Liverpool banter 5

15 Jul 2026 17:08:07
Ahh, Barcola had "one bad game" against very good opposition. The bad game happens to be against real quality.
Barcola played in a farmer's league and Enrique is happy to move him on. The assertness on Barcola and many other's concerning this World Cup is farcical.


James Rodriguez was "amazing" during a World Cup and fooled Real Madrid.
I'll repeat, a six week tournament does not show what kind of player you're getting. When the season starts again some of you will come back to reality of who the "superstars" are.

15 Jul 2026 17:52:23
Never happened for Paul Scholes internationally, and he was great.

15 Jul 2026 17:53:07
Not one person is claiming Barcola is a superstar or world class.

He has potential, he has traits which are very attractive in the Premier League, namely: pace to burn, game intelligence, availability, good close ball control.

He may not live up to his potential, but I can absolutely appreciate why Liverpool would be interested in him.

15 Jul 2026 17:58:58
So can I, Ron, but 100m shouldn't be getting you potential.

15 Jul 2026 18:01:07
That abject 55 minutes by Bradley is a perfect reflection of his entire career to date. That has been all the Barcola critics pointed yesterday, not because of that 55 minutes he is rubbish. That 55 minutes has been a synopsis of his entire career to date. Ineffective, over hyped, confusing, anonymous, clueless and appalling.

15 Jul 2026 18:13:39
So Florian, is it the player you object to or the fee?

15 Jul 2026 18:35:05
In a winger market markedly short of "proven quality" it is potential where you have to turn and unfortunately in the current market that comes with the fee.

15 Jul 2026 18:36:21
You cannot write off Barcola & Co. All the French attackers were poor last night. Olise, with no space to operate in, went MIA. Spain had superb control of the match.

15 Jul 2026 18:46:38
Exactly that, Starseeker. Mbappe was worse than Barcola last night, but are we saying he's rubbish too?

How about Dembele? Olise? They looked like they wouldn't get in Everton's team last night, but are far from rubbish.

Personally I think Barcola is exactly what we need. He is very fast, direct, skillful, and can go either way. What's not to like?

15 Jul 2026 19:10:26
Exactly, Kingkev10. People would be wise to know the difference.

15 Jul 2026 20:01:37
Conor Bradley had one good game for us, and the majority of Liverpool fans I've spoken to think he's the reincarnation of Javier Zanetti... Barcola isn't world class, nor is he useless; he's somewhere on between. Is he worth 100 million? Of course not, but is Fernandes worth 75, or is Tonali worth a 100? Never, but that's the market today, and we helped inflate it last season with the purchases of Ek, Wirtz & Isak.

If Barcola becomes a Liverpool player, I'll support him, but keep my expectations in check. They all can't be Mo, Bobby & Sadio.

15 Jul 2026 20:21:56
Barcola critics had to sit pretty quiet until they could say something.

15 Jul 2026 21:01:37
For me, Barcola 2026 is quite similar to Salah at Roma. Excellent pace, some trickery and smartness, but not really an output reflecting general play. Klopp and his team sorted out Salah. Could Iraola & co turn Barcola into a solid finisher? Remains to be seen if he joins, and 100 mil is quite steep for a work-in-progress-player.

15 Jul 2026 21:47:04
I agree with Ron on Barcola. As our late great ED02 would put it I'd ignore the money. So what if he costs 100m? That's what PSG wants and if we think it's the going rate and he is the player required then we'll pay it and so we should. That's the way the market is going whether you like it or not. Our club is awash with money, is well run, has good owners and wants to compete at the very top level for the top trophies.

Buy the very best that fits the club and have a team that Iraola and ourselves deserve. Forget this nonsense about RN and HE and CJ being first 11 players. They're not. We need players. Good ones. They don't come cheap and Barcola is one of those.

15 Jul 2026 16:24:37
Santi Aouna journo on X has reported that Olise wants to go Madrid, and that Bayern want Barcola to replace him.

Anyone think there may be a chance of that, or Olise to Madrid, Gakpo to Bayern and Barcola to us?

15 Jul 2026 16:38:02
Olise won't be sold by Bayern unless it's over 175 million - Madrid don't pay for players.

15 Jul 2026 18:00:20
They'll pay for Superstars. Wasn't Mbappes signing on fee 160m or something crazy like that?

15 Jul 2026 19:11:26
That's some 4 D chess right there. Sorry, I can't participate in.

16 Jul 2026 07:02:17
But that wasn't a transfer fee, Florian, that was paid to the player on a free transfer.

15 Jul 2026 14:31:18
Is Zabarnyi still being discussed as a purchase or loan to purchase option for us? Was reported here last week or previous week, just wondering if there's been any progress on a deal or is it dead in the water?

15 Jul 2026 16:03:26
Just slow at the moment, Macca. Lots of posturing, World Cup still to be concluded, some players still on holiday. I expect it will all pick up pace next week and towards the back end of the month.

15 Jul 2026 16:29:28
No arguments between him and Murillo also touted. Think they are the two best candidates, especially Zabarnyi, ticks more boxes, played for Andoni already, had Kerkez also as one of his full backs. That's 50% or half your back four who already know the new Andoni System to be implemented. That's a huge advantage for a quicker, seamless transition. Only problem, Enrique would not want to strengthen the team who are going to be his nemesis in the very near future, just like I would not have any business with taking any of his surplus wingers.



Also, knowing Glasner, who my view of him is that he is slippery and underhand with the truth, will most definitely engineer the same situation that LFC had with the Guehi fiasco at the beginning of last season and the following winter transfer window. Indeed, I thank the Lord that Andoni was preferred as LFC manager rather than him. His type of football is anti-football, park the bus for a whole season. Who would want to watch that? Probably the posters who were keen on him for the job, even after what he had done to LFC regards Guehi. "No Thanks".

15 Jul 2026 18:48:33
Zabyarni would be a shrewd and excellent signing. I hope this comes to fruition.

15 Jul 2026 19:49:38
I think so too, Shankly.

15 Jul 2026 21:05:25
Got found out at PSG, and quite badly. Prem proven, League 1 disproven? Not convinced sat all.

{Ed001's Note - he doesn't play because he doesn't get on with the Russian keeper, nothing to do with performances.}

15 Jul 2026 13:12:55
Hi Ned. If you are still online, mate. I love reading your posts. Take a nice break and come back please. You add a lovely balance to the forum. Informative insight with a light sprinkling of humour. Serious posters and long term visitors (20 years) know that any information given is like life it is subject to change and not set in stone.

Nothing in life is certain except death, taxes and our life long love of the club, city and this forum. Keep the faith brothet. YNWA.

15 Jul 2026 14:41:15
Same here... I always scroll to the bottom of the post first, to see what ITK has written it... then I'll read it.... You're one of them, Ned... keep it going.... 👍

15 Jul 2026 12:22:19.
What are people’s thoughts on what we need to do this summer, realistically we’d all love new CMs, DMs, LB, RB, LW, RW, CB; however, if we could only sign 3/4 players where would people prioritise?

Personally I’d keep our main squad players from last season, sell Elliott, Chiesa and any of the youth players who are not looking like making the grade.

Then we add LW, RW, CB and potentially a CM. My picks are Barcola, Minteh, Joao Gomes and Geertruida.

15 Jul 2026 12:31:54
I think we need :-
GK
RB
LB
CB
CB
DM
DM
RW
AM
LW
CF

Nothing that a tweak here and there can't fix.

15 Jul 2026 12:53:02
I don't think we need a lb or a lw at all tbh.

15 Jul 2026 12:54:42
CB (that can cover RB) -
CB
LB (if Kostas is sold) -
DM -
LW (if Gakpo is sold or moved to cover CF)
RW

Need these.

15 Jul 2026 13:00:30
I think RW, CM, RB and CB.

Diomande or Narcola
Joao Gomes
Zabarnyi
RB ??

15 Jul 2026 13:03:55
Was always a minimum of 5 players in my eyes -.

RB - Frimpong and Bradley not ideal.
CB - replace Konate, we're still one short with Jacquet coming in.
DM - replace Macca and/or Endo with someone who is defensive minded.
LW - replace Chiesa.
RW - replace Mo.

Anymore was dependent on outgoings, eg Curtis, Gakpo, Marmar.

15 Jul 2026 14:16:44
You could argue we have replaced Chiesa with Elliot or even Munoz.

Endo didn't play, so he doesn't need replacing, just bring Macconnell.

15 Jul 2026 14:22:29
We need a manager that attends U21 games and training. Anything on that be a bonus.

15 Jul 2026 14:30:15
GK: (ok)
Alisson, Mama, Woodman, Pecsi, Misciur, Davies, Jaros

RB: (lacking in availability)
Frimpong, Bradley, Ramsay, Mabaya

CB: (ok, but quite a young crop)
Gomez, Virgil, Jacquet, Leoni, Ndiaye, Ndukwe, Nallo, Lucky

LB: (ok)
Kerkez, Tsimikas, Beck, Chambers, Scanlon

DM: (lacking in ability)
Endo, Bajcetic, McConnell

CM: (ok unless someone leaves)
Macca, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Jones

RW/AM/LW: (ok unless someone leaves)
Elliott, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Koumas, Gakpo, Munoz, Rio, Chiesa, Morrison, Abe

CF: (ok, Gakpo/Munoz can cover)
Isak, Ekitike, Danns, Wright

Right now I'm thinking we absolutely need a DM and a RB. I like our squad overall though, and think we've already replaced the 3 who left (Konate - Jacquet) (Robbo - Tsimikas) (Salah - Munoz) in terms of numbers at the very least.



I see Alisson, Jacquet, Virgil, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo and Isak as the obvious regular starters, so that is 9 of a very good 11. Macca/Jones and Frimpong/Bradley feel like weak links to me, but we do have the nucleus of a very good side already; they were just being mismanaged by Slot. To summarise, a DM and RB are my priorities as those two positions we lack ability and/or availability. Joao Gomes would be a nice start. Who knows which RB we may target. If Barcola joins then Gakpo will surely go and I think that would make us stronger overall.

15 Jul 2026 14:39:08
You would think for the Munoz fee that he's going to play a lot more than Chiesa did.

15 Jul 2026 14:48:17
MK Scouser, at least 19 of those players you listed won't get anywhere near the first team this season. Or if they do, we're competing with Brentford for a Conference League place. Take the unnecessary padding out, and the squad is ridiculously thin in places.

15 Jul 2026 14:51:30
I always enjoy reading your posts, MK. Just picking up on your 9 regular starters.

Alisson - Cannot stay fit for more than 10 games.

Jacquet - Unproven.

Vvd - Time catching up.

Gravenberch - Needs to get back to title winning form.



Wirtz - Needs to step up. Bang average last season, at best. Jury is out.

Gakpo - Really?

Isak - Needs to stay fit, which is a major concern.

Not all of the above was the fault of Slot.

15 Jul 2026 14:57:21
MK, we were short of one CB last season (we were trying to sign Guehi, remember?). We were very lucky Virg and Ibou didn't get injuries. Jacquet might replace the player profile, but doesn't fix the CB number issue.

Counting on Joe Gomez's availability is a mistake we have made for 6+ years. We need one more to have a reliable 4 CBs, with Gomez a bonus.

15 Jul 2026 15:19:29
To clarify, I'm not saying there aren't other positions I'd like to improve on. I was just sticking to the OP's parameters of 3 or 4 priority signings. I chose to be decisive with my priorities and go with 3.

RB, we are very weak due to injuries, DM we are virtually non-existent due to neglecting this area in the market since signing Endo 3 years ago, and if Gakpo leaves we're reduced to starting Rio, Elliott or Munoz, who are arguably not starting quality.

There's plenty of other areas we could strengthen, sure. But that defeats the whole object of the OP's question if I start reeling off a list of 6 or 7 players. My 3 priorities are a Right back, a Defensive Midfielder and a Starting Winger.

Whether or not a lot of our CB's are young or not, we still have 8 and 4 of them signed in the last 12 months.

Whether or not people like Wirtz and Isak, they cost £225m and will most likely be considered starters as the money men will have serious questions if not. Whether or not people like Gravenberch, he's on £280k a week and will probably be a starter. Whether or not people still think Virgil is declining, he's the captain and on £350k a week so he's hardly going to sit on the bench all season. Alisson being injury prone does not change the fact he'll be our first choice keeper next season when he is fit, and you can probably put your house on that.

Don't come after me just because I'm the only one who took the "priority" parameter of the question seriously haha!

15 Jul 2026 15:32:00
Good response back, MK, to my totally negative post. Your posts are always well thought out, unlike most of mine.

As a bare minimum, we need a RB, an experienced CB, or preferably someone who can play both. A DM and a wide player, left or right, who can also cover for Isak, who will undoubtedly spend most of the season injured.

15 Jul 2026 16:07:55
MK, if you are counting the 3 CB kiddies added to the academy as senior options, then you have to ask yourself what you are planning to achieve next season in the wealthiest and most competitive league in the world.

If the answer isn't challenging for the title, who can we blame for the transformation from champions to where we are?

15 Jul 2026 16:24:34
FPF, I'm happy to count one of them as 5th choice behind Virgil, Jacquet, Leoni and Gomez. We've just paid £60m for Jacquet, so I'm not having it that he's signed to sit on the bench, as you don't really rotate CBs.

I would happily sell Gomez and sign an upgrade, but that just isn't even close to a priority in my mind. Leoni cost about £35m last summer and should be fully fit by August. Virgil is the captain and played every minute in the League last season, so he's unlikely to suddenly become an OAP.



I'd love to sell Gomez and sign Zabarnyi though. It's just not in my top 3 priorities.

My priorities if I expanded on the OP's criteria would be:
1. Sell Jones, sign Joao Gomes
2. Sell Ramsay, sign a RB (not sure who)
3. Sell Gakpo, sign Barcola
4. Sell Macca, sign Kone
5. Sell Gomez, sign Zabarnyi

After that I'd be happy with the squad. 4 and 5 feel like nice to haves rather than crucial components to being in the title race though, in my opinion.

15 Jul 2026 17:20:38
Like this list, MK, and doable.

15 Jul 2026 17:44:17
And there's the problem. Counting Joe Gomez.

15 Jul 2026 11:28:48
Hi guys
First time poster
Did the Darwin Nunez rumour die in the water?
I would personally have loved to see him back in some capacity!

And do you think any of the current squad will get a stay of execution so Areola can have pre season start of season to asses?

15 Jul 2026 11:44:37
Asses? They'd been the butt of locker room jokes.

15 Jul 2026 11:53:18
Thought I was on the wrong forum when I read about areolas and asses.

{Ed001's Note - it does sound like something Ed25 has been googling.}

15 Jul 2026 11:57:23
He wants to what? With their asses? Surely HR will be involved soon.

15 Jul 2026 12:05:56
Asses and nipples in the same post!

15 Jul 2026 12:34:49
Areolas and asses? Surely, that PG-13.

15 Jul 2026 15:00:38
Yeah, OP, Andoni Iraola won't like being called a nipple pal.

15 Jul 2026 19:51:27
Not sure it was ever a real thing, OP.

15 Jul 2026 10:54:16
Just picking up on posts from yesterday and reading that Ned has decided to take a break - that’s a real shame as I enjoy his posts immensely!

The vast majority of reputable ITKs that put rumours out do so in good faith and they’re posting what their sources give them. An awful lot of their rumours come good and a few don’t so they don’t need the vitriol & criticism that often nowadays come their way! Just enjoy their contributions!

I’ve been coming on here for a year after being a compulsive reader and I’ve noticed a change in attitude to a lot of replies - I’m old enough & ugly enough not to give a toss if people don’t like my posts but there are no doubt posters on here who see this site as a release or a relief from certain things in life and view this platform as a place they can give an opinion without criticism.

A sort of club with thousands of mates that they’ll never see!
Let’s not put people off posting, that’s all I’m
Saying!

15 Jul 2026 11:28:01
Yea, I felt a massive change here recently. My handle used to be Red Lobster a few years ago, and yes, a lot of people were using this in the wording way, and I'm not surprised some have had enough.

15 Jul 2026 12:03:08
Agree Bristol red I've never known it be so nasty on here in the years I've been on here,

All news is good news, it's a rumour site and I'm not bothered if you are itk or read something on Twitter or your google feed, ceefax, teletext or you phoned club call, you should feel free to share without some bellend telling you your wrong or just copied and pasted something,
It's a site for fans who's motto is ynwa
So can we at least follow that instead of having a go

15 Jul 2026 13:31:08
Have to agree with you there as well, I have been on here for close to 10 years now but only actively posting in the last few months as plucked up the courage and can for sure sense that there is lot more animosity when some post and seems like more people go at the ITKs or anyone that posts an out of the blue rumour and more often than not wants it to fail so they can have an 'I told you so' moment rather than live in hope.

My viewpoint on the ITKs as you have said already is that they share what they have in good faith and things in football change so fast so if an ITK shares info and it happens amazing then I have had more time to enjoy the possibility and if it doesn't happen then I accept something must have happened or they could have been fed some misinformation which can happen.

I will always remember Fekir he had all but signed did the media etc and I believe (the Eds can correct me if wrong) was about to be announced before the plug was pulled as the medical indicated the knee injury and that was nailed on till the final minute highlighting things can change at any moment. Even look at Guehi in the summer all but done and then over within an hour and now he is at city.

15 Jul 2026 14:40:28
Far too many people see themselves as Moderators or part time Ed's of the site now.

15 Jul 2026 16:08:55
Why did you capitalise the M in moderators mid-sentence, Mcgoveb? :)

15 Jul 2026 16:58:25
ChickenEkitike, The Fekir deal was nailed on and was a mystery why it never completed. However, I heard a recent interview with Klopp, and he said it was all systems go with Fekir until they heard Alisson was available and they couldn't afford both. So it seems the Fekir medical explanation was fabricated to allow us to go after the player Klopp wanted most.

15 Jul 2026 19:57:45
"The Fekir deal was nailed on and was a mystery why it never completed."

Not a myqtery imo, Kemlyn. Indeed, the deal was on and Fekir had done his interview in an LFC kit redy to go and all that. Then suddenly, some dude out of nowhere came in claiming to be Fekir's relative and agent pulls up asking for more money in agent fees and all that and then, we just decided to call it a day.

This news was out a couple of years back even on here.

Now, Klopp may have said what he said just to diffuse the situation (cos that's what he does) but I don't believe that version because that is the first time i'm hearing it.

As for Ali, he was getting signed regardless because we inquired about him in the Jan window before. Who said that? Jurgen Klopp. Source? Ed01, back in the day.

15 Jul 2026 10:45:34
Does anyone know if we are looking at Malick Fofana at Lyon?
Only 21, winger, fast, takes people on.
Skills video online looks the part.
We were looking last year, and Lyon needed money, maybe still do.
I think he was around 30 - 40 million. Different money to the rest.

I love the transfer window at the end of the season, seeing all the clubs getting big names in.

Gives you more pleasure when we beat them.

Looking forward to this season, new manager with a tactical football brain, players coming back from injuries last season will boost the squad. Bradley, Leoni, Isak and Ekitike plus new lads Munoz and Jaquet, plus Harveys back.

Manager has said he wants more players, so still some ins and outs to go. I'm walking with hope in my heart. YNWA.

15 Jul 2026 11:25:27
I think he was a serious option last summer. Not sure why we didn't do it given the fee and the fact we were talking to them about Tyler Morton.

Unfortunately, he has spent much of last season injured.

That probably reduces the chances of a move this summer. You never know though.

15 Jul 2026 12:03:29
Constantly injured, it's a hard pass.

15 Jul 2026 10:32:56
Ed and any ITK's,
I realise the headline pushers are hyping up the relatively quiet transfer market but does anyone know if we have a genuine interest in Bouaddi? There are several 'reports' that Man City is preparing a deal.
Thanks to all the real ITK's for the solid info, it really raises my morale.
Phil

15 Jul 2026 11:27:10
Sounds like we really want him but the fee might be beyond what we are willing to do, while City, Gooners and Real also want him.

We tend to stay away from auctions.

15 Jul 2026 16:39:33
Can't see us being in the mix, position is not a priority and not at the numbers mentioned.