05 Jun 2026 09:51:50
The deal for Diomande is progressing well, I wouldn't expect it to be concluded until early next week at the earliest.
Palestra has indicated his preference to join us over Inter.
Lastly, Barcola. We are interested in signing him as well, this one may be dependent on Gakpo leaving though.
05 Jun 2026 11:10:52
Wowsers Barcola & Diomande would be incredible along with Rio.
Getting good money for Gakpo would be a neat trick also.
05 Jun 2026 11:14:18
Palestra and Diomande will be good to see, I would like to add Stiller and Rayan - quite happy if we get decent coin for Gakpo.
05 Jun 2026 11:14:57
I've never been impressed when I've watched Barcola play - yet, I'd still take him over Gakpo!
Thanks for sharing, Fields.
05 Jun 2026 11:24:34
I've watched Bradley Barcola and I like him. He isn't ruthless in front of goal, but with him and Diomande on the wings, they will create so many opportunities by beating their man and pulling it back for Isak, if he can stay fit. Will be a great signing in my opinion.
05 Jun 2026 11:24:44
Good Barcola is overrated and untested for me.
05 Jun 2026 11:25:08
Who you got from Fernandes, Wharton and Camara?
05 Jun 2026 11:29:12
Cheers, Fields. I would have been happy if Gakpo went. However, with the Ekitke injury, he might be useful, plus Iroala might get the best out of him.
05 Jun 2026 11:33:09
Suggestions from the Guardian that Liverpool are focusing on RW and RB signings imminently, but that midfield and CB may be for later in the summer, post World Cup for instance, so the specific targets the club are pushing to sign rather than just the names in their top 2-3 options in any position may yet to be clarified.
05 Jun 2026 11:37:07
Can we get Nunez back with the right wingers, he will be good but?
05 Jun 2026 11:41:59
FSW, all different types of CM tbh. I know, up until last week, a deal for Wharton was progressing, and Fernandes was all about UTD. Another name was Sangare, who we had made contact with Lens last week.
Obviously, a change in manager may change that, tho. As seen with the Scott links this week.
Personally, I would be looking at both Wharton and Camara if both Jones and Macca leave. If Jones stays, just Camara.
05 Jun 2026 12:12:35
Any idea if we are looking at anyone at CB? Personally, I think we need one more.
05 Jun 2026 12:15:00
Cheers, Thefields.
From the sounds of it, we're doing some serious business again.
05 Jun 2026 12:26:04
I don't see what Jones will offer in any way. He hasn't done enough at all in all his time here for me to consider him as part of the future. imo. Only.
05 Jun 2026 12:28:21
Thanks, Thefields. Pls, keep providing info, pls. Well appreciated.
05 Jun 2026 12:31:35
I think I'll reserve judgement based on the debacle of last season's transfers, as we all said the same and were full of optimism and promise. Not trying to sound negative, and hopefully we'll get things right.
05 Jun 2026 12:43:57
Most likely after the WC tbh, Stone, it's not seen as a pressing concern like other areas.
Lid, I know what you mean. I'm cautiously optimistic about Iraola and some of the players we are linked to.
05 Jun 2026 12:44:25
Ghost, I know he's not starting quality, but surely you can see Jones does offer something? As a bare minimum he has previously covered RB, LB, DM, CM, AM and LW. He's also a very passionate local lad who will always give his all, keeps the ball well enough and gets the odd goal or assist.
I'd be more than okay if he left to pursue first team football with Inter Milan, but I'm not having it that he offers nothing if he stays.
That's just hyperbole and I find it amusing that everyone who thinks he's useless tends to also think we should sell him for £20-30m. Can't be that useless if we're expecting that sort of fee from the current Serie A champions!
As you said though, it's just your opinion. I just think you're being very harsh on Jones.
05 Jun 2026 12:50:29
Cheers Thefields.
So the Diomande deal is progressing well and likely to be concluded next week, Palestra wants us over Inter, and both Gakpo and Macca could be leaving...
Keep the good news coming. My Kleenex supplier has already started preparing for peak demand.
05 Jun 2026 13:24:35
I'm with Ghost here. Jones might have been put in all those positions, but he wasn't particularly good in any of them. He's terrible at right back, he's terrible as a defensive midfielder, he's mediocre at best as a number 8 type centre midfielder.
If the only reason to keep him is the geographical location of his birth, then there is no reason to keep him. He's not good enough to be a starter and his wage demands make him a non-starter as cover as you don't pay squad filler that kind of money.
05 Jun 2026 13:27:55
All I can hear is good news, Fields.
If so, Diomande and Palestra are likely to be recruited.
Kamara or Wharton, or both.
Can I understand it as a center back subordinate?
05 Jun 2026 13:35:03
Jones needs to stay. His ball retention and forward passing stats are excellent, and he is a very hard worker. Plus he's our last scouser. Personally I'd be starting him alongside a new DM in Iraola's system. Szobo should be the 10 and Wirtz can play a free role off the left like he does well for Germany.
05 Jun 2026 14:03:34
I'm with Adam on Jones.
Every team needs a utility player, who can give a 6 or 7/10 in a number of positions on average, which from what I have seen of Jones he does do.
He also appears happy to be used in this way, a Milner way if you will, and not kick up a fuss.
He is also on pretty low wages, and even if we did offer him a new contract I'm sure he'd accept.
05 Jun 2026 14:13:58
@mks & dk97, I'm sorry but you must be watching a different Jones than me. He's been about the first team for years, yet have you ever honestly been upset that he's not in the starting 11, or enthusiastic when he's going to be introduced into a game in order to change it or consolidate the result? I haven't. He plays in different positions, but none of them effectively.
It's true that we need squad players available, but he's just making up the numbers. I'm unsure if any of those other squad midfielders like Nynoi or McConnell are any better, but I'd be willing to give them a shot ahead of CJ. At least they may have something to prove. I wouldn't miss Jones in the slightest. I don't believe the club or AI will either.
05 Jun 2026 14:25:17
Ghost, at the age of 25, and if we can get him to sign an extension for a modest uplift (to £60-£70k per week from £50k), I would keep him. He has 228 games of experience for us, and players like Nyoni have a fraction of that right now. Of course, if he is eclipsed by the younger players, then let him go (either a sale or, if the extension isn't signed, for free).
The most frustrating thing about last season is that the academy players just haven't had a fair crack of the whip from Slot. I look forward to that changing under Iraola.
05 Jun 2026 14:26:39
Also rumours that if the deal for him gets held up and isn't resolved quickly, we will turn to Trincao. Different type of player, so not sure it would make sense.
05 Jun 2026 15:12:29
With MKS and Zed on this. I rate Jones only as a squad and utility player, and every team needs those. You can't cram 25 starters into a team. And with his passion for the club, regardless of whatever his weaknesses are, it's a plus because you need such players around in the dressing room.
He's not the best at anything, but he's good enough as a generalist to fill in wherever and whenever needed. What's the point of getting another player of similar talents but without the passion or long-term link Jones has with the club?
05 Jun 2026 15:40:38
Thing is, though he's requesting a huge salary to stay and extend his contract. So, for a squad player, that's difficult to justify, as he won't be a starter. Surely, you don't just pay people huge wages because they're passionate about the club and local? Maybe different if he was happy to stay on the wages of a squad utility player.
05 Jun 2026 15:46:42
All valid points, lads, but I'm sticking to my guns! That's the great thing about this site! I love the discussions and difference of opinions. There's no craic if we all agreed!!... Have a great weekend, all!
05 Jun 2026 16:00:22
Barcola + Diomande feeding Isak?
Say this is good.
And beyond this?
Rio? Gakpo?
Ekitike is not going to be back till Christmas minimum.
We need another 9.
Heard Nunuz is free.
We can do much worse than him.
But if we can afford Kroupi, we should go for him.
I think he is going to be the next big thing.
05 Jun 2026 16:08:24
Jones, when he got sent off v Spurs a couple of years ago, was brilliant. Better than Macca, but everyone loved Macca cos he foreign. I'd keep him over Macca, a szob, both of who don't give a toss about Liverpool. As for using wages as a stick to beat him with, you're all drunk.
And, as a side note, without him this season we probably wouldn't have got Champions League. If he wants to stay then keep him. I don't think I've known us without a Scouser in the team.