2026 09:40:19
Stephenson could get a go maybe as well in the early friendlies.
05 Jun 2026 09:45:56
Stephenson is on his way to Bolton. ?
05 Jun 2026 09:55:01
Stephenson and McConnell won't be involved. If they are, we are setting up Iraola to fail.
05 Jun 2026 09:56:41
Stephenson is going to smash it at Bolton. I think he's way too good for the Championship. I honestly thought he'd be playing in Europe next season for Hearts, Celtic or Rangers.
All the best to the lad for the future. Hopefully, he'll help Bolton get promoted again straight away and we can welcome him at Anfield in 2028.
05 Jun 2026 10:01:57
McConnell was part of a team that beat Chelsea in the cup final. Chelsea, with their £280m midfield trio as well, by the way. Let's not pretend he's a total bum. He'll get his chance in pre-season and he'll sink or float.
It's hardly setting Iraola up to fail, letting him assess the academy and squad players. It actually makes a nice bloody change to have a manager who sounded genuinely excited and positive about getting to see the younger players!
05 Jun 2026 10:22:07
I think you might be overestimating the quality of SPL a bit, MKS. Leighton Clarkson absolutely ripped the SPL during his loan at Aberdeen, but unfortunately he is now struggling to shine in League One. At one point, I thought he would become a good squad player for us. I really hope Stephenson does well, but SPL is not really a high quality league.
05 Jun 2026 10:26:45
Thekoparmy, I never mentioned the SPL quality, mate. I'm talking about Stephenson's quality. He's a very good player and I'm confident he'll show it for Bolton in the Championship. Last year in pre-season, he was one of our best players.
05 Jun 2026 10:27:12
Narrr, no chance I could ever want Bolton to be promoted. Had a few run-ins with their fans as they're plazzy Mancs.
05 Jun 2026 10:28:43
Kayode's recovery pace and dual ability give him the edge imo.
05 Jun 2026 11:30:12
We bash Slot for not giving chances to the youth players and now we have a manager who is clearly excited to be working with the youths, and we're bashing it and saying "he's being set up to fail". Can't make this stuff up.
Personally, I am excited at who could be the next talent to come out from our academy and be part of the first team squad. I have high hopes for McConnell, Beck, Chambers and Koumas.
I would have added Stephenson in that list too, but just saw he is most likely moving to Bolton. Unfortunately I can't see Danns and Baj making it with us due to injuries and attitude respectively. They did show a lot of promise initially, but they have not been playing football regularly enough the past season.
05 Jun 2026 10:29:07
Do u think ed1 wirtz play as the 10 centrally with 2 midfielders behind and 2 wingers either side? Seen a previous thread on here where they say wirtz plays from left for Germany and also did that previously for leverkusan, don't think that will get the best out of him imo
{Ed001's Note - I expect Iraola to play him in a number of different roles. He likes to mix things up and play to attack the opponent's weaknesses.}
05 Jun 2026 12:13:19
Dacred,
I guarantee none of the 4 you mentioned will make it at Liverpool. If they do, you will be supporting a team scrambling for a Conference League position. I am not knocking these lads, they will have good careers, but not at Liverpool.
To make it from the Academy at Liverpool, you need to be at the level of Gerrard, Owen, Fowler, McManaman and Carragher.
05 Jun 2026 12:17:03
Good post, Dracred. Personally, I think Beck and Chambers might move on or need another loan. However, I fully share your excitement for McConnell and Koumas. I also think Bajcetic, Abe, Morrison, Ndiaye, Ndukwe and Wright will be fun to watch during pre-season. As well as the obvious ones like Nyoni and Rio!
05 Jun 2026 12:46:16
@Kemlyn, Well, considering that Carragher is one of the most limited defenders I've ever seen play for us, I think they'd have a good chance then ;)
And, I'm not saying that they'd turn out to be world beaters or starters. If they can be part of the squad, then that's good enough for me. Players like Jones, Bradley, or Kelleher before he moved to Brentford, were willing to step in when needed and do a job but aren't necessarily starters.
@MK, I think LB would be one of the easiest places for our youth to get in now that Robbo has left. Granted, there's still Tsimikas who'd be coming back from a loan, but if I were Beck or Chambers, I'd be thinking that I'd have a chance to make the squad.
Both very different players too, since Beck is more in the mould of Robbo and Kerkez, who prefers to go on the outside and whip a cross in, while Chambers is more comfortable inverting to be part of a back three.
I didn't include Abe, Morriston, Ndiaye, Ndukwe, or Wright because I think they'd need more time either on loan or playing in the U21s for a season more. Especially Abe since he's only 15. But I agree that it'd be very exciting to see them play in pre-season, and I'm hoping they get the chance! And I left Rio and Nyonyi out too because I already see them as part of the first team squad.
05 Jun 2026 16:08:47
Agree with Barry, McConnell should be given a chance and I think he will.
05 Jun 2026 18:02:10
Dacred,
Considering you think Carragher was so limited, he's done well to have only Ian Callaghan ahead of him in Liverpool's all time appearance list. Obviously, 4 or 5 Liverpool managers didn't agree with you.
Chambers and Beck will not get one Premier League minute between them.
I'm still trying to square the circle of how some Liverpool supporters think we can give games to half the Academy, some who have been out on loan and flopped, but still expect the team to win the big trophies. I suppose you want Chiesa to be given a chance too.