Text Size Adjuster: 18px 30 Oct 2026 16:42:01 In order to view all of today's banter, you may have to visit our Liverpool banter 2 to Liverpool banter 10 pages linked at the bottom of this page.
30 Oct 2026 15:44:57
The entire debate on no 12 in Madrid is absolutely fair because opinions differ.
But what I have to say because there's alot of naivety is that the player himself. Forget the past or anythingelse. The player now is not the same player many of you think you'll be getting if he returns.
Trent does not have the legs or stamina for andonis game. I watch every barca and Madrid game. I've watched him and bellingham close because they play for England.
Trent is a different player now. He's suffered with Injuries and looks like an overweight R9 when running back. He's not a 21 year old kid anymore and he can't be carried by us.
Araujo is a superior right back to this trent.
2
30 Oct 2026 15:50:50
An overweight R9 was still class mate.
Bring back the days of those mavericks.
On your post though agree. The PL seems to have moved on and away from Trent's game and if anything it would expose his vulnerability's even more.
0
30 Oct 2026 16:01:02
Yup, he's overweight, lost pace, looks gassed with minimal effort, lacks agility, not to mention we're not playing Klopp's system anymore, a system that flattered Trent. No place for him.
1
30 Oct 2026 16:14:51
Btw
I absolutely wouldn't take trent back. He should be a lesson for the club moving forward that should never be repeated. We're lucky we're in a far better financial situation than we were in even under klopp. For a player to leave worth at least 80 million, could have set us back years ago when we need outgoings to supplement incomings. And that was the "local future captain".
Trent and Madrid worked together to benefit both parties. Liverpool lost out.
Yet again trent and Madrid aim to benefit from what would be a weak Liverpool spending a penny on him. He left, he wanted to leave and it's been a disaster for him professionally.
He's going to be turning 29 when he's most likely available.
Carragher seems to one of the media minions his team has spoken to, with his stance on the overlap and putting pressure on Julian ward.
Maybe some fans need to replay trents Madrid press conference when he couldn't stop laughing about when he learnt Spanish. There's a few other things he mentioned at the time which went spoke directly *over the fans. That's not a character I want returning to this special club.
You don't realise this is a special club when you're humiliated by "your dream club".
2
30 Oct 2026 15:54:56
Jk
I'm referring to the retired R9 that loved his food and would look similar to Ed025 😂😂.
1
{Ed025's Note - i will have you know Ron i have lost a bit of weight recently, im wasting away to a bonded warehouse now.. :)
30 Oct 2026 13:51:51
Have not seen Ed01 posting for quite some time now. I hope all is well with him.
1
{Ed001's Note - all's good mate. Thanks for asking.
6
30 Oct 2026 14:40:20
Good to hear from you mate!
Do you know who we are targeting in January? A number 6 should be one for sure in my opinion. I cannot watch Gravenberch stroll around the park like a moose anymore.
0
{Ed001's Note - I don't expect much ,if anything in Jan.
3
30 Oct 2026 15:37:06
As they say"You can't kill a bad thing"RRH 😉.
30 Oct 2026 10:06:11
How it going Ed001, all good in that side of the world?
Re Camara, do you think the thinking will change with Trey being used more often, or the club will pursue anyway in the event Macca or others leave?
And are they similar in your view? I've not seen enough of Camara but liking trey so far.
0
{Ed001's Note - Nyoni provides a HG alternative, which is obviously extremely attractive with the way that squads have to be put together now. It also makes it easier to get another work permit for an up and comer, if needed, having him play regularly. I would think Camara would only be pursued if one of the others (hopefully Gravenberch) leaves. From the little I have seen of him, he is not really the defensive pivot, but the one alongside him, so could easily play with Nyoni.}
8
30 Oct 2026 10:31:59
Camara would be great foil for any of our midfielders in a two. That's the attraction.
1
30 Oct 2026 11:10:25
I remembered asking you about both Grav and Macca few days ago Ed. And you've said you would prefer to sell Macca and keep Grav due to his development potential.
You think his past few performances has been really bad that you would rather sell than keeping him? Plus I think he's on high wages, that could be a factor.
0
{Ed001's Note - I would sell both personally. But yes, his performances are utterly abysmal.
3
30 Oct 2026 12:16:50
Not sure if Macca is playing for a contract. However, as it is, I would rather keep Macca than Grav.
2
30 Oct 2026 14:10:03
Thanks for the review Ed001.
It really is time for us to look at Gravenberch being moved on. It feels like the man just doesn't want to fit in. Mac Allister gets injured, Gravenberch doesn't step up and try to cement his place. Szoboszlai gets injured and once again he's unable to cement his place. And a 19 year old steps up and regularly outshines him (if you go by most opinions). The missed penalty is a clear sign of a lack of confidence; you couldn't mistake the body language before he took it. Whatever it is, it's of his own doing.
0
30 Oct 2026 14:54:14
Grav looks devoid of confidence to me, but seems to have regressed back into the player he was under Klopp. It really does look like a bad move to have awarded him so heavily with the new contract, especially when young Trey is improving nicely.
0
30 Oct 2026 15:03:18
The thing with Ryan is that at this stage he should be performing consistently and everyone knows his best position. He excelled for one season as a 6 and since then doesn't want to play the role or puts in a half ass effort because he wants to bomb forward.
I don't care about any of the central midfielders wants.
Contract or positional. There's major question marks over the 3 of them. Macca doesn't have the legs or mobility and dom needs to improve a lot consistently to be a CM.
I said all summer we needed two midfielders and it seems the club are aiming to put two top midfielders straight in.
1
30 Oct 2026 15:14:08
Camara and Nyoni as a midfield 2 could be an interesting combination.
30 Oct 2026 10:31:27
Nyoni + rio are showing real signs of improving and pushing themselves to be starters, no doubt ai influence.
3
30 Oct 2026 11:21:09
Great review Ed, can't disagree with much of that.
The one I disagreed with was Gakpo being our best forward. I thought in terms of him making the run and looking a threat yes he had quite a few moments but to me he seemed to pick the wrong option everytime he went forward or he just held onto the ball too long.
Whether that was, as you mentioned Isak or others not making the right runs or whether more down to his fitness I'm not sure but I would still say he's way off of what he was loke prior to his injury when he was probably out best player.
Araujo 100% should've been m. o. m for me. We have to get him signed on a permanent 👍🏻
As an aside Ed01, what do you make of the noise around Trent looking for a return. if you had the choice, would you take him back?
2
{Ed001's Note - no he looks well overweight & he barely breaks sweat. He has killed his career.
5
30 Oct 2026 12:10:56
Great read, Ed.
2
{Ed001's Note - thanks Oli.}
2
30 Oct 2026 12:34:31
Such a shame Ed. I imagine he's regretting his decisions big time!
0
{Ed001's Note - he should be.}
3
30 Oct 2026 15:20:17
Ed001 I remember you saying on the page the day we celebrated the league victory at anfield, he'd regret leaving. No one had a magic 8 ball but it couldn't have gone worse for him professionally.
Injuries, no trophies, constant change of managers who don't fancy him and now seemingly a third choice RB.
Trent made abit of a scene at old Trafford when Bradley came on for the last twenty minutes. Slot had to talk to him.
This lads not batting an eyelid on the bench or when he comes on for 2 minutes into extra time in an el clasico. That's why I wouldn't want him back. Imo, Liverpool was a stepping stone for him.
0
{Ed001's Note - he made a big mistake. but he needs to suffer the consequences.
30 Oct 2026 09:37:32
Don't worry Shappy, you will be able to enjoy this season forever once Amazons All or Nothing show comes out :)
2
30 Oct 2026 11:47:18
They're a club in decline.
They should have stuck by Rangnick and let him shape the club. Instead they're stuck in a cycle of hiring and firing managers every few seasons. They're leaderless on and off the pitch.
29 Oct 2026 15:38:11
Did anyone else notice Nyoni giving the ball and pointing out to his senior teammates where to go with it?
I knew the boy was good, but I don't think I was ready for just how good. There are a lot midfielders with vastly more experience that aren't capable of doing that effectively. He was running the game at times.
22
29 Oct 2026 16:02:35
Has always been a top prospect. Has made himself a real option now in that midfield two. Means we probably don't have to do as much business in that position as we thought we might. Young Luca Eden coming through in that position as well.
12
29 Oct 2026 16:57:52
Nottingham Forest (Glasner) had a last minute 30 million bid for Trey rejected on the recent summer transfer deadline day, he is 20 on the 30/06/2027.
YNWA Andoni.
0
29 Oct 2026 17:15:05
I thought that Nyoni had a very comfortable game last night 👏.
1
29 Oct 2026 17:27:28
If I'm being totally honest, I thought we was pretty poor to a man last night.
The quality of both sides was absolutely shocking
Buzzing to be in the quarters though and a little cheeky Christmas Fixture at home, can't beat it, but yeh. We was poor, as were Chelsea. Wins a win though 💪🏻.
6
29 Oct 2026 18:23:35
Does nyoni move ahead of grav in the pecking order?
11
29 Oct 2026 18:41:54
He should be ahead of grav now.
9
29 Oct 2026 18:43:47
"SEVEN" changes from the Brighton game and Andoni still found the way home, against a team who played their strongest available eleven, great win Andoni, no better result in a game of football than to win.
YNWA Andoni.
7
29 Oct 2026 19:28:16
FORNAX - Nyoni is going to need his own Ikea/sprocket set allegory soon.
0
29 Oct 2026 19:40:35
On current form, Trey shades it over Grav for me too. What he lacks in experience compared to Grav, he more than makes up for in mentality, amazingly leadership as noted by the OP, and discipline (from what I have seen in the few matches I have watched on the TV)
4
29 Oct 2026 20:53:40
We've got to get grav back to his best. Trey needs to keep doing what's he's doing, he'll get minutes under Andoni and I'm sure he'll slot in when needed.
4
30 Oct 2026 16:12:30
The kids been playing very well, he's very good at pointing too.
0
{Ed666's Note - in 2 seasons that kid will be beyond reproach
29 Oct 2026 13:20:43
Rio is coming on in spades and works incredibly hard.
Gakpo looked like the gakpo of old last night that we were OK with selling.
Poor touches, not passing when the pass is on and having a stinker.
There's one player that's not performing well now consistently under andoni. That's Ryan. I don't want to mention his wages anymore. The player isn't putting in good performances. I think he's abit lost atm.
He needs a set position and positional discipline to see if the lads going to be anchoring our midfield for years to come.
I think his contract had the aim of channeling that but I'm unconvinced.
Like Kerkez, he, Ryan and a few others have a full season to show if they're the future. Plenty of time to improve and offer more to the team.
Rio and Nyoni impressed me. Soo much. I think for McConnell and koumas, this is a level above them.
12
29 Oct 2026 13:43:39
I agree with everything you said, but would be willing to give McConnell and Koumas the benefit of the doubt. Rio and Nyoni have had considerably more game time than both the aforementioned, and it shows.
I dare say that McConnell and Koumas will fare the same given the same amount of opportunities. Rio, especially, has a season extra under his belt. Koumas is really just starting to feature more now this season.
4
29 Oct 2026 14:24:37
Rio is developing very quickly, he just needs to learn to get his head up and play the ball sooner. There were a couple of opportunities after he beat his man to realise the ball and get us in a dangerous area, only for him to delay and then beat his man again .not a dig as he is doing brilliant just an observation, as still as much to learn but it is clear he is already an elite dribbler, once he gets his decision making and end product consisten he will be lethal.
6
29 Oct 2026 14:27:17
Apart from Lask i'm yet to see Koumas really do anything as a forward be it central or right that doesn't involve running around and closing down. You can't fault the lads energy but he is quite some way off when compared to LFC forwards of yesteryear.
However Iarola seems to like him and my opinion means absolutely nothing to the club, player or team selection.
3
29 Oct 2026 14:55:22
I've no issue with koumas and McConnell getting games this season. I just don't see either making it unless they both take their games up at least 2 levels. It's a big ask.
6
29 Oct 2026 15:19:31
Bang on.
Everything the same as Ron Funky.
0
29 Oct 2026 15:23:15
McConnell is not going to make it at this level every thing he does is half arsed, thought he should have been subbed at half time latest. No effort in closing down same laboured approach when going forward championship player at best I feel for him. He has ability, can use both feet but doesn't produce anything. I don't mind the young players playing to build up value but any more performances like that and we won't be able to give him away.
Koumas I feel could be a useful squad player works hard tries to play the right ball to create chances, just unfortunate on a couple of occasions the ball into Gakpo was just behind him, hopefully once he settles himself down a bit, learn when to press and when to slow himself down he would show a bit more ability and composure on the ball around the box.
I hope when it comes to signing midfield players they bear in mind Nyoni as he certainly has earned his place in the squad and maybe a bit unlucky not to start more games.
He brings a lot more stability to the midfield he has similar traits to gravenberch the way he turns away from players with a bit more thought to an end product.
Rio I think looks to be better playing on the right side, I find he's a bit more unpredictable playing there then on the left. He still needs to work on his end product and maybe when to lay it off look for a one two to healp beat his men then always looking to dribble every time. But very promising signs if he can go on to learn.
Mc Calister is performing a lot better this season not so much dramatics although still has the habbit of going down unnecessary at times. Still think for the balance of the midfield be best to move him on and possible Gravenberch if we do look to bring in 2 new midfielders. Sometimes good players just don't suit a way of playing so best to cash in and reinvest to a more suited style player.
0
29 Oct 2026 15:26:01
Koumas definitely gives a 101% every time he is out there, no doubt about it. But we see the limitations he has in terms of sharpness and accuracy in front of, or near the goal. He has to develop further. And that's fine, he's very young and has time.
I was just thinking that he is currently occupying the place of players like Origi and Minamino that we had in the past. And it becomes clear that there's a big difference between what they were producing, and Koumas.
5
29 Oct 2026 16:34:32
I like Koumas but so far - Neil Mellor type prospect. Will play, will score sometimes - Pool to make 10-20 mill for him some point.
Mcconnell - not for me. But what do I know.
Nyoni and Rio both look 1st team ready, stars in the making.
4
29 Oct 2026 17:28:43
I thought Rio had a poor game last night actually. Gakpo had a better game and is being lambasted for it but in truth Gakpo had much more involvement in the game but both he and Rio made poor choices with the ball.
Both are capable of much better.
Rio is getting a pass in a lot of games because we all hope he's going to improve and bring more end product like he did against Villarreal. Most of the time though he gets into good positions and makes poor decisions just like Gakpo has in the last couple of games.
1
29 Oct 2026 23:15:39
In terms of what Koumas is doing, I'd have to say it's broadly what Iraola wants him to be doing as he keeps on using him.
I don't think Iraola necessarily sees him constantly involved in the last one or two actions of a goal, but (at least how I see it) he is primarily there to unsettle the opponents defence by not giving them a moments rest. In that way he is very good and getting better imo. Possibly because the whole team is becoming better at pressing.
I also think think his link up play is flying slightly under the radar, but there are numerous times I've seen the ball pumped into him and he's made it stick, won his battle with the defender and moved it onto someone else. You need players in forward areas who can do that, even if it's just to allow the team to gain some territory in a controlled way.
2
29 Oct 2026 23:19:21
JK, I agree on Koumas, love the work rate, the pressing can be very effective, but I just don't see a clinical striker there. Hopefully I'm wrong but either way a good squad option.
Arleseyred84, I have to say I've never seen what others do in McConnell, I don't think he's up to par, he looks out of his depth in my opinion, maybe its just that he needs more game time but at the moment I agree, I don't see him competing for a place in a top side like us.
Riosstepover, the difference being that ones long hit his ceiling and the others just a kid capable of improving a hell of a lot more. In Rio's defence, I'm not sure I've ever seen him throw away assists the way I've seen Gakpo do it, he should face criminal charges for some of the passes he never made.
0
30 Oct 2026 06:06:14
It's too early to judge McConnel and Koumas for me. Just let them play big boy's football and see if they develop to the right level. It could take a season or two until we know for sure but kids can only improve by playing and learning.
Kane was written off at a young age and now looks at him.
It's up to them now to prove themselves but let's be honest, Koumas is only playing because of Ekitike's injury and McConnell is far down the midfielder list. However, I'd certainly rather be filling out the squad with good prospects than some cheap, older import without the hope of making it to the right level.
29 Oct 2026 10:42:51
Are the wages on Capology accurate? Honest question. If so go Check out our wages. Holy crap 🤣.
0
29 Oct 2026 11:08:03
Hughes gave out some insane extensions. In terms of the figures, it is worse than what Edwards did in his first stint but at least Hughes hasn't given out big long-term deals to older players like Edwards did. Nevertheless, it is another mess we will have to rectify.
1
29 Oct 2026 11:29:10
I understand that Capology is not very reliable.
1
29 Oct 2026 12:58:50
FPF, I thought that they were reasonably accurate for the ones that have the "verified" green dot, so worthwhile checking, ASB, whether it is a verified or unverified contract they are quoting.
1
29 Oct 2026 21:43:31
The source of truth is the FIFA (or UEFA maybe) that Ed02 had access to.
There are certain criteria required to be allowed yo join the site. I want to say the site's acronym is something like TMS, but it may not be correct - it's a while vaca now - but all club have to register financials for all players.
Anyone else remember Ed02 mentioning the site?
2
30 Oct 2026 09:02:10
Yeah WDW, i remember that now mate, thanks a lot 🙏.
{Ed025's Note - i will have you know Ron i have lost a bit of weight recently, im wasting away to a bonded warehouse now.. :)
{Ed001's Note - all's good mate. Thanks for asking.
{Ed666's Note - in 2 seasons that kid will be beyond reproach