Liverpool Banter

29 Aug 2026 17:22:45
ED001 can you let me know when the time comes to start to worry? Squad looks fragile and not convinced with Frimpong but admittedly it's early doors right?

{Ed001's Note - it took Slot over a season to ruin the teamIraola needs time to fix it.

29 Aug 2026 18:06:29
There are a few issues at the moment, but both full backs need to step up significantly.

Frimpong is the most obvious concern - his passing generally was poor but his crossing today was abysmal.

29 Aug 2026 18:07:26
Only 2 competitive games, give him a chance.

29 Aug 2026 18:18:23
Edwards and Hughes can take some of that blame as well. The time is now to start worrying, or at the very least alter expectations. Coach needs time, but without the tools he's rowing uphill.

29 Aug 2026 18:24:43
When do we start panicking then?

How about Friday night when Ipswich smash us and the window is shut?. 😂

29 Aug 2026 17:49:37
For everyone moaning it’s two games… We are fine. Munoz played on the left for some reason. Soon as Rio was on we saw what we are going to get this season. Enough talent in the squad.

We will go on a run now 💪 Aa is taking risks but that’s what you all wanted.

Klopp did the same, so relax. If you want a versatile attacking team that gets better and better you get Aa in and build, bring through youth, be smart in the market.

Guess what… That’s happening. Going to be a good season. ⚽️

29 Aug 2026 18:07:07
I agree about it being promising under the new manager. Rio, though, don't be pinning your hopes on him. Munoz has won a pen and scored. Rio has done nothing except 300 step overs. We need productive wingers, not a one trick show pony. Hopefully he can be coached to be more productive.

29 Aug 2026 18:10:46
Is that the AA as in roadside recovery, or are you AI as in the manager?

29 Aug 2026 18:29:07
Indeed, Welsh. OP, who is this "AA" you speak of, exactly?

29 Aug 2026 17:33:11
Let’s not be too harsh, played woefully in 2 games and have 2 points.

This season was never going to be free flowing attacking football and defensive solidity, our outs and lack of transfer business so far has dictated that. To be truthful we’re simply not stacked with world class players anymore.

I do believe we’ll get better under Andoni, the entire squad is playing below par at the moment and I’m convinced he’ll get us ticking as the weeks go on.

If we are to have any hope of a top 4 finish this season, as most of you already know we need at least a full back, right winger and midfielder. Interesting week ahead in the market, chin up gents!!

{Ed666's Note - Irola has asked for two wingers let’s hope gets them. I’ve no doubt he will improve the performances the fella is good at what he does. He need to be backed in the transfer market because he can’t make water into wine.

29 Aug 2026 18:15:18
Ed666 if he didn't ask for a midfielder then I have serious doubts about him. This guy is almost seen as Klopp. Klopp was a great MANAGER.
Klopp needed players over a few years to get us truly competing. Andoni is unproven as a top manager. He's seen as a very good coach. You need to have a bit of Steel about you.

Maybe he has it. I'm giving him the full season before I give any type of judgement.
That squad needed midfielders before Jones went. I'd be very surprised if andoni didn't think we needed some type of defensive midfielder.
We're getting left behind this season if we don't sign a top central midfielder

{Ed666's Note - I agree mate we need a midfielder but let’s not pass judgement until the transfer window shuts. Maybe he has asked for a number of players but the bafoons upstairs aren’t able to perform elementary tasks. As I say let’s wait till the window shuts so we’re not coming from supposition but actuality.

29 Aug 2026 18:34:22
Ecogsi, I agree with your points, but disagree with saying we played woefully. I don't agree at all. Based on the Newcastle game, it was a distinct improvement collectively and in some cases individually.

Cos we didn't win does not remove from my assessment, cos yeah, we didn't win, but guys like Wirtz, Munoz, Rio (when he switched to the left) were very good, esp. Wirtz, who was very good. And who knows what happens if that diabolical excuse of a pen was not given? Those are the margins, man.

Still have a lot of work to do to improve, but I think the staff and players can build on this, imo. I hope we can get Doni his first win as quickly as possible to get him off and running. Cheers, man.

29 Aug 2026 17:24:14
Another disappointing performance, based on the first two games of the season, I think, that the club should have higher priorities than Bradley Barcola.

To be honest Cody Gakpo looks like he has a point to prove and his versatility makes him invaluable to the cause - his experience will also be beneficial. I'm happy enough to see Munoz and Rio splitting time until one earns the spot outright - Victor has the edge so far but form is temporary.

Barcola supposedly has a medical booked for tomorrow and if that's all the business for wingers this window, I'm fine with that. Lewis Koumas will need some playing time as well, even if it's only in the Cup comps.

Isak continues to look like a dud, even with a goal today but goals breed confidence for strikers so that can only help. He, and also Hugo Ekitike don't look to me to be players who will lead the press. Which means we might get to see Koumas and/or Will Wright given a chance to stake a claim.


In midfield the club are at least a player short following Curtis Jones departure. Trey Nyoni will get minutes but there needs to be some sort of physical presence in the mix and whilst it goes against the grain bringing in someone like Granit Xhaka would not be the worst move. His experience would be invaluable.

I don't like McCallister and Wirtz in the team together, but that's maybe just me. Florian has looked better in the two games this season than at any point last year. Despite that he still has a lot to prove, especially if he can't build a relationship with Isak - whilst completely different in stature Isak reminds me of Benteke, who would routinely hide behind defenders and make the wrong runs, rather than find space and people realise his first touch is actually woeful.

Full backs remains a problem, I was genuinely happy when Liverpool signed Kerkez and Frimpong last year but both have been woeful to the point where Tsimikas starting looks like the best option. In fairness there are several quality fullbacks that could be targeted Lewis Hall, Daniel Munoz, Nico Williams, Adrien Truffert, Maxim de Cuyper - Nico makes a lot of sense, always performed well when deputising for Trent and can also play left back if/when Connor Bradley comes back.


The highlight of the season so far has been Jacquet, rightly being eased in to the team but he and Leoni could be an exceptional pairing in a season or two.


The long term replacement for Allison remains a concern because it's not Mamadashvilli. Hopefully Jaros can push the Georgian for the primary back up role but a top class keeper may be a priority next Summer.


So what do I expect to see happen before the window closes

IN: Barcola
OUT: Chiesa, Elliott, Endo (if clubs can be found - probably loan deals)

What would I like to see

IN: Barcola, Granit Xhaka and/or Tyler Morton (should never have let him leave) Nico Williams (again one we should not have let leave) and a LB Truffert or De Cuyper would be ideal

29 Aug 2026 17:49:43
Trey, when he came, looked good and actually played quick passes and saw danger.
Writz was brilliant today, I thought, involved with both goals, unlucky with the offside as well, great finish by him, already looking better. My only issue is rb, and I think Frimpong is not quick enough with the pass as he takes people on, then tries to take too many on and loses it. Though I think Gakpo should have been covering while he was out of position for the first goal, maybe a little harsh but my opinion.



Also I am not having that as a penalty, Delap even made a foul throw that no one seemed to notice, he had one foot off the ground.

A lot better trying to close down quicker and getting forward more. Irola will get us playing awesome, just a bit of patience.

29 Aug 2026 17:54:40
To be fair to Wirtz, forming a relationship with a lifeless statue is hard.

Isak is getting very annoying for me. I have to remind myself he hardly played last season, but regardless, you should be getting more touches on the ball and do something more on the press. Seems the tactic is for Isak to remove himself from the immediate press to go for the furthest man and let others lead.

Takes a lot of work to make that happen. Removing himself when he is the nearest man is quite a skill. He needs to bang 35 goals this season to justify his place on the team. If he keeps playing like a passenger and doesn't score 35 goals, time to get rid.