Liverpool banter 4

30 Mar 2026 14:19:17
The KNVB have approached Arne Slot to succeed Ronald Koeman after the 2026 World Cup.

Ronald Koeman's contract expires after the World Cup, and he communicated his desire to step away from football to spend time with his family, rather than seek another extension.

Slot will leave Liverpool in the summer, even if they win the Champions League. CEO of Football Michael Edwards and Sporting Director Richard Hughes have been aware of Slot's desire to leave the club due to his own circumstances with his family. Slot is not prepared to spend a third year away from his wife and children, and he sees the Netherlands National Team as the perfect scenario.

Liverpool decided long ago that Arne Slot would see out the season. Edwards and Hughes spoke to Steven Gerrard regarding an interim role, but the situation regarding his tax and earnings from his time in Saudi Arabia has meant they were unable to exercise this option. His assistant Michael Beale is also in a similar situation, and after exploring whether there were any way around his tax situation, they decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Liverpool did plan to have Gerrard, Beale and Heitinger in February, but pulled the plug on it due to the tax situation.

Ajax have also approached Arne Slot to become their permanent manager next season, but the approach from the KNVB has turned his head. Ajax will likely turn their attention towards their former coach Erik Ten Hag if they are unable to persuade Slot to remain in club football. However, they understand the allure of managing the national side along with a lot more free time to spend the family will prove difficult to beat.

No idea on the next manager of Liverpool FC. The key to take away is this:

Arne Slot will leave Liverpool FC this summer, even if the club wins the UEFA Champions League.

30 Mar 2026 17:54:17
They can have him.

30 Mar 2026 18:22:13
The Kop needs to sing Slot for Holland.

30 Mar 2026 18:36:01
I'm so tired of this family excuse. We have set that family up for life. Plenty of people work away from home who aren't paid six figures a week like Slot.

How about the family get up off their backsides and get on a private jet with that money we are paying for a two hour journey from the Netherlands to Manchester to go and see Dad at the weekend? Heaven forbid it impacts their social lives.

I feel sorry for the Filipino domestic helpers in Dubai who work away from home to literally put food on the table for their families. I don't feel sorry for the Slots. The issue isn't that Slot is working away from home. The issue is how Slot and his family have handled it.

30 Mar 2026 19:47:15
I couldn't give a flying fish about him flying back and forth to the Netherlands. No one mentioned it last season. It's suddenly become an issue since we've been crap. He will ultimately get the sack because of performances on the pitch, not because he tots up air miles.

30 Mar 2026 20:25:29
Like the running stats that we came 16th in last year. There is no issue as far as the rest of the Slots are concerned. They obviously just have no interest in, and refuse to move to England. This has been the case since he got the job, and the club still decided to hire him.

For me, if anyone's to blame in this, it's whoever employed Slot. He was always going to be going home to see his family regularly.

30 Mar 2026 23:17:04
Did we know last year that he was always going home or is just this year that he's done it? Either way, you get paid millions to coach a top team, the least you can do is put in extra work when we are shite to try n sort it out, not pop home on EasyJet when ya feel like it.

31 Mar 2026 12:05:23
@Rome.

He didn't do it last year..

There were a couple of interviews with him saying that he spent much of his time at the training offices as there was no point in going home ... he mentioned seeing family in international breaks ...



I don't know if that changed the 2nd half of the season tbf .. wouldn't surprise me if it did around the Jan or Feb time .. pretty much the start of the decline ...

31 Mar 2026 21:37:34
You are correct, MightyR3ds. Slot did say that when he spoke to Gary Lineker in a BBC interview. He said he used to go home to an empty house and that it was not an ideal scenario for him at the time.

30 Mar 2026 13:39:28
Arsenal have 11 players withdraw from international duty. What is that all about, another Arteta dark arts move to keep his players fresh?

30 Mar 2026 14:03:29
Sounds like common sense.

Why risk playing in international friendlies when you're going for a league title.

At least LFC players might get a bit of match fitness on international duty.

30 Mar 2026 14:07:15
Ha, I expected more, but people are taking notes on the Gunners and their dark arts.

30 Mar 2026 14:11:01
They can't screw this up now. He will use all means possible.

30 Mar 2026 14:11:48
I agree with JK23 as well. The international friendlies are absolutely pointless and it makes no sense to be playing them at the business end of the season. If we were in Arsenal's position, I would have expected our players to drop out as well.

30 Mar 2026 14:18:50
Dracred, but they have to be injured etc to drop out, always thought they just can't say they're not playing for their country.

30 Mar 2026 14:54:18
Clubs have done this for many years.
They're not the first, and definitely will not be the last.
From removing them in the last five minutes of the last game, to just saying things don't feel right.
The list goes on to gain any advantage possible.
Why the surprise?

30 Mar 2026 16:24:07
You represent your country when called up, whatever the game, JK23. Other teams, i.e. LFC, Man City, were not allowed to pull players unless they were injured. Plus, if it is right that Man City will be getting a 60 point deduction, then Arsenal can put out the reserves until the end of the season, as the title would be theirs.

30 Mar 2026 16:57:40
You represent your country when called up, whatever the game.

Tell that to the players, Albey, mate.

This has gone on for years.

30 Mar 2026 17:08:37
I believe players can refuse to be called up for the national team, Strom. I recall Matip, Grav and Chiesa have turned down the call up for international duty while they were with us, so it is not without precedence. Don't think they were injured when they did that as well. Granted, it wasn't without consequences since both Matip and Grab were effectively frozen out of the national team for a while, but it is possible.



Besides, this is literally a pointless friendly that they are playing now. It's just being played for the sake of being there and to line the pockets of FIFA.

30 Mar 2026 17:55:11
Arteta's mentor Pep has been doing that at City for years.

{Ed025's Note - all the top teams do it Oli, maybe Liverpool will in the future mate.. :)

30 Mar 2026 18:16:27
Ryan Giggs was nearly always injured when it came to Wales call ups. It maybe had something to do with him wanting to spend some "quality time" with his sister-in-law.

{Ed025's Note - love it Rome..

30 Mar 2026 19:51:57
His brother's wife or his wife's sister? Asking for a friend.

30 Mar 2026 19:58:28
Roy Keane refused to play friendlies for the Republic of Ireland, and ended up being assistant manager! Dunno what message that sends to the players he was over when he was assistant.

30 Mar 2026 20:18:20
His brother's wife, delvecs. Lovely human being is our Ryan. May explain why he's never seen on TV and nobody will touch him with a barge pole. Long may that continue.

30 Mar 2026 21:05:13
Maybe the fans should stop going to these "pointless" games in protest of the top players pulling out because of "injury"?

We complain, and yet the stadiums are still full, for the bigger teams in any case.



Not much difference in this behavior to PSG postponing their matches that fall in between CL games...

Those in power will not change a damn thing until it affects their pockets.

31 Mar 2026 10:12:49
JLC, eleven Arsenal players pulled out of their international games, buddy !!!

{Ed025's Note - i dont blame them Albey, when you are competing for major honours the last thing you want is your players getting injured in a pointless meaningless friendly mate..

30 Mar 2026 08:01:02
Hey ed001 what do you make of carra top 10 list for Liverpool players. Am I going mad or was that a decent list. The outrage it caused is unbelievable. I think it was a decent list. I would have mo in top5 but there not much in it not at all.

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea what you are talking about sorry.}

30 Mar 2026 09:38:51
Carra made a top 10 players in LFC history.

10. Ian Callaghan

9. Kevin Keegan

8. Virgil Van Dijk

7. Alan Hansen

6. Mohamed Salah

5. Ian Rush

4. John Barnes

3. Graeme Souness

2. Kenny Dalglish

1. Steven Gerrard.

{Ed001's Note - he put his best mate top, is that the controversy? Because it is clear that Gerrard is nowhere near Dalglish and seems a bit harsh to leave Keegan down in 9th. I can understand no Liddell, as so few people are left who saw him play. It doesn't really seem all that controversial though.}

30 Mar 2026 10:05:36
Nothing wrong with the list. I'd just swap 1 and 2 round personally.

30 Mar 2026 10:06:36
So difficult to rank these players.

All I will say is Dalglish is number 1.

The rest are debatable.

30 Mar 2026 10:11:07
King Kenny or day long no debate.

30 Mar 2026 10:13:26
Might have throw Phil Neal in there somehow.

30 Mar 2026 10:33:43
So difficult to choose a top ten?

It's a good list but if you put Emlyn in there or Tommy Smith & Roger Hunt, I don't suppose there would be many complaints.

30 Mar 2026 10:39:09
Nowhere near is a throw away comment. Gerrard will forever be known as a legend of the game. That earns respect. Gerrard imo is Liverpool's greatest ever player. I'd accept King Kenny as no 1, but to say nowhere near, that's simply not true. Gerrard was a wonderful footballer.

{Ed001's Note - he was, but Kenny was a lot better than anyone else that has ever played for us.}

30 Mar 2026 10:39:34
I'm no fan of Carragher but it's his top ten. Do I agree with it, no, but it's his opinion and he's welcome to it.

30 Mar 2026 10:49:08
Think everyone would agree with at least 8 on this list, maybe the placing gets moved around a bit, but if Callaghan is on there, then Hunt, Liddell have a good shout as well, then we have Lawrenson, Neal, Clemence etc, but very very hard to pick an all-time top 10.

30 Mar 2026 11:09:50
Just for fun I asked AI to rank the top ten.

1. Kenny Dalglish
- Peer recognition: Multiple PFA awards, Ballon d'Or runner-up.
- Trophies: 3 European Cups, 6 League titles.
- Why #1: Elite individually and central to Liverpool's most dominant era.

---

2. Steven Gerrard
- Peer recognition: PFA Players' Player of the Year (2006), Ballon d'Or 3rd place.
- Trophies: Champions League, FA Cups, UEFA Cup.
- Why: One of the most respected players ever by fellow pros.

---

3. Mohamed Salah
- Peer recognition: 2x PFA Players' Player of the Year.
- Trophies: Premier League, Champions League, multiple domestic cups.
- Why: Modern-era dominance + consistent elite-level recognition.

---

4. Ian Rush
- Peer recognition: PFA awards.
- Trophies: 2 European Cups, 5 League titles.
- Why: Liverpool's all-time top scorer + huge trophy haul.

---

5. John Barnes
- Peer recognition: 2x PFA Players' Player of the Year.
- Trophies: 2 League titles, FA Cups.
- Why: One of the most skillful and respected players of his era.



---

6. Virgil van Dijk
- Peer recognition: PFA Players' Player of the Year (2019).
- Trophies: Champions League, Premier League.
- Why: One of the highest-rated defenders ever by fellow players.

---

7. Graeme Souness
- Peer recognition: Highly rated by peers, multiple team-of-the-year inclusions.
- Trophies: 3 European Cups, 5 League titles.
- Why: Dominant midfield general in a golden era.

---

8. Kevin Keegan
- Peer recognition: Ballon d'Or winner (twice, though after leaving Liverpool).
- Trophies: 3 League titles, European Cup.
- Why: Elite individual recognition + major success with Liverpool.

---

9. Alisson Becker
- Peer recognition: Best FIFA Goalkeeper, Yashin Trophy.
- Trophies: Champions League, Premier League.
- Why: Widely regarded by peers as the world's best at his peak.

---

10. Luis Suarez
- Peer recognition: PFA Players' Player of the Year (2014).
- Trophies: Limited at Liverpool.
- Why: Exceptional individual peak, even with fewer trophies.

30 Mar 2026 11:11:27
No Fowler either.

30 Mar 2026 11:16:47
No I ed001 the outcry is because he has salah on 6th and that created a storm on some social media so much so it resulted in salah posting a pic of his accolades.

Yes kenny is no1, like automatic no1, on any Liverpool legend list. Its not just the achievements (which alone warrant his place). Its how much he did for the club and city after the tragedy. None of the others can be considered an off pitch legend which cements king as the no1 forever.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure any of the rest are worth arguing about, it is really down to personal opinion. I wouldn't really bother arguing about him deciding to go with Stevie, as Carra was a boyhood toffee, so won't really have grown up with the love of the King that a red will have.}

30 Mar 2026 12:07:45
"He put his best mate top, is that the controversy?"

Not really.

30 Mar 2026 13:46:39
Oh that's a pretty valid point, if he grew up as a toffee he probs hated Kenny. ?

{Ed025's Note - dont tar every Evertonian with the same brush Cafu, i thought Kenny was one of the best players i have ever seen mate..

30 Mar 2026 14:02:37
@Grumpy, you putting Virgil on your list but not Hansen. Hansen should be spoken about in the same breath as Maldini, that's how good he was.

30 Mar 2026 14:36:40
I have no problem with Callaghan being on the list if you are giving "longevity" more weight than the other factors like football skills, leadership, dedication to the club and winning titles.

I'd agree with Salah at #3 or #4.

Curious that no goalkeepers are in the top 10. Clemence and Alisson were/are crucial players of their time, in the team.

30 Mar 2026 14:13:36
You're a different case Ed025. We have always known that you're a closet red ;)

{Ed025's Note - im just a football fan Drac, i will tell you if a player is good or bad mate and it matters not a jot if they are red or blue, but i must tell you that closet has an unbreakable lock on it.. :)

30 Mar 2026 14:56:27
The thing is those of us who have been around long enough could probably make 10 lists, if not more, we have been so lucky to have loads of great players over the years.

30 Mar 2026 17:40:33
When I saw Carras clip online the only issue was that he put Salah high on Premier League greats, but lower in Liverpool greats. I might be wrong, but I think he put Kenny above Gerrard. It's all about opinion. Personally, I think Clemence was our greatest goalkeeper, but I'm sure people will disagree.

30 Mar 2026 17:58:08
@Silent knight, re: Clemens, I was telling my son that, as much as I think Ali is the greatest GK I have ever seen (hence, the best at LFC), I also told him that, as I did not see Clemence play, there are those like you who could argue that he was better than Ali.



And, frankly, they would have more than an argument for this take cos, well, they saw both of them play.

30 Mar 2026 18:31:51
Everybody's list will be different, it's subjective, I am sure Slot will have Gakpo in his top ten.

30 Mar 2026 19:10:23
I think Carra chats wham most of the time and he's clearly got agendas. But I agree with his top three and Gerrard as number one. The most complete player for me and we have been in the bottom half of the table at times if it wasn't for him.

30 Mar 2026 22:40:09
@johnzandt, I asked AI the question, it's not my top ten. Hansen would be in my top 5 easily. Made defending look like a walk in the park. That man was pure class and read the game better than anyone I have ever watched.

30 Mar 2026 23:03:50
Everyone's list will be different, it's Carra's opinion, and he's entitled to express it.

31 Mar 2026 06:12:11
No Bobby dazzler. ?

30 Mar 2026 23:22:00
I believe Ed025 is purple, more on the blueish side but purple nonetheless. He definitely wants Everton to win the derby, but if Liverpool wins the PL or CL, he'll be as happy as anyone if for no other reason Merseyside wins. He's a throwback without question and more need to be that way. Too much tribalism these days.

{Ed025's Note - i will be celebrating if Liverpool win the CL or even the FA cup Stone as always have done, i dont know if that makes me a Merseyside super fan or a bit of a plonky though mate.. :)

31 Mar 2026 10:40:27
No controversy in my book. Gerrard is my top as well. Might have been different had I seen Dalglish play, but I didn't, but still recognise him as a legend of the game. The problem is we were so bad for so long most LFC fans today won't have watched 7 out of those 10 play, myself included.

30 Mar 2026 07:40:02
Gordon on the left.
Diomande on the right.
Gertruida to cover RB and CB.
Sadiki in midfield to replace MacAllister.
Gravenberch to drop deeper as he did last season.
Isak to have an injury free season.
Ed001 is that a title challenging team in your opinion if added to the existing squad?
I know you won't be interested in the costs below but they are my take on what it would cost to attain those players?

Rough guide prices below:

Gordon £70m
Sadiki £60m
Diomande £70m
Gertruida £20m

Total £220m

Sell:

Gakpo £50m
MacAllister £75m
Jones £40m
Elliott £25m

Total £190m.

{Ed001's Note - I am not convinced Gordon is anywhere near the level of a title chasing team. I don't understand why everyone is so desperate to sell Gakpo either, he is a victim of the set up as much as anyone.}

30 Mar 2026 09:27:06
Totally agree with Ed001. Slot can't get a performance out of most players and Gakpo is so badly affected by Slots poor decisions. Think new manager and let them have the input on who comes and goes so we get the players that are needed for whoever the next manager is

30 Mar 2026 09:41:02
Gakpo, I find it too predictable. He isn't utilising overlaps made by Kerkez, but, tbf, Kerkez doesn't help himself with 90% of crosses hitting the first man.

Gakpo, like Jones, takes too many touches, especially since we all know he's cutting in.

Just give it back to Wirtz and let him do his magic instead of faking left, cutting in right after 2 touch and shooting against the cb's legs.

{Ed001's Note - I agree, he is not perfect, but a top coach should be able to fix his issues. He has regressed badly under Slot.}

30 Mar 2026 09:59:54
I personally don't want Gordon in this team, nowhere near the level required if we want to class ourselves as one of the top teams in Europe. And he would cost us a lot of money trying to buy from Newcastle, really don't see him as a player who delivers consistently.

30 Mar 2026 10:09:24
It's a great point by Ed001.

Apparently only Dom, Jones and Gakpo are responsible for their own performances, the rest of the team is hampered by Slot's tactics.

We need to be a bit more consistent than that.

{Ed001's Note - it does feel that way Ron.}

30 Mar 2026 11:27:32
Just playing devil's advocate.

Wirtz gets a free pass on struggling this year because of tactics and the rest of the team underperforming. But, Gakpo, who had a quality year last year and has been generally good since joining, gets hung, drawn and quartered?

I'm not bashing Wirtz btw, I love him as a player.

There's just a double standard.

30 Mar 2026 11:45:41
Gordon with Gakpo could be a top rotational partnership for a title chasing team, much like how Diaz and Gakpo were.

30 Mar 2026 11:56:07
Those in their first season get a pass from me, especially new league, new country, new culture. So Wirtz gets a pass.
Isak - injured.
Kerkez - less of a pass.

Just goes to show how good Hugo has been even though he has had his dips in form.
He's been our best signing this season. Great potential for the future.

30 Mar 2026 12:22:49
Indeed, Coulred. I mentioned it on here a while ago. Everyone gives Gakpo all types of stick and sometimes, it is warranted. However, no one can tell me he has become this terrible overnight.

In the last 2 years under Klopp, and you guessed it, Slot, Gakpo has performed very well. Diaz was his comp. last season and we all know how it brought the best out of both players. Gakpo is not as bad as he looks now cos we have seen him perform better in the past.

He may not be the most technically gifted dribbler. Even Salah isn't that, but the things he is good at are his technical ability on the move, a powerful, relentless runner, and is effective scoring and assisting, even tho he can always improve.

Those are his strengths. Diaz was his comp. and we all know how it brought the best out of both players.

On the contrary, this season, Slot told everyone Gakpo has no comp. at all. The manager did that, something which has caused him to play every game, and it's like he is running in quicksand and doesn't seem to know what to do, as you can see he is often caught in two minds, hence, decision-making is erratic. The guy has regressed under this manager this season and that much is clear, compared to the last couple of years, imo.

All the above (as well as everything else going on with the rest of the team collectively) is all on the manager, imo.

30 Mar 2026 12:37:32
If you are in a maze, you don't keep walking into the same dead end. Gakpo does every game, you can read Gakpo like a book: cut in on his right, curl the ball towards the goal, and the same end product. One might go in now and again.

30 Mar 2026 12:48:50
I am happy to give him 1 more season, but still feel if certain players become available, we use him as a way of financing. I agree, judging this year is harsh, but I think you can still take thing upon yourself to improve your own decision making.

30 Mar 2026 13:52:38
Gakpo is a good player to finish a move. He is a bad player to be involved in the middle. His tendency is to slow play down and give the other team options.

He should basically be glued to the post on his side of the pitch.

It's where he is most effective. He's this era's Dirk Kuyt. Great work rate, good tracking back, but don't give him creative duties because that's not his forte.

30 Mar 2026 14:39:57
No problem with rotating Gakpo with someone new. Problem with Gordon being that someone.

30 Mar 2026 15:15:31
Agreed, I don't think Gordon is the answer, ArAy.

30 Mar 2026 17:50:22
@albeydered, I get that, however, Gakpo knew what he was doing and didn't have these issues last season esp. since he knew Diaz was his comp. So he had to really raise his game, which he did. Also, Gakpo showed he could go inside, outside, bully fullback esp. in the air, and had a left foot that could actually cross the ball.



This season, he can't even do any of those things right cos the manager is always on the team's back to keep possession and is not allowing Gakpo to express himself like last season, something the whole team is suffering from btw. Again, all of that is on the manager.

30 Mar 2026 17:58:38
Neither do I, ArAy.

30 Mar 2026 18:40:45
If Anthony Gordon is the answer, what is the question!! Not even close to being good enough. Worse than Macca for diving, and surely much better options out there.

30 Mar 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Davey Sulls has posted a new article entitled, My Liverpool Summer Plan: Coach Change and Four Signings

29 Mar 2026 18:42:24
As a replacement for Macca.

29 Mar 2026 19:18:51
Yes I do agree a monkey would do a better job in midfield than Macca.

29 Mar 2026 20:12:09
Whilst I believe Macca, Gakpo, Konate etc have had terrible seasons (nobody has been top class).

They also have been victims of this terrible, terrible boring system, Arne Slot has persisted with.

Regarding Macca, a midfield 3 with him and Wirtz in there doesn’t work. It would've had to be a diamond to work, both far too slow, destined to fail from the start.

29 Mar 2026 22:52:07
Do we ever have a reason where A. Gordon would be welcome into the fold, surely better production than Gakpo.

29 Mar 2026 23:37:04
Gordon is an excellent player. He'd thrive at LFC.

30 Mar 2026 00:13:30
I never understood the hate for Gordon. Scourser, Young, quick, versatile, can dribble, goals/assists, works his socks off. Pool fan. I'm a huge admirer. Would love to see him do well.

30 Mar 2026 02:44:02
Gordon could do well for us, he just wouldn't be my first choice, or second... He'd also be way overpriced, Newcastle would have a field day and drag the transfer out again just like with Isak. It's a hard pass, I'm afraid. I wouldn't be going anywhere near Newcastle stock for a few years. Don't fancy getting messed around again.

30 Mar 2026 06:19:19
Gordon has pretty much the same numbers in the PL as Gakpo this season, albeit with a few fewer games. For me, Gordon flatters to deceive. Add to that the occasional rashness, play acting and no doubt crazy fee. I'd rather we look elsewhere.

30 Mar 2026 08:03:49
Ok, it's been a bad season, but not as bad as Newcastle, so we don't need Gordon.

30 Mar 2026 09:10:29
Gordon is just a bang average run of the mill winger, a Stewart Downing mk2. A lot of money for not very much footballer. We'd only be paying for the fact he has a UK passport. The fact he's a local lad and a supporter is not a reason to sign him. It's not make a wish.

30 Mar 2026 12:28:00
No. 8 like you, I don't rate Gordon and I have said this from 2 summers ago when we almost signed him. Diaz is levels above him as a footballer but in terms of end product, Gordon is better.

As Ed01 said on another thread and I agree, Gordon ain't good enuff for a title chasing team like LFC where teams are going to low block the life outta you with NO space to run into. Gordon doesn't have enuff in his locker to help in this area and simply doesn't have to deal with any of that at Newcastle because seriously, who low blocks Newcastle?

We can defo. do better, IMO.

29 Mar 2026 18:41:52
I think there's a possibility of us going for Fofana and maybe Khepren Thuram in the double pivot with Fofana playing on either flank if we sell Gakpo.

29 Mar 2026 23:07:34
Mad the abuse Macca gets on here.you don't become a bad player overnight.yes hasn't had a great season, criticism is fair but a monkey would be better than him.they used to say we were the best fans in the world.you'll never walk alone.do yourself a favour mate.criticise if you wish but at least make it constructive.

The same fans be up in arms when someone wants to leave and should show some "loyalty".

30 Mar 2026 09:32:10
To be fair, BIOT7, this isn't an overnight thing, Macca was poor last year and a passenger. It's become even worse this year.

30 Mar 2026 12:31:40
BIOT7, I love Macca as a player and footballer and I was happy we signed him. However, this season, his lack of athleticism (which was a feature last season, even tho he finished strong) has come to the fore a lot more this season esp.

in a PL where hard running and athleticism are the norm.

That is why he has been poor and struggled thru out the season, hence imo the reason why people think we should cash in.

29 Mar 2026 18:19:05
{Ed's Note - Davey Sulls has posted a new article entitled, My Liverpool Summer Plan: Coach Change and Four Signings

29 Mar 2026 18:29:12
Forgot Harvey Elliott. I would bring him back into the fold. See if he can progress further. No point selling imo after a terrible loan.

29 Mar 2026 18:35:59
Also, thanks a million to the editor.

{Ed033's Note - Thanks, Davey.

29 Mar 2026 19:50:51
Interesting read, Davey.... I don't see Trent coming back, but I would also like to see it.
Also, interesting that you would start Ekitike over Isak.
I agree with Diomande, and I think we ought to sign two fast, direct and young wide forwards who can play either flank. Our attack is blunted and needs pace and runners in behind, which in turn will also get the best out of Wirtz in the 10.



Agree we need a top midfield destroyer for either Szob or Grav to play alongside.

I really rate both Leoni and Jacquet; I would be tempted to sign a cb/rb type, and I too would also use Gomez to cover lb.

29 Mar 2026 20:20:21
For me, I would go.

Midfield
Anderson, Wharton, Gray (if Tottenham go down). Let Jones, Elliot and McAllister leave. Geertruida would also be a very good buy for his versatility.

For wing two of Diomande, Fofana and Akliouchi. We will have both Leoni and Jacquet also. Plus, factor in Isak with a full pre season. Bradley a little later in the season.

29 Mar 2026 20:33:23
I wouldn't think there's a cat in hell's chance of getting both Anderson and Wharton. The more I see of Wharton, the more I'm not convinced. Not sure he's an upgrade on Mac Allister.

29 Mar 2026 20:48:38
Trent can stay as far away as possible, never want to see that PoS back, specially after his latest weasel words. Personally, don't rate Wharton; he’s a slower, less mobile version of Mac Allister without the goal threat. And for someone over 6ft, he has absolutely no physicality. Highlight reel player at best. The occasional Hollywood pass doesn’t make up for everything else that he lacks.

29 Mar 2026 21:02:20
@Vik, Agree about Wharton, he's a cart horse. It's like the 'English tax' on buying players - it's the 'English hype'. ?

29 Mar 2026 21:02:52
As for Elliott, I'm sorry his loan at Villa has gone pear-shaped, but he's got no future with us. Regards to Jones, I wouldn't be sorry to see him go, but I think we're stuck with him.

29 Mar 2026 22:29:48
I'd rather Harvey than Curtis. I don't know, I've never rated Jones, as I find he doesn't even do some of the basics right.

For me, Harvey has higher football IQ and can play decent through balls and score a goal from time to time.

Lightweight and won't offer much defensively, but I don't mind Harvey as an impact sub in the 10 role when Wirtz needs to be subbed.

I say this because I expect Macca to go, and I prefer Szobo in an 8 or double pivot role, which is also what he prefers.

I think Harvey can still improve under the right system, management and players around him. I can't really see Jones improving much more.

29 Mar 2026 23:39:45
Elliott isn't that good a player to make any difference to a LFC first team 11. I don't see any mitigation to have him at the club at all.

30 Mar 2026 08:41:31
I'd still have Elliott over Jones all day.

30 Mar 2026 10:57:19
Why on earth would anyone want that Spanish judas back.his rat brother would also end up costing us extra millions in wages n transfers n also line up his already full pockets.

30 Mar 2026 11:50:50
Well done, well thought, well said, Davey.
Thanks for your insight.

I listen to games more than watch them, for logistical reasons, so I'm generally restricted to Steve Hunter's "observations." ?

30 Mar 2026 12:33:41
WDW, I agree as well. Wharton ain't who we need if we are going for a mobile midfield. He is way too slow, even slower than Elliott.

30 Mar 2026 14:43:24
Viktor, what has TAA been saying lately? ?

29 Mar 2026 05:55:47
Would gladly wait for the City punishment until the summer,
Then a 60 point deduction, two year transfer ban, and a hefty fine of say £40-50m all coming into effect from August 2026.
That's the least we should expect to see in my opinion.

29 Mar 2026 08:33:27
Even if it does happen, City can still appeal it and drag it out for another year or two. Wouldn't expect anything to happen in the immediate future, really.

29 Mar 2026 09:44:35
There's no chance the corrupt league will hit their corrupt mates with a 60 point deduction. Whatever they do get hit with, they'll appeal and get a reduction anyway. I'd be very surprised if it was more than 12 points. It should be a point for every charge, frozen wage bill, transfer ban, and title stripping for all years in question, but of course that would require the league to actually have some integrity.

Whatever happens, I guarantee disappointment for everyone bar City.

29 Mar 2026 12:34:53
Was it a corrupt league last season?

29 Mar 2026 12:35:05
Bloody hell, I think it's time to lower expectations. A few million in fines and a suspended transfer ban is more than likely for City. Then, hopefully, this farce of a court case can be put to bed.

29 Mar 2026 12:55:05
Everton n Forest got pts deducted because let's face it, they haven't got the money like Citeh Chelsea to fight it. If Chelsea would have got banned or demoted they would have just done what Citeh have done n dragged it through the courts for years, but they'll take the fine with glee n that's all I can see happening to Citeh.

{Ed001's Note - Chelsea were not given points as they self-reported and helped with the investigation. If they had not reported it, no one would ever have known about it. They also turned over everything to the FA and Premier League to go through, while Citeh tried to be obstructive and block access to their files, even though all clubs sign a contract when they join the Premier League which agrees to give free access to the Prem and FA to their books.

It is two totally different cases. Chelsea was all done under Abramovich, while Citeh are being investigated because of what has happened under the current owner. Can people stop spouting ignorant nonsense and whining about it without actually having a bloody clue. It is so tedious reading all the whinging about nothing.}

29 Mar 2026 13:10:20
Could there ever be a suitable and fitting punishment for all their 'alleged misdemeanours', points deduction, transfer ban, fine? All temporary and nothing more than a kick in the shins.
Would they be where they are today, whether or not 'alleged misdemeanours' took place?
Maybe, eventually.


All titles expunged, removed from history, never happened.
Whatever, if any punishment received won't really change anything, a temporary blip on life's pathway.
There can never be anything remotely fitting, but we know!

29 Mar 2026 13:16:31
Chelsea was entirely different from City, so I'm not sure why people keep bringing it up as a comparison. They were the ones who reported the inconsistencies in their accounts themselves after the new owners took over and found out about it.

They could have easily kept quiet about it and the league would likely not have found out about it at all. They also cooperated with the league fully afterwards, so they have a lot of points going in their mitigation.

29 Mar 2026 13:30:24
That may very well be the case, Dracred, but every other club not named Chelsea would have a very good argument for the punishments being harsher. They signed a fair few top players in that period that got them a considerable amount of success and points at the expense of everybody else in the league.

What's to stop any other team doing the same thing and then reporting it themselves a few years down the line? (Granted they would have to sell the team to somebody else before they report it haha).

{Ed001's Note - no they haven't. That is just ignorant nonsense. No other club has a good argument for it being harsher. They might whine like the fans do, but there is no good argument for anything, just petty whining.}

29 Mar 2026 13:41:17
It's gone on too long now. Took about a week to dish out the blues****s punishment. I'd strip them of everything they won in that period and replace the record with cheated. Then have Prem records show no 1st place foul play at hand. Embarrass the whole lot.

29 Mar 2026 13:44:49
What rot, PB.

29 Mar 2026 14:07:59
The Irish Rover!!, I'm assuming you're suggesting the league wasn't corrupt because we won it, which in turn suggests that your idea of corruption is match fixing, referee bias and manipulated VAR decisions. That's a very small-minded view to have. When I'm talking about corruption I mean brown envelopes, back handers, offshore accounts, cooked books, hush money and that sort of thing.

And, answer your question, yes I believe the league was corrupt last year, and every other year. I don't think there's a major organisation under wing of UEFA that isn't corrupt to some extent.

29 Mar 2026 14:19:53
There's no chance the corrupt league will hit their corrupt mates with a 60 point deduction."

Chewy, that suggests to me that you think the PL are just in cahoots with City only? I will wait for any damning evidence against the PL before I go about calling foul.

29 Mar 2026 15:25:41
No, that's not what I'm insinuating I'm making. Suggesting two entities are corrupt doesn't automatically mean that corruption exists solely between the two. I'm afraid you've misunderstood me. I'm simply implying the league is not impervious to corruption, I'm not suggesting they have some sort of uniquely corrupt partnership with City.

Whilst I can appreciate that some, like yourself, would demand concrete proof, personally, I've seen enough corruption in football, and many other sports, to be convinced that no organisation is completely free from foul play of some sort.

29 Mar 2026 15:50:50
My point was not to have a go at Chelsea or even Citeh, it was to have a go at the lilly livered prem league, they done Everton n Forest quickly.but because Chelsea n Citeh are mega bucked with lawyers everywhere, they could fight anything for however long if they wanted, costing the prem league 10s of millions in legal fees.So ED001 since you seem to know all about it, do you think the punishment to Chelsea was adequate because they complied or do you think they should have been let off because it was a different owner group to who owns them now

{Ed001's Note - Chelsea didn't fight it, it took time because there were years of accounts to go through. The punishment was probably about right, they did everything right under the new owners so anything worse would have been very harsh and not encouraged others to come forward in future.}

29 Mar 2026 17:21:27
ED001, Fair play to Chelsea, they done all what was asked of them and still got a big fine, what do you think will or should happen to Citeh.I can't see what everyone is hoping for, only because of how they would fight tooth n nail over every charge and I don't think whoever runs the prem league are up for the fight

{Ed001's Note - they should be stripped of all titles, other than that, I think they deserve at least one relegation.}

29 Mar 2026 18:21:29
Have you all heard of the Mandela Effect. When a large group of people share the same false memory. Like the Monopoly man wearing a monocle when he actually does not. Well, perhaps City are hoping that takes effect, and we all think we remember they have been punished when they actually haven't. The Premier League board will all sit there in a year's time and be happy about how they punished City when actually they forgot to do it, and it's all a false memory.

There is more chance of that happening than an actual substantial punishment ever being brought. It will be a fine that will be paid out of the owners' spare change purse and a suspended transfer ban. If anything at all.

29 Mar 2026 18:33:25
They should definitely be stripped of all those titles they won. But I am not in favour of those titles being handed over to the 2nd placed sides. A bit meaningless those titles would feel honestly.

29 Mar 2026 18:53:16
Cheers for the replies ED001, would the titles go to the 2nd place team or just have no champions on them years

{Ed001's Note - just be stripped.}

29 Mar 2026 21:05:54
Are you saying that Mandela didn't exist, Kim?

30 Mar 2026 07:09:15
Titles stripped and any prize monies 'earned' must be paid back and redistributed to the teams that came runner up. They have to receive some level of transfer ban and hefty fine imo.

{Ed025's Note - any monies should be distributed to grass roots football for me LN..

30 Mar 2026 07:18:18
1) Strip them of the titles, that's a given.
2) Relegate them this season.
3) Ban them from the PL for 4 more seasons.

Sounds about right for me.

30 Mar 2026 08:33:24
The thing with Chelsea is that they are very good at exploiting loopholes (which is fair enough), but they do seem to be one of a very select band who cause the rules to be changed. Clubs can't even sell their hotels or their women's team to themselves anymore.

30 Mar 2026 12:42:22
I'm with Ron. Just strip their titles with an asterisk next to those seasons, and leave that side alone, along with a 3 year transfer ban.

As for relegation, part of me actually wants them to stay up (with a healthy point deduction for each season they were found guilty), so that they can go to every PL away ground with the home fans chanting "Cheats" each time they get the ball and whenever they score a goal.



As for comparing Chelsea with City, people need to go do their research, really.

31 Mar 2026 03:35:18
Where should people research, @Oli? Where did you do your researching, if I may ask?