21 Jun 2026 11:14:28
Eds/others,
Moving away from Diomande and wingers, any update on midfielders? Nmecha has played v well in the World Cup - seems like the sort of profile we are after. Any interest?
Cheers
0
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21 Jun 2026 10:29:58
Tonali is a top class midfielder. Spurs are bidding for him, he would be someone that would suit Liverpool. He controls the midfield, he allows the flare players to play around him, maybe worth a big bid. Especially if we sell on Macallister and possibly Jones. Rumours swirling about Szob as well. Maybe be worth a bid.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:48:21
He is too slow, Iraoni team thrives on having legs in the midfield to create overloads.
2
21 Jun 2026 11:11:48
Man of Todd, I'm sorry, mate, but if you think Tonali is slow or doesn't have legs, you've not watched him play enough. I thought I'd double check if the stats backed up what my eyes observed, and my belief was quite conclusively supported. He was clocked at over 34km/h last season whilst playing for Italy and also was 3rd in the whole league for distance covered per 90. (Approx 327km in 2500 minutes).
Tonali gets through so much running and is no slouch. Most players in the top 10 top speeds every season are usually clocked at 35-37km/h, so he's not far off that on top of being a monster in terms of km's covered.
Not trying to dig you out, mate, I love your posts normally, but you're wrong about Tonali. He would easily cope with the running and intensity required in any team you could think of.
2
21 Jun 2026 11:15:41
Great player, but I feel like he's too similar to Szoboszlai in terms of type, though Tonali has found his best form playing deeper in the pivot with Bruno playing as more of an 8 in front of him. Maybe he's better defensively, while Szoboszlai offers more going forward.
Szoboszlai is also a much better athlete. Newcastle are looking for 100m pounds, apparently, and he would expect a big pay rise. For that price, it's a resounding no.
0
21 Jun 2026 11:15:49
I might be wrong, but I'm sure the Newcastle midfield 3 covered the most distance over the season of any midfield.
1
21 Jun 2026 11:16:21
Man of Todd is right. We're carrying too many Slow players. We need some speed in this Liverpool squad.
The further away we get from Arne-Ball the better. Inject some excitement back into our football, and more importantly, get Anfield electric again.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:53:29
I haven't watched as much football last season, partly by choice, partly by circumstance
But I recall that Newcastle's midfield has generally been sound and dominate with Tonali and Guimarães, whilst Joelinton added some flair. Thought I recall them being an emotional bunch and a tad prone to bad tempers when things ain't going their way? Or was that Paquetá from West Ham?
Guess I'm entering Ed025 zone in age though his wit and memory seems to be very sound still!
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{Ed025's Note - dont put money on that SG, im falling to bits mate and cant remember if i have put sugar in my tea half the time, but just like Everton im hanging in there hoping things will improve.. :)
1
21 Jun 2026 11:43:13
Tonali is a great player, but we need a passing profile in midfield. As PB pointed out, he is too close to Szoboszlai in profile. Macca used to be the passer in our midfield but he has dropped off so much, that we need to replace him with someone who can do that. If Wharton was defensively sound he would be the ideal signing. Another option could be to put Wirtz in the midfield, but maybe takes him too far from threatening positions.
On the other hand, I think Gravenberch and Szoboszlai together in the two holding midfielders (as Iraola plays them) might actually surprise us. Szob definitely can pass, even though he is not used in that sense till now, and Grav is elite at breaking the press with a run.
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21 Jun 2026 11:46:38
Genuinely miffed that we aren't in for him, one of the best midfielders in the league imo.
0
21 Jun 2026 09:31:15
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there today, whether your a red or not, you are all truly awesome for keeping everything together and putting everyone else 1st, that's what dads do without looking for praise or recognition.
So just to remind you all, keep doing what your doing. You are all great men, never forget that even if your not told it that often!!!
22
21 Jun 2026 09:07:41
I just thought of something that could completely scupper out season. We haven't got a Scottish player on the pitch.
Someone get hold of Hughes quick. We've never won the league without a Scot in the team.
I know we have Ramsey but he needs to be on the pitch then.
5
21 Jun 2026 09:42:54
Which Scotsman would you all take if we could sign one?
Also, isn't there a stat that every Liverpool team to win the league has always had a Scotsman as a regular starter? Or am I talking pure waffle?
0
21 Jun 2026 09:50:21
Scot Macron's.
0
21 Jun 2026 09:56:14
We had Ben. I'd take him back as a squad option. But the only real answer, if you can get over his Mancy past, is McTominay.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:05:04
We defo need a Scot in the team.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:08:07
John McGinn for me.
3
21 Jun 2026 10:26:36
@Taurus, we need options in midfield so McGinn or Billy Gilmour or Hickey as a fullback option.
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21 Jun 2026 10:30:17
Also, you are correct. Every Liverpool team, from the team of Scots in the 1890s to Souness, Hanson and Dalglish to Robertson, we've always had at least one Scottish player in the team when we've won the league, I believe.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:31:14
I'd rather get Robbo back.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:31:58
Not too many current Scots that stand out that could improve us imo.
What about any one Scottish player from the past who would walk into our team now & improve it?
So close for me between Kenny &
Souness, but given our midfield woes of last season & leadership issues I'll go Souness.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:51:29
We need Dalglish, Souness, Hansen, Yeats. I'd take Gary Mac as well.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:55:24
I did agree.
Apart from Robbo, only McTominay is somewhat near the levels we need, but probably won't be a starter.
McGinn is a good shout, but also think he won't be a starter too.
0
21 Jun 2026 11:02:47
Alex Scott for me.
1
21 Jun 2026 11:12:56
If you had raised this a few years ago, how many would have picked Robertson? Just cos they aren't top level now, doesn't mean they can't be.
0
21 Jun 2026 09:05:24
Don’t think it’s fair to judge Diomande on one game. I’ve read a lot of ‘based on the game last night he’s not good enough’ type comments.
Surely best judge him on the season he’s just had with Leipzig rather than one game last night. A game by the way in which he created a goal that many in his position wouldn’t have created.
He also kept working and showing. His first 20
minutes were poor but then he showed the character to shrug that off and create a goal.
He can use both feet, is very quick, works hard, seems to have a mane like attitude to life and the game, can create and can score. If we get him I for one would
be very excited to see what he can do.
5
21 Jun 2026 09:19:54
I agree. People are taking a 'short term view' of him. Perhaps they should take another viewpoint, whose name escapes me...
2
21 Jun 2026 09:38:36
Agree, LTV
He is a great kid, still true, though, that we should not be paying close to £100m to secure him.
This is a highly promising kid. Should be no more than an educated £50-60m punt in the hope he develops into something special.
2
21 Jun 2026 09:48:15
In this market, and based on what other players have gone for recently, something like £70m seems right. That isn't going to get him though, so either we sit off and hope none else goes for him or watch as someone like City or Bayern swoop in and pay the extra £10-15m to get the deal done.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:03:44
Diomande is a future great player, but at the moment he is potential and that takes time. It's a very conflicting scenario, we want the best talent but the price is crazy stupid, to be honest I have to keep reminding myself that this is the market now! Look at Gordon to Barca fee, rumoured £85m for Mateus Fernandes, similar fees being thrown about for Scott, Wharton and many more slightly above average players for elite pricing.
Big question is how high is Diomande's potential and can he meet expectations?
0
21 Jun 2026 10:10:09
Market is crazy currently.
Players valued at 70 mill plus, and then Curtis Jones, who on paper has more PL & CL appearances and a PL winners medal (not sure if he also has a CL one), and is valued at 25 mill.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:24:56
Ah that's 100% fair. I haven't seen enough of him to judge, and he did look dangerous and hard working, but definitely some dodgy touches and technique at times. That being said, Salah has had moments like that over the years where he doesn't look like a top class footballer, so I'll reserve judgement until I've seen more, but gave me Nunez vibes last night. I won't lie. Again, he's being judged as a 100m + player now. If he was 30/40mil, absolutely, but for 100 odd mil you'd want someone who can make an instant impact, not just potential.
We can keep splurging that kind of money and not getting it right.
That being said, I'm willing to reserve judgement, and, taking the price out of it, there's enough there to warrant interest, at least.
At least he definitely has pace, but pace isn't a guarantee in the Prem, see Mudryk/Werner types, but hopefully he's more of a hit! Once we sign him, I'll be right behind him anyway.
0
21 Jun 2026 11:28:16
I wouldn't be paying over 100 million for him. No way, I don't care how good he might be one day. He touched the ball 4 times
In the first half, 3 of them bounced off him.
0
21 Jun 2026 08:45:15
I look others in here, am very excited about any new signings we make.
However I feel as though Wirtz will be our best player next season. Seeing him play in this World Cup, I’m reminded that his level is higher than most in this tournament. His movement, his awareness, the passes he sees and the way he plays them, the ability to do things many others can’t and being able to do so in dangerous areas.
If he can stay injury free for the majority of the season, plays under a more front footed manager with some better players around him, I think he’ll fly next season.
4
21 Jun 2026 09:10:55
I think all the players we bought last season will show their quality better in the new system. Hopefully Wirtz/Isak fire. I think they should in the system. Isak if he can stay fit.
Frimpong, Kerkez should be way more suited to this system as full backs.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:46:52
I agree, LTV, that Wirtz is a class act, he can see a little slide through ball etc., but we need the players round him that make the runs for his little slide through balls, that know he will do that and act accordingly.
Hopefully this season it will start to happen.
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{Ed025's Note - i have to say HH that every time i have seen him he has been very underwhelming mate, he obviously has ability but is physically weak for me ..
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21 Jun 2026 08:18:50
I can't remember who said we were being linked with Felix Nmecha but he looked very good for Germany last night. Really impressed with him.
8
21 Jun 2026 08:44:12
He has always looked good the times I have seen him.
He reminds me of Bellingham.
0
21 Jun 2026 09:09:33
Apparently Nmecha's agent is offering him to us and Man Utd. Why just us two? I don't know. That's the thread of a few links over the last couple of days.
0
21 Jun 2026 09:21:57
I'm not so sure about him being like Bellingham nigerred, I've never seen him do an Oxo advert.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:27:02
Really like him myself, again haven't seen loads of him for Dortmund but the 2 German World Cup games he looks like a world beater. Again Curacao is hard to judge but last night he was so powerful and pacey against a physical Ivory Coast midfield.
That being said, Kessie looked unreal too, and he's been in Saudi the past few years... Hard to judge fully based on internationals, unfortunately, but has the attributes for sure.
0
21 Jun 2026 01:49:08
It’s easy to forget Diomande is only 19.
Also, the article he posted in memory of his sister was heartbreaking. I want to support the guy wherever he goes, but this is some weight he is bearing… Many would break under it.
I haven’t seen much of him play, but I certainly won’t judge him based on the World Cup.
7
21 Jun 2026 08:00:42
It's that type of attitude that makes someone a superstar. As you say, pain like that can make or break someone. From his letter, he is going to use it as fuel and let nothing get in his way.
Whatever happens with him, it's going to be fascinating to see how he grows.
4
21 Jun 2026 00:14:23
Not going to lie, was much more impressed by Nmecha than Diomande. Means nothing as it’s just one game and they play different positions, but as far as auditions go. Not sure how genuine the interest is in Nmecha, but he was great.
Diomande showed flashes in the first half, but second half he looked like Salah on a bad day, running into players or passing straight to the opposition. I saw people saying his values going up with every touch, well the opposite should be true here.
2
21 Jun 2026 08:09:02
I thought Diomande's touch let him down the first 20 minutes after the hydration break. He was a real nuisance and created their goal. Second half, Ivory Coast struggled to impose themselves on the game, and so Diomande didn't really get into it.
The thing I liked most about Diomande is that he keeps trying, that is what you want from your widemen.
Mo would often have games where he was ineffective, but persistency then pop up with class when it mattered most.
First I have seen or heard of Nmecha. He looks great and like what our cm needs, however it is just one game.
1