Liverpool Banter 2

21 Jul 2026 08:20:02
Alex Scott just turned down a new contract at Bournemouth. Does anyone know if we’ve been in contact with him or if we are interested? Surely AI would like him or is he too similar to what we have already? He has just promised CJ game time etc.

21 Jul 2026 09:36:12
I'd be very happy for him to be part of the team. Think he only isn't better than Szobo & Grav, feel like he slots into our team very well and for me would be happier with him than with Wharton.

I know both different players, but Alex slots in with no real disruption.

However, can't see us moving for him as you say with CJ seemingly being given another lifeline and Macca most likely staying as well.

21 Jul 2026 09:44:48
Doesn't solve the midfield mix imbalance. In fact, it just adds another of the same skillset.

21 Jul 2026 09:51:33
AI hasn't mentioned anything about CJ getting game time. There were reports in the media that AI has mentioned that CJ is in his plans. If that's true, and again it was a media report, it doesn't mention anything about game time.

There's a lot of 1 + 1 =11 going on.

21 Jul 2026 11:29:22
He's not what we need, as Pelican said. We need some still and athleticism in the engine room cos that is what the PL has become or has returned to.

21 Jul 2026 12:02:28
WDW, stop exaggerating.

1+1 has always been, and will always be 3, not 11.

21 Jul 2026 16:48:12
Nice one @Zed. 🙂

21 Jul 2026 07:36:57
What are FIFA playing at? Report from BBC:
"It was initially reported by FIFA that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic after he pushed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat.

Paredes' red card was removed from the record shortly afterwards and FIFA has confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken at the time."

21 Jul 2026 09:09:46
Argentina's behaviour was disgustingly pathetic after the final whistle. People should not let it slide, as we have for so much that went on during the tournament. I just saw a video of Infantino's reaction after Spain's goal. We know it all starts at the top.

21 Jul 2026 09:19:46
Remember when Van Dijk bodied him into row Z. 😂

21 Jul 2026 09:58:14
Yet again, raw game's world governing body has brought the game into disrepute. There is just way too much money in football. Havelange, Blatter and Infantino - 50 years plus between them in a golden age for money grabbers.

Like I said, let's get the World Cup up to 64 teams with increased representation from the Emirates, along with China and Russia - loads of money.

21 Jul 2026 12:04:53
You can introduce as many teams as you want from whatever cash-rich region, but it won't change the fact that, when it comes down to the business end of the tournament, the vast majority of the teams will be European. FIFA without UEFA is nothing. I'd be ecstatic if UEFA chose to break away.

21 Jul 2026 12:08:48
'Raw' is code for 'the' - No idea how that happened.

21 Jul 2026 11:33:07
Despicable conduct indeed, ArAy1969. But as some have said, FIFA will let this shambolic showing of unsportman-like conduct slide.

As much as Argentina love being the villains, they can be a bunch of whiny, spoiled brats whenever they lose. Can dish it out but can't take it. The main quality of a bully until he gets punched right back in the mouth, something Spain did with honour, class and dignity.

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 16:52:55
Yep, that's right but it does show that we can have as many non-HG players the club wants to buy as long as they kept the numbers registered for the PL or CL as is allowed.

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 19:36:14
I think Abid is pretty hilarious, Ed01.

{Ed001's Note - please don't tell him 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.

21 Jul 2026 19:29:55
Rigsby, that was what the City fans said was happening to him right after he left. That's how I know.

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. ❤️