Liverpool Banter 3

12 Aug 2026 23:26:56
PSG chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi on Bradley Barcola: "We're working calmly, we don't talk too much, we do. I can't say whether he will leave or not ".

"Today, he is a PSG player. We'll see!", told Canal Plus.

The story from May, confirmed: Barcola is not untouchable. 🔓

It's possible this deal is already done, at least verbally.

13 Aug 2026 01:34:04
So it's 100% still on, clearly.

13 Aug 2026 05:34:49
But, still 100% not completed, obviously!

13 Aug 2026 05:43:50
But it's 100% being worked on....

13 Aug 2026 06:28:08
We are going to end up with a few 4-3s this season if we buy Barcola but don't plump for Sadiki or L. Camara. Just do the f***n business, stc!

13 Aug 2026 08:52:57
That's just not true, LeBoeuf.

The reason the midfield was so open last season was not the lack of a DM, it was the gap between the defence and midfield was way too big because the defence dropped off too early. It really is that simple.

The fact the Slot moved Grav and played a more rotating midfield didn't help, but you could've had Rodri or prime Makelele in there, and they would've been overrun.

The gaps were just too big to cover.

If Iraola manages to get Virgil to hold the line higher and plays Grav in his best position, we have a title winning midfield.

What we need at the moment is pace in the team. Barcola gives us that.

We don't need to be wasting money on DMs we don't need and who are not an improvement on what we already have.

13 Aug 2026 09:01:37
Let's not forget a major issue was our inability to defend set pieces also.

Hope this has been an area looked at during pre season.

12 Aug 2026 22:20:20
Not Liverpool related but that kid playing up front for Villa tonight looks a player, very raw but had PSG's 2 CB's in all kinds of trouble and he eventually got his goal after missing some easy chances. Not bad for a 17yr old in all fairness.

12 Aug 2026 23:52:11
An absolute unit him. How can he be only 17?

12 Aug 2026 23:56:44
He had a hard paper round, FPF.

13 Aug 2026 00:11:47
Plenty of spuds FPF.

13 Aug 2026 00:18:51
Young Lukaku vibes.

13 Aug 2026 07:41:15
Football Manager 26 dream.

13 Aug 2026 08:35:54
We use a mouse to scroll. He uses a lion.

12 Aug 2026 21:57:16
Beraldo and Mayulu coming on instead of Barcola and Mbaye surely is significant.

12 Aug 2026 22:02:10
Ornstein reporting big news for Gunners coming. If they have snatched Barcola from under our noses, Hughes and FSG can just do one.

12 Aug 2026 22:02:45
Was just gonna say the same metal mickey, mate, maybe it's absolutely nothing, but there's no smoke without fire, hopefully, something in it, and Barcola and Mbaye will be LFC players very soon, fingers crossed.

12 Aug 2026 22:08:45
Good to see our PSG boys sitting out their last game before moving to Anfield.

12 Aug 2026 22:18:35
The fact Barcola had a face like thunder and didn't celebrate lifting the trophy speaks for itself. He knows he's on his way out, prob stayed this long to get a Super Cup bonus.

12 Aug 2026 22:24:19
Beraldo for Kvarashelia was a huge tell to be fair. I think he leaves PSG.

But to where?

I still think we get him. But it's not outside the realms of possibility, Arsenal sneak in. Still have us favourites though.

12 Aug 2026 22:31:52
Maybe one of Barcola/Mbaye goes to Arsenal and the other comes to us?

12 Aug 2026 22:32:05
That's why I don't listen to people like Ornstein. If there's some big news, just tell people what it is, rather than being vague to get clicks.

12 Aug 2026 22:36:15
It's dragged on too long now. Already getting ready to sell him to Saudi, me and we ain't even got him yet.

12 Aug 2026 23:11:38
It's only dragged on too long because people are obsessed and want to know the minutiae of every detail of the negotiations, LFC8.

In the good old days, we might hear little bits in the paper about possible transfers, but we'd all just wait for confirmation from the club without being totally OCD about it.

I miss those days.

12 Aug 2026 23:52:15
I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but I'll refresh and check back in a couple of minutes to see what's changed. :)

13 Aug 2026 00:20:55
Me too, RedTed. 🤣

13 Aug 2026 07:18:51
If all the reliable itk posters on this site say we have deal agreed... then I'll trust that.

I can see PSG wanting their business done before they get the 150mil or whatever the price for both players will be. We need wingers, and if we do end up with both, as has been suggested, then we will be a force this season.

All the negativity recently is crazy.

We have a new manager. He needed to see what his options are and what more he needs.

Trust the process. Yes, we would all love 4 players through the door from day 1 to work with, but that's not how things ever go.
Not one single person has seen any of our signings coming until the last minute.

I'm happy this is now the case.

Roll on next week for this new season. It will b a fun ride. I'm thinking of Klopp's first season. Some really exciting stuff coming, maybe some not so fun losses also, as we transition into this new style.

13 Aug 2026 08:48:04
'If all the reliable itk posters on this site say we have deal agreed... then I'll trust that'

'Not one single person has seen any of our signings coming until the last minute'

Which one is it, mate, as they contradict each other?

12 Aug 2026 21:57:10
Barcola never came on for PSG. Now that could mean absolutely nothing, we shall see.

12 Aug 2026 22:07:48
100% Baz, but hopefully it means everything we hope for. Would be great to get Barcola and Mbaye in, and then hopefully some grit, legs and steel in midfield, and I think we won't be in too bad shape. Jones goes, and possibly McAllister too, with one in to replace both. Interesting couple of weeks ahead, mate, can't wait for Sunday week and Newcastle away.

12 Aug 2026 22:11:32
Absolutely Zippy, mate. Come on the Pool. 👍

13 Aug 2026 01:41:27
It was definitely intentional; the deal's on, no doubt.

13 Aug 2026 02:57:21
You know it makes sense, Chewy. 😉

13 Aug 2026 06:01:55
Hasn't he only just returned from his 3 week holiday like the day before the game?

If so, highly doubt he'd get thrown into a game which actually has meaning.

13 Aug 2026 06:25:17
Look up what PSG's president said when asked about Barcola deal Changing, it's most definitely not the type of thing you say when you're planning on keeping a player.

12 Aug 2026 20:52:05
On another note, got to admire Aston Villa’s new away kit. Teams playing ok as well!

Still can’t get my head around our home shirt and shorts colour difference. In fact, not a fan of the shirt anyway but how hard is it to match?

Rant over.

12 Aug 2026 21:09:15
It's not meant to match, that is the colour what it's meant to be, it's the same as our kit in 1989, the dye which is used comes out different shades because the shirt is different material to the shorts.

12 Aug 2026 21:38:41
I think it'd be a bit much having that pattern on the shorts as well as the shirt.

12 Aug 2026 21:56:44
Didn't expect the pattern, just a better tonal match. It looks cheap to me.

12 Aug 2026 22:14:23
It looked daft in 89 too. I can understand paying homage to the shirt, but to purposely miscolour the shorts is laughable.

12 Aug 2026 22:32:17
This time of year, everyone turns into Ralph Lauren!! It's just a t-shirt worn by footballers and children (and BarryinLouth). Who cares?

13 Aug 2026 01:33:00
No, sorry stoneage, your absolutely correct, It's terrible everyone (well 4 people ) entering a comment on the subject that has no bearing on the club either aesthetically or financially should have an opinion on. I think even the Ralph Lauren empire would be impressed though that it retails for about three times the amount their t shirts do. Still never mind.

Ok let's keep it real and on point, what's this I hear about the Barcola bloke in France?

12 Aug 2026 20:13:12.
Done a bit of digging and no one has really reported these as Liverpool targets, but following the same logic as Munoz and Araujo this is who I think could suddenly come into play.

Liverpool seem happy to sit in the background, let other clubs do the negotiating and establish the price, then jump in late if the deal makes sense.

So I’d keep an eye on Said El Mala, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Frattesi, Lewis-Skelly, Bergvall and Camavinga.

El Mala and Fernandez-Pardo are already being pushed by other clubs, Frattesi could move if Inter want Curtis Jones, Bergvall wants more game time at Spurs and Camavinga is the big one if Madrid ever decide to sell.



Lewis-Skelly is interesting too, although I can’t really see the Gooners selling to us unless they’re very confident in the decision.

Not saying we’re in for any of them, just following the same logic that produced two deals almost nobody saw coming.

Loved this site for ages and thought I’d chip in. Peace out. This is not ITK, it’s just logic. I think we are adding just late on.

12 Aug 2026 20:38:30
Frattesi has an agreement with Napoli according to reports.

12 Aug 2026 21:54:03
Any midfielder will like Mac Allister. Think Gravenberch, Szobs and Wirtz are set in stone as the preferred triangle in midfield, barring injuries etc. Shame really, think Mac Allister would shine facing the opponents' goal rather than his own goal as DM. In his very first season under Jurgen he scored 10 PL goals and 2 PL assists in circa 37 PL apps. Out of the three triangle players above, Gravenberch would be the one under the most pressure from Alexis, provided he relishes the challenge of course or fancies pastures new?

Mac Allister's first season PL figures should be the bare minimum from Szobs and Florian as AM's for the new season.

The highest Dominic has posted for PL goals is 6 and 7 PL assists in his last two out of three seasons at the club (forced as a RB never helped his cause last year, though his "Doma-hawk" missiles were lethal).

12 Aug 2026 23:23:58
Bergvall to us doesn't make sense if he wants more game time.

I could see El Mala or Fernandez-Pardo come into play if we miss out on Barcola and Mbaye.

12 Aug 2026 20:10:44
I was born in 1975, so 80s child grew up loving A Question of Sport till Ally McCoist totally destroyed it and every time I watch a match and he does commentary destroys it no matter how good the game is.

12 Aug 2026 20:30:11
I really liked Ally McCoist in Question of Sport tbh but I was born 12 years later.

I actually don't think he's the worst commentator either. Beats Neville or Carragher anyway.

12 Aug 2026 20:42:40
I don't mind Coisty, Grino.
There's no stand out co comms anymore but he's not the worst! Lee Dixon gets that prize!
Best one atm is Keown imo for decent input.

12 Aug 2026 20:55:22
Best years were Emlyn with Bill and then Botham with Bill!

I did enjoy John Parrot and McCoist though, and also Matt and Tuffers!

12 Aug 2026 21:08:10
McCoist is my favourite commentator.

12 Aug 2026 21:29:47
Zedd, also loved the Bill/Emlyn years, Bill being the dour counterpart to giggly Emlyn.

12 Aug 2026 21:41:05
I'm old enough to remember Cliff Morgan & our Enry !!
David Vine in the chair !

12 Aug 2026 21:42:45
Who remembers Emlyn thinking Princess Margaret was a fella on the picture board. 😂

12 Aug 2026 21:43:35
Princess Anne... I've had a few. 🤣

12 Aug 2026 22:10:14
Emelyn thinking Princess Margaret was a bloke. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 And then the fit of the giggles after.

12 Aug 2026 22:30:08
The best bit was when Princess Anne was a guest later in the series!!

"I'm going to the Tower," squeaked Emlyn.

😂😂😂

13 Aug 2026 07:45:21
I must have read that wrong lol, I took it to mean he slays it every time - I like McCoist, think he is great on commentary.

13 Aug 2026 07:54:48
McCoist is a likeable guy, but thinks likes to be liked too much and that's his downfall for me.
Becomes too biased when the underdog is playing in favour of the underdog and his views on big decisions therefore sometimes border on the ridiculous.


His vocabulary is also severely limited, and you almost know which of his stock phrases he's going to use before he uses them.
Surely due a divorce as he must never see his wife as he's seemingly at every game and then on Talk Sport when not commentating.

12 Aug 2026 19:37:45
It’s £110m with add-ons as reported last week.
Liverpool are not prepared to go above that I read too.

12 Aug 2026 19:25:15.
It’ll be interesting to see if Barcola & Mbaye make an appearance from the PSG bench tonight.

Despite all the “it’s done” and “it’s not done” talk, clearly we can all see that it’s not done yet. But that’s why we love the rumours — they keep us all excited! 😂

And to the ITKs who share what they know, us fans are genuinely grateful for the input.

It’s essentially why we’re all here on the rumours page in the first place — to get the snippets, speculation and hopefully a bit of inside info along the way.

That said, I’d still prefer all our business done in the first week so I don’t have to check this page 380 times an hour! 😂