Liverpool Banter 2

11 Aug 2026 08:47:34
On YouTube Josh Williams has done a really good piece on why Liverpool have not replaced Mo Salah yet. He looked into out of the top 30 players who realistically is on the market and out of those select few analysed their stats to see who if any would fit the profile were after.

11 Aug 2026 09:15:49
Yes, mate, watched that. Josh looks into a lot of detail concerning players and gives lots of information that you wouldn't normally see.

11 Aug 2026 09:47:59
It is more than replacing Mo, that playing style doesn't exist at Liverpool now - now we have to develop another way of playing and the players to exploit it to its full potential.

11 Aug 2026 09:55:55
We replaced him last season with Wirtz and Isaak. You cannot find 1 player to match his G/A.

11 Aug 2026 10:08:41
I agree with you there, Fowler. We now have 2 strikers in Isak and, when he is back, Ekitike, who, along with Wirtz and, if we get Barcola, will have a team set up to have goals across the front line from our strikers and wide men delivering the ball compared to under Klopp, where we played wide men as forwards who cut in and scored with Salah & Mane, which I feel is moving towards the norm now.

11 Aug 2026 10:10:37
Well said, Camb and Fowler. From now on anyone who says the words 'replacing Mo' should put a pound in the swear jar.

He's irreplaceable and we just don't play that way anymore.

11 Aug 2026 13:03:16
Fully agree, Camb and Fowler. Trying to replace Salah, the legend, is a fool's errand. The guy is a unicorn in the way he performed for us. No player can replicate that, and the system he thrived in is no more at LFC. We have to get creative, as a result.

Same with Trent and the unique way he was deployed. That player doesn't exist anywhere on this planet with such a unique skill-set in a performing system that brought great success.



We have tried to replace his goals and assists with Eki & Isak, but with Eki still being a long way from getting back, we need a backup 9 to help Isak. This is why I want Gakpo to stay if a backup CF is not being signed.

11 Aug 2026 17:23:57
Agreed. We have our main goalscorer down the centre of the team now, so need providers more than anything down the sides, not the major goalscorer.

11 Aug 2026 08:20:36
I think we should walk away from Barcola, too expensive for what he is, switch to Mbaye.
Bring in Mbaye, Scott or Wharton, Sadiki and Kayode.
Let go Jones, Elliot, MaCallister, Endo.
Keep Koumas an, Gakpo and Chiesa.
Not sure about Mamadasvilli, wish we had kept Kelleher, Roefs of Sunderland would be a good shout.

11 Aug 2026 08:48:33
Hopefully we will sign both M'Baye and Barcola... M'Baye is very raw and cannot be our marquee attacker this summer.

11 Aug 2026 08:57:40
@Old, Why are we switching to M'Baye if we are currently negotiating to get both of them, exactly?

Also, Kelleher wanted to go, and in fact, we had to keep him an extra year, and prolly promised to let him go the season he left.

You can't keep players against their will, man.

11 Aug 2026 08:59:01
I think the same as Todd. I think both are very realistic and very good players that would do well at LFC. @oldseadog, I don't think that it is realistic to sign all these players as well as selling them all. That was last window. This window is very different. To get rid of players like Mac Allister and maybe Jones, who are starting every other week with no lined up replacement, is reckless.

Allison will have one more season, and I think Nyoni replaces Endo. Only question is who replaces Jones? I think keep him for one more season or if selling get Camara.

11 Aug 2026 09:10:25
Barcola is miles ahead in his development. Mbaye is a very talented 18 year old kid who could turn out great, but I like what Barcola could potentially bring, particularly if he irons out those weaknesses in his game, which is possible under Iraola. Personally hoping we get him over the line, and if Mbaye joins also, that's even better for me.

11 Aug 2026 09:36:47
I somewhat agree with the poster. Would rather have both Barcola and Mbaye but putting emphasis on finances, buying Mbaye, Scott and Camara would probably cost as much as Barcola + Mbaye.

Jones -> Scott
Endo -> Camara
Chiesa -> Mbaye

Attackers we would have Isak, Gakpo, Munoz, Ngumoha, Koumas & Mbaye.

Ekitike to follow up midseason. Wirtz & Morisson at AM.

MF we have Szobo, Grava, Macca, Scott, Nyoni, Bajcetic. Sell Jones, Endo, Elliott and McConnell.

LB - Kerkez & Chambers
RB - Frimpong & Jacquet/Gomez/Bradley
CB - VVD, Araujo, Jacquet, Leoni, Chambers, Gomez

Also sell Tsimikas.

11 Aug 2026 09:43:34
Given that we already have Isak, Wirtz, Munoz, Ngumoha, Gakpo, Ekitike to come back at some point, I would argue that until we have fixed right back, defensive midfield and maybe even central defence, we shouldn't be spending more money on attacking players (although we might assume that if either or both of Mbaye and Barcola come in, Gakpo and Chiesa might leave).

Right back is a massive exposure. Left back was a big problem last season as well, but I'm going to take a leap of faith and assume that Iraola reuniting with Kerkez will get the best out of him again. We desperately need a specialist defensive midfielder. If we could drop prime Fabinho into this team now, it would be a complete game changer.

There must be players of that profile out there. At centre half, I accept that the club have made moves to strengthen but the reality is that with Konate leaving, Gomez as likely as ever to miss half the matches (and not really good enough anyway if we're honest), I think we're still short of absolute top tier quality in that position... we can't ignore the fact that Van Dijk is now, at best, a decent Premier League centre half, no longer the one man back four that meant you didn't have to worry too much about who was playing alongside him.

At the moment, I can see that we'll definitely score goals (if Isak is fit more often than not) but I wouldn't be confident that we won't concede more.

11 Aug 2026 10:00:38
If Barcola & Mbaye come in then Gakpo will be off.

11 Aug 2026 10:31:59
Agree, Racey. Can't see Gakpo staying if we buy 2 wingers. At his age, he'll want to be starting week in week out.

11 Aug 2026 11:22:56
On the contrary, we get Mbaye. I don't think we get Rayan.

11 Aug 2026 13:05:44
Raceylfc, or we can make him a backup CF, however, I do agree with you that Gakpo may not want to be a backup CF or LW and wants to play every week. What I want may not be what he wants, so I have to accept that.

11 Aug 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Sunshine supporter FC has posted a new article entitled, Rangers Fans Demand Answers After Another Mess

11 Aug 2026 00:11:33
Seen reports of Fulham and West Ham potentially interested in Endo. Won't be a big fee. I'd keep him for a year as he's out of contract but he does take a non homegrown slot we could use for others.

11 Aug 2026 02:47:54
I guess it depends on what's happening with other players.

Just a personal opinion, but I'd rather sell Macca, Jones and Chiesa before Endo.

Endo offers something we don't have in other players.

11 Aug 2026 05:03:52
Od, keep Endo unless AI thinks Bajectic can offer the same cover. I think he can if given the chance.

11 Aug 2026 06:23:33
I can definitely see the benefit on keeping Endo, but he may also want to move for game time.

Over the last 2 seasons, he's played the equivalent of 4 and a half PL games in minutes and less than 15 games across 4 competitions.



If he's happy to be a bit part player, then great. If he wants more minutes, a move could suit.

Personally, I think he will stay.

11 Aug 2026 06:28:31
Or we could sell him for whatever fee instead of another player running down his contract? He needs to go, as do a plethora of other players that clearly aren't good enough for a team wanting to challenge for the top honours.

11 Aug 2026 06:29:57
Or we could free up a spot for the PL and CL non-home grown quota for a player who might be a genuine starter. Of course, we don't need to sell Endo, we could keep him, but he wouldn't be eligible to play in the PL and CL because of quota limitations.

11 Aug 2026 06:30:44
Sorry, forgot to add, Chiesa could potentially be in the same boat too.

11 Aug 2026 07:22:15
I hope Fede fights for his spot in the team and that AI gives him a chance.

11 Aug 2026 07:54:50
Didn't realise he'd played so little. I'm up for getting in whatever we can for Endo. Love his attitude, but just can't see him playing.

11 Aug 2026 08:30:52
Has not got the big physique, sadly, to play centre half for PL football? Behind when fit, Jacquet, Nyoni, Ajauro? Nyoni is the future for midfield, also not Wataru, been a magnificent servant to the club, loves the club and gives 200% every time he is called upon, also occupies an overseas squad spot?

Though, to be fair, I would rather have him over the Greek as Wataru is very versatile for both full back positions, stand in centre half and his number one preference midfield.

Greek Yoghurt is better than Tsimikas, at least Wataru holds his position during a game.

11 Aug 2026 09:00:52
Endo ain't going to play in the Championship. Fulham? That is a possibility, but it will depend on a lot of things that, frankly, are not even under Endo's control.

He may want to leave and go play somewhere else, however, as someone else already said, it will depend on several other factors.

11 Aug 2026 11:00:06
Endo is 33, he's wasted 2 seasons of his career here. It's time for him to move on and get some game time.

11 Aug 2026 00:07:36
With Jones close to joining Inter, it appears from reports that Elliot is close to moving on, with Leipzig front runners but also Leeds who have a shout. Both need new starts and hopefully we can use that money to bring in a top player.

11 Aug 2026 03:27:33
Elliott has been "close to moving to Leipzig" for years, mate, and nothing has ever come of it. Leipzig seems to be the selected destination for him based on a few flimsy factors i.e. them developing young players that we can then buy back. Leipzig are simply not a club that chases (probably) overpriced, unused Premier League players. He isn't going there.
Off-topic but related - Elliott simply needs to move now.

His career has been derailed by Liverpool playing too nice with Aston Villa and granting that ridiculous appearances-buy clause in the loan deal. But Elliott has been at the club for 7 years now and needs to go and build a career. He has looked worse than ever during preseason, and with a coach who will unreservedly give players a chance.

11 Aug 2026 03:36:55
Didn't Leipzig buy Werner back from Chelsea? If anyone can be classified as an "overpriced, unused Premier League player", I think he can.

11 Aug 2026 04:04:51
Werner was a known quantity to Leipzig having had a successful spell there before his move to Chelsea, and they bought him back at half the price they sold him for. Even then, while Werner wasn't a success at Chelsea, he scored some important goals and showed he had plenty to offer in the right conditions.

Elliott is in a different situation, and would no doubt be overpriced given he has never held down a first-team spot in a top-flight team in his career.

11 Aug 2026 04:08:41
Only other option then, Lowe, is Leeds. Let's hope we don't overvalue him, and get some money in even at £20m.

11 Aug 2026 06:32:04
A year left on his contract? I think £20 million would be fantastic, I have my doubts, tho, but regardless he's another that needs to go.

11 Aug 2026 06:33:36
Leipzig and Leeds are both part of the Red Bull Group, formerly headed up by Jurgen Klopp, who absolutely loves Elliott. It would make perfect sense if he'd advised both clubs to look into signing Elliott, before he took the Germany job.

11 Aug 2026 06:32:57
How do we know the "only other options" is Leeds?

11 Aug 2026 09:02:48
"Elliott has been "close to moving to Leipzig" for years, mate, and nothing has ever come of it."

Was gonna say the same thing, LoweLFC. So to me, I'm gonna have to see that happen at long last before I believe it.

As for Jones, whether he stays or goes, not really bothered anymore.

11 Aug 2026 09:21:21
How can you criticise Villa for not playing Elliott when we don't?
They finished above us in the League and won a trophy last season, and he didn't really feature.
I don't think either club really fancies him, and it's up to him to get his career back on track.

And I think the links between Klopp, Red Bull and Elliott are tenuous at best.

11 Aug 2026 00:01:19.
Hope the midfielder we are looking at is Pablo Barrios. Linked with him before, and apparently he has a £87m buyout, although that has to be paid all at once. Lots of reports of our interest in him late 2025. Another Spanish midfielder linked before was Gavi, but his injury record would be a huge concern.

11 Aug 2026 11:28:41
Barrios' injury history is horrendous.

10 Aug 2026 23:23:35
Just got of the phone to r Jeff. He wants to turn Anfield into an arena for concerts, fights etc. and build a new 100,000-seater in Stanley Park to create an Anfield complex, with hotels, shops, bars, restaurants etc. He's also got a couple of transfers on prime next day delivery.

11 Aug 2026 09:28:42
Unbelievable, Jeff.
Anfield has always been an arena for fights.
I remember West Ham clambering across the Anny Road End, a big Spurs mob charging down one of the streets at the back of the Kemlyn Road, and some Swansea fans announcing that they were on the Kop because getting booted off in the 80s.

11 Aug 2026 09:04:28
You mean like the Kennedy Center? Beware! The Dumpster in the WH may want to put his name on Anfield because clearly, that's all he can think of right now amid the chaos he has caused all over the globe.

10 Aug 2026 21:59:34
Barcola is not happening in my opinion. PSG are pricing him out of a move on purpose and will let him leave on a free in 2 years. He provides cover and rotation and is reliable while the new wingers get used to the system and tempo.

This is why they're insisting on 140m when it's public he doesn't want to stay, has only 2 years.

For me I don't think it matters because I'm not sure he's what we need anyway, regardless of actual quality.



On a different note if we are going down the loan route I happen to know that Mastantuono is available, can play anywhere across the front three but prefers right forward and wants game time.

Perhaps it's a decent stop gap until a better market opportunity arises in the right.

10 Aug 2026 22:18:51
There's too much noise on Barcola for it not to happen in my opinion.

I'm very confident Barcola will be a Liverpool player and I think he's exactly what we need.

Pace, direct running, trickery, goals, assists, he can do it all.

I don't think people understand just how good he is, but you will when you see him in a red shirt.

10 Aug 2026 22:20:50
Once they get Godts over the line, they'll have signed 4 wingers this summer. Keeping Barcola as well would be the type of greed even Todd Boehly would blush at.

10 Aug 2026 22:27:52
Mastantuono has been loaned to Fiorentina, no?

10 Aug 2026 22:36:56
You said Diomande was not going to Real Madrid as he definitely wasn't the type of player they go for. In my opinion, Barcola signs and the volcano sprays fire all the way to the crown jewel of English football and its mythical cathedral.

10 Aug 2026 22:39:14
Oh, and your man Mastantuono signed on loan for Fiorentina 3 days ago.

10 Aug 2026 22:39:39
Have you seen the number of wingers PSG are signing? To me, it is a clear indication that Barcola has been sold.

10 Aug 2026 23:03:27
There was more noise about Diomande signing for Liverpool.

10 Aug 2026 23:16:13
So they're just bringing in Torres, Akliuocher and Godts for the craic then is it?

10 Aug 2026 23:28:40
Walk away. Getting treated like a small club. Eff PSG. PSG dictating, FSG trying to low ball, or STC showing he is out of his depth. Whatever the reason, I'm done with Isak mk2.

11 Aug 2026 01:55:22
To those who correctly pointed out Mastantuono has gone on loan to Fiorentina. I am a little behind, but I knew that info about him weeks ago, so it was still correct.

Re: Diomande - I was wrong about that. It took a lot of people by surprise, because as I've said elsewhere Perez himself was not keen and has given Jose a lot of leeway that coaches normally don't get at Madrid.



The post about Barcola was just my opinion, I think he's a decent player, but he's a left forward and we need a right forward, which is why I said he's not what we need. It wasn't a comment on his ability.

Hopefully that clears things up.


Sometimes even solid info can be wrong, the only time info is 100% in football is when the player has been registered.

11 Aug 2026 02:54:10
I can't see PSG holding on to Barcola. They'll have Doue, Dembele, Kvara, Torres, Akliouche and Godts, who can all play wide.

There's no way they hold on to a player that can land them £100m+ just to have another rotation option.

Barcola either comes to us or goes to Arsenal, but I can't see how he ends up staying in PSG.

11 Aug 2026 06:53:44
That info was about as solid as diarrhoea.

11 Aug 2026 09:09:52
"PSG are pricing him out of a move on purpose and will let him leave on a free in 2 years."


In two years? Are you sure, Nevada? Nah, that will never happen. The kid ain't staying there, sitting behind all those other wingers that are being signed. Neither is Mbaye, which is why both are out the gaff and, ironically, coming to us should things play out the way they look.



So for me, I propose that people just relax, be patient and let the process play out. If you are impatient, that won't change anything within the process cos what will be, will be.

We (LFC) are all in on Barcola, man. Impatience/frustration will change nothing. So why bother? I don't.

10 Aug 2026 20:32:42
Message from Ed001 as follows.

Could you all please stop posting so I can get on and start/finish the articles you are all looking for 😁

End message

10 Aug 2026 21:34:32
More like make another cuppa.

10 Aug 2026 21:34:33
Ed001. Please will you add "BarryinLouth" to the player profiles mate.

{Ed001's Note - how many ways can you say lazy overweight bald clogger? I can reuse it for mine afterwards.

10 Aug 2026 22:03:11
LazyoverweightbaldcloggerinLouth, I think you mean Ed001 😉

{Ed001's Note - sorry Zed, thanks for the correction.}

10 Aug 2026 22:07:37
Please change overweight for cuddly. 😉

{Ed001's Note - noted.}

10 Aug 2026 22:21:39
That's a bit unfair on Barry. He's not overweight, God gave him airbags because he's so precious.

10 Aug 2026 22:28:37
Awh, stop, I'm blushing. 😊

10 Aug 2026 23:25:13
I think you mean Svelt Handsome Interesting Totally Enigmatic BarryinLouth.

If we adopt the same naming convention as the LYFP, he becomes s**** BarryinLouth!

10 Aug 2026 23:57:27
You sound like my wife, RP.

11 Aug 2026 09:10:45
Please, change the overweight to "well-rounded".

11 Aug 2026 10:22:53
Delicately put, Oli.

11 Aug 2026 13:08:30
Anytime, Bazo.