16 Aug 2026 12:22:51
So both Barcola and Mbey in the PSG squad to face Lens. Doesn't seem any deals done yet.
16 Aug 2026 12:48:57
True, albeit let's see if they play or not as they didn't in their last friendly.
16 Aug 2026 12:50:38
Deal(s) are taking so long. Hopefully over the line before the season starts.
16 Aug 2026 12:51:01
Isn't it better that they are training or playing than like Isak last summer.
16 Aug 2026 13:08:08
"No", it is not better that they are playing games. What would be your answer if one of them broke a bone, for instance, or something even worse, ACL? It would cancel any deal straight away. That's why Isak trained alone. Would you buy badly damaged goods?
Being in a squad is normal, playing "Russian Roulette" is not!
16 Aug 2026 13:17:00
So 007, with Gakpo rumoured to be out the door, would you want him sitting on the bench for us later this evening and not playing, but then, say, a deal doesn't work out, his fitness will have a slight drop? Would you be happy to see any of our players taking a back seat because they may be out the door?
Simple fact is, until a deal is public and he signs the contract, he is a PSG and will train and attain fitness with them. Ref Isak last season, he may not have injured himself training alone, but be built zero fitness, and we suffered as a result.
We didn't buy damaged goods due to injury, we bought unfit goods that meant his fitness levels were months behind where they should be. I'd rather any player we aim to sign still be playing until he becomes ours. If Barcola or any of our targets gets injured, it is our fault by not doing a deal sooner, but if not, we buy a player who is match fit.
16 Aug 2026 13:18:52
Really? And what if they break a bone first game for us, your argument is pure scutter, players need games to get fit.
16 Aug 2026 13:21:18
We've been told these are done. Told weeks ago.
16 Aug 2026 13:26:01
Same thing with Mac Allister. He had a "mystery" health and fitness issue throughout that summer, didn't train, and the season was one of his poorest.
And these are friendlies. All about tactics and fitness first. They all know this and I'm sure all players are made aware if it.
16 Aug 2026 13:45:13
It's dragging on way too long. Ideally they would have had at least some time with the squad or a pre season match under their belt, but it's a long season so hey ho.
Let's just hope all tied up early next week.
16 Aug 2026 13:52:12
I think you have to use your common sense when VG and Carra say Barcola is 'done'. Clearly it's not done or he'd be at the Axa training with the rest of our players.
What they are saying is that the deal is agreed and will happen. Until it's actually 'done' and he's signed on the dotted line, there is always a risk it could fall through.
There are so many people involved in these decisions on both sides that there could always be a change of heart from anyone, but, as far as they are aware, the deal is agreed and will go through.
16 Aug 2026 13:53:57
@chickeneki,
So you would buy a player with a broken leg or brand new ACL injury? Thank god you're not doing the deals for LFC.
Unless you're actually Hughes or Edwards, "Russian Roulette" does not work in football, PSG would be idiots to chance losing £250 million for both, especially when they are not permanent fixtures in the PSG team, and their replacements have already been signed.
Hardly used goods are a lot better going forwards than goods not fit for purpose ever?
16 Aug 2026 14:02:05
Chill 007, perhaps you need something shaken not stirred?
Patience, if it'll happen it'll happen. Obviously it's not all signed and sealed, but as Vic has said, it's agreed, so should be fine. Nothing guaranteed until pictured signing the contract and in the jersey! Keep the faith!
16 Aug 2026 14:11:29
007, who said they were playing? They're in the squad, which they were last week & never played.
What people are saying is they would rather they join us match fit than unfit. You really can't argue with that.
16 Aug 2026 14:14:12
@007, I don't walk anywhere near places that have roads, just in case I get run over. You are right - if there is even the slightest hint that there might be accidents then don't take any chances, stay home and be safe.
16 Aug 2026 14:43:43
Dear oh, 007, what a hypothetical and extreme take on it.
PSG will be happy enough to keep both, as they will be good squad players. The team has crazy financing and are not strapped for cash. They run the French league, so yes they'd ofc love 250, but would you be happy us paying a team exactly what they want rather than negotiate and get the best deal for us?
And, be interesting to see how Edwards is involved in a deal for a player to a club he no longer works at, so I'm sure he is watching to see if a player gets an injury.
As said above by others, we could buy anyone, and the day they sign could do their ACL.
Russian roulette, as you keep calling it, is just luck. We have gotten players who were fit as a fiddle and injured within weeks or days of signing, and had players come in and barely get injured. Just the way life works out.
I do, though, agree with one of your points. I am glad I am not involved in our transfer dealings, and would say the same about any fan. We are fans and have our bias', and it wouldn't be what's best for the team, just our own interests. For example, some posers are desperate for Rayan, and I am not too fussed on him. Maybe if he does well this season I will admit he is good quality. Until then, I am happy to wait.
16 Aug 2026 14:58:35
Blimey. Now we have to deal with posers on this site.
16 Aug 2026 15:24:50
Is taking the pee a bit. We are well behind in our usual business. I can't see we are concentrating on Barcola before other deals, very weird. Need several positions and barring the loan deal we've done nothing so far.
16 Aug 2026 15:40:21
We were told this deal was done, but it's not done done,
We are not looking hard enough at right back, and yes I know, the new lad can also play right back, well I would prefer an actual right back, trying to save money, waiting on Bradley, who I think is a great right back, but hardly ever plays or hardly ever can finish a game, I don't ever want to see Szlob at right back again, our midfield is so week without him,
It's so close to the first game, so I would prefer to have paid the money and have the replacement for Mo Salah actually playing in a couple of the preseason games.
16 Aug 2026 16:25:30
Our replacements for Mo are already at the club, Rio, and maybe Munoz.
Barcola is more of a Gakpo replacement.
If the teenager from PSG comes in as well, it looks like he'll be a rotation option for the right side, and will be on the bench most of the time.
16 Aug 2026 16:34:35
They are in this squad, probably been asked, but he will want to win medals, so he has one more chance with PSG. You wouldn't pass that up just because you're leaving.
Come on, I haven't seen them get many wrong at all, so a bit of patience and we should trust them.
16 Aug 2026 16:47:04
PSG is using the same tactic that Newcastle did last season with Isak. Prolong it until the final day of the window, when Richard Hughes had to pay 130M Euros.
I say we play their game and then walk away on the final day. They'll be stuck with too many attackers who will be unhappy. Edwards would never overpay for a player.
16 Aug 2026 16:49:17
Neither Rio nor Munoz are Mo's replacement; you must be having a laugh, 2 kids with no experience, give me a break.
16 Aug 2026 17:23:10
Agree, chewy, if we want to win the League again, then we have to behave or act like we want the best players coming to Liverpool,
Both Rio and Munoz have a great future ahead of them, but not this coming season,
We have right now a very thin, light squad, so many holes to fill,
Fingers crossed that we avoid any injuries, while our long-term injuries return to training very soon.
Some news, Joe Linton, I have heard, will miss a couple of weeks of the season, so will not play against Liverpool.
16 Aug 2026 17:34:59
Done isn't done till they're our player, agreed isn't done is it.
I agree a price for your car isn't the same as just bought your car and am driving off in it.
Unfortunate use of words several weeks ago gave a lot of people the impression it was an imminent arrival. Maybe future wording, avoiding the done word, would be beneficial to many who got the wrong idea and then commented on it not being done over and over.
Just a thought, maybe I'm wrong, and if so, then ok.
Looking forward to this Avis game. Need a good win to get us going.
Regards to all.
16 Aug 2026 17:37:47
PSG is standing firm. They want 160 million Euro for Barcola. Or he stays. Liverpool will drop the ball again just like with Guehi.
16 Aug 2026 17:40:59
"You'll never win anything with a bunch of kids", who once said that !!!
All the old gits put Yr thinking caps on.
16 Aug 2026 17:48:40
Fully agree, Chewy. If those are it, we're well and truly up the creek. Looking at the Arsenal and City line ups and subs today, we have a long way to go. Thank God we have Iraola, but he isn't a miracle worker.
16 Aug 2026 17:59:09
Looks like the previous story about Barcola being invited to watch closed door LFC match at Kirby now seems false, considering he's still in the squad.
16 Aug 2026 18:17:16
I really like this site and appreciate what the people with actual information give us, but this summer has fatigued me with the bs posting on here. It's a rumours site, but the constant stream of "my mate who works at a pub near Anfield told me " has been much worse than usual.
Barcola might happen, might not.
16 Aug 2026 19:00:30
Both on the bench, let's see if they get any game time...
16 Aug 2026 19:08:22
Correction: According to Fabrice Hawkins, neither Barcola nor Mbaye are left off the match sheet completely.
16 Aug 2026 19:18:19
Neither in squad... it's happening, isn't it. ?
16 Aug 2026 19:21:27
Yeah, so neither are in the matchday squad. Presumably, that means that deals are not far off.
16 Aug 2026 19:53:43
It's done, all has been agreed. Just need medical and sign the dotted line. Neither Mbaye or Barcola are on the bench.
16 Aug 2026 19:56:11
This whole thread was completely pointless lol. They aren't even in the matchday squad haha. They must be going somewhere like. Hopefully, to us. Gakpo must be getting sold then, I would guess.
16 Aug 2026 20:58:26
Gakpo should not be sold.
16 Aug 2026 21:09:02
"Rio and Munoz Salah's replacement". If that's the case, we're finished.
16 Aug 2026 21:26:44
Agree they shouldn't be, Frode, but that's what it's looking like. We're not being linked with any right sided players at all other than a kid from PSG.
16 Aug 2026 21:31:47
@Frode, you don't replace someone like Salah directly. You adapt to suit the players we have.
16 Aug 2026 22:12:52
Chiesa is Salah's replacement.
16 Aug 2026 22:16:56
Both players are not even on the bench for the match, just confirimed. hint?
?? Barcola, Mbaye et Longoni ne sont pas sur la feuille match ! pic.twitter.com/Ty6IDZlE2n
— ParisSG INFOS (@Paris_sginfos) August 16, 2026
16 Aug 2026 22:33:51
Excellent thread, made me smile. To be honest, I've never understood the idea that 'somebody shouldn't play because he might get hurt'. It's a contact sport, and if you follow the argument through, you could come up with the solution that all games should be cancelled before they start in case there are injuries.
16 Aug 2026 22:35:41
Forgot to add that Gakpo played, so is he not going to Spurs?
16 Aug 2026 22:40:18
Maybe Iraola is content he will get the goals from Isak and his other forwards. Maybe our main star this season is going to be a left winger instead of a right winger? Things change. We don't need a like for like replacement for every player.
There isn't one for a start, and they have shown before that they are content to wait if a player is not available and not panic and put in someone who isn't the quality of fit their transfer policy.
16 Aug 2026 22:46:00
The Arsenal and City squads today were poor. Genuinely don't think they're all that at all. City were poor, Arsenal decent enough, but made to look better by how bad City were.
Either team will struggle against a manager with an ounce of tactical sense.
16 Aug 2026 23:05:17
I'd agree with that, Sailor Jerry. I think City have bought really poorly in their attempts to rebuild their squad. Haaland is probably the only world class player they have.
Arsenal are Arsenal. If the refs do their jobs properly, they will be lucky to finish 5th.
We had a poor season last year due to fitness not quality. This season will be very different.
17 Aug 2026 00:45:19
I mean, Cody played today.
So, following the vibe of what this means, Cody must be a million miles away from a transfer to Tottenham?
. :)
17 Aug 2026 00:45:59
P.S. How did the bro include a pic in his reply?
{Ed078's Note - I don't even know how to do that :)
17 Aug 2026 01:09:31
I've just been thinking that too, Faith. That's more worthy of discussions and speculations that whether Barcola and Mbaye would be joining us or not. ;)
17 Aug 2026 07:56:29
If a player is gonna break their leg, I'd rather it happened the week before the £100mil transfer than the week after.
17 Aug 2026 08:48:25
Agreed Frode and StEttienne. Rio and Jerry you're away with the fairys with that analysis. Wake up to reality please.