20 Jul 2026 16:00:18
Liverpool have left the chat regarding Yan Diomande after months of work.
Everyone is massively disappointed but life moves on.
LFC will now make their move for Bradley Barcola.
Interestingly, I'm hearing Rio could be the heir to Mo Salah on the right side.
Ta.
20 Jul 2026 16:10:13
Hi Carra,
Thank you for confirming.
Reds, as I've said back in June, in my first post, we walked away from the Diamonde deal and prioritised Barcola.
20 Jul 2026 16:13:36
Thanks, Carra. If I am honest, I think I am glad we have moved away from Diomande. Clearly the lad has talent, but he has chosen a really bad agency to look after him by the sound of negotiations.
Bazza.
20 Jul 2026 16:14:37
Thanks, Carra and Grizz. Interesting take on Rio. I would love to see it, but that would be a massive gamble.
20 Jul 2026 16:15:15
Cheers, Carra. Hope you're keeping well. ??
20 Jul 2026 16:15:20
Good bye, Yan.
Come on barecola.
20 Jul 2026 16:21:17
That's a lot to pin onto a kid. I just don't think he's ready for that kind of pressure.
20 Jul 2026 16:24:50
Wharton to Barcola on the break will frighten every defense. Teams would hesitate to squeeze us. Last year, we couldn't escape our own half because the opposition were no longer afraid of a through ball. Barcola changes that. So does Munoz, tbf.
20 Jul 2026 16:25:58
Rio isn't ready for regular first team football, so hope that isn't true.
20 Jul 2026 16:26:38
Thanks, Carra. Shame, I think Diamonde would have been great for us. Barcola it is then... and Rio is gonna be a star... we'll just need a solid RB to help him out.
20 Jul 2026 16:31:07
Thanks, Carra.
20 Jul 2026 16:34:13
Something tells me we might still hear more from Diomande. You don't very often see a player admit he's leaving a club in a press conference, and then stay put.
He might have to force a move himself, but I still think a move will happen. Maybe not to us, but I don't see him being at Leipzig next season.
20 Jul 2026 16:34:47
Rio doesn't look scared to me. If he's good enough, he's old enough. Only time will tell how he does, but there's hardly a player in the world who would be as good as Salah, so just let him be the best version of himself.
20 Jul 2026 16:35:58
@funky061, We couldn't escape our own half even in a Taxi.
20 Jul 2026 16:42:32
Thanks, Carra. I'm so glad we are walking away from Diomande. Looks a good player, but the noise around him. Nah. Great news.
20 Jul 2026 16:43:50
We could be playing the game a bit with Diomande.
The word from the club, though, is that they're moving on.
Ta.
20 Jul 2026 16:47:01
Glad we have moved on, Diomande reminds of Sterling's time when he wanted to leave, signed with a bad agency, let them dictate everything but both were still young but think they're young players need proper guidance.
20 Jul 2026 16:58:45
Cheers, Carra.
20 Jul 2026 17:00:17
I'm not sure about Rio as a starting RW to replace Salah, but then again, what do I know compared to Iraola who's watched him every day in training for 2 weeks.
He certainly wasn't shy of giving Kroupi Jr a lot of minutes last season, and Rio does turn 18 next month, which is a similar age to when Yamal really kicked on at Barcelona.
Let's see how things unfold over pre-season. That could be eye opening!
20 Jul 2026 17:13:00
I am not so worried about Rio mentally as I am physically and positionally. He did get pushed around a bit last season and doesn't always track back. His situational awareness no doubt will improve with time.
20 Jul 2026 17:17:51
On the subject of Rio, I am of the same opinion, I don't think he's ready. I think he needs to learn the game a bit more, so he can understand what's expected of him when he hasn't got the ball.
That being said, I don't think he was getting a whole lot of good coaching last season, so maybe with some decent one to one coaching the penny might drop.
He looked England's best, most exciting player before the World Cup, so going up the levels obviously doesn't bother him either.
I think we'll just have to trust the coaches to make that call.
20 Jul 2026 17:18:06
Thx Carra and all other posters.
There were some murmurs about us looking at Rayan?
Any news your end about that?
Stay safe, and cheers, fella.
20 Jul 2026 17:35:43
Can't see the club relying on a 17 year old to fill Mo's boots, I imagine we'll make a move for Rayan.
20 Jul 2026 17:40:24
I think Rayan will be targeted, but I'm of the opinion that's only if Gakpo leaves.
Maybe "heir to the throne" was a dramatic way of putting it, but he will play there more this coming season.
Ta.
20 Jul 2026 17:40:57
Cheers Carra. You got to keep playing these youngsters... Yamal didn't get to where he is so young sitting on the bench.
20 Jul 2026 17:46:41
I agree Rio is not quite ready. He falls to sleep too much, and drifts out of games at times. Would love to see him on the right getting beyond the full back. I'd like to see the wingers cross over a couple of times during games too.
Keep defenders thinking, and disrupt the flow.
Hope I'm wrong, but Rio needs more time to grow and learn. No doubt he will be great, but slowly does it.
YNWA.
20 Jul 2026 18:02:26
I can imagine that PSG will be asking for Morgan Rogers money for Barcola.
20 Jul 2026 18:06:24
Cheers, Carra.
20 Jul 2026 18:07:43
To be fair, none of our players "looked ready" for 90 minutes last season.
Let's see how the lad does under a manager who hopefully cares a bit more than Slot appeared to last season.
20 Jul 2026 18:10:19
Cheers, Carra. Is Gakpo not ideal cover for Ekitike, though? Given he's not scheduled to return until January, and even then it will still take a while for him to get firing on all cylinders. Cody's the only one with any reasonable experience playing in the central role, something we're going to need, considering Isak needs his minutes managed and is quite injury-prone.
The way I see it, we need 2 senior wingers and to keep Gakpo, at least until January, if we're going to prove we can challenge on all fronts anyway. I suppose, if that's not a concern, we can make exceptions; I don't see why we should, though.
20 Jul 2026 18:18:30
Gonna be a long season for the manager without enough quality. This is a shambles. LFC need five or six players period. Isak cannot play every game, no chance. Salah is gone, no right back, not enough cb cover.
Tsimikas isn't good enough.
I have to hand it to you guys, u have serious faith in the squad and I don't at all. Right now it's a s***show transfer process.
20 Jul 2026 18:46:57
I know you are just commenting on what you've heard, but I personally find it very very hard to call Rio as a RW as anything other than a massive failure. He's not even fully ready to be a starter, let alone change his preferred position at this point. Tests and experiences are of course valid, but this just reeks of desperation and lack of business.
20 Jul 2026 18:56:16
Thanks for the update Carra.
20 Jul 2026 18:58:39
Hi Carra,
Cheers for your post, any idea what's happening with RB and CDM/CM?
Thanks mate.
20 Jul 2026 19:03:23
I remember when we nearly won the league with 18 year old Raheem Sterling moved to a new position at the top of a midfield diamond. If Rio is good enough, he's old enough. Doue and Yamal aren't too shabby, eh.
There's no point stressing about it. If he shines in pre-season, he gets his shot. If he doesn't, we'll sign someone. The dramatic reactions aren't required at this stage.
20 Jul 2026 19:05:09
Big mistake if we are relying on the step over kid, we need to get a right winger as well as Barr Cola, too much to expect from a kid who has no end product yet.
20 Jul 2026 19:22:16
So the club will spend on Barcola which will fund PSG to move for Diomande. The dominoes will start falling soon. Shame, as I'll be honest, I'm not overly fussed on Barcola; he seems lightweight to me. I want a Mane type winger, someone, when you're up against it, will dig in and play the team game.
Don't know why, and I may be completely wrong, but Barcola looks as if he could down tools at any moment.
But I'm not against Rio playing on the right either, it will improve him massively and stop him becoming a 1 trick pony cutting in from the left to get a shot away.
20 Jul 2026 19:44:40
I reckon this is what Rio needs, to be honest. Bang him on and let the lad get stuck in.
20 Jul 2026 19:55:08
Going to be very lightweight all over the pitch if this is the case. Can see Hughes and co not getting in the players we need, and the manager will be the scapegoat.
20 Jul 2026 20:00:46
Rio has the ability, the mentality and the balls to thrive, he's the best option we have, so play him.
20 Jul 2026 20:03:59
Made up we walked away.
20 Jul 2026 20:14:29
With the narrative changes to we're preparing bids for Barcola, we've walked away from Diomande, Rio is going to be our right sided player, it's no surprise a few fans question our recruitment and planning.
It can feel at times like we make things up as we go. Most business is done with agents and clubs, so it raises the obvious questions like what were we waiting for with Barcola.
It's probably just that, with Diomande dead in the water, we've shifted target. We were never going to buy both, who knows.
It's just a waiting game. We can't influence it as fans. Let's just hope our judgement in the market is as good as it can be this summer. If Barcola is the guy, then fingers crossed he's the best we can get and that Munoz and Rio can thrive out of their preferred positions.
20 Jul 2026 20:17:30
Iraola specialising in making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Not worried about lack of quality, we have enough quality, we just lack application.
20 Jul 2026 20:33:38
Thanks, Carra.
20 Jul 2026 20:38:25
Rio is no Lamine Yamal though.
20 Jul 2026 20:17:19
thank you Carra! hope we can pull off the Barcola deal.
It appears to be a difficult one, I am not sure if the player picks us given other options, Arsenal and Byern are also looking at him, PSG usually don't sell players unless they want to, and even if they want to, they will drag it off till the end or at least the Diaomande agents' situation is sorted out & they sign him.
I am starting to sense a quite transfer period, similar to Arne's first transfer window. Only go for very opportunistic transfer targets and if there is no success there, see how the new manager utilizes the current squad. Of course there is a need and pressure to replace Salah but it's gone quite for other positions.
We will end up having a good starting 11 but the depth of the squad has gone down with quality and numbers. At some point we had the option to play Matip/konate/Gomes next to VVD. On the midfield we used to have more than 6 very good options. Milner/Hendo/Fabinhio/Gini/Keita/Lallana/Jones/ probably more. and I don't even have to mention the attacking players.
I will be worried if another midfield player and right back is not signed in this window.
Carra, editors do you know if we are targeting good players for those positions? is it based on players leaving?
20 Jul 2026 20:58:32
Rigsby, at 21 years old, Norwich and Leicester City didn't want Harry Kane, whilst Owen was winning a Ballon d'Or at that age. Not much of an argument who had the better career though! Besides, Rio doesn't have to be as good as Yamal, that's not the point I'm making. The point is that if you are good enough, you are old enough.
If Iraola decides Rio is good enough to be a regular starter, that's good enough for me.
He's got a proven track record. He had Huijsen starting CB in the Premier League despite being 19 years old and built like a stick insect. The guy knows how to develop talent. I just don't get the overreaction to a mere rumour that Rio might be seen as the Salah replacement. Iraola won't put his faith in him as a starter unless he really believes in him.
20 Jul 2026 20:59:46
I thought Rio was excellent on the Rw when he played there for England, like I mentioned a while back, Rio will get plenty of game time this season both left and right wing.
20 Jul 2026 21:02:28
Personally, I'm sticking to what I know and have said, categorically, for numerous months.
We will sign Diomande.
We won't sign Barcola.
Over and out.
20 Jul 2026 21:02:32
What Rigsby said.
20 Jul 2026 21:07:56
Arne mentioned sell to buy before he left, and constraints in our transfer business, so I think that's the rough outline of how we'll conduct business. That'll include the ones we've lost in free transfers, I'm guessing, but we'll need to get a few more out the door.
20 Jul 2026 21:15:03
What MK said!!
People flapping over nothing as per usual.
20 Jul 2026 21:16:46
Based purely on YouTube clips at club level, dangerous, I know, out of Barcola, Diomande, and Rayan Diomande, looks like the type of player we need most to replace Salah. There may be better alternatives out there, and that's ignoring the money side, but, based purely on the type of player he looks the best of the three.
World Cup wise, none particularly impressed, and neither Diomande nor Barcola played right side at all in any of the games I watched.
20 Jul 2026 21:27:41
Do people on here want us to buy a 100mill winger for this season then bench them next season when people on here think Rio is ready? Every season that passes while Rio isn't a regular for me that increases the chance he ever will be a regular.
20 Jul 2026 21:51:18
Barcola is a riskier signing than Diomande, imo. I am not convinced he will suit the prem style, hustle and quantity of games. It's gruelling compared to what he's been used to.
20 Jul 2026 21:30:07
WelshRed, I'm not flapping over anything. It's just football. The truest thing Klopp said was football was the most important thing out of all the things that aren't important. Or words to that effect.
My opinion on Rio, and I also believe that Ed01 is of a similar opinion, is at this moment in time Rio isn't good enough to be holding a regular spot in the first team. Hope he proves me wrong. But there is one thing I'm certain of and that is I'm not in a flap.
20 Jul 2026 23:19:53
With Rio, I'd buy into the 'heir to the throne' talk (appreciate it was just a coin of phrase) if we hadn't put so much effort to sign Diomande.
I would have thought that we'd be targeting a different type of presence for the RW if there was genuine feeling that Rio is that guy. My read on it is more akin to the context that we've made this decision to walk away from Diomande and now we're like "Well, how about that Rio on the right idea again!?"
And honestly, I'd love the idea of Rio getting that shot. I think he is very raw.
The real aspect I want to see in his game is his connection with other players in the build-up and how well he presses. We know he can dribble, so can Yamal. But one thing Yamal has done effectively since he broke into the Barca team is his interplay with the attackers, the 1-2s, 3rd man runs behind, connecting beyond just trying to get the ball and beat his opponent off the dribble which we know he can do.
That'd be cool to see from Rio this season, because for me, it would be an indication of the growth in his mental approach to the game.
20 Jul 2026 23:22:19
Rio as a proper right winger?
I'm in.
Would we need a proper number 9 to make that work tho? ?
Check the spacing. KFA right here.
Len.
20 Jul 2026 23:51:15
I don't mind that.
Rio, Munoz and Barcola can rotate on the left and the right, while Gakpo can rotate on the left and CF when Isak needs a break, if Gakpo is staying, that is.
Add to that, 2-3 players we already have who could potentially cover left and right if necessary on a cup game like Elliott, Szobo, Koumas, Frimpong etc.
I think we'll be totally fine if we just sign Barcola plus the already signed Munoz and Rio likely getting more minutes. Looking forward to it!
21 Jul 2026 00:09:54
I think Barcola would thrive in our team, however, I trust the manager in this.
Was Kroupi ready? Was Rayan ready? He made them ready as teenagers and they didn't have the benefit of growing up in English football.
21 Jul 2026 03:30:51
Rio may or may not make it. The only way to properly find out is to play him regularly and see if he learns lessons and steps up. He certainly looked the part last season in a team where only he and Dom stood out.
Let's see how he can perform under Iraola and then judge the kid.
btw, he did very well for England on the rw in a friendly before the WC.
21 Jul 2026 06:42:51
Well said, Ron Keague. It would not shock me if the club are looking at Rayan and Diomande (both 19 years old and very unproven at any level), seeing the 7 figure asking prices and just thinking "well sod it, Rio is only 18 and he's already ours."
As I said in my very first line in my very first reply, I personally don't see Rio as a starter at rw.
However, most of us wanted Iraola to some extent. For some (yourself, Ron) he was top pick, but for most of us he was at least top 5. If he opts to make Rio his primary rw, we should show faith in a head coach that we were all so excited for when he was appointed.
21 Jul 2026 06:58:48
I doubt this is Iraola opting not to buy a RW if that's where we land. More likely, a Richard Hughes decision not to buy would put the coach in that spot.
The successes we've had out wide, in Mo and Mane, both had great pace and strength.
Neither were amazing dribblers, but they could exploit the ball over the fullback or beat them with pace running with the ball. I'm not sure Rio has the pace, and that can't be coached. The rest of his game can be developed though.
21 Jul 2026 07:16:11
Cheers, Carra.
The a club upstairs are impacting the new season again. Flaky targets and no clear plan. We've gone from wanting to do our business early to nothing. We should have had alternatives to Diomande and moved on well before.
21 Jul 2026 07:16:34
I don't think anyone's against increased mins for Rio, but as first choice for right hand side?
I don't think so.
21 Jul 2026 08:10:54
thanks carra great info.
21 Jul 2026 08:39:47
MK, I'm not overreacting.
I reckon mentioning Yamal, because they are a similar age, is, though.
Lamine Yamal was good enough, so he was old enough, but Rio Ngumoha isn't as good yet.
They are more comparable by age than ability, and I don't doubt that Yamal would have been good enough to start for us regularly at the age Rio is now.
I doubt Rio is.
I'm happy to be wrong about that, though.
21 Jul 2026 09:05:53
Happy we walked away from that deal. Looked a right mess up at this point, rather put the effort into other areas that we are desperate in.
On Rio, I didn't think he stood out at all. 2 goals and 1 assist, if im not mistaken, doesn't set anything alight for me. Maybe his flappy legs dazzled a few of the supporters, but I can swing my legs in circles a lot too.
Now, don't get me wrong, I hope he succeeds and becomes a player for many years, but even trying to say that he could do a 10th of the job Salah did last season would be a stretch for me, and Salah did not have a great season.
Then there's the risk of burning him out and damaging his career if you just throw him in and not develop him properly. But then again im no pro coach, I coach an u13 school team as a hobby, so my knowledge is pretty bog standard on development.
As much as I want him to succeed, it's just as crazy to just expect it and play him regularly in a position that has been one of the strongest we have had over the years.
21 Jul 2026 09:19:03
Interesting. I love Rio. He should've played more last season before the season was dead and finished.
We need 2 wingers though, one isn't enough imo, and will leave the new manager short already.
21 Jul 2026 09:20:42
@Overkill, fair points, but you probably only need the pace in one of the front positions which could be on the left with Barcola if Rio is on the right.
@Rigsby, I love watching Rio going forward, but I think his problems have been in other parts of his role.
That's probably why opinion is divided. He will have learnt, though, he will be getting the coaching in pre-season and I'm expecting that if he does get regular game time this season by the end of it, we will see a much improved player. I'm hoping he does get that opportunity.
21 Jul 2026 10:01:27
Didn't we say something similar about walking away from a signing with Isak and Virg only to then still sign them? Could be just part of the dance.
21 Jul 2026 10:25:01
I am concerned for the under 13s kids you coach if you can't see how good Rio is for his age, Mr Jones. He has played and delivered at the highest level at just 3 or 4 years older than the kids you coach.
At under 13, kids should be encouraged to try things, get it wrong, learn from their mistakes. That shouldn't be coached out of them.
21 Jul 2026 10:48:01
Kopite, by no means did I not say he is talented, I don't think he's the next Salah for next season though, I think every single kid in Liverpool's youth team is talented, extremely talented.
I can't see where I have written him off, he must try things and he must experiment to find his place and learn new facets to his game. He's not 13, but he is still a kid, and you are saying throw him in the deep end in our first team, in a position that, literally, he's not used to, and expect him to pick up where Salah has left off, but it's ok if he makes mistakes and costs us games "he's learning".
This is the first team not development team. He will have expectations in the first team not afforded making mistakes.
Don't have a go at my kids, they're good lads and I take good care of them. I still know they are children, so I don't put too much pressure on them. People seem to forget this at the top level, these are still kids at 17 18 19 years old.
Then if he doesn't perform people will pan him, that's the nature of professional footy. You think that will be good for his development.
21 Jul 2026 10:53:39
Why does Rio get so much criticism? The only blemish on his short career to date was his off the ball role in the Villa away game, when, quite frankly, the whole team was stinking.
He's 17 btw.
21 Jul 2026 10:58:35
According to this morning's reports PSG are standing firm on their stance and are prepared to pay around EUR110million/ £93.5m to conclude the deal.
21 Jul 2026 11:30:18
You said his flappy legs maybe dazzled supporters, and you can do that too, that kind of suggests you don't see how talented he is. I think he's shown more than that in the short amount of time he's played. 14 of his 19 appearances have been as a sub in a team that struggled last year compared to our normal standards. He changed some games when he came on. I don't think many, if any, players would be able to replicate what Salah has done since he's been at the club, and I don't think many supporters would expect Rio to.
He could do really well if given more game time to develop, with other players also chipping in so he's not run into the ground early. He could definitely do more than a 10th of a job of Salah last season. Your post came across as a bit disrespectful to Rio and our supporters, in my opinion. It's good to hear that you don't try to coach the fun out of the game. I've seen coaches with tactic boards for 8 year olds and you can see their eyes glaze over.
21 Jul 2026 12:15:15
I can't help but think we'd all be talking differently about Rio if he was in Klopp's side. Young, yes, inexperienced, yes, but we would have seen much more. The lad was impressive considering the style and low confidence of the side last season.
21 Jul 2026 12:49:35
Honestly, glad we are walking away from Diomande. His agents sound disgraceful and shouldn't be anywhere near football. If that is the path and guys Diomande wants to listen to, then maybe he shouldn't be for us, as I can see them only getting more and more difficult the longer he stays with them.
21 Jul 2026 12:55:48
Koppite out of order there, Rio imo won't be good enough and I'll stand by this, is he better than doak was? He stood out because everyone else looked poor, but after ed 1 had said something, watch him he does step overs and ends up nowhere, doesn't track back and was given a first team spot not earned it, he should be learning his trade with the u18s/u21s, I know he's 17 but you say he's good enough he's old enough for criticism, he will not make it with us and I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it
21 Jul 2026 14:01:36
Koppite, I do have a tactics board haha, but it is very simple and I keep it light mate. I'm also no pro with any badges either, would love to in the future, but I'm a bit too busy with life's problems atm. It's my old alumni and they have just introduced a good soccer program a few months back and wanted to give something back, they are generally geared towards rugby where I'm from.
I meant no insult or disrespect. I've got a thing for not having massive expectations and when it does go right I'm pleasantly proven wrong and I hope so in this case.
So I agree he needs more game time but that spot should not automatically be given to him, there should be a senior player in there helping him. For example, when the first team of the school plays, I encourage the young guys to watch and get involved, cheer and carry on so they get that drive and hunger.
And yes, I can do crazy step overs... when I'm not going forward or moving in any way....
21 Jul 2026 14:15:22
Why am I out of order Fatwallet? I think its a bit out of order to say our supporters are so stupid that some step overs mesmorize them into thinking someone is a good player. I'm not sure I said on here at the time but I never thought Doak would make it at our level. It's obvious to me anyway that Rio is better than Doak. Doak was very one dimensional. Rio has something which isn't just pace and step overs.
He can go on the inside or outside and defenders have no idea which way he's going. I'm not sure where the he ends up going nowhere came from because for the most part he is making things happen.You've said you don't think Rio will make it with us, that's fair enough, he might not, but I think he's got a better chance than most and I'm excited to see his progression.
21 Jul 2026 17:34:42
To be honest, Mr Jones, I think the club see Rio having a more prominent role than last year, but I doubt they expect him to be starting every game like Salah. If they do, that is concerning, but it seems like posturing to me to let the players or the clubs of the players know we aren't desperate.
Munoz can also play on the right. I'd honestly prefer us to let them share that rw role than overpaying wages/transfer fee or to just get anyone in for the sake of it if there are doubts about the incoming players' ability or character. Good luck with your boys in the season ahead.