Liverpool Banter 3

31 Aug 2026 19:26:41
Big test for Andoni coming up with 5 games before the international break.

Ipswich- prem 4/9 away
Atletico Madrid- ucl 9/9 home
Fulham- prem 12/9 home
Spurs-cup 16/9 home
Bournemouth- prem 20/9 away

Not much travelling for the middle three games, but ultimately the biggest test for him as he's not faced multiple games and competitions in his career as a manager.

For me it's 9 points in the Prem, a win against Spurs and a draw against Madrid.

31 Aug 2026 20:00:09
For me, it's twelfty points, a telephone table and a fondue maker*.

*4 points, a draw with Sours and a loss to Atleti.

31 Aug 2026 20:22:30
5 wins, for me.

31 Aug 2026 20:25:59
One win in PL, a loss, and a draw. Draw with Atletico and beat Spurs.

31 Aug 2026 21:19:02
I don't see this going according to plan, I'm afraid. Hope I'm wrong.

31 Aug 2026 21:24:38
5 wins seems harder than the lottery right now.

31 Aug 2026 19:21:13
Is that it?

31 Aug 2026 20:00:51
We need a coupla left wing options.

31 Aug 2026 19:09:37
I see FR has said Cody is staying. Personally I'm happy about that, mainly because if Isak gets injured he's cover at CF. Maybe with the decision made he'll up his workrate.

31 Aug 2026 19:56:05
He's awful as a CF, even back during Klopp's tenure.

31 Aug 2026 20:28:41
Looks like City have turned their attention to Everton's Ndiaye.

31 Aug 2026 18:49:57
I cannot believe we haven't signed a midfielder.
On what planet does anyone think this is acceptable? We've let Jones go and we have kids backing up.
Doms being pushed at RB because of how weak we are there but imagine if there's an injury to an already weak midfield and with so many games? I think it's disgraceful.


I couldn't care less about Barcola. We're going to watch many teams overrun and bully our midfield again this season.

31 Aug 2026 19:49:24
Well personally, Ron, I'm excited about seeing Barcola.

31 Aug 2026 19:57:25
I agree on the MF.

31 Aug 2026 20:02:43
Barcola can watch as an opponent runs unchallenged from the halfway line. The Frenchman does a very good exasperated expression.

31 Aug 2026 20:17:43
You couldn't care less about Barcola? What an odd sentiment...

31 Aug 2026 20:18:30
The midfield is like a wet paper bag. One of the worst in the top 10 in the league. This was obvious from last season but the donkey Hughes didn't bother to do anything about it. Still no Salah replacement even though it was known since march he was leaving.Hughes has spunked 700million without fixing any of the glaring issues.

He'll go down as the worst SD in PL history. The football being served up hasn't been seen since the hodgson days

31 Aug 2026 20:43:52
Nyoni replaces Jones and saves us tens of millions in the process.
There have been some good si*nings - the defence looks more solid and the attack with Barcola and Munoz looks good, especially if Gakpo is staying for the time being.



There is work to do in midfield - hopefully the two holding MFs can learn to provide cover for the other if we are attacking.

We will be ok and will get better as the head coach grows into the job.

31 Aug 2026 21:15:39
Dick, pull back on the negativity.

31 Aug 2026 21:26:29
The defence looks better? How many have we conceded already?!

And Nyoni takes up a squad position, and I'm hopeful he steps up. Nice to finally see a midfielder actually sit back and do the job

31 Aug 2026 18:48:19
We could use an update from @Carra if he is able... YNWA.

31 Aug 2026 20:36:24
Or @RobboLFC, give me something about Mid field please!

31 Aug 2026 21:42:20
What do you expect them to say?

31 Aug 2026 18:46:26
£80m offer for Gakpo rejected & Liverpool with talks “over”, apparently.
I’d therefore say that we’ve had no progress trying to get a replacement so Gakpo will have to stay.

Shambolic - I feel sorry for Iraola who must wonder what he’s walked into.

31 Aug 2026 19:37:19
I mean, he has just been given a £100 million winger. He has the 4 wingers he wants. It might not be perfect, but I'm not going to start shedding any tears.

31 Aug 2026 20:06:47
Gakkers on the D as five opponents play tiki Taka in our penalty area because his dad said he should score goals.

31 Aug 2026 18:34:33
What the actual hell!!!!

Camara is right there, right flaming there.

And dare I say Minteh for the future seeing as no doubt Gakpo will probably leave next year anyway.

Just pull the pin and I’m sure that’s 2 solid choices.

31 Aug 2026 19:38:16
You heard the Camara deal with Chelsea collapsed because of agent issues right? Sounds like it might be too complicated.

31 Aug 2026 19:40:51
Gakpo is off to a good start. Could turn out to be an important cog, and is on a long term contract. Situations can change. He might have got irked by Barcola after a poor personal season. If he can find a home in the first team alongside Barcola somewhere, then maybe all sides will be happy.

31 Aug 2026 19:41:22
I agree on Minteh, but maybe it makes more sense to revisit in January. Gakpo is fit now and performing well.

On the midfield, I've said since the start of the summer before a pre-season ball was even kicked that Nyoni is special. Do not sleep on this kid. He's 19 now. City just paid £85m for an 18 year old. Nyoni did well enough in pre-season to earn a chance this season.

I did really want us to sell Macca and sign Minteh Camara though. I cannot deny that. It would've added mobility and a natural ball winner to the crop of midfielders. Regardless of what I wanted, though, the scouts and, apparently, Iraola disagree, seeing as we've made no effort to sign Camara or a player of similar profile.

31 Aug 2026 19:42:12
I don't understand it either.

The pathetic thing is, at December last year, the club decided that they would write off the remainder of the season by sticking with Slot. Now, we're writing off this season by not filling clear gaps in the squad.

We are a few more terrible decisions away from falling back into mediocrity.

31 Aug 2026 19:42:25
Have you thought for one minute that Iraola doesn't want Camara?

31 Aug 2026 19:58:30
If we are still interested in January then a Minteh is still there and fit to play. Also gives Brighton time to find a replacement. I'm glad Gakpo is now staying, as we need him.

I'd have loved Gavi to come in and still hope we do.

I would say he's available, and Barca need the money and don't need to find a replacement. Think we need a body in midfield, as slightly light with Jones and Elliot leaving. Nyoni is one place.

Brughmann.
Guessari.
Barcola.
Munoz.
Jacquet.

31 Aug 2026 20:09:06
Playing with three 10s, no CM, and a right back who sneezes and ends up in row D.

31 Aug 2026 20:38:10
Gavi will be a flop in PL, doesn't have the strength, and stays injured very often. We just need Camarra or Kone at this point and this window will turn out to be a good one.

31 Aug 2026 20:39:20
What's so great about Camara?

Didn't look anything special when I saw him play- I'm not losing any sleep - he might be a good signing, he might be a bad signing.

It's not like Prime Kante is up for sale and we're sleeping on it.

31 Aug 2026 18:22:28
Seems like we're done then! Most reports seem to be indicating Gakpo will stay, Elliott is going and we're shutting up shop for the summer. £200m on 4 talented players all aged 22-27 years old is not too bad I suppose. £250m if we activate to option to buy Araujo.

Departures from 25/26 squad: Konate, Robertson, Jones, Salah

Additions to 26/27 squad: Jacquet, Araujo, Tsimikas, Koumas, Munoz, Barcola

On the face of it, the squad from last season to this season has 1 extra centre back option and 2 extra Forward options. Trade off is 1 less midfield option so that will have to be resolved by giving more minutes to other players already at the club who barely got a chance last season (Nyoni, McConnell, Endo).

We've also secured Brughmans, S.Martinez and N'Guessan for the 27/28 season which is an exciting bonus. We've moaned for years about lack of CB depth and that's resolved (Virgil, Jacquet, Araujo, Leoni, Gomez). We have at least 7 options up top now too which is as much as we've ever had (Barcola, Isak, Ekitike, Munoz, Gakpo, Rio, Chiesa). Overall, I'd say it's a 7/10 window. Iraola will have to earn his money coaching the midfield and the full backs to function better though. That will make of break the season.

31 Aug 2026 19:38:56
Good review MK, really looking forward to the season and excited by what Iraola can do.

31 Aug 2026 19:39:51
Can't argue with any of that.

FBs and a 6 (maybe another st - we'll see), The centre for next summer.

Depending on how the CBs do, maybe a VVD Heir.

Can't have it all (unless you're Chelsea). 😉

31 Aug 2026 19:41:01
Your post makes me feel a bit better, thanks, mate!

31 Aug 2026 19:41:28
There's still another 27 hours to go.

31 Aug 2026 19:43:09
Absolutely shocking window. Just look at how Chelsea backed Alonso. He made the right choice going there. He knew he would be dealing with amateurs at Liverpool.

31 Aug 2026 19:47:12
Tsimi is like a new player.

31 Aug 2026 19:50:27
We need Bradley back quick, and to stay fit then MK. And letting a MF go from an already weak set of MF's compared to our rivals is poor. I like the signings. Don't for a minute think we'll take up the option on Araujo next summer, but he looks like he can provide decent conversion until then.

We didn't do enough. I will be over the moon with 4th.

31 Aug 2026 20:01:57
We also need a massive degree of luck in the hope that our "main" midfielders don't get too many injuries, as exposing McConnell and Endo as any more than bit part players, then we will be in massive trouble. For me, it's no more than 5 out of 10 window, and I'm being extremely generous.

The boss has his work cut out, that's for sure.
My most optimistic outlook is a top 4 this season, and that going to be a struggle, and, considering how difficult I think it's going to be, I actually couldn't care less about the domestic trophies.

31 Aug 2026 20:10:41
I hear we are using those 27 hours negotiating for Yamal. Best of luck, Hughesy!

31 Aug 2026 20:19:26
Happy with the signings but very disappointed we haven't signed a midfielder or right back.

But let's be honest, have a look at the champions starting 11 and bench tonight and that's what's needed to win the league and to stay there.

31 Aug 2026 20:39:43
Definitely makes all of us feel better, hoping for a last minute defensive midfielder to be added, loan would be fine too.

31 Aug 2026 21:52:24
Great post Mk, and let’s not forget the 2 young cbs we signed as well, especially the one who couldn’t get a work permit.
He looked some player in pre-season.
Going forward, the future does look very bright.

31 Aug 2026 18:18:55
If we keep Gakpo and find a decent RB that would do me. It's not everything we need, but it would be workable. Please, please, Richard. I'll put you as our second worst DOF of all time if you pull it off.

31 Aug 2026 19:45:55
I wanted us to sell Frimpong and go for Kounde. But Frimpong seems to have impressed Iraola. He's started both games so far and was a regular at rb throughout pre-season. Let's try supporting the lad now.

Remember back to the day he signed and how proud and buzzing he was to play for the club? Least we can do is support him and hope he can improve under a higher standard of coach.