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21 Jun 2026 12:36:54
Just a question, with Alonso at Chelsea, would anyone one sell Wirtz for 130 million?
0
21 Jun 2026 13:18:45
No thanks.
3
21 Jun 2026 13:26:01
130, Reece James and Estevao and I'd maybe begin to consider.
2
21 Jun 2026 13:46:50 I love Wirtz, but 130mn is crazy money. I would find it hard to turn that down. However, 70mn + Estevao is a deal I would definitely take. Will solve our RW issue too.
1
21 Jun 2026 13:51:50 Yea I'd cash in on him, he is a great player but hasn't shown anything that he is a right fit for us or the Prem. I know we had Slot last season, but even so, I thought we'd see more than a few flashes of what he could be last season. Also, think every man n his dog screaming get Diomonde for 100 mill is another expensive mistake, could be a one season wonder.
21 Jun 2026 12:03:04
I know we are trying to replace Salah but the rising fee for Diomande is beginning to get me a little concerned.
Considering Isak and Wirtz having exactly set the world alight with their big money moves.
Players from Leipzig haven't particularly done so well at Liverpool.
Maybe Szobozlai.
Will spending that kind of money on Diomande be better than going for the likes of Rayan? I know Rayan maybe as expensive, but at least he knows the league and the coach.
I really hope it all works out if we get him.
5
21 Jun 2026 12:26:08
I'd argue Konate had a very positive career overall at Liverpool, Mane came from the Red Bull system too, Minamino also did generally well and deserved more opportunities. Really only Naby was a bust, and he wasn't even an absolute stinker, he still chipped in to our title win. So all in all it's just one RB player who hasn't done well at Liverpool.
2
21 Jun 2026 12:30:37
We can't buy Rayan until January, so what do we do until then? Because Frimpong isn't the answer!
1
21 Jun 2026 13:02:59
What concerns you nigerred, have you been asked to chip in?
0
21 Jun 2026 13:13:15
It doesn't matter about the costs or alternatives. If the club feels like Diomande is the player to replace the Legend himself, then it has to act.
If Rayan was the player they feel could replace him, then I'm sure all the focus would be on him instead.
1
21 Jun 2026 13:21:56
I was, I think, the only person who was a little critical of Diomande after his first game, when everyone kept saying how much he destroyed Hincapie.
His first touch can let him down, and I personally expect it would take him a year to adapt to Premier League because he won't get the space to sprint into like he does in Germany, but there's a lot to like about him.
He doesn't get bullied often, is good with both feet and has an excellent work rate.
I think he can adapt to Premier League and become an excellent player, but he will need time. Going from Germany to Premier League is a very steep learning curve.
21 Jun 2026 11:14:28
Eds/others,
Moving away from Diomande and wingers, any update on midfielders? Nmecha has played v well in the World Cup - seems like the sort of profile we are after. Any interest?
Cheers
0
21 Jun 2026 11:58:20
Nmecha vs Inao was a bloody brilliant midfield battle to watch. It was like old school Keane vs Vieira. A little aggressive tank vs a rangey powerful machine. Some hefty challenges, but no moaning or rolling around, they both just cracked on.
I must say it was my favourite game of the World Cup so far. The talent on display was superb. Singo, Agbadou, Inao, Kessie and Diomande were great. As were Kimmich, Brown, Nmecha, Wirtz and Undav.
21 Jun 2026 10:29:58
Tonali is a top class midfielder. Spurs are bidding for him, he would be someone that would suit Liverpool. He controls the midfield, he allows the flare players to play around him, maybe worth a big bid. Especially if we sell on Macallister and possibly Jones. Rumours swirling about Szob as well. Maybe be worth a bid.
2
21 Jun 2026 10:48:21
He is too slow, Iraoni team thrives on having legs in the midfield to create overloads.
5
21 Jun 2026 11:11:48
Man of Todd, I'm sorry, mate, but if you think Tonali is slow or doesn't have legs, you've not watched him play enough. I thought I'd double check if the stats backed up what my eyes observed, and my belief was quite conclusively supported. He was clocked at over 34km/h last season whilst playing for Italy and also was 3rd in the whole league for distance covered per 90. (Approx 327km in 2500 minutes).
Tonali gets through so much running and is no slouch. Most players in the top 10 top speeds every season are usually clocked at 35-37km/h, so he's not far off that on top of being a monster in terms of km's covered.
Not trying to dig you out, mate, I love your posts normally, but you're wrong about Tonali. He would easily cope with the running and intensity required in any team you could think of.
7
21 Jun 2026 11:15:41
Great player, but I feel like he's too similar to Szoboszlai in terms of type, though Tonali has found his best form playing deeper in the pivot with Bruno playing as more of an 8 in front of him. Maybe he's better defensively, while Szoboszlai offers more going forward.
Szoboszlai is also a much better athlete. Newcastle are looking for 100m pounds, apparently, and he would expect a big pay rise. For that price, it's a resounding no.
2
21 Jun 2026 11:15:49
I might be wrong, but I'm sure the Newcastle midfield 3 covered the most distance over the season of any midfield.
2
21 Jun 2026 11:16:21
Man of Todd is right. We're carrying too many Slow players. We need some speed in this Liverpool squad.
The further away we get from Arne-Ball the better. Inject some excitement back into our football, and more importantly, get Anfield electric again.
4
21 Jun 2026 10:53:29
I haven't watched as much football last season, partly by choice, partly by circumstance
But I recall that Newcastle's midfield has generally been sound and dominate with Tonali and Guimarães, whilst Joelinton added some flair. Thought I recall them being an emotional bunch and a tad prone to bad tempers when things ain't going their way? Or was that Paquetá from West Ham?
Guess I'm entering Ed025 zone in age though his wit and memory seems to be very sound still!
0
{Ed025's Note - dont put money on that SG, im falling to bits mate and cant remember if i have put sugar in my tea half the time, but just like Everton im hanging in there hoping things will improve.. :)
3
21 Jun 2026 11:43:13
Tonali is a great player, but we need a passing profile in midfield. As PB pointed out, he is too close to Szoboszlai in profile. Macca used to be the passer in our midfield but he has dropped off so much, that we need to replace him with someone who can do that. If Wharton was defensively sound he would be the ideal signing. Another option could be to put Wirtz in the midfield, but maybe takes him too far from threatening positions.
On the other hand, I think Gravenberch and Szoboszlai together in the two holding midfielders (as Iraola plays them) might actually surprise us. Szob definitely can pass, even though he is not used in that sense till now, and Grav is elite at breaking the press with a run.
0
{Ed025's Note - Sobigheadedandsly is a good player TKA but Tonali is certainly an upgrade mate, Slobs highlight reel is very good but the rest of his game is not up to much in my humble opinion..
1
21 Jun 2026 11:46:38
Genuinely miffed that we aren't in for him, one of the best midfielders in the league imo.
1
21 Jun 2026 11:47:30
Not disputing that we need more pace and legs LFC8. I'm disputing that Tonali lacks pace and legs! Watch him burn the entire United team in the 94th minute in that clip.
3
21 Jun 2026 12:20:21
Gotta agree with MK here. Tonali is certainly not slow, and is one of the most mobile midfielders in the league. For a player with such a big reputation for his on the ball ability, he's become one of the better midfielders in the league purely because of his off the ball game. He has played so much better as a ball winning, hard running, pressing pest deep in the Newcastle midfield than an 8, and Howe pretty much only plays him in there now. He's become a pretty different player to the 'Pirlo heir' that he came into the league as, credit to Howe for seeing that he could become that player rather than the one he was expected to be.
Sort of like what Klopp did with Wijnaldum.
That being said though, he is not as productive with the ball as his feet as he was expected to be. Maybe that's because of his role, or because others can fill that function in the team, but he is not very productive at all in terms of attacking numbers.
1
21 Jun 2026 12:22:02
Great clip, MK, and congratulations on qualifying as a Newcastle and Utd super fan after watching a clip on YouTube.
You can now venture onto both fan pages and talk down to their other fans.
In all seriousness though, with you on Tonali. Didn't realise he was quick, but knew he covered some hard yards.
1
21 Jun 2026 12:23:23
I'd love us to get Tonali, I just can't see Newcastle letting him leave for anything other than obscene amounts of money.
0
21 Jun 2026 11:35:30
Sugar in your tea Ed?
I was under the impression that you were sweet enough.
0
{Ed025's Note - its sweeteners these days Flash because im Diabetic, trouble is it varies from 0-6 depending on my memory at the time mate.. :)
0
21 Jun 2026 13:02:55
If we bid for Tonali, I'd bet Newcastle won't sell. In fact, I'd bet even he'd put money on it.
0
21 Jun 2026 13:14:24
Tonali is a superb player. I've met him twice back when he was still at Brescia and at the time shared on these boards that he was taking English lessons (though I didn't know he would eventually leave for Newcastle) and that he was receiving personal coaching lessons on reading the game and movement from Roberto Baggio.
If we can get him, then he'd be a good buy in my opinion.
0
21 Jun 2026 13:57:00 I'd love Tonali in our team, he has everything we need, but let's face it, Newcastle wouldn't sell us another big player after we got Isak n Ekitike.
21 Jun 2026 09:31:15
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there today, whether your a red or not, you are all truly awesome for keeping everything together and putting everyone else 1st, that's what dads do without looking for praise or recognition.
So just to remind you all, keep doing what your doing. You are all great men, never forget that even if your not told it that often!!!
21 Jun 2026 09:07:41
I just thought of something that could completely scupper out season. We haven't got a Scottish player on the pitch.
Someone get hold of Hughes quick. We've never won the league without a Scot in the team.
I know we have Ramsey but he needs to be on the pitch then.
5
21 Jun 2026 09:42:54
Which Scotsman would you all take if we could sign one?
Also, isn't there a stat that every Liverpool team to win the league has always had a Scotsman as a regular starter? Or am I talking pure waffle?
0
21 Jun 2026 09:50:21
Scot Macron's.
0
21 Jun 2026 09:56:14
We had Ben. I'd take him back as a squad option. But the only real answer, if you can get over his Mancy past, is McTominay.
3
21 Jun 2026 10:05:04
We defo need a Scot in the team.
2
21 Jun 2026 10:08:07
John McGinn for me.
3
21 Jun 2026 10:26:36
@Taurus, we need options in midfield so McGinn or Billy Gilmour or Hickey as a fullback option.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:30:17
Also, you are correct. Every Liverpool team, from the team of Scots in the 1890s to Souness, Hanson and Dalglish to Robertson, we've always had at least one Scottish player in the team when we've won the league, I believe.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:31:14
I'd rather get Robbo back.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:31:58
Not too many current Scots that stand out that could improve us imo.
What about any one Scottish player from the past who would walk into our team now & improve it?
So close for me between Kenny &
Souness, but given our midfield woes of last season & leadership issues I'll go Souness.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:51:29
We need Dalglish, Souness, Hansen, Yeats. I'd take Gary Mac as well.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:55:24
I did agree.
Apart from Robbo, only McTominay is somewhat near the levels we need, but probably won't be a starter.
McGinn is a good shout, but also think he won't be a starter too.
1
21 Jun 2026 11:02:47
Alex Scott for me.
2
21 Jun 2026 11:12:56
If you had raised this a few years ago, how many would have picked Robertson? Just cos they aren't top level now, doesn't mean they can't be.
0
21 Jun 2026 13:16:11
We have also failed to win the league many many many times with Scottish players in the team, so let's not get too focused on silly stats.
0
21 Jun 2026 13:34:41
I'm with cauli kid
Stretch the narrative and see if Alex Scott would cover off needing a Scot(t) in the team.
21 Jun 2026 09:05:24
Don’t think it’s fair to judge Diomande on one game. I’ve read a lot of ‘based on the game last night he’s not good enough’ type comments.
Surely best judge him on the season he’s just had with Leipzig rather than one game last night. A game by the way in which he created a goal that many in his position wouldn’t have created.
He also kept working and showing. His first 20
minutes were poor but then he showed the character to shrug that off and create a goal.
He can use both feet, is very quick, works hard, seems to have a mane like attitude to life and the game, can create and can score. If we get him I for one would
be very excited to see what he can do.
6
21 Jun 2026 09:19:54
I agree. People are taking a 'short term view' of him. Perhaps they should take another viewpoint, whose name escapes me...
2
21 Jun 2026 09:38:36
Agree, LTV
He is a great kid, still true, though, that we should not be paying close to £100m to secure him.
This is a highly promising kid. Should be no more than an educated £50-60m punt in the hope he develops into something special.
2
21 Jun 2026 09:48:15
In this market, and based on what other players have gone for recently, something like £70m seems right. That isn't going to get him though, so either we sit off and hope none else goes for him or watch as someone like City or Bayern swoop in and pay the extra £10-15m to get the deal done.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:03:44
Diomande is a future great player, but at the moment he is potential and that takes time. It's a very conflicting scenario, we want the best talent but the price is crazy stupid, to be honest I have to keep reminding myself that this is the market now! Look at Gordon to Barca fee, rumoured £85m for Mateus Fernandes, similar fees being thrown about for Scott, Wharton and many more slightly above average players for elite pricing.
Big question is how high is Diomande's potential and can he meet expectations?
0
21 Jun 2026 10:10:09
Market is crazy currently.
Players valued at 70 mill plus, and then Curtis Jones, who on paper has more PL & CL appearances and a PL winners medal (not sure if he also has a CL one), and is valued at 25 mill.
0
21 Jun 2026 10:24:56
Ah that's 100% fair. I haven't seen enough of him to judge, and he did look dangerous and hard working, but definitely some dodgy touches and technique at times. That being said, Salah has had moments like that over the years where he doesn't look like a top class footballer, so I'll reserve judgement until I've seen more, but gave me Nunez vibes last night. I won't lie. Again, he's being judged as a 100m + player now. If he was 30/40mil, absolutely, but for 100 odd mil you'd want someone who can make an instant impact, not just potential.
We can keep splurging that kind of money and not getting it right.
That being said, I'm willing to reserve judgement, and, taking the price out of it, there's enough there to warrant interest, at least.
At least he definitely has pace, but pace isn't a guarantee in the Prem, see Mudryk/Werner types, but hopefully he's more of a hit! Once we sign him, I'll be right behind him anyway.
0
21 Jun 2026 11:28:16
I wouldn't be paying over 100 million for him. No way, I don't care how good he might be one day. He touched the ball 4 times
In the first half, 3 of them bounced off him.
0
21 Jun 2026 12:07:11
Come on, how are folks judging whether he's worth the money or not, watching one game of football for his country in his first major international tournament? If you watched the Ecuador game, would you suggest that he was worth 200m? His overall performance against Germany was mixed, but he also pretty much created Ivory Coast's goal.
Worth noting that he's already the star player for his country at his age, and you have to remember that you're paying for potential as much as current ability. If he continues his upward trajectory, he will be one of the best players in the world.
1
{Ed025's Note - the new Frimpong for me PB..
0
21 Jun 2026 12:27:19
I don't think Diomande is worth any more than we've already offered. We have paid £60 million for Jaquet, another £25 on top of that I'd say ok, but after that we are getting silly again.
21 Jun 2026 08:45:15
I look others in here, am very excited about any new signings we make.
However I feel as though Wirtz will be our best player next season. Seeing him play in this World Cup, I’m reminded that his level is higher than most in this tournament. His movement, his awareness, the passes he sees and the way he plays them, the ability to do things many others can’t and being able to do so in dangerous areas.
If he can stay injury free for the majority of the season, plays under a more front footed manager with some better players around him, I think he’ll fly next season.
4
21 Jun 2026 09:10:55
I think all the players we bought last season will show their quality better in the new system. Hopefully Wirtz/Isak fire. I think they should in the system. Isak if he can stay fit.
Frimpong, Kerkez should be way more suited to this system as full backs.
1
21 Jun 2026 10:46:52
I agree, LTV, that Wirtz is a class act, he can see a little slide through ball etc., but we need the players round him that make the runs for his little slide through balls, that know he will do that and act accordingly.
Hopefully this season it will start to happen.
0
{Ed025's Note - i have to say HH that every time i have seen him he has been very underwhelming mate, he obviously has ability but is physically weak for me ..
1
21 Jun 2026 11:41:31
I get your point ed25 and I'd love to see him become stronger but is he that kind of player? He's a creative force that makes things happen and can do and see what many other can't. I think he will be better suited to a more aggressive ball recovery style.
For example he made 9 ball recoveries last night.
No player can do everything. It's a bit like saying Duncan Ferguson needs to be lighter on his feet
0
{Ed025's Note - he seems a bit weak physically to me LTV, he has ability but he flits in and out of games for me mate and his finishing is worse than that of Thierno Barry, he may come good but up to now has been very wishy washy imo mate..
{Ed025's Note - dont put money on that SG, im falling to bits mate and cant remember if i have put sugar in my tea half the time, but just like Everton im hanging in there hoping things will improve.. :)