Liverpool Banter 3

05 Jun 2026 20:24:52
Did you see Diomande put Konate on his arse?

06 Jun 2026 02:45:24
That's not difficult though, is it? He spent most of last season on his arse!!!

05 Jun 2026 20:22:51
Bit of a s*** week regarding former players and the c*** that is cancer.
2 Kings and Digger all revealing a diagnosis.

F*** that disease.

05 Jun 2026 20:10:46
A lot of negativity on here regarding Gakpo recently. For me he didn’t regress any more than anyone else this year and was another victim of the system.

To get the best out of him you need to play forward quicker, make sure there is a consistent overlap on his outside and deliver quality balls from the right to the far post for him to attack. We did none of these three things this past season, but at least the first two are guaranteed from Iraola and presumably the third improves with who we bring in.



I’m not saying we can’t upgrade him, and I have question marks about how he’d function off the ball for Iraola, but given all the other priorities and how if we sold him we would need to replace him anyway, I’m happy for him to stay. He’s an integrated squad player and I think he’s far more suited to how we will attack this year.

05 Jun 2026 21:01:14
I think we could see a far better Cody next season.

He is a really good presser. Think he could fit Iraola's style. The slow build up killed him. He is not a tippy tappy player.

06 Jun 2026 00:23:10
I don't understand people cutting down any of the players for their performance this year (except Macca, he'd get a pass to but the play acting is so embarrassing I want him to F off back Santa Rosa and disappear from my life permanently).

All of them suffered from the lack of training and tactics. IMO they all get a pass through at least September and then we can judge.

06 Jun 2026 00:58:31
It's not even moving the ball forward quicker it's winning the ball higher.

Last season we had a mish mash of systems that had the forwards in a half press as in they ran forward but didn't tackle aggressively whilst the defence were sitting deeper and even running backwards.

That left too much space in the middle so the opposition could just pass through us or go long and even if Virgil won the header it would drop into space in front of him for the opposition to pick up.

By the time we could win the ball back we were in our own defensive third so then when we try to go forward we have a whole team in front of us to play through so the passes go sideways to try to go around them and most attacks break down very quickly.

We just need the team as a whole to stay tight and push up, not leaving gaps in midfield to exploit. Then the forwards can engage and the opposition don't have an easy pass so we win the ball higher.

It's not rocket science I find it quite astounding that with all of the resources Slot had he didn't notice it and fix it. If it was Virgil being scared to allow runs in behind him then he should've dropped Virgil and played someone else. Even an academy player can be coached to push up and hold his line. He might not be as good a defender as Virgil but at least it would give the team a base to attack from.

As it was we were always on the back foot and teams were happy to give us possession, knowing that once they win it back we will open up with the attackers pushing up and defenders dropping deep giving them acres of space to get through our midfield and get straight at the back 4. The more the season went on the more obvious it got.

The only thing that got us top 5 is the fact that we have better players than most teams so even though our team structure and tactics were all over the place we still managed to pick up points. Give players like Gakpo, Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak, Szobo a proper team structure and a base to attack from and they will deliver. Give them no structure and flawed tactics and you'll just get moments which is exactly what we got.

06 Jun 2026 10:09:56
I agree with you, WelshXavi. The Gakpo slander would make sense if he was one of the very few that was killing us in games. He wasn't cos the whole team were being stifled by the tactics from Slot, where you are literally not allowed to run on a football pitch. What chance does any player have at that point?

Gakpo has produced for us prior, and the evidence is there to prove it.

People are free to ignore the evidence and just go ham on the brother, but that doesn't remove the fact that the evidence is there. With "Doni" in charge, I think we will see a much improved team, overall. As for Macca, he is simply not athletic enuff to play the Iraola system, and the diving/cheating is just a pile-on which he deserves. I'd sell him.

05 Jun 2026 19:41:45
I genuinely can't get over the amount of people who have already passed judgement on a kid who only just turned 17 at the start of the season. Mind-blowing. He's the most promising young talent we've had in a long, long time.

He's played just over 1,000 mins, which is the equivalent of only 11 games, and we already have people saying "Sell him, he's not good enough." I'm shocked by what I'm reading and bitterly disappointed. I expected better from Liverpool fans.

05 Jun 2026 19:51:24
I know. One of the few glimmers of light from this season. Ridiculous. Total rage baiting.

05 Jun 2026 19:59:09
I see a potentially world class player and I'm absolutely baffled as to how people think differently.

05 Jun 2026 20:08:55
For a 17-year-old, he is great. But the idea that he is Yamal is for the birds. Stepovers, and a cut inside - that is his game so far. Cost us points by not being able to pass nor defend.

Fair enough, as he's a kid - but let's not pretend he is more than that.

05 Jun 2026 20:13:54
Doesn't matter what some people say on here... Liverpool are not daft, there is no way they'd let a very promising 17 year old leave the club... in the next 5 years he could be something really special n his best place he could possibly be is at LFC... win win for everyone.

05 Jun 2026 20:36:39
Won us points as well, though didn't he?

05 Jun 2026 20:44:42
Hypothetically speaking... how much money would it take for us to take Bayern seriously wrt Rio?

05 Jun 2026 20:52:34
Hypothetically, I'm looking at £70m for Rio.

05 Jun 2026 20:54:23
Rio'll be Grande.

05 Jun 2026 20:54:23
How is it rage baiting or trolling? That some don't think he will make it? He has been given the fast track to the first team which shouldn't have happened. I just can't see this superstar chatter.

05 Jun 2026 21:18:11
I don't think anybody has suggested he's Yamal's level. Yamal is out on his own in the same way Messi was. Once in a generation talent, unfair to compare anyone to him.

05 Jun 2026 21:48:51
Why would any club sell their current most promising prospect, madness. He's 17, leave the kid alone and let him develop. If you cannot see potential, you're watching the wrong game.

Sell the kids, if you're happy with that, you should be following Chelsea, not Liverpool.

05 Jun 2026 21:56:40
Probably the same fans that were moaning during the season because he wasn't played more.

05 Jun 2026 22:05:17
The fact he glimmered as well as he did in that derisory Slot set up is testament to his ability, given that every other player, minus Szobo and, to an extent, Hugo, fell off a cliff.

05 Jun 2026 22:49:12
Very good point, Frode.

05 Jun 2026 23:37:45
It's going to be 'one of those days' isn't it? I agree with Frode.

There's a hell of a lot of difference as a young lad coming into a team that is struggling, in terms of tactics, fitness, and morale rather than a team that is playing well and full of confidence.



As Frode said, whilst the lad didn't set the world on fire he showed that he has something about him. He is nowhere near the finished article but he has time on his side and has a coach now who might just be the person to bring out the potential that is there.

05 Jun 2026 23:47:09
Monstersouness, Rio didn't cost us games. Slot did.

05 Jun 2026 17:26:01
What's going on here today? "Fake" Spanish LFC supporters posting Szobo isn't world class, sell Rio, etc. Let's get behind the club we supposedly love this summer and the new manager we just worked hard to get in.

05 Jun 2026 17:42:13
Trolls, opposition fans and sad attention seekers.

05 Jun 2026 19:30:28
Funny thing is that all these are coming out now right after "Doni" got appointed. They are trying to sow division in our fan base, to make it look like we are a sinking ship with guys and Rio, Szobo or Gakpo leaving or putting in a "transfer request", a guy who has about 3 or years left on the new deal he just signed the season we won the title.



Seriously, these guys aren't even smart trolls, however, I see people buying it and panicking cos well, it's what people do.

05 Jun 2026 17:57:02
These posters with players who never were LFC can get bent.

05 Jun 2026 17:21:13
Dear Bayern,

It's been a while since we last spoke. I believe it was last summer when we took Wirtz. Hopefully you're not still too salty about that.

As for Rio Ngumoha, I'd quite like to date Margot Robbie, but unfortunately we don't always get what we want.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Hughes

05 Jun 2026 19:04:07
What did their director say when the rumours were going round about Olise? Something like "We are not interested in making them better next season"?

Copy and paste that straight back to them.

05 Jun 2026 19:31:32
There are gonna be some real slow news days so people had better bucklye up cos the trolls will be out in force.

05 Jun 2026 17:10:08
A lot of stuff coming out about Rio. Ornstein in particular, Bayern are exploring a deal? Please tell me this is some sort of sick joke and we're not actually considering it?

05 Jun 2026 17:19:26
Will swap for Olise. Thanks.

05 Jun 2026 17:24:50
Depends on the offer. I don't think he's as good as folks are making out. He's not on Sterling's level at his age.

Many of our youngsters have received a lot of hype over the years, but flattered to deceive. I'm yet to be convinced he's not another Ibe, Woodburn or Brewster.

05 Jun 2026 17:27:28
Ornstein literally says LFC insist he's not for sale.

05 Jun 2026 18:14:14
Joshua Abe, who is 16 this July, is the next big deal winger as well. Google his videos, very, very talented lad.

05 Jun 2026 19:20:31
Good lord, a lucid post from the secret agent man.
Definitely one to keep an eye on is Abe.
Time will tell.

05 Jun 2026 19:27:00
Exactly what I've been saying, babbity.

05 Jun 2026 19:32:11
Fake news. Nothing to see here, in my view.

05 Jun 2026 17:00:12
Bayern apparently in for Rio.
I’d sell as I think he won’t make it.
He’s not as good as he thinks he is.

05 Jun 2026 17:24:21
Promising young lad, I'd keep him.

05 Jun 2026 17:44:47
"Not as good as he thinks he is"... Are we really gonna bash on a teenager for having confidence? I reckon there's a player there as long as he starts working for the team.

05 Jun 2026 18:00:12
Absolute madness talk. Kid is 17... We all go mad about Slot not utilising youth, then any youth that comes through gets absolutely slated before he's even had a chance.

Serious talent, obviously lots to improve on, but very few players don't at 17... hell, even Ronaldo was a show pony when he signed for United and look how he turned out.

Seriously shocked to see the amount of people slating him now on here too.

Mad thing is the same people are calling for us to re-sign Nunez...

prob after calling for his head not so long ago.

Hopefully just agent talk, but if the kid is getting too big for his boots then that's the only reason I'd consider it, but looks like a real talent, was horrible losing Sterling but I guess that's the challenge when you sign someone from another youth academy, they'll hardly have loyalty to you if they didn't to the club that gave them the chance.

05 Jun 2026 18:55:42
Look, we all have different opinions, I personally don't think Rio will not make it, he's no different to Doak apart from a few more step overs.

05 Jun 2026 19:14:48
He is only 17, give him a chance. It is absolutely normal for him to have flaws. He is a piece of clay, he needs to be pulled up, shaped and refined. It is a process which is in progress.

05 Jun 2026 19:41:12
Look, Fatwallet, that's your opinion, and it's fair. He might not. But he's already shown in the short space of time that he's got far more end product than Doak!

Whether he kicks on is part up to him, and part luck with injuries / growing spurts, etc.



Right or wrong, the kid is 17 and shouldn't be written off already by anyone, imo.

A year on loan to a prem team, where he'll get game time, is what I'd be doing, maybe a Bournemouth type, as European games too.

05 Jun 2026 20:04:22
"Not as good as he thinks he is" seems to imply he has some sort of arrogance issue. Doesn't seem the case to me, clearly has confidence in his own ability and has big dreams as he should. But not seen any signs of an ego. Comes across likeable if anything.

05 Jun 2026 23:20:03
I agree with Fatwallet. Perhaps phrased a bit differently. Just don't see what all the fuss is about him. I remember Owen. He was worth the talk. I remember Fowler. He was worth the talk. I remember Gerrard. He was worth it too. RN is a million miles away from those. There's nothing special there.

A decent player, obviously, to get this far, but the way people are chatting about him, I'd expect to see something extra when he plays. I'd expect to be excited when he receives the ball. I don't get any of that because he's just decent, not special. IMO only.

05 Jun 2026 23:44:02
@Fatwallet, "I personally don't think that Rio will not make it" eh? Welcome to the world of the double negative - make your mind up. It doesn't help your well thought out opinion if you disagree with yourself.

06 Jun 2026 00:04:40
He's literally a kid playing against grown men. Just think back to when you were 17, and imagine yourself playing against top PL defenders who are strong and hack at your legs.

He's far, far from the finished product but what other 17yo do you see keeping up with top opposition?

We talk about Ryan and Diomande as amazing top talent we should spend 70m+ on and how these guys would be ideal for our RW and will light up the world.

Well, Rio is still 2 years younger than them and already showing flashes of what he could be.



You know where Diomande was at 16? He was playing non-pro college football in the US. Rio was playing FA Cup for us.

You know where Diomande was at 17? He was playing 3rd division in Spain for Leganes. Rio is playing 1000 minutes in the Premier League and would have arguably played more under a better coach.

It's all about perspective. Imagine what Rio could be in 2 years time. You're all mad for wanting him gone.

06 Jun 2026 09:15:46
I don't want him gone at all, Greg. I want him to prove himself. A good loan to a good attacking team should provide answers to his abilities.

05 Jun 2026 16:55:24
Dom features in a Red Bull challenge video on YouTube alongside Neymar, Enrick and Rios, Klopp and Thiago also make appearances, bit of laugh :

Pro Footballers Vs Impossible 100 Ball Challenge.