Liverpool Banter 4

16 Aug 2026 11:48:54
Watching the game and Elliott has bulked up a lot, some might say to much, looks like he’s playing Sunday league.

16 Aug 2026 12:46:19
We look very good off the ball. But zero quality with the ball.

16 Aug 2026 12:47:04
His Villa stint did him no favours.

The structure of the loan we set up with Villa did him no favours.

He looks absolutely right for a Sunday morning match - just in the wrong side...

16 Aug 2026 13:06:48
I thought we were giving Jan Molby a run out.

16 Aug 2026 13:23:44
Bulked up is a very kind way to say "the only man who actually managed to win a prize on McDonalds Monopoly".

16 Aug 2026 13:34:15
Mo Salah isn't around to tell him to put that slice of bread back.

In all seriousness though, the fitness coaches will have been working with him since he returned. Perhaps he's just built that way?

16 Aug 2026 13:36:12
Yeah, I spotted that a couple weeks ago myself, Fatwallet, it's a sign of a lack of discipline and weak mentality, he's starting to look like prime (rib) Luke Shaw.

16 Aug 2026 13:44:41
I don’t think there was anything wrong with the structure of the loan to Villa. It was a great opportunity for him.

How were we to know how amateurish Villa were going to act?

End of the day, though, if he was good enough they would’ve had no issues playing him all season and triggering the obligation to buy.

They’ve obviously taken a look at him and thought he’s not worth buying, and based on his last 2 or 3 years they are absolutely right.

Love the lad, but he’s nowhere near good enough, I’m afraid.

16 Aug 2026 13:54:43
Agree, Beckers, mate.

But surely they would have been more amateurish though if they played him and ended up paying for a player their manager didn’t want.

They finished above Liverpool and won a European trophy without him. Emery has worked wonders over there and didn’t fam y Elliot.



That’s 3 managers and counting now that don’t see him as a first team PL starter, possibly 4 in a few months.

Ball and hard work is very much in Elliot’s court now. His career is in his hands and the longer he chooses to hang around as a squad player there’s less of that career he might have.

16 Aug 2026 14:05:53
I made the comment weeks ago comparing Ronaldo and Rooney. Ronaldo got everything out of his talent and Rooney could have been one of the all time greats if looked after himself.

Fair play, Elliott hasn't had the best of times, but turning up to preseason like an 80's player questions if he has the discipline and mentality to play for Liverpool.

There is a second opportunity to prove yourself, and I think, personally, he has let himself down and needs to be sold.

{Ed025's Note - lets not put Ronaldo or Rooney in the same sentence as Elliot Janmo, Billy Bunter yes...but not those 2 mate..

16 Aug 2026 14:14:07
Getting fat is called getting bulked up these days or am I missing something? Couldn't run 5 yards that fat lad.
He is rooney without the output.

16 Aug 2026 14:27:14
I agree, JK. The point I was making is that there was nothing wrong with the structure of the loan. I would hope both Villa and LFC agreed to the loan thinking there was a high likelihood of him fulfilling the 10 games and signing for Villa permanently.

If Villa have signed him on loan thinking they didn't want him permanently, then they should never have agreed to the obligation to buy after 10 games.

That's where my amateurish comment stemmed from.

As it is, it looks like Emery just didn't fancy him and so didn't want to sign him permanently and unfortunately that's on Harvey. The opportunity was there for him to move on in his career and he blew it.

16 Aug 2026 14:32:31
I'd say Rooney is one of the all time greats, Janmo. Certainly for United and England.

16 Aug 2026 14:34:16
Agree with Rio on this. 10 games is nothing, everyone went in eyes open. Harvey just didn't do enough to convince Villa. He's more Championship level, probably, or maybe Germany or another country with a slower league.

16 Aug 2026 15:09:41
He is on weightgain 5000, Beefcake, Beefcake!!

16 Aug 2026 15:25:16
Beckers, I get you mate and fully agree.

From a good Villa supporting mate of mine, he told me that Elliot was brought in by the supporting director behind Emery's back, and Emery wanted Paqueta. Pretty sure the director left a few days after the Elliot deal.

16 Aug 2026 15:51:52
Feel a bit sorry for Elliot, but he has gone backwards. He should look to play abroad in a slower league.

16 Aug 2026 16:19:35
It was Elliott's choice to go to Villa when there were loan options on the continent available. Anyone with a modicum of common sense could see he would not fit in the way Villa play and wasn't likely to get many chances. As it is, he should have got himself in the gym, worked on his fitness, strength and speed, but instead appears to have over familiarised himself with the menu at McDonald's; KFC & Dominons pizza.

It's unprofessional and shows a poor attitude.

16 Aug 2026 16:31:53
Ha ha, I think that Elliot has gone thru that full menu,
but VV, your spot on.

16 Aug 2026 14:44:37
Certainly not ED025 I'm not comparing Elliott to Ronaldo or Rooney.

The point I was trying to make Rooney was in my opinion had more talent than Ronaldo. If had spent less time in my Nans and at Maccies he would have been one of the all time greats.

No looking after yourself makes a massive difference even at Elliotts level.

16 Aug 2026 18:43:30
I remember you saying that, Cheney, but I didn't think it was that bad.

16 Aug 2026 11:36:19
Anyone else watching the behind closed doors match on right now? Very high pressing from what is essentially our second team.

16 Aug 2026 11:50:06
Did I miss something? I've been staring at closed doors all morning.

16 Aug 2026 12:04:12
Yeah, it's very noticeable how high we are pressing! This will suit our players so much better, not only the forwards but defence as well. Como having to go direct a lot to avoid the press, and that should really suit VVD! I'm expecting to see him back to his very best.

Just backed him for player of the year, those long balls and 1v1 situations are meat and drink to him. This has been a hard watch tho. Munoz with some nice moments, Nyoni looking good again, and Macca with some nice passes. Ramsey has surprised me with his defending.

16 Aug 2026 12:08:13
Nothing impressive so far to be honest. Basically what we already suspected - aside from our starters, the rest of the squad is not good enough.

Munoz and Trey are the exceptions so far.

16 Aug 2026 12:10:38
The camera angle is killing me, but it's definitely noticeable, the increase in energy output AI expects from his team, Como not getting much time to think.

16 Aug 2026 12:12:08
Who is captain?

16 Aug 2026 12:20:58
Even game so far, I would say. With both teams struggling to make any serious impact in the final thirds. It's surprising how poor Mamardshvili is with his feet. Always looks awkward and rushed.

16 Aug 2026 12:21:54
Tsimikas is Captain.

16 Aug 2026 12:22:38
It's tough to say the squad isn't good enough based on this game with a lot of the second, third and even fourth string playing.

You hope that you'll only have to call on the second, third or fourth string players occasionally, and not too many of them at a time. Put Ramsey at RB with a full starting 10 players around him, and he'd look a lot better than when he has Endo and Chambers at CB and Elliott in front of him, for example.



I really don't think the squad is as thin as some seem to believe. Yes, there's a drop off in quality from first choice to squad players, but that's why they are squad players. As long as we don't have to play too many of them at once we have numerous players who can do a decent job in every position.

The one position I worry about is the keeper. If Marma has to play too much this season, it will be a problem.

16 Aug 2026 12:25:26
Tsimikas, I think, Taurus. Munoz has been direct and positive, Trey controlled, finding passes between the lines, Mc'Connell is pressing very well.

16 Aug 2026 12:29:04
I deffo agree with Brown Jesus about the camera angle. Victor with some nice moments though.

16 Aug 2026 12:29:26
Correct about Mamardshvili. If the opposition force him to kick it long, they know they are guaranteed to win back possession of the ball.

16 Aug 2026 12:37:17
I don't understand how you guys are watching it if it is behind closed doors?

16 Aug 2026 12:47:51
On LFC TV, Todd.

16 Aug 2026 12:50:21
We're all here, Man of Todd. Looking over fence.

Only you not showed up.

16 Aug 2026 12:51:33
Not one of these players, apart from Munoz, Nyoni and, unfortunately, Mamadashvili, will get anywhere near the first team this season.

16 Aug 2026 12:53:01
Man of Todd, it's on LFC TV.

16 Aug 2026 13:33:02
You've forgotten about Mac Allister and Tsimikas who are definitely in the first team (the squad of 25). And I think Koumas will make it too.

16 Aug 2026 13:38:45
MOT, you can purchase Allred Video for £43 pounds for a year, like I have, less than a pound a week till next June. Exactly the same features as the LFC Channel, it's only the name that's different. Thank Sky for that, the reasons are, financially, obviously Sky want to charge you circa £12 a month for exactly the same content as Allred, which is circa less than four pounds a month.



The dodgy boxes meant that pundits were getting Sky, TNT etc and the LFC Channel for buttons, so the Allred channel was brought out, so LFC didn't miss out on fans wanting to watch the LFC Channel (Subscription needed for Sky etc).

16 Aug 2026 14:10:14
So with Koumas, Munoz and Chiesa playing in this one, who is playing at RW this evening? I am assuming Rio is on the left, Wirtz as 10 and Gakpo is not risked.

16 Aug 2026 14:14:09
I guess Gakpo on the left and Rio on the right.

16 Aug 2026 14:15:46
Probably Gakpo left, Wirtz central behind Isak, Rio right.

16 Aug 2026 14:51:30
Surely you want the 6pm team to be the team against Newcastle to work as a unit. If Gakpo is leaving, you would play him in the earlier game, or not at all. Unless talks are not as advanced as thought (the deal is done but not actually done!!), or the thought is the RW starter against Newcastle will be Our Brad.

16 Aug 2026 15:30:16
Jojo65, please use the correct Fornax scale when commenting on whether a deal is done. 👍

16 Aug 2026 10:58:06
Work for Amazon in acquisitions and unfortunately I have nothing good to report.

Football is already leaving fans behind, as was witnessed in the WC, and now Liverpool, probably the last stand for fans in a club that is still for the people in epl, has been eroded with the corporate money.



FSG have done well and run this club well as a sporting institution but now we are en route to becoming a corporate.

5 years in, you won't recognise this club. My club. It's unfortunate.

Hopefully the leadership is handled by Amit and not Mr Bezos and definitely not by that Facebook lad.

16 Aug 2026 11:17:40
I don't get the feeling that anyone, other than FSG, is happy with the current 30% sale of shares and likely future complete ownership by this particular consortium.
I will also say that Amit is known for not doing that great of a job at QPR. Their fans have said he's a nice guy, but hadn't made very good footballing decisions.


The one thing I'm clinging to is that no one wants their investment to be worth less, so we'll probably remain competitive whilst they own us, but the money will likely have to be self generated.

16 Aug 2026 11:37:32
Where did you purchase the crystal ball from, chaps. 🙈 🥴

Truth be known, who knows what the club will look like in 5 years. imo the fans are the club, mate, and as long as we stick together, we will be fine. Without the likes of sos, FSG tried to make us more corporate, so to speak, so as long as the fans stay united, whatever good/ bad decisions the club makes, the fans will keep the traditions and integrity of the club at its core, thinking to remember what has been built before us and what needs to be built for the future.

16 Aug 2026 11:48:03
I’m not confident. My gut feeling is that Amit wants it but can’t afford it, so called on his mates (who have no real interest) to back him. I don’t see a scenario where Amazon and FB hang around? Couple of years they be gone once Amit is settled.

16 Aug 2026 12:04:44
Amusing you think Liverpool was the last stand for the people 😂😂 it's a business and always has been.

16 Aug 2026 12:05:15
Yet another brand new account, apparently with "insider info".

Hmm, I call Bs. 🤔

16 Aug 2026 12:25:40
The press are riding on Bezos' name because he's newsworthy. If it was someone else, they wouldn't have had a mention. Amazon will have nothing to do with Liverpool and neither will Bezos in reality. K5 are the ones who have invested in Liverpool. Bryan Baum heads it up and he's the one who has a seat on the board.

Bezos is simply a client of K5, of which there are many. It's just that Bezos is clickworthy as a household name. He may take a vague interest, but in reality we're just one of an extremely long list of companies he has his billions tied up in.

16 Aug 2026 12:15:35
How does working at Amazon give you any insight into how a consortium led by Amit Bhatia will run a football club?

16 Aug 2026 13:30:41
It would be much worse if it was a typical institutional private equity investor coming in. They are the types that gut companies for maximum bottom line.

I don't believe Bhatia, Bezos and Saverin will act like traditional PE here. Reading between the lines, they all have different things they would bring to the table that align with where football strategies may go next - namely infrastructure, streaming and social/digital experience.

I think that bodes well that these guys are not coming in to strip its soul out for a few billion dollars, but rather pioneer in new areas/products.

16 Aug 2026 13:32:31
I think Bezos's interest is in working out an angle for selling Amazon Prime subscriptions. With a representative on the LFC board, he gets a tie in the door of the Premier League itself.

16 Aug 2026 14:01:42
Yeah, I agree. I've heard that Amazon are really struggling worldwide and I hope Liverpool Football Club bumps up their sales.

16 Aug 2026 15:04:27
Amazon ain't struggling, but they want to reposition the streaming side of the business. Prime lacks the big franchise anchor series that Netflix and Disney get, but they see that live sports differentiates them and sports fans are less likely to switch to other services compared to movie fans.


Also, Amazon in the USA has reached saturation. It's as big as it can get. So growth is in Europe and Asia, where the Premier League is the most watched league by a long way. Tie that to an Amazon subscription, link it to free delivery of almost everything. Now you have global growth.

16 Aug 2026 15:29:26
Why don't Amazon just sponsor the Premier League and name it the Amazon Premier League.

Part owning a team and trying to access more streaming rights would surely be bordering on conflict of interest. Whereas, if they sponsored the full lot, it's a cake walk.

16 Aug 2026 09:33:16
Well there's one thing about Bezos being onboard, at least any new players might get delivered next day.
I'll get mi coat lol.

{Ed025's Note - good stuff Rum..

16 Aug 2026 10:14:18
Yep - chucked in the wheelie bins at the back of the stand!

16 Aug 2026 10:20:48
I've heard this joke a few times now over the days, and he's still not delivered a player.

We might be better selling the other 70% to Postman Pat.

16 Aug 2026 10:34:20
Has anyone checked with the neighbours?


They may all be wondering around Goodison Park?
Looking for the.... discuss.

16 Aug 2026 10:47:01
As long as we end up in Prime position I'll be happy.

16 Aug 2026 10:09:42
What do you mean next day? , I order in the morning it's here by tea time, mind you I have to spend 20 squid to get it, but you get my point, we should all be more Jeff Bezos

16 Aug 2026 12:01:44
Potentially got delivered by Evri instead. So somebody better check to see if Barcola is in New Brighton having been lobbed over the Mersey.

16 Aug 2026 09:08:10
See a lot of talk about replacing Alisson, he’s 32, not even old in goalkeeper years. Van Der Sar was still one of the best in the world until he got bored and packed in at 40. PSG signed Buffon when he was 40. Neuer is 40 now and has only recently started declining.

I say we give Ali a new deal on the condition he has barbecues slightly less often mid-season. We’ll regret letting him go when he’s still one of the best in the world in 5 years time.

16 Aug 2026 09:41:23
Agreed. There is no-one standing out to replace him, and he's still an incredible asset. The only issue will be if he wants to finish his career in Brazil, which, by the sounds of it, he does.

16 Aug 2026 09:43:33
To be fair, Van der Sar played in an era where keepers stood on their line and rarely had to kick the ball. He was never injured.

Neuer has struggled massively with injury in recent years. In the last 4 years he has missed 20, 11, 12 and 12 league games. His decline started years ago, mate. Alisson is also missing a lot of games too. They might both still be world class keepers when they're fit, but the problem is who you have to cover them for the 25-50% of the season they miss.



Alisson is elite. Best keeper we've had in 50 years at least, but do you really want Mamardashvili playing 10-20 league games a season? That's what you're accepting if you stick with Alisson into his mid-30s. It's not like he gets unlucky with impact injuries, these are constant niggling muscle injuries.

Personally, I'd keep Alisson and see if we can get a solid 2nd keeper like we had with Kelleher. But I can see why many people think it's time to move on.

16 Aug 2026 10:10:51
Can't blame Alisson for his understudy being crap.

16 Aug 2026 10:44:14
All depends on what Ali wants to do; he's missed serious gametime in recent years due to injury. When you're plagued like that, you get fed up, and there comes a point when it's just not worth it anymore.

Would love to see him sign a new contract, but I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I was confident he would. He has always said he'd like to finish his career in Brazil.

16 Aug 2026 10:57:24
He's been a great for us, no doubt. A world class player. Haven't a clue who could replace him when he goes back to Brazil.

16 Aug 2026 11:20:03
He can still finish his career in Brazil after signing another 3-4 year contract with us.
He's at the point now where he is one of the leaders of the team and that is just as valuable as his keeping ability.

16 Aug 2026 11:33:20
I hope he stays. His injury record sucks and he can't save penalties. But apart from that he's still the best around, he's one of Liverpool's out and out true world class players.

16 Aug 2026 11:44:48
What a shame Jaros had to have knee surgery and won't be available for the rest of 2026. I rate him highly, and he could (eventually) be Alisson's understudy answer.

16 Aug 2026 11:51:11
@LiverpoolFC8, His penalty shootout record is bad. But his in game penalty record is pretty good.

I love Ali, but I don't think he performed to his elite standards last season. First time I felt in a while that we don't have the best keeper in the world.

He might yet bounce back this season and I will love for it to happen, but I think injuries have started to take a toll on him.

16 Aug 2026 12:07:39
I would love to have Alisson for another few years, but we have to remember what he wants.

He may want to go back to Brazil, be with his family, especially given how hard he was hit by losing his dad.

I would only want him to leave us to join a Brazilian club, otherwise we should move heaven and earth to keep him at Liverpool.

16 Aug 2026 13:43:37
What are our young lads like?
I'd definitely renew Becker, I think Marmadashvilli is mediocre.

16 Aug 2026 15:04:12
Great things expected of Jaros, but especially Pecsi (based on the sporadic reports on here in prior seasons).

If Pecsi does well in his loan, he could even leapfrog Jaros?

For me, definitely renew Alisson, or if he really wants to leave, then go all out for Diogo Costa.

16 Aug 2026 07:16:58
A lot of online sources saying we are in discussions for Wharton. Ed's thoughts?

{Ed001's Note - I don't see how he fits our need. We need bite and mobility in midfield, he has neither.}

16 Aug 2026 09:55:53
Yeah, seems a strange one to me! We definitely need additions in midfield, as it's currently weak in my opinion.

16 Aug 2026 10:03:51
I'm a big fan of Wharton. While he does lack pace, he has great anticipation and positioning, and seems to be in the right place at the right time to get the ball. I think him picking the ball up off the defence and spraying balls out to the pacey wingers that Iraola likes, or to Wirtz or Isak, could be massive. Iraola wants to turn defence into attack quickly, and before the oppo have time to get back into a low block.

If Iraola can improve Scott's work rate and defensive numbers, I don't see why he couldn't do the same for Wharton. If Szobo could be trained to be positionally disciplined and use his pace and stamina to cover Wharton, I think that could be an elite midfield pairing.

16 Aug 2026 09:45:31
Ed, any chance you could drop Bezos and co and email and ask for Sadiki or a similiar type of player, seems he makes a huge difference to our nidfield.

{Ed001's Note - I will fire that off now, I am sure he will get right on it.}

16 Aug 2026 10:52:46
Just tell him you'll cancel your Prime subscription if he doesn't. 🤣🤣

{Ed001's Note - I get mine free!

16 Aug 2026 10:35:24
Jesus, I'm agreeing with ed001 now, strange times these

16 Aug 2026 10:55:12
Tend to agree with ed1 on Wharton, v good player with right players around him but not what we need at minute.
Other than sadiki ed1 do u know of any of that type of player about r available? I wouldn't have great knowledge of European leagues and what available there but of what I do know there v little of them type of players about.

Guimaries away too Arsenal (bit too old imo anyway) rodri won't be going to us for sure.
The defensive type midfielders now all seem to be passers and not really any steel r very little aggression to them

{Ed001's Note - maybe Camara?

16 Aug 2026 11:34:31
Wharton and Camara are both needed for me... Jones is going, Mac staying, but he's bobbins.

16 Aug 2026 00:08:21
Hi Eds,

Just a question as I wouldn't have a clue

But with Bezos and Amazon, will it be heavily scrutinised with our games and other marketing opportunities and Amazon?

{Ed001's Note - sorry I don't understand the question mate.}

16 Aug 2026 02:51:04
Ed001
So far the club has recouped just £750, 000 via sales on Luca Stephenson.
It looks like Jones is agreed for £30m to Inter too but I think that will be Mon/Tue but that's it.
Gakpo is a maybe to Spurs but only at the right price so in terms of money coming in it's really quite poor this summer compared to other windows.


Do you see Macca staying or going to find a different type of midfielder in this window?

{Ed001's Note - sadly looks like we are stuck with Macca, I think other teams must have watched him play.}

16 Aug 2026 09:50:37
I suspect that Macca will leave for a heavily reduced fee next year, no way he starts in the midfield for AI unless he applies himself better or improves massively. Just don't see how he fits into the system or tactics, that said he was OK in his first season with us under Klopp if memory serves me correctly.

Wirtz in the 10, Grav as the 6, Slob as the 8 he won't start many, but will definitely be part of the rotation group behind those three. We are still incredibly light in the middle. What Hjumland of Kaishu Sano Ed? Hjumland would certainly give us the bite and physical presence we are looking for and need.

16 Aug 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Last Bus to Woodstock has posted a new article entitled, Wolves Left With Big Questions After Blackburn