27 Jul 2025 22:50:40
Have only ever posted if have something tangible or worthwhile sharing.

I mentioned previously that Diaz would be leaving and Liverpool were looking at alternatives.

Rio has impressed not only the coaching staff, but his colleagues in the first XI on tour with his professionalism, willingness to learn from senior pro’s and how humble he is.

On top of this, he has been putting in the hours to strengthen and build muscle to contend at the top level.

He will likely be given the chance to step up as Diaz replacement and back-up for Gakpo.

Only consideration at present is Fofana, but club want to focus on other areas and believe with Rio they have a player as good as or having a higher potential ceiling than Fofana.

Gordon will NOT be happening and only Newcastle player Liverpool want as I mentioned in February as top target is still Isak. Waiting game now.

1.) 27 Jul 2025
27 Jul 2025 23:31:19
I just don't see him, at 16, being given such a role in the first team for the full season. Will be happy if he aces it, but expect nothing more than a few cup run outs and a subs bench here and there.

2.) 28 Jul 2025
27 Jul 2025 23:53:55
Rooney played 33 matches his first season…. not really apples to apples but that number surprised me.

3.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 00:43:54
I think he’ll be more a back up to Gakpo and Ekitike who I’d expect to play more from the left than central if we get Isak through the door.

There hopefully won't be many games when we don’t have Gakpo or Ekitike fit for the left or if Isak is injured we don’t have Gakpo injured at the same time too often.

I’d expect in that case Rio would start no more than 10 games at a push but probably a lot less which I think would be about right for this stage of his development.

I’d leave it to Slot, the coaching staff, the medical department and the sports science guys to make that call. They will know all about his physiology and psychology and will manage his load accordingly.

4.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 00:49:00
I guess though with Isak and ekitike too, it’s not like Rio is going to be playing city away, he will get minutes in cups and off the bench. If Chiesa was staying I’d say the 4 we have, Isak and Rio is great. If chiesa goes, mo on the right, isak middle and Gakpo left is great, with ekitike rotating - is that enough, even if Rio is there? Frimpong could cover rw, but what if Bradley is injured, or needs a rest?

5.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 02:48:28
If you're good enough, your old enough. Sterling, Trent, Elliot, Jones, Bajectic, Gomez are all example of players around 17 stepping straight into the first team and doing well. If the club thinks Rio can perform and we don't need Fofana, then so be it. Personally I would prefer we bought a right sided player anyway. Salah can't play forever.

6.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 06:17:56
Rooney and the likes of Owen are anomalies. I can’t see him getting a big part, just a few cup runs personally.

7.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 06:41:47
Fofana fits the new business modeal, as much as anything - develop good young players, who are bought at relatively low fees and who are on low wages.

For this reason, there is still rom for both.

8.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 06:53:12
Never rated sterling. Had pace but little end product. Don't think he did his career any good with his move. Barely makes an Arsenal squad now.

9.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 07:17:33
Giggs an anomaly as well?
James Milner another.

It doesn’t happen often, of course it doesn’t, but it does happen if they’re good enough. Youth is not a barrier if you can handle it and you’re good enough.

10.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 08:53:23
why can't this young lad be a anomaly aswell?, if the coaches and his peers think yeah he's good enough playing backup to Gakpo is a great role potentially comes on for the last bit of a game or play most of the cup games will help him.

11.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 09:07:26
Sorry just to clarify we may have not been clear.

The club officials aren’t expecting him to start regularly, but play back up for Gakpo. So, when he needs a rest or maybe comes on as a late sub etc. majority of his appearances will come in cup games or late substitutes. Obviously until the season starts no one actually knows about injuries etc, but this is the plan.

Ekitike (and hopefully Isak) will cover the central position. Danns likely to go on loan.

Salah and Frimpong will be on the right side, as Salah rarely misses games let alone minutes it is likely Frimpong will get his minutes in competition with Bradley.

The idea is still to find buyers for Nunez and Chiesa, however Liverpool will not let go on the cheap or below value. If Isak deal can’t be struck, do not be surprised to see Nunez stay.

12.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 10:28:13
Didn’t rate Sterling?

It’s a weird take, he scored and won hatfuls. Ask De Bruyne about him, he said he was his favourite colleague to play with. The agenda against Sterling is very odd. Chris Pajak does a great piece on it.

13.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 11:39:09
If we get Ali 2 in we already have the flexibility and game changers. Wirtz from the left, Gakpo, Rio and Eke. Don't forget the days that Robbo was the assist threat on the left. Kerkez attacking with McAli' sitting behind much like Slobo did with Trent. Grav' holding both sides with VVD and Ibo covering behind. What we will now have is confidence in front of goal. Eke, Isak, Mo and Flo' are all confident goal scorers.
I'll miss Diaz but we have cover.
However, we need serious cover in defence. I think an established CB plus a good young CB is all we need.

14.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 12:00:21
Ability-wise I would have no issue with Rio as backup but the kid is still only 16 and needs time to grow and develop physically. I'd love to see him getting some time off the bench throughout the season but I would worry a little for him if Gakpo picked up an injury and he had to have an extended run in such a physical league. I know it is likely that Ekitike will cover the left side but if we sign Isak I suspect that we will manage his minutes and Ekitike will be needed mainly through the middle.

15.) 28 Jul 2025
28 Jul 2025 14:25:04
I don’t see any reason to fast track Rio now when we know that Salah will be leaving in 2 years time. If we buy Fofana, let him and Rio bed in alongside each other, you’d like to think that one or both will be ready to take Salah’s place. We don’t need to leave ourselves short for the sake of giving Rio opportunities when we know that he is guaranteed them in the future.