Liverpool Banter 2

21 Jul 2026 07:19:18
We need to get rid of some of the non-homegrown players in the squad to free up places for new players.
We currently have 16 non-homegrown and are allowed 17.
One place for Barcola maybe.

We need to sell Ramsay, Endo, Chiesa and maybe MacAllister as they all need replacing.
Free up 4 more spaces for the likes of Zbaryni, Rayan, a RB.

21 Jul 2026 09:22:28
Rayan would come under the u21 since he's born after 2005, same as if we signed Diamonde. Only issue would be Barcola, he would take up a space, but Ramsey will not be included. I could see Mac leaving and a midfielder coming in.

21 Jul 2026 09:51:39
I very much doubt Endo, Chiesa and Ramsey not being moved on would be a barrier for bringing in a non-HG player we really wanted.

I wouldn't be surprised to see all 3 leave for first team football.

21 Jul 2026 12:07:49
Whilst I'm all for getting rid of non-hg players who don't really play, there is an alternative - we could just sign some homegrown players.

21 Jul 2026 12:09:06
Important to remember, as I was schooled a few weeks ago, that the U21 rule is different for the EPL and UCL.

For the EPL, they just need to be born on or after 1 Jan 05, so Rio, Leoni, Rayan or Diomande (if they join) and others will qualify for that list and not have to take up a HG or non HG place.



For the UCL, same DoB requirement, but they need to have been eligible to play for your club for 2 years. So, Rayan, Diomande, Leoni etc won't be eligible (nor will Will Wright), but Rio, Nyoni, Danns, Nallo etc will be.

21 Jul 2026 12:09:48
Wasn't Chiesa left out of the CL squad last season?

21 Jul 2026 12:23:45
IIRC, he was for the group stages and then reintroduced for the knockout stages as we had someone LT injured who was originally in the non-HG list.

21 Jul 2026 12:31:07
@WDW, He was - until Leoni picked up his injury and then he took his place in the squad.

21 Jul 2026 06:32:34
“A mongrel who made it to Crufts.”

A superstar footballer with a down to earth attitude.

RIP King Kev, just so sad. 😞

21 Jul 2026 07:26:45
And won best in show too.

21 Jul 2026 07:49:33
Twice VV.

21 Jul 2026 07:57:13
He said when Anfield sang ynwa, he would sometimes cry on the pitch. Very humble man.

21 Jul 2026 05:39:45
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled, Allez Allez Allez - RIP Mighty Mouse}

21 Jul 2026 11:48:43
absolutely brilliant Ed. thank you for that

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate, glad you enjoyed. Shame that 25 and 77 couldn't make it but hopefully next time. It was actually a good laugh making it, just don't tell Abid I said that!}

21 Jul 2026 04:15:19
Ferran Torres, all games for all his clubs. Turned 26 in February of this year.
Rw-152 games
22 goals
23 assists

St-98 games
39 goals
10 assists

Lw-99 games
30 goals
11 assists

Prem experienced and that is great stats. PSG main interest.

21 Jul 2026 07:06:39
Yeah, I think he will be a good signing.

21 Jul 2026 08:21:47
Would be a good signing, but I would be worried that he would miss home like he did at City, unless that's changed now as he's got older.

21 Jul 2026 08:24:51
Would be another versatile forward... Any ideas how much they are asking for him?

21 Jul 2026 09:24:11
Another player who is more productive on the left and the center than he is on the right. But I am not against him: maybe he can shower Isaac with crosses and assists from the right. We shouldn't be looking for a like for like replacement for Salah; that's never happening.



On a side note, I read somewhere that Salah was considering 250K per week (as an offer) from Turkey. No idea if it's true, but if it is, I'd pick up the phone and tell him his place on the right is still there. Avoid all the extortionate rates being quoted for utterly unproven players.

21 Jul 2026 09:30:02
He's considering 250k a week because his signing on fee will be extortionate amounts of money.

21 Jul 2026 09:52:52
Didn't he leave because he was homesick?

21 Jul 2026 11:36:23
What Prem exp. are you talking about, Keegan? The guy didn't settle at City cos he was homesick and was outta there after 18 months. That was 5 years ago, mind you.

Now, apart from that, very good stats indeed, but I doubt he would wanna come back to the PL after the harrowing experience he had the first time around.

I wouldn't hold my breath about him coming back, if I were you.

21 Jul 2026 12:22:07
I'm sure I read an albeit clickbait article about him being available for something like €30m or so as he was entering his final year.

Given his age, he's going to want to be the main man somewhere. I mean, his stock couldn't be higher, having scored the winner in a WC final, and at this age he's going to want the mega contract.

I don't think here is the right place for that. To me, he doesn't cement down any position, really, just join the group rotating across the front 3. He *could* play in the Wirtz role (formerly known as the Coutinho role), but I would still rate Wirtz more highly.

Add to that him not settling in the UK when he was with Man City, and I'm not sure he's right for us.



Munoz is essentially a similar player, albeit younger and far less experienced. Importantly, I'm sure that Munoz's wages are much, much cheaper. I can't see them reported anywhere, but I would imagine, and it's not yet on Capology, but given he was on €28k at Osasuna, I can't imagine he will be on more than the £50-£70k mark. If Torres is looking for £250k+ plus a signing on fee, that would rocket him towards the top of our earnings list, without a guaranteed starting position.

So on balance, I can't see him working for us.

21 Jul 2026 13:32:20
I'm surprised Torres stayed for 18 months if his experience was harrowing.
What makes you think it was harrowing, OliRed?

21 Jul 2026 13:39:09
It's when Man City's training camp was in Harrow, Rigsby.

20 Jul 2026 23:22:17
Beautiful video tribute from the club. Check it out if you haven't already.

21 Jul 2026 09:56:22
Just watched it, he sounds so down to earth talking through it, a true legend.

21 Jul 2026 11:36:43
I'll go check that out. Thanks for the tip.

20 Jul 2026 23:09:32
Would be great to know if the forum thinks we're cheaping out by saying Rio is going to be our new Salah. If we sell Gapko for Barcola, where does this leave us on the wings? We're no better off really?

20 Jul 2026 23:47:05
You seem to have taken an indefinite suggestion, turned it into fact and then questioned it.

This is how the chicken shop boy started.

Bravo.

20 Jul 2026 23:56:07
Wasn't the implication that Barcola is the main target and if Gakpo were sold Rayan would be his replacement?

20 Jul 2026 23:57:30
I'm more perturbed that we don't seem to be looking at right backs, to be honest. Unless Iraola can somehow keep Bradley fit, or get a song out of Frimpong, we're in pretty poor shape in that position.

20 Jul 2026 23:57:41
We don't know if Gakpo is leaving, so no need to panic.

Barcola, Munoz and Rio can rotate LW and RW.

Gakpo can rotate LW and CF.

Add Elliott, Szobo, Koumas, Frimpong, etc., who can do a job on the right in early cup rounds.

It also wouldn't surprise me if, in some games, we saw slight formation changes, like playing two 10s, where Wirtz could be the left 10, like he does for Germany, and Elliott or Szobo on the right.

Iraola is adaptable and tactically sound to be able to do that.

I think we're good if we only sign Barcola. Now if Gakpo goes, then I'd say we need one more.

20 Jul 2026 23:16:51
What did the club say about Danny Ward before they signed Alisson?

21 Jul 2026 00:11:28
Rn is not good enough for a first team starter. Nowhere near it. We need a proper rw. Everyone and their dog knows that.

21 Jul 2026 00:50:22
Iraola said in his first interview "we need players" so I'm not worried about the lack of transfers, it will happen.

To say "we're no better off" completely misses the point of getting Iraola as the new manager. Players who have been previously written off will improve under his coaching.

21 Jul 2026 02:46:39
TopAlfie1006, Fifth Element, all of that was Carra's opinion, he wasn't claiming it to be factual info.

21 Jul 2026 04:09:35
Not forgetting, if we sign Torres, he can play across the front three.

21 Jul 2026 06:50:06
Is it guaranteed players written off or in general will improve under Iraola?

Not sure any manager ever has improved 100% of the players they've had.

21 Jul 2026 07:06:33
Iraola's preferred style will suit some, like Kerkez, who will or should improve as a result. Some will develop with coaching and fitness. There'll still be some holes to fill, and injury problems, that's why we need a few more buys. He said so himself.

21 Jul 2026 07:18:39
Of course it's guaranteed, JK23, everyone knows anything written on a rumours forum on the internet can be trusted 100%. 👍

21 Jul 2026 07:40:41
Hahaha good reply, Ron. 🤣

21 Jul 2026 09:57:47
For whatever reason and unfairly, Cody's relationship with the fans has been tarnished. With all that has happened in the last 12 months, he might just feel he and his family want a fresh start somewhere else.

21 Jul 2026 12:25:39
True, FPF, but equally I remember the pelters that Lucas used to get - it would have been so much worse now with the social media epidemic. He managed to turn the fans around. It will be interesting to see whether Cody stays or goes, both from Cody's pov and what AI thinks he can get out of him.

20 Jul 2026 22:33:25
Love the great words and stories about KK! It’s hitting hard with me as he is/was my DA’s fave LFC player and knowing my dad's own health isn’t as good these days, I think this will hurt him and it kills me cause he’s a very hard man who nvr really shows emotions.

I can only think there’s a sting inside him today with this news! I’ll be telling him 25’s story too and it’s Kev in a nutshell!

Rest in peace Kevin Keegan. ❤️

20 Jul 2026 22:02:49
God rest your soul, King Kev.

20 Jul 2026 22:22:32
Always liked KK even though I was too young to see him as a player. Always like his team's style as a manager, especially the Newcastle days. Seemed like a genuinely good guy too, only watched his interview the other day saying how he was the most ordinary man to win the Ballon d'Or, so much humility from what I heard about him and clips I saw he was an absolute baller.



RIP KK!

20 Jul 2026 15:44:31
God bless Kevin Keegan, my football hero. Ed025, if you wouldn't mind sharing your story about him again. I know you've posted it on here before, but it's a great story and I know you named your son after him. Very sad day

{Ed025's Note - yeah Stone it hit me hard this one mate, it was 1976/7 and i was paving in Hawke St near lime St station when Kevin walked past us on his way to get the train to London as England were playing Ireland in the home Championships, one of our lads asked him if he fancied a cup of tea if he had time and he agreed, he came in the caravan and sat down and chatted to us for about 20/25 minutes there were 5 or 6 of us and we were in awe of him, he asked us all about our families and our work and was very down to earth and after finishing his cuppa (with no handle i might add) shook all our hands and wished us well, it was actually a bit surreal mate and a year later when my first child was born i insisted that we called him Kevin, i wanted him to turn out to be a nice guy like his namesake...and fortunately he has..

20 Jul 2026 20:59:56
Just watched some clips of him as I wasn't old enough to see him play live. What a dynamic, hardworking, exciting player. Scored so many different types of goals, and lots of headers for a small player. Seems like great wing play back then to supply him and Toshack. He'll be sorely missed.

20 Jul 2026 21:05:42
What a fantastic story, Billy!

KK was the first footballer I ever supported (a bit after his time with us), so, as a 5-6 year old, I supported Southampton and then Newcastle, all due to Keagan, and I did "love it" when he gave interviews as a manager!

Gone far too soon.

{Ed025's Note - he had a profound effect on me Zed, i could not believe that such a high profile player would sit in a clapped out corpy caravan with a bunch of ordinary guys drinking stewed tea from a mug with no handle mate,one of my greatest memories..

20 Jul 2026 21:16:20
Ah that's a brilliant story, Billy. 😢

{Ed025's Note - one of the highlights of my life Barry, i was just in the right place at the right time mate..

20 Jul 2026 21:26:09
What a player, what a man, what a story.

A sad, sad day. It all happened so quick, the light of heaven to him.

20 Jul 2026 21:01:49
That is a quality story Ed025. Also a great reminder of why Liverpool vs Everton is the best rivalry on the planet. Imagine a Man United fan naming their kid after a Man City player. It just wouldn't happen.

Thank you for sharing that. I wish modern footballers were still that humble.

{Ed025's Note - so do i MK, the memory has stayed with me mate..

20 Jul 2026 21:11:16
That's a lovely memory to have of him, Ed025. And going on to call your son after him, shows the effect he had on you. RIP Kevin Keegan.

{Ed025's Note - he was such a nice down to earth guy Ritchie..

20 Jul 2026 21:19:34
Awesome story, Ed25. Super happy that you and your bros. lived that experience.

{Ed025's Note - yeah Oli right place right time mate..

20 Jul 2026 21:45:41
What's great story Ed shows what a classy man he was dedicated hard waiting but full of humility

{Ed025's Note - absolutely Tim..

20 Jul 2026 21:49:52
You and I, Ed025, have shared our love of King Kev over the years and I was always touched by you naming your son after him. A very sad day.

{Ed025's Note - very sad Rome..

20 Jul 2026 22:05:13
Ah, that's a magic story. And a story of simpler, better times. Really amazing.

So sad. I was too young to watch him play live (started watching properly in 86), but used to watch old VHS vids of him and Tosh.

He always came across as a gentleman.

Brilliant story.

{Ed025's Note - i dont think it would happen these days MLG, a superstar going by himself to an International game by train carrying a grip bag and socialising with a bunch of scallies mate..

20 Jul 2026 21:59:08
Great story ed25

{Ed025's Note - and absolutely true Digger, a great memory mate..

21 Jul 2026 00:18:53
It's a great story and shows the measure of the man. He knew that football had given him a chance, a Yorkshire lad, who without football could have ended up down the pit. Fans are the lifeblood of the game, so KK will have known that he owed a lot to the fans.


A grafter, a champion, an elite player but humble and respected. You can't dislike a man like that.

20 Jul 2026 22:49:36
Brilliant story ed, sounded like a real nice guy.

{Ed025's Note - i only met him for 20 odd minutes RIB but he certainly made an impression on me mate..

20 Jul 2026 23:52:06
Thank you Ed for sharing that again. One of my favorite true stories. Give your son a big hug.

{Ed025's Note - cheers mate..