Liverpool Banter 2

04 Sep 2026 09:45:27
Thankfully Endo and Chiesa left out of Champions League squad. Players who don't have the desire to play regularly shouldn't be rewarded by being in competition and match day squads.
Both players gave it a fair shot trying to get a first team spot but haven't been good enough unfortunately. Don't really understand why they didn't push for a move as other teams are interested and I can see both of them getting starting spots in an Italian or German team.

Best of luck to both but to be a successful club we can't hold onto players like these.
Pity Tsimikas wasn't left out as well as the guy just seems to be hanging on so he can leave on a free. Surely has to be moved on in January or even his contract paid out early. Wasn't good enough under Klopp so I can't understand why he's still here.

04 Sep 2026 09:53:58
Endo has recently come back from a big injury, especially for his age. He's Japan's captain, so can't be that bad a player and was trusted by Jurgen. He's got one year left of his deal, so can help when needed. Chiesa, the club should have let go. They had loan deals and even to buy, but only a small fee, so they decided no.

04 Sep 2026 09:56:28
They are both in the squad for the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.

The Champions League just has slightly stricter rules.

04 Sep 2026 09:58:09
Now why would we leave our left back cover out of the squad... Who was it that was going to take the place?

Tsimikas is not running down his contract for a free move, he loves Liverpool and has never wanted to leave.

04 Sep 2026 09:58:40
I wouldn’t say they don’t have the desire, just not good enough. You make it sound as if they are freeloading, which in reality I’m pretty sure they would certainly want to play and be involved. Like I said, just not good enough.

04 Sep 2026 10:51:23
Tsimikas is a good player, ok, he lacks a yard in pace, but his all round play is good, his positional play in attack mode is much better than Kerkez. And he can cross a ball! I don't really get the hate words against him.

In the same way I didn't really get the past rhetoric with Gakpo, much of which I suspect has had him questioning whether he wants to stay at the club.

He is our best chance of scoring a goal these days. It was interesting to see the love for him when there was a chance he might leave and what that would mean to our frontline. Peace!

04 Sep 2026 11:03:39
All 4 not good enough. Why do people accept mediocrity? Every single one of those players you’ve named has had ample opportunities and been found unable to consistently reach the required standard. Ship all 4 in January.

04 Sep 2026 11:50:35
"Players who don't have the desire to play regularly shouldn't be rewarded by being in competition and match day squads.".

Sorry @Mayo, but this is nonsense and potentially character assassination. You may not rate them as players and that's okay but for you to go from there to then, make the above quote is bang out of order.

How many times has Endo played his heart out for LFC to the point of playing the game of his life in that EFL final at Wembley while carrying a knock and bodying Caicedo, all at the same time.

And Chiesa when he has played has always show fight, desire and eagerness to do well despite almost never getting starts. Pathetic.

04 Sep 2026 11:55:09
Oh and Viva Redspana, I fully agree with all you said about Tsimikas.

Oh, and let's not forget that the Gakpo family suffered a huge tragedy, losing their child, which is a more than harrowing experience and one I personally can relate to cos my sister lost her son, as well.

It almost never gets better.

So considering the above, in addition to all the (unwanted) hate he was getting, maybe Cody was thinking of going somewhere else as a life decision for him and his fam, not just about football.

04 Sep 2026 13:36:49
Why keep a left back who is very poor defensively? His crosses are hit and miss so I wouldn’t be keeping him around for that. If Kerkez doesn’t improve this season then serious thought will have to be given to replacing him next summer. I don’t get why some people are happy to keep certain players just to sit on the bench and contribute very little towards the team. They always get chances in cup games and never stand out enough to put them in contention to regularly start in Premier League games.
If the backup player isn’t pushing the starting players week in, week out, then they shouldn’t be in the squad.
Give that game time to younger players to gain experience.

Luke Chambers and Luke Stephenson both should be given more chances, but unfortunately Stephenson was loaned out. I’m looking forward to seeing McConnell getting a chance.
If you did your research @Olired you would have seen Endo was involved in preseason and was told he could find another club along with Chiesa. Andoni must have seen enough of both to let them know they’re not in his future plans.
Gakpo has shown on plenty of occasions his importance to the team. He’s rarely injured and started the season very well. The other 3 have not, so I don’t know why he was mentioned.

04 Sep 2026 09:13:07
Hello Edoo1,
Look time. Please provide a quick review of our new team and new coach for this new season, what with the fact we didn't sign a specialist right wing, or DM or an experienced CB.

{Ed001's Note - I will be doing a review of the transfer window mate. Though you can watch the pod we just did for a quick overview, Mr Leggett kindly provided a time stamp for all the different clubs in the comments, so you can just skip through to the Liverpool bit if you like. Actually I will link it up again now so you can find it easily.}

04 Sep 2026 09:26:28
Araujo?

04 Sep 2026 09:39:09
I just sent in a rather large post on something similar to this Ed001, so I'd be very keen to watch the Podcast you've mentioned and see where we agree/disagree! Pop the link up when you can.

04 Sep 2026 11:56:47
Im a podcast junkie at this point, Ed.

Don't leave me hanging now, mate.

Pop the link in as soon as ready.

Cheers, mate.

04 Sep 2026 08:33:42
Hi ed033, could we have a poll please if you have time?

Will Liverpool's season be successful?

Yes
No idea
No

Many thanks.

{Ed033's Note -


Season poll

04 Sep 2026 09:14:21
I say no because without winning one of the big two this club should never find that successful.
But I do think in a month or so we will pick up more and build on that as the season goes.
Hopefully maybe a couple of incomings and outgoings in January, then a good window next summer, and next season we will compete again.

04 Sep 2026 09:18:26
Depends on what your measure of success is in fairness.

04 Sep 2026 09:23:26
Liverpool will finish third, win the FA Cup and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

04 Sep 2026 09:28:16
I fancy a title push. None of the others really impress me. I think it’s wide open.

04 Sep 2026 09:34:09
I am positive about this season. I think as AI gets his message to the players in training, we will see improvements in the style of football. I believe the squad AI has is better than some doom merchants will have you believe. But as always, injuries can derail a season.

04 Sep 2026 09:43:21
Come Christmas I think we will be ok, but we need Ekitike back or will have to play Cody as striker. Can’t see Isak not being out injured.

04 Sep 2026 11:31:43
Isak will get injured.
Cody wants out and will push again for Jan, but because of Ekitike it will likely be next summer.
Danns is not good enough and made of crisps.
Ekitike won’t recover by Christmas, so I would say it’s likely to be around March or April before he is anywhere near prem ready.
Should have tried for Marmoush. He is wasted at Spurs.

04 Sep 2026 11:58:13
Wow, Shughes. What bee got in your bonnet today?

04 Sep 2026 07:57:48
All Ed's and reds

I agree with the view it's time for us all to get behind the Manager and the team. Like Ed001 I'm chuffed and excited we got AI I really think he's going to be the next LFC great.

I am still fuming with the club though, I want STC replaced with a seriously good DOF that is decisive and won't make us a laughing stock.

I'm fed up with the way we all expected areas of the squad to be strengthened and to be left so short that even (rat boy) Gary Neville makes comment. It's infuriating!

Anyway we have a few months to get sorted now. Get the squad fit, get rid of Hughes, i'd targets for the next 2 windows. Then push on.

Time and again I said on here SLOT Was undoing 10 years of progress made by Klopp. I hope it has stopped. Now the only way is up.


Come on you mighty Reds!

I'll take a 1-0 win tonite.

04 Sep 2026 08:35:14
It's Ipswich. Surely it's more than that, but then again I don't want to sound too ungrateful. A win's a win. I hope BB29 gets some minutes and we keep a clean sheet.

Wishful thinking for that last one tho

04 Sep 2026 08:51:29
Just get the 3 points tonight and get our season going.

04 Sep 2026 08:52:07
Any win away from home is well earned in the PL these days.

04 Sep 2026 09:17:03
Why are we a laughing stock Chrisy? We prioritised wingers this summer and got 2 very good ones in. One of them is arguably the best out and out winger in world football. We wanted another but we missed out and that can happen as we have seen with numerous other clubs.

We finally sorted the CB situation too.

Jacquet and Araujo both look good signings and Leoni is due back soon.

The only other positions people say we need are fullbacks and a DM. We bought 2 fullbacks a year ago was does it really make sense to replace them after the whole team was poor last season and they've struggled in a new system with new players in the first 2 games?

Iraola doesn't play with a DM (as most good coaches don't these days) so it wasn't a priority. We have a midfield who we know can be effective together as they were just over a year ago and we can now give game time to Nyoni who we've all wanted to kick on for the last 2 years.

I think we are in good shape. It could be better but a squad is never really perfect and never really complete. It's the same with all teams.

I think of the title hopefuls, Arsenal have had the worst window. They needed to strengthen their attack and actually weakened it. They were rejected by Vini Jr, Barcola and Alvarez and sold their entire left side. They replaced 2 players with Tzolis who's not a bad player but is certainly no better than what they already had.

Now the window is shut it's game on 💪

04 Sep 2026 09:34:38
Richardsstepover is working hard.

We’ve got a lopsided squad and success will depend on the new coach overperforming while putting square pegs in round holes.

CL qualification is the best we can hope for this season, which is rather embarrassing with 700m spent.

04 Sep 2026 10:04:57
We're not a laughing stock.
And Slot didn't undo the work done by Klopp.
Slot won the League with Klopp's team and he was only there for two seasons.

If anyone is embarrassed by their team qualifying for the CL, then I don't think football, and the tribalism and banter that goes with it, is the sport for you.


You need a thicker skin than that. I often chat, in real life 😂, with fans of our rivals for CL qualification and I don't get embarrassed.
Well, not for a long, long time anyway.

04 Sep 2026 10:41:51
Most successful club in English football history = Laughing stock.

Christ on a bike, tad dramatic, don't ya think?

I dread to think how some of our posters would survive if they supported another team - there are literally millions of fans who would chop an arm off for their team to be where we are right now.

I get people want to see success, but even as good as we've been, we've won the top league 20 times in over 100 years.

It's hard. It doesn't always feel great. It's bloody football; that's why we love it. We will compete, yet we may fall short. That doesn't make us a laughing stock; it makes us just like every other football team on the planet. No team is perfect. No team has a right to succeed.

{Ed025's Note - good post that CH..

04 Sep 2026 11:23:16
Amazing how words trigger people.

We could always say the club, despite being sufficiently resourced and making its best efforts, has failed to increase the probability of winning the major honours. We now all hope that the inexperienced but talented coach will overperform with the tools he has.

This is a tad disappointing for some fans who would like to have seen a concerted effort to make the club a title challenger again given the resources at their disposal.

Does that make you guys feel better?

04 Sep 2026 12:06:55
With you there, @stradarosso. Just get the win cos Iraola and this team needs it badly at this point to boost confidence.

04 Sep 2026 14:28:05
If you think someone disagreeing with you is being triggered, then you might need to try again, Pelican. 😂
It's the interweb, mate. We use words to communicate and we won't always agree.
It's not a big deal though. 😉

04 Sep 2026 06:22:37
I have spent years reading this site from the edges, familiar with the names and voices long before any of them knew mine. Perhaps that is why, having finally stepped out of the shadows and into the conversation, I find myself thinking about what makes a place like this worth returning to.

It is not simply the information. It is the willingness of people to offer something of themselves to the room.

And lately, I have wondered whether we are becoming too careless with that.

There is a strange irony in watching people chase away the very thing they come here to find.

This is, after all, a rumours site. Its value has never been certainty. Certainty arrives with the photograph, the shirt and the lean.

What makes this place different is everything that comes before it. The whispers, the fragments, the people willing to share what they have heard and allow the rest of us a small glimpse behind the curtain.

Some will be right. Some will be wrong. Circumstances change, deals disappear and information ages quickly. That is the nature of a rumour.

Scepticism is healthy. Disagreement is part of any good community. But there is a difference between questioning information and making somebody regret sharing it.

Perhaps we occasionally forget that every post leaves something behind. It can add humour, knowledge, curiosity and conversation, or it can make the room a little less welcoming for the next person who has something worth saying.

A community eventually becomes what it encourages, but also what it drives away.

If the people with something interesting to share decide silence is easier, we may win the argument and lose the very thing that brought us here.

A rumours site without rumours is just another place to argue about football.

Tomorrow though, at kick off, the arguments can wait.

Come on you Reds.

YNWA
RedP

04 Sep 2026 08:54:29
All fair points as long as it’s done in a respectful manner and without either rage baiting or lying simply to get attention as that adds no value at all.

04 Sep 2026 10:10:35
Good post, that, RedP.
I read it in David Attenborough's voice 🙂.
Keep them coming, mate.

{Ed025's Note - love it Rigsby..

04 Sep 2026 12:09:03
Wow, RedPerspective8. Ever thought of running for the U.S. Congress?

You have a gift, my friend.

04 Sep 2026 00:59:44
Ed025
Your a betting man we had some good craic about that last season
I predicted 2-2 first game and 1-1 last week so I'm 1 out of 2
Tonight I'm going 3-2 Liverpool or 2-2 again Wirtz anytime
What's your thoughts, will ya be watching?

{Ed025's Note - i will be watching Hughesy, i have gone for 4-0 for the reds but im yet to decide on the last part of my bet builder mate, it will be either Wirtz or Barcola to assist and over 8 corners in the game..

04 Sep 2026 06:56:08
Liverpool to win 3-1 and Isak to score first goal. 👌

04 Sep 2026 07:48:15
I’d go either way that Rover, we’ve struggled to keep clean sheets so far.

04 Sep 2026 08:55:18
2-1 Liverpool

04 Sep 2026 10:36:11
It’ll be a cricket score as Iraola’s Reds career truly gets started.

04 Sep 2026 08:33:56
Ed25, I just need a win, mate. The score? Not bothered at all at this point.

{Ed025's Note - i think most feel that way Oli, i just like the thrill of putting a bet on the score and pitting my wits against the bookies mate, i have to get rid of my money before i kick the bucket or it will all get left to my Liverpool supporting kids.. :)

04 Sep 2026 09:34:02
You see us keeping a cleen sheet ed? that's surprising. 😅

{Ed025's Note - Ipswich are not up to much ASB and they will go all defensive hoping not to get mullered by the reds mate...but it wont work..

04 Sep 2026 11:39:20
Nice one 025. I’m impressed with the 4-0 scoreline.
Good to hear your kids are the brains of the family like.
I will be honest, I think Barcola won’t start tonight hence why I went with Wirtz.
Was tempted to go Szobo but he could be our RB tonight.

{Ed025's Note - i think Barcola will start myself Hughesy, my scorer prediction would be Isak, Wirtz and Barcola and Jacquet as an outsider mate..

04 Sep 2026 12:10:13
"I have to get rid of my money before I kick the bucket or it will all get left to my Liverpool supporting kids. ".

And we most definitely can't be having that, lol.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely Oli, they will spend it on season tickets, merchandise and trips to Europe mate, you have enough entitled supporters without those 2 adding to it.. :)

04 Sep 2026 03:07:36
Saw Jones debut for Inter via YouTube. Lad looks like a fish in the pond. 30-35mil seems cheap suddenly. Should've sold him for 70mil.

Well, early days. Impressions and new environment. But he does look comfy in the Italian league, much to his strength.

{Ed666's Note - he has a lot of time on the ball which suits his game

04 Sep 2026 05:55:47
He had one year left on his contract, is a bit part player for us, wanted out, and was causing a disturbance in the dressing room and on the pitch. I think it's good enough that we managed to sell him instead of him going out on loan like Ramsay or Elliott actually.

Serie A suits him better since it's much slower and he can take all the time he wants to release the ball.

04 Sep 2026 08:37:58
That is true, Ed666. I think it was time for him to go. Been in the first team for 6 years and simply has not progressed to the level many of us thought he could.

Imagine saying in 2022 that, "If Curtis would release the ball in critical times a lot quicker, he would be so good". And imaging saying that in 2026. That's all you need to know. He had to go, on/off the pitch stuff be damned.

{Ed666's Note - agreed mate on all counts mate

03 Sep 2026 19:36:58
Ed001

Thanks for all your hard work over summer

There is obviously a lot of noise about transfers and the squad at the moment etc, but I'd be interested to hear how you are feeling generally about the season and our chances overall.

I'm still hopeful of a good season - the football should be better than last years at the very least!

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - I am very excited about the season and watching the team develop under Iraola.}

03 Sep 2026 20:10:23
As am I Ed 💪🏻 although it's time to get a win now. Friday night has to be a win.

1 win in the first 3 games isn't too much to expect Isit?

03 Sep 2026 20:41:14
When Klopp first took over as manager in 2015, we drew our first three games and won the fourth, which, funnily enough, was against Bournemouth. When the message is that the team is in transition, this is what to expect. Forget how much players cost us and expectations of how they should or shouldn't perform. Give it time, Reds, and great things will happen.

{Ed025's Note - i think playing Ipswich away tomorrow will be ideal for you FM, i think you will beat them easily and kick start your season mate, confidence will be up and you will progress from there..

03 Sep 2026 21:09:43
Ed001 I'm actually getting a good vibe from Andoni in the same way I felt about Klopp. My only concern is the very short contract he's on

{Ed001's Note - I think he was the best option. I am not worried about the short contract as it means he has to earn a new one.}

03 Sep 2026 21:43:17
Let's face it, the transfer window wasn't great, at the very least we were too indecisive and we could have done with a few more bodies through the door.

Having said that, it doesn't diminish my excitement for the season ahead as I'm looking forward to how Andoni gets the current crop of players playing his brand of football and seeing some of the youngsters given a chance.

03 Sep 2026 22:22:55
Coulred, the 2-year contract was Andoni's idea and he explained it well, so nothing to worry about.

03 Sep 2026 22:08:55
Ed25 coming in with the commentators curse

{Ed025's Note - im not you know Faith..

03 Sep 2026 23:32:27
Lol 25, well, can you stop talking us up cos it's not delivered us a win yet!!

{Ed025's Note -im just warming up Faith, 4-0 to the reds tonight mate...you heard it here first.. :)

04 Sep 2026 00:04:40
Hey @25, whilst we are on the topic of how teams will go this season, I see Everton are on the trail of the free agent Jamie Vardy. My question is - does it count as a football related topic 😀😉

{Ed025's Note - probably not this season WDW, but dont worry about us mate we will be owned by Elon Musk next season and be able too afford as many £100m flops as you lot mate.. :)

04 Sep 2026 09:02:44
IMO it will be a mixed bag the first 10 games. Then we will kick on and see a full on AI team.

03 Sep 2026 18:51:11
Eds 001 what r your thoughts on sboz at right back. Short term fix? Longterm to make space for Wirtz or r we trying to make square pegs fit in round holes.

{Ed001's Note - might be a good place for him to learn a bit about positional discipline and tactical awareness.}

03 Sep 2026 22:10:38
Iraola can build on what Slot started with Jones/Dom last season.
lol.
On a serious note, I’d rather we persist with Frimpong and give him the chance to get better as well as the defense as a unit gets better.

Dom is never playing there long term.

{Ed666's Note - have we got a choice with regards to Frimpong mate? Because Rio & Cody can’t play that position..Slob & Frimpong for me on the right side till January

03 Sep 2026 23:35:51
Triple6 - yeah not really aye although, did you listen to the pre-match presser? Iraola was talking positively about Dom's attitude to do what's needed for the team. Could lend to the idea that Iraola is heading in that direction.

For me, as I've said, I think our issue is connection more than individuals. I don't blame Frimpong for either of the goals we conceded vs Forest. And it'd have been interesting to see the foot race had Frimpong had a 10 yard head start vs Elanga lol

I'd lean towards Dom at RB if it was going to be a long term position change or something for the season.

And the other reason is that it means Macca is likely slotting into the midfield and I'm not sure he is ready for that double pivot role with Grav!

You know what we should do triple6 - as soon as Gomez is fit, we should put him or Araujo at RB and give whoever is at RW real protection.

{Ed666's Note - You make some salient points mate. I’m also just realizing with the addition of Barcola passages of play and the style of our football will improve and mature. I think Wirtz and Barcola on the left will dovetail well create chances and hopefully we’ll win some football matches. Because of this the right side may not be such of an issue so Araujo, Gomez, Gakpo, Frimpong and Slob can do a job there until Bradley gets fit or we reinforce in January whichever comes first. On reflection I’m a lot more confident of our situation than I was at on 11pm Tuesday night (BST). Let’s keep our fingers crossed we can stay within 6 points of the leaders in January and then strengthen in the next transfer window and who knows what happens then? I’m trying to be glass half full

04 Sep 2026 00:43:55
Frimpong on the bench for when we're desperate. Szob and Araujo for me.

04 Sep 2026 03:34:41
Stick Dom at RB for another season and watch him pish for a move next summer.

04 Sep 2026 06:56:12
He’ll be captain next summer.

04 Sep 2026 08:33:22
I'm sorry, but my assessment of the RHS of our team is more withering than the optimistic people here. I enter each season with the hope of competing for and hopefully winning the league and the Champions League. To achieve those goals, the club requires a team and manager who are able to compete with the other big boys who also harbour the same ambition. Any weaknesses in our team will be acutely exploited by the opposition. European managers, Premier League managers, even Carrick, will see the void on our RHS and also in the CM. They will hammer upon it until it gives, which it will, due to the fact that we actually do not have a RB or RW skilled or fit enough to play at this high level. That's a damning indictment on the club. To enter the season without either is leaving the team, manager and supporters starting on the back foot and hoping we can somehow stay in touch with the leaders to try and address these glaring gaps in January 27.

Whatever way you look at it, that's just not good enough for a club of our level. We should always play our best players in their best positions. Sobozolai at RB is out of position, but unfortunately he's now the only player we have capable of playing RB, but at the expense of an already weak midfield. Iraola will improve the team but he's not going to turn water into wine. Anyone who thinks he can solve the problems we have with the players at his disposal is not being realistic whatsoever. We needed 5 top level players. We got 1. We're hopeful but LFC should be more than just hopeful. That's my take on it all anyway and perhaps I'll end up eating my words come next May but I doubt it. Anyway, onwards to Ipswich and victory!! Hopefully.

04 Sep 2026 08:32:24
Strange way of putting in a transfer request chewy.
Is it bladder dependant?

04 Sep 2026 08:45:32
Very good points from both Ed's and several others. The only way you can play Szobo, Macca, Grav and Wirtz in the same team is for Szobo to play RB and tuck into midfield for the overload to help with build up.

Cos with his passing ability from deep, he is the only thing anywhere close to Trent in build up because Frimpong ain't the one to do that. And he has actual end product due to his acurracy at delivery, another thing Frimpong does not possess.

And I agree with Ed666 that with Wirtz and Barcola on that left half space, that could be a gateway into hurting teams. Really exciting times but let us remember that it is going to be a slow burn and things will get

04 Sep 2026 10:28:08
Flash, 🤣 not your typical form of notifying the higher-ups of your wishes, but that's what happens when you're fed up with being played out of position for the best part of 2 seasons.

04 Sep 2026 10:54:29
I think you’re being overly pessimistic there, Shankly.

Munoz did very well on the right and scored a great goal. Cody made a great assist from the right side in the same game.

The more these players play there, the better they will get. We also have to remember that we have played with inverted wide forwards instead of wingers for the last 10 years. We will be playing in a different way moving forward, so Cody and Munoz are actually better suited to the right side than they are the left, being right footed.

We are now asking our wingers to stay wide, get in behind and put balls across the box, so being right footed on the right is more suited to that.

Generally though we have 4 very good wingers who can actually play both sides depending on what we need.



I also expect Frimpong and Kerkez to get better as they get used to the system along with everyone else.

The glaring issue is midfield balance, but I saw improvements in the second half against Forest so there’s no reason to think that won’t improve further. I don’t think it’s just down to the midfield anyway; it’s more the CBs defending on the front foot rather than backing off.

It was noticeable in the second half against Forest: Virgil and Jacquet were pushed right up, so when the ball breaks into midfield (like it did for Newcastle's first goal) they are closer to the play so can engage in the opposition’s half rather than retreating to the edge of their own box.

This is the biggest thing we need to get right in my opinion, and everything else will follow.

04 Sep 2026 13:04:40
Time will tell, Rio. Enjoy the match tonight!